Original
Explorer
Rail
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
13 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
155 reviews
13 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Kyoto, Japan
Trip Code
CJST
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, High Speed Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Japanese Inn ( 4 nights)
From £3,209(13 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of glorious Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra modernity of Japan’s bullet trains as you zip from place to place.
Explore traditional Japanese culture in Edo-period Takayama and visit a folk village, tour a 600-year-old market and a enjoy a sake brewery tasting.
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.
Finish your trip with three nights in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and home to literally thousands of temples, the Gion District where Geisha entertain the wealthy elite and renowned Kyoto sushi.
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.
In some destinations, you may be staying in a minshuku, a Japanese-style inn. It’s a great taste of tradition; however, not everyone finds futon mattresses on the tatami floor, tiny bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more Western-style hotels and beds. Read more about it in the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information. For some departures, we may swap them with hotels or vice versa depending on seasonal availability. Please consult your booking agent if you need more details.
This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Ultimate Japan.
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
An onsen-soaking, sake-sipping, bullet train-zipping trip through Japan
This 13-day tour of Japan will introduce you to the cultures – old and new – that define this small but influential archipelago. Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing with three nights in Kyoto, this immersive tour will also introduce you to lesser-known cities through Japan’s centre and southern reaches. Discover scenic beauty on the Hakone ropeway, sip the best sake in Takayama, find out about the Hiroshima of today and wonder at the floating torii gate of Miyajima. You’ll have a local to guide you through these lesser-known destinations and reveal layers of culture and history.
Inclusions
Meals
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, High Speed Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Japanese Inn ( 4 nights)
Included activities
Nikko - Toshogu Shrine
Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
Takayama - Hida Folk Village
Takayama - Market visit with snack sampling
Takayama - Sake brewery tasting
Takayama - Incense making in Zenkoji Temple
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Hiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
Himeji - Himeji Castle
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Japanese sweet making & Mocha tea experience
Kyoto - Nishiki Market walk with snack sampling
Optional activities
Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden - JPY300
Tokyo - Sumida Hokusai Museum - JPY400
Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
Tokyo - Ueno Park - Free
Nikko - Bus to Chuzenji Lake (return) - JPY2500
Nikko - Imperial Villa - JPY600
Hakone - Open-Air Museum - JPY2000
Hakone - Checkpoint Museum - JPY500
Hakone - Onsen (public hot spring bath) - JPY1500
Takayama - Festival Float Museum - JPY1000
Takayama - Kusakabe Traditional House - JPY1000
Takayama - Bike hire (per day) - JPY1000
Takayama - Showa Museum - JPY1000
Takayama - Takayama Jinya Building - JPY440
Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
Kyoto - Sanjusangendo Temple - JPY600
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
Kyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko/Geisha - JPY14300
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 (158)
5 stars
132
4 stars
19
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
Josephine
Apr 05, 2025
I had a great trip - the trip was very easy - our tour leader Hisa was exceptional, knowledgeable, caring and very approachable at all times. I loved our accommodation, the locations and activities in Japan. Our group became very friendly and caring to one another.
Linda
Apr 04, 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Japan with Intrepid travel. The tour leader was excellent, knowledgeable and caring! The trip was very well organized, and arrangements were quickly made to get us to our next destination, even though the trains were stuck in the snow. The quick thinking of our guide allowed us to continue with the planned itinerary without any issues. Additionally, we were able to see more than scheduled thanks to his willingness to spend additional time with us.
Christine
Apr 01, 2025
Benji was an excellent guide nothing ever a problem, meals were not included in our tour but Benji always offered a variety of places to try which proved very successful. For Intrepid -I woukd just like to point out that not being“seasoned” travellers we were not made aware to download the WhatsApp app which obviously would have been better for communication with the Benji and the group . Benji definitely did his best to keep us informed thru messenger but not the same re sharing photos etc. In conclusion as this was our first ever tour we woukd like to thank Benji, Mami (trainee) and our group for making this a great experience.
Adrian
Mar 31, 2025
This tour was a great experience, tour guide Hisa’s knowledge of Japanese history and culture enriched our tour. A great group of people on the tour, enjoyed our time together.
Valerie
Mar 31, 2025
The tour was a wonderful way to experience a slice of Japan’s amazing culture, history and landscapes. Our guides were very friendly, extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Belinda
Mar 30, 2025
Harry
Mar 23, 2025
Loved this trip. Mariko was an excellent tour leader. It's a great tour for a really in-depth introduction to what Japan is really all about.
Lyn
Mar 14, 2025
Please use what I’ve written above
Karl
Mar 07, 2025
First time with Intrepid and won't be the last. Our tour guides were amazing and 95% of the trip was just superb. Couple of niggly bits but what trip is ever perfect. Only bad thing was having to leave japan to go home.
Linda
Mar 07, 2025
This trip was fantastic the tour guild Mariko was super so nice and gave fantastic information about japan. she went above and beyond to Catherine for everyone on the tour Unfortunately intrepid do not offer a single room to solo travelers on this trip it's sharing hotel room with another solo traveler.
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