10 Days | Walk the streets of Japan’s hottest districts, from the neon lights of Osaka to the gardens of Kanazawa
![Intrepid travellers having fun while exploring Fushimi Inari shrine walking through the orange gates near Kyoto](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltecbea49ff684d700/65ad953fd8b025208be0cfff/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Kyoto-Fushimi-Inari-shrine-group-exploring-9.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![GCJO_japan_hiroshima_miyajima-island_deer_traveller](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt96e2365ee275e47c/63c8f6e87b0c0e6206721837/GCJO_japan_hiroshima_miyajima-island_deer_traveller.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Kinkaku-ji Temple Golden Pavilion at the edge of a curated pond on a sunny day with clouds above](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt8c317d43ef981dae/65b2db1174f2e0623ed907d2/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Kyoto-Kinkaku-ji-Golden-Pavilion-087.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Travellers sit down to eat Okonomiyaki in Japan](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt3ba3f4af5a9d9713/63c9c4327431781a216afeb6/Intrepid_Travel-japan_hiroshima_okonomiyaki2_(1).jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Intrepid travellers get lost in the neon packed streets of Shibuya in Tokyo](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt2430377fde5fb6ce/65b2db1651cb825ccda29705/Intrepid_Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Shinjuku-exploring-at-night.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Say Konnichiwa to Japan – a diverse land of culture, innovation and cuisine. You’ll get your fix of sushi and shopping in Tokyo before soaking up Kanazawa’s crazy Samurai culture (this is a great place to knock back a couple of glasses of sake, too). Wander gorgeous gardens and temples and then brush up on your world history at Hiroshima at the sobering Peace Park and Museum. Spy geishas in Kyoto’s Gion district and get your Beyonce on at an Osaka karaoke bar – this trip has it all! Perfect for the independent traveller, you’ll also have loads of free time to customise your trip with activities and extras you want to do, so you won’t miss anything on your bucket list.
Trip overview
![Map of Essential Japan including Japan](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt7cdb20bfa2c2b480/6336e531cb8f2b57f1fdd168/CJYO_2019.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Tokyo, Japan
- Finish
- Osaka, Japan
- Theme
- 18 to 35s
- 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
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 18 - Max 35
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- CJYO
Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
You book, we donate to help support local communities
- Explore Japan’s amazingly diverse destinations with loads of free time to see them your way. With all the nitty gritty details and transport worked out for you, you can focus on indulging in endless sushi, katsudon and okonomoyaki.
- Immerse yourself in the varied neighbourhoods of Tokyo – from the technological subculture of Akihabara to the wild side of fashion in Harajuku and the nightlife of Roppongi – each suburb is almost like a city of its own!
- Uncover the sobering history of Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Museum – a vital destination for all Japan travellers to gain an insight into the tragic events of the nation’s past.
- Wander Kyoto with a leader-led walking tour around the Gion district – the heart of the city’s Geisha culture – then walk through the iconic Fushimi Inari-Taisha (the perfect spot for some iconic Japan photos).
- Live your Samurai fantasies in feudal-era Kanazawa – known as the birthplace of the Samurai. Then, wander through gorgeous historic gardens and hit the bars to debrief with your group.
- This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories, where you won't be staying in twin share hotels, but rather cool hangouts with shared facilities. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to the single gender dormitories.
- In some destinations you may be staying in a ryokan style room. It’s a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon mattresses on a tatami mat floor and proximity to other guests as comfortable as western-style hotels.
- This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has plenty of free time where your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in and public transport to those activities.
- You’ll easily surpass your 10,000 steps a day on this trip, in fact most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places on foot! Make sure you pack comfy shoes as you'll spend tonnes of time on your feet.
- As the trip only has limited time in Tokyo and Osaka, we highly recommend staying a few extra days before and after your tour to enjoy all these great cities have to offer.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
1 dinner
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
Multishare Hostel (5 nights), Pod Hostel (2 nights), Family Owned Guesthouse (2 nights)
- Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
- Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
- Tokyo - Harajuku street
- Kanazawa - Higashi Chaya District walking tour
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima - Peace Museum
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
- Osaka - Dotombori District walking tour
- Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
- Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY2500
- Tokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free
- Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
- Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
- Tokyo - A Tour Through Tokyo's Kitchen (with World's Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure - JPY11500
- Tokyo - Kanpai Tokyo: Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Urban Adventure - JPY15000
- Tokyo - Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities Urban Adventure - JPY8850
- Tokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure - JPY17000
- Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market - Free
- Tokyo - Wholesale Fish Market (relocated to Toyosu) - Free
- Tokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
- Tokyo - Dawn Avatar Robot Café (from) - JPY1500
- Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
- Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Gardens & Castle - JPY320
- Kanazawa - Oyama Shrine - Free
- Kanazawa - Omicho market tour - Free
- Kanazawa - 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (excl. special exhibitions) - Free
- Kanazawa - Nagamachi Samurai District (excl. museum entry) - Free
- Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
- Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
- Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
- Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
- Kyoto - Kimono/Maiko/Samurai Dress Up (from) - JPY10000
- Kyoto - Arashiyama Monkey Park - JPY600
- Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
- Osaka - Osaka Castle - JPY600
- Osaka - Universal Studios (Day Pass - from) - JPY8900
- Osaka - Dogusuji Arcade - Free
- Osaka - Spa World - JPY2000
- Osaka - Kaiten Sushi Train at Kura Sushi (from) - JPY1200
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A Single Supplement to have your own room is not currently available on this trip due to limited rooms at many of our properties.
2. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories in
Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single gender dormitories used.
3. Transport from one destination to the next is included, however to get around to optional activities in your free time you will need to buy your own public transport pass - your leader will assist you with the best value options.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for Japan now. Japan has an extensive and efficient public transport system and the joining and finishing point instructions are listed in the Essential Trip Information.
7.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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