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Visit Kyoto, Hiroshima and Tokyo and journey into Japan's heart
Japan, a country steeped in mythical traditions and modern wonders. This journey uncovers the highlights of this fascinating country. Like the history, the country is varied and diverse: from the ancient cities like Kyoto to the historically relevant city of Hiroshima and on to the beautiful Edo era city of Takayama; countryside backdropped by mountains, lakes and waterfalls to the bustling futuristic city of Tokyo. This journey gradually reveals the rich variety of the country as you visit temples, castles, shrines and holy mountains while mixing with locals and experiencing the real Japan. Come on this magical journey and experience all that Japan has to offer.
- Start
- Kyoto, Japan
- Finish
- Tokyo, Japan
- Destination
- Japan
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PCJJ
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 121 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Japan is a year round destination with something in store for every season: cherry blossoms in spring, stunning leaves in autumn and snow and ice in winter.
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This trip is a great balance of included activities in each destination and free time for your own choice of options, all backed by a helpful leader to steer you in the right direction of the best experiences.
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There’s no better way to get around Japan than the country’s famous railway system. Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra-modernity as you zip from place to place with your included 7-day Japan Rail Pass. Your leader will organise all the logistics so all you need to worry about is whether to choose ramen or yakitori for dinner.
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A visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park is a sobering but important experience for understanding the tragedies of Japan’s not so distant past.
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Trace the steps of the Geisha around the alleyways of Kyoto’s atmospheric Gion district and visit a Zen Buddhism temple and hear about its practice over sipping green tea.
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Stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and sample simple home-cooked fare in Edo-era Takayama, explore local markets, the Hida Folk Village and perhaps stop by a sake brewery.
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Culminate in Tokyo, one of the most extraordinary capital cities on the planet.
Is this trip right for you?
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You can easily surpass your 10,000 steps a day on this trip, in fact most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places on foot! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
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This trip travels primarily on public transport, as it is so efficient and convenient in Japan. Fast trains are used to move between cities, as well as some private and public buses. Be aware when packing for this trip that you will need to be able to carry your luggage on and off public transport, and to and from accommodations. In order to make travel on public transport easier, on some days we will forward your large luggage to our next destination, packing an overnight bag for that night’s stay.
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Our accommodation in Takayama is a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn). Rooms are decorated in traditional Japanese style with en suite shower facilities. A shared onsen (Japanese traditional communal hot spring bath) is also available for guests.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Noku Roxy Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
We will organize to forward your luggage from Kyoto to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Tokyo. Please ensure that you have an overnight pack for your valuables and essentials that you can bring with you for your 2 nights stay in Takayama.Join your leader and walk around Gion and its old wooden teahouses and exclusive restaurants. This area is the heartland of geisha culture, and it's a great idea to return here in the evening when it really springs to life. You might spot geikos (geishas) or maikos (apprentice geishas) with their elaborate dress and make up on their way out to events.
Accommodation
- Noku Roxy Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Kinkakuji Temple
- Kyoto - Tofuku-ji Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Then a short train ride and walk takes us to the famous Gekkei-kan Sake Brewery. With centuries of local history built into its beautiful wooden halls, the Gekkei-kan brewery is considered Japan’s industry leader in both the tradition and innovation of sake creation. A visit to the brewery and museum cover every aspect of sake creation – with full-scale historical artefacts in abundance and a chance to taste different types of sake at the end of your visit. The shop is also fully stocked with some of Japan’s finest sake should you wish to bring some back home with you!
Accommodation
- Noku Roxy Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kyoto - Gekkei-kan brewery & tasting
Optional Activities
- Kyoto - Cooking Class - JPY6000
- Kyoto - Kiyomizu Temple - JPY500
- Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY600
- Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
- Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple - JPY600
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Noku Roxy Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Nara - Todaiji Temple
- Nara - Kasuga Grand Shrine
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Himeji - Himeji Castle
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Afterwards head for the serene island of Miyajima, reached after a short ferry ride (30 kilometres) across the Inland Sea. The island is home to the venerable Shinto shrine of Itsukushima, famous for its huge bright orange gate (tori) that rises majestically out of the sea. At high tide it is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Japan. The size and physical landscape of Miyajima makes it an ideal place for walking. There is the lovely Momaji Park (known as Maple Valley), from where it is possible to walk or take a cable car up to the top of Mt. Misen. Return to Hiroshima for the night. Maybe try one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki, a kind savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat or seafood.
Accommodation
- Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island day trip
- Miyajima - Itsukushima Shrine
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
Optional Activities
- Miyajima - Mt Misen Cable Car - JPY2000
Meals Included
- Breakfast
You will then travel to Takayama, a charming Edo-period town located in the Japanese alps. Renowned for its traditional inns, sake breweries and tranquil atmosphere, this riverside jewel of central Honshu may well be one of the most enjoyable stops on your trip. Later, enjoy free time to make your own discoveries, we highly recommend finding a good restaurant that specialises in Hida beef, as its famous in this region of Japan.
Accommodation
- Takayama Ouan or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Our accommodation in Takayama is a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn). Rooms are decorated in traditional Japanese style with en suite shower facilities. A shared onsen (Japanese traditional communal hot spring bath) is also available for guests.Accommodation
- Takayama Ouan or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Takayama - Market visit
- Takayama - Hida Folk Village
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tokyo - City tour
- Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
- Tokyo - Sumida boat trip
- Tokyo - Hamarikyu Garden
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Tokyo - Edo Tokyo Museum - JPY600
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 dinnerTransport
Bullet train, Local train, Public bus, Subway, Taxi, BoatAccommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Takayama Ryokan Feature Stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Kinkakuji Temple
- Kyoto - Tofuku-ji Temple
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kyoto - Gekkei-kan brewery & tasting
- Nara - Todaiji Temple
- Nara - Kasuga Grand Shrine
- Himeji - Himeji Castle
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island day trip
- Miyajima - Itsukushima Shrine
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
- Takayama - Market visit
- Takayama - Hida Folk Village
- Tokyo - City tour
- Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
- Tokyo - Sumida boat trip
- Tokyo - Hamarikyu Garden
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Explore Japan trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
1. A 7 day Japan Rail Pass is included in the price of your trip (validated on Day 4). For those wishing to stay and travel longer in Japan after the trip, a Japan Rail Pass extension (total 14 days or 21 days) is available for purchase at time of booking. Please note you can't purchase the rail pass or extension once in Japan.
2. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at many of our properties.
3. In order to make our travel on public transport easier, there are some days where we will forward our large luggage to our next destination and pack an overnight bag for that night’s stay. See the Itinerary for details.
4. Due to the rapid increase in tourism in Japan and with demand for guides high in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics it has been necessary to go outside our traditional tour leader sources. As a result our passionate, professional and trained tour leaders may be local Japanese or long term foreign residents in Japan.
5. We are currently unable to offer pre & post tour accommodation at our trip hotels in Japan. Should you be arriving early or departing later, please make your own arrangement at a hotel of your choice.
6. A Complimentary Arrival Transfer to our starting point hotel is included on this trip on a shared airport shuttle. Please ensure you provide your flight detail at time of booking or no later than 30 days prior to arrival.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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