About this trip
Japan works because the old and new sit right next to each other, and this trip is built around that contrast — you move from quiet temple gardens to neon-lit city blocks over two weeks on the island of Honshu.
The route covers the classic stops of Kyoto and Nara, but also pushes into the mountainous interior for castles and hot spring towns that most visitors skip, plus Hiroshima, samurai-era Kanazawa and the lakeside setting of Kawaguchiko.
It ends in Tokyo, where the pace picks up and the scale of the city becomes the main event. Some departures are timed for cherry blossom season, when the sakura are in bloom.
What you'll do
- Wander the shrines and gardens of Kyoto and Nara
- Explore castles and spa towns in Japan's mountainous heartland
- Visit Hiroshima
- Discover samurai history in Kanazawa
- Take in the lakeside setting of Kawaguchiko
- Finish in Tokyo, from quiet backstreets to the neon core
- A 14-day itinerary covering multiple regions, so you'll be changing base regularly
- Mix of private and shared rooms available
- Cherry blossom season departures run on specific dates, so check timing if that's the draw
Worth it if you love walking 10-12 miles daily and want broad coverage of ancient and modern Japan. Think twice if you're over 75, move slowly, or need deep local cultural insights rather than logistics.
- Guide quality varies wildly; best ones weave culture, history, and geography with genuine warmth and local restaurant tips.
- Expect relentless daily walking (10-12 miles, long stairs, crowded subway stations) unsuitable for anyone over 75 or with mobility concerns.
- Hotels in Matsumoto and Kyoto need updates; shared accommodation can have beds bolted together, requiring negotiation for separate rooms.
- Trip covers highlights well but lacks traditional Japanese theatre; karaoke included but should be standard, not optional.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Sep is cheapest — from £5,145, about 9% below the priciest month (Apr).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Kyoto · 19 Sept – 20 Sept
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