Highlights of Japan - 14 days
Highlights of Japan - 14 days
Highlights of Japan - 14 days
14 Days Starting and ending in Tokyo, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Nagano, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Kurashiki, Kyoto
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 14
Age range:
6-
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 14-day journey through Japan, exploring its vibrant cities and serene landscapes. Begin and end your adventure in Tokyo, where modernity meets tradition. Experience the spiritual tranquility of Nagano's Zenko-ji Temple and the historic charm of Matsumoto. In Takayama, enjoy two free days to delve into local culture and cuisine. Discover Kanazawa's preserved beauty and Hiroshima's poignant history, with an optional visit to Miyajima Island. Pedal through Kurashiki's rural Kibi plains and immerse yourself in Kyoto's rich heritage, including a guided tour of the Gion geisha district. Travel seamlessly with included transportation, savor local delicacies, and enjoy comfortable accommodations throughout. This small group tour offers a perfect blend of guided experiences and free time, ensuring a memorable exploration of Japan's highlights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1-2: Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Richmond Asakusa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
On arrival in Japan, you will be greeted at the airport by a driver and transported via a shared shuttle bus to our accommodation in Asakusa, a neighborhood known for its traditional charm. Join a welcome meeting with our tour leader later that evening and opt to dine with your fellow travellers at a nearby restaurant.
On day 2, we embark on a comprehensive walking tour of Tokyo alongside our tour leader, utilizing the city's efficient public transportation system. Our journey takes us through a variety of attractions, ranging from the serene Meiji Shrine to the vibrant Harajuku shopping district, and from the historic Asakusa neighborhood to the modern skyscrapers of Shinjuku. If you wish to explore independently today instead of joining the tour, your tour leader will be available to assist you in crafting your itinerary.
Accommodation: Richmond Asakusa or similar
Day 3: Nagano
Location: Nagano
Accommodation Name: Zenkoji Yakuo-in or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tokyo - Nagano. Today, we travel to Nagano, nestled amidst scenic mountains and famed for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. This charming city is celebrated for Zenko-ji, a revered temple in Japanese culture. Spend the afternoon discovering Nagano's delights, followed by an optional meal of local soba noodles with your tour guide and the chance to unwind in rejuvenating hot spring baths. Tonight, we'll stay in traditional Japanese-style accommodations at a shukubo lodge affiliated with Zenko-ji, featuring tatami mats, sliding doors, and cozy futon beds.
Accommodation: Zenkoji Yakuo-in or similar
Day 4: Matsumoto
Location: Matsumoto
Accommodation Name: Kagetsu or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nagano - Matsumoto. Experience Buddhist morning prayers in Nagano and tuck into a traditional breakfast of shojin ryori, traditional Buddhist cuisine. The day's itinerary then depends on when you are travelling. You will either enjoy an included visit to see the snow monkeys in Yudanaka (2024 departures) or explore Obuse and the Hokusai Museum with its impressive collection of ukiyo-e woodblock prints (2025 departures and beyond). We are staying in the city of Matsumoto.
Accommodation: Kagetsu or similar
Day 5-6: Takayama
Location: Takayama
Accommodation Name: Iwatakan or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Matsumoto - Takayama. We journey through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. There are two free days here for you to explore how you wish. Takayama offers a variety of activities, from exploring the festival float museum and old town streets to visiting the world headquarters of the Sukyo Mahikari cult and browsing the many craft shops. Your accommodations for the next two nights will be at a family-run inn, complete with Japanese-style rooms, onsen hot spring baths, and a delectable kaiseki dinner.
On day 6, why not start at the vibrant morning market before visiting the Hida no Sato folk village, an outdoor museum showcasing traditional thatched-roof farmhouses? End the day with a sake tasting at local breweries in the old town. Dinner is not provided, so be sure to try the local delicacy, Hida beef, for a delightful culinary experience.
Accommodation: Iwatakan or similar
Day 7: Kanazawa
Location: Kanazawa
Accommodation Name: Square Hotel Kanazawa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Takayama - Kanazawa. Situated on the Japan Sea coast, Kanazawa is renowned for its historical significance and architectural beauty. Similar to Kyoto, the city's historical landmarks were spared from air raids during World War II, allowing visitors to experience the charm of pre-war Japan in its old town areas.
During our visit, make sure to stroll through the Nagamachi samurai quarter, explore the Chaya geisha district, and indulge in some fresh sushi from the Omicho fish market. A must-see attraction in Kanazawa is Kenrokuen, a breathtaking landscape garden that is ranked among Japan's top three. Don't miss the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of Kenrokuen during your visit to Kanazawa.
Accommodation: Square Hotel Kanazawa or similar
Day 8-9: Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation Name: Washington Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kanazawa - Hiroshima. Spend two leisure days in Hiroshima exploring the city and visiting the Peace Park and Museum, which commemorate the tragedy of 1945. In addition to these historical sites, Hiroshima offers world-class art galleries, a manga library, a restored castle, and the Mazda Museum for visitors to enjoy. On day 9, consider taking a ferry to Miyajima, a beautiful island in the Seto Inland Sea known for its traditional community, friendly deer population, and iconic Itsukushima Shrine with its "floating" torii gate. Before leaving, be sure to try Hiroshima's local specialty, okonomiyaki, a delicious and affordable cabbage- or noodle-based pancake cooked at your table.
Accommodation: Washington Hotel or similar
Day 10: Kurashiki
Location: Kurashiki
Accommodation Name: Dormy Inn Kurashiki or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hiroshima - Kurashiki. Kurashiki, often overlooked on typical Japan itineraries, is a charming town with a rich history. The canal district serves as the heart of the town, featuring traditional shops, cafes, and museums housed in ancient storehouses from the Edo era. The Ohara Museum, a standout among the local museums, showcases the first permanent collection of Western art ever exhibited in Japan.
You can explore Kurashiki independently today, or join an optional cycling excursion through the Kibi plains. This picturesque route offers a glimpse of Japan's natural beauty and historical sites, including rice fields, burial mounds, temples, and Buddhist cemeteries.
Accommodation: Dormy Inn Kurashiki or similar
Day 11-12: Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: Gracery Kyoto Sanjo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kurashiki - Kyoto. Kyoto, an ancient imperial capital, is considered Japan's most significant repository of culture and history. It served as Japan's capital for over a thousand years and boasts an impressive 17 World Heritage Sites, including temples, shrines, and exquisite gardens. On day 11 there's an included tour of the traditional Gion geisha district, where you might catch a glimpse of a geisha as evening approaches.
On day 12 in Kyoto, our tour leader will lead you on a personalized tour of the city's hidden gems based on the group's interests, the season, and the weather. Alternatively, you can explore these gems on your own. Whether it's the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, the red gates of Fushimi Inari, the Nishiki food market, or Gion's teahouses, Kyoto offers a multitude of attractions that will leave you spoiled for choice.
Accommodation: Gracery Kyoto Sanjo or similar
Day 13-14: Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kyoto - Tokyo. On day 13 we travel back to Tokyo on the shinkansen bullet train, with a chance to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji. Take this opportunity to do some last-minute souvenir shopping and visit any sights you may have missed before.
Consider visiting the Skytree, the tallest tower in the world at 634 meters (2,080 feet), or renting a karaoke booth in Shinjuku to sing your heart out with your new friends.
Although dinner is not included tonight, we recommend joining your group for a farewell meal at one of the tour leader's favorite restaurants in the city to celebrate the end of a fantastic trip.
On the morning of day 14, it will be time to bid farewell to Japan and take the airport limousine bus to catch your departure flight. Wishing you a safe journey home.
Accommodation: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku or similar
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 star hotels -
13 breakfasts & 1 dinner
Enjoy 13 breakfasts and 1 dinner during your stay.
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13 nights 3 star hotels and traditional accommodation
Stay in 3-star hotels and traditional accommodations for 13 nights.
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Escorted by a tour leader
A tour leader will escort you throughout the trip.
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Arrival transfer on day 1
Receive an arrival transfer on the first day of your trip.
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All relevant transportation and transfers including by minibus and train
All necessary transportation and transfers, including minibus and train, are included.
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Transport card with 2,500 Yen (USD $16) credit for city transport
A transport card with 2,500 Yen credit for city transport is provided.
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Entrance to Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano
Entrance to Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano is included.
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Entrance to Jigokudani Monkey Park (2024) or Obuse Hokusai Museum (2025)
Entrance to Jigokudani Monkey Park in 2024 or Obuse Hokusai Museum in 2025 is included.
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Geisha district walking tour
Enjoy a walking tour of the Geisha district.
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Luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Matsumoto
Luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Matsumoto is included.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included.
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Local transport when not covered by one of the included passes
Local transport not covered by the included passes is not included.
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Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
Entrance fees for shrines, temples, and museums are not included.
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Baggage handling and luggage forwarding unless otherwise specified
Baggage handling and luggage forwarding are not included unless specified.
Age Policy
Minimum age: 6 years, accompanied by an adult
Mode of Transport
Travel through Japan with all relevant transportation and transfers, including minibus and train journeys. Enjoy a transport card with 2,500 Yen credit for city transport, arrival transfer on day 1, and luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Matsumoto.
Accommodation
Enjoy 13 nights in 3-star hotels and traditional accommodations, including stays at Richmond Asakusa, Zenkoji Yakuo-in, Kagetsu, Iwatakan, Square Hotel Kanazawa, Washington Hotel, Dormy Inn Kurashiki, Gracery Kyoto Sanjo, and Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku or similar.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 13 nights in 3-star hotels and traditional accommodations, such as a shukubo lodge in Nagano and a family-run inn in Takayama with Japanese-style rooms.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 13 breakfasts and 1 dinner. The dinner is a kaiseki meal provided during the stay in Takayama.
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Is transportation included in the tour?
Yes, all relevant transportation and transfers are included, such as travel by minibus and train. A transport card with 2,500 Yen credit for city transport is also provided.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a walking tour of Tokyo, entrance to Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, a visit to Jigokudani Monkey Park or Obuse Hokusai Museum, and a walking tour of the Gion geisha district in Kyoto.
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Is there a tour leader accompanying the group?
Yes, the tour is escorted by a tour leader who will guide you throughout the trip and assist with crafting itineraries for independent exploration.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 6 years, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Is there Wi-Fi access during the tour?
Yes, shared portable Wi-Fi access is provided throughout the trip.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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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+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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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.