Comfort
Explorer
Rail
Classic Japan
11 Days | Kyoto, Koya-san and more on a cultural crusade
4.8
Excellent
circle66 reviews
location_on 11 days
location_on
Start
Kyoto, Japan
location_on
Finish
Tokyo, Japan
tour
Trip Code
CJKJ
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
10 breakfasts, 3 dinners
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Transport
Public Bus, Subway, Bullet Train, Train, Boat
bed
Accommodation
Hotel/Ryokan (9 nights), Temple Stay (1 night)
From £4,483(11 days)
Trip Informations
Steeped in centuries of tradition and full of culinary prowess, Japan is awash with sights to see and histories to uncover. From Kyoto to Tokyo, spend 11 days exploring the heart of Japan, with memories of the Edo era, sobering warfare sites, lush natural landscapes and eclectic neighbourhoods to discover. Be tempted by tempura, savour your sushi and sip some sochu as you discover the endless variety and diversity of Japan with your small group, all headed by a local leader who knows all of the best places to go. What’s stopping you embarking on a cultural escapade to the home of geisha, torii, sake and nori?
Why you’ll love this trip
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Discover Japan's most iconic city sights, from walking the Geisha district and seeing the cultural landmarks of Kyoto to touring the temple district and cruising past all the contemporary highlights of Tokyo.
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Learn more about the sobering past of Hiroshima at the memorial park, the museums and the monuments dedicated to the memory of the victims – they now also advocate for world peace and serve as a reminder of the devastation of war.
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Feast on okonomiyaki – Japan’s signature savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood – at an included dinner in Hiroshima at a special local restaurant.
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Meet the locals over a home-cooked dinner during your stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) in the mountain town of Tsumago – the historic medieval village preserved from the Edo period.
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Spend a night in Koya-san’s Shukubo Temple and learn about the customs of traditional Japanese accommodation as you share vegetarian meals with the monks who run the lodgings.
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By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
Is this trip right for you?
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Japan is best to explore on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places on foot! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
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In some destinations you may be staying in a ryokan, which is a Japanese-style inn. It's a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon mattresses on the tatami mat floor, tiny bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more western-style hotels and beds. This is an important thing to consider if you have problems with your back or knees, as the surface is really firm and there may be no other furniture (eg chairs) in the room. Read more about ryokans here:
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Be prepared to pack light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas. At some destinations, larger luggage will be forwarded on ahead of you, so it'll be easier to get around if you have a smaller overnight/day pack.
Itinerary
- DAY 1Kyoto
- DAY 2Kyoto
- DAY 3Kyoto
- DAY 4Koya-san
- DAY 5Hiroshima
- DAY 6Hiroshima
- DAY 7Tsumago
- DAY 8Matsumoto
- DAY 9Tokyo
- DAY 10Tokyo
- DAY 11Tokyo
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
10 breakfasts, 3 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Public Bus, Subway, Bullet Train, Train, Boat
bed Accommodation
Hotel/Ryokan (9 nights), Temple Stay (1 night)
festival Activities
circleKyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden
circleKyoto - Nijo Castle
circleKyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
circleKyoto - Gion District walk
circleKoya-san - Okunoin Cemetery
circleHimeji - Himeji Castle
circleHiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
circleHiroshima - Peace Museum
circleHiroshima - Miyajima Island
circleTsumago - Nakasendo Walk
circleMatsumoto - walking tour
circleTokyo - Sensoji Temple
circleTokyo - Sumida River Cruise
circleTokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden
museum Add on activities
circleKyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
circleKyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500
circleKyoto - Nanzenji Temple - JPY600
circleKyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
circleKoya-san - Kongobu-ji Temple - JPY1000
circleMatsumoto - Matsumoto Castle - JPY700
circleTokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
circleTokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine - Free
circleTokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
circleTokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
circleTokyo - Samurai Museum - JPY3300
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£4,483
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Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£4,483
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Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£4,483
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Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Saturday Jul 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£4,483
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Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£4,483
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Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£4,483
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Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£4,483
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Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£4,664
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Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,203
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Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,203
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Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,203
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Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,407
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Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,407
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Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,407
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Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,407
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at many of our properties.
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2. At some destinations, larger luggage will be forwarded on ahead of you, so ensure you also have a smaller overnight/day pack with you for essentials. Please check itinerary for details.
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3. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage from 160cm to 250cm may require an additional JPY1000 oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your Welcome Meeting if your luggage is from 160cm to 250cm so they can make the necessary arrangements.
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4. We are currently unable to book pre or post trip accommodation at our start and finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through your booking agent.
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5. We are currently unable to book airport transfers in Japan. Japan has an extensive and efficient public transport system and the joining and finishing point instructions are listed in the Essential Trip Information.
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6. Please note that there are generally less double rooms in Japanese hotels, even those in Western style. While every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests, this may not always be possible.
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