12 Days | Ancient culture, celebrated cuisine and stunning scenery come together in Japan
![Group of Intrepid travellers is instructed in Zen Buddhist meditation by monk at Daitokuji Temple](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltb39efe4ce9496e84/65a1c978fb2e5fac91efbe75/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Kyoto-Daitokuji-Temple-group-meditating-2.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Aerial view of Tokyo at sunset with the Arakawa River flowing through the city](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltb8923dd38b4ba601/65d014cbaf8c8c04ac3c7b0e/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Tokyo-ariel-view-from-SkyTree-Tokyo-at-sunset-2.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Closeup of fresh sushi plated during a class in Tokyo](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltd20b38ee7820b29a/65d014cd414bcefd1e13d680/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Tokyo-sushi-lunch-5.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Intrepid leader shares information as travellers walk through the Fushimi Inari gates](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltfb2c99bb5a593506/659e6b100578423e34cf12c1/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Kyoto-Fushimi-Inari-shrine-group-exploring-22.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![CJPJ - Views of Ashinoko Lake with Mount Fuji in the background](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltfba014b1c6332d7b/63c8775368e9670e8f3e47c4/CJPJ_Intrepid_Travel-japan_hakone_ashinoko-lake_Mt_Fuji-1100x735.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Experience Japan’s perfect harmony of ancient tradition and a modern way of life on this 12-day Premium adventure through the cultural heart of the country. You’ll start among Tokyo’s soaring skyscrapers, making your way to Hakone’s mountainous hot springs and find the meaning of relaxation in a cloud of fragrant steam. Then, head to Takayama, which delights with its Edo-era beauty. Shirakawa-go immerses you in charming countryside life before you discover the intriguing cultural diversity of Kyoto. Find a passion for peace in Hiroshima, take a sushi-making class with an expert, soak away your worries in an onsen and travel with a local leader who will share the rich variety of their country as you visit temples, castles, shrines and holy mountains.
Trip overview
![Map of Premium Japan including Japan](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltb3d4d851a7473491/66590097484cb35f9930c2ed/CJPJ_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Tokyo, Japan
- Finish
- Kyoto, Japan
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Japan
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Premium
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- CJPJ
Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service
All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium
Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders
- Soak up some quintessentially Japanese Exclusive Experiences, including a sushi making class and a guided meditation session with a Zen Buddhist monk.
- Unwind among the beauty of nature at your Feature Stay accommodation in the hot springs town of Hakone – with mountain views, a traditional ryokan design, modern comforts and a private onsen (thermal pool) for each room, you’ll find relaxation here!
- Visit the sobering Hiroshima Peace Park and be reminded of this city’s history with a guided tour. Learn about how the city is recovering and is now dedicated to promoting world peace.
- Soak up Japan’s natural beauty – with stays in mountainous Hakone, glimpses of Mt Fuji, a stroll around the stunning island of Miyajima and the views of the Japanese alps in the ancient village of Shirakawa-go.
- Take a half-day tour of Tokyo – wander Asakusa (the temple district), explore the buzzing Shibuya area, find a treat in a depachika (underground food hall), chill out in Yoyogi Park, discover the thriving Harajuku district and get a birds-eye view of the city from Tokyo Skytree.
- 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.
- This trip travels primarily on public transport, as it is so efficient and convenient in Japan. Fast trains are used to move between cities, as well as public buses and metro. In order to make the travel easy, we have included luggage transfer (one piece of luggage) between destinations when we are travelling on the train. But please ensure you are still packing light for the trip. You will be expected to transport your luggage through the train stations.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Hotel (10 nt), Hakone Feature Stay (1 nt)
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Tokyo - Welcome dinner
- Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
- Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
- Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
- Tokyo - Tokyo Skytree
- Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market
- Tokyo - Sushi Making Class
- Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
- Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
- Takayama - Leader-led walking tour (with street food sampling)
- Takayama - Showa Museum
- Takayama - Shirakawago Village
- Takayama - Morning Market visit
- Hiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
- Hiroshima - Leader-led orientation walk
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island day trip
- Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima - Peace Museum
- Himeji - Himeji Castle
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kyoto - Daitokuji Temple
- Kyoto - Zen Buddhism meditation session
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
- Kyoto - Sake Brewery & tasting
- Kyoto - Final dinner
- Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
- Miyajima - Mt Misen Cable Car - JPY2000
- Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
- Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
- Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
- Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple - JPY600
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. For 2023-2024, we are unable to offer a complimentary arrival transfer in Tokyo. Our previous operator is no longer in business, and we haven’t been able to source a reliable alternative supplier. Please see the joining point instructions for information on how to get to your hotel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. It is essential you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. One piece of big luggage is included for transfer from destination to destination on this trip when we are travelling on the train. For any additional luggage to be transferred, additional charges will apply. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains if you plan to take them with you. Luggage over 160–250 cm may require an additional JPY1000 fee per train journey. Luggage over 251 cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains. Please notify your group leader at the welcome meeting if your luggage is over 160–250 cm so they can help you make the necessary arrangements. Please review the Packing section of the ETIs for more details on luggage transfers.
4. We are not able to book airport shuttle service between Kyoto and Kansai Airport at the moment. Your leader will be able to advise on best ways of getting to Kansai Airport in Osaka.
5. All rail travel is included in the price of this trip, but you will no longer be travelling on a Japan Rail Pass. This is to ensure that we can secure seat reservations without you needing to queue at the ticket counter, and to remove the possibility of you travelling in busy, unreserved seat cars during peak season. It will also increase the train options available, including more bullet train options, making journeys faster and more efficient.
6. Double rooms in Japanese hotel rooms can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 square meters). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.
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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