This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage. To ensure this trip is right for you, any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aid, then this tour is not suitable.
Good quality properties chosen for their modern facilities and amenities, typically ideally located, offering easy access to the city centre.
Hotel stars are based on local ratings provided and the expected standard may differ depending on the destination. Hotels listed within the itinerary are indicative of the typical hotel we intend to use for that package but is subject to change.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ 11 nights in deluxe 4-star accommodation
✓ 1 night in a Ryokan with a private hot spring tub
✓ Daily breakfast and one traditional Kaiseki dinner
✓ Ride the iconic bullet train from Hakone to Tokyo
✓ In-depth discovery of the famed, diverse Golden Route
✓ Fully escorted tour with English-speaking guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing including entry fees – see breathtaking Mount Fuji, beautiful castles like the UNESCO site Nijō Castle, magical temples and shrines and the neon-lit splendour of Tokyo
✓ Comfortable, dedicated private transportation throughout
✓ All tipping
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Today, board your international flight to Japan!
Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, you will be greeted by one of our representatives and then transferred to your hotel. After check-in, spend the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing after your flight.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
Prepare for a full day of touring today. You'll meet with your English-speaking guide in the morning before heading out to explore the city. We'll begin at the stunning Osaka Castle, which played a major role in the unification of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the 16th century.
After exploring the castle and its extensive grounds, we'll move on to something much more modern – the Umeda Sky Building's Floating Garden Observatory, which provides an unparalleled view over Osaka. The viewing platform is suspended between two 40-storey towers, 173m above the city's streets.
Next we'll enjoy a walking tour of the Dōtonbori area, one of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations running parallel to the Dōtonbori canal, and a place that's packed with shops, bars, street food and entertainment. At night the streets here are illuminated by hundreds of colourful neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous running Glico Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab sign.
We'll finish our tour at one of Osaka’s most famous districts – the nostalgic Shinsekai, which translates to 'New World'. The district was created in the early 1900s and modelled on the cities of Paris and New York. After our guided tour we'll return to the hotel where you can spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Today is a free day to explore the wonders of Osaka. Osaka is known for its modern architecture, lively nightlife and hearty street food and has no end of extraordinary sights and activities. Be sure to ask your guide for some recommendations.
To enhance your journey, we're offering 2 free Inspiring Sights experiences throughout the duration of your tour, from a total of 5 options.
Tonight, enjoy the world-famous delicacy of Kobe beef. Kobe beef comes from the Tajima strain of the Japanese Black cattle, raised according to strict guidelines only in Hyōgo Prefecture. The meat is prized across the globe for its flavour, tenderness and marbling.
This morning we say farewell to Osaka as we continue on our journey towards the City of Ten Thousand Shrines, Kyoto. Considered by many to be the Jewel in the country's crown, and one of the only cities in the country to escape destruction during the war, many of this former imperial capital's relics have remained intact.
Upon arrival we'll begin a guided tour of the city at the breathtaking Nijō Castle. Its palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture of Japan's feudal era; as such the castle was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
From here we'll travel to Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion. This is a Zen temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold, set within a beautiful classical Zen garden. The detailed architecture incorporates three distinct architectural styles – Shinden, Samurai, and Zen.
Next we will explore the Ryōan-ji, the site of Japan's most famous rock garden finishing our tour at Arashiyama. Here we will see the famous bamboo forest, a nationally designated historic site and a place of serene beauty. Following this, the rest of the afternoon will be yours to spend at leisure.
To enhance your journey, we're offering 2 free Inspiring Sights experiences throughout the duration of your tour, from a total of 5 options.
Kyoto is famed for its vegetarian cuisine, developed over many centuries thanks to the influence of the local monk culture. Tofu is one of the local specialities and can be prepared in a variety of ways – from simple recipes that involve just soy sauce and ginger, to the famous local agedashi style, where it's deep fried. Tofu is one of the most commonly used ingredients in Japanese cuisine.
Today we begin at the magical Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii (shrine gates), which straddle a network of trails behind its main temples, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is incredibly photogenic. The trails lead into the forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233m and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Next we'll set out with our guide towards Nara, a city with significant temples and artwork dating to the eighth century, when it was Japan’s capital. Here we'll wander through Nara Park, where more than 1200 tame sika deer roam freely. According to the Shinto religion these animals are messengers of the gods.
Later we'll visit Tōdai-ji (Great Eastern Temple), famed for its Great Buddha Hall, which remains one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. This impressive building houses a 15m-tall bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana.
We'll finish our tour today at the Grand Shrine of Kasuga. This eighth-century Shinto shrine is renowned for its many lanterns: the pathway to the shrines are lined with 2000-plus stone lanterns, or ishidoro, while the shrines and gates themselves are adorned with more than a thousand lanters made from bronze.
Upon completion of our guided tour of Nara, we will return to our hotel in Kyoto.
Prepare an overnight bag this morning, as your larger luggage will be transported ahead of you, to arrive in Takayama in two days' time.
We'll meet our guide after check-out, who will walk with us to the Kyoto station. Here we'll board the Thunderbird train to Kanazawa station. Upon arrival this afternoon we'll enjoy a guided tour of Kanazawa, one of the few cities in Japan to escape destruction by air raids. As such, parts of the old castle town – including the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts – have survived.
Next we'll visit Nomura Samurai House, the historic residence of the Nomura Samurai clan. The intriguing house and grounds provide an insight into the lifestyle of the samurai, or military nobility, during the 16-19th centuries. The residence features beautiful architecture, gardens and décor, such as intricately painted screen doors.
Later we'll tour Kanazawa Castle Park, an absolutely stunning open space in the middle of the city and a favourite stop for many, the sprawling leafy grounds backed by a partially restored white and black castle.
We'll end our guided tour at the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden – one of the most beautiful in Japan. Developed over more than 200 years, starting in 1620, the garden contains almost 9000 trees and 200 plant species.
Today is yours to explore Kanazawa on your own. Perhaps pick up some regional handicrafts at one of the city's shops, roam the streets of Kanazawa's well-preserved Edo-era districts, visit its many art galleries and museums, or simply relax. Be sure to ask your guide for some recommendations.
Kimono's are a traditional Japanese garment, first introduced in Japan in the Heian period (between 794 and 1185). You'll be able to rent a kimono and walk around the traditional streets of Kanazawa to take photos. Your guide will provide you with directions to the venue.
Also called chadō, 'the way of tea' is the traditional and ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. You'll be shown how to prepare the tea and be able to experience preparing it as well. Your guide will be able to provide you with directions to the venue.
This morning we leave Kanazawa and travel towards our next destination, Takayama. Along the way we'll stop in Shirakawa-gō Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has more than 100 'Gassho-style' houses, which feature steeply-pitched roofs. Built many hundreds of years ago, these historic houses stand together in a beautiful natural setting. From the site’s observation deck you can enjoy a panoramic view of this unique village, its thatched-roof houses sitting among gorgeous mountain scenery. Following this we will transfer to Kanazawa to rest for the evening.
After our visit here we'll continue on to the Edo-period city of Takayama. Upon arrival we'll visit the Takayama Jinya, the former government house of Takayama. Once upon a time there were more than 60 similar buildings around Japan, but this is the only one left standing today.
Next we'll visit Kamisannomachi Street in the city's Old Town; a wonderfully well-preserved slice of old Japan, with houses and shops dating back to the Edo period (1600-1868). As well as the charming architecture, there are several quaint cafés and a number of old saké breweries to explore.
Today we begin our journey towards Hakone, making stops at some of Japan’s most iconic destinations along the way. Before you depart the hotel, be sure to pack an overnight bag again, as your larger luggage will be sent ahead of you and be waiting upon arrival at your hotel in Tokyo. As the bullet train cannot accommodatae larger luggage, this is the most convenient option for the group.
First we arrive in Matsumoto, where we will enjoy a guided tour of this mountain city, which includes a visit to Matsumoto Castle. Also known as the 'Crow Castle' due to its dramatic black exterior, this building, completed in the 1500s, is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.
After enjoying a break for lunch, we continue on to the Mount Fuji 5th station, which is halfway up the active volcano. At 3,776m high Mount Fuji is the country’s tallest peak and it is considered one of Japan’s three holy mountains. Here, above the clouds, we'll view the mountain’s enormous summit if weather permits.
Later this afternoon we'll arrive in Hakone and enjoy a kaiseki dinner at the hotel – this is a traditional, multi-course meal that is meticulously prepared and typically demonstrates numerous cooking techniques. You can also enjoy a private onsen (hot spring) experience on your balcony as part of your Inspiring Stay.
Today begins with a comprehensive guided tour of Hakone – a mountainous town that lies within Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is known for its hot springs and mesmerising views of Mount Fuji. Our tour will begin at Hakone Shrine, famous for its torii that sits in the waters of Lake Ashi and frames gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape.
Next we'll visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which is home to more than a thousand sculptures and works of art from both Japanese and international artists such as Picasso and Henry Moore.
After our tour of the Hakone Open-Air Museum, we'll take some time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Odawara station, from where we'll transfer to Tokyo, experiencing the mind-blowing speed of the bullet train, which travels at up to 320 km/h. The shinkansen, as they are known locally, are famous for their punctuality, comfort and safety.
Upon arrival in Tokyo, we'll enjoy an afternoon with our guide exploring some of the sights of the city. Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and the world’s most populated megalopolis – the Tokyo metropolitan area spreads over three prefectures and has a whopping 38 million habitants.
We'll begin our tour in the Ginza district, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district. From here we'll head to the Shibuya Crossing, rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world. Following this you're free to spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.
A full day tour of this magnificent city awaits. Our first stop will be the Meiji Shrine, located within a 170-acre forest in the centre of the city. Constructed of cypress wood and copper, the shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji, Japan’s 122nd emperor, who presided over Japan’s industrial revolution and emergence onto the world stage.
Next we'll visit the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Built on the site of the old Edo castle, it is surrounded by large park areas, moats and massive stone walls, and come cherry blossom season it is blanketed in a sea of pink blooms.
A tour of Tokyo would not be complete without a visit to Tsukiji, the world’s biggest wholesale fish market and the largest wholesale food market in the world. Stroll through Tokyo’s kitchen and delight in the tastes, smells and sights. Take some time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before we begin our Sumida River Cruise, which offers a striking new perspective of the city.
Following our cruise we'll head to the Asakusa district where we'll visit the beautiful Sensō-ji Temple. This ancient Buddhist temple is Tokyo's oldest, and one of its most significant, dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
We will then visit the Tokyo Skytree. Open since May 2012, the Skytree is a television and radio broadcast site, and contains a restaurant and two viewing platforms. At 634m, it's among the tallest structures in the world.
To enhance your journey, we're offering 2 free Inspiring Sights experiences throughout the duration of your tour, from a total of 5 options.
One of Japan's most famous exports, the word sushi is recognised almost anywhere in the world today. International versions of the dish continue to evolve in a unique way to reflect local characteristics and often use unconventional ingredients such as avocado, cheese, or fried prawns.
Today is a free day to explore Tokyo on your own. Japan’s busy capital expertly mixes the ultramodern with the traditional and has plenty to offer everyone. Feel free to ask your guide for personalised suggestions.
Unfortunately today marks the end of your fantastic tour through some of the best Japan has to offer. We hope you have had an incredible experience and wish you a safe journey home. After checking out of your hotel, enjoy some free time until your transfer to Narita International Airport.
Arrive home today.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Please note - some flights may arrive home the following day.
Inspiring Stay
Inspiring Sights
To enhance your journey, we're offering guests two (2) bonus sightseeing experiences out of a choice of five (5) options. The remaining 3 options can also be purchased, costs listed under 'Optional Tours'.
Inspiring Taste
See dinner options in Inspiring Sights
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Flight schedules
Inspiring Vacations will endeavour to book flights as per the below schedule. A suitable alternative will be arranged if flights are no longer available.
London Heathrow
| Outbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
| Flight 1 | Lufthansa | LH 2485 | LHR - MUC | 7:25 AM | 10:15 AM | 1hr 50m | 2hrs 10m |
| Flight 2 | Lufthansa | LH 742 | MUC- KIX | 12:25 PM | 6:40 AM | 11hrs 15m | |
| Inbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
| Flight 1 | ANA | NH 217 | HND- MUC | 12:30 PM | 5:20 PM | 11hrs 50m | 1hrs 20m |
| Flight 2 | Lufthansa | LH 2480 | MUC- LHR | 6:40 PM | 7:40 PM | 2hrs |
Manchester
| Outbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
| Flight 1 | KLM | KL 1074 | MAN- AMS | 11:10 AM | 1:30 PM | 1hr 20m | 1hr 10m |
| Flight 2 | KLM | KL 867 | AMS- KIX | 2:40 PM | 8:55 AM | 11hrs 15m | |
| Inbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
| Flight 1 | Air France | AF 293 | HND- CDG | 10:55 PM | 4:35 AM | 12hrs 40m | 3hrs 40m |
| Flight 2 | Air France | AF 1668 | CDG- MAN | 8:15 AM | 8:45 AM | 1hr 30m |
Edinburgh
| Outbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
| Flight 1 | KLM | KL 1287 | EDI- AMS | 9:10 AM | 11:45 AM | 1hr 35m | 2hrs 55m |
| Flight 2 | KLM | KL 867 | AMS- KIX | 2:40 PM | 8:55 AM | 11hrs 15m | |
| Inbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
| Flight 1 | Air France | AF 279 | HND- CDG | 2:20 PM | 7:45 PM | 12hrs 25m | 1hr 15m |
| Flight 2 | Air France | AF 1886 | CDG- EDI | 9:00 PM | 9:45 PM | 1hr 45m |
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
Not Available.
How to extend your stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
Please note, a supplement of £75 per person (plus any applicable fare and tax differences) applies to deviate from the standard itinerary. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your package by choosing some of the following extra services available for this package:
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability. Alternatively, you may purchase 1 pre or post-night accommodation, at time of booking.
Arrival and departure airport transfers
For this package, we cannot offer a private airport transfer service for you, therefore you will be required to make your own way from & to the airport at your own expense. You may choose to book a shared transfer service independently, get a taxi on arrival or travel by train. For advice, you may speak to your Dedicated Support Agent.
You have the choice of 2 of 5 Inspiring Sights to enhance your journey. You may purchase additional ones prior to departure:
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that transportation to and from each optional tour is not included in the price. You will be required to make your own way to the starting point of the optional tour, as well as back to your hotel. Your tour guide can provide you with the direction and guidance needed to make your own way.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Twin Share Bedding Configuration
At any time, bedding configuration is subject to confirmation by the hotel and based on availability. While you have the option to select either twin or double bedding at time of booking, our recommendation when travelling to Japan is to choose twin bedding, as the rooms are often bigger than those that have a double bed. If insisting on double bedding, please note that the rooms will be smaller and more narrow. As a general expectation, we cannot always guarantee bedding at all hotel stays.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is £790 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Please note when choosing Single Supplement for this deal that you will receive a single room, which is smaller in size than a twin/double room. Unfortunately this is typical for Japan, as the cost to solely occupy a double/twin size room is incredibly high. We appreciate your understanding.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information
It is the travellers responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your intended date of return to the United Kingdom..
All British passport holders do not require a visa for travel to Japan.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
15-40 people
Trip Style - Group Tour
Our Group Tours offer unparalleled value for money and are the perfect style of travel for those on a budget, though still eager to pack as much in to their itinerary as possible. These tours tick all the boxes with an abundance of inclusions such as sightseeing highlights, expert tour guides, quality accommodation, transfers, coach transportation, some meals and more. Please note that the maximum group size will vary between deals and will be mentioned within the Fine Print of each deal page.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Cherry Blossom Dates
The cherry blossoms (sakura) usually bloom in the last week of March and the first two weeks of April. Cherry blossom are extremely seasonal and we can't guaruntee they will bloom during your visit.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Japan.
Inspiring Vacations UK is an ATOL Licensee (Licence number 11519). As such all flights and travel packages including transport and accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations UK are protected under the ATOL scheme. Upon booking with us you will receive an ATOL certificate as a record of this protection.
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