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 (247)
5 stars
215
4 stars
25
3 stars
1
2 stars
4
1 star
2
Mary
Jun 07, 2025
Intrepid provides a wonderful myriad of cultural experiences. Good sightseeing travel are all highlights. Trip leaders in country knowledge was superb. A great adventure; small group meant ease of travel anc a premium experience
Dennis
Jun 06, 2025
First time on an Intrepid Tour--awesome. The itinerary of Premium Japan hit all the high spots and some we would have probably would have missed if we did this by ourselves. Hiroko was a wonderful tour guide who worked hard for the group to make this the best tour possible.
Richard
Jun 06, 2025
A wonderful trip providing an excellent taste of Japan. A great choice of locations, first rate accommodation and a super tour guide. Highly recommended.
Mark
Jun 06, 2025
This was the trip of a lifetime! Very well organized. Excellent tour leader in Yuka. Experienced so many things we never could have seen without this tour.
Jo
Jun 03, 2025
Benji our guide was just outstanding! Keeping up with us as a group of twelve, giving us ideas of where to eat, answering questions, we thought throughout the trip that it was amazing. Nothing was a problem to him. I noted too that he checked up on the older group like us!
Dennis
Jun 02, 2025
First tour with Intrepid. Japan Premium was a winner covering all the sights we wanted. Hiroko, our tour leader was an outstanding ambassador for the Japanese people and she made this trip memorable with her knowledge and guidance. Great itinerary, outstanding leader, excellent group members!
Mary
May 31, 2025
The Premium Japan tour was a great overview of the most popular areas in Japan. A LOT of ground was covered in 12 days. Our tour leader was excellent - we were so lucky to have her!
Guillermo
May 28, 2025
Heterogeneous group from England (5), New Zealand (4) and USA (3). Despite our cultural differences, we shared our humanity, and helped each other along the way. Great Life Experience!
Greg and Jo-Ann
May 27, 2025
Our intrepid tour of Japan was excellent. We had a fabulous guide in Hiro whose knowledge was insurmountable and his care for each of our twelve was terrific. The itinerary provided a good overview of this wonderful country and its people.
Tania
May 24, 2025
We completed the Cambodia & Vietnam Discovery and highly recommend this trip! We had the most amazing tour leaders - Sareth and Ngung who were so knowledgeable, organised, energetic and patient. Visiting businesses supporting the disadvantaged was a highlight and there was never any expectation to buy - they just appreciated us stopping there. The hustle & bustle of the major cities was pretty overwhelming to start with, but you soon adjust! Angkor Wat & Halong Bay were highlights for us but we loved it all! Thank you Intrepid & our tour leaders for making it such a wonderful & memorable experience.
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