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.
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.
Highlights
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.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Tokyo Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo – the thriving capital of an ancient land – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not explore at your own pace. You could check out the free Sensoji Temple or the Imperial Palace, then hit up the Avatar Robot Café for lunch. This purpose-driven enterprise is not driven by AI at all – the waiters are actually operated by people living with disabilities. This is to give employees who have difficulty leaving their homes a better chance at employment. After your meeting, you might like to join your new travel buddies for an optional dinner in one of Tokyo’s most popular hubs.
Accommodation: 1 x Hostel (multi-share dorm)
Optional Activities:
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - 500JPY
Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - 2500JPY
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free -
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free -
Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - 7900JPY
Tokyo - A Tour Through Tokyo’s Kitchen (with World’s Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure - 11500JPY
Tokyo - Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities Urban Adventure - 8850JPY
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) - 1500JPY
Day 2: Tokyo Head out to explore the Shibuya area with your group this morning. Look down on one of the busiest intersections in the world at Shibuya station and visit the statue of Hachiko – the famous loyal dog. Next, indulge your eyes and your belly at a depachika food hall, where vendors sell everything from bento boxes to formal gifts. Maybe grab lunch to eat in Yoyogi Park (home to many events from the first Japan Olympics) before your visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine. This afternoon, you’ll visit Harajuku – the home of quirky youth pop culture. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. If you’re a cat lover, the Gotokuji Cat Temple might be right up your alley. Tonight is also the perfect opportunity to hit Tokyo’s nightlife, whether it’s at a bar with laser shows or you’re belting out some tunes at karaoke.
Accommodation: 1 x Hostel (multi-share dorm)
Included Activities:
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
Tokyo - Harajuku street
Optional Activities:
Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free -
Tokyo - Kanpai Tokyo: Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Urban Adventure - 18000JPY
Tokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure - 17000JPY
Day 3: Kanazawa This morning, speed through central Japan on a bullet train bound for Kanazawa. This city is best known for Kenroku-en – the 17th-century gardens – and as the home of the Samurai. Here, you can find beautifully preserved Samurai and Geisha districts, historic temples and some awesome markets. After checking into your hotel, maybe explore Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. Tonight is a free evening so you can explore the streets at your own pace and maybe indulge in Kanazawa’s izakaya and famed fresh seafood.
Accommodation: 1 x Pod Hostel
Optional Activities:
Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Gardens & Castle - 320JPY
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 -
Day 4: Kanazawa Explore Kanazawa on foot today, on a walking tour of the Higashi Chaya district. Get lost among Geisha as you walk through alleyways and traditional Chaya houses, known locally as places of tradition, feasts and entertainment. If tea’s your thing, perhaps enjoy a traditional tea ceremony at one of the local tea houses. The afternoon will then be free for you to explore on your own.
Accommodation: 1 x Pod Hostel
Day 5: Kyoto Today, catch a train through the Japanese Alps to Kyoto – once the imperial capital of Japan and one of the most beautiful cities in the country. With over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a great place to get lost in. With a good bus network linking all its key sites, you can hop on the bus to get around today – maybe visit the magnificent, gold-plated Kinkaku-ji Temple with its expansive grounds in Kyoto’s northwest, or Nijo Castle – the feudal-era castle famous for its squeaking ‘nightingale floors,’ designed to alert inhabitants to approaching ninja. In the early evening, meet up with your leader for a walk through Kyoto’s famous Gion district – the heart of the city’s Geisha culture.
Accommodation: 1 x Hostel (multi-share dorm)
Optional Activities:
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - 500JPY
Kyoto - Nijo Castle - 800JPY
Day 6: Kyoto Join your leader this morning for a walk in the wooded hills of Inari Mountain, famous for its Shinto ’fox temple’ and atmospheric red torii gates – a must-see for keen photographers. The afternoon is free for you to explore, and your leader can give you recommendations on what to see and how to get there. Cycling is also a great way to see the city, and renting a bike is inexpensive. It’s your last night in Kyoto, so make sure you try some of Kyoto’s famed Kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine) or wander the food market of Nishiki in the city’s heart.
Accommodation: 1 x Hostel (multi-share dorm)
Optional Activities:
Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free -
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - 500JPY
Kyoto - Kimono/Maiko/Samurai Dress Up (from) - 10000JPY
Kyoto - Arashiyama Monkey Park - 600JPY
Day 7: Hiroshima Hiroshima is a bustling metropolis with a tragic history and this morning, you’ll travel there via bullet train. When you arrive, your leader will take you to the Peace Park and the ruins of the A-Bomb Dome building – one of 11 structures left partially standing as a reminder of the destruction of nuclear war following the atomic bomb blast on 6 August 1945. The Peace Park contains monuments and a sobering museum dedicated to Hiroshima and international peace. The afternoon is free to rest, relax or continue exploring the city. Tonight, try Hiroshima’s most famous dish – okonomiyaki (savoury pancake of cabbage, meat or seafood) – grilled in front of you on a sizzling hotplate. Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 1 x Family Owned Guesthouse
Included Activities:
Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Day 8: Hiroshima Today you’ll jump on a local train and a ferry to spend the day at the nearby island of Miyajima with its famous ’floating’ Torii Gate and the grand Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. Hike through the woods to the peak of Mt Misen for some stunning views of the Inland Sea stretching far out below you. Be sure to watch out for inquisitive and eternally hungry deer that roam the island. Back in Hiroshima, you can enjoy a free evening tonight.
Accommodation: 1 x Family Owned Guesthouse
Optional Activities:
Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - 300JPY
Day 9: Osaka Travel by bullet train to Osaka today – what better way to finish your trip than in a city with the motto ’kuidaore’ (eat until you drop)! Osaka is Japan’s unofficial culinary capital, with its tiny backstreets overflowing with restaurants and bars serving up local delicacies. You can also discover Japan’s answer to fast food – Osaka is credited with the first kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurants after its inventor (the owner of a sushi restaurant with staffing issues) watched beer bottles on a conveyor belt at the nearby Asahi brewery. When you arrive, head out on a leader-led walking tour of the Dotombori district, famous for its shopping and entertainment. At night, this place is lit with the colour of hundreds of neon lights! Today, you could also take on a taiko drum lesson or try a traditional Japanese Onsen. For dinner, maybe try takoyaki (grilled octopus), an Osaka speciality.
Osaka - Kaiten Sushi Train at Kura Sushi (from) - 1200JPY
Day 10: Osaka There are no activities planned for today, and you can depart at any time after check out. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore the many neighbourhoods of Osaka, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Included Activities
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
Physical preparation
You will be expected to carry your own luggage, including while moving about busy public transport hubs to make tight connections, up stairs and escalators and on and off buses and trains. Although you won’t be required to walk long distances with your luggage, you are expected to be able to walk and handle your own luggage for up to 30 minutes, sometimes at a fast pace and in crowds. Good general fitness and mobility will play a big part in making your trip more enjoyable. Japanese cities are best explored by foot and public transport, so be prepared for a lot of walking each day you are in a destination! Many travellers are surprised how much distance they end up covering each day just seeing the sights. Bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to spend most of the day on your feet.
Important information
1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
3. Accommodation on this trip includes some multi-share hostels with shared facilities. People travelling together may be separated into single gender dorms.
