Basix
Explorer
Rail
Japan Express
9 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
78 reviews
9 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJRB
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Multishare Hostel (3 nights), Basic hotel (5 nights)
From £1,386(9 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Ultra-modern, ancient traditions and everything in between, this express adventure will introduce you to some of the many faces of Japan in a short amount of time.
Visit the Peace Park for moving insight into the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, then cruise to peaceful Miyajima Island where wild deer roam the streets.
Eat your way around Japan with chances to try all kinds of delicious street food, sake, snacks and surprises – from a hearty bowl of ramen to world-class sashimi.
Spend three nights in Kyoto, exploring this amazing ancient capital in depth and with plenty of free time to create your own adventure.
Ride the renowned Shinkansen bullet train and make use of public transport day passes to get to and from the activities you choose. Even getting from place to place is fun in Japan!
Is this trip right for you?
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.
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.
In some destinations, you may stay in multi-share accommodation, like a hostel or a minshuku, a Japanese-style inn. You’ll be able to experience pod hostels or the tradition of sleeping on futon mattresses on the floor, but the facilities will be shared. Travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to the single gender floor arrangement for the stay in hostels.
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.
Itinerary
Temples, tempura and torii on a fast-tracked adventure
Home to sumo wrestling, sake, geishas, karaoke and onsens, Japan’s got a lot going for it. And on this nine-day trip to some of its most acclaimed cities, you’ll get to see the country at its best. Take in the neon nightlife of Tokyo, reflect during a visit to Hiroshima, discover thousands of years of culture and history in Kyoto and finish in the eclectic Osaka. And have you heard about the food? World-class sushi, ravishing ramen, delectable donburi – you certainly won’t be going hungry. With your local leader to point you in all the right directions and plenty of time to explore at your own pace, experience the culture and charm of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Inclusions
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Multishare Hostel (3 nights), Basic hotel (5 nights)
Included activities
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Tokyo - Metro day pass
Tokyo - Harajuku street
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Hiroshima - Leader-led orientation walk
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
Hiroshima - Momiji manju making
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Public bus day pass
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Osaka - Dotombori District walking tour
Optional activities
Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
Tokyo - A Tour Through Tokyo's Kitchen (with World's Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure - JPY11500
Tokyo - Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities Urban Adventure - JPY8850
Tokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure - JPY17000
Tokyo - Kanpai Tokyo: Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Urban Adventure - JPY17000
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
Tokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Tokyo - Karaoke - JPY2000
Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise - JPY1000
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
Kyoto - Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace - JPY1300
Kyoto - Ryōan-ji - JPY600
Kyoto - Tō-ji (grounds free) - JPY800
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
















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.
Reviews (77)
5 stars
68
4 stars
5
3 stars
2
2 stars
2
Freya
Apr 24, 2025
The express Japan tour was incredible! Our tour guide Mami was amazing and gave perfect recommendations for optional activities and food places that catered to each individual tour member’s interests and needs!
Kasia
Apr 13, 2025
Japan is awesome. Combination of tradition, culture and futuristic world. This trip involves a lot of walking and moving around and it’s fantastic introduction to getting to know Japan. We had a great time with our leader Yoga.
Tom
Apr 12, 2025
marija
Apr 06, 2025
I highly recommend this trip. You see so much of Japan, its culture, and use various modes of transport which is a great experience.
Maria
Mar 30, 2025
My trip was great,my leader Momoko was very nice and explained everything to us. All was very good
JEFFREY
Mar 30, 2025
Great tour almost as good as your Morocco tour. I am keeping up with both of them on WhatsApp.
Kel
Mar 23, 2025
Great value but not missing anything on the way. Very well paced and very enjoyable.
Dorothy
Mar 21, 2025
Love intrepid I have used them a few times now, and I'll use them again.
Leo
Feb 19, 2025
Just got back from an intrepid tour of Japan, had the best time and a wonderful experience, great sights and sounds, delicious food and new friends made
Samantha
Feb 19, 2025
Amazing trip and tour. Our Japanese tour guide, Atsushi went above and beyond and made sure we saw the real japan and was so full of energy. Really was a great trip.
Friends and Family Travel is an agent of Intrepid Travel. All Trip content and associated images are copyright of Intrepid Travel.
You are protected
Contact Information
Call us at
0208 058 4003
Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM GMT.
Contact our customer support
contact@friendsandfamily.travel
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

© 2024 Friends and Family Travel | All rights reserved.