Icons of Japan for solo travellers
Icons of Japan for solo travellers
Icons of Japan for solo travellers
10 Days Starting in osaka and ending in Tokyo, Japan
Visiting: Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Kamakura, Tokyo, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1JA
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 35
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover ultra-modern cities filled with skyscrapers, hi-tech industry and futuristic technology alongside ancient architecture and beautifully preserved tradition; from golden temples and Shinto shrines to zen gardens and feudal castles, there's rich and interesting history to uncover throughout this vast land. Escape the cities to find a natural wonderland of snow-capped mountains, glistening lakes and verdant gardens and parkland.
This tour is the perfect introduction to Japan, created for solo travellers visiting for the first time who want to see, hear and taste everything this ancient-yet-modern culture has to offer.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Osaka
Accommodation: Overnight Flight
Arrive at the airport for your overnight indirect flight to Osaka, Japan.
Day 2
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Hotel Higashiyama
Meals Included: Dinner, Welcome
We’ll arrive in Osaka and transfer to the neighbouring city of Kyoto, where we’ll stay for two nights. Our four-star hotel is situated in the Higashiyama district, famous for its traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops. Take a short walk-through picturesque streets and alleyways during free time before a delicious welcome dinner to get to know your fellow explorers (may change to day 3, time depending).
Day 3
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Hotel Higashiyama
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a leisurely morning acclimatising and exploring the hotel's facilities, including a private spa, we’ll spend the afternoon in the company of a local expert for a tour of the city.
The former capital city of Japan and its cultural heart, Kyoto attracts millions of visitors every year looking for a taste of traditional Japanese culture. Our tour starts with Kinkakuji, an incredible golden temple that glistens in the sun from its picturesque lakeside perch, before heading to Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this impressive complex takes us back to the dominance of the Shogun, showcasing some of the famed architectural styles. We also enjoy the nearby Honmaru Gardens, created for the visit of Emperor Meiji in 1896. The zen garden was designed, in part, by the emperor, who had a full view of the garden from the top floor of Honmaru-Goten Palace. While we're there, walk along the garden's winding pathways and vast lawns and go up to the foundations of the castle-keep to enjoy the view.
We’ll continue to the famous rock garden at Ryōan-ji, a piece of Japanese cultural heritage. During the Heian Period, the temple was an aristocrat's villa but was converted into a zen temple in 1450 by a top-ranking warlord in the Ashikaga Shogunate. The temple's deceptively simple garden consists of fifteen rocks spread out on white sand in 248 square metres. These rocks are arranged so that at least one cannot be seen from any angle. However, who designed it and why remains a mystery.
In the early evening, we’ll join a local guide for a fascinating walk around the Gion district of Kyoto. Gion is regarded as Kyoto's entertainment neighbourhood with modern and traditional theatres, atmospheric tea houses, and so much more. Lanterns bathe the area in soft light, adding to the magical ambience. You may even spot traditional Geisha as they head to their engagements.
Day 4
Location: Kyoto, Mount Fuji
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we’ll head to southeast Kyoto to the incredible Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Dedicated to the Inari, the deity of a good harvest and success in business, the shrine features thousands of bright vermillion and black shrine gates, known as tori. The shrine sits at the base of Mount Inari, and it's designed to draw guests through forest, pagodas and koi ponds.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey west to Mount Fuji on another Japanese icon: the Bullet Train. The two-hour train ride is an interesting experience; watch the Japanese countryside fly by as you cruise at up 200 mph.
Day 5
Location: Mount Fuji
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll spend the day around Mount Fuji. We start our day with a visit to Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the five lakes surrounding Fuji. Encompassed by pretty parkland, the views of the mountain are incredible if you wish to take photos. We continue to Lake Kawaguchi. Smaller but equally beautiful, you may even be lucky enough to see a perfect reflection of the mountain on a calm day.
Nearby, at the Ichiku Kubota Museum, we’ll discover more about the national dress of Japan, the Kimono. The vibrant colours and patterns are synonymous with Japanese culture, and you may even decide to treat yourself to a keepsake to take home.
Finally, we’ll ascend the Kachi Kachi Ropeway in a cable car to the summit of Mount Tenjo, 400 metres over the lake shore. The observation deck at the top of Mount Tenjo offers unparalleled views of the lake and mountain.
In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel, including the open top-floor bathing pools.
Day 6
Location: Kamakura, Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shiba Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll arrive in Kamakura along the coast of Sagai Bay. The charming small town has a selection of shops specialising in local arts and crafts as well as delicious traditional foods. Enjoy free time to visit the Great Buddha, or Kotoku-in, that dominates the town's Buddhist temple or explore the gardens of Hasedera, known as the Hydrangea Temple. Wander through this stunning garden passing pools and shrines on the ascent up the hillside to appreciate the views out to sea.
We’ll continue to Toyko later in the afternoon and check in to a hotel located just a short walk from Tokyo Tower and the nearby Shogun's Zojoji Temple.
Day 7
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shiba Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day exploring one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo. We begin our day with a tour of some of the city's highlights, including The Imperial Palace - the residence of the Emperor of Japan. At times, the palace feels more like a park than a residence, the grounds help tell the story of Tokyo from a 17th-century former castle to the current seat of the Imperial family.
We’ll visit Shibuya's iconic zebra crossing, rumoured to be the busiest crossing in the world. Up to 2.4 million people cross this four-way crossing per day; watch the orderly spectacle as hundreds of pedestrians patiently wait for the lights to go green before crossing in a number of directions. As we continue our tour, we’ll pass a statue dedicated to Japan's most loved dog, Hachiko, whose loyalty to his owner is celebrated outside the nearby station.
Our last stop of the day is to Sensoji in Asakusa, the oldest temple in the city. This vibrant red Buddhist temple is neighboured by the iconic five-roofed temple, the Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street, Tokyo's biggest souvenir market.
Day 8
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shiba Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9
Location: Tokyo, United Kingdom
Accommodation: Overnight Flight
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Day 10
Location: United Kingdom
Arrive back in the UK after an incredible once-in-a-lifetime tour.
What's Included
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The price of this holiday is per person, based on one person in a double/twin room for sole occupancy. Price includes:?;;
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Seven nights’ accommodation;;
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Daily breakfast;;;
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Return flights;;
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Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person;;
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5 tours and visits;;
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Bullet Train ticket;;
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All local accommodation taxes;;
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All airport/flight taxes;;
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The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager;
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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Tipping and Gratuity
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are flights included in this tour?
Return flights from/to the UK are included
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No, 18 years and above only
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No, all our solo tour prices are fully inclusive with no single supplement to be added. Whilst hotels generally charge a little more for single occupancy rooms, we never charge you extra for meals, excursions, flights, rail journeys or transfers.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
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I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
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Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
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What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
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Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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