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• 12-Day Classic Japan Tour

Embark on an unforgettable 12-day Classic Japan Tour and immerse yourself in the country's rich history and culture as well as the art of traditional craftsmanship. Experience the art of sushi-making from a local master chef, learn the traditional methods of pottery-making in Kyoto, a renowned center for ceramics, and create your own unique piece of art using the intricate techniques of Kaga Yuzen, a traditional dyeing method that dates back to the 16th century.

In addition to these hands-on experiences, you would also have the opportunity to explore Japan's iconic landmarks, such as Senso-ji in Tokyo, the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates.

Complete your Japanese adventure with breathtaking scenery. Take in the panoramic views of Nara from Mount Wakakusa, a lush green hill that offers stunning vistas of the city and its surrounding mountains, and marvel at the traditional wooden houses of Shirakawa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the Japanese Alps. With its blend of cultural immersion, authentic local experiences, and breathtaking sights, this 12-day Classic Japan Tour is the perfect way to discover the heart and soul of Japan.

• Best For: First-timers, nature-lovers, travelers fascinated by traditional Japanese crafts
• Departure date: up to you
• Sample Price: from US$4,599 each (group of 4, 2 per room)

Journey Route

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Enjoy steaming matcha on a small island in the lake at Hamarikyu Garden .

Gain insights on the japanese enthusiasm for food at a local home ., meander around the beautifully preserved old town of takayama ., explore shirakawa-go with its renowned 'praying hands' houses and learn about architectural details ., enjoy the breathtaking views in kenroku-en garden , one of the top three gardens in japan., walk around higashi chaya district and see a variety of gold-leaf products, a specialty of kanazawa., discover japan's artistry through pottery and kaga yuzen dyeing workshops., wander through arashiyama's bamboo groves and find tranquility at tenryu-ji, a unesco world heritage site ., immerse yourself in the art of matcha-making in uji, savoring its exquisite taste while delving into its rich history., delight in nara's enchanting charm and encounter its gentle deer ., envelop yourself in kyoto's timeless beauty by draping yourself in a traditional kimono or yukata ., experience the thrill of traveling on one of japan's iconic shinkansen bullet trains ..

Explore similar itineraries: 11-Day Traditional Japan Tour 12-Day Classic Japan Tour

Itinerary in Detail

We arrange plenty of hands-on experiences to help you understand local culture.

These include learning to wrap up and roll sushi with local master; visiting a region that specializes in pottery and making a cup by yourself; visiting a Yuzen Gallery and trying out Yuzen dying; and learning how to make Japanese matcha using tea leaves.

Also, you will have plenty of opportunities to help you feel more connected with Japan.

These will include enjoying a cup of steaming matcha on a small island in a lake; visiting local markets with a colorful range of food stalls, selling fresh and prepared food; having a cup of sake at a sake brewery and learning how to judge sake on different distinct qualities; and walking around the old district with well-preserved Edo-period merchant's houses, specialty shops and tea houses.

Embark on your Tokyo adventure with a seamless and personalized private transfer from Narita or Haneda International Airport. Your dedicated driver would greet you upon arrival and whisk you away to your Tokyo hotel in comfort and style.

This stress-free service sets the stage for an unforgettably stylish Tokyo experience. We wish you a wonderfully memorable stay in the heart of Japan!

Embark on an immersive exploration of Tokyo's captivating contrasts, where medieval traditions intertwine with modern marvels. Your private vehicle and guide would seamlessly navigate the city's vibrant streets, unveiling hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define Tokyo's unique essence.

• Start your Tokyo adventure with a tranquil retreat at Hama-rikyu Gardens , a serene oasis amid the bustling city. Stroll through the meticulously manicured landscape, admiring the traditional Japanese gardens, tranquil ponds, and picturesque teahouses. Savor the tranquility of nature as you reflect on the day's unforgettable experiences.
• Pay homage to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken at Meiji Shrine , a sacred sanctuary nestled within a lush forest. Wander through the serene paths, enveloped by the tranquil atmosphere, and ascend the stairs to the inner shrine, seeking guidance and blessings for your journey ahead.
• Experience the pulse of Tokyo's fashion scene as you stroll along the tree-lined boulevard of Omotesando . Admire the architectural marvels that house world-renowned brands and trendy boutiques, and discover the latest trends that define Tokyo's cutting-edge style.
• Step back in time at Senso-ji , Tokyo's oldest temple, dating back to the 7th century. Immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere as you wander through the bustling Nakamise-dori shopping street, lined with traditional souvenirs and delectable street food. Ascend the steep steps leading to the main hall, seeking blessings for your future endeavors.
• Soar to the summit of the world's tallest structure, Tokyo Skytree , and witness the city's breathtaking panorama unfold beneath you. Marvel at the iconic landmarks that dot the landscape, from the Imperial Palace to the Tokyo Tower, and capture unforgettable memories from this unparalleled vantage point.

Throughout this immersive day trip, your private guide would provide insightful commentary, sharing the rich history, cultural nuances, and unique stories that make Tokyo a truly extraordinary destination. Embrace the city's captivating charm and its harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, and create memories that would last a lifetime.

Venture into the heart of Tokyo's eclectic side, where pop culture icons meet culinary artistry and digital masterpieces come alive. Your private vehicle and guide would navigate the vibrant streets, unveiling hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define Tokyo's unique charm:

• Delve into the bustling world of Tsukiji Outer Market , a renowned hub for fresh seafood and culinary traditions. Witness the lively auctions and vibrant atmosphere as you explore the market's diverse offerings, from glistening tuna to exotic delicacies.
• Embark on a culinary adventure as you learn the art of making sushi under the guidance of a skilled chef. Discover the secrets behind perfect sushi rice, master the art of slicing fish, and assemble your own delectable creations. Savor the fruits of your labor and indulge in a satisfying lunch of freshly prepared sushi.
• Unleash your imagination at teamLab Borderless , a mesmerizing digital art museum that redefines the boundaries between art and technology. Wander through immersive installations where colors dance, flowers bloom, and creatures interact with your presence. Create your own digital masterpieces and experience the fusion of art, technology, and sensory engagement.
• Immerse yourself in the electrifying energy of Shibuya Crossing , the world's busiest pedestrian intersection. Witness the synchronized chaos as thousands of people converge in a mesmerizing display of urban rhythm. Capture the iconic moment from the Hachiko statue and experience the vibrant atmosphere that epitomizes Tokyo's modern pulse.
• Step into a world of vibrant colors and fantastical characters at an anime café . Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Japanese animation, surrounded by life-sized figurines and themed décor. Indulge in anime-inspired treats and beverages while enjoying the unique atmosphere.

Take your time as you explore the lively outer market, where you will see many unusual varieties of freshly caught fish, and some of the freshest sushi and seafood. Shops and stalls lining the streets and alleys sell everything from raw fish slices to fresh wasabi plants.

After immersing yourself in the vibrant energy of Tokyo, embark on a smooth journey to Takayama, the heart of Japan's traditional Hida region. Board the Nozomi train, renowned for its speed and comfort, and enjoy the scenic ride as you traverse the picturesque countryside.

Upon arrival at Nagoya Station, your private transfer would be ready to whisk you away to the charming town of Takayama. Settle into your traditional Japanese accommodation, a ryokan, and prepare to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage that awaits.

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Hida culture, culminating in the enchanting city of Kanazawa. Your private guide would accompany you on a day of culinary delights, traditional craftsmanship, and historical immersion:

• Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Miyagawa Morning Markets , a bustling hub of local produce, traditional crafts, and culinary delights. Stroll along the rows of stalls, admiring the colorful displays of fresh fruits, vegetables, and handmade souvenirs. Engage with the friendly vendors, savoring the authentic flavors of Hida cuisine and discovering hidden treasures among the markets' treasures.
• Step into the past at Takayama Jinya , a former government office that has been meticulously preserved since the Edo period (1603–1868). Wander through the halls and chambers, imagining the bustling administrative life that once thrived within these walls. Admire the intricate architecture and artifacts on display, gaining a deeper understanding of the town's rich history.
• Embark on a sensory journey at Hida Takayama Sake Brewery , a renowned producer of the region's signature sake. Witness the traditional brewing process, from the careful selection of rice to the meticulous fermentation techniques. Sample some sake varieties, each with its unique flavor profile and characteristics, and discover the art of crafting this revered Japanese beverage.
• Venture into the enchanting village of Shirakawa , nestled amid the picturesque mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Marvel at the traditional gassho-style farmhouses, their distinctive thatched roofs forming a harmonious landscape against the backdrop of the Japanese Alps. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the village, exploring its narrow streets and time-honored customs, and gain a deeper appreciation for the preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As you conclude your journey through Hida and Kanazawa, your private guide would leave you with a treasure trove of memories, each one imbued with the rich history, cultural nuances, and unique stories that make these regions truly extraordinary. Embrace the charm of these traditional towns and cities, their harmonious blend of preservation and modernity, and cherish the experiences that would forever be etched in your heart.

Delve into the heart of Kanazawa, a city steeped in tradition and exquisite craftsmanship. Your private guide would accompany you on a captivating journey through its historic landmarks, cultural experiences, and culinary delights:

• Step back in time at Kanazawa Castle Park , the former seat of the Maeda clan, a powerful feudal family. Explore the park's reconstructed structures, including the impressive Ishikawa Gate, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this once thriving castle town.
• Wander through the enchanting Kenroku-en , a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design and one of the three most celebrated gardens in Japan. Stroll along its serene pathways, admire the meticulously manicured landscapes, and find tranquility amid the picturesque ponds and waterfalls.
• Discover the well-preserved streets of Nagamachi Samurai District , lined with traditional wooden houses that once belonged to the city's samurai class. Wander through the tranquil streets, admire the intricate architecture, and imagine the lives of the samurai who once resided there.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant art of Kaga Yuzen , a renowned dyeing technique that has been passed down through generations in Kanazawa. Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, create your own Kaga Yuzen masterpiece, selecting from an array of colors and patterns to express your unique style.
• Indulge yourself in the captivating ambiance of the Higashi Chaya District , an historic realm of geisha that maintains the enduring allure of Japan's geisha culture. Meander the slender lanes, beset with traditional wooden teahouses, allowing your imagination to whisk you back to the lively epoch of geisha entertainment.
• Step into a world of refined elegance at Shima Teahouse , a renowned establishment that has been preserving the traditions of Japanese tea ceremonies for generations. Witness the graceful movements and intricate preparations as you savor the delicate flavors of matcha tea and traditional Japanese sweets.

As you embark on this day of cultural immersion, your private guide would serve as your trusted companion, sharing insightful commentary that unveils the rich history, cultural nuances, and unique stories that make Kanazawa a truly extraordinary destination. Embrace the city's enduring traditions, its harmonious blend of art and heritage, and create memories that would forever be etched in your heart.

After immersing yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Kanazawa, embark on a seamless journey to Kyoto, the captivating heart of Japan's ancient traditions. Board the Thunderbird train, renowned for its speed and comfort, and enjoy the scenic ride as you traverse the picturesque countryside.

Upon arrival at Kyoto Station, your private transfer would be ready to whisk you away to your hotel, where you could settle in and prepare for the cultural wonders that await you in this enchanting city.

Embark on a captivating journey through Kyoto, a city steeped in history, adorned with exquisite temples, and renowned for its vibrant culture. Your private guide would accompany you on a full-day exploration of iconic landmarks and hidden gems, uncovering the essence of Kyoto's timeless beauty.

• Commence your day with a visit to Kinkaku-ji , also known as the Golden Pavilion, a shimmering masterpiece of Japanese architecture. Let your gaze be captivated by the temple's exquisite golden exterior, reflecting the tranquil waters of the surrounding pond, and capture the iconic image that has enchanted visitors for generations.
• Step into the grandeur of Nijo Castle , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1600–1868). Admire the intricate architecture and opulent interiors, including the renowned "nightingale floors", designed to emit a distinct sound when walked upon.
• Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Nishiki Market , a culinary paradise renowned for its fresh produce, traditional sweets, and delectable street food. Wander through the rows of stalls, savor the aromas and flavors of Kyoto's cuisine, and discover hidden treasures among the market's diverse offerings.
• Visit the Arashiyama area in the afternoon and capture the picturesque beauty of Togetsu-kyo Bridge , a graceful wooden structure spanning the Katsura River. Stroll along the bridge, admiring the serene views of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and experience the tranquility that has inspired poets and artists for centuries.
• Seek blessings and tranquility at Nonomiya Shrine , a sacred sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of childbirth. Ascend the stairs leading to the shrine, surrounded by a tranquil bamboo grove, and immerse yourself in the serenity of this spiritual haven.
• Wander through the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove , where towering bamboo stalks create a verdant oasis amid the city. Follow the winding paths, enveloped by the gentle rustling of the bamboo leaves, and discover the tranquility that has drawn visitors for centuries.
• Venture into the forested slopes of Mount Arashiyama, home to the mischievous Japanese macaques of Monkey Park Iwatayama . Observe the monkeys' playful antics as they roam freely through the trees and enjoy the panoramic views of Kyoto from the park's observation deck.

Your private guide would be your trusted companion throughout this day of cultural immersion, weaving tales of Kyoto's rich history, cultural nuances, and unique stories that make this city truly extraordinary. Immerse yourself in the city's enduring traditions, its harmonious blend of art and heritage, and create memories that would forever be etched in your heart.

Plunge into the heart of Osaka on a fully-guided tour that covers iconic landmarks, cultural endeavors, and a feast of local culinary delights.

• Venture into the enchanting Gion district , the heart of Kyoto's geisha culture. As dusk descends, immerse yourself in the district's vibrant nightlife, where you may catch a glimpse of geishas and maiko (apprentice geishas) as they make their way to traditional teahouses.
• Uncover the art of Japanese pottery with a hands-on pottery lesson . Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, create your own unique ceramic masterpiece, learning the traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.
• Embrace the elegance of Japanese culture with a kimono-wearing experience . Select a beautiful kimono from a vast collection and let expert staff assist you in draping it perfectly. Capture the enchanting moment with a traditional photo shoot, creating timeless memories of your Kyoto adventure.
• Stroll along the picturesque Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka slopes , lined with traditional wooden houses and shops. Wander through the narrow lanes, admiring the preserved architecture and soaking in the charming atmosphere of Kyoto's historic district.
• Conclude your day with an unforgettable visit to Kiyomizu-dera , a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched atop Mount Otowa. Ascend the Kiyomizu-dera stage, where breathtaking panoramic views of Kyoto's cityscape unfold before you. Admire the temple's exquisite architecture, including the iconic three-story pagoda, and immerse yourself in the tranquility that has captivated pilgrims and tourists for generations.

As the sun sets over Kyoto, conclude another remarkable day of cultural immersion. Your private guide will have unveiled the city's rich history, cultural nuances, and unique stories, leaving you with a treasure trove of memories. Embrace Kyoto's enduring traditions and its harmonious blend of art and heritage, and cherish the experiences that would forever be etched in your heart.

Embark on a day of cultural exploration and scenic delights as you venture from Kyoto to Nara, with a brief stop in the charming town of Uji. Your private guide would accompany you on a journey through ancient temples, tranquil landscapes, and culinary delights, creating a memorable tapestry of experiences.

• Immerse yourself in the enchanting Fushimi Inari Shrine , renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding their way up Mount Inari. Stroll along the seemingly endless path, surrounded by the vibrant red gates, and experience the spiritual serenity that has drawn pilgrims for centuries.
• Delve into the art of matcha , the renowned green tea powder that has become synonymous with Japanese tea culture. Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, discover the traditional techniques of making matcha, from harvesting and processing the tea leaves to grinding them into fine powder. Savor the delicate flavor of matcha tea and learn about its cultural significance.
• Step into the tranquil embrace of Nara Park , home to a majestic herd of sika deer that roam freely amid ancient woodlands and serene temples. Witness the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and capture the iconic image of the deer bowing to visitors.
• Ascend the verdant slopes of Mount Wakakusa , offering breathtaking panoramic views of Nara Park and the surrounding city. Admire the lush greenery and the vibrant autumn foliage, and experience the tranquility that has captivated visitors for generations.

Conclude your day's adventure with a seamless transfer to Osaka, the vibrant city of lights and energy. Your private guide would ensure a smooth transition, leaving you with a treasure trove of memories from your day of cultural exploration and scenic delights.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy and cultural richness of Osaka, a city renowned for its delectable cuisine, captivating entertainment, and historical landmarks. Your private guide would lead you on an unforgettable journey through the city's iconic districts, from the grandeur of Osaka Castle to the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori.

• Ascend majestic Osaka Castle , a symbol of Osaka's rich history and enduring spirit. Explore the castle's impressive fortifications, admire its panoramic views of the city, and delve into fascinating stories of the samurai warriors who once called this fortress home.
• Embark on a hands-on ukiyo-e printing experience , where you would learn the traditional techniques of creating these iconic woodblock prints. Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, create your own ukiyo-e masterpiece, taking with you a tangible piece of Japanese artistic tradition.
• Step into the retro-futuristic world of Shinsekai , a district inspired by Paris and New York, characterized by its vibrant atmosphere and nostalgic charm. Ascend Tsutenkaku Tower for breathtaking views of the city, savor the flavors of local cuisine, and experience the unique blend of old and new that defines Shinsekai.
• Embark on a captivating stroll through Dotonbori , the vibrant entertainment district pulsating with neon lights, enticing aromas, and a lively atmosphere. Sample the iconic street food, witness the dazzling performances of street performers, and capture the electrifying energy that defines this iconic district.

Conclude your day's adventure with a culinary odyssey through Osaka's vibrant food scene. Savor the flavors of takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and other local delicacies, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the city's countless restaurants and food stalls. As the city lights illuminate the night sky, bid farewell to Osaka, carrying with you the memories of a day filled with cultural immersion, culinary delights, and unforgettable experiences.

As your time in Japan draws to a close, let us handle your departure with the same level of care and efficiency that has characterized your entire journey. A private transport service, meticulously arranged by our team, would ensure a smooth and stress-free transfer from your hotel to the airport.

With your travel arrangements seamlessly taken care of, bid farewell to Osaka and Japan, carrying with you the cherished memories of your unique exploration of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Sayonara ! We wish you a peaceful and pleasant onward or return journey.

Hand-Picked Hotels

We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.

Tour Price:

• The price is based on a private tour for 4 people during the low season.
• The price varies based on program, travel date, number of people.
• We could also price a tour including both 4-star and 5-star hotels for you.
• We accept payments in multiple currencies (GBP, AUD, CAD, EUR...).

Price Includes:

• Privately-driven air-conditioned vehicle with ample space (except where stated)
• English-speaking local guide for the sightseeing
• Attraction tickets and itinerary activities
• Accommodation for all nights
• Trains between itinerary cities
• Hotel breakfasts and itinerary lunches/dinners
• 24/7 helpline while touring
• Governmental taxes

Price Excludes:

• International flights not mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Visa fee, if applicable
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Personal expenses

Tour code: ah-33

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River in Arashiyama during fall : famous touristic site to visit in Kyoto

©Tawatchai Prakobkit/123RF

Senso-ji temple in Asakusa with Tokyo Sky Tree behind, a must-see on your first days to visit Tokyo

©Chan Richie/123RF

The view of Hakone jinja Torii in the lake at Hakone, a must-see close to Mount Fuji in Japan

©Waraporn Meengoen/123RF

3* Hakone Ichinoyu Shinkan ryokan traditional Japanese room

©Ichinoyu Shinkan

The sacred island of Miyajima and its famous torii with feet in water, worth a visit off Hiroshima in Japan

©Sean Pavone/123RF

Todai-ji temple and its imposing statue of the buddha : a must-see in Nara

©Surachet Shotivaranon/123RF

Enjoy comfortable 3 * hotels, well located, with impeccable Japanese service

©Tsugu 京都三条 Kyoto

Indulge yourself with a move upmarket in an equivalent 4 * hotel (optional)

• Travel insurance
• Japan Experience

Classic Japan

• Duration : 12 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Hiroshima, Kyoto
• Add to favorites

This tour of Japan takes you to Tokyo , Kyoto , Mount Fuji , Hiroshima and the sacred island of Miyajima .

Included in this self-guided tour : accommodation, Japan Rail Pass, airport transfers, pocket Wifi and a complete mini-guide.

Japan Experience 's added bonus: in Kyoto, a night visit of the geisha district included, with an English speaking guide . Immersion in Japanese culture guaranteed !

14-day itinerary 

• Departure city/Airport : Tokyo (Narita : NRT or Haneda : HND )
• Tokyo (4 nights)
• Hakone - Mount Fuji (1 night)
• Osaka (2 nights)
• Hiroshima  (2 nights)
• Kyoto (4 nights)
• Return city/Airport : Osaka (Kansai International Airport : KIX )

Please find below the itinerary details.

Tour length : 13 nights / 14 days ( + 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe )

PLEASE NOTE : The departure and end dates shown on this page only apply to your stay in Japan. You must therefore leave Europe the day before the first day of your tour. The date of your return flight and that of your return to Europe are identical due to the time difference.

Example : 

• Departure from Europe : January 1st
• Arrival in Tokyo ( = the date to be selected in the calendar when booking ) : January 2nd
• Return flight from NRT or HND airport / Return to Europe : January 15th

Please note that flights are not included in the price of your tour.

Like this tour but are also drawn to the Japanese Alps ? Instead, we recommend our tour Highlights of Japan .

Why this trip to Japan ?

• Welcomed at the airport  by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Tokyo by shuttle bus
• Head to the edge of  Mount Fuji  for an unforgettable dinner and overnight stay in a ryokan
• Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and visit the sacred island of Miyajima
• Go to Kyoto, where a night-time guided tour of the Gion district awaits you
• Take advantage of your transport passes  : Hakone Free Pass, prepaid transport card...
• Enjoy unlimited  internet access  thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
• If needed, contact our bilingual Japanese/English-speaking assistance team available 7/7
• A number of guided days or other optional activities are available
• On the final day, a shuttle bus will take you from your accommodation to the airport
• Benefit from the expertise of  Japan Experience , European leading travel agency in Japan.

Your trip in detail

Day 1 : wake up in tokyo 東京.

Tokyo tower by night

Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND ). Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ！

Welcome through customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi. Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo (see details).

The transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other guests departing for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your scheduled flight arrival, and stops may be made before your hotel.

If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the arrival of your flight, feel free to take the " Private Taxi from the Airport " option.

Check in at Hotel OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts or similar category 3* hotel (rooms available from 3pm).

Day 2 : First steps in the capital

Worldwide famous Shibuya crossing, Tokyo

©Wasin Pummarin/123RF

What to do in Tokyo on your first day

We recommend that you start your visit to Tokyo slowly by visiting the following districts: - Harajuku , the avant-garde district ;  - Meiji Jingû , the imperial sanctuary ; - Takeshita-Dôri , a must-see street in the capital ;  - Omotesandô , Tokyo's Champs-Élysées ;  - Shibuya and its impressive crossroads.

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Tokyo (optional, from 9am to 5pm).

End your day in style with an evening stroll through Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's most important districts. Meet your guide at 7 p.m. for an unique walk lasting around 2 hours , during which you will pass through Kabukichô and the Golden Gai , among others.  More details on the exact day and meeting place in your travel diary.

Day 3 : The big loop

Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo

©Moiz K. Malik/Unsplash

For this second day of sightseeing in Tokyo, we recommend the following "loop".

Start at Tokyo Central Station, with its original architecture, then head off to visit : - Ginza , Tokyo's chic district ; - Tsukiji , the small outdoor food market ; - Hama-rikyû , the Japanese garden between Tokyo's buildings ; - Asakusa , a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by cruise on the Sumida river ; - Sensô-ji , the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital ; - Tokyo Sky Tree , 643 metres high, with its panoramic view of Tokyo at sunset.

Between Hama-rikyû Garden and Asakusa, why not enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River ?

Day 4 : Follow the guide

Lovely Toshogu shrine in Ueno park, Tokyo

©Juan Broullon/Unsplash

There are still many places to discover according to your taste ! Ueno, Yanaka, Odaiba...

Don't hesitate to book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to visit Tokyo off the beaten path!

Make the most of our many optional activities: - Are you looking more for fun? Ghibli Museum, Disneyland or Hello Kitty Park are waiting for you! - Do you prefer a themed activity? Book a visit on an architecture tour, gardens, home cooking or Noh's theatre. - Chasing thrills? Let yourself be tempted by a helicopter ride or a sumo tournament (in season)!

Day 5 : At the heart of the Japanese soul

In the morning, send your luggage to your hotel in Osaka (details in your travel diary, check with the hotel reception) so that you can travel light for your night in Hakone .

Go to Shinjuku station to activate your Hakone Free Pass and board a train for Hakone Yumoto (1h30 journey, details in your travel guide, included in your package). The train leaves the Japanese megalopolis and gradually winds its way through the valleys of the Mount Fuji region. You will arrive in Hakone in the late morning. Reach Ichinoyu Shinkan ryôkan or equivalent to drop off your small bag and explore the region.

You'll be charmed by the beautiful scenery of this spa resort, Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (on a clear day!). Not forgetting the Owakudani volcanic site , accessible by cable car. All transport (train, bus, cable car and funicular) is included in your package. If you wish to be accompanied during this day, one of our English-speaking guides can help reveal the secrets of the Mount Fuji region (optional).

Come back to your ryôkan at the end of the afternoon, as your traditional Japanese dinner will be waiting for you at around 6.30pm, before enjoying a Japanese-style night !

More details below on the features of the night in a ryôkan.

Day 6 : First steps in the capital of Kansai

Osaka Castle, one of famous castles in Japan.

©︎Natthapon Ngamnithiporn

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

Head to Hakone Yumoto station and then Odawara station to board one of the fastest trains in the world : the Shinkansen ! Shinkansen journey to Osaka (direct, approx. 2h, including reserved tickets).

Check-in at Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda or similar category 3* hotel (rooms available from 3pm).

What is there to do in Osaka in 2 days ?

We recommend that you start your visit to Osaka slowly, in the northern and eastern districts :

- Osaka's medieval castle , with its park full of plum and cherry trees ; - The city centre and Nakanoshima Island , with its rose park surrounded by buildings ; - Utsubo Park , a cool oasis in the business district ; - Visit Umeda , the temple of Japanese shopping ; - Finish off with the Umeda Sky building at dusk for a 360° view of Kansai (including Kyoto on a clear day!).

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Osaka (optional, from 9am to 5pm). 

Day 7 : Gastronomic introduction

For your second day in Osaka, we recommend the following itinerary :

- Osaka Kaiyûkan Aquarium , the world's largest aquarium in terms of volume ; - The Tennôji district and its Shitennô-ji Buddhist temple , one of the oldest in Japan ; - Spa World , Japan's largest thermal baths ( onsen ) ; - Shinseikai , with its retro charm ; - DenDen machi , the technologeek village ; - Finish off with Dôtonbori , the liveliest district in Japan.

Day 8 : Make way for history

Hiroshima castle, famous for cherry blossom

Take the shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 2 hours, included in your Kansai Hiroshima pass) and arrive in the city in the early afternoon.

Check-in at Hotel Intergate Hiroshima or similar category 3* hotel .

Visit the park and the Peace memorial , the castle and its park full of cherry trees before tasting one of Hiroshima's specialities: okonomiyaki!

Day 9 : The Sacred Island

Breakfast at the hotel.

A short 30-minute train and boat journey to Miyajima Island , its Itsukushima-jinja shrine and the great Ôtorii gate built into the sea.

Take the cable car up to Mount Misen and then descend on foot. A breathtaking view of Hiroshima Bay awaits you!

Return to Hiroshima in the late afternoon.

Day 10 : The former capital

Old streets in Gion, traditional Kyoto district : a must-see when visiting Kyoto

Take the  shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2h30, included in your Kansai Hiroshima pass) and check into the RAKURO 京都 by THE SHARE HOTELS or equivalent (rooms available from 3pm).

You have 3 days to visit Kyoto. Start in the afternoon in the historic Gion district, close to your accommodation : - Kiyomizu-Dera , the impressive water temple ; - The historic lanes of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka ; - Kôdai-ji , Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo. Finish your day with a stroll through the Gion district and enjoy the sunset. Meet your guide at 7 p.m. to start your evening walk around Gion , Kyoto's historic district. More details on the exact day and meeting point can be found in your travel guide.

At the end of this 1h30 walk, your guide will be able to recommend the best places to eat dinner! Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take pictures in the historic district of Gion.

Day 11 : Gold and Silver Treasures

Kiyomizu dera temple in Kyoto during fall leaves

©Luciano Mortula/123RF

For your second day in Kyoto, we recommend the following itinerary: - The Zen garden of Ryôan-ji ; - Kinkaku-ji ( Golden Pavilion ) ; - Ginkaku-ji ( Silver Pavilion ) - The enchanting Philosopher's Path ; - Nanzen-ji temple;

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these iconic sites (available as an option, from 9am to 5pm).

Day 12 : Now for some activity...

Bamboo grove in Arashiyama : famous touristic site to visit in Kyoto

Continue your visit to Kyoto by heading west: - Nishiki , Kyoto's culinary market; - Nijô Castle , former residence of the shogun; - Arashiyama , with its bamboo grove and monkey mountain.

This is your last full day to visit Kyoto, so why not make the most of our many optional activities : - Want to enjoy nature? Discover our cycling activities along the Kamo-gawa river or hiking in the Takao gorges! - If you're more into the Japanese arts , you'll love our tea ceremony, meditation activities or private visits to secret gardens! - If you're in the mood for the Japanese countryside , let yourself be tempted by a trip to Ohara or oour popular activity: on the Tea Road!

Day 13 : Between temples and deer

Nara Sika deers are sacred, and protected as National Treasures.

©Jane Rix/123RF

For the last day, we recommend taking the 50 minute journey to Nara, included in your package.

Visit Nara , Japan's first fixed capital in the 8th century. Discover : - The Kasuga-taisha Shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns ;  - Tôdai-ji , with its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate ;  - Kôfuku-ji temple and its delightful pagoda.

Return to Kyoto and stop to see the sunset at the Fushimi Inari-taisha , Kyoto's immense shrine of 10,000 torii .

If you wish to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides will reveal all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional).

Day 14 : Sayonara, and see you next time!

Sayonara - bye bye Japan !

©Maksims Grigorjevs/123RF

Take a direct transfer to  Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).

This transfer is by shuttle or shared bus, with other customers departing from the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers arrive between 3 hours and 1.5 hours before the actual departure of your flight, and stops can be made before you arrive at the airport.

If you prefer a private transfer at a time of your choice, direct to the airport and with no intermediate stops, select the "Private Taxi to Airport" option.

Return flight to Europe, North America, Australia.

Don't hesitate to extend your trip by a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... Get in touch and we would be happy to advise you!

Included in your self-guided tour

Accommodation

- 4  nights in a 3* hotel  in the heart of Tokyo, close to public transport

- 1  night in a 3* ryokan  in Hakone Mount Fuji, traditional half-board

- 2 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of Osaka, close to public transport

- 2 nights in a 3* hotel in Hiroshima, between the train station and the Peace Memorial Park

- 4  nights in a 3* hotel  in the heart of Kyoto, close to public transport

The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.

- Airport transfer to Tokyo HND or NRT

- Return airport transfer Kyoto > Kansai International Airport KIX

- Prepaid public transport card

- Hakone Free pass for 2 days

- Shinkansen Odawara (Hakone) > Osaka, seats reserved in standard class

- Kansai Hiroshima pass for 5 days

Experiences and meals

- Airport meet and greet  

- Traditional dinner and breakfast included at the ryôkan in Hakone

- Discounts at many of Hakone tourist sites

- The 2 breakfasts in Hiroshima

- Night guided tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo and Gion, Kyoto

Additional services

- Unlimited internet access with Pocket WiFi

- Complete digital travel guide sent before your departure

- Luggage transfer between your hotels in Tokyo > Osaka

- Telephone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese bilingual. The number will be given to you in your travel pack. This phone number is valid for telephone calls and also for Whatsapp.

Not included in the price of your trip

- Flights Europe <> Japan

- Optional insurance

- Personal expenses, including meals (breakfasts can sometimes be added as an option at your hotel reception, see details). For other meals, you will find addresses selected by us in your travel pack.

- Public transport once your transport cards have run out (see details)

- Everything not mentioned in the section "Included in your tour".

More about your trip

Your tour :

• The prices displayed on this page may vary according to the exchange rate of the Japanese ¥.
• Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
• Children and babies accepted. From 3 to 11 years old a child rate is offered. In each accommodation, a standard adult bed will be offered to them, and a standard seat will be allocated to them in transport. From 0 to 2 years old inclusive, a "baby" rate is offered. This price corresponds to the allocation of a cot in the majority of the accommodation of the chosen circuit. However, we cannot guarantee a baby cot in each accommodation.
• Pets are not allowed.
• This programme is subject to change due to circumstances such as weather conditions or any other case of force majeure. Please note that due to the current circumstances, any information mentioned is subject to change or modification.
• Travel diary by email before departure, and other electronic documents 
• Paper documents (airport transfer ticket, transportation card, Japan Rail Pass voucher) and Pocket WiFi upon arrival at the airport by our airport assistant.
• N.B.: No ticket for airport transfers from Kansai airport. The reservation is registered in the name of the tour reservation.
• N.B.: In very rare cases, mostly in very high season, steps might be reversed. You will be informed in your mini travel-guide. Thanks for your kind understanding.

Your accommodation :

• Some hotels may ask you to pay a tourist tax on arrival. This depends on the city and even the hotel, as some do not include it in the booking price. Normally, it is 200¥/night/person (about £1.37/1.93$) but can be slightly higher in 4* hotels. It must be paid in cash at the hotel reception. For traditional Japan Experience accommodations, it is included in the initial tour price.
• Room size: in Japan, a densely populated country where everything is compact, 3-star luxury hotels are of very good quality but the rooms are often quite narrow (12 to 20m2/129 sq ft to 215 sq ft) depending on the hotel. Please note the size of the single room, between 10 and 16m2 (107sq ft and 172sq ft). For more comfort, you can choose our luxury 4* accommodation upgrade option. (This option is only valid for the hotel in Tokyo, not for the traditional accommodation in Kyoto).
• Double room: Rooms for two people in western hotels have 2 single beds (twin rooms) by default, which can usually be joined together. As an option, you can select a double room instead of a twin if you prefer a double bed.
• Single room: People travelling alone and wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. The single room supplement is compulsory for orders with an odd number of participants. Please note that if you request more than two people in a single room, the single room supplement will be applied to all accommodation except for the ryokans (3 and 4*). In fact, as this is traditional accommodation, people with the same reservation are grouped together in spacious rooms for up to 5 people.
• 3-person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the single supplement, a triple room will be allocated to you.
• In the case of a group order (> 5 people), it is possible, depending on hotel availability, that not all members of the group will be accommodated in the same hotel. Nevertheless, we aim to keep you close. 
• Names of the hotels : The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, an establishment of equivalent standing will be scheduled. Hotels, corresponding to local standards, are given as an indication and may be changed on site for hotels of a similar category.
• In the ryôkan , guests sleep on comfortable futons placed on the tatami mat. The room has a private sink and toilet. As is customary in Japanese ryôkan , the onsen bathroom is shared (not mixed) unless you take the "private bathroom in the room" option. OPTIONAL: Enjoy a private Japanese bathroom (traditional or modern onsen) in your room. This option is recommended for mixed couples, families, people who are modest or have visible tattoos. The 4* ryôkan (see 4* option) have comfortable futons raised on either western beds in a traditional tatami room. The bathrooms and toilets of the 4* ryôkan are private.

Your transport :

• Flights are not included in this tour . Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to include flights in your order: Flights in economy class with stopovers or direct flights, eco-premium or business air upgrades, provincial departures or abroad: we will be able to advise you.
• The tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. You will arrive in Japan via Tokyo (Narita or Haneda airports) and will also leave from Tokyo. You will have to leave Europe the day before and land at 6:30pm at the latest to make the most of the airport services of your tour (welcome and transfer to Tokyo). The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference, with a departure time of 9am at the earliest. Please do not hesitate to consult us for any uncertainty or need for precision in the choice of international flights.
• If the flights have been purchased by your care without the intervention of Japan Experience, it is necessary to send us by mail 1 month before your departure your flight information (flight number, airport, date and time of arrival) to allow us organize your welcome and airport transfer.
• Airport Transfers: The shared limousine bus leaves from the airport and stops either in front of your hotel or at a stop within 1-15 minutes walk from your hotel. Our airport assistant in Tokyo will drive you to the platform to pick up the airport transfer. The transfer to the hotel is unassisted. If you wish to be accompanied from the airport to your hotel reception, please choose the option "Accompanied Airport Transfer". This transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other clients leaving for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers leave between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival and stops can be made before your hotel. If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the actual arrival of your flight, feel free to take the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option. Please note: due to the many changes in flight schedules by the airlines, if the airline notifies you of a change in arrival time less than 72 hours before your departure, and if it exceeds 45 minutes, we cannot guarantee your airport shuttle. You will then have to take a taxi at your own expense, requesting a refund from your airline for abusive schedule changes. The same applies to your return journey: 72 hours before your return flight, we cannot change the shuttle schedule. Similarly, you will have to take a taxi booked with the hotel, at your own expense, with reimbursement procedures with the airline company being the only solution. Japan Experience is not responsible for last minute schedule changes. On the way back, the shared shuttle bus leaves from your hotel or very close by to take you directly to the Kansai KIX airport in 1 hour 30.
• Included in your tour is a pre-charged transport prepayment card of ¥ 1,500 (around £10.30 / 14.54$) (suica or Pasmo brand); a transport pass for the Tokyo Shinjuku -> Hakone route and all transport in the Hakone region (excluding taxis) and a 5-day Kansai Hiroshima pass. These 3 cards should cover a large part of your trips during the stay. Upon expiry of the 1,500¥ Transport Prepayment Card, or if the line you are travelling on is not covered by your Japan Rail Pass, any travel will be at your own expense by recharging your prepaid transport card (at vending machines in all stations and metro stations). 

Your activities :

• Airport reception is in English. Your airport assistant will be waiting for you at the customs exit holding a sign with the name of the reservation. They will give you your travel documents and take you to your airport transfer. They will not accompany you to Tokyo (this is possible, but optional).
• The Shinjuku tour is a guided group tour lasting around 2 hours and departing at 7pm. Please note that the tour will be conducted in English if your group is made up of travellers of different nationalities. More details on the meeting point in your travel pack. Dinner is not included, but your guide will be able to recommend the best places to eat.
• The guided tour of Gion lasts around 2 hours and departs at 7pm. Please note that the tour will be conducted in English if your group is made up of travellers of different nationalities. More details on the meeting point in your travel pack. Dinner is not included, but your guide will be able to recommend the best places to eat.

Your meals :

• Breakfasts which are not included in your package can be added at the reception when you arrive at the hotel. However, you will find many cafés near your hotel serving copious breakfasts, often tastier than those in the hotels, which sometimes have tight schedules and are predominantly savoury. However, if you would like to add breakfast to your offer when you make your reservation, you can select it as an option.
• Traditional Japanese dinner and Japanese breakfast (mostly savoury) are included in your Hakone tour. Do not hesitate to indicate any dietary requirements you may have, we will pass them on to the ryôkan so that they can take them into account when planning the meals. If the ryôkan does not take any of these dietary requirements into account, we cannot be held responsible and no compensation will be issued.

Your additional services:

• A pocket wifi is included in your tour. It allows unlimited high-speed internet access. Your Pocket WiFi will be given to you at the airport of arrival.
• It comes with a small booklet to operate your device (don't panic: simple operation) and a prepaid envelope to return your device at the end of your stay. Your pocket wifi will work naturally until the last day of your trip to Japan.
• A maximum of 5 devices can be connected to a pocket wifi (phone, tablet, computer).
• A single pocket wifi is provided for a circuit order of 1 to 5 people. For an order of 6 people or more, a second pocket wifi will be added automatically and at no extra cost to your reservation.

When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:

Japan Experience Flex :  Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.

Japan Experience Protect : Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions. 

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa? Do I need vaccinations?

As of October 11, 2022, Japan will open its borders to all Europeans (including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) and North Americans (Canada and the United States) without requiring a visa.

Only non-triply vaccinated travelers need a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.

Do I still need a visa to travel to Japan as a tourist?

No, no visa is required for blue countries including all European countries (European Union, United Kingdom and Switzerland included) and North American countries (Canada and United States). List of blue countries: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html . If you have another nationality, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country of residence to obtain this visa.

Do I still need a PCR or antigen test to go to Japan?

No, if you are triple vaccinated with the vaccines approved by Japan (Pfizer, Moderna, ...exhaustive list here : https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page24e_000317.html ) there is no need for any test.

I do not have 3 doses of vaccine or I am not vaccinated against COVID, can I enter Japan?

Proof of Covid vaccines is no longer required for travelers from "blue" countries. Therefore, unvaccinated travelers can enter Japan if they live in blue countries. But a negative PCR test is required at embarkation for travelers who are not vaccinated 3 times.

Is there still a quarantine upon arrival in Japan?

Quarantine and testing on arrival have been eliminated for travelers from blue countries.

Is insurance mandatory?

No, but it is recommended. Japan Experience, as an option of its tours, provides appropriate travel insurance solutions.

What anti-covid measures are still in place in Japan?

The mask must be worn indoors (except in exceptional cases) and in transportation.

What applications should I download before entering Japan?

For tracking the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, the Japanese government recommends downloading several applications:

MySOS, the health and location tracking app (it will be used to confirm your location, health status and accommodation).

COCOA, the COVID-19 contact confirmation app (this will be used to notify you of possible contact with a COVID-19 positive person).

For more information, please visit: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/manual/pdf-en/summary.pdf 

Guided or self-guided tour... what type of tour should you go for?

Whether you want to discover new things or discover yourself, stay in a fully organised tour or take a leisurely one: at Japan Experience, you will find a tour to suit your needs! Discover our 3 tour formulas now: guided, self-guided or personalised tour: Guided tours: Travelling with a specialist Would you like to travel with a small group of 8 to 12 people, accompanied by a private English-speaking guide? Classic destinations or off the beaten path, Japan Experience offers many guided tours, for all kinds of budget. Offering several departure dates throughout the year, these tours start at €2,890 per person. Self-guided tours: Independent travel These tours, with pre-planned itineraries, include accommodation, flights, transport, 24-hour assistance and optional guided activities. From €540 per person, plan your days as you wish, following the recommendations in your travel diary. Tailor-made tours: Travel according to your desires Design the trip you've always dreamed of! Our specialist advisors are available by email, telephone or directly in one of our agencies to answer all your questions and help you design your own customised tour.

How long should a trip to Japan last?

For a first trip to Japan, a period of 2 weeks is optimal, with at least 3 days in Tokyo and 3 days in Kyoto and its region. Don't forget to take some time at the beginning of the trip to get used to the time difference.

When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms? And the autumn leaves?

Recommended dates for seeing the spring flowers: - plum blossoms: mid-February to mid-March - cherry blossoms (sakura): between 20 March and 15 April (dates vary from year to year) - wisteria, iris, azaleas: mid-April to end of May - hydrangeas: June - lotus flowers: August Recommended dates outside of spring : - Autumn leaves: mid-November - Observation of Zen gardens under the snow: mid-December to mid-February

When to go to Japan?

There are 4 seasons in Japan.

Spring , from the end of February to the end of May, is a mild season suitable for all kinds of activities. It is of course the period when sakura (cherry trees) bloom, the perfect occasion to admire them (hanami). Their blooming period is between March 20 and April 10 for Tokyo and Kyoto areas, while it is possible to admire them earlier in the south of the country and later in the north. The cherry blossom period is very popular and generates a lot of crowds. However, there are other beautiful flowers that bloom during this season: plum blossoms, with their sparkling pink at the end of February; fabulous azaleas in April-May; hydrangeas of all colors or irises during June.

Summer , from June to August, is generally synonymous with heat with a rainy season in the last two weeks of June during which you can expect rain several days a week. During this very hot and humid season, it is possible to enjoy fireworks (hanabi) in July and August, as well as matsuri , traditional Japanese festivals. Among the most famous are the Gion matsuri, which is held in Kyoto in mid-July or the Obon Matsuri in mid-August.

Then comes the high wind season (taifu) , which reaches its peak between August and September, but it is not necessary to avoid going during this period. Indeed, there is little chance that they will involve changing your travel plans, few of them even reaching the main island. 

Autumn , from September to November, is the season when temperatures are generally the most pleasant, quite similar to the continental European climate. It is also the season when the country is decorated with red tones and when one can admire the momiji (literally red leaves) which are usually visible in Tokyo, Kyoto and their region during the last two weeks of November.

Finally, winter, from December to February, is the coldest season but also the opportunity to admire the striking beauty of winter landscapes . December is a period of calm before the holiday season, while January is marked by a drop in temperature and the presence of a number of festivals. In central Japan, temperatures usually range from -4 to 10°C. In the mountains and the north of the country, temperatures drop significantly, while in Kyushu and Okinawa, winter tends to be milder.

The most touristic periods are :  - in February, the 10 days around the Chinese New Year, which marks a strong influx of tourists from all over Asia; - between the end of March and the beginning of April, the cherry blossom period; - between the end of April and the beginning of May, during the "Golden Week", a period with many public holidays and during which many Japanese go on vacation; - mid-August, during the Obon Matsuri; - at the end of November, the best period to observe the momiji; - early January, for the New Year, when many businesses and activities are closed.   So, if you want to go during a less crowded period, Japan Experience recommends you to go : - in February, outside the Chinese New Year period, for the cool but nevertheless pleasant weather and the splendid blooming of plum trees, before the cherry trees; - between mid-May and early June, to take advantage of the mild weather, lower traffic and the blooming of hydrangeas, azaleas and irises; - from September to early December, to take advantage of good temperatures, a reasonable level of tourism and the momiji period in late November.

What are the procedures for entry?

Due to the current crisis, we advise you to visit the website of the Japanese embassy in your country to find out about the procedures for entry. Normally, for citizens of the European Union, Switzerland and Canada, you just need a valid passport (for the duration of your stay). A visa is not necessary for a tourist stay of less than 90 days.

Our commitments as Japan Experience, Europe No. 1 travel in Japan

• The guarantee of the  first tour operator  specialised exclusively in Japan for 40 years
• A wide range of products to let you  Experience Japan from the inside
• Competitive prices  thanks to a single team in UK, Europe, USA and Japan, with no intermediaries
• Assistance  available in Japan throughout your trip
• A  specialised team  is available 7 days a week by phone or email
• The best advice thanks to the  3,500 articles  available on our website

Optional services

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Our other Self-Guided tours

Discover other Self-Guided tours like « Classic Japan »

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• Duration : 3 hour

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Japan Deluxe Tours

Visit the must see sites of japan with group sizes ranging from 12 to 35 people..

These tours are great for first time visitors to Japan looking for comfortable accommodation with all entrance fees and most meals included. Our Japan Deluxe Tours are accomodated with professional tour guides, fluent in both Japanese and English, to ensure an educational and valuable visit. Air-conditoned, private coaches are also included, so you can enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free time in Japan. Our tours range from 7 to 21 days, to various regions of Japan.

Deluxe-Plus Small Group Tours

Experience the culture of japan at a slower pace with groups of 10 to 18 people. (smaller group departure available).

These tours combine enrichment, enjoyment, and education with time to truly absorb and appreciate your surroundings. Our Deluxe-Plus small group tours are created to cater to those who are interested in having a deeper understanding of Japan's culture. You will have the opportunity to participate in culturally rich activities and visit destinations only locals may know. Experience luxurious hotels and travel at a leisurely pace when you book a Deluxe-Plus small group tour.

Budget Group Tours

Our budget tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget..

Explore the must-see sights and enjoy the hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price. Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a quick stop to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys. These are the tours for you.

Active Small Group Tours

Travel japan more flexibly in groups of 6 to 13 people using public transportation..

Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape. Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best of cultural destinations with off-the-beaten-path via Japanese public transportation, Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.

Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus Style

Signature: classic japan.

Tokyo - Hakone - Mt Fuji - Matsumoto - Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa - Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Hiroshima - Naoshima - Kurashiki - Himeji - Kobe

Departure Months:

Our Classic Japan itineraries offer travelers more time to enjoy the country’s highlights and must-see sites. Explore popular attractions in renowned cities, as well as Japan’s rural, yet charming landscapes. We offer various itineraries according to seasonal attractions, so you can enjoy “Classic Japan” at different times of the year. Begin your tour in Tokyo, where you will explore the heart of Japan while you visit world-famous attractions and historical landmar... View More

Our Classic Japan itineraries offer travelers more time to enjoy the country’s highlights and must-see sites. Explore popular attractions in renowned cities, as well as Japan’s rural, yet charming landscapes. We offer various itineraries according to seasonal attractions, so you can enjoy “Classic Japan” at different times of the year. Begin your tour in Tokyo, where you will explore the heart of Japan while you visit world-famous attractions and historical landmarks. Also enjoy an authentic Shinto ceremony at one of the city's most important shrines, officiated by a priest or miko (priestess). Explore Japan's largest and busiest fish market, learn how to make your own sushi with a professional sushi chef and savor your delicious creations. Then, head to Hakone for a scenic interlude, where you will take a Lake Ashi Cruise and visit the Open Air Museum. Stop by Japan’s most iconic mountain, Mt. Fuji, and travel through picturesque scenery to the remote Japanese Alps. Here, you will visit the famous Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, the Old Town of Takayama, and the UNESCO-designated villages of Shirakawa-go. These areas hold a unique and traditional atmosphere with their beautifully preserved buildings and secluded location. Take in the local atmosphere in Kanazawa with a visit to one of Japan's Three Great Gardens - Kenrokuen Garden, then explore the houses and history of Japan's feudal samurai warriors. While in Kanazawa, enjoy an afternoon of leisure where you will choose your own afternoon activity, including a visit to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kutani Kosen Kiln, and a Gold Leaf Workshop. Continue on an express train to Osaka to participate in a Taiko Drum Experience. Enjoy Nara's world- renowned Todaiji Temple and meet some of the freely-roaming Sika deer at Nara Park. Then spend three nights in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and experience activities for further insight into Japan’s rich culture and history. Our travel group will have a chance to learn the arts of calligraphy and ikebana in a wooden townhouse. Try on a traditional kimono, learn to meditate like a Zen Buddhist monk, participate in a traditional green tea ceremony, and enjoy Kyoto cuisine while accompanied by an apprentice geisha (maiko). Take a bullet train to Hiroshima, where you will visit the scenic Miyajima Island before touring the Peace Memorial Park. Then examine the thought-provoking exhibits of Benesse House, Chichu Art Museum, and Art House Project while on Naoshima Island. Many of these buildings were cleverly designed by famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Spend time in Kurashiki at its nostalgic canal area, a quaint district with former storehouses converted into shops and cafes. Continue to Himeji for its elegant White Heron Castle (Himeji Castle), a national treasure and designated World Heritage site. Finally, visit Kobe to try the city’s famous Kobe beef, a prized delicacy that will be cooked teppanyaki style. Interested in this tour package? We offer various departure dates in spring, summer, and autumn with slight variations according to the season. Tour versions include a chance to Japan’s beautiful cherry blossoms, striking autumn leaves, wisteria and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, the Takayama Spring Festival, and the Takayama Autumn Festival.

Tour Highlights

• Immerse yourself in Japan's unique culture during this longer two-week tour.
• Visit popular destinations, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and Hiroshima.
• Discover less touristed locales like Kurashiki and Naoshima Island.
• Admire a selection of must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including idyllic Shirakawa-go.
• Explore a range of sightseeing options as you take advantage of a free afternoon in lovely Kanazawa.
• Experience time-honored traditions first-hand with lessons in ikebana, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and Zen meditation.
• Experience the culture of Japan at a slower pace with groups of maximum 14 people
• Tour variations including cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, Takayama Spring and Autumn festivals, and more.

Spring (Mar - May)   (119)

Summer (Jun - Aug)   (50)

Autumn (Sep - Nov)   (97)

Winter (Dec - Feb)   (21)

May 2024   (1)

September 2024   (1)

October 2024   (1)

November 2024   (1)

March 2025   (1)

April 2025   (1)

May 2025   (1)

September 2025   (1)

October 2025   (1)

November 2025   (1)

March 2026   (2)

April 2026   (1)

May 2026   (1)

September 2026   (1)

October 2026   (1)

November 2026   (1)

Deluxe   (222)

Deluxe-Plus   (21)

Ultra-Deluxe   (13)

Classic Tour   (31)

Cherry Blossoms   (73)

Autumn Leaves   (41)

Festival   (69)

Special Interest   (98)

less than 9 nights   (102)

9-14 nights   (160)

15 nights +   (25)

Hokkaido   (49)

Tohoku   (26)

Kanto   (242)

Chubu   (241)

Kansai   (240)

Chugoku   (110)

Shikoku   (96)

Kyushu   (32)

Okinawa   (0)

Kyoto Aoi Festival   (9)

Kawazu Cherry Blossoms   (4)

Lavenders   (11)

Snow Monkeys   (52)

Shirakawago   (85)

Gion Summer Festival   (4)

Awa Odori Dance Festival   (4)

Sapporo Snow Festival   (5)

Otaru Snow Light Path   (1)

Ice Breaker Cruise   (5)

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing   (5)

Shiretoko Nature Cruise   (8)

Blue Pond   (14)

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest   (199)

Miho Museum   (109)

Ise Grand Shrine   (4)

Kumano   (6)

Koyasan   (20)

Himeji Castle   (98)

Kurashiki Canal Area   (99)

Miyajima Island   (106)

Shimanami Kaido   (88)

Takeda Castle   (2)

Motonosumi-Inari Shrine   (2)

Adachi Museum of Art   (6)

Naoshima Island   (12)

Tottori Sand Dunes   (2)

Kyoto Cuisine with Maiko   (35)

Shikoku Pilgrimage Route   (4)

Takachiho   (28)

Baby Blue Eyes Flowers   (7)

Wisteria   (11)

Takayama Festivals   (16)

Shibazakura Festivals   (10)

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals   (3)

Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko   (163)

Sushi-Making   (196)

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route   (6)

Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus           Book Now & Save $200

Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus     Book Now & Save $200

14 Days 13 Nights | from US $8898.00 (Limit to 16 guests)

Tokyo / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Matsumoto / Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa / Osaka / Nara / Kyoto / Hiroshima / Naoshima / Kurashiki / Himeji / Kobe

The finest japan group travel experience with a maximum group size 16 guests..

14 Days 13 Nights | from US $9098.00 (Limit to 16 guests)

Tokyo / Ashikaga / Mt Fuji / Matsumoto / Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa / Osaka / Nara / Kyoto / Hiroshima / Naoshima / Kurashiki / Himeji / Kobe

14 Days 13 Nights | from US $9298.00 (Limit to 16 guests)

Spring Tours (Mar - May)

Summer Tours (Jun - Aug)

Autumn Tours (Sep - Nov)

Winter Tours (Dec - Feb)

Travel Styles

Deluxe-Plus

Ultra-Deluxe

Walking Tour

Cherry Blossom Tours

Autumn Leaves Tours

Festival Tours

Special Interest Tours

Seasonal Attractions

Cherry Blossoms

Takayama Spring Festival

Kyoto Aoi Festival

Shibazakura Festivals

Baby Blue Eyes Flowers

Lavenders in Hokkaido

Gion Summer Festival

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Awa Odori Dance Festival

Autumn Leaves

Takayama Autumn Festival

Snow Monkeys

Sapporo Snow Festival

Ice Breaker Cruise

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Things Not to Miss

Shirakawago

Miho Museum

Naoshima Island

Himeji Castle

Shiretoko Nature Cruise

Sushi-Making Experience

Kyoto Cuisine with Maiko

Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko

Ise Grand Shrine

Most Beautiful Places in Japan

Otaru Snow Light Path

Tottori Sand Dunes

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Miyajima Island

Motonosumi-Inari Shrine

Adachi Museum of Art

Shimanami Kaido

Takeda Castle Ruin

Kurashiki Canal Area

Takachiho Gorge

Classic Japan

11 days | kyoto, koya-san and more on a cultural crusade.

Steeped in centuries of tradition and full of culinary prowess, Japan is awash with sights to see and histories to uncover. From Kyoto to Tokyo, spend 11 days exploring the heart of Japan, with memories of the Edo era, sobering warfare sites, lush natural landscapes and eclectic neighbourhoods to discover. Be tempted by tempura, savour your sushi and sip some sochu as you discover the endless variety and diversity of Japan with your small group, all headed by a local leader who knows all of the best places to go. What’s stopping you embarking on a cultural escapade to the home of geisha, torii, sake and nori?

Trip overview

• Discover Japan's most iconic city sights, from walking the Geisha district and seeing the cultural landmarks of Kyoto to touring the temple district and cruising past all the contemporary highlights of Tokyo.
• Learn more about the sobering past of Hiroshima at the memorial park, the museums and the monuments dedicated to the memory of the victims – they now also advocate for world peace and serve as a reminder of the devastation of war.
• Feast on okonomiyaki – Japan’s signature savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood – at an included dinner in Hiroshima at a special local restaurant.
• Meet the locals over a home-cooked dinner during your stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) in the mountain town of Tsumago – the historic medieval village preserved from the Edo period.
• Spend a night in Koya-san’s Shukubo Temple and learn about the customs of traditional Japanese accommodation as you share vegetarian meals with the monks who run the lodgings.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
• Japan is best to explore on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places on foot! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
• In some destinations you may be staying in a ryokan, which is a Japanese-style inn. It's a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon mattresses on the tatami mat floor, tiny bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more western-style hotels and beds. This is an important thing to consider if you have problems with your back or knees, as the surface is really firm and there may be no other furniture (eg chairs) in the room. Read more about ryokans here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/traditional-japanese-ryokan/
• 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. At some destinations, larger luggage will be forwarded on ahead of you, so it'll be easier to get around if you have a smaller overnight/day pack.

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Kyoto, Japan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you have some free time, step out onto the streets for your first taste of this beautiful city. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (literally 'tranquillity and peace capital') by Emperor Kammu in AD794, Kyoto had its golden age during the imperial court's heyday from 794 to 1185. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years (the name means Capital City) but the emperor and government are now located in Tokyo. After the meeting tonight, perhaps head out for your first taste of traditional Japanese food. As the millennium-long home of the imperial kitchen, Kyoto is known as the centre of Japanese culinary tradition, so you’re sure to begin this trip with a delicious meal.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

You’ll begin the day with a visit to some of Kyoto’s more important sights. Visit the opulent Nijo Castle – home to the Tokugawa Shoguns who had power over the country during the Edo period. Check out the ‘nightingale floors’ of Ninomaru Palace, which squeak to warn of intruders (like otherwise-silent ninjas). From the castle, it’s a short bus ride to Ryoan-ji – perhaps Japan’s most famous Zen garden – where carefully placed rocks sit in an immaculately raked sea of gravel. Located also nearby is the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji Temple, immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel 'The Golden Pavilion'. This evening, take a step back in time on a walk through the narrow streets of Kyoto's charming Gion district, an entertainment district and the centre of geisha culture, coming alive at night. If you’re lucky you might spot geikos (geishas) or maikos (apprentice geishas) with their elaborate dress and make up. If you’ve got the budget, perhaps attend a tea ceremony at one of the district's teahouses, or splash out on a kaiseki meal in a ryotei (small restaurants serving traditional multi-course cuisine).

• Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden
• Kyoto - Nijo Castle
• Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Kyoto - Gion District walk

Today is a full free day and there’s so much for you to explore. With its many cultural landmarks and historical sites, and the abundance of traditional arts and literature, Kyoto is regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. Kyoto is also a city that lends itself to walking, and there are a number of paths available. Recommended is a gentle stroll through the nearby eastern hills along the ‘Path of Philosophy’ that links Ginkaku-ji – the Temple of the Silver Pavilion – with Nanzen-ji Temple. This walk can be extended south through well-preserved Old Town areas to Kiyamizu-dera (Temple of Clear Water) from where there is an acclaimed view across a wooded gorge toward Kyoto. Also recommended, for those visiting in spring, is a visit to the theatre for a presentation of Miyako Odori (the Cherry Blossom Dance) performed by elaborately dressed maiko (apprentice geishas). Close to Kyoto station, you'll also find the architecturally impressive Higashi Honganji Temple and the almost surreal Sanjusangendo, home to 1001 statues of Kannon. In the late afternoon you might like to return to the Kawaramachi or Shijo Dori area of central Kyoto to browse the shops or enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants that occupy this exciting area.

• Kyoto - Cooking Class from - JPY8800
• Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1000
• Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500
• Kyoto - Nanzenji Temple - Free
• Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400

Spot the 120 temples dotted around Koya-san as you take the train into an important region for Shingon Buddhism. Founded in the eighth century by the Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Koya-san has been a centre for religious activities for over 1200 years. The last leg of the journey takes you through some of Japan’s finest scenery, on a mountain road rising through the clouds, 915 m above sea-level. The most impressive sight on Mount Koya is the massive and mysterious Okunoin cemetery, the resting place of many of Japan's most famous people. Some 200,000 stone statues, wooden totems and sometimes bizarre memorials (a rocket marks the site of a mausoleum interring the workers of an aerospace company) lie throughout this moss-laden forest. After visiting the more interesting of the mountain’s sights, make your way to the comfortable Shukubo Temple Lodging for the night. Here you might interact with some of the monks that run the lodgings, learn about the customs of traditional Japanese accommodation and enjoy some monastic vegetarian cuisine.

• Temple Stay (1 night)
• Koya-san - Okunoin Cemetery
• Koya-san - Kongobu-ji Temple - JPY1000

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

As you travel on public transport for the next few days, your main luggage will be forwarded and you'll take a smaller bag with you for tonight. One piece of luggage is included in your luggage forwarding service. If you have extra luggage you'd like to be forwarded, the cost will be about JPY 1800-2300, depending on the size. Your leader will be able to advise the exact amount whilst on your trip.

Return by cable railway to Gokurakubashi and make your way to Osaka to board your first bullet train, heading to Hiroshima. Travelling by shinkansen is an absolute buzz, as you’ll reach speeds of up to 270 km per hour. As you speed south, stop to visit Japan’s most impressive samurai castle at Himeji. The building, which has survived earthquakes and war since the mid-16th century, was restored to its full glory in 2015. The moats, baileys, towers and walled alleyways were ingeniously designed to trick attackers – perhaps so intimidatingly that they were never in fact tested. Explore the castle that was once home to over 10,000 samurai families and look out over the grounds and the city below from the seventh floor. Continue on to Hiroshima and enjoy dinner together, feasting on Japan's signature savoury pancake - okonomiyaki.

• Himeji - Himeji Castle

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

This morning you’ll visit the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, both of which stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945 when Hiroshima was chosen as target for the first ever wartime use of the atomic bomb. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated so it was able to retain its shape – the fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing means it serves as a reminder and symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims, education on what lead to the bomb’s use, as well as advocating world peace. In the afternoon you'll head for the serene, enchanting island of Miyajima, reached after a short ferry ride across the Inland Sea. The island is home to the venerable Shinto shrine of Itsukushima, famous for its huge bright orange gate (torii) that rises majestically out of the sea. At high tide it is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Japan. The size and physical landscape of Miyajima makes it an ideal place for walking. There is the lovely Momiji Park (known as Maple Valley), from where it is possible to walk or take a cable car up to the top of Mt Misen. Return to Hiroshima for the night and maybe try one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – your leader will have some great suggestions!

• Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
• Hiroshima - Peace Museum
• Hiroshima - Miyajima Island

Board a bullet train to Nagoya, then change to an express train and continue north to the mountainous centre of Japan. You’ll spend a memorable night in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) near the medieval village of Tsumago. Once a post town (where travellers could rest on their journey around the country) during the days of the Shogun, Tsumago is the best preserved of the many staging posts along the Edo period Nakasendo Highway. The highway once connected Tokyo with Kyoto and was immortalised in the famous woodblock prints of Hiroshige. Cars are prohibited in the main street and cables run underground in order to maintain the medieval atmosphere of the town. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along a short section of the old Nakasendo Highway, walking from the post town of Magome along the highway to your accommodation at Tsumago, enjoying some great views across the valley along the way. In tonight’s ryokan, rooms are equipped with thin futon mattresses that are spread on tatami mats for a comfortable night's sleep. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner cooked in the ryokan.

• Ryokan (1 night)
• Tsumago - Nakasendo Walk

As you travel on public transport for the next few days, your main luggage will be forwarded and you'll take a smaller bag with you for tonight. One piece of luggage is included in your luggage forwarding service.

This morning you’ll have time to explore Tsumago, where you can wander the ruins of the castle and browse the local shops. You’ll then board a train and continue north to the picturesque castle town of Matsumoto. Matsumoto’s atmosphere is surprisingly cosmopolitan, while maintaining its historic charm and traditional streetscapes. This afternoon you'll stroll through the former merchant district of Nakamachi, lined with well preserved old buildings, where you can find local crafts, treasures and great restaurants. You’ll also have the option of visiting the city’s most famous site, the Matsumoto Castle, formerly known as Fukashi Castle. The regal-looking building has an elegant black roof and walls, and is sometimes nicknamed Crow Castle due to its resemblance to the bird spreading its wings. As the oldest original castle in the country (begun in 1592), it’s also one of Japan’s four castles listed as national treasures. You’ll spend the evening here in Matsumoto. Perhaps try the local soba noodles (some of the best in the country) and be sure to get some wasabi-based treats – the pristine waters from the alps make it grow particularly well here.

• Matsumoto - walking tour
• Matsumoto - Matsumoto Castle - JPY700

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

In the morning, make your way by express train to Japan’s amazing capital – Tokyo – and to the hotel where you’ll be based for the next few days. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore, including fascinating museums, world-class shopping, bustling energy and futuristic architecture, as well as a gentler side of neighbourhood backstreets where citizens often reveal themselves – particularly outside of working hours – to be some of the friendliest of any capital city in the world. There are many vestiges of the past, with historic temples and shrines still to be found in some of the most unexpected places, as well as an abundance of parks and gardens – particularly exquisite in spring when the cherry trees and azaleas are in bloom. After you arrive, you have free time to explore – perhaps visit the expansive grounds and moat surrounding the Imperial Palace, then enjoy the myriad food options for dinner.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today you’ll undertake a varied, full-day tour of the city, beginning in the historic Asakusa area. This is one of the older and more traditional parts of Tokyo, and is often called the temple district. Here you’ll stop by Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple – founded almost 1400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village. Browse the many interesting stalls – filled with tasty treats, crafts and souvenirs – that line the shopping street of Nakamise dori. After lunch you’ll enjoy an alternative view of Tokyo as you relax on a short cruise down the Sumida River. You’ll pass significant buildings like the Sky Tree Tower, Asahi Beer Hall with its distinctive roof-top sculpture, the Sumo Stadium and the former Tsukiji Fish Market complex, gliding under bridges that bisect the river before alighting at the delightful urban oasis of the Hama Rikyu gardens. Here you’ll have time to stroll along paths that were once the sole preserve of the Shogun, who would hunt ducks here in the feudal era. Later you can make your way to the luxurious shopping district of Ginza where, depending on the theatre schedule, you may have the chance to see a short performance of Kabuki, one of Japan’s more spectacular performing arts, or visit the food depachika basement floor of a department store to see the huge range of produce exquisitely displayed.

• Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
• Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise
• Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden

Your Japan adventure comes to an end today. With no activities planned, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

• Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
• Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine - Free
• Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
• Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
• Tokyo - Samurai Museum - JPY1900
• Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY2500

10 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Public Bus, Subway, Bullet Train, Train, Boat

Hotel/Ryokan (9 nights), Temple Stay (1 night)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A single supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at many of our properties.

2. At some destinations, larger luggage will be forwarded on ahead of you, so ensure you also have a smaller overnight/day pack with you for essentials. Please check itinerary for details.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. We are currently unable to book airport transfers in Japan. Japan has an extensive and efficient public transport system and the joining and finishing point instructions are listed in the Essential Trip Information.

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.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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Classic Japan Tour

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Our Self-Guided Tours are vacations packages that are purchased for you as an individual or group of friends/family. No human guide is provided, you will travel across Japan with the aid of our resources to help you navigate and stay on track with the itinerary.

The Classic Japan Tour follows the historic Tokaido road from Tokyo to Kyoto. It is a great opportunity for first time travelers to experience some of the iconic features that the country has to offer. Stay in a traditional Ryokan on the mountainside of Hakone, ride the extensive ropeway across the mountains for a great view of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting), and walk the ancient streets of Kyoto and try to spot a Geisha!

Depending on when you take this self guided tour you may see the beautiful blooming cherry blossoms (typically the first week of April**) or the luscious and bright colors of fall (October through December).

** The cherry blossom trees do not always bloom as predicted. It is possible that due to an exceptionally warm or cold season that the cherry blossoms will not be in bloom during your visit in Spring.

• Ride a Bullet Train
• Stay the Night in a Japanese Guest House
• Relax in a Onsen (Hot Spring)
• View the Majestic Mt. Fuji (Weather permitting)
• Sail a Pirate Ship Across Lake Ashi
• Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit
• Visit with a local family and enjoy a meal in their home (Based on availability)
• Peace Park Atomic Bomb Site in Hiroshima
• Great Torii visit on the Sacred Island of Miyajima
• Gion, Kyoto Geisha District visit
• Old Preserved Shopping Districts
• Shibuya visit The Time Square of Tokyo
• SkyTree visit See all of Tokyo laid out before you!

Tour Includes & Excludes

• Meet and Greet Service Someone will meet you at the airport to help obtain your JRPass and wifi. They will also help you navigate which train to leave on!
• 9 Nights of Hotel Accommodation
• 1 Night at a Japanese Inn (Ryokan) (Shared Facilities)
• Japan Rail Pass
• Hakone Free Pass
• Kaiseki Dinner and Breakfast in Hakone
• Nagomi Visit (Depending on Availability) Visit with a local family and enjoy a meal in their home
• Wifi or SIM Card Stay connected while in the country, no matter where you are!
• Meals except for Kaiseki Dinner Allow $500 - $700 USD for meals not included.
• Travel Insurance Travel Insurance is required, but you do not have to purchase it through us
• Any travel costs outside of the included Rail Passes and $20 Pasmo Expect about $50 in additional train costs
• Entrance Fees

All of the highlights and moments you’d expect with a deep emphasis on culture and meaningful experiences.

Comfortable 3-star accommodations (upgradeable to 4-star) and usage of a world class public transportation network

4 - Above Average

Japan is the land of quads and calves, expect 4 – 8 miles of walking each day.

This is a vacation package for just you! We will provide you with everything you need to navigate Japan successfully without a guide!

Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo - Introductions

Finally! You have arrived in Japan! Check into your hotel and get settled, then follow the provided Self-guided Introduction Tour of Japan. This will allow you to get your first taste of adventure by walking the streets of Tokyo. You can use this time to help familiarize you with the customs, the transportation system, and maybe teach you a few useful phrases!

Walking: Light // Included Meals: None

Day 2 Riding Trains and Relaxing in Onsen

Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world, servicing 3.5 million passengers a day! Use your time in the morning to explore the maze of shops that stretch through the station (we’ll probably even find some good breakfast!).

Then, riding the fabled Odakyu Romancar, enjoy a scenic ride into the Hakone mountains. Enjoy lunch on the mountainside before continuing on to the delightful Ryokan where we will be staying. This guest house has Onsen, hot spring baths where you can soak and relax from the long travels that started off this trip.

Finish off the day with a traditional Kaiseki meal in your room!

Walking: Medium // Included Meals: Dinner

Day 3 Visit Hakone Lake and See Mt. FujI!

Enjoy a delicious breakfast served at the Ryokan and check your bags at the front desk for the “Hakone Carry Service”; they will take your bags to the train station for you so you can explore Hakone bag free!

Travel along the ropeway across the mountain peaks and catch a magnificent view of Fuji (weather permitting). Stop to try the black eggs cooked in the naturally boiling hotsprings. Sail across Lake Hakone in a pirate ship and walk the ancient Tokaido trade route through a path lined with giant cedar trees.

Discover the beautiful Hakone Shrine and enjoy lunch before heading back to the train station by bus!

Then ride the famous shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka!

Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 The Ancient Streets of Kyoto & Geisha

Start your day with a walk through the streets of Kyoto to the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple. Walk the temple grounds, see the great stage that towers above the trees, and make a wish at the Otowa Waterfall.

Continue down the hill through the incredibly well-preserved streets of Higashiyama, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These streets are known for the shops, cafes, restaurants, and preserved homes! You can just feel the history oozing from every wall and stone around you.

Finish the walking tour at Maruyama Park and/or Nishiki Market!

As the sun begins to set, explore the nearby streets of Gion! Full of ancient history and traditions, Gion is at the center of the modern day Geisha. Maybe you’ll even spot one!

Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None

Day 5 Kyoto Shrines and Bamboo Forests

Back in Kyoto again, find yourself at the infamous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Reflect as you walk through the seemingly endless torii gates that carve a path through the forest. Enjoy the street food that is regularly available near the entrance of the shrine, tasting the rich culture of Japan.

If available for your tour, enjoy a tour of the Fushimi sake breweries and taste various local sakes from the area!

Continue your day by choosing your path, Tofukuji temple or Arashiyama bamboo forest! Both are beautiful and worth visiting. Tofukuji is a large temple with beautiful scenery and a sense of serenity. The bamboo forest is amazing to walk through and the local town usually has street food available during the cherry blossom season.

Day 6 Day Trip to Hiroshima & the Sacred Island of Miyajima

Take an early morning bullet train to the sacred island of Miyajima. Explore the shrine and walk out to the Great Torii if the tide is out. The island also has many deer who are eager to meet you! Walk the forest trails and visit the 5 story pagoda towering above the town.

From there, head into the heart of Hiroshima and enjoy a lunch of the city’s famous (and award-winning) okonomiyaki! Visit Peace Park, see the dome still standing after the atomic blast, ring the Peace Bell, and even leave an origami paper crane. This is a time to reflect on a sobering history and appreciate our newfound friendship with Japan.

Walking: Medium // Included Meals: None

Day 7 Travel to Tokyo!

Say goodbye to Osaka and Kyoto, your morning train to Tokyo awaits!  During this ride you may catch another view of Fuji! Take this time to get settled in Tokyo and do some exploring of your own! Visit Senso-ji templ when it isn’t crowded and eat with the locals in a traditional izakaya on Hoppy Street!

For those into anime, we recommend venturing to Akihabara (Electric Town). This part of Tokyo is every anime fan’s dream. Stores and arcades on every corner!

Day 8 Yoyogi Park and Tokyo Night Life

Take the day to explore Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine! This large park and shrine are a central part of Tokyo life for locals.

Enjoy the latest crazy fashion by exploring Harajuku, crazy outfits, socks, and good food can be found there. Sometimes you’ll even see locals dressed in these marvelous fashions!

Finish the day with Shibuya, the Time Square of Tokyo. Light up brightly and never asleep, Shibuya boasts of many shops and eateries worth your time! Cross the scramble crosswalk and take a photo with Hachiko, or shop at one of the many stores (Tokyu Hands, Mega Donki, Disney Store, Marui and more!)

Day 9 Japan's Ancient History

Ueno Park is a beautiful park (full of cherry blossoms in the spring) and is a popular spot for locals to visit!

It can be a bit crowded at Ueno park because it is so popular, so start early! The park is surrounded by a zoo, and several museums so pick what you like! We’ll probably grab a snack or early lunch before heading out!

From the park we will walk through a large, picturesque cemetery with traditional headstones and beautiful cherry blossom lining the roads in spring or great orange and reds in the fall. This large cemetery houses famous artists, actors, and politicians from many eras!

From the cemetery we’ll venture into Yanaka Ginza, a traditional 1950s shopping street with original architecture and stores! There we can shop, snack and explore until dinner!

Walking: Moderate // Included Meals: None

Day 10 Asakusa and Sky Tree

Time to really explore Asakusa. Start at Sensoji temple before the shops open and immerse yourself in Japanese religion and culture. Once it hits 10 am, hit up Nakamise and let the shopping begin! This is a great time to find souvenirs for those at home or a great hat or fan for yourself!

After lunch, check out a lesser known area great for cherry blossoms in the spring too!. A thin strip of a park, nestled between residential areas with areas for kids to play. Walk and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of everyday life in Japan!

Before it gets too dark, climb to the top of Sky Tree, one of the tallest towers in the world! See Tokyo stretch endlessly before you, the cars looking like toys because you are so high up!

Day 11 Final Day!

This is your final day and it is yours! This is an open day so you can visit any remaining sites, shrines, stores, or just walk aimlessly through the streets of Tokyo.

If you are leaving Japan on this day, ensure that you arrive early at the airport so that you don’t miss your flight!

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Reviews 4.8.

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The perfect 10 day trip across Japan

We had an incredible 10 day trip to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Hiroshima. It was our first time visiting Japan, and the idea of researching and planning everything was very daunting to me. I'm so glad we worked with Inside Japan to plan all the logistics for us so we could travel with confidence and spend all our research energy on reading restaurant reviews and planning hikes instead of figuring out what train tickets we needed to buy. Highly recommend!

Date of experience : April 22, 2024

Absolutely to be recommended

Absolutely to be recommended! Will and the team were not only super helpful but gave us some real insider tips. Thanks, we had a great trip! Patrizia, Switzerland

Date of experience : April 18, 2024

The most fantastic trip to discover Japan

This was the most fantastic trip to discover Japan. Like the country the trip went exactly to plan and organised to perfection . We felt we really got to understand the country and experience so much . The trip exactly met our wishes to experience both cities , the rural and the historic elements of this fascinating county . We cannot think of any ways we would change any element of the holiday .

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

We couldn't have been happier with our…

We couldn't have been happier with our self-guided tour in Japan. In the planning stage, we told our consultant what our areas of interest were and we worked together to formulate our holiday. Everything went smoothly. On top of that, we felt assured that if we needed any help it would be at hand: and it was. We had a couple of lost items and Inside Japan went out of their way to help locate them. It was a great adventure. A big thank you to all involved.

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

Wonderful trip to Japan in April

Wonderful trip to Japan in April. Two of us did a self-guided tour of Japan, with two private day tours. We were very fortunate to have seen so may cherry blossoms, and even an unexpected view of Mt Fuji. And being in Takayama for the Spring Festival was a wonderful experience. InsideJapanTours arranged all accommodation and train/bus/ferry ticketing for the trip, as well as the guide in Tokyo and the guide in Kyoto. The provided detailed Info Pack was easy to follow and the Destination Guides for our stops were a great source of information. We felt very well supported during our travels.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

An excellent tailored experience

An excellent tailored experience. We were supported, but allowed independence and the guides found for us were excellent. The food tour in Osaka was wonderful. Many thanks for making it a truly wonderful holiday.

Date of experience : April 17, 2024

an excellent tailor-made tour

Inside Japan put together an excellent 4 week taster tour of Japan. The precision and clarity of their arrangements ensured we made the best use of our tme and felt completely secure and relaxed in our travels. We toured the country by train and bus - all tickets provided with exact timings and seats booke to ensure best views etc etc. Hotels in the heart of the action and convenient for transport. A fabulous company - they listen to what you want and provide invaluable knowledge, help and information. We had a fabulous time - thank you

Date of experience : March 22, 2024

Great communication ahead of the trip

Great communication ahead of the trip. We were really impressed with the type & location of hotels the selected for us & the timings of trains. Made the whole holiday worry free & totally enjoyable.

Date of experience : May 02, 2024

I was very pleased with my expereince…

I was very pleased with my expereince with working with InsideJapan for my recent trip to Japan. They were incredibly responsive whenever I had questions, and I was thoroughly impressed with the itinerary they crafted for me. Additionally, the dossier of information they provided before my travels was comprehensive and greatly enhanced my journey.

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

Classic Japan Self guided Tour

The company did a good job of the trip. Could have been improved with a few places of stay but if you compare with other tour operators I found this was value for money. Letting them book most of the stuff does take out the stress instead of doing it yourself . Also they are on emails if you encounter any issues so that’s helpful.

Really well thought through itinerary

Really well thought through itinerary - Right amount of time in each place - clear instructions - everything worked - and to the budget we gave . Excellence - I would certainly recommend

Individual trip to Japan was very well…

Individual trip to Japan was very well organised. Transport, hotels and local guides great. Information supplied very clear and helpful. Would highly recommend to use Inside Japan Tours.

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Japan is unlike anywhere else

Japan is unlike anywhere else. An alternative reality for the 21st century. InsideJapan brilliantly guide you through this extraordinary country with seamless travel arrangements and well-chosen hotels. You will have a truly memorable trip! The practical side of things like bookings, train reservations or helping to make sense of the public transport system is very well done (although we did make extensive use of taxis as well, in Tokyo and elsewhere). And their local team is very helpful with 24h hour support while you are actually there on your vacation. We had guides for 1 day each in Tokyo and in Kyoto and we provided them with an advance outline of what we expected to cover. This worked very well indeed. The selected hotels are all very well situated and are good at what they do but we might have preferred rather higher end. And some of the advance timetabling for visit dates could have been better. As with anything, the more input you can make at the planning stage, the better the result. Oh, and did I mention the food? Great choices and recommendations from InsideJapan.

Best tour guide EVER

The itinerary was fantastic - diverse and remote locations. All our hotels were great and in the middle of interesting and accessible areas. But the most impressive aspect was our wonderful tour guide. Brandon was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and informed in every aspect of our tour. He went way beyond in providing the best experience we could have hoped for. He was attentive, diligent and supportive - as well as having a sense of humour 😀

Date of experience : April 11, 2024

Well organized from beginning till end.

Thank you for all your support. From the beginning till end we could count on you. Everything perfectly organized based on our alignment. Will (tour advisor) made a great job.

Date of experience : May 03, 2024

Individually tailored trip to our…

Individually tailored trip to our interests. Very well organised with clear instructions and guidelines in booklet provided; all tickets provided and clearly labelled for various train and ferry trips. Craft experiences organised were first rate and interpreter provided of high standard at any activity where teacher was not fluent in English. Phone help line extremely helpful.

Date of experience : April 09, 2024

Attention to detail does really count when visiting a country like Japan.

Firstly, excellent listening by Inside Japan to what we wanted to see and experience in Japan. The documentation was excellent and made the trip so much easier. Having the WiFi to G4 mobile facility when out and about was a great idea and worth having. All the hotels were great except perhaps the traditional ryokan which we should have avoided as we didn't participate in the local customs in such a place. We informed Inside Japan of the sort of hotel and room we expect and on the whole had what we wanted. Sometimes having a great city view necessitated a slight compromise in the room, but all were perfectly adequate. All the travel was expertly planned and went without a hitch. We did the suggested excursions and enjoyed them.

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

Two weeks in Japan

Guides on two days, tickets for the train and in Hakune, advise on where to go. Less good were the tiny rooms, being left in an hour Q for a taxi in Kyoto, arriving at our house before it was ready with four big suitcases. More guiding would have been good and I would not recommend Osaka unless you really like bustling cities with grimy tourist areas and nothing of real interest for tourists.

Nice but Not first class

Our companions were great. We saw everything we were supposed to. But it was not really first l]class as we expected. Food choices were quantity and price based (not quality) and became boring. Our guide was competent but was focused of his schedule and needs more that reading the group and adjusting to ours. Pace was exhausting no time to get that Jappanese mellow moment.

Date of experience : April 13, 2024

Reply from InsideJapan Tours

Hello Clifford, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with your consultant Allison about the trip in further detail and sharing additional feedback with her. This is invaluable and we really do appreciate the insights you brought about this particular tour, the guide, food, and pace. We're sorry that it wasn't up to the level you expected, but are dedicated to improve based on the information you have shared with us.

10 out of 10 for this company

Our trip was very well organised, which meant no stress! The hotels that were booked for us were all very nice and in fantastic locations. We received a handbook before we left home which contained all the information we needed. It was a great help when navigating Japan’s subway system. I would wholeheartedly recommend this company.

Date of experience : April 27, 2024

We are a B Corp certified global tour operator specialising in

Cultural adventure travel.

In collaboration with our customers or trade partners, we build trips people love with our multi-award-winning approach of service-led “cultural adventures”. This pairs classic sightseeing with unique experiences of local life and culture.

For the past 20 years we have lived and breathed travel to Japan and Asia , building our business from a two-person operation run out of a spare bedroom, to a global business with offices on four continents and a string of awards and accolades to our name.

However it’s not just where we travel, it’s how we travel.

Across Asia, even in wealthier countries, tourism brings well paid jobs into disadvantaged areas; it helps prevent depopulation of rural districts where lack of opportunity sees young people head to the cities for work; it helps protect wildlife and important habitats giving an economic value to leaving land undeveloped. Done right, travel is a force for good.

This is why at Inside Travel Group we place sustainability at the heart of our business model. Through applying the principles of B-Corp we will push the industry towards a more sustainable future that protects travel for future generations.

TWO MULTI-AWARD WINNING TRAVEL BRANDS

InsideJapan and InsideAsia are two specialist tour operators united by the same commitment: to create an outstanding customer experience from the first call to arriving home.

We are committed to being a positive force in the world, putting the environment, our local communities at home and in destination, and our employees’ well-being at the heart of how we do business.

We collaborate

It’s a team effort! We work together with our clients and partners to ensure every trip is the best it can be.

we’re specialists

As a dedicated Japan and Asia tour operator with over twenty years’ experience, we know our destinations inside out and excel at turning that knowledge into a great trip.

we’re accountable

We hold ourselves to high standards of service, supporting every step of our clients’ journey.

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InsideJapan Tours Presents Majestic Japan: A Captivating Small Group Tour Experience

• June 16, 2023

Kenrokuen Kanazawa | Courtesy of InsideJapan Tours

The new itinerary highlights Japan’s more rural and lesser-known destinations, promising travelers a glimpse into the country’s stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and fascinating culture.

Inside Japan Tours, the award-winning tour operator and leading provider of immersive travel experiences throughout Japan, is delighted to announce the launch of its latest itinerary, Majestic Japan. This unforgettable Small Group Tour to the land of the rising sun takes travelers on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through some of the destination’s most iconic cities and cultural landmarks while highlighting Japan’s rural and more off-the-beaten-path locations. Offering a range of high-end accommodations, superb meals, and a Japan insider on hand to make sure everything runs like clockwork, the new itinerary is the perfect introduction to a fascinating culture often considered impenetrable by the outside world. With a maximum group size of 12 participants, travelers can expect personalized attention and the opportunity to delve deeper into Japan's most treasured destinations, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and more.

Itinerary Highlights Include:

• Begin in Tokyo for the perfect blend of traditional and cutting-edge, exploring ancient temples amongst the neon high-rises with the likes of Sensoji temple and the Shibuya crossing. Your Insider tour leader will reveal the places, the culture, and the little things that make a big difference in this exciting city. • Whereas many will head south from Tokyo, this itinerary heads west to the small city of Kanazawa, which features samurai districts, old tea houses, and Kenroku-en Garden, one of the country’s most beautiful gardens celebrated for its classic landscape designs featuring ponds and streams. • Enjoy a unique opportunity to visit the small onsen town of Kinosaki Onsen, including a stay at a traditional ryokan, Nishimuraya Shogetsutei. This majestic place sits on a winding river and is renowned for its seven hot springs, which people visit from all over Japan. The best way to experience the town is by staying in one of the traditional ryokans, where you are spoiled with omotenashi hospitality and incredible local cuisine. Insider Tip: The best way to experience the hot spring baths is to don yukata robes and stroll from onsen to onsen, relaxing in each of the different hot spring baths at leisure – an exercise called onsen meguri. • The tour also heads along the nearby Kyotango peninsula to meet local craftspeople, such as swordsmiths and mother-of-pearl weavers. • In Kyoto, guests will immerse in the rich history and culture of Japan, exploring iconic sites and the city’s quieter, lesser-known areas as well. Known as the cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto will enchant travelers with its timeless beauty and rich heritage. From the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Golden Pavilion, and Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, to the serene bamboo forests of Arashiyama, Kyoto offers a glimpse into the ancient traditions of this fascinating country. In addition to Kyoto’s iconic sites, the Insider will offer a rare opportunity for travelers to meet a Maiko - a trainee Geisha. Guests will enjoy staying at the recently opened Hotel Higashiyama, which is discretely tucked away in the old streets of Higashiyama. • Majestic Japan offers a unique opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic symbol. Travelers will enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Ashi and a cable car ride to the summit of Mount Komagatake, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. • In Hiroshima, explore the revitalized city that has risen from the ashes. Pay respects at the atmospheric Peace Memorial Park and A-Bomb Dome, before taking a ferry to the nearby island of Miyajima, famous for its floating torii gate and friendly deer that roam the streets. The island's natural beauty, friendly deer population, and tranquil atmosphere create an unforgettable experience. • Finally, the tour ends in the vibrant city of Osaka, where you'll indulge in some of Japan's most delicious cuisine and experience the city's lively atmosphere.

Meet a Maiko - a trainee Geisha in Kyoto on Majestic Japan | Courtesy of InsideJapan Tours

Inside Japan Tours prioritizes sustainable and responsible travel, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of their tours and support local communities. Majestic Japan aligns with its commitment to providing enriching experiences while respecting Japan's cultural and natural heritage. Inside Travel Group, InsideJapan Tours parent company, recently achieved B Corp certification, joining the worldwide movement of businesses aiming to balance profits with purpose. Majestic Japan is now open for bookings, with departures available throughout the year. For more information and to reserve a place, please visit https://www.insidejapantours.com/us/japan-small-group-tours/i-mj/majestic-japan/.

Rates from $9,490 USD for 14 nights. For more information on InsideJapan Tours, visit, www.InsideJapanTours.com

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The perfect 10 day trip across Japan

We had an incredible 10 day trip to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Hiroshima. It was our first time visiting Japan, and the idea of researching and planning everything was very daunting to me. I'm so glad we worked with Inside Japan to plan all the logistics for us so we could travel with confidence and spend all our research energy on reading restaurant reviews and planning hikes instead of figuring out what train tickets we needed to buy. Highly recommend!

Date of experience : 22 April 2024

Absolutely to be recommended

Absolutely to be recommended! Will and the team were not only super helpful but gave us some real insider tips. Thanks, we had a great trip! Patrizia, Switzerland

Date of experience : 18 April 2024

The most fantastic trip to discover Japan

This was the most fantastic trip to discover Japan. Like the country the trip went exactly to plan and organised to perfection . We felt we really got to understand the country and experience so much . The trip exactly met our wishes to experience both cities , the rural and the historic elements of this fascinating county . We cannot think of any ways we would change any element of the holiday .

Date of experience : 15 April 2024

We couldn't have been happier with our…

We couldn't have been happier with our self-guided tour in Japan. In the planning stage, we told our consultant what our areas of interest were and we worked together to formulate our holiday. Everything went smoothly. On top of that, we felt assured that if we needed any help it would be at hand: and it was. We had a couple of lost items and Inside Japan went out of their way to help locate them. It was a great adventure. A big thank you to all involved.

Date of experience : 06 April 2024

Wonderful trip to Japan in April

Wonderful trip to Japan in April. Two of us did a self-guided tour of Japan, with two private day tours. We were very fortunate to have seen so may cherry blossoms, and even an unexpected view of Mt Fuji. And being in Takayama for the Spring Festival was a wonderful experience. InsideJapanTours arranged all accommodation and train/bus/ferry ticketing for the trip, as well as the guide in Tokyo and the guide in Kyoto. The provided detailed Info Pack was easy to follow and the Destination Guides for our stops were a great source of information. We felt very well supported during our travels.

Date of experience : 04 April 2024

An excellent tailored experience

An excellent tailored experience. We were supported, but allowed independence and the guides found for us were excellent. The food tour in Osaka was wonderful. Many thanks for making it a truly wonderful holiday.

Date of experience : 17 April 2024

an excellent tailor-made tour

Inside Japan put together an excellent 4 week taster tour of Japan. The precision and clarity of their arrangements ensured we made the best use of our tme and felt completely secure and relaxed in our travels. We toured the country by train and bus - all tickets provided with exact timings and seats booke to ensure best views etc etc. Hotels in the heart of the action and convenient for transport. A fabulous company - they listen to what you want and provide invaluable knowledge, help and information. We had a fabulous time - thank you

Date of experience : 22 March 2024

Great communication ahead of the trip

Great communication ahead of the trip. We were really impressed with the type & location of hotels the selected for us & the timings of trains. Made the whole holiday worry free & totally enjoyable.

Date of experience : 02 May 2024

I was very pleased with my expereince…

I was very pleased with my expereince with working with InsideJapan for my recent trip to Japan. They were incredibly responsive whenever I had questions, and I was thoroughly impressed with the itinerary they crafted for me. Additionally, the dossier of information they provided before my travels was comprehensive and greatly enhanced my journey.

Date of experience : 19 April 2024

Classic Japan Self guided Tour

The company did a good job of the trip. Could have been improved with a few places of stay but if you compare with other tour operators I found this was value for money. Letting them book most of the stuff does take out the stress instead of doing it yourself . Also they are on emails if you encounter any issues so that’s helpful.

Really well thought through itinerary

Really well thought through itinerary - Right amount of time in each place - clear instructions - everything worked - and to the budget we gave . Excellence - I would certainly recommend

Individual trip to Japan was very well…

Individual trip to Japan was very well organised. Transport, hotels and local guides great. Information supplied very clear and helpful. Would highly recommend to use Inside Japan Tours.

Date of experience : 08 April 2024

Japan is unlike anywhere else

Japan is unlike anywhere else. An alternative reality for the 21st century. InsideJapan brilliantly guide you through this extraordinary country with seamless travel arrangements and well-chosen hotels. You will have a truly memorable trip! The practical side of things like bookings, train reservations or helping to make sense of the public transport system is very well done (although we did make extensive use of taxis as well, in Tokyo and elsewhere). And their local team is very helpful with 24h hour support while you are actually there on your vacation. We had guides for 1 day each in Tokyo and in Kyoto and we provided them with an advance outline of what we expected to cover. This worked very well indeed. The selected hotels are all very well situated and are good at what they do but we might have preferred rather higher end. And some of the advance timetabling for visit dates could have been better. As with anything, the more input you can make at the planning stage, the better the result. Oh, and did I mention the food? Great choices and recommendations from InsideJapan.

Best tour guide EVER

The itinerary was fantastic - diverse and remote locations. All our hotels were great and in the middle of interesting and accessible areas. But the most impressive aspect was our wonderful tour guide. Brandon was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and informed in every aspect of our tour. He went way beyond in providing the best experience we could have hoped for. He was attentive, diligent and supportive - as well as having a sense of humour 😀

Date of experience : 11 April 2024

Well organized from beginning till end.

Thank you for all your support. From the beginning till end we could count on you. Everything perfectly organized based on our alignment. Will (tour advisor) made a great job.

Date of experience : 03 May 2024

Individually tailored trip to our…

Individually tailored trip to our interests. Very well organised with clear instructions and guidelines in booklet provided; all tickets provided and clearly labelled for various train and ferry trips. Craft experiences organised were first rate and interpreter provided of high standard at any activity where teacher was not fluent in English. Phone help line extremely helpful.

Date of experience : 09 April 2024

Attention to detail does really count when visiting a country like Japan.

Firstly, excellent listening by Inside Japan to what we wanted to see and experience in Japan. The documentation was excellent and made the trip so much easier. Having the WiFi to G4 mobile facility when out and about was a great idea and worth having. All the hotels were great except perhaps the traditional ryokan which we should have avoided as we didn't participate in the local customs in such a place. We informed Inside Japan of the sort of hotel and room we expect and on the whole had what we wanted. Sometimes having a great city view necessitated a slight compromise in the room, but all were perfectly adequate. All the travel was expertly planned and went without a hitch. We did the suggested excursions and enjoyed them.

Date of experience : 16 April 2024

Two weeks in Japan

Guides on two days, tickets for the train and in Hakune, advise on where to go. Less good were the tiny rooms, being left in an hour Q for a taxi in Kyoto, arriving at our house before it was ready with four big suitcases. More guiding would have been good and I would not recommend Osaka unless you really like bustling cities with grimy tourist areas and nothing of real interest for tourists.

Nice but Not first class

Our companions were great. We saw everything we were supposed to. But it was not really first l]class as we expected. Food choices were quantity and price based (not quality) and became boring. Our guide was competent but was focused of his schedule and needs more that reading the group and adjusting to ours. Pace was exhausting no time to get that Jappanese mellow moment.

Date of experience : 13 April 2024

Reply from InsideJapan Tours

Hello Clifford, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with your consultant Allison about the trip in further detail and sharing additional feedback with her. This is invaluable and we really do appreciate the insights you brought about this particular tour, the guide, food, and pace. We're sorry that it wasn't up to the level you expected, but are dedicated to improve based on the information you have shared with us.

10 out of 10 for this company

Our trip was very well organised, which meant no stress! The hotels that were booked for us were all very nice and in fantastic locations. We received a handbook before we left home which contained all the information we needed. It was a great help when navigating Japan’s subway system. I would wholeheartedly recommend this company.

Date of experience : 27 April 2024

Points and payouts: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry both move inside top 15 in FedExCup standings

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The pluck of the Irish!

Sometimes a seemingly disappointing par is all it takes because, well, golf. That’s what happened on the only hole required in a sudden-death playoff at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans from which Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland emerged with the victory.

In the penultimate grouping of the final round at TPC Louisiana, the duo was the second to conclude regulation in 25-under 263. The first consisted of the team of Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer. They went out in the sixth of 20 groups for alternate shot and promptly hung up a 9-under 63, best of the day. Alas, Trainer would miss a short-range par attempt in the playoff on the par-5 18th hole to extend the playoff.

While both Ramey and Trainer remain positioned with one PGA TOUR title apiece, this goes into the books as the 25th in McIlroy’s career. It’s Lowry’s third. McIlroy was a tournament debutant, but he’s still in the peak of his career, and Lowry has struggled with his putting, but it’s not surprising that the collaboration of the two major champions was second-shortest to win pre-tournament at BetMGM with odds of +750. The Ramey/Trainer tandem was +12500.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry news conference after winning Zurich Classic

Tournament favorites and 2022 champions Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (+450) finished seven strokes outside the playoff and in a share of 23rd place. Defending champions Nick Hardy and Davis Riley (+5500) were another stroke back in an eight-way tie for 28th.

NOTE: Points and Payouts cites pre-tournament odds to win at BetMGM for all golfers who made the cut. For live odds, visit BetMGM .

For resources to overcome a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER today.

Rob Bolton is a Golfbet columnist for the PGA TOUR. The Chicagoland native has been playing fantasy golf since 1994, so he was just waiting for the Internet to catch up with him. Follow Rob Bolton on Twitter .

25 - 28 Apr 2024

ISPS HANDA - CHAMPIONSHIP

Taiheiyo Club, Gotemba Course, Gotemba, Japan

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England's kris kim, 16, set to make pga tour debut, following in footsteps of his lpga mom, share this article.

High-level golf runs in the family for 16-year-old Kris Kim, who will make his PGA Tour debut this week at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. Kim’s mother, Ji-Hyun Suh, played on the LPGA in 1998 and 1999, at the same time superstar Se Ri Pak burst onto the global stage.

Kim, who hails from Surrey, England, brings quite the resume to Texas. His 2023 triumphs include the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship, European Boys Individual Championship and the McGregor Trophy.

He also went undefeated at the Junior Ryder Cup, defeating another up-and-coming star, Miles Russell, 5 and 4, in singles. The 15-year-old Russell, of course, tied for 20th recently on the Korn Ferry Tour .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by England Golf (@england.golf)

“I can’t wait to play in front of big crowds again. I’ve never hit the ball as far as I did at the Ryder Cup,” Kim said in a release. “The adrenaline rush makes golf so much fun. That said, having played that course, and a few more Tour courses, I appreciate the task ahead and look forward to the challenge.”

Kim, who is playing in McKinney on a sponsor exemption, became the first amateur sponsored by CJ Group last May. Managed by Trinifold Sports, Kim also became the first European amateur to sign an NIL deal with Under Armour and the first British amateur to sign with TaylorMade.

Suh, who briefly returned to competition in Europe in 2014 after a 12-year break, told tour officials that she took up golf at age 13 in Seoul after her father forced her to quit tennis.

“My father would take me at five in the morning and I would hit balls all day and my hands would hurt,” she said. “I didn’t like it very much, but my father did. So I continued practicing from the age of 13 and I became very good. Then, I joined the Korean National team, turned professional in 1998 and afterwards I decided to try and play in America.”

Suh recorded two T-15 finishes in 1998 on the LPGA at the Friendly’s Classic and Giant Eagle LPGA Classic.

Her stint in America fell short, she said, because her English wasn’t very good and it was difficult to travel on her own. With no sponsors in the U.S., she ultimately left for the Japan LPGA, where she played for one year until she met her husband and stopped altogether.

That was in 2002. The couple moved to Surrey and Suh took up a teaching career at a local golf course.

While Suh’s path into the game was laid out by her father, Cuddington Golf Club director Paul Schunter told BBC Sport that Kim’s passionate pursuit is self-motivated.

“I’ve never known a more dedicated youngster,” said Schunter, who watched Kim’s game develop as a youngster at Cuddington.

“And he could not have asked for better parents. They have been so encouraging. All the pushing has come from Kris because he has always wanted to play and practice more and more.”

Kim doesn’t have to look far to learn more about how to handle the next step of his career.

“I’ll definitely ask my mum for advice,” he said. “It is going to be a very different environment and you don’t know how you will respond to it. She’ll help me deal with it. She’s my coach and we talk about everything from dealing with nerves, taking one shot at a time, leaving bad shots behind and keeping it simple right through to course strategy.

“My first aim is to make the cut and then see what happens. At the end of the day I’m one of 144 competitors and we’ve all got a chance. Whatever happens, it’s going to be super helpful for my future because I’ll gain so much experience. I know I’m still young and pretty much every week I learn a lesson, but this week is going to be a lot bigger.”

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• May 6, 2024   •   29:23 R.F.K. Jr.’s Battle to Get on the Ballot
• May 3, 2024   •   25:33 The Protesters and the President
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The Protesters and the President

Over the past week, thousands of students protesting the war in gaza have been arrested..

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Over the past week, students at dozens of universities held demonstrations, set up encampments and, at times, seized academic buildings. In response, administrators at many of those colleges decided to crack down and called in the local police to detain and arrest demonstrators.

As of Thursday, the police had arrested 2,000 people across more than 40 campuses, a situation so startling that President Biden could no longer ignore it.

Jonathan Wolfe, who has been covering the student protests for The Times, and Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent, discuss the history-making week.

On today’s episode

Jonathan Wolfe , a senior staff editor on the newsletters team at The New York Times.

Peter Baker , the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times covering President Biden and his administration.

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As crews cleared the remnants of an encampment at U.C.L.A., students and faculty members wondered how the university could have handled protests over the war in Gaza so badly .

Biden denounced violence on campus , breaking his silence after a rash of arrests.

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Jonathan Wolfe is a senior staff editor on the newsletters team at The Times. More about Jonathan Wolfe

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