Basix
Essential Japan
4.8
Excellent
267 reviews
10 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJYO
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
1 dinner
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Multishare Hostel (5 nights), Pod Hostel (2 nights), Family Owned Guesthouse (2 nights)
From £1,170(10 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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.
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!
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.
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).
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inclusions
Meals
1 dinner
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Multishare Hostel (5 nights), Pod Hostel (2 nights), Family Owned Guesthouse (2 nights)
Included activities
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
Tokyo - Harajuku street
Kanazawa - Higashi Chaya District walking tour
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
Osaka - Dotombori District walking tour
Optional activities
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY1000
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
Tokyo - A Tour Through Tokyo's Kitchen (with World's Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure - JPY11500
Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market - Free
Tokyo - Wholesale Fish Market (relocated to Toyosu) - Free
Tokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
Tokyo - Dawn Avatar Robot Café - JPY1500
Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
Tokyo - Kanpai Tokyo: Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Urban Adventure - JPY18000
Tokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure - JPY17000
Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Gardens & Castle - JPY320
Kanazawa - Oyama Shrine - Free
Kanazawa - Omicho market tour - Free
Kanazawa - 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (excl. special exhibitions) - Free
Kanazawa - Nagamachi Samurai District (excl. museum entry) - Free
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
Kyoto - Kimono/Maiko/Samurai Dress Up (from) - JPY10000
Kyoto - Arashiyama Monkey Park - JPY600
Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
Osaka - Osaka Castle - JPY600
Osaka - Universal Studios (Day Pass - from) - JPY8900
Osaka - Dogusuji Arcade - Free
Osaka - Spa World - JPY2000
Osaka - Kaiten Sushi Train at Kura Sushi (from) - JPY1200
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
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.
3. Accommodation on this trip includes some multi-share hostels with shared facilities. People travelling together may be separated into single gender dorms.
Reviews (267)
5 stars
239
4 stars
20
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
1 star
1
Rebecca
Sep 02, 2025
An absolutely amazing time filled with so much group fun and incredible sights, all while being looked after so well through an stress-free 10 days. Loved it!
Luke
Sep 02, 2025
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.
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.
Madeleine
Sep 01, 2025
Great tour and great experience of Japan. Made great friends and had a great balance of free time and tour time
Prathum
Aug 25, 2025
This was my first time ever travelling overseas with a group, and I was a little nervous at the start. But this trip turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life—it made me feel like a completely different person. I’ve come back with so many memories, new friendships, and a heart full of love. Thank you for making this journey so special!
Jasroop
Aug 23, 2025
Had a great experience. The tour hide, Benji, was most phenomenal in his work. Overall, I’d say that my trip was successful because of our guide.
Ashley
Jul 20, 2025
This was my first Intrepid and Japan trip and it was memorable and brain altering to say the least. Aiko, our tour guide was absolutely amazing. She was very helpful, approachable and very knowledgeable when providing information about historic sites and answered my questions thoroughly. The beauty, culture , history and people of Japan left me with great appreciation for the pride Japanese people take in conserving their environment and culture. I truly loved the entire trip however my favorite cities were Kanazawa and Kyoto. I will definitely be returning back to Japan in the near future to explore other cities and learn more about the deeply rooted culture! Again a huge thank you to our wonderful tour guide Aiko , keep being the amazing leader you are. Leading with grace, kindness and humility!
Kathrine
Jul 18, 2025
This was an excellent introduction to Japan! Each stop was unique and showcased a different facet of Japanese culture. Can’t recommend enough!!
Mathieu
Jul 15, 2025
Our tour was phenomenal due to our AMAZING tour guide Aiko. She was friendly, kind, knowledgeable and funny. Highly recommend.
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