Basix
18 to 35s
Essential Japan
4.8
Excellent
circle282 reviews
location_on 10 days
location_on
Start
Tokyo, Japan
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Finish
Osaka, Japan
tour
Trip Code
CJYO
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Min Age
18
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
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Meals
1 dinner
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Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
bed
Accommodation
Multishare Hostel (5 nights), Pod Hostel (2 nights), Family Owned Guesthouse (2 nights)
From £1,122(10 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Explore Japan’s amazingly diverse destinations with loads of free time to see them your way. With all the nitty gritty details and transport worked out for you, you can focus on indulging in endless sushi, katsudon and okonomoyaki.
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Immerse yourself in the varied neighbourhoods of Tokyo – from the technological subculture of Akihabara to the wild side of fashion in Harajuku and the nightlife of Roppongi – each suburb is almost like a city of its own!
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Uncover the sobering history of Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Museum – a vital destination for all Japan travellers to gain an insight into the tragic events of the nation’s past.
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Wander Kyoto with a leader-led walking tour around the Gion district – the heart of the city’s Geisha culture – then walk through the iconic Fushimi Inari-Taisha (the perfect spot for some iconic Japan photos).
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Live your Samurai fantasies in feudal-era Kanazawa – known as the birthplace of the Samurai. Then, wander through gorgeous historic gardens and hit the bars to debrief with your group.
Is this trip right for you?
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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.
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This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories, where you won't be staying in twin-share hotels but rather in cool hangouts with shared facilities. Due to the single-gender dormitories, travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms.
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In some destinations, you may be staying in a ryokan-style room. It’s a great taste of tradition; however, not everyone finds futon mattresses on a tatami floor and proximity to other guests as comfortable as Western-style hotels.
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This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has plenty of free time where your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in and public transport to those activities.
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As the trip only has limited time in Tokyo and Osaka, we highly recommend staying a few extra days before and after your trip to enjoy all these great cities have to offer.
Itinerary
Walk the streets of Japan’s hottest districts, from the neon lights of Osaka to the gardens of Kanazawa
Say Konnichiwa to Japan – a diverse land of culture, innovation and cuisine. With your new group of friends, you’ll get your fix of sushi and shopping in Tokyo before soaking up Kanazawa’s crazy Samurai culture (this is a great place to knock back a couple glasses of sake, too). Wander gorgeous gardens and temples, then brush up on your world history at Hiroshima at the sobering Peace Park and Museum. Spy geishas in Kyoto’s Gion district and get your Beyonce on at an Osaka karaoke bar. You’ll also have loads of free time to customise your trip with activities you want to do, either solo or with your new mates, so you won’t miss anything on your bucket list.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Tokyo
- DAY 2Day 2 • Tokyo
- DAY 3Day 3 • Kanazawa
- DAY 4Day 4 • Kanazawa
- DAY 5Day 5 • Kyoto
- DAY 6Day 6 • Kyoto
- DAY 7Day 7 • Hiroshima
- DAY 8Day 8 • Hiroshima
- DAY 9Day 9 • Osaka
- DAY 10Day 10 • Osaka
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
1 dinner
airport_shuttle Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
bed Accommodation
Multishare Hostel (5 nights), Pod Hostel (2 nights), Family Owned Guesthouse (2 nights)
festival Included activities
circleTokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
circleTokyo - Shibuya walking tour
circleTokyo - Yoyogi Park
circleTokyo - Harajuku street
circleKanazawa - Higashi Chaya District walking tour
circleKyoto - Gion District walk
circleKyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
circleHiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
circleHiroshima - Peace Museum
circleHiroshima - Miyajima Island
circleOsaka - Dotombori District walking tour
museum Optional activities
circleTokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
circleTokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY1000
circleTokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free
circleTokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
circleTokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
circleTokyo - A Tour Through Tokyo's Kitchen (with World's Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure - JPY11500
circleTokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market - Free
circleTokyo - Wholesale Fish Market (relocated to Toyosu) - Free
circleTokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
circleTokyo - Dawn Avatar Robot Café - JPY1500
circleTokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
circleTokyo - Kanpai Tokyo: Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Urban Adventure - JPY18000
circleTokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure - JPY17000
circleKanazawa - Kenroku-en Gardens & Castle - JPY320
circleKanazawa - Oyama Shrine - Free
circleKanazawa - Omicho market tour - Free
circleKanazawa - 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (excl. special exhibitions) - Free
circleKanazawa - Nagamachi Samurai District (excl. museum entry) - Free
circleKyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
circleKyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
circleKyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
circleKyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
circleKyoto - Kimono/Maiko/Samurai Dress Up (from) - JPY10000
circleKyoto - Arashiyama Monkey Park - JPY800
circleMiyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
circleOsaka - Osaka Castle - JPY600
circleOsaka - Universal Studios (Day Pass - from) - JPY8900
circleOsaka - Dogusuji Arcade - Free
circleOsaka - Spa World - JPY2000
circleOsaka - Kaiten Sushi Train at Kura Sushi (from) - JPY1200
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£1,711
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Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£1,700
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Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Saturday Nov 08, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£1,645£1,480
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Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£1,612£1,531
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Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£1,639£1,557
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Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 7 spaces left
£1,634£1,470
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Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 4 spaces left
£1,463
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Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 4 spaces left
£1,551
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Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Sunday Nov 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£1,612£1,450
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Sunday Nov 30, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left
£1,584£1,346
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Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left
£1,496£1,197
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Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left
£1,496£1,122
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Important notes
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1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
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2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
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3. Accommodation on this trip includes some multi-share hostels with shared facilities. People travelling together may be separated into single gender dorms.
Reviews (268)
5 stars
240
4 stars
20
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
1 star
1
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Gavin
Sep 26, 2025
This trip was amazing, it was the essential trip to take In Japan. You get to see so much of the country and really get to take in the culture
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Gurleen
Sep 25, 2025
Intrepid helped me navigate my trip to Japan with ease and made it memorable. The itinerary was well sort and the tour guide was helpful, flexible, knowledgeable and nice.
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Sidrah
Sep 24, 2025
Incredible trip, lots of activities packed In a few days. Hitomi was a great tour guide for this trip.
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Manpreet
Sep 24, 2025
I had an incredible experience traveling through Japan with this company. The itinerary was well planned, allowing us to see all the highlights. Our guide, Yuki, was knowledgeable, attentive, and made the journey so memorable. Everything ran smoothly, and I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Japan!
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Kyle
Sep 23, 2025
This was my first Intrepid guided tour, and it has not disappointed. From start to finish, I had the most amazing time with an amazing group of people. For anyone still on the fence, just go for it! (Especially Japan)
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Lynn
Sep 17, 2025
This was my first solo travel and Intrepid tour and I couldn’t recommended it enough. Hitomi, the tour guide was amazing! She was super friendly and always there to help us if we needed :)
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Emily
Sep 15, 2025
Was able to see all key places within a short period of time. easy to add a day or 2 to either side with different locations. To a guide was kind and caring and knew lots about the area.
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Kaleb
Sep 02, 2025
Was super amazing. We were given ample free time to see what we wanted. The included activities were very interesting and not necessarily what you’d expect.
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Luke
Sep 02, 2025
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Marissa
Sep 01, 2025
Eiko is the most personable tour guide I’ve ever had. She told me exactly where to go when I was lost.