Spectacular self-guided Japan tour with excursions
- Experience
- 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 nights
- Japan
- total price from £ 3,298.00 ]
- price based on: 2 adults
A fascinating self-guided tour of Japan’s highlights, from Tokyo to Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka and more, with excursions, flights and train transfers
The ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ has fascinated discerning travellers for centuries, with Japan’s diverse landscape and incomparable mixture of tradition and modernity making for an unforgettable trip. Discover it for yourself on this once-in-a-lifetime self-guided tour, where you’ll get up close to the country’s highlights at your own pace. You’ll start your journey in the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo, where traditional temples brush shoulders with futuristic skyscrapers and a bustling cosmopolitan scene, before continuing on to Kanazawa, a city known for its lush gardens, historic geisha district and artisanal crafts. From here, you’ll head to Hiroshima, whose tumultuous history is a testament to its resilience, before stepping further back in time in Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital whose narrow streets are lined with majestic temples and shrines. Your final stop will be Osaka, a dynamic city known for its delicious cuisine and lively atmosphere, where you can sample traditional Japanese hospitality.
This spellbinding escape comes with a host of perks to help you make the most of your trip, including a range of fantastic included and optional excursions with which to dive deeper into the country’s unique culture. What’s more, you’ll be travelling between cities by train, allowing you to experience Japan’s breathtaking scenery in comfort and style. With the option of including the Japan Rail Pass, you'll be able to really make the most of your free time by choosing your own train times and enjoying unlimited access to almost all of the JR network; this option is perfect if you want to travel at your own pace and explore locations beyond the itinerary. And with flights and hotels taken care of too, all you have to do is pack that bucket list!
Included
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12, 14 or 16-night tour of Japan
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Room-only basis
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E-sim included
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Day 4: Mount Fuji group tour with Kawaguchiko Lake
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Day 10 or 12: Full-day Kyoto and Nara guided group tour
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Range of optional tours and excursions
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English-speaking guide included during excursions
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Train transfers (Tokyo - Kanazawa; Kanazawa - Hiroshima; Hiroshima - Kyoto; Kyoto - Osaka) included with choice of Japan Rail Pass or individual train tickets
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Flight from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle to Ota, Narita and from Sennan District to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle
Day 1-4: Tokyo
Gaze out at one of the world’s most iconic skylines as you touch down in Tokyo, the first stop on your whirlwind Japan tour. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to settle in and rest after your travels - you’ll have the rest of the day and the following day to spend at your leisure. Why not set out an…
Read moreDay 5-6: Kanazawa
Today you’ll board a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a beachfront city on Japan’s main island of Honshu and one of the cultural hubs of Japan’s Edo period spanning the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, Kanazawa remains a magnet for history buffs and culture vultures: linger over the dream-like scenery o…
Read moreDay 7-8: Hiroshima
Hop on the train to proceed to Hiroshima today, where excellent cuisine, lively nightlife and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you here - the Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Alongside its long, fascinating and difficult history, today the city is …
Read moreDay 9-11: Kyoto
Enjoy another scenic train journey as you travel to Kyoto, Japan’s captivating ancient capital and a melting-pot of traditional architecture, gorgeous gardens, mouthwatering cuisine and more. Framed by the magical mountains of western Honshu, this enchanting spot is one of the world’s best preserve…
Read moreDay 12-14: Osaka
It’s off to Osaka today, Japan’s third-largest city and the final stop on your adventure. A lively metropolis with a unique old-meets-new charm, Osaka’s impressive cityscape balances towering glass skyscrapers with traditional edifices and tranquil woodland. The city’s two central districts of Kita…
Read moreDay 1-4: Tokyo
Gaze out at one of the world’s most iconic skylines as you touch down in Tokyo, the first stop on your whirlwind Japan tour. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to settle in and rest after your travels - you’ll have the rest of the day and the following day to spend at your leisure. Why not set out an…
Read moreDay 5-7: Kanazawa
Today you’ll board a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a beachfront city on Japan’s main island of Honshu and one of the cultural hubs of Japan’s Edo period spanning the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, Kanazawa remains a magnet for history buffs and culture vultures: linger over the dream-like scenery o…
Read moreDay 8-10: Hiroshima
Hop on the train to proceed to Hiroshima today, where excellent cuisine, lively nightlife and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you here - the Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Alongside its long, fascinating and difficult history, today the city is …
Read moreDay 11-13: Kyoto
Enjoy another scenic train journey as you travel to Kyoto, Japan’s captivating ancient capital and a melting-pot of traditional architecture, gorgeous gardens, mouthwatering cuisine and more. Framed by the magical mountains of western Honshu, this enchanting spot is one of the world’s best preserve…
Read moreDay 14-16: Osaka
It’s off to Osaka today, Japan’s third-largest city and the final stop on your adventure. A lively metropolis with a unique old-meets-new charm, Osaka’s impressive cityscape balances towering glass skyscrapers with traditional edifices and tranquil woodland. The city’s two central districts of Kita…
Read moreDay 1-3: Tokyo
Gaze out at one of the world’s most iconic skylines as you touch down in Tokyo, the first stop on your whirlwind Japan tour. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to settle in and rest after your travels - you’ll have the rest of the day and the following day to spend at your leisure. Why not set out an…
Read moreDay 4-5: Kanazawa
Today you’ll board a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a beachfront city on Japan’s main island of Honshu and one of the cultural hubs of Japan’s Edo period spanning the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, Kanazawa remains a magnet for history buffs and culture vultures: linger over the dream-like scenery o…
Read moreDay 6-7: Hiroshima
Hop on the train to proceed to Hiroshima today, where excellent cuisine, lively nightlife and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you here - the Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Alongside its long, fascinating and difficult history, today the city is …
Read moreDay 8-10: Kyoto
Enjoy another scenic train journey as you travel to Kyoto, Japan’s captivating ancient capital and a melting-pot of traditional architecture, gorgeous gardens, mouthwatering cuisine and more. Framed by the magical mountains of western Honshu, this enchanting spot is one of the world’s best preserve…
Read moreDay 11-12: Osaka
It’s off to Osaka today, Japan’s third-largest city and the final stop on your adventure. A lively metropolis with a unique old-meets-new charm, Osaka’s impressive cityscape balances towering glass skyscrapers with traditional edifices and tranquil woodland. The city’s two central districts of Kita…
Read moreDay 1-3: Tokyo
Gaze out at one of the world’s most iconic skylines as you touch down in Tokyo, the first stop on your whirlwind Japan tour. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to settle in and rest after your travels - you’ll have the rest of the day and the following day to spend at your leisure. Why not set out an…
Read moreDay 4-5: Kanazawa
Today you’ll board a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a beachfront city on Japan’s main island of Honshu and one of the cultural hubs of Japan’s Edo period spanning the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, Kanazawa remains a magnet for history buffs and culture vultures: linger over the dream-like scenery o…
Read moreDay 6-7: Hiroshima
Hop on the train to proceed to Hiroshima today, where excellent cuisine, lively nightlife and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you here - the Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Alongside its long, fascinating and difficult history, today the city is …
Read moreDay 8-10: Kyoto
Enjoy another scenic train journey as you travel to Kyoto, Japan’s captivating ancient capital and a melting-pot of traditional architecture, gorgeous gardens, mouthwatering cuisine and more. Framed by the magical mountains of western Honshu, this enchanting spot is one of the world’s best preserve…
Read moreDay 11-12: Osaka
It’s off to Osaka today, Japan’s third-largest city and the final stop on your adventure. A lively metropolis with a unique old-meets-new charm, Osaka’s impressive cityscape balances towering glass skyscrapers with traditional edifices and tranquil woodland. The city’s two central districts of Kita…
Read moreDay 1-4: Tokyo
Gaze out at one of the world’s most iconic skylines as you touch down in Tokyo, the first stop on your whirlwind Japan tour. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to settle in and rest after your travels - you’ll have the rest of the day and the following day to spend at your leisure. Why not set out an…
Read moreDay 5-6: Kanazawa
Today you’ll board a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a beachfront city on Japan’s main island of Honshu and one of the cultural hubs of Japan’s Edo period spanning the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, Kanazawa remains a magnet for history buffs and culture vultures: linger over the dream-like scenery o…
Read moreDay 7-8: Hiroshima
Hop on the train to proceed to Hiroshima today, where excellent cuisine, lively nightlife and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you here - the Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Alongside its long, fascinating and difficult history, today the city is …
Read moreDay 9-11: Kyoto
Enjoy another scenic train journey as you travel to Kyoto, Japan’s captivating ancient capital and a melting-pot of traditional architecture, gorgeous gardens, mouthwatering cuisine and more. Framed by the magical mountains of western Honshu, this enchanting spot is one of the world’s best preserve…
Read moreDay 12-14: Osaka
It’s off to Osaka today, Japan’s third-largest city and the final stop on your adventure. A lively metropolis with a unique old-meets-new charm, Osaka’s impressive cityscape balances towering glass skyscrapers with traditional edifices and tranquil woodland. The city’s two central districts of Kita…
Read moreDay 1-4: Tokyo
Gaze out at one of the world’s most iconic skylines as you touch down in Tokyo, the first stop on your whirlwind Japan tour. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to settle in and rest after your travels - you’ll have the rest of the day and the following day to spend at your leisure. Why not set out an…
Read moreDay 5-7: Kanazawa
Today you’ll board a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a beachfront city on Japan’s main island of Honshu and one of the cultural hubs of Japan’s Edo period spanning the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, Kanazawa remains a magnet for history buffs and culture vultures: linger over the dream-like scenery o…
Read moreDay 8-10: Hiroshima
Hop on the train to proceed to Hiroshima today, where excellent cuisine, lively nightlife and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you here - the Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’ of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Alongside its long, fascinating and difficult history, today the city is …
Read moreDay 11-13: Kyoto
Enjoy another scenic train journey as you travel to Kyoto, Japan’s captivating ancient capital and a melting-pot of traditional architecture, gorgeous gardens, mouthwatering cuisine and more. Framed by the magical mountains of western Honshu, this enchanting spot is one of the world’s best preserve…
Read moreDay 14-16: Osaka
It’s off to Osaka today, Japan’s third-largest city and the final stop on your adventure. A lively metropolis with a unique old-meets-new charm, Osaka’s impressive cityscape balances towering glass skyscrapers with traditional edifices and tranquil woodland. The city’s two central districts of Kita…
Read moreExcursions
Included excursions
Day 4: Mount Fuji group tour with Kawaguchiko Lake
Embark on a bucket-list excursion to Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain. Start by meeting your guide at 7.45am in Shinjuku or at the Tokyo bus station, and as you journey towards this UNESCO World Heritage Site, keep an eye out for other iconic sights like Lake Kawaguchi, Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Gotemba Premium Outlet Centre.
Day 10 or 12: Full-day Kyoto and Nara guided group tour
Start at the impressive Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, before visiting a traditional Kyoto townhouse built some 120 years ago. Stick around here for lunch, or if you prefer, use the time to visit the Imperial Palace or go straight to the city’s famous Kinkaku-ji Temple. After that, continue on to Nara, Japan’s eighth-century capital that’s home to those famous wild deer. While here, you’ll also spot the largest wooden building in the world, the UNESCO-listed Todai-ji Temple, as well as Japan’s largest Buddha statue.
Optional excursions
If you’d like to make your trip even more unforgettable, you can also book the following optional excursions. These excursions can be selected in the booking process.
Day 3: Private full-day Tokyo city tour
Get ready for a private full-day tour of Tokyo, your initiation into the city’s diverse cultural and culinary scene. Savour a tasty lunch in the hip Shimokitazawa district and traditional Japanese sweets at a Kanmidokoro café, before hopping on the train to the famous Shibuya district to shop for souvenirs and enjoy delicious takoyaki (octopus balls). Round off the day with a sake tasting in one of the area’s trendy bars, before returning to Shibuya’s train station to head home.
Day 6: Full-day Kanazawa group city tour with audio guide
Enjoy a self-guided city tour through the neighbourhoods of Kanazawa, following a special navigation app along selected routes. And with the added benefit of accompanying audio commentary, you can organise your day as you wish without having to forego the knowledge of expert guides.
Day 8 or 9: Hiroshima and Miyajima Island group bus tour
Tick off two UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a full-day bus tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima. You’ll begin by driving to the Peace Memorial to visit the Peace Museum and learn about the city’s turbulent past. After that, take a break and enjoy lunch at a local eatery - you’ll want to try okonomiyaki, also known as ‘Japanese pizza.’ Next up, you’ll take a ferry to Miyajima, where you’ll get to tick off iconic sights like the Itsukushima Shrine, Gojunoto Pagoda, and Toyokuni Shrine. Your final stop will be for some free time on the Omotesando shopping street, before heading back to Hiroshima Station.
Day 13 or 15: Self-guided Osaka audio group tour
Follow an audio-guide app to 10 of Osaka’s most famous sights, and immerse yourself in the city’s myths, culture and history.
Excluded
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Tips and gratuities
Buy now, pay the rest later
Did you know, you can book now and pay the rest later with our convenient deposit payment option? If you book this deal 35 days prior to your departure, you can choose to pay in instalments. The deposit will be 50% of the deal’s price, plus any extras you may decide to add (i.e. travel insurance). You can review the instalment amounts and due dates in the last step before placing your booking.
Additional Information
Conditions | Your booking is a direct contract between you and Secret Escapes Limited for the provision of your package. Secret Escapes acts as a tour operator responsible, and is therefore liable for the proper execution of the agreement. The Secret Escapes Terms and Conditions (A) apply to this booking. The Secret Escapes Cancellation Terms and Conditions apply to this booking. |
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Passport, visa and health requirements | The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements, before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals. |
Price changes | Please note that the flights included in this offer are subject to live availability and price, and can change during your booking process. When this is the case, we will always notify during the booking process. |
Tour occupancy | Max 2 people in a 14 nights Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 16 nights Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 14 Nights Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 12 nights - individual train tickets included Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 14 nights - individual train tickets included Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 16 nights - individual train tickets included Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 12 nights - JR Pass included Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 14 nights - JR Pass included Max 2 adults and 1 child up to age of 6 in a 16 nights - JR Pass included |
Child occupancy | Please note that a child will share a bed with the parents for the duration of the trip. |
Flight times | Please note that flights may be subject to change, delay or postponement by the provider and that flight times are provisional. Don't forget to check the actual flight times before departure on the website of the airline or the airport to avoid inconvenient surprises. |
Travel documents | You will receive all documents relevant to your trip, 7 days prior to departure at the latest |
Extra flight nights | Please note that there may be an extra night on the plane or in transit |
JR Pass conditions |
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JR Pass areas of validity |
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How to exchange the JR Pass | The JR Pass will be delivered directly to your first hotel in Tokyo. It will be waiting for you to collect upon check-in. This allows you to conveniently pick up the pass and activate it on day 5, in time for your first journey from Tokyo to Kanazawa. You can exchange this at the train station upon departure. |
JR Pass seat reservation |
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JR Pass luggage allowance |
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Individual train ticket offers | Please note that if you opt for one of these offers, the train schedule must be strictly adhered to, and any changes to the schedule are not permitted. Should you wish to make adjustments, they will need to be arranged independently and will incur additional costs. Trains in Japan typically run very promptly, so please arrive at the station in plenty of time. |
Emergency contact | For emergencies or urgent matters, the provider is available via SMS, WhatsApp or by calling, at +66922472382. |