From CAD 7855
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
A tale of four iconic cities and two former capitals – your epic journey through Japan blends old and new, with soul-stirring visits to ancient centers and modern cities. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 4 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Nara: Lunch with a local farmer's family who own a traditional tea plantation in the Nara area.
Dive Into Culture
- Tokyo: Visit Ameyoko Street Market, once a black market selling American goods after World War II.
Iconic Experience
- Tokyo: Visit Tokyo's renowned landmarks and gain insight into how this modern city preserves its ancient roots.
- Tokyo: Spend some time learning the art of Taiko Drumming with your Local Specialist.
- Tokyo: Bask in the stunning skyline of Tokyo as you embark on your Sumida River Cruise.
- Mt Fuji: Admire the stunning countryside at Mt. Fuji 5th Station.
- Tokyo: Jump aboard the high-speed Bullet Train towards the cultural hub of Kyoto.
- Kyoto: Admire the beautiful golden pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple.
- Kyoto: Take a walk through the beautiful landscapes of the Arashiyama District.
- Nara: Discover the tame deer as you explore Nara Park.
- Kyoto: Learn the art of Okonomiyaki making and savor your own creations for lunch.
- Miyajima: Discover the majestic Itsukushima Shrine and learn a new skill when you join a Local Specialist to practice making Momiji Manjyu.
- Hiroshima: Discover the rich history when you visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Park.
- Osaka: Embark on an orientation drive through the city of Osaka.
- Osaka: Discover Osaka's beautiful city landmarks as you embark on your Okawa River Cruise.
- Osaka: See the wonderful Tsutenkaku Tower, the Tusyunoten Shrine which holds the love story of Ohatsu and Tokubei, and then take the time to bask in the spectacuar views as you visit the Floating Garden Observatory.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Kyoto: Support the craft of Kiyomizu pottery artisans with a visit to their workshop. Your participation directly contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka
- Visit Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji 5th Station, Gion District and Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, the bamboo groves in Arashiyama, Nara Park and Todaiji Temple in Nara, Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima, Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and Tsuyunoten Shrine and Umeda Sky Building in Osaka
- See the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama
- Scenic Cruise along the Sumida River in Tokyo and the Okawa River in Osaka
Trip Details
Product Code: 19102
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Supplier Code: 413.1105A
Starts: Tokyo, Japan
Finishes: Osaka, Japan
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 7855 (CAD 714 /day)
Itinerary
Tokyo’s futuristic cityscape launches your journey through Japan’s modern centers and ancient capitals. On arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport, you’ll be transferred by airport shuttle to your hotel. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome drink with appetizers.
Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower
Rub shoulders with the locals this morning as you Dive Into Culture and wander through Ameyoko Street Market, once a black market selling American goods after World War II. Continue to the old-time entertainment center of Asakusa to visit the Sensoji Buddhist Temple, which has been rebuilt countless times since its founding in 628, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple site. Take a stroll down Nakamise shopping street with some free time for lunch, then join a Local Specialist and learn the mesmerizing rhythmic art of Taiko drumming, one of Japan’s most popular cultural icons. Board a cruise along the Sumida River to admire Tokyo’s modern skyline, the traditional neighborhoods of old Edo and beautiful Hamarikyu Garden. Later, return to your hotel for time at leisure and dinner at a Sumo-themed izakaya restaurant.
Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The towering slopes of snow-capped Mt. Fuji loom in the distance as you journey from Tokyo to this celebrated UNESCO-listed site. Admire spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from its 5th station, a magnificent vantage point at 2,300 meters (weather permitting). After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll continue to Owakudani to see the volcanic activity. Consider sampling the local black eggs boiled in geysers, then head back to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Leave Tokyo, traveling by high-speed bullet train to Kyoto, another former capital of Japan and the center of Japanese culture for centuries. On arrival, you’ll embark on a walking tour of the Gion District, embracing the energy of Kawaramachi street. Visit Kinkakuji Temple, whose glittering golden pavilion is widely regarded as the symbol of Kyoto, before returning to the hotel for an evening of leisure.
Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama
Meals: Breakfast
Visit one of Kyoto’s highlights—the historic and scenic district of Arashiyama, renowned for its cherry blossom trees that bloom in spring and its stunning landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the towering bamboo groves and see the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. Connect with nature in the Zen gardens of Tenryuji Temple, then spend some free time at Nishiki Market, a traditional food market known to locals as “Kyoto’s Pantry.” Return to your hotel or consider joining an optional Japanese tea ceremony experience.
Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama
Meals: Breakfast
Start the day off with a visit to Sumiyama Village and discover the stunning Kiyomizu Pottery which originated about 500 years ago in central Kyoto. Learn about the work of the craftsmen and about how they had to move out of the city and into a more rural area due to concerns from the local citizens about air pollution. Next 'Connect With Locals' over a 'Be My Guest' lunch with a local farmer at his home. Gain insights into the life of his family while sampling fresh tea and indulging in a delicious home-made meal, then visit his tea plantation. This afternoon delve into the ancient history of Nara, the first permanent capital city of Japan. Here you’ll visit the landmark Todaiji Temple, one of the powerful Seven Great Temples and home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. Take a stroll around Nara Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming tame deer before returning to Kyoto for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, board a high-speed bullet train to Hiroshima, a lively city that celebrates peace in the shadow of the previous century’s devastation. Your first stop is to a local restaurant where you’ll join our Local Specialist for an Okonomiyaki making experience. Mix your ingredients to make your own savory pancake and cook it on a hot plate before enjoying your creation for lunch. This afternoon, take the ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the famous UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine and elaborate torii gate rising majestically out of the sea. Learn how to make Momiji Manjyu, one of the local specialties, shaping your steamed bun as a maple leaf and filling it with sweet red bean paste. You’ll have an opportunity to sample your work before returning to Hiroshima by ferry.
Accommodation: Rihga Royal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, head to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and see the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial, the only structure left standing when the first atomic bomb exploded in 1945. Take a moment to contemplate its symbolic expression of hope for world peace. Spend the afternoon at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience.
Accommodation: Rihga Royal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, take the high-speed bullet train to Osaka. On arrival embark on an orientation drive of the central city and your first glimpse of sights including the incredible Umeda Sky Building before checking in to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Sheraton Miyako
Meals: Breakfast
Gain a different perspective of Osaka’s landmark city sights, starting your day with a cruise on the ‘aqua-bus’ along Okawa River. Sail past the Japan Mint, City Hall, Nakanoshima and Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. Visit the downtown district of Shinsekai to see the Tsutenkaku Tower, then continue to the Dotonbori Street area for some time at leisure. Delve into the star-crossed love story of Ohatsu and Tokubei during your visit to the Tsuyunoten Shrine in Umeda, associated with the Edo-period play ‘The Love Suicides of Sonezaki, which tells of the tragic double suicide that took place at the shrine in 1703. To this day, visitors write their prayers for success in love on special wooden plaques called ema, many of which bear the image of Ohatsu and Tokubei. Admire the panoramic views of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory – an open-air viewing platform that straddles the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building. Later join your fellow guests and Travel Director for a dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Sheraton Miyako
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your journey revealing Japan's past and present is at its end, take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
All the hotels were excellent. All the breakfasts were excellent. The help at the airport was perfect. Our guide was very good. Available Dates Easy Quote I would not have had Mount Fuji It was a for exhausting and unnecessary trip - we got there it was rainy and cold could not see anything. We went out of our way to a restaurant that we did not need to go to. It was full of traffic on the way back -- not worth it for the day at all. Would have stuck to Tokyo which we did not see enough of. Kyoto was also too short.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/05/2024
William Kauffman - Traveled, October 2024
I already filled out feedback once!!! Not real happy with the trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
It was a great trip. A little rushed to start with but was better as we went along. Would have like more meals included as ordering at places was difficult with little English being spoken. If more meals included the stress of choosing where to eat and what is taken away. It was very good
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2024
Neil Hassett - Traveled, October 2024
1st Class Service, 1st Class trip. Thoroughly enjoyable trip even though it was quite hectic. Our Tour Guide, Mike, was first class.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
I used the online chat to book two additional pre-tour and one post-tour hotel stays for this trip. It was all handled seamlessly! It gave us a good sampling of Japan, from the people, the culture and food (absolutely delicious!), to its comprehensive mass transportation (we traveled on the Shinkansen-bullet train several times!). We had an exceptional tour director that spoke impeccable English as he worked in the US for several years in his career in banking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Excellent service. Tour guide amazing, bus drivers excellent. Great hotels. Did not see much of Tokyo or Osaka. Enjoyed the pottery kiln and tea plantation. Found Kyoto and Hiroshima very peaceful and loved the experience. Wonderful tour guide who could answer all questions asked.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2024
Maurianne Williams - Traveled, October 2024
A brilliant tour guide Mike made everything easy fun and memorable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Our plane was early and we couldn't find the person who was to take us to the first hotel. We had to make a phone call to alert Trafalgar of the problem. The person did show up to take us to the hotel, but we had to wait a long time and then the bus ride to the hotel was very long. We were the last passengers to disembark. There are some long walks which might be too much for elderly adults. Accommodations were made for us to wait in the shade when walks were too long.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Gary Bingham - Traveled, September 2024
This is a very good tour. Excellent accomodations, terrific tour guide. The typhone got in our way and yet our tour guide and Trafalgar worked around it. Wonderful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2024
Marceline Mondesir - Traveled, August 2024
The itinerary met all my expectations
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Good balance of varied activities. Lots to see. Great for first timers going to Japan
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2024
Tour guide was always available to answer your questions and concerns about tour itinerary or special needs. She made special arrangements for one tour member that had food allergies and another that requested vegan meals only. She was careful to remind travelers to watch your free time and be at the departure meeting place on time. We did not have any consistent straglers to slow down our travel for the day. Our guide shared so much information about the customs and traditions in addition to insights on places visited. Consider adding a day to the tour time in Tokyo, just so much more to see. We planned a few extra days ahead of the tour to explore on our own and it was well worth the extra expense. I think travelers would consider the extra cost if the time in Tokyo is added to the itinerary.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2024
The tour guide and all the services were perfect. Visiting Japan was one of my best vacations so far.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Dale Gentz - Traveled, July 2024
My grandson has food allergies. Our tour guide took that as a personal responsibility to see that he was safe. There is no greater comfort than that when you're far from home! Japan is a beautiful, welcoming destination! Our tour guide was a jewel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Manuela Denning - Traveled, July 2024
It was a luxurious experience to have transportation and luggage dealt with smoothly at all transfers. Yukki was an amazing guide. She was welcoming and knowledgeable. The effort she put into making sure we were informed of changes to plans and preparation for weather conditions was very comforting. The pictures give you an idea of the hotel rooms, daily breakfast and lunchtime stops. Japan is a beautiful country and the people are friendly. This itinerary gives a wide variety of it's cities and cultures.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Jess Ott - Traveled, August 2024
I deeply appreciated the services of the guide in finding local experiences for the itinerary. I rarely had to trouble with nuisances like ticket lines, and every dining experience was excellent. The group was very friendly and everyone had a wonderful time. This was a rich experience. There was a mix of things that were comfortably tourist-y and incredibly intimate, nearly bespoke excursions. The guide made everything easy and painless. There was time for solo exploration, shopping, dining, and entertainment, while group activities were engaging and cordial. We got to cook an okonomiyaki! I loved watching local craftsmen. The pacing could be a little manic, but there was so much to see. Top quality, would absolutely go again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/12/2024
Mary Moore - Traveled, July 2024
Superb! Everything perfect- hotels, connections with buses and rail, itinerary "over the top"...Again our guide Makiko Kamawaza was exceptional..she went the "extra mile" every day! Incredibly rich, diverse with unexpected tours into "off the beaten track"...surprises every day! Exceptional guide! Makiko Kanazawa!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2024
We booked the air fares and transfers through Trafalgar and had no problems at all. The hotels were well chosen and located, the bus drivers excellent and the overall arrangements showed attention to detail and care for the clients, A varied and fascinating itinerary, blending the modern with the historic. Our travel director was warm, caring and highly knowledgeable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2024
Karen Caruana - Traveled, July 2024
Kiko, our tour guide, was excellent!!! Gave us so much information, historical facts about each excursion. The rep that I booked the tour with, stated that Japanese in the big cities speak English No one does!!!!!!!!!! Itinerary great! Should let older adults know how rigorous the trek to different sites will be; so they can make other plans, if necessary.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2024
Terence Lia - Traveled, July 2024
A great provider of International Travel Opportunities.We loved the tour guide, Kiko, who had an enormous 1. knowledge of Japanese history, 2. charm and kindness, and 3. organisational ability. We loved the traditional components, the pottery visit, drumming, and tea making. We enjoyed the company of the other guests and had ample opportunity to share meals, experiences and the highlights of the tour. The accommodation was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2024
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