Accommodation

RYOKANS : & MINSHUKUS: Japanese-style accommodation - ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation - this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning. AVAILABILITY: The recent huge increase in tourism to Japan has put a lot of pressure on accommodation. On occasion, we may need to change accommodation from what is listed in the itinerary in order to operate your departure with minimal changes. ONSENS: We like to encourage travellers to visit traditional Japanese ’onsens’ while in the country as it is a quintessential local experience. In public onsens this means bathing naked with others of the same gender. While the experience can feel strange at first for some, most of our groups end up enjoying this activity. There is very specific etiquette for visiting onsens - your leader can give you some tips and instructions. Please be aware that travellers with tattoos may not be permitted to enter public onsens. Private onsens may also be available - talk to your leader for more information. See our guide to onsens here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/japan-onsen-guide/ Hotel/Ryokan (9 nights), Temple Stay (1 night)

Transport

Public Bus , Subway , Bullet Train , Train , Boat

Meals

10 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Others

Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden Kyoto - Nijo Castle Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Kyoto - Gion District walk Koya-san - Okunoin Cemetery Himeji - Himeji Castle Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome Hiroshima - Peace Museum Hiroshima - Miyajima Island Tsumago - Nakasendo Walk Matsumoto - walking tour Tokyo - Sensoji Temple Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip. Due to Japan’s popularity it has been necessary to go outside our traditional sources for employing tour leaders. As a result, our passionate, professional and trained tour leaders may either be Japanese or long term foreign residents in Japan.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Optional

Kyoto - Cooking Class from - JPY8800 Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1000 Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500 Kyoto - Nanzenji Temple - Free Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400 Koya-san - Kongobu-ji Temple - JPY1000 Matsumoto - Matsumoto Castle - JPY700 Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500 Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine - Free Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000 Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free Tokyo - Samurai Museum - JPY1900 Tokyo - Studio Ghibli Museum (advance bookings required - from) - JPY2500

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Kyoto

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Kyoto, Japan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you have some free time, step out onto the streets for your first taste of this beautiful city. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (literally ’tranquillity and peace capital’) by Emperor Kammu in AD794, Kyoto had its golden age during the imperial court’s heyday from 794 to 1185. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years (the name means Capital City) but the emperor and government are now located in Tokyo. After the meeting tonight, perhaps head out for your first taste of traditional Japanese food. As the millennium-long home of the imperial kitchen, Kyoto is known as the centre of Japanese culinary tradition, so you’re sure to begin this trip with a delicious meal.
Day 2 Day 2: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Kyoto

You’ll begin the day with a visit to some of Kyoto’s more important sights. Visit the opulent Nijo Castle – home to the Tokugawa Shoguns who had power over the country during the Edo period. Check out the ‘nightingale floors’ of Ninomaru Palace, which squeak to warn of intruders (like otherwise-silent ninjas). From the castle, it’s a short bus ride to Ryoan-ji – perhaps Japan’s most famous Zen garden – where carefully placed rocks sit in an immaculately raked sea of gravel. Located also nearby is the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji Temple, immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel ’The Golden Pavilion’. This evening, take a step back in time on a walk through the narrow streets of Kyoto’s charming Gion district, an entertainment district and the centre of geisha culture, coming alive at night. If you’re lucky you might spot geikos (geishas) or maikos (apprentice geishas) with their elaborate dress and make up. If you’ve got the budget, perhaps attend a tea ceremony at one of the district’s teahouses, or splash out on a kaiseki meal in a ryotei (small restaurants serving traditional multi-course cuisine).
Day 3 Day 3: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kyoto

Today is a full free day and there’s so much for you to explore. With its many cultural landmarks and historical sites, and the 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 a number of paths available. Recommended is a gentle stroll through the nearby eastern hills along the ‘Path of Philosophy’ that links Ginkaku-ji – the Temple of the Silver Pavilion – with Nanzen-ji Temple. This walk can be extended south through well-preserved Old Town areas to Kiyamizu-dera (Temple of Clear Water) from where there is an acclaimed view across a wooded gorge toward Kyoto. Also recommended, for those visiting in spring, is a visit to the theatre for a presentation of Miyako Odori (the Cherry Blossom Dance) performed by elaborately dressed maiko (apprentice geishas). Close to Kyoto station, you’ll also find the architecturally impressive Higashi Honganji Temple and the almost surreal Sanjusangendo, home to 1001 statues of Kannon. In the late afternoon you might like to return to the Kawaramachi or Shijo Dori area of central Kyoto to browse the shops or enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants that occupy this exciting area.
Day 4 Day 4: Koya-San
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Koya-San

Spot the 120 temples dotted around Koya-san as you take the train into an important region for Shingon Buddhism. Founded in the eighth century by the Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Koya-san has been a centre for religious activities for over 1200 years. The last leg of the journey takes you through some of Japan’s finest scenery, on a mountain road rising through the clouds, 915 m above sea-level. The most impressive sight on Mount Koya is the massive and mysterious Okunoin cemetery, the resting place of many of Japan’s most famous people. Some 200,000 stone statues, wooden totems and sometimes bizarre memorials (a rocket marks the site of a mausoleum interring the workers of an aerospace company) lie throughout this moss-laden forest. After visiting the more interesting of the mountain’s sights, make your way to the comfortable Shukubo Temple Lodging for the night. Here you might interact with some of the monks that run the lodgings, learn about the customs of traditional Japanese accommodation and enjoy some monastic vegetarian cuisine.
Day 5 Day 5: Hiroshima
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Hiroshima

Return by cable railway to Gokurakubashi and make your way to Osaka to board your first bullet train, heading to Hiroshima. Travelling by shinkansen is an absolute buzz, as you’ll reach speeds of up to 270 km per hour. As you speed south, stop to visit Japan’s most impressive samurai castle at Himeji. The building, which has survived earthquakes and war since the mid-16th century, was restored to its full glory in 2015. The moats, baileys, towers and walled alleyways were ingeniously designed to trick attackers – perhaps so intimidatingly that they were never in fact tested. Explore the castle that was once home to over 10,000 samurai families and look out over the grounds and the city below from the seventh floor. Continue on to Hiroshima and enjoy dinner together, feasting on Japan’s signature savoury pancake - okonomiyaki.
Day 6 Day 6: Hiroshima
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Hiroshima

This morning you’ll visit the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, both of which stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945 when Hiroshima was chosen as target for the first ever wartime use of the atomic bomb. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated so it was able to retain its shape – the fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing means it serves as a reminder and symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims, education on what lead to the bomb’s use, as well as advocating world peace. In the afternoon you’ll head for the serene, enchanting island of Miyajima, reached after a short ferry ride across the Inland Sea. The island is home to the venerable Shinto shrine of Itsukushima, famous for its huge bright orange gate (torii) that rises majestically out of the sea. At high tide it is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Japan. The size and physical landscape of Miyajima makes it an ideal place for walking. There is the lovely Momiji Park (known as Maple Valley), from where it is possible to walk or take a cable car up to the top of Mt Misen. Return to Hiroshima for the night and maybe try one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – your leader will have some great suggestions!
Day 7 Day 7: Tsumago
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Tsumago

Board a bullet train to Nagoya, then change to an express train and continue north to the mountainous centre of Japan. You’ll spend a memorable night in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) near the medieval village of Tsumago. Once a post town (where travellers could rest on their journey around the country) during the days of the Shogun, Tsumago is the best preserved of the many staging posts along the Edo period Nakasendo Highway. The highway once connected Tokyo with Kyoto and was immortalised in the famous woodblock prints of Hiroshige. Cars are prohibited in the main street and cables run underground in order to maintain the medieval atmosphere of the town. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along a short section of the old Nakasendo Highway, walking from the post town of Magome along the highway to your accommodation at Tsumago, enjoying some great views across the valley along the way. In tonight’s ryokan, rooms are equipped with thin futon mattresses that are spread on tatami mats for a comfortable night’s sleep. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner cooked in the ryokan.
Day 8 Day 8: Matsumoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Matsumoto

This morning you’ll have time to explore Tsumago, where you can wander the ruins of the castle and browse the local shops. You’ll then board a train and continue north to the picturesque castle town of Matsumoto. Matsumoto’s atmosphere is surprisingly cosmopolitan, while maintaining its historic charm and traditional streetscapes. This afternoon you’ll stroll through the former merchant district of Nakamachi, lined with well preserved old buildings, where you can find local crafts, treasures and great restaurants. You’ll also have the option of visiting the city’s most famous site, the Matsumoto Castle, formerly known as Fukashi Castle. The regal-looking building has an elegant black roof and walls, and is sometimes nicknamed Crow Castle due to its resemblance to the bird spreading its wings. As the oldest original castle in the country (begun in 1592), it’s also one of Japan’s four castles listed as national treasures. You’ll spend the evening here in Matsumoto. Perhaps try the local soba noodles (some of the best in the country) and be sure to get some wasabi-based treats – the pristine waters from the alps make it grow particularly well here.
Day 9 Day 9: Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Tokyo

In the morning, make your way by express train to Japan’s amazing capital – Tokyo – and to the hotel where you’ll be based for the next few days. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore, including fascinating museums, world-class shopping, bustling energy and futuristic architecture, as well as a gentler side of neighbourhood backstreets where citizens often reveal themselves – particularly outside of working hours – to be some of the friendliest of any capital city in the world. There are many vestiges of the past, with historic temples and shrines still to be found in some of the most unexpected places, as well as an abundance of parks and gardens – particularly exquisite in spring when the cherry trees and azaleas are in bloom. After you arrive, you have free time to explore – perhaps visit the expansive grounds and moat surrounding the Imperial Palace, then enjoy the myriad food options for dinner.
Day 10 Day 10: Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Tokyo

Today you’ll undertake a varied, full-day tour of the city, beginning in the historic Asakusa area. This is one of the older and more traditional parts of Tokyo, and is often called the temple district. Here you’ll stop by Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple – founded almost 1400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village. Browse the many interesting stalls – filled with tasty treats, crafts and souvenirs – that line the shopping street of Nakamise dori. After lunch you’ll enjoy an alternative view of Tokyo as you relax on a short cruise down the Sumida River. You’ll pass significant buildings like the Sky Tree Tower, Asahi Beer Hall with its distinctive roof-top sculpture, the Sumo Stadium and the former Tsukiji Fish Market complex, gliding under bridges that bisect the river before alighting at the delightful urban oasis of the Hama Rikyu gardens. Here you’ll have time to stroll along paths that were once the sole preserve of the Shogun, who would hunt ducks here in the feudal era. Later you can make your way to the luxurious shopping district of Ginza where, depending on the theatre schedule, you may have the chance to see a short performance of Kabuki, one of Japan’s more spectacular performing arts, or visit the food depachika basement floor of a department store to see the huge range of produce exquisitely displayed.
Day 11 Day 11: Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Tokyo

Your Japan adventure comes to an end today. With no activities planned, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time after check out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

11 days tour

Classic Japan

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Classic Japan

Day 1: Kyoto

Day 2: Kyoto

Day 3: Kyoto

Day 4: Koya-San

Day 5: Hiroshima

Day 6: Hiroshima

Day 7: Tsumago

Day 8: Matsumoto

Day 9: Tokyo

Day 10: Tokyo

Day 11: Tokyo

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania