Premium
Explorer
Premium Japan
12 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
245 reviews
12 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Kyoto, Japan
Trip Code
CJPJ
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nt), Hakone Feature Stay (1 nt)
From £5,100(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Soak up some quintessentially Japanese Exclusive Experiences, including a sushi making class and a guided meditation session with a Zen Buddhist monk.
Unwind among the beauty of nature at your Feature Stay accommodation in the hot springs town of Hakone – with mountain views, a traditional ryokan design, modern comforts and a private onsen (thermal pool) for each room, you’ll find relaxation here!
Visit the sobering Hiroshima Peace Park and be reminded of this city’s history with a guided tour. Learn about how the city is recovering and is now dedicated to promoting world peace.
Soak up Japan’s natural beauty – with stays in mountainous Hakone, glimpses of Mt Fuji, a stroll around the stunning island of Miyajima and the views of the Japanese alps in the ancient village of Shirakawa-go.
Take a half-day tour of Tokyo – wander Asakusa (the temple district), explore the buzzing Shibuya area, find a treat in a depachika (underground food hall), chill out in Yoyogi Park, discover the thriving Harajuku district and get a birds-eye view of the city from Tokyo Skytree.
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
Ancient culture, celebrated cuisine and stunning scenery come together in Japan
Experience Japan’s perfect harmony of ancient tradition and a modern way of life on this 12-day Premium adventure through the cultural heart of the country. You’ll start among Tokyo’s soaring skyscrapers, making your way to Hakone’s mountainous hot springs and find the meaning of relaxation in a cloud of fragrant steam. Then, head to Takayama, which delights with its Edo-era beauty. Shirakawa-go immerses you in charming countryside life before you discover the intriguing cultural diversity of Kyoto. Find a passion for peace in Hiroshima, take a sushi-making class with an expert, soak away your worries in an onsen and travel with a local leader who will share the rich variety of their country as you visit temples, castles, shrines and holy mountains.
Inclusions
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nt), Hakone Feature Stay (1 nt)
Included activities
Tokyo - Welcome dinner
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
Tokyo - Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market
Tokyo - Sushi Making Class
Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
Takayama - Leader-led walking tour (with street food sampling)
Takayama - Showa Museum
Takayama - Shirakawago Village
Takayama - Morning Market visit
Hiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
Hiroshima - Leader-led orientation walk
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island day trip
Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Himeji - Himeji Castle
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Kyoto - Daitokuji Temple
Kyoto - Zen Buddhism meditation session
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Sake Brewery & tasting
Kyoto - Final dinner
Optional activities
Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
Miyajima - Mt Misen Cable Car - JPY2000
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple Gardens (additional JPY300 to visit the temple) - JPY500
Kyoto - Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace - JPY1300
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. When travelling by train, we include the transfer of one piece of luggage from destination to destination. Please review the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details on luggage transfers and luggage size.
3. We are currently unable to offer airport transfers in Japan. Please refer to the Joining Point Instructions of the Essential Trip Information for our recommendations on arrival. Your leader will be able to advise the best way to reach the airport at the end of your trip.
4. On the May 11th 2025 departure (CJPJ250511), no double beds will be available at the hotel in Tokyo with only twin beds possible.
Reviews (237)
5 stars
209
4 stars
22
3 stars
1
2 stars
3
1 star
2
Kimberley
May 14, 2025
Great itinerary where we did, saw and experienced a LOT but it didn't feel rushed. Benji was an amazing leader who went out of his way to make sure we all had a brilliant time. Nice hotels. Great food. LOTS of walking (I averaged 19,000 steps a day). Beautiful country. To top it all off we were lucky to see majestic Fuji-San! Get in a public onsen. Eat from the delicious street food stalls. Marvel at the shinkansen trains. Respect Japanese customs. Book this trip! Enjoy!
Davin
May 05, 2025
In 12 days this tour ticked most of the list of highlights of Japan. There is a good balance of cultural aspects and still has time to get out and do some individual exploration. It's fairly fast paced, busy and active, and overall it's a well put together package.
Ha
Apr 29, 2025
I love travelling in a small group, like Intrepid has done. It feels like travelling with a family, and all the group members are so friendly. The accommodations are great, the food is superb, and Japan is a wonderful country. Sayonara, and see you soon!
Jeffrey
Apr 29, 2025
The premium Japan tour gave me, as a solo traveller, a fantastic first taste of the country - covering the cities and sites you might expect, in comfortable accommodation, and under the wing of a superb tour leader.
Linda
Apr 28, 2025
Best Intrepid Group Trip I have done to date. Wonderful destination in an amazing diverse country led by a local leader passionate about delivering a hassle free holiday.
Claire
Apr 28, 2025
Jam-packed! Amazing sights, food, culture. Hiro is so passionate, answering questions and ensuring to meet everyone’s needs. Excellent organisation and communication, transport/activity schedules to maximise each day. Hiro made great recommendations for sights/shops/restaurants in our spare time. She also made sure everyone got to their next destinations, much appreciated.
Imogen
Apr 27, 2025
Had a fantastic time! The trip was really well organised and the size of the group was perfect, making it easy to travel round on all modes of public transport. The choice of hotels was excellent, staff were great and all rooms were spacious. Important to note there is a lot of travel, and your suitcases get forwarded on for a lot of the trip so you can only carry an overnight bag. Luckily all hotels had everything you need, including pajamas, so was easy to pack light! Yuka our tour guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and gave great recommendations at each location. She was so thoughtful and made my birthday trip really special!
Stewart
Apr 24, 2025
Premium Japan was an excellent introduction to the major highlights of this amazing country and contained many amazing experiences. Our leader Eiko was an amazing guide abd enthusiastic in sharing her country with us.
Leanne
Apr 24, 2025
A fantastic solo travel experience! The Premium Japan tour was well-organised, comfortable, and rich in culture. Cherry blossom season was hectic but unforgettable. I felt completely at ease thanks to the thoughtful itinerary and exceptional guide. A beautiful, memorable way to experience Japan — highly recommend!
Gail
Apr 24, 2025
The Premium Japan trip had everything you need for a great trip, especially for first time visitors. The small group, expert guide and use of public transport were key for us.. Intrepid didn't disappoint. Shizuka was a brilliant guide - laser sharp organisation, good hurmoured and professional. She took the stress out of navigating the busy public transport systems. Shizuka immersed us in the culture, customs, history and food of Japan.
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