Japan: All-inclusive 12-day tour with return flights

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 & 2 Fly to Tokyo

Fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan’s capital, for a three-night stay. Tokyo was once known as Edo and was a small fishing town. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to soak up the local culture.

Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your consultant. Transfers will differ depending on group size, but you may share a coach with other passengers who are not part of this Tour. If you are on a shared bus transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to your hotel

Day 3 Discover Tokyo

Tokyo is the ultimate 24-hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech frontage and you’ll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. Today’s city tour starts on the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree, the world’s tallest tower, before seeking out the tranquillity of the ancient Buddhist Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest. Learn about Tokyo’s historical heritage at the Tokyo National Museum, and explore Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Plaza.

Day 4 Meiji Shrine

Take a relaxed morning wander around the classical landscapes of the Hamarikyu Garden. Continue to the Meiji Shrine, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken before passing the famous Shibuya Crossing. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. This evening, take a relaxed dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.

Day 5 Fuji Five Lakes

Journey through the foothills of the iconic Mount Fuji to its base, where you will find the Fuji Five Lakes. The region is spectacular with the calm waters of the five lakes, formed by past volcanic eruptions, reflecting Fuji’s picture-perfect cone. Head up Fuji’s 5th Station for spectacular mountain vistas. Please note it is only possible to reach the 5th station if weather permits. After lunch, visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations before exploring the Iyashi no Sato historical village, located on the western shores of Lake Saiko, famous for its thatched-roofed houses. Transfer around 1 hour to your hotel and check in.

Day 6 Fuji Five Lakes - Kyoto

Visit Oshino Hakkai, a scenic area of ponds full of crystal-clear spring water created by Fuji’s melting snow. Stroll around the area before trying your hand at making traditional Japanese soba noodles, which you will then tuck into for lunch. Drive around 2 hours to Mishima Station to board a 2-hour bullet train to Kyoto. An enchanting city, Kyoto was capital for a thousand years; today it is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. Check in to your hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7 Kyoto

Enjoy a full day tour of Kyoto, starting with a visit to the spectacular Kiyomizu Temple. You will spend 1.5 hours on foot exploring the temple. Next, immerse yourself in the culture, learning the traditional Japanese handicraft of origami. After lunch, visit a traditional teahouse where you will be joined by a Tea Master, followed by a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine. With its thousands of vermillion torii gates, the Shrine stretches up Mount Inari (233m high). You will walk up part of the mountain and the incline allows a steady-paced walk.

Day 8 Kyoto - Osaka - Hiroshima

Begin the day with a visit to Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan’s most famous zen garden, and Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavillion due to its golden exterior. Continue around 1 hour by coach to Osaka to have lunch in the vibrant Dotonbori district. Transfer to the train station and take the bullet train to Hiroshima, a journey of 1 hour 40 minutes. A modern and prosperous city, Hiroshima will be forever remembered as the world’s first atomic bomb target..

Day 9 Hiroshima

Hop on the ferry to Miyajima Island, where sightseeing will be at a leisurely pace on foot. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and explore the traditional market town at leisure. Return by ferry and then coach to Hiroshima and have lunch. Later, visit the famous Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Please be aware that the museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members and it is at your discretion if you wish to visit or enjoy time at leisure exploring the Peace Memorial Park. Also visit the Orizuru Tower.

Day 10 Himeji Castle

Travel to Himeji, with a rest stop along the way. On arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the beautiful Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden. Himeji Castle is largely in its original condition so, please be mindful of your step when walking around. Transfer approximately 2 hours to Osaka for your overnight stay.

Day 11 & 12 Fly Osaka to Australia

This morning is free at leisure before you transfer to Osaka airport for your return flight home.

Please note: Only breakfast is included today.

Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach. If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.

Select Departures o​n sale till 30 April 2024
Partner flies free or solo traveler save 50% on airfare*

• 21 June 2024
• Twin share $9,990 $9,340 pp / Sole use $11,830 $11,180 pp

Various departures available between March to November 2025. Below pricing based on 03 May 2025.

• f​rom $10,990 $10,290 per person twin share
• from $13,130 $12,130 per person sole use

Contact our experienced travel team on 1300 414 198 for pricing on your preferred departure date.

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking or until sold out and may change without notice. The prices above include flights departing Brisbane, airline fuel surcharges and taxes which are subject to change.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities. In the Fuji area, hotels tend to be more traditional in style and culture. In this area, you may be asked to take your shoes off at the door and store them in a secure locker – this is very traditional Japanese culture.

Hotels are generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note that there is no international classification system for hotels and differences in facilities and quality do exist between Australia and Japan.

Please note that in Japan, hotel rooms and bathrooms are renowned for being small. Standard single rooms are usually smaller than a standard double or twin room, contain one small double bed (or one single bed), and are designed for only one person to use. All group tour hotels have private western bathroom facilities, air conditioning, TV and telephone. Hotels in Japan often do not have porters and you will be required to carry your own luggage.

Dedicated Solo departures have smaller group sizes - Max Group Size of 18

How fit do I need to be to join this tour?

A reasonable level of fitness is required. it's more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You'll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.

What type of food can I expect during this tour?

All meals (excluding drinks) are included from the groups’ arrival until the day of departure. The schedule of meals is designed so that you can experience the local dishes, their individual flavours as well as the different ways they are prepared and cooked throughout Japan.

• Breakfast will mostly be buffet style but may be a set-menu.
• Lunches are mostly pre-set options as is custom in many local restaurants.
• Dinner is usually buffet-style, featuring a wide selection of high quality Japanese and Western dishes, but may occasionally be a set-menu.

On some days where lots of sights are covered, dinner times may be early and your tour group may head directly to the restaurant after sightseeing without stopping at your hotel to freshen up.

Will I be required to take my shoes on and off at sites we visit?

Japanese society and culture is built on intricate social etiquette and customs. As foreigners, we are not expected to be knowledgeable about all etiquette, but it will make your time in Japan more enjoyable if you are respectful of local customs.

You may encounter removing your shoes and hats when entering a temple or house (some restaurants as well). You may be supplied with slippers at some places, but please come prepared with shoes that are easy to take off for the fairly regular occasions when they must be removed.

How many people will on this tour?

Most Japan groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a national escort. There will usually be no more than 28 travellers in each group . All departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 8 travellers booked (unless cancelled due to factors beyond our control).