Original
Explorer
Rail
Japan Highlights
8 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
105 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 £2,389(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.
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 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 (109)
5 stars
94
4 stars
10
3 stars
2
2 stars
3
Connor
Apr 01, 2025
Marti
Mar 30, 2025
As a first timer, our guide Shu provided an excellent introduction to Japan and helped me explore so much of what Japan had to offer. The experiences and camaraderie in the group was brilliant, and very much appreciated as a solo traveler. The highlight was the homestay. I have been very impressed with Japan, it’s people and culture. I’ll be baaack for more......
Atefeh
Mar 27, 2025
It was a great experience. The tour was well organized. Having local tour guide helped to see special things at every place we visited, I would have defiantly missed them if I was on my own. The tour was nice enough to arrange a traditional 10 course dinner for our tour-mate's birthday, which was a very special and unique experience. The highlight of the trip for me was the home stay. Being in an old traditional Japanese house felt like being in a movie, and our host was great. I am inspired by the warm welcoming and memorable traditional meals that our host provided
Miriam-Kira
Mar 25, 2025
Incredible experience again with intrepid
Sarah
Mar 11, 2025
This was such a wonderful trip! Our guide, Jane, was amazing, the public transportation easy and efficient, and the homestay will always be a place to remember. It truly is a highlight of the country and will leave you wanting more!
Wendy
Mar 11, 2025
Great tour guide. Japan is a beautiful country. Well worth the trip.
Simran
Mar 09, 2025
Jay
Mar 09, 2025
Lorrie-Ann
Mar 08, 2025
This tour is just the right amount of time and exactly as described, wonderful highlights with a brilliant tour guide and great group number. Highly recommended, had the best time! So well taken care of 😀
Geordi
Feb 05, 2025
I had so much fun on intrepid, will be doing this again
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