Original
Explorer
Rail
Ultimate Japan
24 days • 4.4
4.5
Excellent
circle7 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
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
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Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Japanese Inn (5 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £6,952(24 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Tokyo
- DAY 2Day 2 • Tokyo - Nikko
- DAY 3Day 3 • Nikko
- DAY 4Day 4 • Hakone
- DAY 5Day 5 • Hakone
- DAY 6Day 6 • Takayama
- DAY 7Day 7 • Takayama
- DAY 8Day 8 • Hiroshima
- DAY 9Day 9 • Miyajima - Hiroshima
- DAY 10Day 10 • Kyoto
- DAY 11Day 11 • Kyoto
- DAY 12Day 12 • Kyoto
- DAY 13Day 13 • Osaka
- DAY 14Day 14 • Takamatsu
- DAY 15Day 15 • Naoshima Island/Takamatsu
- DAY 16Day 16 • Matsuyama
- DAY 17Day 17 • Usuki
- DAY 18Day 18 • Beppu
- DAY 19Day 19 • Beppu
- DAY 20Day 20 • Mount Aso
- DAY 21Day 21 • Nagasaki
- DAY 22Day 22 • Nagasaki
- DAY 23Day 23 • Osaka
- DAY 24Day 24 • Osaka
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Boat, Public Bus, Private Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
bed Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Japanese Inn (5 nights), Homestay (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleNikko - Toshogu Shrine
circleHakone - Cable car/Ropeway
circleHakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
circleTakayama - Hida Folk Village
circleTakayama - Market visit with snack sampling
circleTakayama - Sake brewery tasting
circleTakayama - Incense making in Zenkoji Temple
circleHiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
circleHiroshima - Peace Museum
circleHiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
circleHiroshima - Miyajima Island
circleHimeji - Himeji Castle
circleKyoto - Gion District walk
circleKyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
circleKyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
circleKyoto - Japanese sweet making & Mocha tea experience
circleKyoto - Nishiki Market walk with snack sampling
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 - Nakadake Crater
circleMount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
circleMount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
circleMount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
circleNagasaki - Glover Garden
circleNagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
circleNagasaki - tram day pass
museum Optional 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 - JPY2000
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 - JPY500
circleKyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko/Geisha - JPY14300
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 - 1 space left
£9,383£7,976
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Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£8,866£7,093
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Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£9,262£7,410
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Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 5 spaces left
£8,734£6,987
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Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£8,690
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Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£8,690£6,952
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Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£8,784£7,027
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Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£8,135
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Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£8,866£7,979
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Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£8,206£7,385
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Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£10,049£9,044
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Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£10,725£10,189
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Important notes
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1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
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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.
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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)
5 stars
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.