Japan is a magical place where old and new collide. A country full of incredible natural beauty, futuristic neon cities, world-famous food and a culture steeped in tradition that captivates you from the moment you arrive. We are incredibly proud of this trip, which was voted number 1 in the world! We've rounded up the best of the best and put together a 10-day itinerary that shows you the ultimate highlights from Tokyo to Osaka. Learn how to hand-roll sushi, take a kendo class with a descendant of a real samurai warrior, watch giant robots dance in Tokyo, go in search of geishas in Kyoto's Gion district, explore incredible temples, sample world-famous food and stay in a real, traditional Japanese temple. This will be the trip of a lifetime.
Do you have more days? This tour is also available as a 14-day extension, including Hiroshima. (Japan Adventure 14 days).
Detailed information about the tour and accommodation can be found below and in the tour PDF. This can be found further down on this page.
Duration of the journey: 10 days / 9 nights
Start: Tokyo
End: Osaka
Transport: All transport included during the tour, including bullet train (Shinkansen), underground, Romance Car & more
Meals: 4x breakfast, 1x lunch, 3x dinner
Group size: max. 22 travellers
Accommodation: Double and multi-bed rooms, overnight stays in a temple and guest house
Age range: 18-45 years
International flights to and from the destination are not included in the price. We will be happy to provide you with a non-binding flight offer. Simply send us an enquiry.
10 days
International Group Tour
English
22 people
Land in Tokyo! You arrive at your traditionally designed hostel in Tokyo in the Asakusa district and are greeted by your tour guide. Tonight you'll be invited to feast and get to know the rest of your group. After dinner, when the crowds have dispersed, we'll explore the iconic Senso-ji temple in Tokyo by night!
Accommodation: Twin room - Sakura Hotel Nippori (or similar)
Activities: Welcome dinner, Senso-Ji Temple
Suggestions for leisure time: Tokyo Skytree
Meals: Dinner
Physical rating: Low
We start the morning with an introduction to Japanese culture. You will learn simple Japanese customs and phrases to help you find your way around the country. Then we'll make our way to the birthplace of Japanese teen pop culture, Harajuku. We then head to Yoyogi Park, home to the beautiful Meiji Shrine.
Then it's off to Akihabara - Tokyo's „electro city“ - where we are dazzled by the many neon lights and chaotic shops. You can challenge each other in the arcades, visit the famous Maid Cafés or simply stroll around the neighbourhood.
Accommodation: Twin room - Sakura Hotel Nippori (or similar)
Activities: Japan orientation, Tokyo neighbourhoods
Suggestions for leisure time: Maid Cafe
Meals: Breakfast
Physical rating: Medium/High
In the morning after breakfast, we'll set off on our own private sushi course! You will learn how to make miso soup, three types of sushi and the secrets of teriyaki! A vegetarian option is possible, but you must inform your tour guide/One Life one week before the start of the tour. Tonight we'll head to Shinjuku where we'll see the unrivalled Tokyo skyline, visit the famous Omoide Yokocho alley and have dinner before seeing the famous Shibuya pedestrian bridge.
Accommodation: Twin room - Sakura Hotel Nippori (or similar)
Activities: Japan orientation, Tokyo neighbourhoods
Suggestions for leisure time: Maid Cafe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Physical rating: Medium/High
Today we will travel to the stunning mountain town of Hakone on the aptly named „Romance Car“. After checking into our guesthouse in the mountains, we'll spend the day exploring the surrounding area by various modes of transport. Why is Hakone so special? Well, not only is the food incredible, but you also get spectacular views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). After a day of exploring and taking photos of Japan's most famous mountain, we will have a traditional Japanese nabe family dinner at our guesthouse and end the day with some games.
Accommodation: Double/triple tatami mats - Gora Gaku Guesthouse (or similar)
Activities: Sightseeing of Mt Fuji, romantic car
Suggestions for leisure activities: N/A
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Physical assessment: Medium
Today is the day we travel on the world-famous Shinkansen for the first time. Watch them fly by on the platform before boarding one of the fastest trains in the world.
Look out for Mt Fuji on the way. The first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage city of Takayama. Here we will spend the night in an impressive temple. In the afternoon, we will sample sake at a local brewery and you can even treat yourself to the famous Hida beef!
Accommodation: Shared room -Zenkoji Temple (or similar)
Activities: Sake tasting, temple visit, Takayama old town tour
Suggestions for leisure time: Onsen/public bathhouse
Meals: N/A
Physical rating: Low
Start the morning with a walk through the beautiful old town and village of Takayama and a visit to the morning market on the banks of the Miyagawa River. We then take the high-speed train to Kyoto. In the evening, a local guide will lead us through Kyoto's Gion neighbourhood, which is known for its geisha (Japan's traditional entertainment art) - if you're lucky, you might even see one.
Accommodation: Shared room -Ryokan Hostel Gion (or similar)
Activities: Morning market walk, Gion District Walking Tour
Suggestions for leisure activities: Geisha performance
Meals: N/A
Physical assessment: Medium
We get up before sunrise and take the underground to Fushimi-Inari Shrine. We arrive early to avoid the tourist crowds and work our way through the mountain and explore the endless red gates. We then make our way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of the most famous temples in Japan. A breathtaking complex made of bamboo and wood, perched high in the mountains. Finally, we take part in a traditional tea ceremony, where you can even borrow kimonos!
You have the rest of the day at your leisure.
Accommodation: Pod-style per person -Ryokan Hostel Gion (or similar)
Activities: Kiyomizu-Dera, Fushimi-Inari, tea ceremony
Optional extras: Kimono hire
Suggestions for leisure time: Nishiki market
Meals: N/A
Physical rating: Medium/High
We make our way to the breathtaking Golden Pavilion, a beautiful golden building surrounded by a lake. We then head to Daitoku-ji, a tranquil, leafy complex of ancient temples. In the afternoon, we take part in a traditional kendo class in the dojo where it all began. Your authentic Bushido teacher, a descendant of a Japanese samurai, will show you the way of this respectful martial art.
Accommodation: Pod-style per person -Ryokan Hostel Gion (or similar)
Activities: Golden Pavilion, Zen garden, Kendo course
Suggestions for leisure time: Heian Shrine
Meals: N/A
Physical assessment: Medium
The day begins with a train journey to Arashiyama, a town surrounded by mountains with a river running through it. The programme includes a visit to the bamboo forest, a climb up Monkey Mountain and a traditional Japanese boat trip through the valleys. We then continue to Osaka, where we explore the famous Dotonbori neighbourhood in the evening. We will get to know the food, the people, the lights and the colours of the "cuisine of Japan" before ending the tour with karaoke in the evening.
Accommodation: Triple Share Hotel WBF Namba Motomachi (or similar)
Activities: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkey Mountain, boat tour, Dotonbori, food tour, karaoke
Optional extras: Advanced karaoke
Suggestions for free time: Osaka Canal boat tour
Meals: Dinner
Physical rating: Medium/High
After you've wracked your brains over last night, it's time to say goodbye to your group and the new friends you've made on your tour. We hope we've shown you the best Japan has to offer!
Meals: Breakfast
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