Japan Highlights

Price
From 4,603
Meals
1 breakfast, 3 dinners
Transportation
Transport Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train
Accomodation
Hotel (7 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Destinations
Japan
Theme
Explorer, Rail
Minimum Age
15
Trip Type
Group Tours

Overview

Experience the speed of Japan, fast and slow, from Tokyo to Osaka

Home of the sumo, geishas, sake, karaoke, onsen and izakaya – Japan is a feast for all your senses. This nine-day journey hits all the right spots, giving you a true appreciation for the land of the rising sun. Absorb the bustle of Tokyo before heading into the countryside for a homestay with fantastic home-cooked meals and take in the views of the iconic Mt Fuji. Travel on a futuristic bullet train to Kyoto and Hiroshima and step into this nation’s history before wrapping up your adventure in the foodie paradise of Osaka.

Why you'll love this trip

Explore some of the best parts of Japan in just over a week! This is a cultural and culinary whirlwind from the streets of Tokyo to the eats of Osaka.
Discover the peaceful rural life with a countryside home stay in Shizuoka prefecture, sitting with the backdrop of Mt Fuji. Learn about the region’s local produce and sit down to a farm-to-table feast with your hosts.
Visit the red torii gate standing in the sea in Miyajima, learn about the history of Hiroshima and treat your taste buds to a signature Okonomiyaki pancake and a tasting through Hiroshima's 'sake town'.
Ride the rails like the locals, from lightning-fast bullet trains to scenic mountain rails offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
See the many sides of Shibuya in Tokyo, from busy intersections to the tranquility of the ancient Meiji Shrine and the quirky fashion of Harajuku.

Day 01 :

Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Tokyo. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, Tokyo has fascinating museums, world-class shopping and backstreets stuffed with restaurants and karaoke bars. If you arrive early, maybe check out an Urban Adventure Tour in Tokyo or walk down Shinjuku’s Omoide Tokocho (Memory Lane) – a crowded alley of busy restaurants and bar stalls that's now one of the best spots to try some of Tokyo’s local fast food. After your meeting, follow your leader on an orientation walk, then maybe head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Included activities
Tokyo - welcome meeting and orientation walk

Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 02 :

Tokyo

Dive right into Tokyo today by exploring historic Asakusa – one of the older and more traditional parts of the city. Visit the city’s oldest temple, Senso-ji – founded almost 1400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village. Then, browse the many interesting stalls along the shopping street of Nakamise Dori. After, hop on the metro and head to the buzzing Shibuya area. Check out one of the busiest intersections in the world before heading into a depachika (underground food hall) for a mouth-watering array of tempting Japanese treats. Next, allow the city sounds to fade away as you visit Meiji Shrine, surrounded by forest. Then it’s back into the city streets to explore the Harajuku district – the home of Japan’s quirky youth pop culture. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Included activities
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour

Optional activities
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free

Day 03 :

Kawane (or Gotemba)

Today, you’ll hop on a local train to Kanaya station, then transfer to the scenic train that travels through the mountains and gorges of Kawane. The ride is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season in the spring and when the colours change in autumn! Watch out for a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on the way when the weather is good! This afternoon, visit a local tea farm, try your hand at tea picking and learn how the tea is properly brewed. After this experience, your host for the night will welcome you to their home. Dinner will be a home-cooked feast using seasonal vegetables from their garden, and your host will be able to teach you a thing or two about Japanese home cooking.

For some departures, you'll travel to Gotemba instead. This is to ensure that we do not overwhelm our Kawane hosts with too many groups and ensure we are working with local communities in a sustainable manner. For these departures, you'll travel to Gotemba instead and your local hosts will welcome you into their home. You'll be able to help pick the vegetables that'll be used for dinner from their garden, learn about their life in the countryside and enjoy a fantastic home-cooked dinner together.

Accommodation
Homestay (1 night)

Meals
Dinner

Included activities
Kawane/Gotemba - Homestay & Home-cooked Dinner
Kawane - Tea Farm Visit & Tea Brewing & Tasting (or Gotemba - Local farm and vegetable picking)

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Your home stay tonight is a rare chance to gain some real insight into rural life in Japan. The group may be split and stay in different houses. Up to three or four travellers may share one household, and the facilities will be shared. You will sleep on traditional futons on tatami mats tonight, just like the locals do.

The scenic train is currently suspended due to damage. While it's being restored, you'll travel by bus instead. Tea picking season is from the end of April to October, but you can still learn how tea is properly brewed at the farm outside of this season. Both are only for departures that travel to Kawane today.

Day 04 :

Kyoto

After a home-cooked, Japanese-style breakfast, hop on the bus and a Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. One of Kyoto’s original names was Heian-kyo, which translates to ‘tranquility and peace capital’, and the thousands of temples, shrines and gardens make it clear why. In the afternoon, head to the Nishiki Market and stroll through ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’ for the perfect introduction to Kyoto's regional specialties – from pickled vegetables hidden beneath layers of fermented rice to delicious and ornate Kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets) and other local produce. As the sun goes down, continue to Gion – the city’s cultural centre and most famous geisha district. You may catch a glimpse of an elegantly attired geisha or maiko moving between teahouses here, though much of this high-class world of entertainment is still off-limits to outsiders.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
Breakfast

Included activities
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market

Optional activities
Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Day 05 :

Kyoto

Today, you’ll head to one of the most photogenic spots in Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Famous for the thousands of scarlet torii (square archways) along the path, this shrine is dedicated to Inari – the god of rice. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the Path of Philosophy, see the Old Town and explore the wooden houses, or visit Kinkakuhi Temple, which was immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel ‘The Golden Pavilion’. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Included activities
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha

Optional activities
Kyoto - Kyoto Tower - JPY900
Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY600
Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free

Day 06 :

Hiroshima

Travel by express train and shinkansen to Hiroshima today. Depending on what time you arrive today, you may visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park this afternoon or tomorrow morning. The Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Museum stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated, so it was able to retain its shape. The fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing has made it an enduring symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims. This evening, head out with your leader for one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood).

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
Dinner

Included activities
Hiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A-Bomb Dome

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Day 07 :

Hiroshima

Today you'll make your way to the nearby island of Miyajima with its well-known 'floating' torii gate. When you arrive, maybe explore the island further by climbing to the top of Mt Miyajima (or hopping on the cable car instead) for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea. Keep your eyes out for inquisitive and hungry deer that roam the streets. After, visit the Saijo Sake Brewery Street and taste some locally produced sake. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore Hiroshima at your own pace. Maybe stop by the five-storied Hiroshima Castle, which originally dates to the 1590s. It was destroyed by the bomb but reconstructed in all its glory in the 1950s and now holds an informative museum. The wonderful Shukkeien Garden, with teahouses and waterfalls, is also a perfect place to decompress.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Included activities
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
Hiroshima - Saijo Sake Brewery Street visit & tasting

Optional activities
Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shine - JPY300

Day 08 :

Osaka

Jump back on the train this morning and head to Osaka – Japan’s unofficial food capital. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk, then explore the city at your own pace. Meet in the evening for a street food walking tour with your group through Dotombori District and Kuromon Market and celebrate the last night of your trip.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Meals
Dinner

Included activities
Osaka - Dotombori and Kuromon Street Food Walking Tour

Day 09 :

Osaka

With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end today. If you would like to extend your stay in Osaka, and it’s recommended that you do, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.

Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

FAQs

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Is this trip right for you?

Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.
The farm stay on Day 3 will be mostly in Kawane, with a visit to the local tea farm. As our host gets older, they cannot accommodate all our groups, so for some departures, you’ll experience a different homestay instead in Gotemba. In such cases, you’ll not visit the tea farm, but your host will show you their wonderful vegetable gardens and you’ll take part in helping them pick the veggies needed for a fantastic home-cooked dinner for the night.

Visas

Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The “Add connection” feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Homestay (1 night)
RYOKANS & MINSHUKUS
Japanese-style accommodation – ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation – this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning. Some of such properties will only give 1 key for each room so you can leave the key at the reception so that you and your roommate won’t have to conform to the same schedule when you are out exploring.

AVAILABILITY
The recent huge increase in tourism to Japan has put a lot of pressure on accommodation. On occasion, we may need to change accommodation from what is listed in the itinerary in order to operate your departure with minimal changes.

ONSENS
We like to encourage travellers to visit traditional Japanese ‘onsens’ while in the country as it is a quintessential local experience. In public onsens this means bathing naked with others of the same gender. While the experience can feel strange at first for some, most of our groups end up enjoying this activity. There is very specific etiquette for visiting onsens – your leader can give you some tips and instructions. Please be aware that travellers with tattoos may not be permitted to enter public onsens. Private onsens may also be available – talk to your leader for more information.

Joining point

ICI HOTEL Ueno Shin-Okachimachi
4-23 Taito, Taito 110-0016 Tokyo Prefecture Tokyo JAPAN

Description

ICI HOTEL Ueno Shin-Okachimachi is conveniently located for both business and sightseeing, about 15 minutes from Tokyo Station. It is also just 10-minutes walk from the nearest JR Okachimachi Station, and 3minutes walk from Shin-Okachimachi Station on the Toei Oedo Line. There are supermarkets, convenience stores and shopping streets around the hotel, making it very convenient.
It is within walking distance of Ueno Ameyoko and a 5-minute train ride to Asakusa.

Instructions

Japan has a very efficient public transport service and there are many ways to get from the two airports in the Tokyo region (Narita Airport or Haneda Airport) to your hotel. Narita is located approx. 65 km from Tokyo and taxi fares are expensive given the distance (around JPY25,000). Haneda Airport is closer to central Tokyo and a taxi fare will cost around JPY6,000-10,000.

Arrival at Narita Airport (NRT)
From the Narita Airport (NRT) you can reach Ueno Station via Express train or Limousine bus. The most direct way is to take the Keisei Skyliner express to Keisei Ueno Station (approx. JPY2,500 and 40 mins, though there are cheaper and slighly slower options on the same line) and walk to Ueno Okachimachi Station, which takes about 10 minutes. Once at Ueno Okachimachi Station, board the Toei Oedo Line (approximately 2 mins) and get off at Shin-okachimachi Station which is 3 minutes walk to the hotel. You can also take Hibiya Line from Ueno Station to Naka-Okachimachi Station (approximately 1 min) and walk 7 minutes to the hotel.

Arrival at Haneda Airport (HND)
The most direct option is to take Tokyo Monorail to Shinagawa Station and then take JR Yamanote Line to JR Okachimachi Station. From the Station, it takes approximately 10 minutes by walking to the hotel.

Please check the transport details on the hotel’s website:https://hotel-monday.com/brand/ici/ueno/access/?wovn=en
If you’re having any problems finding the hotel, ring the hotel directly (you can use one of Japan’s green public phones with coins of JPY10 or JPY100).