Essential Japan
Overview
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.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- 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
Itinerary
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, ...
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, wh...
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 ...
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.
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 it...
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 recommendatio...
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 ...
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 stre...
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 de...
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.
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Dates & Availability
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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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Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
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Finish point
- Imano Osaka Shinsaibashi Hostel
- 1-13-28 Kitahorie, Nishi-ku 大阪府大阪市西区北堀江1-13-28
- Osaka
- 550-0014
- JAPAN
- Phone: +81 665340088
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