From $4999.00 per person
1 Private minimum quantity: 1
Private maximum quantity: 15
Cancellation Policy
Once booked and confirmed, this tour is eligible for a 70% refund if you cancel at least 60 days in advance of the tour date. Cancellations after this deadline are non-refundable..
Activities
- City/Town Tour at Harajuku
- Leisure at Sensoji Temple and Kyoto
- Sightseeing at Jigokudani Monkey Park, Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, Tottori Dunes, and Fushimi Inari-taisha
- Local Flavor at Hagi and Tottori city
- Cycling at Hagi Castle
Explore the essence of Japan on this 13-day journey through its vibrant cities and rich history. Start in Tokyo, where modern skyscrapers meet ancient shrines and head to Mt. Fuji for tranquil lakes and iconic views. In Kyoto, get lost in the beauty of golden temples and serene gardens, while Nara’s friendly deer and towering Todaiji Temple transport you back in time. Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial offers a somber but powerful experience, and Osaka’s buzzing streets, delicious street food, and neon lights add a fun, energetic end to your adventure.
Languages – English
Difficulty – Easy
Recommendations
– Comfortable clothes
– Comfortable shoes
Lodging
– Hotel (For reference only, subject to change.):
– Tokyo: the b asakusa or similar
– Kanazawa: HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Kanazawa or similar
– Kyoto: Park Hotel Kyoto or similar
– Hiroshima: Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel or similar
– Osaka: Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI Hotel or similar
Highlights
- Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome
- Explore Miyajima Island and the floating Itsukushima Shrine
- Enjoy stunning views of Mt. Fuji and its lakes
- Discover Osaka’s lively districts, including Osaka Castle and Dotonbori
The tour, Back Roads Of Japan will begin in Tokyo.
Upon arrival check in to Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour.
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Accomodation Included.
Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho.
City/Town Tour at Harajuku
Today we will be exploring Tokyo
Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through to Harajuku.
Transportation at Sensoji Temple
Towards the afternoon you will have Free Time to explore what Tokyo has to offer. Optional activities are listed below.
– Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) Free – 1000JPY per person.
– Sensō-ji Temple (Free)
You will need meals for the day as they are not included.
Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho (or similar)
Board a local Bullet Train from Tokyo to Nagano
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train. Journey to Nagano, located in the Japanese Alps and host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Check in to, Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Higashiguchi as accommodation.
Sightseeing at Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigokudani Monkey Park Visit
Discover the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and watch Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs.
You will need your own meals for the day as they are not included.
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Higashiguchi (or similar)
Sightseeing at Matsumoto Castle
Nagano to Matsumoto
Today, you’ll be spending some time in Matsumoto and its surroundings. Enjoy a day-trip to quaint Matsumoto and visit one of Japan’s most treasured castles.
Stop at the castle of Matsumoto one of Japan’s most treasured castles, maintaining it’s original wooden interior and stone exterior.
Sightseeing at Zenkoji Temple
Matsumoto to Nagano
Return to Nagano and explore historic Zenkoji Temple. Buddhist temple of Zenkō-ji, one of the last remaining pilgrimage sites. Built in the 7th century, the city of Nagano was built around the already standing structure.
Meals are not included, make sure to bring something to munch on.
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Higashiguchi (or similar)
Travel from Nagano to Ōtsu in the morning
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride. Travel to Otsu in Shiga prefecture, located on the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake.
Check in to, Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel.
Food: Enjoy Japan’s largest Lake, Lake Biwa
Relax with a stroll around this picturesque lake before heading out to enjoy a delicious bowl of Ramen for dinner.
Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel (or similar)
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride from Ōtsu to Hagi
Grab a quick breakfast before heading off, on a long travel day. In the late afternoon, arrive in the quaint city of Hagi, a former castle town that boasts feudal architecture.
Check in to, Homestay in Hagi.
* Please note that before leaving Ōtsu, you’ll need to prepare your day pack/overnight bag for a two-night stay in Hagi, as your main luggage will be sent on to Tottori. Remember to include comfortable clothing for a cycling excursion and two nights at the homestay. If you’re travelling during the cold weather season, please refer to your Packing List.
Meals included for the day, Breakfast | Dinner
Local Flavor at Hagi
Dinner time with the family!
Take part in a welcome ceremony with the local residents, and meet your host family at a community homestay, a G Adventures for Good project. Get to know each other as you enjoy dinner together.
Homestay in Hagi (or similar)
Spending some time in Hagi
Explore rural Hagi on a guided morning cycle with your CEO, spotting samurai architecture along the way. On return, experience authentic Japanese countryside life by partaking in seasonal activities with the community. Your CEO may be willing to cycle past Hagi Castle.
Local Flavor
Return to your homestay in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner with your host family. Learn about local history and customs, and enjoy a home-cooked meal with your hosts.
Homestay in Hagi (or similar)
Travel from Hagi to the Miho-Misumi Station
Bid farewell to your host family after enjoying breakfast together. Later, travel to Miho-misumi by train, taking in scenic views along the way.
Don’t forget to check in to your accommodation at New Otani Tottori once you arrive in Tottori.
Transportation
Traditional “Washi”
Learn the traditional art of “washi” paper making. Take home your handmade washi as a memento. UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese paper before continuing to the seaside town of Tottori.
Travel from Mihomisumi to Tottori via train.
New Otani Tottori (or similar)
Spend the morning in Tottori, explore the Tottori Sand Dunes
Located along the coast of the Sea of Japan, the Tottori Sand Dunes (or “Tottori Sakyu”) were formed thousands of years ago when sand was washed away from a nearby river.
Don’t forget to check in to your accommodation, Agora Kyoto Karasuma
Local Flavor at Tottori city
After,
Visit the local fish market. Check out Tottori’s harbour fish market, home to fresh seafood and some of Japan’s best crab. opt for a fresh seafood lunch.
Transportation
Travel from Tottori to Kyoto
In the late afternoon, travel to Kyoto for two nights in the traditional heart of Japan. Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Once in Kyoto, make sure to secure your accommodation. Go out for the evening or relax for the night.
Make sure to prep meals as they are not included.
Agora Kyoto Karasuma (or similar)
Sightseeing at Fushimi Inari-taisha
Don’t forget to visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine!
Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area.
Leisure at Kyoto
Free Time!
Explore more of this cultural hub, here are some ideas of places you can visit.
* Gion Walk / free – Walk through Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district.
* Nijo Castle and Gardens / Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603.
* Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion / Explore Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, named for the temple’s top two floors that are covered in gold leaf.
* Kiyomizu Temple / per person. Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and part of Kyoto’s UNESCO listed sights.
Make sure to prep meals as they are not included.
Agora Kyoto Karasuma (or similar)
Now leaving Kyoto, thank you for visiting!
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure. We highly recommend booking post-nights to explore more of this beautiful city.
*NOTE* For travellers flying out of Kansai International Airport (KIX), please find the public transit options below (please note that taxis can become quite expensive in the late hours)
1) By train – departing from Kyoto station, the limited express “Haruka” Train goes directly to the airport. The last train to the airport leaves Kyoto station at 20:30.
2) By bus – departing from Kyoto station, with several stops along the way. The last bus to the airport leaves Kyoto station at 22:10.
What's Included?
- Food
- 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners
- Lodging
- - Hotels (8 nts), Homestay (2 nts, multi-share).
- - Japan is one of the most populous countries in the world and space is at a premium. Therefore, hotel rooms are small! Additionally, many Japanese hotels do not have designated non-smoking rooms. Therefore, we ask hotels to deodorize rooms before check in.
- - Ryokan are traditional inns found across Japan. Featuring tatami floors (soft mats of woven straw), futon beds, Japanese-style baths, cotton kimono (casual robe worn to lounge around or to head to the bath), and elaborate meals (often served in the comfort of your own room), a ryokan is the perfect place to experience traditional customs and hospitality. As ryokan are usually top tier accommodations, most guests stay only one night, often to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. Don’t be intimidated by the formalities inherent to a stay at a ryokan, your hosts will welcome you the same way they do all their guests. Have fun and enjoy this relaxing opportunity to learn more about Japan’s unique customs.
- - Minshuku are Japan’s answer to the Western bed and breakfast. Similar to ryokan, they have traditional features like tatami floors, futon beds, and Japanese-style baths. Minshuku are often family-run, and as such they offer a great opportunity to interact with local people and learn more about the nation’s customs. More affordable and simpler than ryokan, minshuku tend to have smaller guestrooms, shared bathroom facilities, and any included meals (traditional, local, and delicious) are served in a communal dining room.
- - Please note that some of the traditional Japanese inns used on this tour only offer shared bathing facilities. This means that individual shower stalls will not be available, instead several shower stations are available in an open, same-sex bathing area. Shared bathhouses and onsen (hot springs) are an essential part of Japan’s culture, traditionally serving as a place for men or women to gather, relax, and discuss the days happenings.
- - Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay, Hagi
- - Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- - Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson, Mihomisumi. Modern Tokyo walking tour. Zenkoji Temple visit (Nagano). Jigokudani Monkey Park visit (Nagano). Matsumoto Castle visit. Hagi Community Homestay welcome ceremony. Hagi cycling tour. Tottori sand dunes visit. Tottori fish market visit. Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine visit. Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Excludes
- - Tipping is not practiced in Japan. Leaving money at restaurants, in taxis etc will simply cause confusion!
- - At the end of each trip, if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is highly appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $5 USD per person, per day can be used.
