Tour Description

A tale of four iconic cities and two former capitals—your epic journey through Japan blends old and new, with soul-stirring visits to ancient centres and modern cities. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.

Priced From:

$ 10615pp ^*

From: 2026-01-09

To: 2026-12-14

Start Location: Tokyo, Japan

End Location: Osaka, Japan

Trip Type: Asia

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Michelle Baldwin

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Konnichiwa Tokyo

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower

Tokyo’s futuristic cityscape launches your journey through Japan’s modern centres and ancient capitals. On arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport, you’ll be transferred by airport shuttle to your hotel. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner with drinks.

Explore Vibrant Tokyo Dive Into Culture

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower

This morning, Dive into Culture with a Local Specialist and learn the mesmerising, rhythmic art of Taiko drumming, one of Japan’s most popular cultural icons. Enjoy lunch at a Sumo-themed izakaya, then continue to the old-time entertainment centre of Asakusa to visit the Sensō-ji Buddhist Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple site. Take a stroll down Nakamise shopping street before boarding a cruise along the Sumida River to admire Tokyo’s modern skyline, the traditional neighbourhoods of old Edo and the beautiful Hama-rikyū Garden. Later, return to your hotel for time at leisure.

Majestic Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower

The slopes of snow-capped Mt. Fuji welcome you as you journey from Tokyo to this UNESCO-listed site. Admire views of the surrounding countryside from its 5th station, a vantage point at 2,300 metres (weather permitting). After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the shores of Lake Kawaguchi. On a clear, still day, you may even catch the perfect reflection of Mt. Fuji mirrored in the lake’s calm waters—a picture-perfect moment.

Continue to Kyoto

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

Leave Tokyo, travelling by high-speed bullet train to Kyoto, another former capital of Japan and the centre of Japanese culture for centuries. On arrival, you’ll embark on a walking tour of the Gion District, embracing the energy of Kawaramachi street. Visit Kinkakuji Temple, whose glittering golden pavilion is widely regarded as the symbol of Kyoto, before returning to the hotel for an evening of leisure.

Discover Enchanting Kyoto

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

Visit one of Kyoto’s highlights—the historic and scenic district of Arashiyama, renowned for its cherry blossom trees that bloom in spring and its stunning landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the towering bamboo groves and see the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. Connect with nature in the Zen gardens of Tenryuji Temple, then spend some free time at Nishiki Market, a traditional food market known to locals as “Kyoto’s Pantry.” Return to your hotel or consider joining an optional Japanese tea ceremony experience.

Admire Ancient Nara Make Travel Matter

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

Start the day off with a visit to Sumiyama Village and discover the stunning Kiyomizu Pottery which originated about 500 years ago in central Kyoto. Learn about the work of the craftsmen and about how they had to move out of the city and into a more rural area due to concerns from the local citizens about air pollution. Next 'Connect With Locals' over a 'Be My Guest' lunch with a local farmer at his home. Gain insights into the life of his family while sampling fresh tea and indulging in a delicious home-made meal, then visit his tea plantation. This afternoon delve into the ancient history of Nara, the first permanent capital city of Japan. Here you’ll visit the landmark Todaiji Temple, one of the powerful Seven Great Temples and home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. Take a stroll around Nara Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming tame deer before returning to Kyoto for an evening at leisure.

Bullet Train to Hiroshima Dive Into Culture

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Rihga Royal

This morning, board a high-speed bullet train to Hiroshima, a lively city that celebrates peace in the shadow of the previous century’s devastation. Your first stop is to a local restaurant where you’ll enjoy an Okonomiyaki lunch. This afternoon, take the ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the famous UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine and elaborate torii gate rising majestically out of the sea. Learn how to make Momiji Manjyu, one of the local specialities, shaping your steamed bun like a maple leaf and filling it with sweet red bean paste. You’ll have an opportunity to sample your work before returning to Hiroshima by ferry.

Experience Hiroshima

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Rihga Royal

This morning, head to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and see the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial, the only structure left standing when the first atomic bomb exploded in 1945. Take a moment to contemplate its symbolic expression of hope for world peace. Spend the afternoon at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience.

Onwards to Osaka

Day 9

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Sheraton Miyako

Today, take the high-speed bullet train to Osaka. On arrival, embark on an orientation drive through the central city for your first glimpse of sights including the incredible Umeda Sky Building, before checking in to your hotel. Admire the panoramic views of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory – an open-air viewing platform that straddles the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

See the Sights of Osaka

Day 10

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Sheraton Miyako

Start the day with a visit to Osaka Castle, learning how this rebuilt landmark has watched over the city through centuries of change. Later, join a Local Specialist to walk through downtown Osaka and the Dotonbori area, passing canalside eateries, neon signs and narrow Hōzenji Yokocho with its lanterns and small temple. You’ll then have free time to shop for last-minute gifts, try street food like takoyaki or explore more of the city. This evening, come together for a final dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travellers to mark the end of your journey through Japan.

Sayonara Osaka

Day 11

Duration: 1

Your journey revealing Japan's past and present is at its end, take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward flight.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2026-01-09

End Date: 2026-01-19

twin

Child Price: 10865

Adult Price: 10995

triple

Child Price: 10785

Adult Price: 10915

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 12415

Start Date: 2026-02-06

End Date: 2026-02-16

twin

Child Price: 10565

Adult Price: 10695

triple

Child Price: 10485

Adult Price: 10615

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 11915

Start Date: 2026-03-20

End Date: 2026-03-30

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13740

Adult Price: 13870

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15530

Start Date: 2026-03-27

End Date: 2026-04-06

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13740

Adult Price: 13870

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15530

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-13

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13740

Adult Price: 13870

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15530

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-20

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13740

Adult Price: 13870

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15530

Start Date: 2026-04-17

End Date: 2026-04-27

twin

Child Price: 13795

Adult Price: 13925

triple

Child Price: 13715

Adult Price: 13845

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15725

Start Date: 2026-05-08

End Date: 2026-05-18

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13740

Adult Price: 13870

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15290

Start Date: 2026-05-29

End Date: 2026-06-08

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13740

Adult Price: 13870

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15290

Start Date: 2026-06-12

End Date: 2026-06-22

twin

Child Price: 13620

Adult Price: 13750

triple

Child Price: 13620

Adult Price: 13750

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15150

Start Date: 2026-06-26

End Date: 2026-07-06

twin

Child Price: 13620

Adult Price: 13750

triple

Child Price: 13620

Adult Price: 13750

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15150

Start Date: 2026-07-17

End Date: 2026-07-27

twin

Child Price: 13295

Adult Price: 13425

triple

Child Price: 13265

Adult Price: 13395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 14825

Start Date: 2026-08-14

End Date: 2026-08-24

twin

Child Price: 12065

Adult Price: 12195

triple

Child Price: 11985

Adult Price: 12115

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 13415

Start Date: 2026-09-04

End Date: 2026-09-14

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13795

Adult Price: 13925

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15350

Start Date: 2026-09-18

End Date: 2026-09-28

twin

Child Price: 11965

Adult Price: 12095

triple

Child Price: 11945

Adult Price: 12075

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 13625

Start Date: 2026-10-02

End Date: 2026-10-12

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15475

Start Date: 2026-10-16

End Date: 2026-10-26

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15475

Start Date: 2026-11-06

End Date: 2026-11-16

twin

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

triple

Child Price: 13820

Adult Price: 13950

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 15475

Classic Japan

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices