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Discover Japan

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14 days From £5,990 £5,790 per person
4.4 stars(47 reviews)
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Explore the Land of the Rising Sun by rail

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Save £200pp on all Worldwide holidays, when you book by 30th April 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: JAG24

About the tour

Ancient ceremonies meet futurism in this astonishing country of contrasts. Discover the mysteries, traditions and unique culture of Japan in an itinerary packed with adventures - travel on high-speed bullet trains, experiencing the peace of the countryside and the buzz of its cities.

Unforgettable experiences

Kyoto
Kyoto
Take a guided tour of beautiful Kyoto, plus dinner and a tea ceremony
Island of Miyajima
Island of Miyajima
See the centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
Visit to Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest peak at 12,400 feet and an active volcano
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Discover the poignant site of Hiroshima and the World Peace Museum
Bullet Train
Bullet Train
Experience Japan's world-famous bullet train, speeding through captivating landscapes on a journey like no other
Discover how miso and sake are made
Discover how miso and sake are made
Delicious Japanese cuisine is renowned all over the world. Gain an insight into two of its most important aspects by learning how the distinctive miso paste is made and explore how traditional sake is brewed.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Tokyo

We take an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Tokyo, Japan's dynamic capital.

Day 2 - Tokyo

We get our first taste of the city with some time at the observatory deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Here we can soak in the panoramic views of the iconic Tokyo skyline.

Day 3 - Tokyo

We get to know Tokyo more today as taking a full-day tour by coach, beginning at the Hamarikyu Garden in Tokyo Bay, an example of the precise art of Japanese gardening. Afterwards, we visit the 1,400-year-old Asakusa Temple, dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, continuing to Meiji Jingu Shrine then experiencing the famous Shibuya crossing - the busiest intersection in the world.

Day 4 - Hakone

After a free morning, we travel to Hakone by train for the night. Lying in the foothills of Mount Fuji, Hakone is a stunning destination of crystal-clear lakes, dense forests, and bubbling thermal pools. We transfer to Owakudani, known for its sulphurous hot springs, then ride the cable car along the Hakone Ropeway, with panoramic views of Mount Fuji. On reaching Togendai, we descend to Ashi, a lake at the caldera of Mount Hakone, for a short cruise beneath a backdrop of snow-covered mountains.

Day 5 - Mount Fuji

We travel by coach to Mount Fuji, Japan's most distinctive landmark. Driving along the base of the mountain, we arrive at the Mount Fuji Visitor Centre to learn more about this world-famous wonder. Next we continue to Oishi Park, where there are fabulous views of this iconic Japanese mountain. From Mount Fuji, we continue to Matsumoto for an overnight stay.

Day 6 - Learning about miso and visiting Matsumoto’s historic ‘black castle’

An English-speaking guide joins us at our hotel after breakfast today as we explore this charming city. First up, we enjoy a guided tour of a miso factory to discover why this paste - a mixture of fermented soya beans with salt and other umami-based ingredients - is so important in Japanese cooking.

Continuing to Matsumoto Castle, we encounter a five-storey pagoda-style fortress known as 'Crow Castle' due to its unusual black exterior. Built in the 1500s, this is the oldest remaining castle of its kind in Japan.

After time to look around, we continue to Takayama on the renowned Mitsuboshi Kaidou road. This scenic route presents Japan in all its verdant glory, with steep-sided mountains carpeted with forests. In Takayama, we visit the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum which depicts more than 30 rustic farm dwellings from the Edo Period, with their dark-wood exteriors and deep thatched roofs.

Our 4-Star hotel is on the edge of Takayama, a fascinating town of narrow streets and wooden houses.

Day 7 – Takayama and the bullet train

We explore Takayama on a guided tour this morning, taking in the traditional Kami Sannomachi Street and Jinya Old House. Our next stop is the Miyagawa Morning Market where we see a neat array of stalls selling local farm products and handicrafts. We then journey on the Hida Train to Nagoya before continuing on the extraordinary bullet train to Hiroshima for two nights. After unprecedented devastation in WWII, Hiroshima's parks and museums now stand as embodiments of peace.

Day 8 - Miyajima Island

Travelling by tram and boat to Miyajima Island today, we leave modern life behind to soak up the tranquillity of this secluded destination known for its age-old temples and fairytale forests. We enjoy a walking tour which includes a visit to Itsukushima Shrine and the iconic Great Torii Gate that guards its entrance. Partially submerged at high tide, it was built in the 12th century and is an enduring image of traditional Japan. Your afternoon is free back in Hiroshima. You could visit Hiroshima Castle, which houses traditional Japanese artefacts and artwork, or head to a café or restaurant to sample the city's famous dish, okonomiyaki - a delicious savoury pancake.

Day 9 – Hiroshima and Kyoto

This morning we visit the World Peace Memorial Park and A-Bomb Dome, both poignant re-minders of the destruction levelled on Hiroshima in 1945. Later, we take the renowned bullet train to Kyoto for three nights, a city that's a living museum of the country's artistic heritage, with an impressive 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. We enjoy a walking tour of the Gion district, then indulge in a Japanese dinner in Ponto-chō Alley, a lantern-lit street filled with authentic restaurants and shops. This traffic-free alleyway is one of the few places where you might catch a glimpse of a real-life Geisha.

Day 10 - Kyoto sightseeing

We discover Kyoto on a full-day's guided tour. We start with a traditional tea ceremony, enjoying an insight into Japanese culture as we learn how to brew, serve and drink this distinguished drink in the traditional way. We continue to Kinkakuji Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple set beside a lake which reflects its golden façade. We also visit the interesting Railway Museum, and the Kiyomizu Temple, a Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage site, set in the hills above the city.

Day 11 - Nara

We visit Nara, briefly the capital of Japan - an attractive, compact city of narrow streets set with a backdrop of wooded hills. Here we enjoy a walking tour, taking in the beautiful Todai-ji Temple, an early 8th century Buddhist building. The ornate structure is recorded as the largest wooden building in the world, and its Great Buddha is the world's largest bronze Buddha statue. We also visit a Sake brewery for an insight into this traditional beverage, as well as Nara's serene Deer Park. The animals here roam freely and are so used to humans, they'll even bow in greeting.

Day 12 - Osaka

We make our way via the Sagano Bamboo Path to Osaka for the night, futuristic port city which we learn about on a guided tour that includes the Floating Garden Observatory. From this unique vantage point, we enjoy panoramic views over the city and its lively Dotonbori district. We continue to Dotonbori itself. The city's 'entertainment district', Dotonbori is the beating heart of Osaka and recognisable by it bright neon lights.

Day 13 - Osaka to London

After a free morning in Osaka we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to London Heathrow via Tokyo.

Day 14 - London

We arrive back in London today, where your to comes to an end.

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Some hotels may vary. All alternative hotels are of a comparable standard.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hakone Hotel, Hakone

Hakone Hotel, Hakone

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Hotel Granvia Hiroshima

Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, Hiroshima

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Rihga Royal Hotel, Kyoto

Rihga Royal Hotel, Kyoto

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Hotel Buena Vista, Matsumoto

Hotel Buena Vista, Matsumoto

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Sheraton Miyako Hotel

Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Osaka

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Hotel Associa Takayama

Hotel Associa Takayama, Takayama

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Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo

Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo

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Train

Bullet Trains

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 47 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (28)
  2. 4 stars
    (13)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (2)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Woody

4 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

Overall a great trip. First-class tour guide (Jill) and local guide (Akiko). Fascinating snapshot of Japan. Group size of 38 was too large, and hotel rooms could get a bit stuffy if no opening window. Otherwise excellent.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Woodroffe, Thank you for your review. I am glad to see that you had an excellent trip! I will make sure to pass your comments across to our Product team so we can look at reviewing the group size and hotels for the future. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Barbara

5 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

Just returned from an absolutely wonderful full on itinerary holiday. Itinerary was varied and with the aid of the local guide who was extremely informative introduced us to new experiences. We had a very good Travel Guide who travelled with us from the start and provided support where needed. Loved the country, so clean, trains ran on time and people we met were friendly and smiling. What more can you ask for in a holiday.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Ms Ridout, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Ch Wilson

5 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

Excellent

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Wilson, Thank you for your review. That is great to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Ian

5 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

We saw everything we hoped we would and had the expertise of an excellent local guide and tour manager. The trip made full use of all available time on the itinerary schedule. The sights, culture, people, trains and cities all lived up to expectations. The opportunity to eat authentic food each day and to have great hotels to stay in made the trip perfect.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Smith, Thank you for your review and those wonderful photos! That is brilliant to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Susan

3 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

Itinerary needs some modification.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Ticehurst, Thank you for your review. I will make sure to pass your feedback across to our Product team who can review this tour itinerary for the future. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Paul

5 stars

Submitted 27 Oct 2023

Full on trip to japan. The title, Discover Japan, was correct. Great local guide gave us a brilliant insight to his country.

Collected by Trustpilot

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