Tokyo to Kyoto tours
From temples to tempura, onsens to okonomiyaki and skyscrapers to sake, join us for the ultimate Japan adventure.
On a journey from the bright neon lights of Tokyo to the cultural capital of Kyoto, you’ll see the best Japan has to offer – including the highlights and the hidden gems. Our Japan trips offer something for everyone, whether you’re a family or a foodie, a nature lover or a city slicker. Slurp ramen and learn how to roll sushi like a pro in Tokyo, relax and unwind in a steamy onsen in Hakone, catch a glimpse of an elegantly-attired geisha in Kyoto or experience the peaceful energy of Hiroshima—all while mixing with locals and experiencing the real Japan.
Tokyo to Kyoto highlights
Feast on Japanese food
From sushi and sashimi to tempura and takoyaki, Japanese food is where it’s at. Sip, slurp and chomp your way from Tokyo to Kyoto, stopping at Japan’s most delicious foodie hotspots. Take part in an Obanzai cooking class to prepare a traditional multi-course feast, learn the secrets of making the perfect sushi roll, find out how to pick the freshest seafood at local markets and experience an ancient tea ceremony.
Discover Tokyo
Tokyo is an intoxicating mix of old and new. One minute you’ll be walking through busy streets lit up with bright neon lights, and the next you’ll be standing at the gates of a 1400-year-old temple. Wander down Omoide Tokocho (Memory Lane) for some street snacks, enjoy a short cruise down the Sumida River, grab a cold Asahi at a beer hall or impress (or entertain!) locals with your best singing voice at a karaoke bar.
Fall in love with Kyoto
Cloaked in centuries of history and peppered with thousands of temples, shrines and immaculate gardens, it’s all too easy to fall in love with Kyoto. Wander the winding lanes of Gion – the city’s cultural center and most famous geisha district, sip matcha in cozy tea houses, walk under the famous scarlet torii (square archways)at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, or stroll down the Path of Philosophy to pause and reflect.
Explore Hida Folk Village
Experience traditional Japanese culture at the Hida Folk Village in Takayama – a charming Edo period town located in the Japanese alps. The village is an open-air museum where you can visit traditional thatched-roof houses, learn the techniques used to build farmhouses that could withstand fierce winters and discover what daily life was like in Japan hundreds of years ago.
Bliss out in Hakone
After the excitement of Tokyo, take a breather and unwind in the scenic hot-spring resort of Hakone in the foothills of Mt Fuji. Staying at a family-run ryokan (a traditional inn), you’ll experience the top-notch hospitality the Japanese are known for. After recharging in a steamy onsen, take a boat over to the scenic Ashinoko Lake, visit the boiling sulphur springs of Owakudani or check out some of the city’s impressive volcanic sites.
Hang out in Hiroshima
Despite its tragic past, Hiroshima is a cosmopolitan city with a thriving food scene, trendy neighborhoods and a focus on promoting world peace. Stroll around the Peace Memorial Park which was constructed around the hypocentre of the atomic bomb in 1945, sample the city’s signature oysters and okonomiyaki dish (a delicious savory pancake), or hop on a boat over to the nearby island of Miyajima where curious deer roam the streets.
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Ian · Traveled April 2024
Intrepid's Premium Japan tour was a wonderful experience made special by Naomi, our tour guide.
Review submitted 04 May 2024
Justin · Traveled April 2024
This was the trip of a lifetime. I have wanted to go to Japan for over 20 years and this trip gave me everything I wanted and more. The sheer amount of activities and logistics would have overwhelmed me easily, but the fact that everything was handled for me and all I had to do was enjoy made this trip a dream. Thank you, Kosaki-san and Intrepid.
Review submitted 01 May 2024
Kirsty · Traveled April 2024
Great trip. So interesting to travel by public transport amongst local people. We saw so much more this way. This trip requires fitness and you do need to be able to manage your own luggage for long periods. A trip to remember. Thank you Intrepid and a big thank you to our beautiful Asako.
Review submitted 29 Apr 2024
Karen · Traveled April 2024
Overall, Premium Japan was a marvellous experience - we really lucked out with our tour group and especially with the tour leader who was the most amazing and fun guide we could possibly have hoped for. We visited many wonderful and beautiful places and learned so much about the history and culture of Japan. Sometimes it felt a little too intense but we knew we could collapse when we got home!
Review submitted 26 Apr 2024
Tara · Traveled April 2024
Japan Premium itinerary is excellent, what really made our trip special was our guide Lulu!
Review submitted 26 Apr 2024