Japan: the Grand Tour
Overview
Highlights
- Uncover Hiroshima’s past at the Peace Park and Museum
- See the floating Torii Gate and deer on Miyajima Island
- Hike through bamboo forests and the endless gates of Fushimi Inari
- Explore the backstreets of Kyoto by bicycle and see geishas
- Stay in a traditional ryokan with an on-site onsen
- Admire views of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi
- Witness sumo wrestling training and learn how to make sushi
- Find your rhythm at a Taiko drumming class
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Min Group Size
Trip includes
- One night spa hotel accommodation
- One night Japanese Ryokan accommodation
- Nine nights standard hotel accommodation
- Private and local transport
- 11 breakfasts, two lunches, four dinners
- Local Insider
- Osaka tour
- Aikido lesson
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Island tour
- Bamboo forest and temple visit
- Fushimi Inari sunrise tour
- Kyoto bicycle tour
- Hida Folk Village visit
- Sake tasting
- Lake Ashi cruise
- Ropeway to Hell cable car
- Geyser visit
- Sumo wrestler training visit
- Tsukiji Outer Market tour
- Sushi-making class
- Tokyo tour
- Taiko drumming class
- Karaoke night
Itinerary
Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba
Activities Included: Welcome dinner
Osaka is a heady mix of cultural sights, foodie heaven and lively nightlife, making it the perfect introductory city to Japan. After landing at Kansai International Airport, mak...
Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba
Activities Included: Full-day guided Osaka tour
Today is all about exploring the best bits of the city on foot and by metro, led by our Local Insider. Marvel at the 400-year-old Osaka Castle as well as the uber-mo...
Accommodation: Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae
Activities Included: Aikido lesson
After breakfast, it’s time to climb aboard the bullet train to Hiroshima. On arrival, you’ll have the afternoon to explore at leisure – take a stroll around the Shukkei-en gard...
Accommodation: Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae
Activities Included: Hiroshima and Miyajima Island tour, Guided Mount Misen hike
A fully guided day awaits, starting with a visit to Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum to learn more about the city's past. Afterward...
Accommodation: Sakura Terrace The Gallery
Activities Included: Bamboo forest visit & Temple hike
Pack your bags – it’s time to head to Kyoto. Whizz east by train to the outskirts, ready for your afternoon tour in Arashiyama. You know those towering g...
Accommodation: Sakura Terrace The Gallery
Activities Included: Fushimi Inari sunrise tour, Kyoto bicycle tour
Optional Activities: Geisha district walking tour
It’s an early wake-up this morning, for good reason: to hike through the thousands of b...
Accommodation: Spa Hotel Alpina Hida Takayama
Activities Included: Hida Folk Village visit, Sake tasting
Bid sayonara to Kyoto this morning, and hop on a train to Takayama. In the mountainous Gifu prefecture, this area is known as the Japanese Alps. Toda...
Accommodation: Ryokan Hakone Ashinoko Toranoyu
Activities Included: Miyagawa market tour & Traditional ryokan experience and onsen soak
Spend the morning browsing the Miyagawa market in Takayama – it is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs. After t...
Accommodation: Hotel Resol Ueno
Activities Included: Lake Ashi cruise, Ropeway to Hell cable car & Geyser visit
Optional Activities: Guided Taito City walk
Prepare yourself for a morning cruise on Lake Ashi. Beyond the water and forested hills...
Accommodation: Hotel Resol Ueno
Activities Included:
Sumo wrestler training visit (season permitting)
Tsukiji Outer Market tour
Sushi-making class
Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park tour
You’ll spend the last few days of your trip e...
Accommodation: Hotel Resol Ueno
Activities Included:
Asakusa tour
Sensō-ji temple visit
Taiko drumming class
Shinjuku tour
Farewell dinner and karaoke night
Your final full day in Japan will see a visit to the Asakusa d...
It’s time to wave goodbye to Japan. Don’t worry if you’ve got a slightly sore head this morning, as you can enjoy a lie-in before breakfast. Checkout is by midday. Say your final farewells before starting the journey home – or extend your stay in the Land of the Rising Sun.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Culture Trip.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
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For over a decade, people have trusted Culture Trip to help them discover some of the world’s coolest and unexpected destinations and experiences - now we can take you there. Book our curated multi-day TRIPS by Culture Trip itineraries, to truly experience extraordinary places, together with a small group of culturally curious travellers.
Our travel experts have done all the planning to create exciting and perfectly balanced itineraries combining unique stays, immersive activities and authentic experiences, with enough free time to explore on your own and unwind. On the trips, our Local Insiders are with you to show you their destination like never before, share their insights and take you to the secret spots you couldn't find yourself.
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Together with a small group of culturally curious travellers, you get to truly experience - not just visit - the world. Groups will welcome up to 18 travellers and you can join solo or with others. Our small groups enable you to get to know the other travellers, bond quickly and enjoy your trip to the fullest whilst building friendships and forming life-long memories.
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For our curated, diverse itineraries, our travel experts do all the planning and hand-pick the best bits of a place: all itineraries combine hyper-local, authentic activities and immersive experiences, with quality accommodation that has a personal feel. Whether that’s well-known hotspots or more off-grid trails, city or nature - with us, they will all feel like hidden gems. Thoughtfully planned with ample free time to unwind or explore solo, our trips offer the right balance of action and relaxation.
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Logistics
Accommodation
Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba , Osaka
Tranquil rooms at Hotel Gracery provide respite from the busy Namba district in Osaka. Tuck into a western buffet breakfast each morning. The bars and restaurants of Dotonbori are a five-minute walk away.
Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae , Hiroshima
A chic spot to rest your head in Hiroshima. Rooms are sleek and light-filled, while downstairs the cafe lounge is decked in earthy tones and minimalist furnishings. You’re perfectly placed for exploring the city on foot.
Sakura Terrace The Gallery , Kyoto
A design-led gem plonked next to Kyoto’s main train station, the rooms here are all blonde wood panelling, clean lines and large windows that offer vistas across the city. Common areas are clad with modern art, plus there’s a spa with gendered saunas.
Spa Hotel Alpina Hida Takayama , Takayama
A spa and open-air hot spring baths are a highlight at Spa Hotel Alpina, overlooking the Takayama mountains. Rooms are decked out in neutral tones with plenty of wood for a restful night’s sleep.
Ryokan Hakone Ashinoko Toranoyu , Hakone
With traditional-style tatami rooms (complete with futons), you’ll lap up Japanese culture at this authentic ryokan. Situated at the base of Mount Hakone, you can marvel at the leafy surroundings from the steaming outdoor onsen.
Hotel Resol Ueno , Tokyo
You couldn’t be closer to the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park at this central Tokyo hotel. Enjoy fresh bagels for breakfast and on-demand drip coffee by front desk, available all day.
- 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches & 4 Dinners
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