Ancient & Modern Japan

Guide

We use a mixture of local and international leaders who are all experienced in leading international groups and have an in-depth knowledge of the country.

Meals

Eight breakfasts and three dinners are included. Japanese cuisine is usually a highlight of any Japan trip. It is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes usually prepared with seasonal ingredients. Seafood is common, and usually comes grilled or deep fried. Sushi and sashimi aside, other staple dishes include soba or udon noodles, sukiyaki (meat, fish and vegetables cooked in broth) and yakiniku (grilled meat). The included dinners are usually taken at traditional guesthouses, which will serve a kaiseki-style dinner, a multi-course meal including a dozen tiny dishes prepared with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. When food is not included, your leader can always recommend the best local eateries and arrange group meals for a full immersion in the varied and excellent local cuisine. Please note, in Japan the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets (eg gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan) is minimal or non-existent. The group meals arranged by the tour leader will be in traditional eateries where the choices of vegan dishes may be limited to simple salads or boiled rice. However, several vegan restaurants are available in Kyoto and Tokyo. It may be a good idea to bring some foodstuffs with you that you normally consume, or to supplement meals with snacks purchased in the local convenience stores. Please advise us at time of booking you have any specific dietary requirements.

Others

All transport and listed activities Group arrival transfer (for group flight) Free departure transfer by shuttle service Japan Rail Pass

Transport

Transport will be by public train, metro, bus, tram and occasionally private minibus. The trains in Japan are both highly efficient and very comfortable and we use public transport around Kyoto and Tokyo to experience the Japanese urban life. Japan Rail Pass The tour makes use of a seven-day Japan Rail Pass, the cost of which is included in the price and is purchased by Exodus before departure. If you are planning to extend your trip and wish to extend or purchase an additional pass, please contact our Customer Operations team for more information and costs. If you hold a Japan Business or Residence visa, please note that you will not be eligible to use the Japan Rail Pass. Please contact us if this applies to you. Group flights and transfers (available for 2023 departures only) Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights who will be taking a private transfer from Kansai airport to Kyoto on arrival. If you are travelling on a different flight, arriving before or at the same time as the group and you would like to join the group transfer, please request it at least 6 weeks prior departure. The cost of this transport is included in the trip price if you are able to meet the group and your leader on time. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. Catching your return flight (available for 2023 departures only) There’s a group departure transfer to either Tokyo Narita Airport or Tokyo Haneda (dependent on the trip – please check with your sales representative) in the evening for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If this does not work for your flights, it is possible to join a free shared shuttle to Narita or Haneda airports. Please contact your sales representative for more information or to request this. Please note, all requests are subject to availability and must be confirmed before departure. It is not possible to request this service once a trip has commenced. 2023 and 2024 departures From 2024, group flights and transfers will no longer be available on this trip. Japan’s public transport system is excellent, efficient and is the expected mode of transport for both locals and visitors to the country. The public transport systems have become increasingly easier to use, and everywhere you will find signage is provided in English. Arriving Osaka Kansai (KIX) International Airport: Kansai International Airport is situated on a man‐made island in Osaka Bay about 40 km from central Osaka. The easiest and fastest option when traveling between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto independently is the train. The Limited Express Haruka operated by JR West is the only rail service between Kyoto Station and Kansai International Airport. It covers the distance in about 75-80 minutes and it runs regularly approximately every 30 mins. The normal fare is around 2850 Yen. For up‐to‐date info on prices and timetables and to book tickets, please ask the Travel Desk of Kansai Tourist Information Center. This is located on the first floor of the Terminal 1 building. Private transfers are not available on this trip. Further information will be provided in the final joining instructions which will be sent to you 2 to 3 weeks before departure.

Accommodation

In Kyoto, Matsumoto and Tokyo, our hotels are centrally located and of a high standard with excellent modern facilities and English-speaking staff. Please note, room sizes in Western hotels in Japan are generally smaller. If requesting a double bed, these can be smaller than Western double bed sizes, so couples may prefer twin beds. For three nights, we stay in traditional ryokans and minshukus; traditional inns/guesthouses where we can experience the rhythms and customs of the Japanese countryside. Ryokans and minshukus, while comfortable and full of local character, do not run along the same lines as Western hotels and all have their own unique style. Some are more like Japanese B&Bs (minshukus) with a homestay/guesthouse feel – guests make their own Japanese style beds up, while others are managed more like a standard hotel (ryokans) with bedding made up for guests. Rooms do not generally have private facilities and bedding is usually in the Japanese style with thick futons placed on tatami mats on the floor. Rooms are always doubles or twin-share but bathrooms and showers are generally communal. Please be advised, while females and males will have access to separate gender-specific bathrooms, inside showering and bathing facilities can lack the level of privacy of a Western-style shared bathroom. Please note, free wifi is available at every hotel. Single supplements Single supplements can be pre-booked for 10 nights at the hotel accommodation in Kyoto (five nights), Matsumoto (one night) and Tokyo (four nights) only. In Takayama (two nights) and Yudanaka (one night), single supplements are not available and rooming is based on twin share (sharing with another group member of the same sex). Please be advised single supplements are limited, payable at the time of booking, and subject to availability. In Japan, single supplements are often accommodated in either an actual single and/or double for sole use. 2023 departures Please be advised that the below accommodations are just a list of the standard hotels used for 2023 departures. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality. Kyoto (five nights): Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto Ekimae Matsumoto (one night): Dormy Inn Tokyo (four nights): Hotel Gracery Asakusa In Takayama (two nights) and Yudanaka (one night) groups stay at one of a small selection of traditional guesthouses used by Exodus. Onsen (Japanese public bath) For many visitors to Japan, the onsen is unfamiliar territory. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and the bathing facilities and inns frequently situated around them. The combination of a strict bathing etiquette, that nudity is involved and compulsory, and that the water temperature is often hotter than most whirlpool baths can cause some reluctance for first timers. However, once the courage is mustered, you may discover that a dip in an onsen is likely to become one of the highlights of your visit to Japan. We can try an onsen in Takayama, and some hot springs in Yudanaka. Please be aware, you may be refused entry if you have large and visible tattoos. Some accommodations may have private baths available for reservation.

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation- (limited availability & on request)- 10 nights only at hotels in Kyoto, Matsumoto and Tokyo — Visas or vaccinations

Flights

International flights not included.

Optional

Single accommodation (available on request) Lunch at local restaurants Cultural Show Nakasendo Walk Hakone trip Visit Skytree Tower Karaoke Farewell night