Discover Japan
Journey across the Japanese Alps to the cultural centres of Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa on this extensive tour of Japan. On this extraordinary Japan holiday you will of course see modern Tokyo and beautiful Mt Fuji as well as historical Kyoto and Nara.
Learn about Washi Paper Making - Discover the traditional process of paper making before getting your hands dirty making 'washi' (Japanese paper) the age-old way.
The Art of Gold Leaf Making - Join a dedicated craftsperson in a small workshop to learn all about the lovely and intricate art of gold leaf making, discover what the gold leaf is then used for and have a go at doing it yourself!
Learn about Miso Seasoning - Learn all about the traditional production of an essential element of Japanese cooking, the fermented soybean paste 'miso', at an old wooden miso house.
Tokyo (2N) - Mt. Fuji - Suwa (1N) - Takayama (2N) - Kanazawa (1N) - Kyoto (2N) - Nara (1N) - Osaka (2N)
- International flights and current taxes (prices may vary depending on departure city)
- All Meals (refer to itinerary)
- Breakfasts: 11 /Lunches: 10 /Dinners: 11
- 3 – 4 star accommodation
- Domestic transportation
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- Dedicated Solo Departures only: Complimentary airport lounge pass in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, complimentary chauffeur transfers within a 50km radius, single room included in price
Your fare excludes:
- Travel insurance
Days 1-2: Fly To Tokyo
Fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan's capital, for a two-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 start soaking up the local culture.
Includes: Dinner
Day 3: Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo is the ultimate 24-hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech frontage and you will find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. Begin at the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree, Japan's tallest tower, before wandering through the old district of Asakusa. Stop to seek out the tranquility of the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest. Next, drive by the Imperial Palace Plaza and later stroll through the classical landscapes of Hamarikyu Gardens. This evening, take a relaxed dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay for excellent city vistas.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Mount Fuji
Take the super-fast bullet train to Odawara. Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ashi for spectacular panoramas of this beautiful area before venturing up the Komagatake Ropeway. Next, ascend over 2,000 metres up Mount Fuji to the 5th Station, (weather permitting) and take in the breathtaking views over the Fuji Five Lakes area below.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Matsumoto Castle
Transfer to Matsumoto and explore the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle. Stop at a Miso House to learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning. Travel on to Takayama, nestled high in the mountainous Hida region, also known as the Japanese Alps.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Explore Takayama
Browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market and wander past some of the lovely traditional houses. You'll also visit several of the excellent local museums – including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya. Also enjoy some free time in Kamisannomachi Street.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Charming Shirakawa-go Village
Get a glimpse of rural Japan at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago which is famous for its farmhouses built in the unique gassho-zukuri architectural style. Continue to Gokayama to have a go at washi paper making, then travel to Kanazawa and meander through the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Travel To Kyoto
Begin the day learning the process of making gold leaf. Next, stroll through traditional Higashi Chaya (Eastern Teahouse District), visiting Ochaya Shima – a historical geisha house. Later, journey to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, until 1879, today Kyoto is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Explore Kyoto
Start the day with a visit to Ryoanji, the 'temple of the peaceful dragon' and the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the 'Golden Pavilion'. In the afternoon, head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse and try your hand at origami and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Discover Nara
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, remarkable for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates. Continue to Nara, a relaxed and charming town virtually untouched by the ravages of modernity. Home to many archetypal pieces of early art and architecture, stroll through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple, meeting the resident sika deer en-route, before exploring Isuien Garden.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Koyasan
The holy mountain of Koyasan is home to over 100 monasteries nestled in a valley enclosed by peaks said to resemble a lotus flower. Arguably the most sacred mountain in all of Japan, Koyasan is the heart of Shingon Buddhism and the resting place of Japan's best known Buddhist, known as both Kukai and Kobo Daishi. Wander around Okunoin – a vast cemetery of 200,000 stupas and enjoy the tranquillity and spectacular views as you discover Kongobuji Temple and the Garan Temple Complex. Later, continue to Osaka.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Explore Osaka
Begin the day exploring Osaka Castle, which is one of Japan's most famous. Next, take a short cruise along the Yodogawa River and stroll through Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca, where you can sample the local delicacies for lunch. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this fascinating city.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13-14: Fly Osaka To Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
- 21 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025
from $12,490 pp twin share / $14,990 pp solo - 28 Sep 2025 - 10 Oct 2025
from $11,690 pp twin share / $14,190 pp solo - 02 Oct 2025 - 14 Oct 2025
from $12,490 pp twin share / $14,990 pp solo - 12 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025
from $12,490 pp twin share / $14,990 pp solo - 19 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
from / $13,680 pp solo - 26 Oct 2025 - 07 Nov 2025
from$12,490$11,890 pp twin share /$14,990/ $14,390 pp solo - 30 Oct 2025 - 11 Nov 2025
from$12,490$11,890 pp twin share /$14,990/ $14,390 pp solo - 02 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025
from$12,490$11,890 pp twin share /$14,990/ $14,390 pp solo - 16 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025
from$12,490$11,890 pp twin share /$14,990/ $14,390 pp solo - 18 Mar 2026 - 30 Mar 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 20 Mar 2026 - 01 Apr 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 22 Mar 2026 - 03 Apr 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 24 Mar 2026 - 05 Apr 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 26 Mar 2026 - 07 Apr 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 28 Mar 2026 - 09 Apr 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 30 Mar 2026 - 11 Apr 2026
from / $14,990 pp solo - 02 Apr 2026 - 14 Apr 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 04 Apr 2026 - 16 Apr 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 06 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 08 Apr 2026 - 20 Apr 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 20 Apr 2026 - 02 May 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 07 May 2026 - 19 May 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 11 May 2026 - 23 May 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 18 May 2026 - 30 May 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 08 Jun 2026 - 20 Jun 2026
from $12,690 pp twin share / $15,690 pp solo - 20 Jul 2026 - 01 Aug 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 17 Aug 2026 - 29 Aug 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 07 Sep 2026 - 19 Sep 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 14 Sep 2026 - 26 Sep 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 21 Sep 2026 - 03 Oct 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 12 Oct 2026 - 24 Oct 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 19 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 22 Oct 2026 - 03 Nov 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 26 Oct 2026 - 07 Nov 2026
from / $14,990 pp solo - 02 Nov 2026 - 14 Nov 2026
from $12,990 pp twin share / $15,990 pp solo - 09 Nov 2026 - 21 Nov 2026
from$12,990$12,390 pp twin share /$15,990/ $15,390 pp solo - 17 Mar 2027 - 29 Mar 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 19 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 21 Mar 2027 - 02 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 23 Mar 2027 - 04 Apr 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 25 Mar 2027 - 06 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 27 Mar 2027 - 08 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 29 Mar 2027 - 10 Apr 2027
from / $15,980 pp solo - 01 Apr 2027 - 13 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 03 Apr 2027 - 15 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 05 Apr 2027 - 17 Apr 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 07 Apr 2027 - 19 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 09 Apr 2027 - 21 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 12 Apr 2027 - 24 Apr 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 15 Apr 2027 - 27 Apr 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 19 Apr 2027 - 01 May 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 03 May 2027 - 15 May 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 06 May 2027 - 18 May 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 10 May 2027 - 22 May 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 13 May 2027 - 25 May 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 17 May 2027 - 29 May 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 20 May 2027 - 01 Jun 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 24 May 2027 - 05 Jun 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 31 May 2027 - 12 Jun 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 07 Jun 2027 - 19 Jun 2027
from $12,980 pp twin share / $16,180 pp solo - 14 Jun 2027 - 26 Jun 2027
from$12,980$12,380 pp twin share /$16,180/ $15,580 pp solo - 19 Jul 2027 - 31 Jul 2027
from $12,980 pp twin share / $16,180 pp solo - 16 Aug 2027 - 28 Aug 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 06 Sep 2027 - 18 Sep 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 13 Sep 2027 - 25 Sep 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 20 Sep 2027 - 02 Oct 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 27 Sep 2027 - 09 Oct 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 04 Oct 2027 - 16 Oct 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 11 Oct 2027 - 23 Oct 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 18 Oct 2027 - 30 Oct 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 21 Oct 2027 - 02 Nov 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 25 Oct 2027 - 06 Nov 2027
from / $15,980 pp solo - 01 Nov 2027 - 13 Nov 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 04 Nov 2027 - 16 Nov 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 08 Nov 2027 - 20 Nov 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo - 15 Nov 2027 - 27 Nov 2027
from$13,780$13,180 pp twin share /$16,980/ $16,380 pp solo - 18 Nov 2027 - 30 Nov 2027
from $13,780 pp twin share / $16,980 pp solo
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Tokyo
The Sunshine Prince is located in Sunshine City, a shopping and entertainment hub of Tokyo and close to Ikebukuro Station, providing convenient transport links to the rest of the city. The hotel's en-suite rooms are simple, comfortable and traditionally furnished with a television, electric kettle, a mini fridge and a safety deposit box. Facilities in the hotel include onsite restaurants serving Japanese, Cantonese and Western cuisines, a café and bar and a 24 hour convenience store.
Rako Hananoi Hotel - Suwa
Boasting beautiful views of Suwa Lake, the Rako Hananoi Hotel offers ensuite guest rooms equipped with free Wifi, a flat screen TV and a mini fridge. The hotel features relaxing spa and wellness facilities including a hot spring bath and sauna.
Hida Hotel Plaza - Takayama
Conveniently located just a 5 minute's walk from Takayama Station and 13 minutes on foot from Takayama's Old Town, the 3* Hida Hotel Plaza offers guests a great stay. The hotel is equipped with its own hot spring baths as well as a restaurant, serving Japanese, Chinese and Western flavours. Your room will include a refrigerator, toiletry as well as an in-room safe plus much more!
Hotel Kanazawa - Kanazawa
Close to Kanazawa Train Station, Hotel Kanazawa is conveniently located and offers guests modern accommodation with a choice of dining options. Pico restaurant serves Western dishes while Japanese cuisine can be found at Kitano Shoya restaurant.
Rihga Gran Kyoto - Kyoto
Located near the hub of transportation Kyoto station and many of Kyoto's top attractions, the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto is in a great location for exploring this beautiful city. It's contemporary guest rooms are complete with Japanese touches and ensuite bathrooms. The hotel features many facilities, including six restaurants, a luxurious bar, a heated indoor pool, and a fitness gym.
Piazza Hotel Nara - Nara
The 4-star Piazza Hotel Nara is located within walking distance of many of Nara's tourist attractions, including the national treasure Nara Park. All rooms are air conditioned and include a flat screen TV, ensuite bathroom and free WiFi.
Rihga Royal Osaka - Osaka
In the heart of Osaka, the Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka provides modern guest rooms with air conditioning, a flat screen TV and free WiFi. The hotel features a fitness centre and an impressive 20 dining options, offering a variety of cuisines from French to traditional Japanese.
How fit do I need to be to join this tour?
This tour is rated as a physical level 1 tour. It requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights. A reasonable level of fitness is required but 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. On several days, there will be sightseeing on foot for extended periods of time, often involving steps or uneven ground. You will be required to get on and off various sizes of boats without assistance Of course, the National Escort will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
Luggage
All travellers are limited to two items of luggage each; a suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of five kilograms. It is essential that your luggage is lockable. Please note that authorities will only allow bottles onto the aircraft if they have been checked in as main baggage. Bottles in hand luggage may be confiscated.
Visas: Please be advised that your passport must have at least six months validity left on it when you arrive back into Australis. Visas are not required for Australian passport holders for entry into Japan for stays of up to 90 days.
Itinerary Changes
It is the intention to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, the order of events or sightseeing may change as the supplier looks to improve their tours or as local conditions dictate. In these circumstances they will make the best possible arrangements maintaining the integrity of your trip.
Please note: Isuien Garden in Nara, visited on Day 10, is closed for maintenance weekly on Tuesdays. Departures coinciding with this will visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine as an alternative.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 June 2025. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
- Tipping is generally not part of the culture in Japan; however, you may wish to tip your National Escort at your discretion.
- Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request
- Please note: cherry blossoms & autumn leaves are weather dependent and it is not guaranteed that they will be in bloom at the time of your arrival.