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Best of Japan

  • Duration
    17 days
  • Tour Type
    Group Tour
  • Tour Style
    Classic
  • Price From
    £7,490pp
  • Read Reviews
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This itinerary is based on our most extensive tour of Japan including all the classic sights and key cultural activities. Featuring modern cities, historical sights and beautiful landscapes, our Best of Japan tour ensures you get the most out of your trip to this fascinating land.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 15 , Lunches: 14 , Dinners: 15
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    15 nights in 3+/4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1Learn More
    X A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should expect to be on your feet for much of the day. You’ll be getting on and off coaches, trains or boats and walking around the sights, often including steps, plus occasional longer walks. Download the detailed tour dossier for details of your chosen tour. Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet
Travel Expert

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For advice on where to go, what to do and how to choose your perfect tour, talk to our Travel Experts.

Call 0808 274 8594

Tour Highlights

Our Best of Japan tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.

Inspired by Race Across the World?

Our Journey Through Japan tour is the closest tour you can take to follow in the racers' footsteps as they travelled from North to South. Explore the tour

Explore al the featured destinations at our Race Across the World page

Tour Experiences

Tour Itinerary

Our most popular tour of Japan includes all the classic sights and key cultural activities. Featuring modern cities, historical sights and beautiful landscapes.

  • Days 1-2
    Fly to Tokyo
    Days 1-2: Fly to Tokyo

    Fly overnight to the dazzling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    • Dinner
  • Day 3
    Discover Tokyo
    Day 3: Discover Tokyo

    Begin today with a stroll through the Imperial Palace East Garden. Continue to the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, before heading to the trendy district of Shibuya where you will have the opportunity to walk on the world’s most famous pedestrian crossing. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore as you wish. End the day with a dinner cruise onboard a traditional yakata on Tokyo Bay and witness the city lit up at night.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 4
    Further Explore Tokyo
    Day 4: Further Explore Tokyo

    Stroll through the vibrant Asakusa district and soak up the ambiance of Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Next, walk along the famous Nakamise Street which is lined with souvenir shops on both sides. In the afternoon, ascend to the observation deck of the 634-metre Tokyo Skytree.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 5
    Fuji Five Lakes
    Day 5: Fuji Five Lakes

    Journey by road through the foothills of the iconic Mount Fuji to its base where we find the Fuji Five Lakes. The region is spectacularly dotted by the calm waters of five lakes, formed by past volcanic eruptions, reflecting Mount Fuji’s picture-perfect cone. Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ashi for spectacular panoramas of this beautiful area before venturing up the Hakone Ropeway to the volcanic Owakudani Valley.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 6
    Mount Fuji
    Day 6: Mount Fuji

    Ascend by road 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. Also visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku. Continue by road to Nagano.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 7
    Jigokudani Monkey Park
    Day 7: Jigokudani Monkey Park

    Travel deeper into the Japanese Alps, to the small town of Yudanaka. Here, enjoy a light hike through the forest to the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where if you’re lucky, you may see the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathe and play in their hot spring pool at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. After lunch, visit Zenkoji, one of Japan’s most prolific Buddhist temples.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 8
    Explore Matsumoto
    Day 8: Explore Matsumoto

    Begin the day with a visit to the Daio Wasabi Farm to learn about its cultivation, before continuing to the town of Matsumoto. Here, visit the Ishii Miso House to learn all about this essential Japanese seasoning, before exploring the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle. Continue by road to Takayama and relax in the hotsprings at your hotel.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 9
    Discova Takayama
    Day 9: Discova Takayama

    Spend the day exploring the town of Takayama. Browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa Open Air Market and wander past some of the lovely traditional houses. Also visit several of the excellent local museums, including the Yatai Kaikan – a museum which displays traditional Japanese floats used in many festivals and Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum. Your last stop today is and Takayama Jinya, a former Government office for 300 years.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 10
    Scenic Shirakawago
    Day 10: Scenic Shirakawago

    Begin the day travelling by road to the rural village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site, renowned for its thatched roof houses. Here, explore a 300-year-old Gassho-style Wada House. Next, it’s off to Gokayama for a hands-on washi paper making experience before continuing by road to Kanazawa, stopping enroute at the Nomura Samurai House.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 11
    Explore Kanazawa
    Day 11: Explore Kanazawa

    Begin the day strolling through Kenrokuen, one of the ‘Three Great Gardens of Japan’, which is dotted with waterfalls, ponds and charming tea houses. Next, continue by road to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, Kyoto is an enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan with over 2000 temples and shrines and exceptionally preserved wooden buildings.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 12
    Japanese Tea Ceremony
    Day 12: Japanese Tea Ceremony

    Spend the day exploring some of the city’s highlights Enjoy one of Kyoto’s most delightful spots, beginning at Kiyomizu, a 8th-century Buddhist temple. Also experience the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony with a tea master. End the day with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 13
    Kyoto's Temples
    Day 13: Kyoto's Temples

    Start the day with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple, also known as ‘Golden Pavilion’. Continue to Ryoanji, the ‘Peaceful Dragon Temple’, which boasts the most famous rock garden in Japan. End the day with a journey on the impressive bullet train to Hiroshima.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 14
    Hiroshima Highlights
    Day 14: Hiroshima Highlights

    Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Reflect on the city’s tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Next, take the ferry to the holy island of Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy some time at leisure.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 15
    Himeji Castle
    Day 15: Himeji Castle

    Depart Hiroshima, stopping en route to explore the magnificent 17th-century Himeji Castle, also known as the ‘White Heron Castle’ due to white exterior and elegant appearance. Also take a stroll through Kokoen, a traditional-style garden. Continue by road to Osaka.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 16
    Explore Nara & Osaka
    Day 16: Explore Nara & Osaka

    Spend the morning in Nara, the small, history-filled city that was Japan’s first capital. Stroll through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple and admire the traditional Isuien Garden. Return to Osaka for lunch at the famous Dontonburi Street, followed by a visit to the impressive Osaka Castle.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 17
    Depart Osaka
    Day 17: Depart Osaka

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

    • Breakfast
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 6°c
  • 45mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 4°c
  • 270mm
  • Kyoto
  • 5°c
  • 50mm
  • Nagano
  • 0°c
  • 51mm
  • Osaka
  • 6°c
  • 45mm
  • Takayama
  • 7°c
  • 8mm
  • Tokyo
  • 5°c
  • 65mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 6°c
  • 67mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 4°c
  • 172mm
  • Kyoto
  • 6°c
  • 68mm
  • Nagano
  • 0°c
  • 50mm
  • Osaka
  • 7°c
  • 62mm
  • Takayama
  • 7°c
  • 15mm
  • Tokyo
  • 6°c
  • 58mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 9°c
  • 124mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 7°c
  • 159mm
  • Kyoto
  • 9°c
  • 113mm
  • Nagano
  • 4°c
  • 59mm
  • Osaka
  • 10°c
  • 104mm
  • Takayama
  • 10°c
  • 41mm
  • Tokyo
  • 9°c
  • 77mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 15°c
  • 142mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 13°c
  • 137mm
  • Kyoto
  • 14°c
  • 116mm
  • Nagano
  • 11°c
  • 54mm
  • Osaka
  • 15°c
  • 104mm
  • Takayama
  • 15°c
  • 31mm
  • Tokyo
  • 14°c
  • 118mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 19°c
  • 178mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 17°c
  • 155mm
  • Kyoto
  • 19°c
  • 161mm
  • Nagano
  • 16°c
  • 75mm
  • Osaka
  • 20°c
  • 146mm
  • Takayama
  • 20°c
  • 43mm
  • Tokyo
  • 18°c
  • 145mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 23°c
  • 247mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 22°c
  • 185mm
  • Kyoto
  • 23°c
  • 214mm
  • Nagano
  • 21°c
  • 109mm
  • Osaka
  • 24°c
  • 184mm
  • Takayama
  • 23°c
  • 58mm
  • Tokyo
  • 22°c
  • 135mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 27°c
  • 259mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 26°c
  • 232mm
  • Kyoto
  • 27°c
  • 220mm
  • Nagano
  • 25°c
  • 134mm
  • Osaka
  • 28°c
  • 157mm
  • Takayama
  • 26°c
  • 36mm
  • Tokyo
  • 26°c
  • 81mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 29°c
  • 111mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 27°c
  • 139mm
  • Kyoto
  • 29°c
  • 132mm
  • Nagano
  • 26°c
  • 98mm
  • Osaka
  • 29°c
  • 91mm
  • Takayama
  • 28°c
  • 16mm
  • Tokyo
  • 27°c
  • 113mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 25°c
  • 170mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 23°c
  • 226mm
  • Kyoto
  • 25°c
  • 176mm
  • Nagano
  • 21°c
  • 129mm
  • Osaka
  • 26°c
  • 161mm
  • Takayama
  • 25°c
  • 57mm
  • Tokyo
  • 23°c
  • 131mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 19°c
  • 88mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 17°c
  • 177mm
  • Kyoto
  • 18°c
  • 121mm
  • Nagano
  • 14°c
  • 83mm
  • Osaka
  • 19°c
  • 112mm
  • Takayama
  • 19°c
  • 38mm
  • Tokyo
  • 18°c
  • 132mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 13°c
  • 68mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 12°c
  • 265mm
  • Kyoto
  • 12°c
  • 71mm
  • Nagano
  • 8°c
  • 44mm
  • Osaka
  • 14°c
  • 69mm
  • Takayama
  • 14°c
  • 16mm
  • Tokyo
  • 12°c
  • 128mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Hiroshima
  • 8°c
  • 41mm
  • Kanazawa
  • 7°c
  • 282mm
  • Kyoto
  • 7°c
  • 48mm
  • Nagano
  • 3°c
  • 46mm
  • Osaka
  • 9°c
  • 44mm
  • Takayama
  • 9°c
  • 6mm
  • Tokyo
  • 8°c
  • 109mm
+ -
Best of Japan map

Places Visited: UK - Tokyo (3N) - Hakone (1N) -Nagano (2N) - Takayama (2N) - Kanazawa (1N) - Kyoto (2N) - Hiroshima (2N) - Osaka (2N)

Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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Depart UK
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Booking Options

Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.

Depart UK
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Booking Options

There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

Depart UK
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Group Tour includes

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