Original
Explorer
Rail
Japan Highlights
4.8
Excellent
144 reviews
8 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJSH
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £2,010(8 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore all the highlights of Japan in just over a week! This is a cultural and culinary whirlwind from the streets of Tokyo to the eats of Osaka.
Experience the many sides of Shibuya in Tokyo, from busy intersections to the tranquility of the ancient Meiji Shrine and the quirky fashion of Harajuku.
Visit a local tea farm and learn about harvesting tea leaves and making Japanese green tea, then settle into your farm stay, pick some fresh ingredients from the farm and prepare a home-cooked, farm-to-table feast with your hosts for the perfect blend of Japanese hospitality and country life.
Ride the rails like the locals, from lightning-fast bullet trains to scenic mountain rails offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Veer off the busy tourist track with a visit to Mishima – a small town built on the old lava flow of Mt Fuji – then head to the cultural heart of Kyoto, where you can dive into local history and traditions among shrines, geishas and a 300-year-old sake brewery.
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.
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.
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.
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
Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, sampling all the sake in between
Home of the sumo, geishas, sake, karaoke, onsen and izakaya – Japan is a feast for all your senses. This eight-day journey hits all the right spots, giving you a true appreciation for the land of the rising sun. Absorb the bustle of Tokyo before heading into the countryside for a farm stay with local tea harvesters and a walk along a 400-m suspension bridge with spectacular views of iconic Mt Fuji. Travel on a futuristic bullet train to Kyoto and step into this nation’s history before wrapping up your adventure in the foodie paradise of Osaka. This is THE trip to take in Japan!
Inclusions
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Included activities
Tokyo - welcome meeting and orientation walk
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Mishima - Mishima Skywalk
Kawane - Homestay & Home-cooked Dinner
Kawane - Tea Farm Visit & Tea Brewing & Tasting
Kawane - Scenic Train Ride
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market
Kawane - Home-cooked Japanese Breakfast
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Sake Brewery Visit & Tasting
Osaka - Dotombori and Kuromon Street Food Walking Tour
Optional activities
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
Mishima - Mishima Taisha Shrine - Free
Mishima - Rakujuen Park - JPY300
Mishima - Kakitagawa Park - Free
Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
Kyoto - Kyoto Tower - JPY900
Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY600
Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
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 (148)
5 stars
126
4 stars
15
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
alan
Aug 26, 2025
great tour and guide highly recommended for anybody to go with yourself or other company a lot of knowledge and free time for shopping and cover most of all great guide with them it would of been a different experience
Jamie
Aug 25, 2025
Our 7 day trip.in Japan was excellent our guide was very knowledgeable and brought the trip.to life with their enthusiasm and experience. Travelling via train and local transport gives a greater connection to the country. I would highly recommend Intrpid
deirdre
Aug 25, 2025
Amazing trip with excellent guide so knowledgeable about Japan. Great experience - highly recommend.
Tracy
Aug 24, 2025
THE INTREPD TRIP EXPERIENCE WAS EXCELLENT. THE SMALL GROUP WORKED VERY WELL. THE HOME STAY WAS A GREAT WAY OF EXPERIENCING SOME AUTHENTICITY OF JAPAN. THE AMOUNT OF WALKING WAS GOOD.
Heivaha
Aug 24, 2025
An excellent experience that I will recommend to anyone. I surely will use Intrepid for my next tour. Well organised and well thought out throughout the entire trip. The knowledgeable and friendly experience of the tour leader contributes greatly to my decision to advertise and use Intrepid in the future.
Karen
Aug 18, 2025
The Japan Highlights Tour was just the right length of time, but be prepared for LOTS of walking. Make sure you bring a small, wheeled case, not a large one as you tote it yourself
Mollie
Aug 18, 2025
Grace
Aug 16, 2025
What an amazing trip!! We had a brilliant tour guide. The small group made it easier to travel and see more in such a short time frame. The hotels were located very close to public transport like buses and train stations so you could easily navigate solo if needed. I do think it would’ve great to include the golden pavilion and bamboo forest. in the itinerary. We ended up visiting these anyway due to obon season (some places close) but they were not originally planned. These are definitely worth going to and discussing with your tour guide if they are not in the itinerary. I would definitely recommend intrepid and had a very positive experience.
Aug 05, 2025
Nice trip and i think it worth a penny, but i think you should not go there in summer cause it to hot🔥🥲🥲
Calvin
Jul 17, 2025
Great trip with many spots that need a great guide to get to! Highly recommended!
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