Original
Explorer
Rail
Ultimate Japan
24 days • 4.4
4.5
Excellent
7 reviews
24 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJSTC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Japanese Inn (5 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £6,952(24 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of the iconic Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
Stay in a countryside homestay, taking you off the beaten track to experience classic Japanese hospitality. Feast on home-cooked meals over conversations with your welcoming hosts and learn about rural life in Japan.
Spend three nights in Kyoto, and craft your own experience in this ancient capital with loads of free time and the help of your expert local leader.
Watch the steam coming out of the ‘hells’ (hot spring pools in Jigoku) of Beppu and enjoy a unique experience for lunch – you’ll cook and steam your food right in the hot spring steam, said to be rich with healthy minerals, then take a relaxing a soak in a traditional onsen,
Explore the little town of Takayama that sits within the Japanese Northern Alps and take in the stunning view of the five peaks of Mount Aso from the Daikanbo Observatory.
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.
On this trip, you’ll spend some nights in homestays and traditional Japanese inns. These are a great taste of tradition and local life and you’ll sleep on the traditional tatami floor (futons and blankets on the floor mat), just like the locals do! The facilities will be shared.
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
Take an immersive adventure through Japan, to iconic sights and seldom-seen natural wonders
Begin your Japanese adventure in the tech-haven 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, 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.
Inclusions
Meals
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Japanese Inn (5 nights), Homestay (1 night)
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
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 - Nakadake Crater
Mount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
Mount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
Mount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
Nagasaki - Glover Garden
Nagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
Nagasaki - tram day pass
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
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. 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.
3. This trip is a combination of two trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change.
Reviews (7)
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Michael
Sep 21, 2024
This is a brilliant trip if you want to cover a lot of Japan in one go and see some of the Country less travelled as well as the hotspots. Pay attention to the trip notes physical rating it’s written for a reason and pack light.
Margaret
Jun 26, 2024
The Utimate Japan Intrepid Trip is an extensive holiday with a small group using mainly the amazing train system of Japan. With a local guide you visit the sites of major cities and country areas. Taste the Japanese cuisine, soak in the onsens, stay in traditional Inns and discover some less troden paths. Discover the shrines and temples, art islands, volcanic area with hot springs and row through a spectacular gorge.. Grab your 10 kg small bag of luggage and visit this friendly country and enjoy with other like minded people.
jessica
May 03, 2023
A truly fantastic trip. It can be tiring at times so not the the faint hearted but one of the best ways to explore Japan. Intrepid and their guides will guarantee you a memorable experience.
Igor
Apr 13, 2023
This trip is amazing! Japan is the country a must to see. Trip is covering a lot geographically and culture wise.
Helena
Sep 24, 2023
I recommend this trip if you have never been to Japan and want to see the highlights. There are definitely some long travel days but considering we were travelling by bullet trains, could’ve been much longer! It was a good balance of included activities and free time and the leaders were great at providing suggestions. Takeshi (Tai) was great at providing insight into the culture of Japan. Atsuko (Addie) was very well organized and so enthusiastic. There was definitely way more hiking than I anticipated on this trip, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
Eric
Nov 22, 2022
Eine tolle Reise welche einem Japan wirklich näher bringt. Ein guter Mix von Stadt, Land und Kultur macht diese Tour empfehlenswert.
Peter
May 01, 2023
Be aware! I’ve had 3 great trips but this last one started off poorly but ended well. Poor customer service and some unwelcome surprises in the first few days. In perspective, Japans wage growth in the last 30 years is only 5%! This tour is overpriced. Offsetting the negatives the tour guides were excellent.
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