Splendours of Japan
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Experience Overview
At Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, climb the extraordinary path lined with hundreds of orange torii gates that snake through the forest up into the mountains above the city. Indulge in a delicious kaiseki lunch at a traditional ryokan and gain an insight into Japanese customs. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 3 Dinner (D)
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Tokyo and Kyoto
- Visit the Sensoji Temple, the Skytree Observation Tower, the National Museum in Tokyo, the 5th Station of Mount Fuji, as well as the Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Sanjusangen-do Hall in Kyoto.
- View Mt. Fuji
- See the traditional Gassho-zukuri houses in Gokayama and the beautiful gardens of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa
How You'll Travel
- Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
Iconic Experience
- Tokyo: Explore Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji, in the historic Asakusa district. Wander through Nakamise Arcade, lined with traditional treats and crafts, before arriving at the main hall, a symbol of faith, resilience and local spirit.
- Tokyo: Rise above the skyline at Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. From its observation deck, you’ll take in panoramic views of the city, from Mount Fuji to Tokyo Bay. It’s a modern marvel and an unforgettable moment that will leave you awestruck.
- Ginza: With the guidance of your professional sushi chef, make your own selection of sushi specialties. Afterwards enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious lunch.
- Tokyo: Visit the Tokyo National Museum to browse collections of Japanese art and archaeological objects.
- Mt Fuji: Admire the stunning countryside at Mt. Fuji 5th Station.
- Takayama: Sample Japanese sake during a walking tour in the Edo-style streets of Takayama Old Town.
- Gokayama: Take some time to admire the peaceful mountain village of Gokayama. Discover their unique homes that have been built without the use of nails and their sloped thatched roofs.
- Kanazawa: Learn about the delicacy of the 16th-century craft gold leaf painting with your Local Specialist.
- Kanazawa: Step back in time at the Nomura Samurai House, once home to a respected warrior family. Explore its gardens, traditional architecture and treasured artifacts. You’ll learn about samurai life and honor in feudal Japan with a rare glimpse into the elegance of Edo-period craftsmanship.
- Kyoto: Admire the beautiful golden pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple.
- Kyoto: Explore Gion District, Kyoto’s renowned geisha quarter. Stroll past beautifully preserved wooden machiya townhouses and soak up the atmosphere of this storied neighborhood.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Gokayama: Help support a local business with a visit to a washi paper workshop. You'll watch the family at work and test your paper-making skills for yourself. Your experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Be My Guest
- Kyoto: Meet Nakamura Family for a kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese Restaurant near Kyoto and learn about local customs.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34484
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 177.888A
Starts: Tokyo, Japan
Finishes: Osaka, Japan
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6435 ($715 /day)
Itinerary
Your in-depth exploration of Japan begins in Tokyo. On arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, take a shuttle bus transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a drink and local appetizers.
Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower
Begin your city tour in Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic entertainment district, where you’ll encounter the Sensoji Buddhist Temple, one of the city’s most colorful and popular temples. Founded in 628 and rebuilt many times over the centuries, Sensoji is Tokyo’s oldest temple site. Next, stroll down Nakamise Street and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Shitamachi (downtown Tokyo), admiring the wooden dolls, colorful chiyogami (origami paper) and traditional Japanese sweets. Ascend Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower, for panoramic views of the city skyline. End the day with a stroll around Ginza, Tokyo’s famous shopping district or join an Optional Experience to explore Shinjuku by night with your Travel Director.
Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower
Meals: Breakfast
Start your day at the Imperial Palace Plaza, where you’ll view the two bridges leading to the palace’s inner grounds. Walk through the East Gardens, a peaceful space once part of the original Edo Castle. At the Tokyo National Museum, take time to browse the country’s oldest collection of Japanese art. Then, join a sushi chef to learn how to prepare this iconic dish. Head into the Fuji Five Lakes District and look out for Mt. Fuji dominating the horizon. In the small village of Oshino Hakkai, discover eight clear spring‑fed ponds—registered as a component of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Heritage site—and see how snowmelt from Mt. Fuji supports rural life in this scenic part of Japan.
Accommodation: Fuji Marriott Yamanakako
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey up Mt. Fuji by road to the 5th Station, sitting 2,300 m (7,546 ft) above sea level. From here, take in sweeping views over Lake Kawaguchiko and the surrounding peaks before traveling through the scenic landscapes of the Japanese Alps to Takayama, a hillside town known for its traditional streets and mountain setting. Tonight, settle into your hotel where you’ll sit down to dinner together.
Accommodation: Associa Takayama Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Immerse yourself in tradition as you walk through the Edo-style streets of Takayama's Old Town. Indulge a lunch of Japanese Hida-gyu – beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. Journey back in time this afternoon during a visit to the peaceful UNESCO-listed Gokayama, a mountain village set amidst five valleys. Admire the unique construction of the local Gassho-zukuri wooden houses that have been built without the use of nails with steeply sloped thatched roofs to prevent snow from building up on them. Meet with a local family in one of these houses. Observe local artisans making washi paper and try your hand at making your own. Make a difference to the sustainability of this small business during MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Stay overnight in Kanazawa.
Accommodation: Kanazawa Tokyu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Join a Local Specialist this morning to learn about gold leaf painting, a delicate craft practised in Japan since the 16th century. Continue to Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens, shaped over more than 100 years with ponds, bridges and planted landscapes. Here, you may choose an Optional Experience to try on a traditional kimono for a photo in the garden. Later, explore Omicho Market, where seafood stalls reflect Kanazawa’s coastal setting, before stepping into the Nagamachi District to see preserved samurai houses and visit Nomura House.
Accommodation: Kanazawa Tokyu
Meals: Breakfast
Board an express train to Kyoto, where you’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji Temple. Originally a 14th-century villa, this striking Zen temple is now best known for its Golden Pavilion, reflected in the surrounding pond and gardens. Later, connect with locals at a traditional restaurant during your Be My Guest experience. Learn about Japanese customs as your hosts share stories of everyday life and regional traditions over a shared meal. The evening is yours to spend as you wish.
Accommodation: Kyoto Tokyu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine guide your path through the forest, up into the mountains and to a sacred site that has heard prayers for prosperity and happiness since the 8th century. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall and admire the intricate detail of its 1,001 statues of the “thousand-handed” goddesses of mercy. Then, enjoy a walking tour through the Gion district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses and geisha culture. This evening, indulge in dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Kyoto Tokyu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your encounter with Japan’s age-old traditions and modern cityscapes comes to an end, take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Elizabeth Weichtmann - Traveled, April 2025
Japan with Trafalgar, April, 2025. Everyday was well-organized. Our guides, bus drivers, and hotels were top-notch. We were given the opportunity to experience Japan in comfort and safety. I can't say enough to describe the beauty we experienced. The Japanese people, the landscape, and our fellow travelers all added up to a terrific trip! Our guides were fantastic. Everyday was packed with beauty and adventure. The hotels were all comfortable and again, very beautiful. One suggestion is to provide faster transportation to the hotel upon arrival in Tokyo. We arrived and met our Trafalgar person at the airport at 5:40PM. We were informed we would be taking the transport bus to our hotel at 7:00PM. The bus trip included several stops to drop off other travelers at other hotels. We arrived at our hotel at 8:45PM. If we had known this was going to happen we would have arranged our transfer and been at our hotel within an hour of arrival. Again, fabulous trip overall!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2025
Rubina Sarkisyan - Traveled, April 2025
Everything about this itinerary was the best and we had the best tour manager.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Excellent memories of Japan. Excellent service, great tour director and drivers. Very courteous and helpful. Excellent tour with a great Tour Director. The only disappointment was the “Tea Ceremony” excursion which was waste of time and money. It was a theatrical instead of going to a real tea ceremony. I have traveled with Trafalgar many times and this excursion was the worse.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2025
Valerie Foster - Traveled, April 2025
Was disappointed in this experience, it was promoted as small group had 32 people. The group was too big for trying to get around Japan. I don’t feel like this trip lived up to previous experiences I have had with this company.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/21/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
I was so impressed how every detail was planned for and we never missed a step due to the attention to detail. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned. There was a good mix of high and low level sightseeing exercise. Our guide was excellent and provided a good amount cultural history using creative and fun activities. The food and lodging was very good.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/21/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, May 2025
Often a few too many itinerary items in one day and not enough time on our own.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/20/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Splendors of Japan, fun exciting new sensations. Excellent we were well taken care of with a full schedule of exciting activities always on the go. Great trip! I would love to have slowdown and explored Kyoto a little more. My feet were sore so I was in a little pain. I would have loved to seen some entertainment. I would have loved more quality shopping, I saw lots of trinkets but didn’t see much in kitchen knives or menswear. A little more free time to buy stuff I came home pretty empty handed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2025
John Katok - Traveled, April 2025
The Best Two Weeks in Japan. We trust Trafalgar to (1) select the very good hotels and restaurants for their guests, (2) be very well organized, (3) choose sites off the beaten path to immerse guests into the culture ( like visiting Samurai warriors homes, paper making, gold leaf making, etc.), and (4) accommodating guests personal issues. The itinerary was very good, generally speaking. Like in Europe with Cathedrals we probably saw 20% more shrines and temples than necessary but I understand the historic significance of each and being great sites to see. Traveling through and staying on the island at Kotahira didn't seem so significant as we saw nice suspension bridges ( which I appreciated as a Civil Engineer), a reclamation project and temple after too much climbing ( especially for those over 70), and staying at a traditional Japanese style hotel ( which we could do in other cities maybe). We probably could have used some more free time at certain places. The hotels, food and guide were excellent. The buses were nice but too cramped for most Westerners, and there were other buses that looked much larger along the same routes/trip. I wish we could have seen Nara, and a few more beautiful sites. I was a bit disappointed with Osaka Castle being turned into a museum ( I was there in 1983 when it was all authentic wood stairs, walls and ceilings inside but now you couldn't see anything but the modern interior and display cases). All in all it was a very good trip and I'm glad we came. I lived in Japan 1984-85 and made several trips before that in 1981-83 all for business, steel and steel fabrication and traveled to every steel plant and fabrication yard in Japan so I enjoyed it very much and wanted my wife to see and experience what I did back then. So happy that the cherry blossoms came out halfway through the trip ( that late cold temps and snow delayed the blossoms about a week). Our travel agent Su Sheridan with Cruise Insider ( a division of Bon Voyage Travel) was very nice and helpful too. We used Trafalgar in Italy in April 2023 which is why we chose them again for Japan, and will recommend Trafalgar again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2025
John Iriks - Traveled, April 2025
Splendors of Japan was an accurate description. Entire booking and trip arrangement was very professional. Itinerary was very detailed and enabled us to prepare for the activities and sites we were visiting. Enjoyable trip showing us experiences we could not have had on our own. Accommodation and tour Director was also 5 stars.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Splendors of Japan. Need to clarify the arrival procedure. Travel consultant gave contrary information. Itinerary is good. Greater attention needs to be spent on dietary requirements of travelers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2025
