Discover Japan

Self-Guided / Independent Tour

$4,543

14 days From$3,365

Essential Japan

By Intrepid Travel

4.5/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

$2,237

10 days From$1,598

Classic Japan Explorer - Cities, Country & Culture

By Global Basecamps

5/5 Excellent

Private Guided

$6,519

13 days From$5,300

By Exodus Adventure Travels

Highlights of Japan

4.7/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

$6,683

8 days From$4,950

Japan Express: Osaka to Tokyo

By G Adventures

4.8/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

$4,394

9 days From$3,255

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights

Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people

Age rangeNo age restrictions

Flights and transport

Start CityTokyo

End CityKyoto

Travel Themes

Cultural
50 Plus
Train & Rail Journeys
Festivals & Special Events

Destinations

Activities

Culture
Educational/ Learning
Historic Sightseeing
History
Trains & Rail

Trip includes

Round trip airfare from Los Angeles via scheduled Japan Airlines. (New York departure add $200)
Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
Intra-Japan ground transportation and transfers
Super-Express “bullet” train between Tokyo and Nagoya
Accommodations at Superior First Class hotels
12 meals: Full buffet breakfast daily (B), 2 dinners (D)
Comprehensive sightseeing tours as indicated in itinerary
English-speaking Tour Director and localguides

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA.

Your fascinating sojourn to mysterious Japan begins as you depart today on your overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrive Tokyo (Japan).

Accommodation: Hotel New Otani Welcome to Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun“. Evening arrival in Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital. Tokyo is a great mix of ancient Japanese culture and modern, dazzling architectural landmarks which you’ll be able to explore over the next...

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast Morning guided tour to explore some of the highlights of amazing Tokyo. Start with a visit to the 1093 ft tall Tokyo Tower. From here you may enjoy bird’s eye views of the sprawling metropolis. Then, tour the historic Imperial Palace district dating ba...

Day 4: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast Japan’s pastoral countryside unfolds as you depart Tokyo today for Mt. Fuji and Hakone. The main attraction here is majestic Mt. Fuji, a dormant volcano that last erupted almost 300 years ago. The mountain’s perfectly shaped cone has inspired artists a...

Day 5: Tokyo.

Meals: Breakfast Spend a day at leisure to explore Tokyo from your conveniently located hotel. For a real taste of Japan, get up early and head for the colorful wholesale fish market! You may also join an optional excursion outside Tokyo to Nikko. Nikko is a magnificent complex of shrines dedicated to the first shogun, adorned with some of the finest woodcarvings in all of Japan.

Day 6: Tokyo/Takayama.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Accommodation: Hida Plaza Hotel This morning, embark on a thrilling train ride via the super-express Bullet “Shinkansen” train headed for Nagoya. Here, transfer to a limited-express train for a scenic ride to Takayama, a delightful small t...

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast After breakfast, join your guide for a stroll through the fascinating Jinya-mae Morning Market along the Miyagawa River in the old town. This 200-year old colorful market bustles with farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and traditional lo...

Day 8: Takayama/Shirakawago/Kanazawa.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Accommodation: Kanazawa New Grand Hotel Today enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque countryside to the rural region of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you’ll discover fascinating examples of old steep thatched roof h...

Day 9: Kanazawa/Kyoto.

Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto Today enjoy a visit to the historic Oumicho Market, a busy and colorful market and explore along with local residents some of the 200 shops selling seafood, vegetables, fruits, flowers, regional specialties and ...

Day 10:

Meals: Breakfast The capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is a world-class gem, a true oasis. Today, depart on a guided tour exploring some of the city’s highlights. Begin at Nijo Castle, renowned for its ornate interiors. Built by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in the ear...

Day 11:

Meals: Breakfast A day to explore ancient Kyoto’s grace and beauty on your own or join an optional tour. You may visit some of the smaller and serene temples, marvel at splendid classical Japanese gardens, see the exquisitely dressed geishas at the colorful Gion corner...

Day 12: Kyoto/USA.

Meals: Breakfast Transfer to the airport for your return flight from Osaka. Your amazing trip to Japan ends on arrival in the USA.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,199

Price per day$350

Single supplement (single occupancy)$899

Last Updated: 4/2/2019

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.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with SmarTours.

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.

SmarTours Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5 Excellent

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Tour Guide Spoke Unintelligible English

Jun 2024

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Company Failed to provide value and service

traveled with Smartours to Japan on a 12 day trip in May 2 024. This was the tour guide’s first trip working for Smartours. She spoke unintelligible English. Smartou...

Jay

Mar 2020

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Pretty good tour

Pretty good tour, least interesting was Tokyo. The smaller cities...

Manfred

Mar 2020

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great enjoyment

It is 2 weeks ago that we returned from our "Discover Japan" tour. What a great enjoyment it was, and how lucky we were! We managed to experience the cherry blossoms...

Jacquline

Mar 2020

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very satisfied

We just got back three days ago from the Discover Japan Tour. This was my first Smartours trip, and my first trip using a tour/guide company. I must say I was very s...

Ute

Mar 2020

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excellent fast paced

This was an excellent fast paced and all too short tour of a beautiful amazing country. I wish I had visited it much earlier. It is the cleanest and safest place in ...

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Jun 2024

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