Compare Japan: Land of the Rising Sun by Intrepid Travel vs Japan Explorer by Indus Travels

Day 1 Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore, from fascinating museums and world-class shopping, to neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole in the wall eateries and bars. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. You can arrive at any time during the day, as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Afterwards, join your new travel companions for an optional dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2 Tokyo - Nikko

Enjoy a free morning in Tokyo. Mid afternoon, catch a local train to Nikko. Japanese trains are a quintessential experience and one of the best insights into culture (and efficiency!) of the country. Enjoy shopping for snacks or bento box at the train station or simple snacks are available for purchasing on board too. Arrive in Nikko late afternoon and you'll stay in a small inn tonight with shared facilities.

Day 3 Nikko

You have a full day to explore Nikko today, an ancient town overflowing with beautiful shrines and temples. A number of shrines here are World Heritage Sites and the town is surrounded with lush mountainous nature. You'll visit Toshugu Shrine, a resting place of a Tokugawa shogun who was one of the most powerful rulers of the country. The opulent shrine contrasts with the traditional minimalist style commonly used throughout Japan. Every corner of this monument is covered in intricate gold leaf, lacquer work, paintings and patterns. Here you can also visit the Nikko Toshogu Museum of Art at the back of the temple complex (extra entrance fee apply). This 1920s mansion has a beautiful collections of sliding doors and screens decorated by the best Japanese painters of the day. In your free time, you can pay a visit to the red-lacquered Shin-kyō bridge, one of the town’s most famous landmarks, and the Buddhist temple of Rinnō-ji, home to fearsome statues and an elegant garden. Or you may prefer time exploring Nikko’s beautiful natural setting with a visit to Chuzenji Lake and Kegon Falls. Kanmangafuchi Abyss is another highlight in Nikko that your leader will take you to visit, where you'll see about 70 Jizo Buddhas looking out to the river.

Day 4 Hakone

Leaving Nikko, you'll have a long travel day today to our next destination - Hakone. Travel by local train followed by two shikansen bullet trains and finally a bus. Phew! Total travel time can vary depending on the connections, but we will usually arrive by mid afternoon.The journey is certainly worth it as Hakone is a scenic hot-springs resort in the foothills of Mt Fuji.  You’ll be staying at a family run ryokan tonight, with tatami-mat rooms, shared bathroom facilities and a lovely outdoor hot-spring onsen. 

Day 5 Hakone

This morning, hop on a boat across Ashinoko Lake and then tride the Hakone ropeway cable car to the top of the surrounding mountains. The area around the lake offers plenty of stunning views, and you may even catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji in the distance if weather conditions are clear. The afternoon is free to further explore Hakone’s spectacular mountain scenery and volcanic sites. Perhaps visit the boiling sulphur springs of Owakudani, or Hakone Jinja Shrine with its red torii gate rising from the shore of Ashinoko Lake. Or go for a walk through the hills of the famed grassland ecosystem of Sengokuhara. There’s also a great collection of art at the Hakone Open-Air Museum and the Pola Museum of Art, an eclectic mix that includes work by the likes of Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Gallé. Not what you would expect to find in a small Japanese town, right?

Day 6 Takayama

Travel by a local train first then a shikansen towards Takayama in alpine Gifu Prefecture today. You’ll reach speeds of 270 kilometres per hour and it will take around 4 hours to get there in total. Takayama is a charming Edo period town located in the Japanese alps, famous for its traditional inns, sake breweries and the Hida Folk Village. The latter is your first stop, an outdoor museum where the traditional thatched-roof architecture unique to the area has been relocated in a delightful mountain setting in an effort to preserve traditional Japanese culture. Discover the techniques used to build farmhouses that could withstand fierce winters and long periods of isolation due to snow-closed roads. The thick thatching kept in warmth and the roofs were angled so as to minimise snow build-up. Each house is like its own self-contained museum, with displays of personal items and traditional tools. Your included dinner tonight will give you the chance to taste some of Takayama’s famous signature dishes.

Day 7 Takayama

Enjoy a typical local breakfast this morning at the ryokan before our visit to the morning market. Gifu prefecture is known to produce many fine high-altitude vegetables, and these markets have been held for over 600 years. Browse the stalls of seasonal vegetables brought in from the surrounding countryside, set up by local farm women from 6am every morning. Look out for the unique local style of pickles, the bags of miso wrapped in leaves, Genkotsu ame (soy bean candy), preserved fish, spices, and the delicious marshmallow treat of owara tamaten. The alpine climate and crystal clear mountain waters are perfect for creating sake, so you'll also visit a local brewery for a taste of the region's prized signature drop later today. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this delightful little town.Takayama is also very famous for Hida beef. Don't miss the opportunity to try some of the country’s best while you're in town for lunch or today.

Day 8 Hiroshima

Time to leave Takayama and travel by express train and shinkansen (approximately 5 hours) to Hiroshima. Depending on arrival times, we will either visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park this afternoon or tomorrow morning. The Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Museum stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945 when Hiroshima was chosen as target for the first ever wartime use of the atomic bomb. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated so it was able to retain its shape and the fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing has made it an enduring symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims. This evening, maybe try one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat or seafood. Our accommodation tonight will either be a simple ryokan or hotel.

Day 9 Miyajima - Hiroshima

Today you'll make your way to the nearby island of Miyajima with its famous 'floating' torii gate. You might like to further explore the island by climbing to the top of Mt Miyajima (or hopping on the cable car instead) for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea. Keep your eyes out for inquisitive and hungry deer that roam the streets. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy some of the other sites in this very welcoming and pleasant city. You could stop by the magnificent five-storied Hiroshima Castle, which originally dates from the 1590s. It was destroyed by the bomb but reconstructed in all its glory in the 1950s, and now holds an informative museum. The wonderful Shukkeien Garden, with its graceful teahouses and waterfalls, is also a perfect place to decompress on a break from sightseeing. For something a bit louder, there are local baseball and soccer teams (if the day is right), or endless shopping choices. Ask your leader for other tips and suggestions as there is plenty to see and do.

Day 10 Kyoto

Leave Hiroshima today and head to Japan’s most impressive samurai castle at Himeji by shinkansen (approximately 1 hour). The building, which has survived earthquakes and war since the mid-16th century, was restored to its full glory in 2015. The moats, baileys, towers and walled alleyways were ingeniously designed to trick attackers – perhaps so intimidatingly that they were never in fact tested. Explore the castle that was once home to over 10,000 samurai families and look out over the castle grounds and the city below from the seventh floor. Hop back on the shinkansen for the 1 hour train trip to Kyoto. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (literally “tranquillity and peace capital”) by Emperor Kammu in 794, Kyoto had its golden age during the imperial court's heyday from 794 to 1185. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years (the name means “Capital City”) but the emperor and government are now located in Tokyo. With over 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a great place to get lost in. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk on arrival to get your bearings and you may like to spend some further time getting acquainted with Kyoto by wandering through its historical streets lined with traditional machiya houses. Stay in a ryokan or simple hotel during our time here.

Day 11-12 Kyoto

With its many cultural landmarks and historical sites, and the abundance of traditional arts and literature, Kyoto is regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. Your tour leader will take you to visit two of the best temples this morning. Afterwards, it's your free time to explore this charming ancient capital. You will have almost one and half free days here to exploreand there is a lot to see and experience here. Your tour leader will be able to help you with making the most out of your time.  Fushimi Inari is definitely one of the most photographed shrines in Japan. For the more active, hiking up the mountain following the red torri gates is a great way to enjoy the expansive forest on the shrine’s grounds and views of the city below. Otherwise, maybe head off to Arashiyama to enjoy a wander through the Sagano bamboo forest, or cycle along the Kamo River. Another great stop is the architecturally impressive Higashi Honganji Temple and the almost surreal Sanjusangendo, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, or the Nishiki food market.  A gentle stroll through Kyoto's eastern hills along the ‘Path of Philosophy’ that links Ginkaku-ji, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, with Nanzen-ji Temple is also recommended. This walk can be extended south through the well-preserved ‘old town’ areas to Kiyomizu-dera (Temple of Clear Water) with its famous viewing platform. Also recommended, for those visiting in spring, is a visit to the theatre for a presentation of Miyako Odori (Cherry Blossom Dance) performed by elaborately dressed maiko (apprentice geisha), or a visit to the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji Temple, immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel “The Golden Pavilion”. On one of the evenings, your leader will take you on a stroll through Gion, Kyoto's famous Geisha district. Even today you can observe the age-old tradition of geisha as they head out to perform dances and song for members of the wealthy elite in small teahouses tucked away in tiny back streets.

Day 13 Kyoto

There are no activities planned for the day and you’re free to depart the hotel at any time after check out at 10 am. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Today make your own way to the airport to depart on your overnight flight to Japan. Enjoy in-flight meals and services. Overnight onboard

Welcome to Tokyo!  In 1868, the Japanese Emperor moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo, which was then renamed as Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and due to the air raids in 1945 during World War II. The city was rebuilt and today it offers a wealth of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining choices as well as a variety of beautiful green spaces to its visitors. Upon arrival at Narita International Airport today, you will be met by our representative and assisted to board transfer to your hotel (standard Check-In time is 14:00 hrs. Early check-in is subject to availability). Spend the rest of the day at leisure in this vibrant city. Overnight in Tokyo

After breakfast today, enjoy a half-day city tour of Tokyo. Your first stop is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, the Tsukiji Fish Market. The market handles more than 2,000 marine products and is always busy due to the many scooters, trucks, sellers, buyers and tourists moving around the market. See the many shops and restaurants that make up the outer market and experience the unique energy of this top attraction in Tokyo. Next, we drive by the majestic Imperial Palace, which was formerly the residence of the shogun and is now the residence of the emperor and his family. We also pass by the National Diet Building, where both chambers of the Japanese government meet. You will then take a guided tour of the Tokyo Skytree Town, a modern multi-functional town incorporating commerce, culture and education. The town’s namesake, the Tokyo Skytree tower, was completed on February 29, 2012 and is a broadcasting and observation tower serving as the primary television and radio broadcast site for the region of Kanto. It is 634 meters (2080 feet) tall, making it the second tallest tower in the world after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. From modern, you will now move on to Tokyo’s traditional side as we make our way to the Asakusa area. Built in the year 645, the Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest and one of its most significant and sacred temples. Enter the temple complex through the Kaminarimon Gate where you will see two guardian statues. The statues are depictions of Fujin-sama, the god of wind and Raijin-sama, the god of thunder. In the middle of these two statues, you will find a massive 700 kilogram lantern that was donated to the temple by the Matsushita Electric Industrial Company (Panasonic). After passing the gate, you will find yourself at the vibrant Nakamise Dori street. Nakamise Dori, meaning “inside street”, is one of Japan’s biggest shopping districts. While Nakamise seems like a recent addition to the temple complex, it is actually one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, the street is mentioned in many pilgrim guides from way back during the Edo period. It is a very popular area for souvenir shopping with some shops being over 100 years old. The Senso-ji Temple itself comes after Nakamise where you can explore its many beautiful and sacred areas and sights. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore further before making your own way back to your hotel. Overnight in Tokyo 

Today, get a taste of the beautiful landscapes and serene religious monuments outside the busy city as you visit the city of Kamakura. Enjoy some of Japan's famous powdered matcha green tea in the highly refined and tranquil atmosphere of a tearoom constructed over 400 years ago, and enjoy the view of the temple's Japanese rock garden. Walk through the grounds of Hokoku-ji Temple, known as the bamboo temple for its beautiful bamboo grove before stopping for lunch. After lunch, go to Enoshima, an island popular with locals for its views and proximity to the ocean. Cross over the 600-meter bridge that connects the island of Enoshima with the mainland and walk along Benzaiten Nakamise Street which is lined with intriguing shops bustling with customers. After, take the Enoshima Escar which will whisk you easily up to Enoshima Shrine. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views from Enoshima Shrine. This tour will end at the Shinjuku Station where you will be free to explore and have dinner before making your own way back to your hotel. Overnight in Tokyo

From your hotel, make a trip to Nikko, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful areas in Japan. Start by visiting the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its lavish decorations and ornate details. This 400-year-old shrine houses the remains of Edo period's founder, Ieyasu Tokugawa. Enjoy seeing the traditional beauty of the main hall, as well as the sleeping cat and 3 monkey carvings. After lunch, admire Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Lake Chuzenji was created by the eruption of Mt. Nanta, its waters now flow to Kegon Falls, known as one of Japan’s 3 great waterfalls. It’s impressive 97-meter height is truly a marvel to see. This tour will end at the Shinjuku Station where you will be free to explore and have dinner before making your own way back to your hotel. Overnight in Tokyo

The day is free for you to explore at leisure. Overnight in Tokyo

Travel by coach for a guided tour to see the majestic Mt. Fuji and Hakone region. Take a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji which is commonly called “Fuji-san”. This volcano is actually the country’s highest peak at 3,776 meters and is considered one of Japan’s three sacred mountains. Your coach will make a stop at Mt. Fuji’s 5th station (elevation of 2,300 meters / 7545 feet) to see impeccable views and panoramas as well as shrines, Torii gates, souvenir shops and perhaps even hikers on their way up or coming down from Mt. Fuji. After, drive south to the Hakone area to take a cruise on the pristine Lake Ashi, which is a crater like that lies along the side of another nearby volcano, Mount Hakone. Finally, you will get to ride up the Komagatake Ropeway, taking you to the top of Mt. Komagatake. Once you reach the top, take some time to take in the views over Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji and the surrounding Hakone National Park. You may also opt to take a short stroll along one of the walking trails at the mountain top. After visiting Mt. Komagatake, we will come back to Hakone. Overnight in Hakone 

From Hakone, we travel today to Takayama. Visit Yatai Kaikan, this popular facility displays some of the colorfully decorated festival floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. Next, we visit the Kusakabe Heritage House, a museum housing various Japanese traditional folk arts and traditional handicrafts. Completing the visit to Takayama will be a trip to Kami-Sannomachi, the city’s old quarter which has streets lined with Edo period buildings that provides visitors an authentic glimpse into the past. This tour ends after being dropped off at your hotel in Takayama. Overnight in Takayama

After breakfast this morning, we make a stop at the Takayama Morning Market to get a taste of the local life of the people. This market features local fruits and vegetables as well as Japanese souvenirs made in the style of Takayama. Next, we go to the historic villages of Shirakawago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a mountain village that featuress traditional clusters of farmhouses, constructed in the gassho-zukuri architectural style, which are designed to easily shed snow from their roofs. Stop for a Japanese-style lunch before driving by Lake Miboro (a man made dam that supports a 256 MW hydroelectric power station) on our way back to Kanazawa where you will be dropped off at your hotel. Overnight in Kanazawa 

From your hotel, we go out and see the many sights that the Kanazawa area has to offer. First, make a stop at the Nagamachi Samurai District to see a traditional village featuring traditional cobblestone streets and former saumurai homes. Visit a restored samurai residence displaying the lifestyle and artifacts of the era when samurai were prosperous. Next will be a visit to the picturesque Kenrokuen Garden, which is classified as one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens. We then spend time touring the Higashi-chaya district, home to traditional public teahouses and a famous shop selling gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa. In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at the Kanazawa Station for your train ride to Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, you will be met and assisted to board transportation to your hotel. Overnight in Kyoto 

After breakfast enjoy a full day tour of Kyoto and Nara. Your first stop is the Nijo-jo Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial palace is one of the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture of Japan’s feudal era. Next, we explore the grand Kinkakuji Temple. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Zen temple is often called the Golden Pavilion due to its top two floors being completely covered in gold leaf. After viewing the temple, we will continue to explore its surrounding gardens, filled with other spots of interest including various ponds, a teahouse, quaint shops and other minor temples. Before lunch, we visit Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, which used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial family until 1868 when the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. The grounds of the Imperial Palace is now used as a recreational space for the public and features attractive, broad gravel paths, gardens and groves, including a group of Cherry Blossom trees which are usually in bloom for two to three weeks from late March to mid-April. We then take a break for lunch before moving to Nara where we visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. We also spend some time in Nara Park, which is famous for its population of wild deer that freely roams and interacts with park visitors. Before heading back to Kyoto, make a stop at Nara Nagomikan, one of the largest gift shops in Nara that has over 3,000 products unique to Nara and Japan. After the tour, you will be brought back to your hotel in Kyoto. Overnight in Kyoto

This morning, a representative will assist you to transfer from your hotel to Kyoto Station where you will board a train to Hiroshima. Explore famous sites in Hiroshima including the Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its “floating” tori gate that is built on the sea and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park which commemorates the time before and after the dropping of the nuclear bomb that changed the history of Hiroshima forever. At the conclusion of the day’s tour, you will be escorted to the Hiroshima Station for your train ride back to Kyoto where you will be assisted back to your hotel. Overnight in Kyoto 

The day is free for you to explore at leisure or book the optional tour available. Overnight in Kyoto

The day is free for you to explore at leisure. Overnight in Kyoto

Today, you will be assisted in being transferred from your hotel to the Kansai airport for your flight.