Japan: An Exploration of History, Culture and Society

17 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Fulfill the dream of a lifetime as you immerse yourself in the traditions, history and stunning landscapes of one of the world’s most ancient and beautiful cultures — Japan.
From$8,799
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
    • I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
    • Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game

What's this trip about?

    Fulfill the dream of a lifetime as you immerse yourself in the traditions, history and stunning landscapes of one of the world’s most ancient and beautiful cultures — Japan.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityTokyo
End CityFukuoka

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Photography
  • National Parks
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Holy Land

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive Tokyo, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Tokyo

Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m., meet group in lobby at 6:45 p.m.

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, ...

Day 3 Historical Edo, The Samurai & Economic Heart Of Feudal Japan Tokyo

3 mile walk from Nihonbashi through the grounds of the Imperial Palace East gardens. In the afternoon, a 30-minute transfer is followed by an approximately 1 mile walk around the Edo-Tokyo Museum. The return journey to the vicinity of the hotel is 20 minutes via publi...

Day 4 Asakusa & Senso-ji Temple, Yanaka & Edo, City of Townspeople Tokyo

Walking up to approximately 5 miles throughout the day; gentle pace. Use of transportation including assorted rail and subway transfers; about 1 hour total; some stairs, flat city streets, elevators/escalators sometimes available. Shoes may need to be removed to visit...

Day 5 The Nakasendo Way, Print Museum, Post Towns of Kiso Valley Kiso-Fukushima

Traveling approx. 300 miles; about 5 hours total throughout the day by rail and motorcoach, with stops. Walking approx. 2 miles around Tsumago; elective additional trail hike of about 3 miles; approx. 1.5 hours; some uneven terrain, stone trail. Sleeping in lodgings o...

Day 6 Make Soba Noodles, Barrier Stations Kiso-Fukushima

Transferring via local bus approx. 6 miles one way; about 1 hour roundtrip. Walking approximately 2 miles throughout Kiso-Fukushima; about 2 hours; fairly flat, on pavement. Sleeping on floor in traditional Japanese fashion. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some...

Day 7 Matsumoto & Castle Towns, Japan’s Alps, To Takayama Takayama

Driving approx. 90 miles throughout the day; about 4 hours total with 1.5 hours in the morning Kiso-Fukushima to Matsumoto and 2.5 hours in the afternoon to Takayama. Walking approx. 3 miles total in and around Matsumoto Castle; mostly flat, some steep stairs that can...

Day 8 An Independent City, Festival Floats Exhibition, To Kyoto Kyoto

Walking approx. 5 miles during morning group activities; more dependent on personal preference; flat terrain, pavement, roads. Train ride to Kyoto is about 165 miles; approx. 3.5 hours. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.

On a w...

Day 9 Japanese Tea Ceremony, Daitoku-ji Temple, Nijo-jo Castle Kyoto

Walking approx. 5 miles throughout the day; some unavoidable stairs. Taxi transfers. Sitting on either tatami mats or small chairs on the floor while participating in the tea ceremony. Note that space is limited at the tea room, and that large groups will be split int...

Day 10 Cultural Icons of Kyoto, Free Time Kyoto

Walking approx. 3 miles throughout the morning’s group activities; more depending on personal preference during free time; some unavoidable stairs. Taxi transfers.

Setting out from the hotel, we’ll begin a comprehensive multi-stop field trip led by our expert St...

Day 11 Tale of Heike, Miyajima Island, Shinto Itsukushima Shrine Hiroshima

Bullet train ride of approx. 220 miles to Hiroshima; about 2 hours. Walking approx. 5 miles throughout the day in Hiroshima and Miyajima; mostly flat, pavement, roads. Some short transfers by tram and ferry. Main luggage will be sent by overnight courier from Kyoto to...

Day 12 Hiroshima – A City Reborn, Peace Memorial Park, Shukkeien Hiroshima

Walking approx. 5 miles total around Hiroshima; mostly flat pavement. Some transfers by tram and taxis.

Our first field trip of the day will bring us to the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum. Within the grounds of the park is the Atom Bomb Dome, whic...

Day 13 Early Japanese Buddhism, Kunisaki Yufuin

Train transfer is approx. 180 miles; about 3 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach for short transfer to temples. Walking about 3 miles total throughout the day; some uneven ground and steep steps. Driving approx. 30 miles to hotel; about 1 hour. Accommodation is mostly Ja...

Day 14 Mountains and Coastlines of Kyushu, To Nagasaki, Dejima Nagasaki

Walking approx. 3 miles as a group, more dependent on personal preference during free time. Coach transfer is approx. 220 miles; about 3.5 hours with luggage.

Free time to explore Yufuin before boarding the coach to Nagasaki. Our route will take around the rugge...

Day 15 Nagasaki Confucius Shrine, and Meiji Period Japan Nagasaki

Walking approx. 3 miles in the morning; about 4 hours; with stops and opportunities to rest; gentle pace, more dependent on personal preference during free time. Some short public transportation transfers.

Setting out on foot we’ll take a tram to Tojin-machi, th...

Day 16 Fukuoka – Japan's Gateway to Asia Fukuoka

Express and local trains to Dazaifu; 3 hours. Up to 5 miles total walking en route to and around Dazaifu, as well as in the museum.

Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll transfer via train to Fukuoka, known as “Japan's gateway to Asia.” En route, we’ll make a sto...

Day 17 Program Concludes In Flight

Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructio...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,799
Price per day$518
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

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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Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

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Logistics

Accommodation

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
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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 15
  • Number of Lunch: 7
  • Number of Dinner: 9
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-18698

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