Japan Unrivalled
Experience Overview
Kon'nichiwa! And welcome to our ultimate trip to Japan. Experience traditional Japanese hot springs in Hakone, explore Kyoto the cultural hub of Japan by visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine & travel around Tokyo taking in all the bright lights and quirks as well as eating as much sushi as possible. This is the only way to be guided around Japan, one of the most unique countries in the world.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- Nara: What is the currency used in Japan? The currency (that can buy you some unbeatable authentic sushi) in Japan is the Japanese Yen (¥).
- Tokyo: How do I make my way to the starting point? Are transfers included? This will depend on which city you arrive at.TokyoTokyo is serviced by two major international airports, Narita and Haneda. You’re welcome to take a taxi to the hotel, but these tend to be quite expensive. That’s why, the best way to reach our hotel is by train. You can purchase tickets from the counter at the airport. And the journey will take you 1-2 hours.Osaka The Kansai International Airport in Osaka is around 45 minutes away from our hotel by bus. And the best way to get there is by bus, that’ll drop you off close to our hotel. You can get your tickets at the counter. We don’t recommend getting a taxi since they tend to be quite expensive.
- Nara: What kind of luggage should I bring? What are restrictions? You can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs) – plus one piece of hand luggage suitable as a carry-on for flights on this trip.You’ll travel between a few destinations via the Shinkansen (bullet train), and won’t have your main luggage because of the space restrictions. But there’s no need to worry, because we’ll send everything forward to the next hotel via truck.In Hiroshima and Mt Koya, you’ll need to bring an overnight bag since you won’t have your main luggage with you. Your Trip Manager will advise you about what you should bring for each day.
- Nara: Can bullet train tickets be used at a later date? Starstruck by the Shinkansen? Same. All bullet train tickets are one-use-only tickets (and not passes). So, you won’t be able to use them after the trip has concluded.
- Nara: Will I be given a Japan Rail (JR) Pass? A Japan Rail Pass can be quite handy while travelling in Japan. But since we’ve got you covered for the transport, you won’t need a Japan Rail Pass. You’re always welcome to ask your Trip Manager where you can buy one once the trip ends.
- Nara: Is Street Kart or Mario Kart available as an optional activity? Currently, Street Kart or Mario Kart aren’t offered on any Contiki trip. Who knows what the future holds, though?
Included Experience
- Tokyo: Check out the Sensoji Temple, one of the most significant temples in Japan, decked with a 5-storey pagoda. Don't forget to snap a pic under the giant red lantern!
- Tokyo: Get a piece of Japan to take back home from one of the many little stalls here on Nakamise Street, just a short walk from the Sensoji Temple.
- Tokyo: Visit this Shinto shrine in Shibuya, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shōken. You'll have the chance to wander through a tranquil forest, passing under the world-famous Tori Gate. And ofc, stop for a picture in front of the many colourful Sake barrels, and make a wish at the sacred Camphor tree.
- Tokyo: Get ready for a riot of colour and vibrant fashion. This was (and still is) a home for Japanese fashion. Grab a vintage bag, a pair of sneakers or a kawaii outfit. And don't get us started on the food! You'll find rainbow cotton candy, candy covered strawberries or a rainbow cheese sandwich.
- Tokyo: It's only the biggest pedestrian intersection in the world! Come watch the world go by (and grab an iconic picture) on the crossing.
- Tokyo: Heads up seafood fans! Check out the weird and wonderful fish at this bustling market.
- Hakone: Tour this beautiful mountain town, famed for its views of Mount Fuji. And get your kicks on the epic cable car ride.
- Hakone: Nothing beats sitting down to enjoy a slap up meal. This is portion after portion of authentic Japanese cuisine at its finest.
- Isawa: We'll visit a fruit farm where you'll have the chance to go pick and eat seasonal fruits (think: peaches, grapes. strawberries & more) - just like a local. It's a peak a Japanese experience!
- Matsumoto: The towering ‘Black Crow’ castle is a national treasure. It looks like nothing short of a Samurai castle with its cherry trees (that blossom during spring!) and Alpine backdrop.
- Takayama: The wooden ‘Edo’ buildings of Takayama really capture the vibe of ancient Japan.
- Hiroshima: This way to amazing! These are the sites you always see in those impossibly tranquil pictures of Japan. IRL.
- Hiroshima: Visit the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum to commemorate the lives lost after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city.
- Kyoto: Tea houses. The Golden Pavilion. Geishas. It’s all so surreal. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a film set.
- Kyoto: Walk through the endless path of orange torii gates, kindly ask Inari for good luck and then you might want to sample a fortune cookie.
- Koyasan: Take off your shoes, enter the golden doors and marvel at the wonders. Then chill in the rock garden. And breathe...
- Koyasan: Think sleepover but at a Buddhist temple! Take a sneak-peek into the lives of monks in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Every penny we spend to stay at the Shukubo helps preserve ancient traditions that are in decline. Who knew you could do so much good by simply taking time to relax?
- Koyasan: Start your journey towards enlightenment at this spiritual ceremony in Mount Koya. And breathe…
Trip Details
Product Code: 17073
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 121.236B
Starts: Tokyo, Japan
Finishes: Osaka, Japan
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,360 ($412 /day)
Itinerary
Kon'nichiwa Tokyo! Welcome to this dazzling orchestra of light, sound and intersecting subway lines. This is the city where the future fuses with the past in the most fascinating way possible, and we'll have a free evening to bond, explore and soak it all in.
Accommodation: Daiichi Ryogoku Hotel (or similar)
Today we'll bounce out of bed ready and raring to uncover Tokyo. The ancient Buddhist temple of Asakusa Senso-ji & the Meiji Jingu shrine are just some of the doors we will open to this city. If history and religion don't get you going, the wild fashion of Harajuku & the shopping district of Nakamise Street might see you more wide-eyed. Or perhaps your idea of fun is to take to the streets of Shibuya, attempting to cross the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, or even catching a baseball game! You do you.Please Note: The Baseball Game Optional Experience must be pre-booked before your trip via the reservations team as availability can't be guaranteed once on the trip. This will be offered on select departures due to game schedule.
Accommodation: Daiichi Ryogoku Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Today is yours to take on Tokyo your way. Luckily, there's no end to what you can do here. Check out the anime and electronics packed buildings of Akihabara. Marvel at the beautiful Ueno Park. Or how about tasting some Japanese food, served by remote-controlled robots followed by a chance to check out a cosplay cafe.
Accommodation: Daiichi Ryogoku Hotel (or similar)
Before we leg it out of Japan's capital we have some very serious business to tend to - a guided tour of famous Tsukiji - the world's largest and busiest fish market. Here, why not opt to learn the art of sushi making, or just kick back in one of the markets sushi bars and soak in the atmosphere. Our first overland journey takes us south to Hakone, completely removing us from Tokyo's fast city pace. We will take in Japanese mountain vistas from the Hakone Ropeway & spend the night in a traditional guesthouse where we'll be treated to some local Japanese hospitality. It's time to pamper ourselves! Check-in at our super chill Ryokan special stay, soak in those healing hot springs, and chillax. Tonight's dinner is a feast of flavors - Japanese kaiseki style!
Accommodation: Ryokan Special Stay
Meals: Dinner
Waving our supremely hospitable hosts goodbye, we’ll hit the road in search of a long valley amidst the Japanese mountains, checking out the tranquil Tenkuno Torii Gate first. And then picking & eating fresh fruit at a nearby farm (if that's your vibe). Mountainside city escape. Welcome to Matsumoto, nestled beside Japan’s highest mountain range – the Hida Mountains. Famous for its samurai history and thriving foodie scene, this one will have you taking snaps at every turn. Tonight is yours to explore as you wish, but we have an inkling you won't want to miss the mouthwatering hida beef for dinner.
Accommodation: Takayama Green Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Dark wooden buildings, Kanji signs & surrounding hillsides will see us totally taken by Takayama. Grab a bike and take a cycle, then unwind from it all with a Japanese footbath. Relaxation stations. After a full day of exploring and ogling at the Japanese countryside, it’s perfectly acceptable to crash out in Takayama.
Accommodation: Takayama Green Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
In usual circumstances we'd be quite sad to be leaving the soul-stirring town of Takayama, but with the bullet train experience whizzing us to Hiroshima it's hard not to get excited. We did it! We travelled on land at a casual 320 kilometers per hour on the Shinkansen - the world's fastest train. That's a big old tick off the Japan bucket list. Hiroshima is yours this afternoon to explore your way.
Accommodation: Hotel Vista Hiroshima (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
A morning of reflection. The site of the world’s first nuclear bombing, Hiroshima has now been declared a City of Peace. Our day here will be one of learning as we take in the tragic recounts of World War II at the Peace Memorial Museum. A gateway island. We’ll take a detour to the tranquil isle of Miyajima, where you’ll get a spellbinding view of the giant orange Great Torii Gate (you know the one, even if you don’t.) Expect forests, temples, roaming deer and much more... …and dinner! We’ll end our day in Hiroshima with more excitement to follow tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel Vista Hiroshima (or similar)
With 3 more destinations left to uncover on the Japanese map, we hit the road this morning and leave the historical metropolis of Hiroshima behind. Welcome to the culture hub of Japan. Geisha girls, artfully manicured gardens, shrines & temples aplenty - looks like we're in Kyoto! Thinking of checking out the Fushimi Inari Shrine? Approx 233 metres above sea level, the journey to the shrine begins at the base of the mountain. We won't waste a minute peeling back this city's layers, taking you to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion & the Gion Area with our guide. You'll also have plenty of free time to check the place out any old way you please, and go on the lookout for glamorous geishas.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Kyoto Station (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Didn't feel like you had enough time yesterday to really get under the skin of this utterly unique city? We've got good news for you - today is completely free for Kyoto adventuring. Ask your Trip Manager for the essentials on what to eat and where to go, then our best advice? Go get yourself a little lost, it's undeniably the best way to get to know a new city.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Kyoto Station (or similar)
Enjoy a slow and leisurely morning in Kyoto to get in the zen frame of mind for what lies ahead. On the train we make tracks for Mt Koya. You would think that by this stage of the trip all the phenomenal moments might be behind us. Oh how wrong you would be. Tonight we stay in a Buddhist guesthouse, eating traditional food and savouring the mindfulness & beauty of this incredible experience. For those looking for a digital detox amongst nature, it doesn't get better than this.
Accommodation: Henjoko-in Wakayama (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
It's our last full day of the trip - make the most of it by rising early this morning and partaking in the tradition of an early morning Buddhist service. A Local Guide will then walk us through the beauty of the Koyasan area and centuries old cemetery before we move on to our last destination. For those who have stepped out of their quiet zone from the morning of serenity, it will be time to relish in Osaka and take on the traditional Japanese pastime of Karaoke. A couple of Asahis or Sakes - you know, for tradition - should stimulate your bravery.
Accommodation: Ibis Budget Osaka Umeda (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Today our Japanese fairytale comes to an end. Whilst we'll be crying silent (or not so silent) tears, our life-lasting memories, army of new friends and deep appreciation for Japan will be enough to keep the smiles on our faces. Sayōnara, globe trotters!
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
This is a highly fast paced, Summary trip of Japan to assist you with planning a more slower personal trip for yourself in the future. There was way too much walking and so you need to be fit. On Average I did around 35 000 steps a day. Due to the high pace, you will be left behind by the group if you don't pay attention or are busy enjoying a specific experience. P.S. I was left behind and had to find my own way back. The hotels were not bad at all and were slightly above average dare I say, the special stays however are very traditional and so were not as luxurious than the hotels. Breakfasts were a lie and many of the days did not include them as advertised and so you pretty much had to sort your own breakfasts out on most days. Overall I would say this trip was a solid 6 out of 10. Definitely advertise correctly. I did not expect the amount of physical stress in the form of walking and also days where we were promised breakfast and not getting any is seen as false advertising. The optional extras should also be advertised upfront so that better budgeting can be done to enjoy the trip comfortably.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/24/2024
Myrrh - Traveled, August 2024
The trip was amazing, we had as a tour manager and she really helped us with travel tips, getting around, etc. What worked well was most of the trip although I would've loved at least a day more in Hiroshima. I cannot say because our travel agent booked this for us.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/22/2024
Eric - Traveled, July 2024
I really enjoyed the trips to the smaller locations like Takayama and Hakone. However I felt there was very little time spent in Kyoto and Osaka and wish there was more in those places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
Very well organised. Did lots of adventuring. Had lots of fun and met a lot of amazing people.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/17/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, January 2024
This tour was an amazing experience, getting go see & do so much in such a short amount of time! having a excellent tour manager just made the trip worth it, they had so much knowledge & recommendations of things to in each place we visited.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/19/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
The atmosphere, history and culture were absolutely incredible. The food was amazing and the people were great to experience Japan with.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/20/2024
Emma - Traveled, December 2024
Our trip manager and I can’t say enough good things about his expertise, professionalism and knowledge of the areas. I felt safe and confident in his more than capable hands. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime!! This is a worthy investment for anyone looking to bring a little bit of adventure back into their life - you won’t regret it. It was an easy experience to book and I found Contiki staff to be helpful, particularly as I booked the trip with less than 3 weeks before kick off. Outstanding.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2024
Nathan - Traveled, November 2024
The greatest tour guide ever, she new of all the wonderful places and appeared knowledgeable on the most areas or knew when to defer to local tour guides when she was uncertain. I thoroughly enjoyed the temples, shrines and castles. Easy to book and comprehend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
A brilliant trip, well-organised, with fantastic add-ons. All hotels & special stays were comfortable, our manager and local guides were knowledgeable and engaging - 10/10!!! Only wish we’d had another day in Takayama, what a place, and maybe one day less in Tokyo.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2024
Pieter - Traveled, September 2024
Everything went extremely well, mostly thanks to our wonderful tour guide. The hotels were beautiful and clean, and the onsens were just the cherry on top.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2024
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