Premium
Explorer
Premium Highlights of Japan
4.6
Excellent
46 reviews
9 days
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Kyoto, Japan
Trip Code
CJPH
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Transport
Train, Bus
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night)
From £4,050(9 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Experience a traditional Japanese Onsen (an area of natural hot springs surrounded by traditional inns and bathing facilities) at your Feature Stay and soak away a day of hiking to the Jigokudani Monkey Park.
See and touch some traditional samurai weaponry, try on some authentic attire and learn about the rich history of these warriors with an authentic samurai experience at a 400-year-old dojo run by contemporary ninjas in Tokyo.
Take a day trip to Kamakura, a coastal treasure known for its history, and see the sights on a traditional, person-led rickshaw, followed by a train ride on one of the oldest electric railways in the country.
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a visit to a market in Kanazawa to pick ingredients for a cooking class in a local's home, a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and a hands-on dyeing workshop with traditional craftsmen.
Explore Arashiyama – a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty in Kyoto. Walk through the bamboo grove and participate in rituals at the many temples and shrines in the area.
Is this trip right for you?
Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.
Itinerary
Learn samurai traditions, wander ancient temples and soak in a mountainside onsen
If you want to experience a few (of the many) highlights of Japan, all while staying in comfortable accommodation with like-minded travellers, this Premium adventure from Tokyo to Kyoto is a must! You’ll spend nine days exploring world-class shopping neighbourhoods, geisha districts, hole-in-the-wall eateries, ancient temples and markets with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. Learn about the history of samurai from a family of contemporary ninjas, try to find snow monkeys bathing in hot springs on the mountain in Yamanouchi, wander through a designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Arashiyama and Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden in Kanazawa and follow the trail at a sacred shrine in Kyoto.
Inclusions
Meals
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Transport
Train, Bus
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night)
Included activities
Tokyo - Welcome dinner
Tokyo - Authentic Samurai Experience
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - River Cruise
Tokyo - Kamakura Day Trip
Kamakura - Enoden Ride
Kamakura - Rickshaw Ride
Kamakura - Kotoku-In temple
Yudanaka - Snow Monkey Park
Yudanaka - Onsen Experience
Kanazawa - Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa - Samurai District Walking Tour
Kanazawa - Higashi Chaya District walking tour
Kanazawa - Market Visit and Sushi Making Experience
Kyoto - Arashiyama Walking Tour
Kyoto - Gion Night walk
Kyoto - Yuzon Dyeing Workshop
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari - Taisha
Kyoto -Tea Ceremony
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
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Prices From

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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. When travelling by train, we include the transfer of one piece of luggage from destination to destination. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details on luggage transfers and luggage size.
3. We are currently unable to offer airport transfers in Japan. Please refer to the Joining Point Instructions of the Essential Trip Information for our recommendations on arrival. Your leader will be able to advise the best way to reach the airport at the end of your trip.
4. For the departures starting in March, November and December, the Yudanaka area may experience up to 20 cm of snow. It is therefore recommended to bring suitable footwear – e.g. snow boots, hiking boots, etc. – for the short group hike here.
Reviews (46)
5 stars
35
4 stars
7
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Caleb
Nov 20, 2025
My trip to Japan was incredible. Seeing the shrines and snow monkeys, experiencing the onsen in a traditional Japanese ryokan and so much more in a bit more than a week was just what I needed to really get a taste of Japanese culture!
Juliana
Oct 27, 2025
Wow, what a beautifully curated trip! I know the term gets thrown around quite a bit but this was truly the trip of a lifetime. Incredible sights, local culture, and unforgettable food. This was my first Intrepid trip and I am very impressed. If you are lucky, you will get Mickey as your guide! A top notch leader and all-around person.
Alexander
Oct 17, 2025
I personally have a saying that when travelling you have “peaches” (the good parts) and “pits” (the bad parts) of a trip, and I can definitely tell you that the peaches far outweigh the pits of our trip. And do you know what the best part of coming home from a big trip like this is? I’ll tell you: it’s dreaming about where you’re gonna travel to next, and I can’t wait to travel again with intrepid in the future. Thank you!
amrita
Oct 02, 2025
Highly recommend this tour of Japan to everyone. It focuses on unique experiences! The tour leader was very knowledgeable.
John
Sep 30, 2025
If you are interested in a guided concise trip with a local guide covering some of the gems of Japan, then this is for you. The worry of organising travel, hotels and navigating the Tokyo underground is removed.
ian
Sep 22, 2025
An easy way to see and experience Japan to its best. You will never be bored.
geraldine
Aug 03, 2025
Nick
Jul 16, 2025
This was my very first trip with Intrepid Travel and also my first time visiting Japan – and I can say without hesitation that it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life, thanks in large part to our incredible tour leader, Yuki. From the very beginning, Yuki impressed me with her kindness, patience, and deep care for every single person in our group. She led with a quiet confidence that made everyone feel at ease, and she was consistently organised, attentive, and thoughtful in everything she did. Whether it was navigating the intricate train systems, handling logistics with ease, or sharing insights about Japanese culture, history, and cuisine – Yuki always had us covered. What really stood out was the way she made the group feel like a little family. Her warm and genuine nature brought us all together, and by the end of the trip, not only did we feel a real bond with Yuki, but also with each other. That sense of connection made the experience even more special. Japan itself was stunning – rich in tradition, beauty, and surprises – but it was Yuki who truly brought it to life for us. I’m so grateful for her leadership and heart throughout the journey. This trip has set the bar very high for future travels, and I wouldn’t hesitate to travel with Intrepid again – especially if Yuki is leading the way! Arigatou gozaimasu, Yuki – you are truly one of a kind.
Raquel
Jun 20, 2025
This trip is an absolute must especially if this is your first trip to Japan. Everything is taken care of for you and the premium level is wonderful. The itenary is amazing and the tour guide in Japan is next level. I cannot wait to go back to Japan because of this trip.
Ethan
Jun 08, 2025
Very fast trip and a lot of fun. Need to be physically fit. A bit of free time included.
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