Original
Explorer
Rail
Japan Highlights
8 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
129 reviews
8 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJSH
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £2,455(8 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore all the highlights of Japan in just over a week! This is a cultural and culinary whirlwind from the streets of Tokyo to the eats of Osaka.
Experience the many sides of Shibuya in Tokyo, from busy intersections to the tranquility of the ancient Meiji Shrine and the quirky fashion of Harajuku.
Visit a local tea farm and learn about harvesting tea leaves and making Japanese green tea, then settle into your farm stay, pick some fresh ingredients from the farm and prepare a home-cooked, farm-to-table feast with your hosts for the perfect blend of Japanese hospitality and country life.
Ride the rails like the locals, from lightning-fast bullet trains to scenic mountain rails offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Veer off the busy tourist track with a visit to Mishima – a small town built on the old lava flow of Mt Fuji – then head to the cultural heart of Kyoto, where you can dive into local history and traditions among shrines, geishas and a 300-year-old sake brewery.
Is this trip right for you?
Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.
Itinerary
Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, sampling all the sake in between
Home of the sumo, geishas, sake, karaoke, onsen and izakaya – Japan is a feast for all your senses. This eight-day journey hits all the right spots, giving you a true appreciation for the land of the rising sun. Absorb the bustle of Tokyo before heading into the countryside for a farm stay with local tea harvesters and a walk along a 400-m suspension bridge with spectacular views of iconic Mt Fuji. Travel on a futuristic bullet train to Kyoto and step into this nation’s history before wrapping up your adventure in the foodie paradise of Osaka. This is THE trip to take in Japan!
Inclusions
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Included activities
Tokyo - welcome meeting and orientation walk
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
Mishima - Mishima Skywalk
Kawane - Homestay & Home-cooked Dinner
Kawane - Tea Farm Visit & Tea Brewing & Tasting
Kawane - Scenic Train Ride
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market
Kawane - Home-cooked Japanese Breakfast
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Sake Brewery Visit & Tasting
Osaka - Dotombori and Kuromon Street Food Walking Tour
Optional activities
Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
Tokyo - Yoyogi Park - Free
Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
Mishima - Mishima Taisha Shrine - Free
Mishima - Rakujuen Park - JPY300
Mishima - Kakitagawa Park - Free
Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
Kyoto Tower - JPY900
Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY600
Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Important notes
1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
Reviews (133)
5 stars
112
4 stars
15
3 stars
3
2 stars
3
Brenna
Jun 07, 2025
The tour of Japan I took with Intrepid will be unforgettable forever. The people I met in this group have been so lovely that the only bad part is having to say goodbye to them and this wonderful place.
Phillip
May 24, 2025
My tour guide was so knowledgeable and patient with our group during our public transportation. Japan can be a little daunting to navigate at a glance but with the help of intrepid, it was a breeze.
Stephen
May 24, 2025
As a first time user of the company I can recommend them especially for gaining experience of a country when short on time. The guide was lovely too throughout the trip.
David
May 24, 2025
A fun and worthwhile brief introduction to three Japanese cities, with a highlight being a homestay in the middle of the week. Lots of navigating train stations on the trip but the guide makes this okay.
Matthew
May 24, 2025
Intrepid was a fun trip and as the first time visiting to Japan I thought the trip was exceptionally well organized and the hospitality and engagement was extremely well and thought out! Jane is also a a great tour guide and I appreciate her help!
Avarie
May 20, 2025
I loved and highly recommend the Japan Highlights tour for someone who has never been to Japan. It was FANTASTIC. A lot was squeezed into the short week and I loved every minute. The tour guide, Chad, was outstanding in every way and really made the trip perfect. He was so knowledgable, organized, patient and fun! The hotels were just perfect and had great breakfasts! There is a lot of time spent on trains and buses but that goes with the territory and also enables you to see different aspects of Japan. There is a LOT of walking which I actually really enjoyed, but just know that. I regretted that my day pack for the overnight tea farm stay was too heavy as I had to walk quite a bit with it, including uphill - thigh work-out! Speaking of the tea farm stay - it was so lovely and definitely a highlight! Do weather research right before you leave so you can PACK LIGHT, I brought 3 sweaters I never wore but was glad I brought a light puffer jacket and hoodie. I had to buy a bag to take home purchases lol! I loved this trip so much and am excited for you if you are planning to go!
James
May 02, 2025
The week tour really helped us prepare for our second week self guided tour
Rachel
Apr 25, 2025
Wonderful experience & taste of Japan. Yuki - tour guide was outstanding, very enthusiastic & well organised tour with an amazing small group experience. Tour certainly delivered the Highlights of Japan. Loved the free time & medium pace of the tour. Thank you Intrepid we will be joining you again somewhere around the world.
Kirsti
Apr 25, 2025
Our group of 12 had an amazing tour with the BEST guide, Yuki who’s organised, knowledgeable and fun. A perfect way to see Japan’s highlights with free time to explore. Highly recommend!
Kristine
Apr 24, 2025
Our trip Japan Highlights was amazing. We enjoyed fantastic cultural experiences from the temples to culinary delights. Our tour guide Chad made the experience all the more enjoyable with his patience and knowledge. We loved every minute!!
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