Japan

Begin in Tokyo, exploring the contrasts between its historic neighbourhoods and contemporary city life. We’ll experience traditional temple districts, local streets and markets, quieter neighbourhoods and the energy of modern Tokyo, with time to enjoy the city beyond its headline sights.

We’ll also spend a day in the Hakone region, where mountain scenery, Lake Ashi and the possibility of views towards Mount Fuji provide our first glimpse of Japan beyond the capital.

Travel to Kanazawa, known for its beautifully preserved historic districts, gardens, traditional crafts and strong regional character. We’ll explore the city at a relaxed pace, combining its major highlights with smaller neighbourhoods and local experiences.

From Kanazawa, we’ll also travel into the mountains to Shirakawa-go, where traditional steep-roofed farmhouses sit among a dramatic rural landscape.

Continue to Hiroshima, where we’ll visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and spend time understanding the city’s history and remarkable recovery.

We’ll also take a day trip to Miyajima, known for its waterfront shrine, forested hills and relaxed island atmosphere, with time to explore beyond the main sights.

Leave the larger cities behind for Kinosaki, a charming hot spring town of willow-lined canals, traditional inns and small streets made for exploring on foot.

We’ll have time to enjoy the town’s relaxed atmosphere, browse its shops and experience a more traditional side of Japan before continuing our journey the following day.

Travel along Japan’s northern coast to Amanohashidate, one of the country’s most celebrated scenic landscapes, with its pine-covered sandbar stretching across Miyazu Bay.

We’ll also visit the fishing village of Ine, known for its traditional waterfront funaya boat houses. A boat trip on Ine Bay gives us a completely different perspective of the village before we continue on to Kyoto.

Spend three days exploring Kyoto, where historic temple districts, traditional streets, gardens and local neighbourhoods reveal a very different side of Japan.

Rather than trying to cover every famous sight, we’ll focus on a carefully chosen mix of highlights and more personal cultural experiences, including tea culture, traditional neighbourhoods and time to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace.

Travel from Kyoto to Osaka via Nara, turning the journey south into part of the experience. We’ll visit Nara Park and Todai-ji, with time to explore the old capital before continuing on to Osaka later in the day.

Arriving in Osaka, we’ll settle in and get our first taste of the city’s lively atmosphere.

Finish the journey in Osaka, a city known for its lively neighbourhoods, informal food culture and energetic evening atmosphere.

We’ll explore its smaller streets and laneways with a local guide, stopping at a selection of local eateries and experiencing the city in a relaxed, social way. There will also be time to enjoy Osaka independently before the journey comes to an end.

Accommodation
Comfortable, well-located city and regional hotels selected for location, practicality and the character of each destination.

Transport
All scheduled transport within Japan, including bullet trains, regional rail, local transport, selected private coach transfers and luggage arrangements where required.

Guiding
Personally guided throughout by a Grassroots Adventures tour leader, with local specialist guides where they add local knowledge, context or smoother logistics.

Activities & Sightseeing
Included sightseeing and experiences as outlined in the final itinerary, including cultural visits, entrance fees, selected local experiences and guided sightseeing.

Meals
Selected group meals and food experiences will be included, with full details confirmed in the final itinerary.

Trip Development
This journey is being personally refined through our October 2026 Japan recce, including hotel inspections, route checks and trialling selected experiences before the final itinerary is released.