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
circle6 reviews
location_on 24 days
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Start
Tokyo, Japan
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Finish
Osaka, Japan
tour
Trip Code
CJSTC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
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Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
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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
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Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of glorious Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
- DAY 1Tokyo
- DAY 2Tokyo - Nikko
- DAY 3Nikko
- DAY 4Hakone
- DAY 5Hakone
- DAY 6Takayama
- DAY 7Takayama
- DAY 8Hiroshima
- DAY 9Miyajima - Hiroshima
- DAY 10Kyoto
- DAY 11Kyoto
- DAY 12Osaka
- DAY 13Takamatsu
- DAY 14Naoshima Island/Takamatsu
- DAY 15Matsuyama
- DAY 16Usuki Homestay
- DAY 17Beppu
- DAY 18Mount Aso
- DAY 19Mount Aso
- DAY 20Nagasaki
- DAY 21Nagasaki
- DAY 22Osaka
- DAY 23Osaka
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
bed Accommodation
Hotel (16 nights), Japanese Inn (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
festival Activities
circleNikko - Toshogu Shrine
circleHakone - public onsen
circleHakone - Cable car/Ropeway
circleHakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
circleTakayama - Hida Folk Village
circleTakayama - Market visit with snack sampling
circleTakayama - Sake brewery tasting
circleHiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
circleHiroshima - Peace Museum
circleHiroshima - Miyajima Island
circleHimeji - Himeji Castle
circleKyoto - Temple/Shrine entrance (2)
circleKyoto - Gion District walk
circleTakamatsu - Ritsurin Garden & Sanuki Folkcraft Museum
circleTakamatsu - Naoshima day trip (ferry, public bus & bicycle)
circleMatsuyama - Matsuyama Castle
circleUsuki - Local Sake brewery visit and tasting
circleUsuki - Japanese home-cooking experience
circleBeppu - 'Hells' of Beppu (Jigoku)
circleBeppu - local onsen
circleBeppu - Steamed lunch (Beppu style)
circleMount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
circleMount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
circleMount Aso - Nakadake Crater
circleMount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
circleTakachiho - Takachiho gorge rowing boat ride
circleTakachiho - Takachiho Shrine
circleNagasaki - Glover Garden
circleNagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
circleNagasaki - tram day pass
museum Add on activities
circleTokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden - JPY300
circleTokyo - Sumida Hokusai Museum - JPY400
circleTokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
circleTokyo - Ueno Park - Free
circleNikko - Bus to Chuzenji Lake (return) - JPY2500
circleNikko - Imperial Villa - JPY600
circleHakone - Open-Air Museum - JPY1600
circleHakone - Checkpoint Museum - JPY500
circleHakone - Onsen (public hot spring bath) - JPY1500
circleTakayama - Festival Float Museum - JPY1000
circleTakayama - Kusakabe Traditional House - JPY1000
circleTakayama - Bike hire (per day) - JPY1000
circleTakayama - Showa Museum - JPY1000
circleTakayama - Takayama Jinya Building - JPY440
circleMiyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
circleKyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
circleKyoto - Sanjusangendo Temple - JPY600
circleKyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
circleKyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko/Geisha - JPY14300
circleKyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
circleNaoshima - Art House Project (combined ticket) - JPY1050
circleNaoshima - Chichu Art Museum - JPY2100
circleNaoshima - Benesse House Museum - JPY1300
circleMatsuyama - Dogo Onsen (basic entry) - JPY460
circleMatsuyama - Ishiteji Temple - Free
circleNagasaki - Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture - JPY630
circleNagasaki - Dejima Historical District - JPY520
circleNagasaki - 26 Martyrs Memorial - JPY500
circleNagasaki - Oura Catholic Church - JPY1000
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£9,301
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Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£8,690
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Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£8,690
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Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£8,690
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Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£8,690
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Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£8,690
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Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£8,690
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Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£9,037
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Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£9,037
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Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£9,851
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Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£9,851
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Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£9,851
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Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£9,851
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Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£9,851
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Important notes
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1. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at our chosen accommodation.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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5. This is a combination trip, meaning your trip leader and group members will likely change on Day 13.
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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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