14 Day Japan Premium Small Group Tour

• Small group tour, with no more than 20 travellers
• Incredible sightseeing including breath-taking Mt Fuji, the UNESCO sites of Shirakawa-go Village and Golden Pavilion, and the charming old towns of Takayama and Kanazawa
• 13 nights in deluxe 4-star accommodation
• Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
• Travel on the famous Shinkansen bullet train
• Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
• Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
• In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

• Osaka - Tour Osaka's thriving central food and entertainment area, Dotonbori
• Osaka - Wander the Namba-Shinsaibashi shopping district
• Nara - Discover the Todaji Temple and its great Buddha
• Nara - Wander through Nara park with over 1,200 Sika deer
• Kyoto - Visit Kinkakuji, the World Heritage-listed Golden Pavilion
• Kyoto - Enjoy a full free day to explore at your own pace
• Kyoto - Visit the Nishijin Textile Centre and enjoy a traditional kimono show
• Kyoto - Travel to Arashiyama to see Togetsu Bridge and the iconic Bamboo Grove
• Kanazawa - Visit Kenrokuen Garden – one of Japan’s top three landscape gardens
• Kanazawa - Explore the Higashi Chaya, a geisha district known for its quaint old buildings and teahouses
• Shirakawa-go - Wander through this World Heritage site with 114 Gassho-style houses
• Takayama - Explore Takayama’s Old Town with Edo period houses
• Takayama - Visit the open air museum of Hida Folk Village
• Takayama - Discover Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Exhibition Hall) where some of the centuries old festival floats are on display
• Nagano - Visit the Hokusai Museum to discover the great artworks of Katsuhika Hokusai
• Nagano - Explore the impressive Zenkoji Temple, which was founded over 1,400 years ago
• Matsumoto - See one of Japan's last remaining original castles, Matsumoto Castle
• Matsumoto - Wander the beautiful Nakamachi Street, where you can see preserved shops, houses and warehouses
• Kawaguchiko - Experience a traditional hot-spring onsen guesthouse with views of Mt Fuji
• Mt Fuji - Gaze at Mount Fuji‘s iconic peak from the 5th Station
• Mt Fuji - See traditional thatched roof farmhouses and try some local delicacies in view of Mt Fuji
• Mt Fuji - visit Gotemba Peace Park to capture another breath-taking view of Mount Fuji
• Tokyo - Visit the Tsukiji Outer Market, a foodie heaven home to fresh ingredients street food vendors
• Tokyo - Stop at Imperial Palace to see the famous Nijubashi Bridge
• Tokyo - Ascend the 332m Tokyo Tower for sweeping views over the sprawling metropolis
• Tokyo - Visit Shibuya Crossing and join the incredible scramble that occurs every time the traffic lights turn red
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Inspiring Sights

• You may choose to include 1 optional Inspiring Sight throughout your tour, free as part of your package (options listed under 'Optional Tours').

Inspiring Taste

• Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner with your fellow travellers in the Mt Fuji area.

Inspiring Stays

• Enjoy deluxe, centrally-located 4-star accommodation throughout your tour, including a night at a Japanese onsen hotel.

Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation. 

We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.

Australian owned and operated 
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.

Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period.  Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.

Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.

This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.

If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section

Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.

Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:

• Flight Offer valid from select departure cities within the purchase path only
• Flights will be booked with the best available airline/s with luggage included. Low-cost carriers may be booked in conjunction with a full-service airline. Depending on the carrier, entertainment and meals may not be included but payable at an extra cost on-board. We cannot specify or guarantee the airline booked. If you would like a specific airline, please request this at the time of purchase. To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchases to make your request. 
• Flights may not be direct and may include multiple connections
• Due to disrupted airline schedules globally with the pandemic, stopovers/transit times may be longer than usual (up to 12 hours in duration in some circumstances).
• Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules, Airline change fees and an Inspiring Vacations change fee of $250 per person.
• Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required at the time of submitting your traveller booking form. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to an Inspiring Vacations name change fee of $150 plus any applicable fees charged by the airline, or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required. 
• If the required booking class is unavailable at time of booking, surcharges may apply. Total cost is final only at time of ticketing. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees or may be non-refundable
• Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are outside of our control. It is important that you, as the customer, stay up-to-date with the latest airline schedule information prior to your departure. If a schedule change results in extended transits or an earlier/later departure from your destination, any additional accommodation or alternative arrangements will be at the traveler's expense.
• After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Inspiring Vacations. Inspiring Vacations reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer's invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
• Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage will still be included for each passenger. Any additional baggage required is payable at time of check-in. 
• If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability. 
• You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.
• In the event of that you no-show on your scheduled flight, please be aware the airline will require you to pay a no show fee, Airline reissue fee plus any additional airfare and taxes. Inspiring Vacations will also charge a $250 admin fee to assist re accommodating you on the next available flight. Please note that depending on the airline's policy, purchasing a new ticket may be required.

Baggage

Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:

Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.

Flight requests, amendments or preferences

We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.

To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.

We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:

• Airline Preferences - You may wish to fly with a particular airline
• Cabin Preferences - These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
• Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) - You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.
• Meal Requests - You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements.
• Seat Requests - If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.

We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:

• Stopovers - Is where you might want to stop in transit for a certain amount of days prior to your tour or after your tour.
• One way flights
• Different start or end city to the tour - you may not amend the arrival or departure city of your itinerary. 
• Around the world tickets  - Is when a ticket includes multiple stops in different continents.
• Return home to a different city from the one you departed.
• Frequent Flyer point redemption - Is when an airline allows you to redeem points to pay for your flights or upgrade your ticket.  

If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.

FAQs

For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs  section. 

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

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 categorized as a”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.

Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.

You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Suggested amount for your guide, 500Y per person per day. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

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.

Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,052.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.

Triple Share
Not available.

Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

Visa & Passport Information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.

Visas may be required.

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html 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
6-20 People.

Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels: 

• Fully Escorted - This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):

• Kyoto Tea Ceremony (Day 4) - $41 per person
• Kyoto Taiko Drumming Experience (Day 4) - $74 per person
• Old World Tokyo Walking Tour (Day 13) - $70 per person
• Japanese Traditional Cooking Class (Day 13) - $95 per person

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.

Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.

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.

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:

Pre Tour Accommodation

• $272.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
• $272.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Post Tour Accommodation

• $272.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
• $272.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

Click HERE for more information on weather in Japan

• International airfares (optional)
• Airport Transfer
• Visas
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Tipping
• Optional Activities
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary