Best of Japan - 8 days

Best of Japan - 8 days

tourhub | On The Go Tours | Best of Japan - 8 days | 1653/BOJ
tourhub | On The Go Tours | Best of Japan - 8 days | 1653/BOJ tourhub | On The Go Tours | Best of Japan - 8 days | 1653/BOJ

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1,990 Views
8 Days From

$2675

$2006

Best of Japan - 8 days

8 Days Starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto

Visiting: Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1653/BOJ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 18

Age range:

16+ if accompanied by an adult.

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking

From: $2675 $2006 Operator discount: -$669 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Discover the best of Japan in 8 captivating days. Travelling from the modern metropolis of Tokyo to enchanting Kyoto, with its age-old temples, shrines and colourful Geisha District. See the bronze Buddha and picturesque bamboo forest at Kamakura, the breathtaking beauty of Mt Fuji at Hakone Izu National Park en route.

Highlights

  • Tokyo - Explore the Sensoji Temple district and temple, Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing

  • Kamakura - Visit the Big Buddha Statue, Hokokuji Zen Temple and the Bamboo Forest with a delightful village atmosphere. Opt to take part in a traditional tea ceremony

  • Lake Kawaguchi in Fuji Hakone Izu National Park - Marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery and views of Mt Fuji

  • Ryokan - Sample Japanese hospitality, bathe in natural hot springs, wearing a Yukata (casual Kimono) and sleeping on a futon

  • Kyoto - Explore this UNESCO Listed Nijo Castle, Sanjusagen-do Temple with its 1000 life-like statues and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple)

  • Kyoto - Take part in a walking tour of the famed Geisha District (Gion), with its ancient cobbled streets, streams, bridges and quaint teahouses and the opportunity to see Geisha and Maiko en route to their next engagement

Places You'll See

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Tokyo

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Kyoto

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Tokyo

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Kyoto

Itinerary

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Day 1: Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Saturday. Upon arrival to Tokyo you will be met at either Narita or Haneda International Airport by your guide. Travel by train into the heart of the city and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure.





We recommend arriving before 3pm on this day, as there will be a Welcome Meeting at 6pm, where you will meet your guide and the rest of the group.



Day 2: Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Today we explore the capital. Taking the subway to Asakusa we visit the lively Sensoji Temple District, which is home to Tokyo’s first temple and scores of interesting souvenir and craft stalls. In the afternoon we’ll head to Harajuku, which is a magnet for young and fashionable Tokyoites with its hip shops and cafes. Here, we’ll visit the impressive Meiji Shrine where the emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. Yoyogi Park, beside the shrine is a popular hangout for locals and there is always a lot going on, especially on Sundays with bands playing, drum circles, dancers and busking.





The last stop of the day is Shibuya Crossing - regarded as one of the busiest intersections in the world. The famed junction has no less than 7 pedestrian crossings and when the traffic lights turn red a wave of pedestrians, up to a 1000, converge onto the intersection from every direction. Known as 'the scramble', it's a well-practised art to duck and weave with sportsman like agility to avoid collision, which we'll watch from the second floor of Starbucks, located directly opposite the crossing. This evening offers free time, though if travelling in January, May and September you might like spend the evening watching a Sumo tournament (must be booked in advance). See our Trip Notes for more information.

Day 3: Kamakura

Location: Kamakura

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo. This morning we board a train for our day trip to Kamakura, Japan’s first feudal capital, which is just an hour from Tokyo. Kamakura is a popular seaside location with a quaint village life feel and some stunning Zen temples. Here we’ll visit the iconic bronze Big Buddha and the Zen Temple of Hokokuji with its beautiful bamboo garden. Here, you can drink tea before walking the cobbled shopping district - adorned with lovely locally made items before returning to Japan’s bustling capital for the night.

Day 4: Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Today offers a guided tour of the Tokyo National Museum, housing a number of exhibitions from galleries to Japanese archeology. The Tokyo National Museum is located in Ueno Park, a large public park within central Tokyo and famous for a number of museums held within it's grounds. The remainder of the day offers free time to independently explore.

Day 5: Hakone

Location: Hakone

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Yamagishi Ryokan

Meals Included: Dinner

Tokyo - Lake Kawaguchi. This morning we travel by highway bus (with luggage forwarding) to Lake Kawaguchi, located at the foot of Mt Fuji in the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The scenery is stunning with panoramic views of a snow-capped Fuji most of the year. Upon arrival we’ll travel along the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and visit the observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr – 28 May each year we'll visit the Springtime Fuji Shibazakura (Phlox Moss) Festival held at Motosu Lake, where the landscape is covered in a vibrant, hot pink moss with Fuji as the backdrop. No trip to Japan would be complete without sampling authentic Japanese hospitality at a Japanese style inn, which is where we’ll bed down tonight. At the ryokan, sample tasty local cuisine and take a relaxing dip in the natural hot spring baths.

Day 6: Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Elcient Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lake Kawaguchi – Kyoto. The area has some great hiking trails and early this morning you might like to opt for a hike along the foreshores of the lake. We then travel by bus to Mishima, then bullet train to Kyoto - Japan’s ancient and cultural capital.





As one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia, Kyoto is home to an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Here we enjoy a guided tour of Sanjusagen-do Temple, famous for its statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The one thousand life-size statues of Kannon are made of Japanese cypress clad in gold leaf. They stand in 10 rows of 50, each hand crafted and slightly different from the next. Late this afternoon we head to Gion, for a walking tour of this famous Geisha District. After, you may wish to watch a cultural performance at Gion Corner Theatre where you'll have the opportunity to see a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performing.

Day 7: Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Elcient Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Nijo Castle, one of the city’s most impressive UNESCO sites. Built by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603, the exquisite Nijo Castle is a wonderful example of Momoyama architecture. After, we visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) a stunning Zen Buddhist temple and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The top two floors of the monument are completely covered in gold leaf. Set upon a small lake with landscaped gardens, the large completely gilt structure is impressive, as it is a beautiful Temple. Kinkakuji Temple continues to be one of Japan's most visited temples.





This afternoon offers free time for you to relax or to further discover the many sights of Kyoto your own way. Consider visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its winding path lined by thousands of bright red torii gates. Just a short train ride away from the main Kyoto Station, this must-see sight is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day. You might also wish to hire a Kimono and walk the streets as many Japanese do or take part in a cooking lesson.

Day 8: Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Saturday. On day 8 our tour comes to an end after hotel check out.



Prefer to end your tour in Tokyo? On day 8 you can opt to travel by train from Kyoto to Tokyo, where you will spend the night. On day 9 (Sunday) catch the train to Tokyo Airport (breakfast excluded on day 9).





For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our [[travel guide|126582]].

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3 star hotels & ryokans

  • 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner at the Lake Kawaguchi

  • 7 nights 3 star (inclusive of 1 night at a Japanese style inn)

  • Guided sightseeing and walking tours in Tokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi and Kyoto

  • Lake Kawaguchi and Mt Fuji - Kachikachi-yama Ropeway and observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 14 Apr – 28 May each year we'll visit to the Fuji Shibazakura (Moss Phlox) Festival with Mt Fuji as the backdrop

  • Escorted by a licensed English speaking Japanese tour guide

  • All transportation and transfers - buses, trains and bullet trains including Suica swipe card

  • Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo to Kyoto (one bag per person)

  • Airport arrival transfer to tour hotel (by train) from Narita or Haneda International Airport on day 1

  • Maximum Group size: 18 persons

What's Not Included

  • Airport departure transfer

  • International flights and visa

  • If you are opting to pay the single supplement, allowing you the privacy of your own room on this tour, a single room will be provided for all nights with the exception of day 5 (at Lake Kawaguchi), where single rooms are not available. For this night you

  • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-5 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: USD$25-35pp, paid locally in local currency

Age Policy

16+ if accompanied by an adult.

Accommodation

Yaesu Terminal Hotel



Enjoying an enviable location on a cherry-blossom lined street in the centre of Tokyo, Yaesu Terminal Hotel is just a short jaunt away from the city’s main railroad station giving travellers easy access to locations across the city. A comfortable 3-star hotel with a natural theme, a permanent art exhibit in the hotel lobby and an in-house restaurant serving freshly prepared local cuisine; it is a soothing place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Hotel guests can make use of the free Wi-Fi, benefit from complimentary bathrobes and slippers and enjoy entertainment on a flat-screen TV.





Yamagishi Ryokan



With stunning views over Lake Kawaguchi, which is located just one minute away, the Yamagishi Ryokan is an excellent base for exploring the area around the lake. Rooms are designed according to traditional Japanese styles with low furniture and lots of natural light. Breakfast and dinner are both included with the room and are served in the hotel's dining room. After dinner, guests can take a dip in one of the hotel's baths or relax with a coffee in the lounge. The hotel is located just an 8 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station.





Hotel Mifujien



This Japanese-style hotel boasts stunning views over Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji from each of its guestrooms. Offering traditional low furniture and modern amenities, each room is also equipped with air conditioning and a TV. The views can be enjoyed from the hotel’s lobby, tea lounge and the Japanese restaurant, which uses local ingredients and offers a feast of traditional dishes. On the 7th floor you’ll find both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths with views of Mt. Fuji, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.





Hotel Elcient Kyoto



Boasting a fantastic location in the heart of Kyoto, Hotel Elcient Kyoto is within walking distance of top attractions such as Kyoto Tower and the picturesque Shosei-en Garden. Guestrooms are compact and simply furnished, complete with modern amenities such as air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Enjoy more than 30 different dishes at the Western and Japanese buffet-style restaurant, with light lunches and dinner also available. On the second floor you’ll find a large public bath and sauna, offering the perfect spot to relax after some sightseeing.





Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto



Located just a short walk from Kyoto Station and the lofty Kyoto Tower, you really cannot get more central than this! Combining convenience with comfort, this contemporary hotel boasts modern guest rooms with flat screen televisions, complimentary WiFi, refrigerators and ensuite bathrooms. Buffet breakfast is available, with a choice of local and western dishes on offer. The hotel is surrounded by a wide choice of shops and restaurants, and there are plenty of cultural landmarks just a short stroll away. After a day of sightseeing guests can relax with a soak in the hotel’s natural hot spring baths or opt for a sauna and massage.





Sanco Inn Kyoto Hachijoguchi Shikinoyu



Located just minutes away from Kyoto Station, the Sanco Inn provides 24-hour reception, with buffet breakfast available and complimentary WiFi. Each room is equipped with a desk, private bathroom, air conditioning, safety deposit box and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. With daily housekeeping, on-site vending machines, and luggage storage available, Sanco Inn will make for a convenient and comfortable stay in Kyoto.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival transfer to tour hotel (by train) from Narita or Haneda International Airport on day 1

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    7 nights 3 star (inclusive of 1 night in a traditional Japanese Inn)

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Vienessa Goodwin  

Best of Japan - 8 days

08-Aug-2024

Kaori was an amazing guide. She is very knowledgeable on her country & shared a lot with us. Any questions asked were answered with much detail. Any information given was given with notes and/or maps. We left a tip & thank you note as well as a small soft toy for Kaori in Kyoto and we just hope she got it. The lady who took us from the airport to our hotel was also extremely helpful & we have a few hours to spare before we could book in so she took us around and showed us places of interest. Unfortunately I lost her information but would like to thank her for her help. Public transport was an issue in Kyoto & this made some of the time unpleasant. Both my husband & myself have come back extremely ill. It may have been good to pass this info on and suggest masks etc. Luggage was not addressed very well & some on the trip had oversized suitcases & struggled. It was lovely to see the temples and shrines but that was pretty much all that was offered really (yes we saw this when booking the tour) but some variety would be nicer. The two highlights for us were the Shibuya Crossing and 1001 Kannon in Tokyo, Mount Fuji was awesome, except I cannot sleep on the floor & stayed awake the entire night, a few extra mattresses would have been nice. The meals in Kyoto & Kawaguchiko were really good too. The stairs at stations were not mentioned anywhere. Kaori was good and found lifts and/or escalators where necessary but even a wheeelchair ramp would work (it was just so hectic there was not always time to find alternative routes). Having said all this, the trip was amazing & we would recommend it to anyone. The tour group was not too big which was also nice. We are looking at booking other tours with your company if they are similar with regards to guides & value.

Subhashini Mala Singh  

Best of Japan - 8 days

03-Jan-2024

Hello, my husband and I absolutely loved our tour of Japan. The guide was great and very helpful in letting us know where to go for meals, attractions not included in the tour and shopping. The guide was very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited and was very easy to get along with. We really enjoyed the tour, accommodation and service provided by On The Go Tours and will be booking other tours with On the Go Tours for our future holidays.

Meryl Madden  

Best of Japan - 8 days

08-May-2024

Great tour and fantastic guide! All round five stars.

Michelle Timian  

Best of Japan - 8 days

05-Jun-2024

I absolutely loved this tour! This is my second tour with On the Go and I really liked this one. I loved the "local's perspective" and affordability of using public transit instead of a coach bus, the variety of things we did, the downtime and special, hidden extras that our guide Toshi took us too (including surprises not included on the tour itinerary, that Toshi took time out of his day to take us to), and the fantastic opportunities to do things I would have never done on my own, like the onsen and traditional inn. I will say though that this tour needs to be marked as Highly Physical. The amount of walking (10+ miles on every single day of the tour), plus loads of stairs and hours of standing thanks to the subway system, made this tour quite a challenge!

Donal O Shea  

Best of Japan - 8 days

10-Sep-2024

The Best of Japan tour was absolutely fantastic! Masa, our tour guide for the duration, was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and made the entire group feel welcome. He is worth his weight in gold. Masa knew the best restaurants to eat at and the sights outside our itinerary to get the proper Japanese experience. Having said that, the only downside is a week isn't enough. I'll be going back again next year for a few weeks!! A special thanks to Samantha for all the help given prior to the trip.

Julie-Anne Inga  

Best of Japan - 8 days

11-Nov-2024

Thank you for another great onthego tour. I loved every minute of it. The hotels were great. The included meals were excellent. Kaori did a great job organising our days and getting us around such easy cities. The fabulous location and experience at the Mt Fuji hotel was a highlight. Thankyou

Deevi Williams  

Best of Japan - 8 days

01-Dec-2017

Tour guides were friendly and attentive and helpful which made the experience enjoyable. The flexibility to explore at our own pace was also very good and a nice balance between planned activities and free time. In Kyoto, may have been useful to have a coach bus as we spent a lot of time waiting for public transport which meant less time at sites.

Rachael Hines  

Best of Japan - 8 days

10-Sep-2024

Masa was an excellent guide. He went above and beyond to help everyone on the tour. He answered a question I had after hours and he even took me to the Shinkansen station after the tour finished, helped me buy a Shinkansen ticket, and explained how to find the correct train platform. His history lessons, drawn on a small whiteboard at every historical site were very interesting and he explained the complicated history of Japan in an easy to understand manner. I do think there are a few areas that could be improved though. There was too much time spent at Senso-Ji temple, we probably could’ve halved the time spent at Senso-ji and fit in another destination that day. Also, I personally would have swapped the visit to Sanjusangen-do temple for Fushimi Inari. I think Fushimi Inari is probably a better place to take a tourist. Sanjusangen-do is not as well known as Fushimi Inari. But apart from these two things, I really enjoyed the tour. It was a great experience and I think the overall itinerary was very well prepared. And of course Masa was a very friendly and very helpful tour guide. Give him a pay rise!

Michael Connell  

Best of Japan - 8 days

30-Sep-2024

Loved the tour. Both guides were terrific but a special thank you to Masa who helped us to organise our luggage transfer and our transport to Osaka when we left the tour. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and all round delightful people. The only small negative (and please it is a small thing) was the hotel in Tokyo. It was in a fabulous location but the rooms were tiny (which we accept is part of the vibe) but on the whole it was a bit run down. The hotel restaurant did not have an English menu which was a bit strange.

Candida Lourenco  

Best of Japan - 8 days

06-Nov-2024

Hotels and guide were great. My only negative comment is that I would have preferred being trasnported within the city by small van as we were only 18. The numerous trips on crowded subways and trains and city buses was a little unbearable.

Read all 20 reviews

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Prices last published on 21-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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