About this trip
Fourteen days across Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto, tracing the country's history through castles and temples that have barely changed since the days of the Shogun, alongside a visit to Hiroshima and its heavier past.
You move between cities by bullet train, spend a night in a Buddhist temple lodging, and get properly stuck into local life — spotting snow monkeys, wandering among free-roaming deer, and working through snacks like takoyaki along the way.
It's a full sweep of the classic Japan route, guided throughout, with time in Tokyo, Kanazawa and Kyoto for temples, gardens and a look at more traditional corners of the country.
What you'll do
- Visit temples and castles preserved since the era of the Shogun
- Learn about Hiroshima's history
- Stay overnight in a Buddhist temple lodging in Nagano
- Spot snow monkeys and free-roaming deer
- Travel between cities on bullet trains
- Explore Kanazawa's Samurai district and Kenrokuen Gardens
- Fully guided throughout, with private rooms
- Fast-paced — you cover a lot of ground by bullet train over the 14 days
- Some departures swap the Nagano temple lodging for a hotel, so check your specific dates
Worth it if you're fit, love history and culture, and can embrace early starts. Think twice if you need extensive hand-holding in Tokyo or dislike a relentless pace.
- Guides (Santi, Raya, Dean, Marco) consistently went above and beyond, handling logistics and navigation with genuine knowledge and patience.
- Tour is genuinely strenuous with lots of walking; early breakfasts require discipline; only one free day in Tokyo leaves you navigating the Metro alone.
- Ryokan and temple stays, cherry blossoms, snow monkeys, and Takayama meals were standout experiences; transport pre-ticketing system excellent.
- First hotel breakfast (Kanzashi Asakusa) noticeably poor quality; neighbouring hotel had far better buffet variety.
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 fill fill in from our own tracking as it builds.
Departing in Nov is cheapest — from £3,500, about 34% below the priciest month (Oct).
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 Tokyo · 28 Nov – 29 Nov
Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.
Sort the essentials
Partner offersWe may earn a commission from partner offers. It never changes your price or our ranking.
More trips like this
Ranked on real fit — in case this one isn't quite yours.
Booked with the operator via TourRadar · we may earn a commission.
Want longer in Japan?
Working holidays, volunteering & more — £50 off with code 18TO35TRAVEL.
Powered by Global Work & Travel · we may earn a commission on bookings.