Tour Detail
Japan, famed for its sumo wrestling, sake, geishas, karaoke, and onsens, offers a rich tapestry of experiences. On this nine-day excursion through its most renowned cities, you'll witness the nation in its full splendor. Immerse yourself in Tokyo's dazzling nightlife, unwind in Nikko's elegant gardens, and delve into millennia of culture and history in Kyoto. The culinary scene is equally impressive – from world-class sushi to irresistible ramen and exquisite donburi, your taste buds are in for a treat. Guided by a local expert and with ample time for personal exploration, you're set to discover the culture and allure of the Land of the Rising Sun at your own rhythm.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore, from fascinating museums and world-class shopping to neighbourhood backstreets lined with restaurants and karaoke bars. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Afterwards, why not head out for an optional dinner to try some local food and experience the nightlife in this amazing city. You might like to finish the night with a drink at a traditional Japanese izakaya – ask your leader for their favourites.
Accommodation
Hostel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Add on activities
Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY2500
Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
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
Special information
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.
Accomodation in Tokyo is in multishare hostel dorms. You won't be staying in twin share hotels, but rather they'll be cool hangouts with shared facilities. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to the single gender dormitories.
Day 2: Tokyo
This morning, venture out with your small group on the metro to explore the buzzing Shibuya area. Check out one of the busiest intersections in the world before heading into a depachika (underground food hall) for a mouth-watering array of tempting Japanese treats. Next, visit Meiji Shrine – enter via a massive torii (gate) and notice the sights and sounds of the city fade away as you enter the tranquil forest. Afterwards, explore the Harajuku district, the home of quirky youth pop culture. In your free time this afternoon, perhaps take in the historic Asakusa area – one of the older and more traditional parts of Tokyo. Here you can stop by Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple, which was founded almost 1400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village. This evening, you've got endless options for dinner – how about a hearty bowl of ramen, crispy tonkatsu, or snacks and beer at (another) izakaya.
Accommodation
Hostel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Tokyo - Metro day pass
Tokyo - Harajuku street
Add on activities
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free
Day 3: Tokyo
Enjoy a morning walk around the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, where fresh seafood from Tokyo’s wholesale fish market (recently relocated to a new site at Toyosu) is delivered daily. Wander through the narrow aisles to find all sorts of amazing food then perhaps pop in to one of the sushi restaurants for a fresh breakfast. Continue on to the famous Akihabara District – the centre of Japan's otaku culture. Shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are scattered among the electronic stores in the district. This afternoon is free for you to explore, so why not spend some time in the city’s green spaces like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or create your own entertainment with some karaoke!
Accommodation
Hostel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Tokyo - Akihabara walking tour
Tokyo - Metro day pass
Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market
Add on activities
Tokyo - Karaoke - JPY2000
Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise - JPY860
Tokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Day 4: Nikko
Say goodbye to Tokyo and take the train to Nikko where you’ll have a free day to explore. Nikko has been a sacred city since the middle of the eighth century and is full of shrines and temples. Perhaps visit the Tosho-gu Shrine, a resting place of a Tokugawa shogun who was one of the most powerful rulers of the country. Every corner of this monument is covered in intricate gold leaf, lacquerwork, paintings and patterns. Here you can also visit the Museum of Art at the back of the temple complex. This 1920s mansion has one of the country’s most beautiful collections of sliding doors and screens decorated by the best Japanese painters of the day. You could also head to Shin-kyo bridge – one of the town’s most famous landmarks – and the Buddhist temple of Rinno-ji, home to fearsome statues and an elegant garden.
Accommodation
Minshuku (Japanese inn) (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Nikko - Public bus area pass
Add on activities
Nikko - Rinnō-ji - JPY400
Nikko - Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss - Free
Nikko - Tōshō-gū - JPY1300
Day 5: Nikko
For those feeling energetic, join your leader for a hike around the Nikko area. Depending on the time of the year, you can climb up to the Senjogahara Plateau, where the gods of Mt Nantai and Mt Akagi are said to have battled for possession of Chuzenji Lake. You can take a six-kilometre walk following the course of the plateau or explore the various hiking trails that spread off from the lake itself. The lake area is also home to the Kegon Waterfall, and you can get the Akechidaira Ropeway (cable car) over the falls and lake. A little further on is Lake Yunoko and Yumoto, where you can soak in the natural hot springs – a great place to experience one of Japan's well-loved public onsens. In the town itself you can explore the shops along Hippari Dako, maybe tasting yuba – the skin that forms on top when making tofu. Sounds strange, but it's a delicious treat!
Accommodation
Minshuku (Japanese inn) (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Nikko - Hiking
Add on activities
Nikko - Lake Yunoko & Yumoto natural hot springs (from) - JPY800
Nikko - Akechidaira Ropeway (return) - JPY1000
Day 6: Kyoto
Enjoy your last free morning in Nikko before making your way to Kyoto. Take the local train (around 2 hours) and then jump on board the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto for approximately 3 hours. Originally founded as Heian-kyo ('tranquillity and peace capital') by Emperor Kammu in AD794, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years, and with over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a great place to get lost in. On arrival, head to one of the most photogenic spots in Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine – famous for the thousands of vermillion-coloured torii (gates) which straddle the paths and trails in the area. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to get acquainted with Kyoto by walking through its historic neighbourhoods.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Day 7: Kyoto
Today is free for you to explore. With its many landmarks and historical sites and an 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 plenty of paths available – ask your leader for their recommendations. Perhaps visit the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji temple, also known as ‘The Golden Pavilion’, or if you’re visiting in spring, head to the theatre for a presentation of Miyako Odori (the Cherry Blossom Dance) performed by elaborately dressed maiko (apprentice geisha). In the evening, enjoy a guided walk through the Pontocho and Gion areas – the famous geisha districts. Even today you can observe the age-old tradition of geisha visiting members of the wealthy elite – this unfolds in small teahouses tucked away in tiny back streets. For those who are keen, you can also choose to attend the Gion Corner cultural centre where you can enjoy some Japanese performing arts, from flower arranging to the Lion Dance.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Kyoto - Public bus day pass
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Add on activities
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500
Day 8: Kyoto
Make the most of your day in Kyoto. If you haven’t done so already, you may like to see Japan’s largest pagoda at Toji, or you could visit the imposing and opulent Nijo Castle, home to the Tokugawa Shoguns who had power over the country during the Edo period. You can also check out the ‘nightingale floors’ of Ninomaru Palace, which squeak to warn off intruders. From the castle, it’s a short bus ride to Ryoan-ji, perhaps Japan’s most acclaimed Zen garden, where carefully placed rocks sit in an immaculately raked sea of gravel. For some local shopping there’s Kyoto’s handicraft centre, a perfect place to pick up some souvenirs with a fine selection of woodblock prints, yukata (light cotton robes), jewellery and pottery. Tonight, why not enjoy karaoke with your new friends, or maybe splash out on a kaiseki meal in a ryotei – small restaurants serving traditional multi-course cuisine. Being in Kyoto alone is definitely cause for celebration.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Kyoto - Public bus day pass
Add on activities
Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
Kyoto - Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace - JPY1300
Kyoto - Ryōan-ji - JPY500
Kyoto - Tō-ji (grounds free) - JPY800
Day 9: Kyoto
There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the hotel at any time. Check out time is 10 am, however if you’re departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. If you're not ready for the adventure to be over, perhaps book an Urban Adventure to experience a different side of Kyoto.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Inclusions
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hostel (3 nights), Japanese Inn (2 nights), Basic hotel (3 nights)
Activities
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Tokyo - Metro day pass
Tokyo - Harajuku street
Tokyo - Akihabara walking tour
Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market
Nikko - Public bus area pass
Nikko - Hiking
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Public bus day pass
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Add on activities
Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY2500
Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
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 - Sensoji Temple - Free
Tokyo - Karaoke - JPY2000
Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise - JPY860
Tokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Nikko - Rinnō-ji - JPY400
Nikko - Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss - Free
Nikko - Tōshō-gū - JPY1300
Nikko - Lake Yunoko & Yumoto natural hot springs (from) - JPY800
Nikko - Akechidaira Ropeway (return) - JPY1000
Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
Kyoto - Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace - JPY1300
Kyoto - Ryōan-ji - JPY500
Kyoto - Tō-ji (grounds free) - JPY800
