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Self-Guided Land of the Rising Sun

Japan in 16 Days, 14 Nights in Destination

From

£ 4,909

£ 2,699

/person

-45%

Hannah, Travel Expert

Hannah
Travel crafter

Our most complete journey through Japan, travel by rail to explore its most important cities and discover historic Hiroshima and charming Kanazawa.

Trip Highlights

  1. map-pin-check-icon
    Hiroshima
  2. map-pin-check-icon
    Kanazawa
  3. map-pin-check-icon
    Kyoto
  4. map-pin-check-icon
    Osaka
  5. map-pin-check-icon
    Tokyo

Included

  1. All flights

  2. Accommodation

  3. Some transfers

  4. Activities

Availability

  1. Departures available until December 2025

  2. Available Group tours

  3. Solo travelers from + £ 400

  4. Add up to 3 nights to your stay

  5. WHAT'S THIS?

Categories available

  1. charm included

  2. superior from + £ 200

  3. WHAT'S THIS?

Book with an expert:

+44 20 76 60 34 10

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Exoticca is fully ABTA and ATOL protected

Our Travel Protection takes care of you

More info

Itinerary

Discover the beauty of Japan, travelling by train with an included Japan Rail Pass. Get to know the neighbourhoods of Asakusa, Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo. Explore the picturesque landscapes of Kanazawa and discover the traditional district of Higashi Chaya. Fall in love with the traditions of Kyoto, discover the poignant history of Hiroshima and get lost in modern Osaka.

1st Day: UK/Ireland - Night on board

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Arrival at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Tokyo. Night on board.*

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

2nd Day: Tokyo

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Arrive in Tokyo, a dazzling metropolis rich in history and tradition. You will be met at the airport by our representative who will talk you through your itinerary, deliver your travel documents, provide helpful information and recommendations for your free time and assist you with your self-transfer to the hotel. Once settled at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to start discovering this exciting city of contrasts and its delicious cuisine. We recommend heading to one of the many food markets where you can sample lots of different dishes at bargain prices! Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

245 Reviews

See our full selection

3rd Day: Tokyo

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Today, take a full-day tour of the city of Tokyo by bus including the most important sights in the city. Self-transfer to the famous 'Love' statue in Shinjuku from where the tour will depart at 7.50AM*. Drive past Harajuku shopping district and stop to visit the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine. See the Imperial Palace area among other highlights before stopping in the historic neighbourhood of Asakusa, home to the Senso-ji Temple Kaminari-mon Gate and the Nakamise shopping avenue. Enjoy a Matcha tasting experience and a Japanese lunch at a local Izakaya restaurant and climb the Tokyo Skytree tower, from which you will admire the infinite Tokyo skyline. In the afternoon, board a river cruise that will take you through the Tokyo Bay to the Odaiba island and end the tour back at Shinjuku. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Warning: Please leave your hotel with time and plan your self-transfer ahead. The bus will leave at 8AM with no exceptions. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

245 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Full day Tokyo city tour

Light

See more

4th Day: Tokyo

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On this day, come face-to-face with legendary Mount Fuji. Depart by bus at 7.45AM from the same meeting point in Shinjuku than the day before and head up to the Fuji's 5th Station. At this height, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views from above the clouds. After strolling around this area from which mountaineers start their journey to the summit, you will stop for a lunch at the Oshino Shinobu ninja-themed village. 

After lunch break, the bus will take you to Owakudani valley, also known as "Hell Valley". Here you can see hot springs and volcanic activity and even try the famous "black eggs", boiled in the sulfur pits. From there, you will ride the Hakone ropeway down to Lake Ashi, where you will be able to get a stunning view of Fuji's silhouette whilst sailing on this pristine lake. Finally, return by bus to Shinjuku Station and overnight stay in Tokyo.

Warning: Please leave your hotel with time and plan your self-transfer ahead. The bus will leave according to schedule with no exceptions. 

Please note: If road conditions or unforeseen circumstances restrict the ascent to the 5th station, you will instead travel the highest elevation possible considering the circumstances. The same also applies for the cruise on Ashi Crater Lake; if conditions or circumstances prevent sailing on the lake, alternative visits and experiences will be taken to replace the activity.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

245 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Mt.Fuji Excursion & Hakone Full-Day Bus Tour

Moderate

See more

5th Day: Tokyo

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Enjoy a day exploring Tokyo at your leisure, getting to know the shopping districts of Akihabara, known for its anime culture and camera bargains, or Shibuya, where you can see its iconic crosswalk and eclectic restaurants. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

245 Reviews

See our full selection

6th Day: Tokyo - Kanazawa

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Using your Japan Rail Pass*, travel to Kanazawa, a historical jewel of a city and home to some of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens. We recommend visiting the historic Higashi Chaya district, filled with traditional tea houses where you will be able to see the celebrated geishas perform. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

* This is the first day you will use your JR Pass in your itinerary. You will need to activate it at a JR office of Tokyo station before using it for the first time. The Pass allows you to book any JR train or bullet train free of charge (except for Mizuho and Nozomi trains and except for Superior class seats). You will be able to choose the train departure time or combination on that day that best suits you but be aware that there might exist different train combinations (direct, changing trains once, changing trains twice, etc) depending on your departure time, which can affect the entire trip duration. 

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Tokyo station and from Kanazawa station to your hotel. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa ... or similar
tripadvisor rating

462 Reviews

See our full selection

7th Day: Kanazawa

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Spend the day at your own pace using the 24h Kanazawa bus pass to visit the city highlights. If you prefer a great adventure to immerse yourself in authentic Japanese traditions, we recommend our full-day excursion to Shirakawago and Kanazawa City*. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

*Optional Full-Day adventure tour to popular Shirakawago and Kanazawa city: Embark on a captivating full-day adventure starting from Kanazawa’s historic Higashi Chaya District, renowned for its traditional geisha culture. Delight in a hands-on gold leaf workshop and savor the unique experience of gold leaf ice cream. Your journey will then take you to the enchanting village of Shirakawago, famous for its picturesque Gassho-style houses that resemble hands joined in prayer. Explore this fairytale setting, one of Japan’s most stunning destinations. Continue to Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens, where you can marvel at the beauty of all four seasons. Throughout the day, immerse yourself in Japanese culture by creating traditional sweets (Wagashi) or painting Daruma dolls, depending on the schedule.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa ... or similar
tripadvisor rating

462 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

Optional
Full day tour of Kanazawa and the Shirakawa-go village

Moderate

See more

8th Day: Kanazawa - Hiroshima

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Today, travel to Hiroshima using your Japan Rail Pass. Arrive in the modern city of Hiroshima, sadly destroyed in the most part in 1945 by the first atomic bomb ever, making it a moving destination to explore. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Kanazawa station and from Hiroshima station to your hotel. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Mitsui Garden Hiroshima or similar
tripadvisor rating

844 Reviews

See our full selection

9th Day: Hiroshima

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Today you will have the opportunity to be your own guide with a 24h tram pass that you can use to move around the city at your own pace. We strongly recommend taking advantadge of the 24h tram pass and the JR Pass to catch a tram and board a ferry free of cost to get yourself to Miyajima island. 

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this island, where deer roam free and where the Great Torii and Itsukushima shrine seem to float during high tide. From here you can also enjoy an included night cruise around Miyajima island to relax yourself on the deck feeling the salty sea breeze. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Mitsui Garden Hiroshima or similar
tripadvisor rating

844 Reviews

See our full selection

10th Day: Hiroshima - Kyoto

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Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Kyoto, the capital of the Japanese Empire for 11 centuries. We recommend exploring the emblematic neighborhood of Gion, known for its traditional architecture and admired geishas. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Hiroshima station and from Kyoto station to your hotel. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by... or similar
tripadvisor rating

19 Reviews

See our full selection

11th Day: Kyoto

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Set off this morning on a Kyoto Highlights Full-Day Bus Tour to discover the beautiful and historical ‘cultural capital’ of Japan. On this exciting excursion you’ll visit the Fushimi Inari, the most important of the many shrines dedicated to Inari, the deity of good harvest and success, known for its emblematic red ‘gates’. Next visit the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. Pay a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple next, known as the temple of the Golden Pavilion as the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Finally, experience the immense natural beauty of the Arashiyama bamboo forestLunch included. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by... or similar
tripadvisor rating

19 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Kyoto Highlights Full-Day Tour

Moderate

See more

12th Day: Kyoto

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Spend today at your leisure, exploring the delights of Kyoto at your own pace. Why not discover the historic Nijo Castle or the Philosopher's Walk, a beautiful footpath along a cherry-tree-lined canal? We recommend an optional afternoon excursion to the peaceful city of Nara.* Overnight stay in Kyoto.

* Optional Nara Excursion: Head to Nara for a tour of two World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Encounter wild deer up close while walking through Nara Park, a rarity in Japan and worldwide and discover Todai-Ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest wooden structures.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by... or similar
tripadvisor rating

19 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

Optional
Afternoon Nara Excursion

Moderate

See more

13th Day: Kyoto - Osaka

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Today, take a local train* to travel to Osaka. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to discover this charming city. We recommend visiting the Kuromon local market and its Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building, from which there is an unforgettable panoramic view of the city. Overnight stay in Osaka.

* The local train transfer Kyoto - Osaka does not have a fixed schedule. Passengers can exchange their ticket at any time during the transfer day and choose the departure time that best suits their plans. The local train departs from Kyoto station. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Agora Place Osaka Namba or similar
tripadvisor rating

254 Reviews

See our full selection

14th Day: Osaka

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Spend the day at your own pace for a self-guided visit of Osaka. You will have at your disposal an Osaka Metro + City Bus card to discover the city's main areas. You will also have an admission ticket for the Osaka Castle, where you have the chance to learn about the history of one of Japan's most famous landmarks. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Agora Place Osaka Namba or similar
tripadvisor rating

254 Reviews

See our full selection

15th Day: Osaka

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Spend the day at your leisure exploring the cultural delights of Osaka. Get to know the local area and sample the iconic local cuisine. In fact, the street food markets of Osaka are said to be the best in the country! Overnight stay in Osaka.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Agora Place Osaka Namba or similar
tripadvisor rating

254 Reviews

See our full selection

16th Day: Osaka - Night on board

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Sadly it's time to say goodbye to the Land of the Rising Sun. On this day, use your Airport shuttle bus ticket to transfer from Osaka to the Osaka airport. Night on board.

Select a day to go to next step

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October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
January 2025

Categories Available:

charm

From £ 2,699

Selected

  • Accommodation in Charm category hotels
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superior

From £ 2,899

  • Accommodation in Superior category hotels.

Accommodation: 14 Nights

Included activities

Included

Japan Welcome pack

Included activity for day 2

Welcome pack including Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival, SIM Card to stay connected at all times and Tokyo 72h Subway Pass.

Physical rating:

Light

Included

Full day Tokyo city tour

Included activity for day 3 in Tokyo

Visit Tokyo highlights as Meiji Shrine and the Asakusa area. Enjoy a matcha tasting experience and a Japanese lunch before climbing Skytree tower to see a panoramic view. Finish with a cruise to Odaiba island.

Duration 09:00h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

Physical rating:

Light

Please note that you must be on time at the meeting point in front of Shinjuku's "Love" statue. Plan in advance your self-transfer and how to find the right exit from Shinjuku station.

more information
Included

Mt.Fuji Excursion & Hakone Full-Day Bus Tour

Included activity for day 4 in Mount Fuji

Ascend by bus to Subashiri 5th Station on Mount Fuji. After lunch, sail across Lake Ashi while enjoying unforgettable views. Ride the Hakone cable car to admire the sulfur fields and the volcanic Owakudani valley.

Duration 10:00h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

Physical rating:

Moderate

Please note that you must be on time at the meeting point in front of Shinjuku's "Love" statue. Plan in advance your self-transfer and how to find the right exit from Shinjuku station.

more information
Included

Kyoto Highlights Full-Day Tour

Included activity for day 11 in Kyoto

First, discover the Fushimi Inari shrine with its emblematic red gates. Next visit the Kiyomizu-Dera and the Kinkakuji Temples, and finally enjoy the immense natural beauty of the Arashiyama bamboo forest.

Duration 08:30h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

Physical rating:

Moderate

more information

Available Activities

Activities are subject to availability. The price for each optional activity will be shown in the next step of the booking process.
Optional

Full day tour of Kanazawa and the Shirakawa-go village

Suggested activity for day 7 in Kanazawa

Start in Kanazawa's historic Higashi Chaya District with a gold leaf workshop and a tasting of gold leaf ice cream. Explore the picturesque village of Shirakawago and visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens.

Duration 09:00h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

Physical rating:

Moderate

This activity does not operate on Tuesdays. The tour starts from Kanazawa station. You will need to self-transfer between your hotel and the meeting point.

more information
Optional

Afternoon Nara Excursion

Suggested activity for day 12 in Nara

Head to Nara on the Kintetsu Express Train and visit two World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Stroll through the enchanting beauty of Nara Park and discover Todai-Ji Temple. Return train travel included.

Duration 05:30h Approx. Pick up time: 13:30 Approx

Physical rating:

Moderate

This tour doesn't operate on a daily basis and it has different departure days every month.

more information

The price includes

  • premium-care-icon
    Included in all our trips. more information
  • Departures from main UK/Ireland departure airports.
  • International flights: UK/Ireland - Tokyo, Osaka - UK/Ireland.
  • Tokyo Subway Pass 72h, Kanazawa 24h bus pass, Hiroshima tram 24h pass, Kyoto Bus/Subway Pass 24h, local train from Kyoto to Osaka, bus transfer Osaka - Osaka airport.*
    more information
  • 14 nights accommodation in Charm category hotels.**
    more information
    See hotels included
  • 7-day Japan Rail Pass.***
    more information
  • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
    See itinerary
  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
  • Japanese SIM Card (only internet - up to 3GB).
  • ATOL Protection.
  • Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival.****
    more information

*The cancellation policy applicable is according to the Terms and Conditions available and agreed at the time of your purchase

Not included

Meals, arrival airport transfer and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

This tour doesn’t include a guide on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of each passenger to self-transfer between hotels and meeting points for activities/excursions and between hotels and JR train stations. 

The Japan Rail pass does NOT cover the NOZOMI or MIZUHO class bullet trains. On some train journeys you will need to transfer trains to get to your destination. 

A number of Japanese cities impose an accommodation tax, which must be paid directly to the hotel. In Hiroshima, a Tourist tax of 100 JPY / person must be paid when boarding the ferry to Miyajima island starting October 2023. 

Activities/excursions in Tokyo and Kyoto include a guide, while in Kanazawa, Hiroshima & Osaka they are completely independent.

*Airport transfer only included for flights departing from 9AM. For earlier departures it's the client responsibility to self-transfer to the Osaka airport.

**Non-smoking rooms: unfortunately, hotels in Japan have a reduced number of non-smoking rooms and we can not guarantee you will be allocated one advance.

<<The physical Japan Rail Pass is sent to each clients' home before their trip>>

Please send an email to customers@exoticca.com with the full Address where you want to receive the JR Pass. 

***We recommend activating your Japan Rail Pass on day 5 of your trip, before taking the train Tokyo - Kanazawa. The Pass can be used during 7 days, which will cover your train journeys between Tokyo-Kanazawa, Kanazawa-Hiroshima and Hiroshima-Kyoto. To activate the Pass, please visit any JR Office at a major JR train station and request the activation (the Pass can't be activated at minor stations such as metro or non-JR train lines). The Pass allows you to use any JR train, bullet train, JR bus lines or the Hiroshima-Miyajima ferry line free of charge.

The JR Pass does not come with fixed train schedules, so it is the customer’s responsibility to choose their train combination and train departure time. We recommend departing in the morning to have more train options to choose from and to avoid arriving to the next city too late. 

Baggage allowance on the trains is the same as the international flight allowance - there is no weight restriction. 

The local train transfer Kyoto - Osaka does not have a fixed schedule. Passengers can exchange their ticket at any time during the transfer day and choose the departure time that best suits their plans. 

****Airport Meet & Greet: An agent will be waiting for you at the Arrivals hall of the airport, where they will deliver all necessary documents for this trip (transportation tickets, Sim card, activities information and meeting points, etc). They will talk you through your itinerary, provide helpful information and recommendations for your free time and assist you with your self-transfer to the hotel

Whenever the Meet & Greet service can't be arranged or you can't find them at the arrival hall (due to flight delay, arrival terminal sudden change, etc), the travel documents will be sent to your hotel. 

For those passengers who book a trip without international flights through Exoticca, you will need to share your flight details with us with at least 30 days before arrival to Japan if you want to enjoy the M&G service.

  • Entry requirements

    Valid passport with at least six months validity.

  • Visa

    No visa is required.

  • Currency

    Japanese Yen.

  • Language

    Japanese.

  • Electricity

    110 V. Adapter required.

  • Health

    There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from the UK.

  • Time zone

    UTC + 08:00 or UTC + 09:00.

  • Other useful information

    You are not expected to leave a tip.

  • Tourist Office website

    https://us.jnto.go.jp/

Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

This is a semi-escorted tour, during which only some of the booked activities are carried out with a local English-speaking guide. There is no 24-hour guide on site.

If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +44 20 8068 3176 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Pay in installments

Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.

Rest is paid in instalments according to your departure date.

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