Original
Explorer
Rail
Ultimate Japan
24 Days | Take an immersive adventure through Japan, to iconic sights and seldom-seen natural marvels
4.3
Very Good
6 reviews
24 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJSTC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (16 nights), Japanese Inn (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £8,690(24 days)
Trip Informations
Begin your Japanese adventure in the tech-mecca of Tokyo, then discover scenic beauty on the Hakone ropeway, sip the best sake in Takayama and be reminded of the sobering past of Hiroshima. Visit the floating torii gate of Miyajima and make use of your local leader and guides to reveal layers of culture and history in lesser-known cities. Spend some time in Kyoto and then veer off the main island of Honshu to the naturally beautiful southwest. Wander through art-laden castles, spend a night in a tranquil homestay in Usuki and relax in the steam of Beppu’s onsens. Soak up the peace in the caldera of Mt Aso in a traditional Japanese inn surrounded by rice terraces. Visit the Peace Park in Nagasaki and end it all back in Osaka. This adventure is the ultimate combination of new and ancient, countryside villages and dynamic city streets, traditional inns and onsens, and sweeping views of coastal cities, rice terraces, volcano craters and deep gorges. When visiting Japan, what more could you ask for?
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.
Visit the Peace Parks in Nagasaki and Hiroshima for moving insights into the devastation of the atomic bombs dropped during the war. Learn the sobering history of these places – an important part of Japan’s past.
Stay in a countryside homestay, taking you off the beaten track to experience excellent Japanese hospitality. Feast on home-cooked meals over fascinating conversations with your welcoming hosts and learn about rural life in Japan. 
Watch the steam coming out of the ‘hells’ (hot spring pools in Jigoku) of Beppu and enjoy a soak in a Michelin star onsen, followed by a unique experience for dinner – you’ll cook and steam your food right in the hot spring steam, said to be rich with healthy minerals! 
Take in the stunning view of the five peaks of Mount Aso from the Daikanbo Observatory, then a light hike on the moon-like terrain to the largest crater of Nakadake before hopping in a rowboat to paddle through the deep gorge of Takachiho
Is this trip right for you?
Japan is best to explore on foot. You'll be surprised at how much distance you end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy and sturdy and you are fit enough to spend a good part of each day walking.
In some destinations you may be staying in a the Japanese-style inn. It’s a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon mattresses on a tatami mat floor, small bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more Western-style hotels and beds. Read more about Japanese style inns in the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information.
Be prepared to pack light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.
As there is not much time included in Osaka as part of your trip, we strongly advise you to plan an extended stay at the end of the tour if you wish to see more of the city.
Itinerary
Inclusions
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (16 nights), Japanese Inn (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Activities
Nikko - Toshogu Shrine
Hakone - public onsen
Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
Takayama - Hida Folk Village
Takayama - Market visit with snack sampling
Takayama - Sake brewery tasting
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
Himeji - Himeji Castle
Kyoto - Temple/Shrine entrance (2)
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Takamatsu - Ritsurin Garden & Sanuki Folkcraft Museum
Takamatsu - Naoshima day trip (ferry, public bus & bicycle)
Matsuyama - Matsuyama Castle
Usuki - Local Sake brewery visit and tasting
Usuki - Japanese home-cooking experience
Beppu - 'Hells' of Beppu (Jigoku)
Beppu - local onsen
Beppu - Steamed lunch (Beppu style)
Mount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
Mount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
Mount Aso - Nakadake Crater
Mount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
Takachiho - Takachiho gorge rowing boat ride
Takachiho - Takachiho Shrine
Nagasaki - Glover Garden
Nagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
Nagasaki - tram day pass
Add on 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 - JPY1600
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 - JPY400
Kyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko/Geisha - JPY14300
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Naoshima - Art House Project (combined ticket) - JPY1050
Naoshima - Chichu Art Museum - JPY2100
Naoshima - Benesse House Museum - JPY1300
Matsuyama - Dogo Onsen (basic entry) - JPY460
Matsuyama - Ishiteji Temple - Free
Nagasaki - Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture - JPY630
Nagasaki - Dejima Historical District - JPY520
Nagasaki - 26 Martyrs Memorial - JPY500
Nagasaki - Oura Catholic Church - JPY1000
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at our chosen accommodation.
2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage from 160cm to 250cm may require an additional JPY1000 oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your Welcome Meeting if your luggage is from 160cm to 250cm so they can make the necessary arrangements.
3. We are currently unable to book pre or post trip accommodation at our start and finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through your booking agent.
4. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for Japan now. Japan has an extensive and efficient public transport system and the joining and finishing point instructions are listed in the Essential Trip Information.
5. This is a combination trip, meaning your trip leader and group members will likely change on Day 13.
6. Please note that there are generally less double rooms in Japanese hotels, even those in Western style. While every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests, this may not always be possible.
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