Shogun Trail

12 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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premier

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Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
Explore Tokyo's neon-lit streets, discover Kyoto's tranquil temples and visit the site of the world's first atomic attack in Hiroshima. Travel away from the tourist trail to uncover the country's rural charm with a stay in a traditional ryokan on the beautiful island of Hirado. Tokyo - Explore the city's lively neon-lit streets and visit Hakone National Pa...
19%
$6,863
From$5,580
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • A trip combining Japan's classic sites with lesser visited, equally rewarding highlights
    • Visit Hakone National Park for a spectacular view of Mount Fuji
    • Uncover the rural charm of beautiful Hirado Island and stay in a traditional ryokan

What's this trip about?

    Explore Tokyo's neon-lit streets, discover Kyoto's tranquil temples and visit the site of the world's first atomic attack in Hiroshima. Travel away from the tourist trail to uncover the country's rural charm with a stay in a traditional ryokan on the beautiful island of Hirado. Tokyo - Explore the city's lively neon-lit streets and visit Hakone National Park for a spectacular view of Mount Fuji Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Reflect at the sites of the world's first atomic bomb attacks Tea with a geisha - Enjoy Japanese tea with a geisha and learn about her art and her life

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityTokyo
End CityFukuoka

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Japan

Attractions

  • Hakone
  • Hiroshima
  • Kyoto
  • Mount Fuji
  • Nagasaki
  • Nara
  • Tokyo

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour in Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, the ultra-modern capital of Japan. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for the welcome meeting. If some of the group are arriving on later flights then the main introductory briefing will be con...

Day 2 Visit Tokyo's shrines and gardens

Over one-quarter of the Japanese population live within a 50 km radius of the centre of Tokyo, making it the most populous metropolitan area in the world. The result is a bustling and exciting city - the economic powerhouse of Asia. However, scratching its neon-clad s...

Day 3 Drive to Hakone National Park and Mount Fuji

Today, we spend the day exploring Hakone National Park - home to the towering Mount Fuji - after a 2.5hour drive in our private bus from Tokyo. Although distances are short, we use a variety of forms of transport including bus, boat and cable car as we make our way in...

Day 4 Bullet train to Kyoto; explore the Geisha district

Leaving the mountains behind us, we catch a local bus to Odawara where we board the world-famous 'Bullet Train', or Shinkansen, to Kyoto - the cradle of all things uniquely Japanese, arriving around midday. This imperial capital was at the heart of events that shaped ...

Day 5 Explore Kyoto

Kyoto is regarded as Japan's loveliest city, with more than 2000 temples and shrines, many set in manicured landscaped gardens. We start with the Ryoan-ji Temple with its beautiful Zen gardens and famous rock garden. The exact history of the gardens is uncertain but t...

Day 6 Free day to explore traditional Kyoto

Today is left free for your own personal exploration of wonderful Kyoto. For an option outside of the city, it is possible to take an trip to nearby Nara, a journey of 45 minutes each way by train. Nara is one of Japan's greenest cities and is home to the Todai-ji Tem...

Day 7 Bullet train to Nagasaki via Hiroshima

An early morning Shinkansen train takes us to Hiroshima, where we will spend the morning exploring this thought-provoking city in our own time. Completely destroyed on 6th August 1945, when it was the target of the first atomic bomb to be used in wartime, Hiroshima ha...

Day 8 Take a walk though Dejima, Nagasaki's Dutch quarter

This morning the tour leader will lead an orientation tour of Nagasaki, which, for long periods in its history has served as Japan's main contact with the outside world. In the 16th century, the city became established as the main trade point with the Portuguese. As w...

Day 9 Drive to Hirado Island through scenic tea plantations with lunch at a tea farmer's house

This morning we travel by private coach along a scenic road through the Higashi-Sonogi tea growing region. We'll stop at a terraced tea plantation and walk through the fields to the tea farmer's house. There'll be an opportunity to sample some of the brew including gr...

Day 10 Full day to explore Hirado and Ikitsuki Islands

Today, we will explore the pristine and unspoiled islands of Hirado and Ikitsuki, connected by an impressive 400 metre-long bridge which happens to be the longest truss bridge in the world. Accompanied by a local expert on a full day tour in our charter mini-bus, we w...

Day 11 Drive to Sasebo, cruise the '99 Islands' then train to Fukuoka

This morning we will travel in our mini-bus to Sasebo where we enjoy spectacular views on a relaxing cruise through the fabled 'Ninety Nine Islands'. In actual fact, 208 islands, mostly uninhabited, lie alongside the indented saw-toothed coastline. Later we travel by ...

Day 12 Tour ends in Fukuoka

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Fukuoka. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Fukuoka at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, while you head for ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,580
Price per day$465
Last Updated: 4/24/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
15 Sep 2024
26 Sep 2024
$5,910
$670
15 spots left
29 Sep 2024
10 Oct 2024
$5,580
$660
11 spots left
13 Oct 2024
24 Oct 2024
$5,910
$670
16 spots left
27 Oct 2024
07 Nov 2024
$5,580
$660
11 spots left
10 Nov 2024
21 Nov 2024
$5,910
$670
14 spots left
23 Mar 2025
03 Apr 2025
$6,050
$770
10 spots left
30 Mar 2025
10 Apr 2025
$6,050
$770
16 spots left
06 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025
$6,050
$770
16 spots left
13 Apr 2025
24 Apr 2025
$6,050
$770
16 spots left
14 Sep 2025
25 Sep 2025
$6,050
$770
16 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,513
Great
2,167
Average
377
Disappointing
116
Terrible
53
W

Wendy

Apr 2024

Written on

Shogun Trail

Wow, I’ve just returned from this trip, my first to Japan and I definitely want to return! The trip is fantastic, you get to see so much from the busy streets of T...

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

Shogun Trail

This was an excellent trip that was varied and well led.

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
;\red5\green99\blue193 British passport holder do not require visa to enter Japan for tourism purposes. All visa related issues for other nationalities should be confirmed with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Japan Rail Pass - A clear copy, either as a scanned photocopy or photo, of your main passport photo page is required. Please ensure that all the information is clearly visible with none of the edges missing. This is required by our local agent to issue your Japan Rail Pass and is required no later than 6 weeks prior to travel. Explore will request this from you approximately 8 weeks prior to departure. If your passport copy is not received on time this will mean we cannot issue you a Japan Rail Pass. Instead you will be issued individual rail tickets for the included journeys and you will not have the benefit of a Japan Rail Pass, which enables you to travel effectively for free on local trains and the Tokyo Monorail in your free time while the pass is valid. Similarly for late bookings it will not be possible to issue a Japan Rail Pass if the cut off date has already passed, and you will be issued single tickets instead. Although not required, by registering on the visit Japan Web website, travellers are able fill out the Disembarkation Form and Custom Declaration Form in advance. By filling out these forms online, two QR codes will be produced that can be shown during entry procedures into Japan. This may help you proceed through customs and control quicker. As this step is not required, travellers can instead fill out physical paper forms upon arrival as well. More information can be found here: \ul \ulnone
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory. We recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. The use or possession of Vicks inhalers and some other common prescription and over-the-counter medicines (e.g. for allergies and sinus problems or even certain mild painkillers, such as those containing certain levels of codeine) are banned under Japan's strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law. Customs officials may not be sympathetic if you claim ignorance about these medicines. If in any doubt about customs procedures for such items, you should check with the nearest Japanese Embassy before visiting Japan. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 11
  • Dinner : 3
  • Lunch : 2
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-JS

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