Just Japan - 8 days

Just Japan - 8 days

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Just Japan - 8 days

8 Days Starting in Tokyo and ending in Goodbye Japan!

Visiting: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Japan

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1405/JJAP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Not recommended for under 5yrs. 

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

PRIVATE TOUR: Take in the buzz of Japan’s capital city, learn how to prepare authentic Japanese cuisine, explore the mountainous landscapes of Hakone National Park, discover Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto and feed the deer at Nara Park on this classic Japan private tour.

Highlights

  • Tokyo - Choose from exploring the historic district of Asakusa, cruising the Sumida River, strolling through Hamarikyu Gardens, discovering the fashion hub of Harajuku and taking in the bright lights of the Business District of Shinjuku

  • Kyoto - Choose from visiting the Golden Pavillion Zen Temple of Kinakakuji, Kiyomizu Dera Temple, Higashiyama historic district, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion Geisha District

  • Cooking Class - Learn how to prepare authentic Japanese cuisine with our hands on cooking class

  • Hakone - Explore the Hakone National Park on mountain bus, railway, cable car or funicular railway. Cruise across Lake Ashi and admire views of spectacular Mount Fuji

  • Nara - Visit shrines and temples, explore Nara Park and feed the unabashed deer

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Meals Included: No Meals

Welcome to Tokyo! You will be met upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport and escorted by shuttle bus to your hotel in the city. Look out for some great views as you ride the elevated highways into town and spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own leisure.

Day 2 : Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing in Tokyo led by a local guide, offering a perfect introduction to the city. Travelling by public transport, as Tokyoites do, you will get a real feel for city life and your guide will help you discover aspects of Tokyo that you would not be able to find on your own. Rather than a fixed itinerary, you can enjoy the flexibility of seeing and doing exactly what you want.
You can start the day by visiting Asakusa, Tokyo's historic district. Here, you can browse the bustling marketplace of Nakamise Dori, visit the famous Senso-ji Temple and explore the backstreets lined with Kabuki theatres, rustic bars and restaurants. From Asakusa, you can take a river cruise on the Sumida River to the Hamarikyu Gardens, a peaceful oasis of greenery and exquisite Japanese aesthetics in the heart of a bustling city.
A short train journey from here can take you to Harajuku, the focal point for Tokyo's teen culture where you will find teenagers hanging out wearing quirky and extreme fashions. Nearby you can also find Meiji Jingu, one of the most famous and important shrines in Tokyo. Then, why not end the day surrounded by the bright lights of Shinjuku, Tokyo's main business and entertainment district. Spend the rest of the evening discovering the city independently.

Day 3 : Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today try your hand at preparing Japanese cuisine with the help of a local. Your host will first take you to a local market and together you’ll shop for fresh ingredients. You’ll then head to a kitchen, located in the Yanaka area, a well-preserved and traditional district of Tokyo, known for its artisans and craftspeople, where you’ll be shown how to prepare a traditional Japanese meal including classic dishes such as sushi, tempura or teriyaki chicken which of course you can then enjoy for lunch.

Day 4 : Hakone

Location: Hakone

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Tokyo – Hakone- breakfast. This morning, make your own way to Tokyo Station where you will get the train to Odawara Station, the access point for the Hakone National Park. Bus routes, railway lines and cable cars criss-cross this mountainous region making it easy to explore and enjoy the surroundings as well as some of the many top-quality art museums. Spend the day taking in the highlights of the region at your own leisure, and if you are lucky with the weather, you may even be rewarded with stunning views of Mount Fuji.

Day 5 : Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hakone - Kyoto - breakfast. This morning you will travel by train to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital and the cultural centre of the nation. From Odawara, the journey to Kyoto will see you racing down Japan's eastern seaboard by high-speed railway. Kyoto is one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, this ancient city showcases the heart and soul of traditional Japan. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure exploring the city.

Day 6 : Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Kyoto, again travelling by public transport with a private guide. With no fixed itinerary and a knowledgeable local at your side, you will be set for a great day in this amazing city and are sure to discover things you might otherwise miss.
You may want to start your day at Kinkakuji - Kyoto's famous Golden Pavilion Zen Temple which is decorated with gold leaf and stands over a tranquil pond. From Kikakuji in the north of the city you can then head to Kiyomizu Dera Temple in the east. This impressive wooden structure is perched on a hillside surrounded by woodland and looks out across the city.
The afternoon could be spent at Fushimi Inari Shrine in the south of the city. This shrine's appeal is the thousands of red torii gates which create a network of pathways through the wooded forests of Mt Inari, linking the various buildings of the shrine together. You may want your guide to finish the day of sightseeing by taking you to the Gion Geisha District where, if you are lucky you will be able to see a Geisha shuffling through the streets between appointments. Spend the evening at your own leisure.

Day 7 : Nara

Location: Nara

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto - Nara - breakfast. This morning, take the train to Nara, renowned for the wealth of its Buddhist and Shinto Heritage. Nara was formerly the end of the Silk Road and it was for this reason the area which first saw Buddhist teaching making the transition across the ocean from China. The myriad of shrines and temples are all set against the backdrop of the low-lying mountains and in the midst of Nara Park, which is famously home to a vast population of pesky deer. Return to Kyoto in the evening.

Day 8 : Goodbye Japan!

Location: Japan

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today your adventure in Japan comes to an end. A departure transfer by shuttle bus will take you to the airport to meet your onward travel.

What's Included

  • Breakfast daily and 1 dinner

  • 7 nights STANDARD hotels and ryokan. SUPERIOR and DELUXE hotel options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details

  • Arrival transfer via shared public shuttle bus from Tokyo Airport

  • Departure transfer via shared shuttle bus to Osaka Airport

  • Full day of guided sightseeing in Tokyo

  • Cooking class in Tokyo

  • Full day of guided sightseeing in Kyoto

  • IC Transport Card

  • Train from Ueno to Odawara

  • 2 day Hakone Freepass

show more

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: USD$45-60pp, paid locally in local currency

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the tipping policy?

    Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Departure transfer via shared shuttle bus to Osaka Airport.

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

    Standard

  • 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 of this operator

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

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10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

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05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

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16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)  

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Rolly Hay hay (Google Reviewer)  

Gallipoli tour. The guide was...

28-Sep-2023

Gallipoli tour. The guide was awesome. Everything went like clockwork.. My complaint is that you expect 4 people to cramp together on the back seat of the van for 4 hours. That is poverty travel. Not really acceptable for the price paid. So uncomfortable. If was to do this trip again I'd just rent a car. Although the guide was amazing, but that's 3 hours of the trip.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

Giovanni Guidi (Google Reviewer)  

I booked three tours with...

19-Aug-2023

I booked three tours with this agency. While the first two experiences were very nice, with well-thought-out itineraries and knowledgeable guides, the third tour was an absolute nightmare for us. Due to the unavailability of an hotel from the trip notes, the agency opted to replace it with another they claimed was "similar." To our dismay, this alternative was nothing short of a decrepit, filthy establishment that threatened to ruin our entire safari experience in South Africa. But the fiasco didn't end there. This so-called hotel began proposing and organizing activities starkly different from what we were promised in the trip notes, together with an awful services of their guides and vehicles. And when this disaster struck and we desperately needed their support? The agency ghosted us. It took them an entire day to respond, and when they did, they simply shrugged off our concerns, asserting it was too late to fix anything, even though three nights of our trip were still ahead. The level of unprofessionalism was staggering. Forced to salvage our experience, we took matters into our own hands, leaving that awful place to book another hotel and activities for the remainder of our trip—all at my own expense. Based on my experience, I suggest travelers to think twice before considering this agency. Seek out reputable companies known for their commitment to customer service and integrity.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 300 GBP 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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