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Tour · Wendy Wu Tours · 11 nights

Discover Japan

  • International flights and domestic transportation included throughout
  • Guided touring with entrance fees to temples, gardens and cultural sites
  • Three to four star accommodation across eleven nights in Japan
From
$11,890 pp twin share
11 nights
Enquire
Duration11 nights
OperatorWendy Wu Tours
StyleTour
HighlightExplore Japan's cultural heartland from Tokyo to Kyoto across fourteen days of guided discovery
Journey through Japanese Alps to Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa. Visit Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara and the sacred mountain of Koyasan. Experience traditional crafts including gold leaf making and washi paper creation

Journey across the Japanese Alps to the cultural centres of Takayama, Shirakawa-go 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.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Fly to Tokyo

    Days 1–2

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 7

    Shirakawa-Go Village and Kanazawa

    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.

  7. 8

    Gold Leaf Making

    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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 13

    Fly Osaka To Australia

    Days 13–14

    Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected).
  • Domestic transportation.
  • 3 – 4 star accommodation.
  • Touring with guides and entrance fees.
  • Dedicated Solo Departures only: Complimentary airport lounge pass in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth, single room included in price.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

  • Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
  • Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa
  • Amanek Hotel Hida Takayama
  • Amanek Kanazawa
  • Ala Hotel Kyoto
  • NOVOTEL Nara
  • Rihga Royal Osaka
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 14 days and 11 nights.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?

Book this tour

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

Enquire about this tour
The fine print

Terms & conditions

Read the operator’s full booking conditions
  • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 June 2026. 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.
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Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.

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