17 days
Ultimate Japan
The best of Japan: temples, sushi, shrines, cities and more!
Prices from
£2,899
deposit
£49
43 people have been looking at this trip recently
Trip Highlights
- Kickstart your Japan adventure by discovering Tokyo’s most vibrant city districts
- Discover Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage with trips to Fushimi-Inari, Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion and Gion
- Visit iconic Japanese landmarks like Osaka Castle, Mount Fuji and Itsukushima Shrine
- Experience Japanese culture with amazing inclusions like a samurai lesson, temple stay, sushi making and tea ceremonies
- Encounter Japan’s beautiful wildlife like snow monkeys and deer in Nagano and Nara
Trip Overview
Fall in love with Japan’s one-of-a-kind culture while getting to know its most fascinating destinations over 17 days. Kickstart your adventure in the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, before escaping to the mountains of Nagano to see snow monkeys in the wild. Discover Mount Fuji in all its glory, the vibrant nightlife of Osaka and Kyoto’s awe-inspiring bamboo forests & shrines. Meet the friendly deer of Nara, stay overnight in a traditional Buddhist temple and take a day trip to the enchanting Miyajima Island to see the famous floating torii gates. With an expert group leader and a group of like-minded travellers, you will have the trip of a lifetime.
Trip Gallery
Still deciding where to go?
Get your free Gap 360 travel brochure
Download now or get a copy in the post
- 16 nights’ accommodation
- 16 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- All in-trip transportation (including bullet trains)
- Expert local guide
- Tokyo tours
- Sushi making
- Origami class
- Onsen visit
- Noodles class
- Visit Shiga Kogen National Park (summer only)
- Mount Fuji pirate cruise and cable car
- Karaoke in Osaka
- Kyoto: Bamboo forest, Golden Pavilion, Fushimi-Inari
- Gion district in Kyoto tour
- Samurai experience
- Osaka Castle visit
- Overnight Buddhist temple stay
- Nara day trip: temple and deer
- Hiroshima history tour
- Atomic dome and Peace Museum
- Tea Ceremony
- Day trip to Miyajima Island & Itsukushima Shrine
- 24-hour emergency support
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Some meals, snacks and drinks
- Optional Activities
- Airport transfers
Accommodation
16 nights’ accommodation is included for this trip. From modern hostels to traditional hotels and even a temple stay, the hand-picked accommodation immerses you in each destination and Japanese culture. These rooms are a mix of quadshare and private twinshare. Below is a taster of the places you could stay in while on this trip:
- Tokyo: 3 nights in a chic and modern hostel which is close to Tokyo’s most popular districts
- Nagano: 2 nights in a traditional Ryokan with onsen facilities and an ensuite
- Hakone: 1 night in a spacious and comfortable hostel
- Osaka: 3 nights in a modern hotel with an amazing central location
- Koyasan: 1 night in a traditional Buddhist temple - a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- Kyoto: 4 nights in private twin or double rooms in a sophisticated hostel
- Hiroshima: 2 nights in private twin rooms at a cosy hostel
Private single or twin/double room upgrades may be available for an additional cost outside of Cherry Blossom season (March/April). Please contact a travel advisor for details.
Please note accommodation can be subject to change.
Meals
16 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included. Japanese cuisine is delicious and nourishing, with the most popular dishes including fresh sushi, ramen bowls and katsu curry. For the remainder of your meals, you can ask your guide for the best restaurant recommendations!
Day 1: Begin in Tokyo
Welcome to Japan's capital, Tokyo! Check in to the accommodation and get ready to meet your travel crew this evening for your first evening of experiencing Tokyo.
Day 2: Tokyo's highlights
Visit the Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine, before walking across the legendary Shibuya Crossing and enjoying some free time in the colourful Harajuku district famed for it's kawaii-style fashion. Tonight, we're heading out to Shinjuku for some bar-hopping!
Day 3: Sushi and Akihabara
Sushi is one of Japan's most famous dishes, and today we'll learn how to roll it from a professional chef. After feasting on our creations, we'll head to Akihabara - Tokyo's anime district - together for a free afternoon and evening!
Day 4: Tokyo to Nagano
Today we're leaving Tokyo and riding our first bullet train, which will take us to Nagano! Once we've arrived, we'll learn about the ancient art of origami and make some unique souvenirs. Afterwards, dip into an onsen and unwind in the steamy thermal waters. This evening, we'll stay inside a traditional Ryokan: a Japanese-style inn with tatami mats and comfortable bedding.
Day 5: Noodles and mountains
It's time for another Japanese culinary experience, and this morning it's rolling soba noodles! After slurping a hot bowl of handmade noodles, we'll venture to Nagano's surrounding mountains for some wildlife viewing of snow monkeys.
Day 6: Nagano to Hakone
Hop onto another bullet train today which will take us to Hakone, known for its unbeatable views of the iconic Mount Fuji. Enjoy some free time exploring the peaceful and surreal surroundings.
Day 7: Hakone and Osaka
Start your day with the most awe-inspiring views of Mount Fuji whilst being in a cable car. Then, sail around Lake Ashi on an extravagant pirate ship... only in Japan, right? Next, we will make our way to Osaka. All things related to street food, shopping and bar hopping can be found in Osaka. So tonight, we're going for a barbecue dinner followed by karaoke!
Day 8: Osaka Castle
Enjoy a free morning to wander the streets of Osaka, before visiting the magnificent Osaka Castle later today. Learn more about Osaka Castle's fascinating 400 years of history and the Samurai era of Japan while exploring the grounds. Then we'll finish the day at Dotonburi, Osaka's most photographed region thanks to it's river canals surrounded by bright billboards.
Day 9: Koyasan temple stay
Today we'll escape to the secluded mountains of Koyasan and stay overnight in a 1000-year-old Buddhist temple. We'll be taught meditation by the monks, eat traditional cuisine and enjoy a late-night stroll through the sacred Okunoin Temple.
Day 10: Koyasan to Kyoto
Witness a traditional Buddhist ceremony this morning before travelling to Kyoto. Tour the enchanting Gion district known for it's Geisha culture.
Day 11: Kyoto highlights
Explore the famous Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama and admire the Golden Pavilion! The rest of today is yours to freely explore Kyoto.
Day 12: Fushimi-Inari and Samurai experience
Discover the famous red-orange Torii gates of the Fushimi-Inari shrine. Then learn all about the ancient art of Samurai from a master this afternoon!
Day 13: Nara and Kyoto
This morning, we will attend a ritual tea ceremony to learn the art of preparing a matcha tea. Then we will visit Nara for the day to explore it's temples and meet the friendly local deer.
Day 14: Hiroshima history tour
Today we will visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum as well as the Atomic Bomb Dome which provide a unique insight into this difficult chapter of Japan's history. Then this evening we will go to Okonomiyaki.
Day 15: Miyajima Island
Today we'll explore Miyajima Island and see the Itsuksushima Shrine floating in the water, plus temple visits and hiking trails!
Day 16: Hiroshima to Osaka
We're returning to Osaka today for a free afternoon of shopping and sightseeing. As our time together is coming to an end, we'll celebrate this trip of a lifetime in style in downtown Osaka, aka Shinsekai!
Day 17: Finish trip in Osaka
Your incredible adventure around Japan has come to an end. Depart at any time.
Please note activities and itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Options Payment plans available
The prices will load here automatically, if this does not happen for you: Click here to view Prices
Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Call us on: 01892 527392
Email us at: [email protected]
Flight Options Quotes available
Our partners at Flights 360 can find you the best fares available. Get in touch for a free quote.
Arrival Information:
This trip starts on Day 1 in Tokyo at around 7pm. Airport transfers are not included, but public transport is really easy in Japan and we will provide instructions on how to get to the starting hostel.
The trip ends finishes on Day 17 in Osaka; you can leave at any time. Your guide can assist you in making your way back to the airport.
Age & Eligibility:
Generally, our travellers are 18-35 years old. We do have an upper age limit of 55 for this trip, with some flexibility.
Want to check the demographics of your start date? Request the demographics here >
