- History
- Overview
- Info & Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Map & Hotels
- Photos
- Dates & Prices
- 20 Days
- Max Group Size 21
- Tokyo's modern districts and shrine forests with hands-on sushi making
- Mount Fuji views from Lake Ashi with traditional ryokan and hot springs
- Kyoto's golden pavilion, zen gardens, and historic geisha quarters
- Hiroshima's Peace Memorial and Miyajima's floating torii gate
- Kagoshima's active Sakurajima volcano and volcanic sand baths
- Traditional crafts from Takayama markets to Saga's secret ceramic villages.
- MealsSavour authentic flavours with included daily breakfasts and dinners at handpicked local restaurants—immersing you in local cuisine without worrying about reservations or budgets.
- Transport & Logistics
Private air-conditioned coaches and included internal ferries and flights—ensuring hassle-free travel so you can focus entirely on the discoveries ahead.
"Adventures Abroad tour leader's management and guest services managed the tour with great skill and dedication. The tour leader was on top of every move and transfer. We have not experienced any issues with logistics and had a great time."
~ JULIA O"The tour leader did an excellent job coordinating some difficult travel logistics, power outage issues and resolving problems and dealing with guests who had unrealistic expectations."
~ CYNTHIA COLLINS - Expert Guidance
Unlock insider secrets at every landmark with your full-time Tour Leader and expert local guides , all gratuities covered—no hidden tipping surprises—so you immerse fully in your destination's stories, worry-free. (Except for the tips to your tour leader at the end of your tour.)
"Amazing tour guide. Our tour guide was very well organized, Her passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm completely transformed the travel experience into something truly unforgettable..."
~ MELANIE LEMAIRE"Highly recommend every trip with Adventures Abroad. It's a well organized and well thought out adventure. The tour leaders are friendly, knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Highly recommend this company."
~ SUSAN WALL - Sightseeing & EntrancesAll entrance fees for sites visited as per the itinerary—no hidden costs—so you can explore ancient ruins and excursions with complete peace of mind.
- AccommodationsUnwind in clean, well-located 3 to 4-star hotels with private en suite facilities—handpicked for comfort and convenience after each day's discoveries—so you can rest easy knowing your stay supports the real adventure, not steals the spotlight.
- Small Group
Discover the world in small groups of up to 21 travellers plus your expert Tour Leader—unlocking spontaneity, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and genuine connections at a relaxed pace, free from crowds.
"Looking Forward to My Next Adventure The best feature of the Adventures tour was the small size that allowed the group to quickly load up, let everyone get acquainted within the first 24 hours, capitalize on unplanned surprises along..."
~ PHILIP BLENSKI"Good value for a great time I have traveled with Adventures Abroad for over 20 years now. Well thought out, interesting itineraries and the other travelers congenial and friendly. The price always seems fair and overall a..."
~ Trusted Customer - Airport Transfers For Land & Air CustomersWe handle hassle-free airport transfers for all our land and air tour customers—plus early arrivals or late departures when you book extra hotel nights directly with us for added peace of mind.
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned
- Drinks
- Gratuities (for tour leader)
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Additional luggage transfers approximately $35 per bag, per transfer
- Seasonality and Weather:
Fall in Japan (late October through early November) represents one of the country's most spectacular seasons, offering the famous autumn foliage at its peak brilliance. Temperatures are comfortable and crisp, perfect for extensive walking and outdoor exploration, with clear skies providing excellent visibility for Mount Fuji viewing and scenic train journeys. This timing captures the maple leaves in their full crimson and gold glory, particularly stunning in Kyoto's temple gardens and the mountain regions around Takayama. The southern regions of Kyushu enjoy milder, subtropical conditions ideal for volcanic exploration and coastal activities. Cool mornings and evenings make hot spring bathing especially rejuvenating, while the dry, stable weather ensures optimal conditions for photography and sightseeing. This seasonal timing also coincides with fewer crowds than the spring cherry blossom season, allowing for more intimate experiences at Japan's most celebrated destinations. - Transport and Travel Conditions:
Our primary means of transportation throughout Japan is via the very efficient rail system, including the famous Shinkansen, or Bullet Train. Distances are not great and most journeys are only a few hours duration.
We include baggage forwarding for the group on one occasion as it makes the most sense logistically. After this point, there is usually the option to have your bags sent ahead again, to be reunited with your bag toward the end of the following day (you will need to carry an overnight bag). As many travellers prefer to manage with their own bags, we leave the cost of forwarding to the individual, which is usually in the range of $20-25 per bag depending on bag dimensions (not by weight). Should you choose to use this service elsewhere while on tour, please confer with your Tour Leader who will make the arrangements for which you can pay locally. If you prefer to manage with your own bags, please note that Japanese stations can be large and crowded and may not have escalators or elevators. You must pack lightly, preferably in wheeled soft-sided baggage, plus a day-bag that you can fit into the overhead luggage compartments on the trains.
A combination of buses and taxis will be used elsewhere as part of our local sightseeing program. Refer to the tour itinerary for daily transport modes.
Daily walking varies from moderate temple and garden strolls to more extensive exploration in historic districts, with surfaces ranging from smooth pavements to traditional stone paths and temple steps.
The tour's pace allows time for rest and independent exploration, with comprehensive support from your tour leader throughout. The reward is an unparalleled immersion in Japan's diverse landscapes, from metropolitan sophistication to volcanic wilderness.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form - Activity Level: 2
These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page. - Accommodation:
Our hotel list subject to availability and some may be replaced with same standard. A final hotel list will be provided with final documents 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
Hotels:
• Tokyo – Hotel Monterey Akasaka
• Hakone – Hotel Okuyumoto, Ryokan-style hotel
• Takayama – Hotel Amanek Takayama
• Kyoto – Hotel Dhawa Yura
• Hiroshima – Ana Crown Plaza Hotel
• Kagoshima – Sheraton Kagoshima
• Kumamoto – Hotel Nikko Kumamoto
• Nagasaki – Ana Crown Plaza Hotel Nagasaki
• Fukuoka – Hotel New Otani Hakata - Staff and Support:
Full-time Tour Leader plus local guide support at numerous locations - Group Size:
Maximum 21 plus Tour Leader
Countries Visited: Japan
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
Book This Tour
- Final payment: Due 90 days prior to departure.
- Deposit: A non-refundable $1000 USD Deposit is required at booking.
- Optional Single Supplement: $1610 USD (number of singles limited).
- Transfering Tour or Date: Transferring to another tour or tour date is only permissible outside of 120 days prior to departure and is subject to a $100 USD change fee.
(Read our cancellation policy)
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes.