Simply Japan

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Travel from super-modern Tokyo to villages, castles and temples that remain unchanged from the times of the Shogun and Samurai. Stay in a Buddhist temple and a family-run ryokan, meet snow monkeys and tame deer, and experience the modern and the ancient in this invigorating country. Tokyo - Explore modern and ancient Tokyo, with the option to visit nearby...
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$6,500
From$4,850
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Experience the buzz of modern Tokyo and ancient Kyoto's temples, shrines and Zen gardens
    • Meet the snow monkeys and spend a night in temple lodgings, joining the monks for morning prayers
    • Explore the samurai district of Kanazawa and try Japan's best sake at Takayama

What's this trip about?

    Travel from super-modern Tokyo to villages, castles and temples that remain unchanged from the times of the Shogun and Samurai. Stay in a Buddhist temple and a family-run ryokan, meet snow monkeys and tame deer, and experience the modern and the ancient in this invigorating country. Tokyo - Explore modern and ancient Tokyo, with the option to visit nearby Mount Fuji Kyoto - Experience traditional Japan with temples, Zen gardens and geishas Kanazawa - Explore the Samurai district and discover the secrets of the Ninja Temple

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityTokyo
End CityOsaka

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Hakone
  • Hiroshima
  • Kanazawa
  • Kyoto
  • Matsumoto
  • Mount Fuji
  • Nijo Castle
  • Osaka
  • Takayama
  • Tokyo

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, the ultra-modern capital of Japan. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. If some of the group are arriving...

Day 2 Explore Tokyo - Discover Temples, neighbourhoods and the spectacular Fire Ceremony

We explore Tokyo on foot and using the super-efficient metro system along with the locals. Starting in Asakusa district we discover Senso-ji Temple which deserves to be high on any explorer's list. The oldest temple in the city, it is entered through the imposing Thun...

Day 3 Free day in Tokyo. Optional visit Hakone National Park for views of Mount Fuji

Today you are free to seek out the parts of Tokyo that you'd most like to experience, and there are plenty of exciting options to choose from such as the busy streets of trendy Harajuku district or quirky themed cafes in Akihabara where you can be served by vampires, ...

Day 4 Travel by train to Matsumoto and discover the impressive Crow Castle

A beautiful express train journey of just under three hours takes us north from Tokyo to the pretty town of Matsumoto, flanked on each side by the Japanese Alps. The town's 500 year-old castle is Japan's oldest, and one of its most elegant. Known as 'Crow Castle' due...

Day 5 Meet the snow monkeys of Jigokudani and spend the night in Zenkoji Temple

Travelling by express train and private bus, we make our way this morning to Jigokudani Onsen, home to Japan's famous snow monkeys. Here the indigenous macaques descend from the hills to bathe and play in the hot springs, a unique behaviour not found anywhere else in ...

Day 6 Join the monks for morning prayers and explore the samurai district of Kanazawa

We will wake at sunrise and make our way to the temple, wandering through the fragrant smoke of the temple's giant incense burner to purify us before entering. In the main hall we'll watch the monks performing their morning rituals, the mesmerising chanting of the anc...

Day 7 Free time in Kanazawa to try sushi at the Omicho Fish Market or discover the 'Ninja Temple'

Today is a free day to make the most of Kanazawa. As the town was not targeted during World War II, much of Kanazawa consists of old buildings and gives a sense of what Japan was like in the 19th century. There is plenty to do and see, and a great option is to spend s...

Day 8 Try sake in the old town of Takayama and stay in a family-run ryokan

This morning we take the local train to Takayama, a city that retains an authentic, traditional feel like few others in Japan. During feudal times the city was a source of highly-skilled carpenters and therefore controlled directly by the shogun, leading to a thriving...

Day 9 Travel by train to Hiroshima and experience the poignant Peace Park and Peace Museum

Two wonderful train journeys will take us to Hiroshima this morning. The first is a picturesque route that follows an icy blue Hida River past shrines, bamboo groves and traditional fishermen before arriving in Nagoya. Here we change to the famous Shinkansen bullet tr...

Day 10 Take the ferry to Miyajima Island, meet the tame deer and see the floating torii gate

After breakfast this morning we take a small ferry to Miyajima, just off the coast of Hiroshima. This tiny island has a very relaxed feel which is enhanced by the deer that roam freely through the streets. As we arrive we get a great view of the floating torii gate. ...

Day 11 Take the Bullet train to Kyoto and explore Nijo Castle

After breakfast we make our way by public tram back to the train station for the journey to Kyoto, which takes around two hours by bullet train. The imperial capital for more than 1000 years has more than 2000 temples and shrines, many set in perfectly manicured lands...

Day 12 In Kyoto: free time to explore the Zen gardens, temples and geisha district

Getting around Kyoto is easy and there is a lot you can explore today. A good option is an early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, beating the crowds to walk the path through the thousands of red torii gates that snake up the hillside. A great place for lunch...

Day 13 Continue discovering Kyoto before travelling to Osaka for a final night amongst the neon lights

We have another morning to explore Kyoto before travelling to Osaka. An early morning visit to Kiyomizu Temple (Pure Water Temple) is a great idea, especially when followed by the pleasant walk along the cobblestone streets to Kodaiji. Here you can see a perfectly gro...

Day 14 Trip ends in Osaka

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Osaka. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, so you can head out for some last mi...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,850
Price per day$346
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
18 Mar 2025
31 Mar 2025
$6,020
$6,990
19 Mar 2025
01 Apr 2025
$6,440
$7,400
22 Mar 2025
04 Apr 2025
$5,610
$6,570
23 Mar 2025
05 Apr 2025
$5,610
$6,570
24 Mar 2025
06 Apr 2025
$5,880
$6,840
25 Mar 2025
07 Apr 2025
$6,440
$7,400
26 Mar 2025
08 Apr 2025
$6,720
$7,680
27 Mar 2025
09 Apr 2025
$6,440
$7,400
28 Mar 2025
10 Apr 2025
$6,300
$7,260
29 Mar 2025
11 Apr 2025
$6,440
$7,400

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
S

Stephen

Mar 2025

Written on

Simply Japan

Accommodation: was 3 to 4 star as outlined in the tour summary, very clean and comfortable. All of them provided Japanese sleepwear, which was a surprise. Sleeping...

D

David

Jan 2025

Written on

Simply Japan

Simply Japan was our first ever tour and we can’t wait to do another. Since returning our friends and family asked us for our favourite thing was, but we are unable ...

E

Edward

Dec 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

A wonderful and thorough visit of Japan! We had an outstanding tour guide Irene who went the extra mile to help us and make the most of our trip. We saw many interes...

J

Joanne

Dec 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

This was a well-paced trip with an excellent itinerary and more free time than I've been used to on previous tours, allowing us to seek out the areas which appealed ...

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Efficient and easy to navigate online booking

Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Ferry, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Ferry, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
British passport holder do not require visa to enter Japan for tourism purposes. All visa related issues for other nationalities should be confirmed with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Japan Rail Pass - A clear copy, either as a scanned photocopy or photo, of your main passport photo page is required as soon as possible, please send this to visaauths@explore.co.uk. Please ensure that all the information is clearly visible with none of the edges missing. This is required by our local agent to issue your Japan Rail Pass and is required no later than 6 weeks prior to travel. Explore will request this from you approximately 8 weeks prior to departure. If your passport copy is not received on time this will mean we cannot issue you a Japan Rail Pass. The cut off for receiving the scanned copy of your passport is 45 days before departure. If you fail to send it to us in time, you will be charged an additional per person cost of approximately 110 GBP (subject to change), to cover the additional costs of issuing individual tickets in place of the rail pass. In this case you will be issued individual rail tickets for the included journeys and you will not have the benefit of a Japan Rail Pass, which enables you to travel effectively for free on local trains and the Tokyo Monorail in your free time while the pass is valid. Similarly for late bookings it will not be possible to issue a Japan Rail Pass if the cut off date has already passed, and you will be issued single tickets instead, and there will also be an additional cost of 110 GBP per person for such late bookings. Although not required, by registering on the visit Japan Web website, travellers are able fill out the Disembarkation Form and Custom Declaration Form in advance. By filling out these forms online, two QR codes will be produced that can be shown during entry procedures into Japan. This may help you proceed through customs and control quicker. As this step is not required, travellers can instead fill out physical paper forms upon arrival as well. More information can be found here: https://www.digital.go.jp/enervices/visit_japan_web-en/
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory. We recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. The use or possession of Vicks inhalers and some other common prescription and over-the-counter medicines (e.g. for allergies and sinus problems or even certain mild painkillers, such as those containing certain levels of codeine) are banned under Japan's strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law. Customs officials may not be sympathetic if you claim ignorance about these medicines. If in any doubt about customs procedures for such items, you should check with the nearest Japanese Embassy before visiting Japan. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 13
  • Dinner : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-QJS

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