11 Days | Japan Highlights | Sumos, Shrines & Sake
Tokyo - Kamakura - Hakone - Shizuoka - Kusatsu - Nara - Himeji - Hiroshima - Osaka - Kyoto
Experience Japan's highlights in one amazing itinerary
10 nights accommodation, a range of meals and comfortable transport
Explore a range of historic sites, gardens, temples, shrines and cities
Visit Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka & much more
From $3,460 Typically $4,950 pp Twin Share
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Embark on an unforgettable journey through the captivating tapestry of Japan, where the juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern marvels creates an unparalleled spectacle that beckons travelers from around the globe.
2025 and 2026 Dates NOW AVAILABLE!
Prepare to immerse yourself in a whirlwind of sensory delights as you venture from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the tranquil beauty of Hakone, and beyond, on this extraordinary group tour.
Begin your adventure amidst the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, where towering skyscrapers cast long shadows over ancient temples, creating a mesmerizing blend of old-world charm and futuristic innovation. Delve into the vibrant energy of the city as you explore its myriad attractions, from bustling markets and lively entertainment districts to serene gardens and historic landmarks.
As you journey onwards to the picturesque town of Hakone, be prepared to be awe-struck by the breathtaking vistas of Mount Fuji, whose majestic silhouette looms large against the azure sky, offering a picture-perfect backdrop for your exploration. Traverse the tranquil waters of Lake Ashi aboard a traditional boat, soaking in the serenity of your surroundings as you marvel at the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Venture further into Japan's rich tapestry of history and culture as you explore the historic site of Hiroshima, a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Pay homage to the victims of the atomic bomb at the Peace Memorial Park, and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant present as you stroll through its bustling streets and vibrant markets.
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No visit to Japan would be complete without a journey to the ancient town of Kyoto, where time seems to stand still amidst a backdrop of traditional tea houses, majestic temples, and serene gardens. Lose yourself in the timeless beauty of the city as you wander through its historic streets, pausing to admire the exquisite architecture of its iconic landmarks and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of its cultural heritage.
But the highlights don't end there. Prepare to be enchanted by the sheer diversity of Japan's cultural landscape as you sip on sake in traditional izakayas, witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of sumo wrestlers in action, and put your ninja skills to the test in an exhilarating martial arts workshop. And no trip to Japan would be complete without an encounter with the enigmatic geishas, whose graceful presence and traditional colorful garments are sure to leave an indelible impression on your memory.
Throughout your journey, you'll forge new friendships, create unforgettable memories, and be pampered at every turn by our dedicated tour crew, who will ensure that every aspect of your trip is nothing short of extraordinary. With comfortable accommodations, expertly planned excursions, and seamless transportation, this 11-day itinerary is meticulously crafted to provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you longing to return to the Land of the Rising Sun again and again. So pack your bags, prepare to be dazzled, and embark on an adventure that promises to be the journey of a lifetime.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11
Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo! This Highlights of Japan group tour begins in the country’s dazzling capital city. Arrive at the hotel, check-in from 15:00 onwards and receive an information pack containing all of the info for the first day’s activities. Meet up with your tour leader and the rest of your group at 18:30. Tonight, get to know the group over a welcome dinner. Sample your first taste of Japanese cuisine at a Japanese style-pub known as an Izakaya!
Meals: Dinner
Tokyo
Start the day off with breakfast at the hotel. Today, Tokyo awaits! Head out on a sightseeing tour of the city with an expert English speaking local guide. Stroll around Tokyo and see how tradition meets modernity with historic temples and neon skyscrapers lining the streets. The tour includes highlights such as the Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market and Takeshita Street - one of the brightest and busiest shopping areas in all of Tokyo! Spend the evening exploring more of this diverse city at your leisure. Head out and find a local spot to enjoy delicious Japanese food for dinner or choose to join the Tokyo Illumination Tour which offers panoramic views of Tokyo at night!
Meals: Breakfast
Tokyo - Kamakura - Hakone - Shizuoka
Today, it’s time to travel to the next stop in Japan. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding the coach to travel towards Shizuoka. En route, embark on sightseeing tours of the seaside town of Kamakura, home to the Great Buddha, as well as Hakone where you can see amazing views of Mount Fuji! There will be free time for lunch during the sightseeing tour - the perfect time to refuel your energy to see the rest of the amazing sights! Arrive in Shizuoka in the early evening. Check-in, freshen up and head out to see more of the city. The evening is free to spend as you choose. You could explore nearby Shun Castle Park or enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
Shizuoka - Nihondaira - Kusatsu
Another day filled with unique Japanese adventures awaits! Grab breakfast at the hotel before heading to the first stop of the day - Nihondaira which is famous for its views of Mount Fuji. Next up is a tea farm visit followed by a lunch stop en route. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to a miso factory before arriving in Kusatsu where we will be spending the night. Check into the hotel and then the evening is free to do some exploring. Tonight, you have the option to join in on another Izakaya dining experience - enjoy dinner like locals do and try out an array of Japanese dishes.
Meals: Breakfast
Kusatsu - Iga - Nara - Nada - Himeji
Start the day off with an early breakfast at the hotel. Next, experience a sightseeing tour of Iga, Nara and Nada. Visit the Iga Ninja Museum, the Kehaya Sumo Museum in Nara and the Sake Museum in Nada. Arrive in Himeji in the early evening. The hotel for the night is located conveniently close to the entertainment district. You could choose to visit Otokoyama Hill for amazing views of the city or Egret Himeji, which is a great spot for shopping or grabbing a bite to eat. It also has a rooftop which offers views of Himeji Castle and is open for free to the public. Or check out the bars and restaurants nearby the hotel - the choice is yours!
Meals: Breakfast
Himeji - Okayama - Hiroshima
Experience a full day of sightseeing in Himeji and Okayama. Travel by coach and on foot to discover more about these intriguing destinations. Visit the magnificent Himeji Castle to see a great example of Japanese architecture, wander through the stunning Korakuen Garden in Okayama and enjoy free time for lunch during the sightseeing tour. After a day filled with beautiful Japanese sights, it's time to head to Hiroshima. Arrive and check in at the hotel where you will be based for the next three nights. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight. Tuck into traditional Japanese cuisine at a restaurant near the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hiroshima
Explore the highlights of Hiroshima on a city sightseeing tour after breakfast. Hiroshima’s history stretches back centuries. Today, it is widely remembered for being the target of an atomic bomb attack during WW2. Learn all about the city’s history and impact of the war during the guided city tour. Embark by coach and travel on foot to see some of the city’s highlights including the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island as well as the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Tonight is free - you could join the optional evening Hiroshima sightseeing excursion or head into the city on your own. Nagarekawa is a hub for food and entertainment. Try some okonomimura - a savoury pancake-style dish that is famous in Hiroshima!
Meals: Breakfast
Hiroshima - Yamaguchi
Take a trip to Yamaguchi after breakfast at the hotel today. Yamaguchi is surrounded by stunning rural scenery; from peaceful beaches and shrines to intriguing limestone caves. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Yamaguchi and insight into Japanese traditions. Highlights include the Kintaikyo Bridge, a visit to Yanai plus a visit to a soy sauce factory. The tour ends mid-afternoon and the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. There are a number of exciting things to see and do around the city. You could pay a visit to the Hiroshima Castle or wander through Hijiyama Park, which offers beautiful views and is home to the Hiroshima MOCA. The city is yours to explore!
Meals: Breakfast
Hiroshima - Okayama - Kurashiki - Osaka
Travel onwards to Osaka and explore a little more of what Okayama has to offer today. Grab breakfast at the hotel before boarding the coach for more sightseeing adventures! Enjoy city tours of Okayama and Kurashiki where you will have free time to enjoy lunch. Once the group has fueled up on some delicious Japanese food, make a stop at a Bizenyaki pottery shop for a demonstration of one of the world’s oldest, ancient pottery styles. Arrive in Osaka and check into the hotel where the group will spend the next two nights. Tonight you have the option to explore near-by Kyoto where you’ll visit Nishiki Market - known as “Kyoto’s kitchen” - and enjoy a Sukiyaki dinner. Alternatively, spend the evening in Osaka and explore as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast
Osaka - Arashiyama Forest - Kyoto - Osaka
Escape into nature this morning on a visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before travelling to the forest which is one of Kyoto’s top attractions. Next up, spend time wandering through Kinkakuji (also known as the Golden Pavilion) before visiting the Kiyomizu Temple for some exploring and free time to have lunch. This afternoon, visit Gion - Kyoto’s historic geisha district and browse the many shops. Keep an eye out for geishas strolling through the streets! It’s the last night of this incredible tour and the group will be celebrating with an included farewell dinner. Toast to your favourite memories over a delicious meal tonight!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Osaka - Tokyo
After ten experience-filled days, this tour comes to an end today. Enjoy a final breakfast with the group before the tour concludes. Reminisce about your time on this Japan trip. Swap memories and contact details with your newly made travel friends before saying goodbye and heading home. A complimentary coach transfer is available to passengers who need to travel back to Tokyo. Tokyo Station will be the final stop.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 10 nights' accommodation in twin rooms with private en-suite facilities
- 10 breakfasts, 3 dinners
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats
- Services of your Expat Explore tour leader, who will be on hand with advice and tips to ensure that you get the most from your trip
- Free Expat Explore tour souvenir – a memorable gift of your once-in-a-lifetime trip
Plus 27 amazing included experiences:
- Welcome Dinner at a Japanese-style pub, known as an Izakaya
- Stroll through Tokyo’s vibrant neighbourhoods on a city sightseeing tour
- Visit the Meiji Shrine
- Explore the Tsukiji Fish Market
- Visit the Great Buddha in Kamakura
- See the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shinto shrine
- Visit Hakone Shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi
- Snap pictures of the impressive Mount Fuji during a photo stop
- Take in the views from Nihondaira
- Visit a tea farm
- Tour a Miso Factory
- Learn about the history of the ninja at the Iga Ninja Museum
- Experience the world of Sumo at the Kehaya Sumo Museum in Nara
- Sip on sake at the Sake Museum in Nada
- Visit the beautiful Himeji Castle
- Wander through the Korakuen Garden
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island
- Explore the Peace Memorial Park and Museum
- Visit the Kintaikyo Bridge
- See goldfish lanterns being crafted in Yanai
- Sightseeing tour of Okayama
- Enjoy a city tour of Kurashiki
- Experience the ancient art of Bizenyaki pottery-making
- Meander through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Visit Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion
- Explore the Kiyomizu Temple
- Greet geishas in the Gion district
- Farewell dinner Osaka
Exclusions
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Any personal expenses or shopping, ie souvenirs
- Meals not included in itinerary
- Laundry costs
- Any necessary visas or passport fees
- Tipping or gratuities
Important Info and Terms & Conditions
Child Policy: No children under 10 years of age are allowed on this tour. Contact us if you are after a family-friendly trip!
Single supplement: Travelling solo? The single supplement is $1100 and is available at check-out.
Fitness levels: These tours require a moderate level of fitness and are not ideal for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE.
Want to stay longer, add on another tour or need help with flights? Get in touch with us today!
Travelling on your own? Why not join the Traveldream Solo Travellers Facebook group where you can interact with other travellers.
