Japan Express – Osaka to Tokyo
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
From AUD $4079 Was AUD $4799
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Japan Express – Osaka to Tokyo
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
9 days
Small Group
Budget
Average
English
Experience Overview
From the Buddhist monks of Kōyasan to the high rollers of Tokyo, see the many faces of Japan on this condensed tour beginning in Osaka.
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in Mount Kōya Temple, Kōyasan
- Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum visit
- Miyajima Island excursion
- Nijo Castle and gardens visit
- Gion walk
- Fushimi Inari shrine visit
- Lake Ashino-ko boat ride
- Traditional kaiseki meal
- Japan Rail Pass
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (7 nts), mountain monastery (1 nt, shared facilities).
- 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
- Bullet train, local train, subway, tram, ferry, public bus, cable car, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Highlights
- Take in views of Mt Fuji
- Stay in temple lodging and learn about Buddhism
- Gaze at the famous floating torii gate in Miyajima
- Explore Kyoto's Nijo Castle
Trip Details
9 days
Bullet train, local train, subway, tram, ferry, public bus, cable car, walking.
English
Osaka, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Budget
Classic, Budget
Average
Itinerary
Day 1: Osaka
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - City Route Hotel
Day 2: Osaka/Kōyasan
Journey to Mt Koya, a religious centre founded in 816 by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. The train ride up the mountain is possibly one of the finest rail journeys in Japan. For the final steep ascent, switch to funicular and then hop on a bus to reach the monastery.
In the evening, dine on shojin-ryori, typical vegetarian cuisine, and relax in a yukata, or kimono.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - During the overnight stay in the mountain temple, witness the routines of the monks and dine on typical fare. Explore the temples and moss covered Oku-no-in cemetery in the afternoon. In the evening, savour the shojin-ryori vegetarian cuisine, and relax in a yukata or kimono. Early morning at the temple offers the chance to observe the monks praying, before a vegetarian breakfast. Breathe the fresh mountain air and soak in the beautiful surroundings.Accommodation - Sekishoin
Day 3: Kōyasan/Hiroshima
Early morning offers the chance to observe the monks praying. Breathe in some fresh mountain air before a vegetarian breakfast, then start the journey back down the mountain via bus, train and funicular.
Later, board a train to Hiroshima, a historically significant city, marked by the explosion of the first atomic bomb in 1945.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Activity - Oku-no-in is the most sacred site in Koyasan and the location of the mausoleum for Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. The area is surrounded by a massive cemetery, the largest in Japan. With over 200,000 tombstones lining the almost 2km path to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum, there is plenty of area to explore. Be sure to see Torodo Hall (Hall of Lamps), the main place of worship, where more than 10,000 lanterns are kept burning day and night.Accommodation - Toyoko Inn Hiroshimaeki Shinkansenguchi Ⅱ
Day 4: Hiroshima
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. Visit the statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the bomb blast, despite folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to appeal to the gods to make her well. See the frame of the Gembaku Dome, the sole building to withstand the explosion. Reflect, remember, and be reminded of the power we all hold to create peace.Transport - Hop a ferry to reach the island and journey back in the evening.Activity - Take a trip to Miyajima Island, famed as one of Japan's most scenic spots, with a free afternoon to explore. See the famous floating Torii Gate, set out in the bay, which glows extraordinarily at sunset. The island is dotted with shrines and temples, populated by deer, and traversed with hiking trails for those who want to get some exercise. There are also lanes full of souvenirs and tasty treats. Visit Miyajima at your own pace, and have the option to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.Free_time - Free time on Miyajima Island to make the most of this beautiful location.Accommodation - Toyoko Inn Hiroshimaeki Shinkansenguchi Ⅱ
Day 5: Hiroshima/Kyoto
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Walk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.Activity - Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Sanjo
Day 6: Kyoto
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - 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.Free_time - Continue exploring Japan's historic capital with some free time.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Sanjo
Day 7: Kyoto/Hakone
Travel to Hakone, a town in the hills famous for its onsens, or natural hot springs.
In the evening, enjoy savouring a complex meal of traditional Japanese foods, followed by a recommended soak in the onsen.
Meals included: Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Hop aboard a passenger boat to cruise the waters of Lake Ashinoko. If you are lucky, on a clear day you can capture a view of Mt Fuji. The lake was formed from the caldera of Mt Hakone following its eruption 3000 years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Activity - Savour a complex meal of traditional Japanese foods, then finish the day with a soak in the onsen.Accommodation - Hotel Kagetsuen
Day 8: Hakone/Tokyo
Arrive before noon to Tokyo, with time to explore this energetic metropolis.
Opt to visit Ueno park and the museums, Akihabara for cutting edge electronics, Harajuku for funky fashions, Ginza for the highest of the high end, walk the grounds of the Imperial Palace East Garden, or just stroll the streets, looking for the traditional life that still lies just under the modern surface.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - With so much to do, start exploring now.Transport - Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.Accommodation - The B Akasaka
Day 9: Tokyo
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $4799
Duration: 9 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
From the Buddhist monks of Kōyasan to the high rollers of Tokyo, see the many faces of Japan on this condensed tour beginning in Osaka.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 17 Jul 2026
Customer Reviews
12/30/2023
CEO has provided excellent attention and the trip was well planned. I don't have to worry about logistic and language barrier.
12/30/2023
When going to another country for the first time, this type of travel helps new visitors see the best glimpses into the new country, all while knowing that they're travel and accommodations are well taken care of.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
12/30/2023
CEO has provided excellent attention and the trip was well planned. I don't have to worry about logistic and language barrier.
12/30/2023
When going to another country for the first time, this type of travel helps new visitors see the best glimpses into the new country, all while knowing that they're travel and accommodations are well taken care of.
12/30/2023
Every trip has been well run
12/30/2023
Great tour guide and great places
12/30/2023
Guide Kyoto
12/16/2023
People are generally nice and friendly. Better than travel alone, harder to meet strangers. Can focus on travelling rather than spending too much blood on logistics. Guide is superb
12/16/2023
Hours wasted on public transport. Lack of transparency in luggage arrangements.
12/16/2023
Too much walking. Too much travel time from one thing to another. Temple stay was very poor. Bedding substandard thin foam not Japanese futon. Food brought in. Cold. No monks on site. Mmmm
12/16/2023
I loved my experience and the places I visited. However I found that some of the organization was not time efficient. Some days we travelled for half the day and I think it may just be better to take a flight rather than trains, subway, bus etc.
12/16/2023
easy of travel, CEOs are great, small group size
12/02/2023
so organized and takes the stress out of exploring
12/02/2023
The trip was well organized using local transport and covering lots of ground
12/02/2023
Really enjoyed this trip, being solo traveler i felt very safe as part of this and able to help navigate each city
12/02/2023
Ease of travel and great guide.
12/02/2023
The tour was very well organized with good hotels. Just amazing! We were so lucky to have a great group of people with us. Yas ,our leader/ guide, was excellent. So well organized, fun to be with and friendly. I couldn't ask for more. The only thing I didn't like were the early starts to the day. Sad to say goodbye at the end.
12/02/2023
Have already done this. Very well organized
12/02/2023
We loved our tour and our guide, Yaz was outstanding, so knowledgeable and helpful and fun. We loved travelling by all kinds of public transport, it really added to the experience and felt more authentically Japanese than it would travelling by minibus. We would say though that you need to be fit to do this active tour.
11/25/2023
it's a very fast paced trip. It depends on the person.
11/25/2023
Travelled multiple times with G and it was always great
11/25/2023
G Adventures is a wonderful way to experience a lot of a country with a group of travelers and a tour guide. You get opportunities to experience local life and bucket list activities. If you enjoy meeting new people you'll love this, but even if you want to keep to yourself you still will have a wonderful time!
- Offer valid from 09:00 Monday 2 March, for a limited time only, and applies to tour bookings.
- Enter the coupon code BONUS10 at checkout to receive 10% off any tour booking.
- Only one coupon code may be used per booking. Discount applies per booking, not per traveller.
- Discount applies to the land portion of the tour price only.
- All tours are subject to availability and the individual tour operator's terms and conditions, shown at checkout.
- Offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
- Coupon codes can only be used once against one booking, cannot be used against existing bookings, and cannot be redeemed or exchanged in any other way. If multiple coupon codes are available at the same time, they are not cumulative and it is at the discretion of the customer to select the coupon code they wish to apply.
- Webjet's standard booking Terms & Conditions apply.
Family trips cannot be booked online.
Please contact webjet customer service to book the trip.
Email: [email protected]