Basix
Explorer
Rail
Japan Express
4.8
Excellent
89 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 £1,766(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.
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
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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.
Reviews (86)
5 stars
75
4 stars
6
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
Emma
Jul 26, 2025
I absolutely loved this trip! Although short, it did not feel like a whirlwind and felt I was able to see and experience what I wanted (I did have an extra week in Japan). Yutaka was a wonderful leader, very friendly, helpful and made the trip so enjoyable. I highly recommend Japan and this tour if you want to get a good taste of what is on offer.
Alex
Jul 19, 2025
It's a fast paced multi city trip. Tons to see and will be planning to come back to Japan!
John
Jul 17, 2025
Intrepid took us to the best sites in Japan. It was well organized and our guide got us through public transportation without out problems including bullet trains subways and buses. Very knowledgeable tour guide.
Angeline
Jul 08, 2025
Thanks Yutaka for all your help and for your enthusiasm! My first time in Japan has been amazing! For those planning to do this trip, try and get to Nara. It is definitely worth the short train ride from Osaka.
Kelly
Jul 08, 2025
We had a great guide who made sure we did all the included activities and more! It's fast paced, fun and a great way to sample nearly all the main spots in wonderful Japan! Good amount of time to explore areas of your choice. Mix of hotel and hostel, train travel. Bring luggage with wheels for those travel days, but you can also book luggage transfer.
Alex
Jun 15, 2025
Yuka was an amazing tour guide for our Japan Express trip! Great food and drink reccomendations and highly knowledgeable for the duration of the tour.
Daniel
Jun 09, 2025
I was a great trip, you won't regret going.
Kayleigh
May 29, 2025
Highly recommend this Intrepid journey. It was great value for money and we got to see and experience everything we wanted to. We learnt spot more information we would not have learnt if we had done it on our own
Maria
May 29, 2025
Visiting Japan for the first time was exciting but equally scary in a way as I have never been to Asia before. Our guide - Zac - was amazing and due to his great organisational and good planning skills we managed to make the most of our short trip through Japan, getting to know a new culture, tradition, history and many more aspects of a completely different life style than the European one. We enjoyed every second of it and we would repeat this experience over and over again.
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!
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