Rail Travel
Japan By Rail: Land of the Rising Sun
From €3,895pp tour-onlly
- Depart From
- Add flights from Ireland
- Duration
- 12 days
- Destination
- Japan
- Price
- From €3,895pp tour-onlly
Experience steaming onsens, serene shrines and incredible hospitality– all in the Land of Rising Sun with this fantastic 12-day tour. Take the hassle out of planning and navigating, plus this tour offers lots of great inclusions!
Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing in Kyoto, this 12-day trip will introduce you to iconic landmarks and the lesser-known cities through Japan’s central and western reaches.
Ride the scenic ropeway in Hakone, stay with a local family in Hagi and see the floating torii gate of Miyajima Island. Wander through Takayama’s Hida Folk Village, visit the Peace Park in Hiroshima and join your local leader on an walk through the historic Gion District in Kyoto.
- Soar high on a ride on the Hakone ropeway, cruise across the picturesque Lake Ashi and (on a clear day), get a glimpse of the glorious Mt. Fuji.
- Discover the lesser-known Hagi, an ancient samurai town and learn about the female sake brewer breaking stereotypes. Get a deeper insight into local life with your homestay hosts and feast on delicious home-cooked meals.
- Explore traditional Japanese culture in Edo-period Takayama. Visit the Hida Folk Village, wander through a 600-year-old market and take some zen time at incense making in Zenkoji temple.
- Visit the Peace Park for a moving insight into the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Then, get to peacefully scenic Miyajima Island where wild deer roam the streets.
- Walk through the historic streets of Kyoto – Japan's cultural capital. Wander through the Gion District, pass through the red torri gate at Fushimi Inari Shrine and see the golden glow of Kinkakuji.
Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
On this trip, you'll get to experience the traditional minshuku (Japanese-style inn) and homestay. These are great chances for a taste of tradition and authentic local life, but you'll be sleeping on futon mattresses on the tatami floor and the facilities will be shared on the property. Read more about it in the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information. For some departures, we may swap them with hotels depending on seasonal availability. Please consult your booking agent if you need more details.
This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Ultimate Japan.
Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.
- We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
- It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- Minmum age: 15
- Group size: 1-12
Included activities:
- Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
- Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
- Takayama - Hida Folk Village
- Takayama - Incense making in Zenkoji Temple
- Takayama - Morning Market visit
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima - Peace Museum
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
- Hagi - Hagi Castle and Samurai district walking tour
- Hagi - Homestay and home-cooked meals
- Hagi - Countryside cycling tour
- Hagi - Homestay local experiences
- Hagi - Female sake brewer visit
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Optional activities:
- Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden - JPY300
- Tokyo - Sumida Hokusai Museum - JPY400
- Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
- Tokyo - Ueno Park - Free
- Hakone - Open-Air Museum - JPY2000
- Hakone - Checkpoint Museum - JPY500
- Hakone - Onsen (public hot spring bath) - JPY1500
- Takayama - Festival Float Museum - JPY1000
- Takayama - Kusakabe Traditional House - JPY1000
- Takayama - Bike hire (per day) - JPY1000
- Takayama - Showa Museum - JPY1000
- Takayama - Takayama Jinya Building - JPY440
- Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
- Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
- Kyoto - Sanjusangendo Temple - JPY600
- Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
- Kyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko/Geisha - JPY14300
Price per person is based on 2 adults sharing and includes:
- 12 day Japan Tour
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 2 dinners
- Transport: Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, High Speed Train, Train
- Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights), Japanese Inn ( 2 nights), Home Stay (2 nights)
- Tour activities as outlined
Included activities:
- Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
- Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
- Takayama - Hida Folk Village
- Takayama - Incense making in Zenkoji Temple
- Takayama - Morning Market visit
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima - Peace Museum
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
- Hagi - Hagi Castle and Samurai district walking tour
- Hagi - Homestay and home-cooked meals
- Hagi - Countryside cycling tour
- Hagi - Homestay local experiences
- Hagi - Female sake brewer visit
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Please ask us about:
- Flights from Ireland
- Travel insurance
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Prices are live and only guaranteed at time of booking.
For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 01 696 5135, email info@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button, or submit an enquiry through the form below.
- Day 1 • Tokyo
- Day 2 • Hakone
- Day 3 • Hakone
- Day 4 • Takayama
- Day 5 • Takayama
- Day 6 • Hiroshima
- Day 7 • Hiroshima
- Day 8 • Hagi
- Day 9 • Hagi
- Day 10 • Kyoto
- Day 11 • Kyoto
- Day 12 • Kyoto
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