Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

Intrepid Travel · 12 days
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
12 Days
From AUD $6795
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(15 reviews)

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

Intrepid Travel · 12 days
Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing in Kyoto, this 12-day trip will introduce you to iconic landmarks and the lesser-known cities through Japan’s central and western reaches.

Highlights

  • Soar high on a ride on the Hakone ropeway, cruise across the picturesque Lake Ashi and (on a clear day), get a glimpse of the glorious Mt. Fuji.
  • Discover the lesser-known Hagi, an ancient samurai town and learn about the female sake brewer breaking stereotypes. Get a deeper insight into local life with your homestay hosts and feast on delicious home-cooked meals.
  • Explore traditional Japanese culture in Edo-period Takayama. Visit the Hida Folk Village, wander through a 600-year-old market and take some zen time at incense making in Zenkoji temple.
  • Visit the Peace Park for a moving insight into the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Then, get to peacefully scenic Miyajima Island where wild deer roam the streets.
  • Walk through the historic streets of Kyoto – Japan's cultural capital. Wander through the Gion District, pass through the red torri gate at Fushimi Inari Shrine and see the golden glow of Kinkakuji.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Boat,Public Bus,Cable Car,Ferry,Metro,High Speed Train,Train

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Tokyo, Japan

Finishes

Kyoto, Japan

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer, Rail & Cruises

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Tokyo
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore including fascinating museums, world-class shopping centres and neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. If you arrive early, maybe wander through the Hama Rikyu Garden, visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum or explore Ueno Park. After your meeting, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Optional Activities:

  • Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden (300 JPY)
  • Tokyo - Sumida Hokusai Museum (400 JPY)
  • Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum (1000 JPY)
  • Tokyo - Ueno Park - Free

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Hakone
This morning, travel to Hakone – a scenic hot spring town in the foothills of Mt Fuji. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the iconic red gate that stands in the water of Lake Ashi, visit Hakone Shrine, wander through modern sculptures and beautiful gardens at the Hakone Open-Air Museum or simply relax in one of Hakone’s numerous onsens (hot springs). Tonight, why not find a local restaurant for dinner and try black eggs, which are cooked in the hot springs of Owakudani, paired with a local beer.

Accommodation:

  • Minshuku (Japanese Inn) (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Hakone
This morning, hop on a boat across Ashinoko Lake, then ride the Hakone ropeway cable car to the top of the surrounding mountains. The area around the lake offers plenty of stunning views, and you may even catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji in the distance if weather conditions are clear. The afternoon is free to further explore Hakone’s mountain scenery and volcanic sites. Maybe visit the boiling sulphur springs of Owakudani, go for a walk through the hills of the famed grassland ecosystem of Sengokuhara or discover a collection of art at the Pola Museum of Art.

Included Activities:

  • Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
  • Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise

Optional Activities:

  • Hakone - Open-Air Museum (2000 JPY)
  • Hakone - Checkpoint Museum (500 JPY)
  • Hakone - Onsen (public hot spring bath) (1500 JPY)

Accommodation:

  • Minshuku (Japanese Inn) (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Takayama
Travel by a local train, then a shinkansen towards Takayama – a charming Edo period town in the Japanese Alps, famous for its traditional inns, sake breweries and the Hida Folk Village. The village is your first stop – an outdoor museum where the traditional thatched-roof architecture unique to the area has been relocated to a mountain setting to preserve traditional Japanese culture. Discover the techniques used to build farmhouses that could withstand fierce winters and long periods of isolation due to snow-closed roads. The thick thatching kept in warmth, and the roofs were angled to minimise snow build-up. Each house is like its own self-contained museum, with displays of personal items and traditional tools. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Included Activities:

  • Takayama - Hida Folk Village

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Takayama
This morning, you’ll head to the markets in Gifu prefecture – these markets have been held for over 600 years and are known for their array of high-altitude vegetables. Browse the stalls of seasonal produce that’s brought in from the surrounding countryside and set up by local farm women from 7 am every morning. Look out for the unique local style of pickles, the bags of miso wrapped in leaves, genkotsu ame (soy bean candy), preserved fish, spices and the delicious marshmallow treat, owara tamaten. Then, head to Zenkoji Temple to learn how to make incense, which is believed to have purifying qualities. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the town at your own pace.

Included Activities:

  • Takayama - Incense making in Zenkoji Temple
  • Takayama - Morning Market visit

Optional Activities:

  • Takayama - Festival Float Museum (1000 JPY)
  • Takayama - Kusakabe Traditional House (1000 JPY)
  • Takayama - Bike hire (per day) (1000 JPY)
  • Takayama - Showa Museum (1000 JPY)
  • Takayama - Takayama Jinya Building (440 JPY)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Hiroshima
Travel by express train and shinkansen to Hiroshima today. When you arrive, you’ll visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park. The Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Museum stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945 when Hiroshima was chosen as target for the first ever wartime use of the atomic bomb. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated so it was able to retain its shape and the fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing has made it an enduring symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims. This evening, maybe head out with your leader for one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood).

Included Activities:

  • Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
  • Hiroshima - Peace Museum

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Hiroshima
Today you'll make your way to the nearby island of Miyajima with its famous 'floating' torii gate. You might like to further explore the island by climbing to the top of Mt Miyajima (or hopping on the cable car instead) for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea. Keep your eyes out for inquisitive and hungry deer that roam the streets. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy some of the other sites. You could stop by the five-storied Hiroshima Castle, which originally dates to the 1590s. It was destroyed by the bomb but reconstructed in all its glory in the 1950s and now holds an informative museum. The wonderful Shukkeien Garden, with teahouses and waterfalls, is also a perfect place to decompress.

Included Activities:

  • Hiroshima - Miyajima Island

Optional Activities:

  • Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine (300 JPY)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Hagi
This morning, travel to Hagi – a coastal city known for its spring cherry blossoms and forested slopes of Mt Shizuki. When you arrive, discover the Hagi Castle Ruins. Then, join a walking tour around the Samurai District. Wander through the middle- and lower-class samurai houses and merchants, then walk down the widest street and main road where the feudal lord’s processions passed. Tonight, meet your homestay family and sit down to a home-cooked meal.

Included Activities:

  • Hagi - Hagi Castle and Samurai district walking tour
  • Hagi - Homestay and home-cooked meals

Accommodation:

  • Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Hagi
This morning, go with the flow and dive into the day to day life in Hagi with your host. Maybe check out their gardens and vegetables, visit the local supermarket for some shopping or walk around the neighbourhood. Each host will have their own plans. This afternoon, you’ll regroup and hop on a bike to explore the countryside and coastline of Hagi. But first, visit a local sake brewery and hear about the inspiring story of the local female sake brewer and how she’s broken the taboo and taken on the family business to continue brewing as one of the very few female sake brewers in the country. Then, continue your cycling tour through the countryside of Hagi, passing rice fields, along the coastline with a great view of the Sea of Japan. Later, head back to your homestay for another night with your host family.

Included Activities:

  • Hagi - Countryside cycling tour
  • Hagi - Homestay local experiences
  • Hagi - Female sake brewer visit

Accommodation:

  • Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Kyoto
Leave Hagi today and travel to Kyoto. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (‘tranquility and peace capital’) by Emperor Kammu in 794, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years, but the emperor and government are now in Tokyo. With over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, there’s plenty to explore in this gorgeous city. Your leader will take you on a sunset walk through the Gion District (look out for wandering Geisha and Meiko!). Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner and try some traditional sushi or beef.

Included Activities:

  • Kyoto - Gion District walk

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Kyoto
Start your day with a visit to the iconic Kinkakuji Temple, with its impressive Golden Pavilion, immortalised by Yukio Mishima's novel. Then, visit the red tori gates in Fushimi Inari. For the more active, hiking up the mountain following the red torii gates is a great way to enjoy the forest and the views over the city! Your afternoon is free to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Maybe head out in the evening with your group to celebrate the end of your adventure together.

Included Activities:

  • Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
  • Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha

Optional Activities:

  • Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from (1200 JPY)
  • Kyoto - Sanjusangendo Temple (600 JPY)
  • Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera (500 JPY)
  • Kyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko/Geisha (14300 JPY)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Kyoto
There are no activities planned for the day and you’re free to depart the hotel at any time after check out. If you would like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • 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.
Important Information
Meals

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 willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

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.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

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.

Visas

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.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $6,795
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing in Kyoto, this 12-day trip will introduce you to iconic landmarks and the lesser-known cities through Japan’s central and western reaches.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 11 Jan 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.0
Frank
Traveled, March 2024

04/04/2024

I traveled 100 countries before. And this tour was the highlight of all. 5 star rating. Perfect tour with the amazing tour guide Zac. Had the best times and if people ask me which country I like the most: I will say: Japan.

4.0
Philip
Traveled, March 2024

03/30/2024

A trip that requires a good level of physical capability with regards to the walking tours provided . The tour gives an expansive view of life and history of Japan with the opportunity to stay in both original Japanese guest houses and comfortable hotels. Travel by bullet train , bus, underground rail , boat and express trains gives a variety of experiences not to be missed

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989