Best of Japan - 8 days

Best of Japan - 8 days

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tourhub | On The Go Tours | Best of Japan - 8 days | 1653/BOJ
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$2395

$2036

Best of Japan - 8 days

8 Days Starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto

Visiting: Tokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi, Kyoto

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1653/BOJ

Recommended For:

Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Age range:

16+ if accompanied by an adult.

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking

Interests:

Cultural, History, Photography

Activities:

Art Galleries & Museums, Shopping, Sightseeing, Walking

From: $2395 $2036 Operator discount: -$359 -15%

NB: Prices correct on 29-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Discover the best of Japan in 8 captivating days. Travelling from the modern metropolis of Tokyo to enchanting Kyoto, with its age-old temples, shrines and colourful Geisha District. See the bronze Buddha and picturesque bamboo forest at Kamakura, the breathtaking beauty of Mt Fuji at Hakone Izu National Park en route.

Highlights

  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple district and temple, Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing

  • Kamakura - Big Buddha Statue, Hokokuji Zen Temple and the Bamboo Forest with a delightful village atmosphere. Opt to take part in a traditional tea ceremony

  • Staying in a ryokan - Sampling Japanese hospitality, bathing in natural hot springs, wearing a Samue (casual Kimono) and sleeping on a futon

  • Lake Kawaguchi located within Fuji Hakone Izu National Park - Spectacular mountain scenery and views of Mt Fuji

  • Kyoto - UNESCO Listed Nijo Castle, Sanjusagen-do Temple with its 1000 life-like statues and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple)

  • Kyoto - Walking tour of the famed Geisha District (Gion), with its ancient cobbled streets, streams, bridges and quaint teahouses and the opportunity to see Geisha and Maiko en route to their next engagement

Itinerary

tourhub | On The Go Tours | Best of Japan - 8 days | 1653/BOJ | Route Map

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Day 1 : Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Meals Included: No Meals

Saturday. Upon arrival to Tokyo you will be met at either Narita or Haneda International Airport by your guide. Travel by train into the heart of the city and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure.

Day 2 : Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Meals Included: No Meals

Today we explore the capital. Taking the subway to Asakusa we visit the lively Sensoji Temple District, which is home to Tokyo’s first temple and scores of interesting souvenir and craft stalls. In the afternoon we’ll head to Harajuku, which is a magnet for young and fashionable Tokyoites with its hip shops and cafes. Here, we’ll visit the impressive Meiji Shrine where the emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. Yoyogi Park, beside the shrine is a popular hangout for locals and there is always a lot going on, especially on Sundays with bands playing, drum circles, dancers and busking.





The last stop of the day is Shibuya Crossing - regarded as one of the busiest intersections in the world. The famed junction has no less than 7 pedestrian crossings and when the traffic lights turn red a wave of pedestrians, up to a 1000, converge onto the intersection from every direction. Known as 'the scramble', it's a well-practised art to duck and weave with sportsman like agility to avoid collision, which we'll watch from the second floor of Starbucks, located directly opposite the crossing. This evening offers free time, though if travelling in January, May and September you might like spend the evening watching a Sumo tournament (must be booked in advance). See our Trip Notes for more information.

Day 3 : Kamakura

Location: Kamakura

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Meals Included: No Meals

Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo. This morning we board a train for our day trip to Kamakura, Japan’s first feudal capital, which is just an hour from Tokyo. Kamakura is a popular seaside location with a quaint village life feel and some stunning Zen temples. Here we’ll visit the iconic bronze Big Buddha and the Zen Temple of Hokokuji with its beautiful bamboo garden. Here, you can drink tea and learn about the tea ceremony before walking the cobbled shopping district - adorned with lovely locally made items before returning to Japan’s bustling capital for the night. Tonight, we'll organise a Shabu Shubu (a traditional Japanese hot pot meal) if the majority of the group are interested.

Day 4 : Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Meals Included: No Meals, No Meals

Today offers a guided tour of the Tokyo Edo Museum which focuses on the lifestyle and culture experienced of Tokyoites over the city’s 400-year history. The museum houses some of the city’s best original artefacts and replicas of Edo-era buildings and landmarks, along with several large-scale models. The remainder of the day offers free time to independently explore.

Day 5 : Mt Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi

Location: Lake Kawaguchi

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yamagishi Ryokan

Meals Included: Dinner

Tokyo - Lake Kawaguchi. This morning we travel by highway bus (with luggage forwarding) to Lake Kawaguchi, located at the foot of Mt Fuji in the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The scenery is stunning with panoramic views of a snow-capped Fuji most of the year. Upon arrival we’ll travel along the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and visit the observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr – 28 May each year we'll visit the Springtime Fuji Shibazakura (Phlox Moss) Festival held at Motosu Lake, where the landscape is covered in a vibrant, hot pink moss with Fuji as the backdrop. No trip to Japan would be complete without sampling authentic Japanese hospitality at a traditional ryokan (a Japanese inn), which is where we’ll bed down tonight. At the ryokan, sample tasty local cuisine and take a relaxing dip in the natural hot spring baths.

Day 6 : Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Elcient Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lake Kawaguchi – Kyoto. The area has some great hiking trails and early this morning you might like to opt for a hike along the foreshores of the lake. We then travel by bus to Mishima, then bullet train to Kyoto - Japan’s ancient and cultural capital.





As one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia, Kyoto is home to an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Here we enjoy a guided tour of Sanjusagen-do Temple, famous for its statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The one thousand life-size statues of Kannon are made of Japanese cypress clad in gold leaf. They stand in 10 rows of 50, each hand crafted and slightly different from the next. Late this afternoon we head to Gion, for a walking tour of this famous Geisha District. After, you may wish to watch a cultural performance at Gion Corner Theatre where you'll have the opportunity to see a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performing.

Day 7 : Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Elcient Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Nijo Castle, one of the city’s most impressive UNESCO sites. Built by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603, the exquisite Nijo Castle is a wonderful example of Momoyama architecture. After, we visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) a stunning Zen Buddhist temple and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The top two floors of the monument are completely covered in gold leaf. Set upon a small lake with landscaped gardens, the large completely gilt structure is impressive, as it is a beautiful Temple. Kinkakuji Temple continues to be one of Japan's most visited temples.





This afternoon offers free time for you to relax or to further discover the many sights of Kyoto your own way. Consider visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its winding path lined by thousands of bright red torii gates. Just a short train ride away from the main Kyoto Station, this must-see sight is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day. You might also wish to hire a Kimono and walk the streets as many Japanese do or take part in a cooking lesson.

Day 8 : Kyoto

Location: Kyoto, Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Saturday. On day 8 our tour comes to an end after hotel check out.





For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    3 star hotels & ryokans

  • 3 breakfasts and 1 Japanese dinner at the Lake Kawaguchi

  • 7 nights 3 star (inclusive of 1 night in a traditional Japanese Inn)

  • Lake Kawaguchi and Mt Fuji - Kachikachi-yama Ropeway and observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 14 Apr – 28 May each year we'll visit to the Fuji Shibazakura (Moss Phlox) Festival with Mt Fuji as the backdrop

  • Guided sightseeing and walking tours in Tokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi and Kyoto

  • Escorted by a licensed English speaking Japanese tour guide

  • All transportation and transfers - buses, trains and rail passes (including Suica Swipe Card)

  • Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo to Kyoto (one bag per person)

  • Airport arrival transfer to tour hotel (by train) from Narita or Haneda International Airport on day 1

  • Maximum Group size: 16 persons

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Airport departure transfer

  • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-5 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: USD$25-35pp, paid locally in local currency

  • If you are opting to pay the single supplement, allowing you the privacy of your own room on this tour, a single room will be provided for all nights with the exception of day 5 (at Lake Kawaguchi), where single rooms are not available. For this night you

Age Policy

16+ if accompanied by an adult.

Accommodation

Yaesu Terminal Hotel



Enjoying an enviable location on a cherry-blossom lined street in the centre of Tokyo, Yaesu Terminal Hotel is just a short jaunt away from the city’s main railroad station giving travellers easy access to locations across the city. A comfortable 3-star hotel with a natural theme, a permanent art exhibit in the hotel lobby and an in-house restaurant serving freshly prepared local cuisine; it is a soothing place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Hotel guests can make use of the free Wi-Fi, benefit from complimentary bathrobes and slippers and enjoy entertainment on a flat-screen TV.





Yamagishi Ryokan



With stunning views over Lake Kawaguchi, which is located just one minute away, the Yamagishi Ryokan is an excellent base for exploring the area around the lake. Rooms are designed according to traditional Japanese styles with low furniture and lots of natural light. Breakfast and dinner are both included with the room and are served in the hotel's dining room. After dinner, guests can take a dip in one of the hotel's baths or relax with a coffee in the lounge. The hotel is located just an 8 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station.





Hotel Mifujien



This Japanese-style hotel boasts stunning views over Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji from each of its guestrooms. Offering traditional low furniture and modern amenities, each room is also equipped with air conditioning and a TV. The views can be enjoyed from the hotel’s lobby, tea lounge and the Japanese restaurant, which uses local ingredients and offers a feast of traditional dishes. On the 7th floor you’ll find both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths with views of Mt. Fuji, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.





Hotel Elcient Kyoto



Boasting a fantastic location in the heart of Kyoto, Hotel Elcient Kyoto is within walking distance of top attractions such as Kyoto Tower and the picturesque Shosei-en Garden. Guestrooms are compact and simply furnished, complete with modern amenities such as air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Enjoy more than 30 different dishes at the Western and Japanese buffet-style restaurant, with light lunches and dinner also available. On the second floor you’ll find a large public bath and sauna, offering the perfect spot to relax after some sightseeing.





Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto



Located just a short walk from Kyoto Station and the lofty Kyoto Tower, you really cannot get more central than this! Combining convenience with comfort, this contemporary hotel boasts modern guest rooms with flat screen televisions, complimentary WiFi, refrigerators and ensuite bathrooms. Buffet breakfast is available, with a choice of local and western dishes on offer. The hotel is surrounded by a wide choice of shops and restaurants, and there are plenty of cultural landmarks just a short stroll away. After a day of sightseeing guests can relax with a soak in the hotel’s natural hot spring baths or opt for a sauna and massage.





Sanco Inn Kyoto Hachijoguchi Shikinoyu



Located just minutes away from Kyoto Station, the Sanco Inn provides 24-hour reception, with buffet breakfast available and complimentary WiFi. Each room is equipped with a desk, private bathroom, air conditioning, safety deposit box and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. With daily housekeeping, on-site vending machines, and luggage storage available, Sanco Inn will make for a convenient and comfortable stay in Kyoto.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival transfer to tour hotel (by train) from Narita or Haneda International Airport on day 1

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    7 nights 3 star (inclusive of 1 night in a traditional Japanese Inn)

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Catherine Maiden  

Best of Japan - 8 days

21-May-2019

Thank you Yuki - she made this trip perfect. My highlight was seeing a geisha and Mt Fuji.

Meryl Madden  

Best of Japan - 8 days

08-May-2024

Great tour and fantastic guide! All round five stars.

Nidal Baath  

Best of Japan - 8 days

18-Oct-2019

Very interesting and enjoyable Very professional from the time I started my inquiry about the tour, everything was detailed and clear. The agent was very helpful and cooperative to solve any issue I had. The tour was very informative and the tour guide was knowledgeable of the subjects that were explored

Deevi Williams  

Best of Japan - 8 days

01-Dec-2017

Tour guides were friendly and attentive and helpful which made the experience enjoyable. The flexibility to explore at our own pace was also very good and a nice balance between planned activities and free time. In Kyoto, may have been useful to have a coach bus as we spent a lot of time waiting for public transport which meant less time at sites.

Subhashini Mala Singh  

Best of Japan - 8 days

03-Jan-2024

Hello, my husband and I absolutely loved our tour of Japan. The guide was great and very helpful in letting us know where to go for meals, attractions not included in the tour and shopping. The guide was very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited and was very easy to get along with. We really enjoyed the tour, accommodation and service provided by On The Go Tours and will be booking other tours with On the Go Tours for our future holidays.

Shanice Mesquita  

Best of Japan - 8 days

25-Mar-2019

I really enjoyed the tour. Most of the arrangements and organisation was very good and our tour guide Yuki was amazing, super polite, patient,really took care of us, went over and above in making our holiday so enjoyable. From the daily well written with cute drawings on her daily schedules, tiny treats she bought us, to the knowledge and expertise in the way she took us through all the public transport so efficient, I give her top marks. My suggestions are few ....taking the bus in Tokyo was the most inconvenient. There were long waits and buses were overcrowded. Train rides were fine and agree the most efficient but local bus rides in Tokyo could have been on a tour bus instead. If the tour could add a few alternative like visiting The monster cafe, teamlab, robot restaurant, just to give it a mix from temples and museums and considering the varying age groups and interests. On the hotels, Kyoto and the traditional were good and location of hotel accommodations were very good , Tokyo hotel rooms were very tiny and I a single occupant found it difficult so can only imagine how the couple's managed but I guess it's usual and the location was really good so its a plus. Overall I did have a great holiday. I enjoy using your company on your escorted tours and will continue to do so. Thank you very much and please share our sincere appreciation with Yuki. Regards Shanice

Niki Miller  

Best of Japan - 8 days

09-May-2024

There was nothing wrong with the tour but comparing it to other tours we have done with OTG ie Egypt, Turkey, Morrocco which were out of this world. I didnt feel overall I learnt as much about Japan as I learnt about other countries. I dont eat Asian food but that is my preference and no reflection on the tour. Yumi was not in any way bad, but I'm comparing her to Momo, Lale and Yunis who were brilliant. She did help us with information we asked about extra things to do in our spare time that we had planned. The accommodation overall was okay but the Tokyo accommodation (i think it was Yaesu hotel) was terrible (room was so small) we paid for an upgrade. We stayed before and after the tour in Ryumeikan Hotel in Tokyo - one of the choices you guys offer and this was much better. I think taking ppl to the museum in Tokyo on day 4 was a waste. It should be something they can do on their own in spare time. Just a waste of a day. so many other things that could have been done. I love museums btw this was just flat though. Lake Kawaguchiko was awsum and a very authentic experience.

Ian Thomlinson  

Best of Japan - 8 days

27-May-2017

Excellent trip all round.

Jessica Hall  

Best of Japan - 8 days

09-Jun-2018

Yuki is a fantastic guide and such a lovely person! She gave us very clear information on what to expect each day, what we needed and where to meet. She was also very patient at explaining all aspects of Japanese culture and happy to answer any questions. She had excellent recommendations and knows the locations inside out. She works extremely hard to give guests the best experience. I can't imagine a better tour guide!

Read all 9 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 300 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.