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Small Group Tour IJT Essential
Must-see Japan
10 Nights: from US$3874 Trip Code: MSJ
Activity Rating: Energetic
Enjoy five of Japan's must-see destinations, offering a mix of old and new, vibrant city life and quieter rural stops, flexibility to do your own thing, and lots of bang for your buck. Read more >
Must-see Japan focuses on hitting Japan's highlights. You'll visit Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima (including Miyajima), Osaka, and Kamakura (optional daytrip), with plenty of time to break off and pursue your own wish list, too.
Being on a guided route led by one of our Insiders means you don't have to worry about missing out on the best bits. We'll take you to top local spots, share first-hand stories of life in Japan, and give you the chance to ask as many questions as you'd like.
It's a fast-paced tour, blending the vibrant big city life of Tokyo and Osaka with 20th century history in Hiroshima, rural Japan in Hakone, and ancient history and culture in Kyoto.
But though we'll move fast, we've kept inclusions on this tour light so you can do your own thing. You'll have lots of opportunities to apply your own handbrake and branch out on your own.
With plenty of time in Tokyo, you might take the family to Disneyland, explore the quirky fashion district of Harajuku, or ask your Insider to show you the city's best yokocho, tiny alleyways packed with food and drinks galore.
Whether you're travelling solo (bonus: no single supplement on this tour!) or with friends or family, Must-see Japan is designed to help you blend hitting the big-ticket items with seeing the sights that are most important to you.
Important Tour Information
The accommodation listed is for the 2025 departures.
Group Size: 5 - 16
Single Supplement: There is no single supplement for this tour. Single travellers will have a single room free of charge at all of the western style hotels (at least 9 nights). They will be asked to share with another single traveller of the same sex at the Japanese style stays (maximum 1 night).
Fitness: Even when not using public transport, sightseeing in Japan often involves walking between sights, climbing up steps in temples and being 'on the go' for much of the day. To enjoy any of our Small Group Tours you should be of moderate fitness, able to walk and climb stairs without difficulty and able to maintain a pace that is comfortable for the majority of the group.
Check-in: Please note that rooms at the Tokyo hotel are only available from 3pm. Hotels in Japan operate strict check-in policies. If you have an early arrival you can either book an extra night for any-time check-in, or the hotel will be happy to securely store your luggage for you whilst you go for a drink or explore the local area.
Transport: Please note that most transfers are by public transport, such as trains, boats, taxis and trams, making use of Japan's first-rate transport network. All the accommodation have been chosen for their location close to the nearest station.
Luggage: We highly recommend that to make your stay more enjoyable you pack reasonably light. Large suitcases will be an inconvenience to you. A small case or bag with wheels or a rucksack are most appropriate for this tour as you will have to carry your bags for short distances and some stations do not have escalators or elevators/lifts. You will need a small overnight bag (e.g. backpack) for use when we forward your main bags to the next location.
Accommodation: All western style hotels have private en suite. The Japanese style accommodation in Hakone has shared bathroom and toilet facilities.
International Flights: This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo for arrivals and departures at Tokyo Narita or Tokyo Haneda Airport. Please note that the included meet-and-greet and arrival transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available from these two airports.
What's included
- Full-time services of your InsideJapan tour leader
- 10 nights' accommodation
- Breakfast every day and two evening meals
- Your InsideJapan Info-Pack
- All transport between destinations; Transport passes in Hakone and an IC transport card with 2,500 yen credit for city transport
- Cable car and boat ride across Lake Ashi in Hakone
- Evening walking tour of Kyoto's Gion geisha district
- Visit to Hiroshima's Peace Park Museum
- Shared portable Wi-Fi access throughout trip
- Luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Kyoto and from Hiroshima to Tokyo
What's NOT included:
- International flights
- Any local transport unless covered by the included transport passes
- Any entrance fees (including temples, shrines and museums) unless otherwise specified
- Baggage handling and luggage forwarding unless otherwise specified - you will be expected to carry your own luggage
Tour Price Information
2025
- Tour Price: From US$3874
- No single supplement! Guaranteed single room in Western style hotels.
Extra Nights
- Pre-Tour: Twin Share From US$117 pp Single From US$156 pp
- Post-Tour: Twin Share From US$169 pp Single From US$247 pp
Tour Highlights
- Take an evening walking tour of Kyoto's Gion geisha district
- Take a boat across Lake Ashi in the shadow of Mount Fuji
- Visit Miyajima island and encounter the local wild deer
- Enjoy okonomiyaki pancakes in Hiroshima
- Hike to the Daibutsu ‘Great Buddha' in Kamakura
- Experience Tokyo old and new with visits to Senso-ji temple and the Harajuku fashion district
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380
What, where, when and how...
Must-see Japan - 11 Days
Destinations
Must-see Japan - 11 Days - Day by Day
Must-see Japan - 11 Days - Accommodation
Must-see Japan - 11 Days - Experiences
Must-see Japan - 11 Days - Booking
No single supplement! Guaranteed single room in Western style hotels.
-
Day 1-3
Take a tour of Tokyo's famous pop culture sites, from Akihabara “electric town” to the wacky street fashions of Harajuku.
Welcome to Japan! For your first night, you'll have a welcome dinner (included) at an izakaya tapas-style restaurant where you can get to know your Insider and meet the others in your group.
We'll take an extensive walking tour of Tokyo both by public transport and on foot. You'll get to see Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji, and soak up the traditional atmosphere in the surrounding Asakusa district; visit Tokyo's most famous Shinto shrine, Meiji shrine, in a tranquil forested area in the center of the city; and explore alternative fashion and youth subcultures in the famous Harajuku area.
Choose to stay in Tokyo and set out to explore on your own, or join your Insider for a day trip to Kamakura, a popular seaside town. Here, you'll get to visit the Daibutsu ‘great Buddha' sitting majestically outdoors, and Hase-dera temple with its mysterious grotto and immense wooden sculpture. Enjoy an afternoon hike through the forest, hopping between lesser-known temples and shrines.
Overnight: The B Ikebukuro
-
Day 4
Enjoy stunning natural scenery, views of Mount Fuji and a night at a traditional ryokan inn in Hakone National Park.
Leaving the skyscraper forest behind, on day four you'll travel out of the city to nearby Hakone – a beautiful national park and home to the iconic Mount Fuji.
Here, you'll take a variety of transport styles to work your way across the landscape – from switchback and funicular railways to a cable car, and even a pirate boat across the beautiful Lake Ashi. Sample the ‘black eggs' that Hakone is famous for – boiled in the water of the bubbling, sulfurous landscape, nicknamed ‘Hell Valley' – and spend a night at a traditional Japanese inn, sleeping on futon mattresses and enjoying indoor and outdoor hot spring bathing. Hot spring bathing is an integral and very enjoyable part of Japanese culture, so make sure you take advantage of these!Overnight: Fuji Hakone Guest House
-
Day 5-6
Take a tour of the Gion geisha district in Kyoto – Japan's ancient capital of culture.
On day five, you'll rocket across the main island of Honshu with an extended ride on the bullet train to Kyoto – with a chance to see Mount Fuji from the window if the weather behaves.
You'll spend two nights in Japan's ancient capital, which, being home to over 1500 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, is the jewel in the country's cultural crown. Soak up the city's rich history and culture as a local guide takes you on a tour through the geisha district of Gion, with its meandering back streets, temples, and shrines, and learn about the fascinating history of geisha in Kyoto.
On day six, you'll have a full day to explore the less crowded parts of Kyoto. We avoid setting an itinerary in stone, giving our Insiders the freedom to design one that considers the season, the weather, and their own personal top spots. Feel free to break off from the group if you'd like to do your own thing (your Insider can help with logistics.)
If you've had your fill of temples and shrines, you could take a lesson in indigo dyeing, visit the Toei Eiga Mura Kyoto Studio theme park, or check out the Kyoto Manga Museum.Overnight: Mitsui Garden Shijo
-
Day 7
Head west to Hiroshima, a vibrant modern city haunted by a tragic past.
After another ride on the world famous shinkansen bullet train, you'll arrive in Hiroshima – a modern city with a difficult past.
First, you'll switch to a local train for the short journey to the port, before hopping on a ferry over to Miyajima island with its immense floating torii gate. Explore UNSECO world-heritage designated Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in temple tucked away in the forest, and spot wild deer roaming freely around the island.
Returning to Hiroshima later in the day for an included dinner, you'll chow down on the local speciality: okonomiyaki – a savoury pancake made from noodles and vegetables, fried on a hot plate right in front of you.Overnight: Washington Hotel
-
Day 8
Explore Osaka, famed for its fun-loving inhabitants and mouth-watering street food.
Spend the morning at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the events of 6 August 1945, a moving and fundamental part of the city's history.
Then board the bullet train once more to head to Osaka – Japan's capital of cool, with a distinctly less traditional feel than its neighbouring cities. The first place to explore is the lively downtown district: checking out the famous neon lights and Glico ‘running man' landmark, visiting the Doguyasuji cookware street, or the hip America-Mura shopping district.
Get a taste of what Osaka's all about with an optional street food tour experience – and learn what it means to experience the city's philosophy of ‘eat until you drop'.
From Takoyaki octopus balls to kushikatsu deep-fried skewers, tiny bars tucked away in back streets and above shops, to giant animatronic crabs flashing above crowded, smoking grills, your Insider will show you exactly how street food is where Osaka shines.Overnight: Cross Hotel Osaka
-
Day 9-11
Complete your cultural tour of Japan with visits to art museums, sushi restaurants and seafood markets.
Spend a free morning in Osaka with options galore depending on your interests. For samurai history, visit Osaka castle; for panoramic views, the observation deck at the Umeda Sky building combines perfectly with a visit to the quirky Kinutani Koji Tenku Art museum; or to continue filling your belly, dive into Kuromon market's seafood specialities.
For families, you could even visit Universal Studios Japan before heading on to Tokyo later in the day (your Insider will help sort logistics with rejoining the group).
In the afternoon, board your final bullet train back to Tokyo. You'll stay in the upmarket Ginza area, packed with boutique shops and restaurants, and with the former Tskukiji wholesale fish market just around the corner, you'll be in a great spot to do as the locals do and indulge in super fresh sushi for breakfast.
Spend your final free day in Tokyo wrapping up any last bits to explore – let your Insider know what you'd like to do, and they'll help you plan it all out. We suggest heading to the SkyTree for incredible views across the city, checking out the Miraikan Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, heading to Nakano Broadway or Akihabra if you want to take a deep dive into manga and anime ‘geek culture', visiting the bustling Shinjuku district to glimpse the busiest train station in the world, or opting for the quieter Yanaka area for a taste of local Tokyo life.
After a final day of fun in Tokyo, join your Insider and the group for an optional farewell dinner to say your goodbyes, swap stories, and reflect on everything you've packed in.Overnight: Vista Tokyo Tsukiji
-
Day 1-3
Take a tour of Tokyo's famous pop culture sites, from Akihabara “electric town” to the wacky street fashions of Harajuku.
Welcome to Japan! For your first night, you'll have a welcome dinner (included) at an izakaya tapas-style restaurant where you can get to know your Insider and meet the others in your group.
We'll take an extensive walking tour of Tokyo both by public transport and on foot. You'll get to see Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji, and soak up the traditional atmosphere in the surrounding Asakusa district; visit Tokyo's most famous Shinto shrine, Meiji shrine, in a tranquil forested area in the center of the city; and explore alternative fashion and youth subcultures in the famous Harajuku area.
Choose to stay in Tokyo and set out to explore on your own, or join your Insider for a day trip to Kamakura, a popular seaside town. Here, you'll get to visit the Daibutsu ‘great Buddha' sitting majestically outdoors, and Hase-dera temple with its mysterious grotto and immense wooden sculpture. Enjoy an afternoon hike through the forest, hopping between lesser-known temples and shrines.
Overnight: The B Ikebukuro
-
Day 4
Enjoy stunning natural scenery, views of Mount Fuji and a night at a traditional ryokan inn in Hakone National Park.
Leaving the skyscraper forest behind, on day four you'll travel out of the city to nearby Hakone – a beautiful national park and home to the iconic Mount Fuji.
Here, you'll take a variety of transport styles to work your way across the landscape – from switchback and funicular railways to a cable car, and even a pirate boat across the beautiful Lake Ashi. Sample the ‘black eggs' that Hakone is famous for – boiled in the water of the bubbling, sulfurous landscape, nicknamed ‘Hell Valley' – and spend a night at a traditional Japanese inn, sleeping on futon mattresses and enjoying indoor and outdoor hot spring bathing. Hot spring bathing is an integral and very enjoyable part of Japanese culture, so make sure you take advantage of these!Overnight: Fuji Hakone Guest House
-
Day 5-6
Take a tour of the Gion geisha district in Kyoto – Japan's ancient capital of culture.
On day five, you'll rocket across the main island of Honshu with an extended ride on the bullet train to Kyoto – with a chance to see Mount Fuji from the window if the weather behaves.
You'll spend two nights in Japan's ancient capital, which, being home to over 1500 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, is the jewel in the country's cultural crown. Soak up the city's rich history and culture as a local guide takes you on a tour through the geisha district of Gion, with its meandering back streets, temples, and shrines, and learn about the fascinating history of geisha in Kyoto.
On day six, you'll have a full day to explore the less crowded parts of Kyoto. We avoid setting an itinerary in stone, giving our Insiders the freedom to design one that considers the season, the weather, and their own personal top spots. Feel free to break off from the group if you'd like to do your own thing (your Insider can help with logistics.)
If you've had your fill of temples and shrines, you could take a lesson in indigo dyeing, visit the Toei Eiga Mura Kyoto Studio theme park, or check out the Kyoto Manga Museum.Overnight: Mitsui Garden Shijo
-
Day 7
Head west to Hiroshima, a vibrant modern city haunted by a tragic past.
After another ride on the world famous shinkansen bullet train, you'll arrive in Hiroshima – a modern city with a difficult past.
First, you'll switch to a local train for the short journey to the port, before hopping on a ferry over to Miyajima island with its immense floating torii gate. Explore UNSECO world-heritage designated Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in temple tucked away in the forest, and spot wild deer roaming freely around the island.
Returning to Hiroshima later in the day for an included dinner, you'll chow down on the local speciality: okonomiyaki – a savoury pancake made from noodles and vegetables, fried on a hot plate right in front of you.Overnight: Washington Hotel
-
Day 8
Explore Osaka, famed for its fun-loving inhabitants and mouth-watering street food.
Spend the morning at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the events of 6 August 1945, a moving and fundamental part of the city's history.
Then board the bullet train once more to head to Osaka – Japan's capital of cool, with a distinctly less traditional feel than its neighbouring cities. The first place to explore is the lively downtown district: checking out the famous neon lights and Glico ‘running man' landmark, visiting the Doguyasuji cookware street, or the hip America-Mura shopping district.
Get a taste of what Osaka's all about with an optional street food tour experience – and learn what it means to experience the city's philosophy of ‘eat until you drop'.
From Takoyaki octopus balls to kushikatsu deep-fried skewers, tiny bars tucked away in back streets and above shops, to giant animatronic crabs flashing above crowded, smoking grills, your Insider will show you exactly how street food is where Osaka shines.Overnight: Cross Hotel Osaka
-
Day 9-11
Complete your cultural tour of Japan with visits to art museums, sushi restaurants and seafood markets.
Spend a free morning in Osaka with options galore depending on your interests. For samurai history, visit Osaka castle; for panoramic views, the observation deck at the Umeda Sky building combines perfectly with a visit to the quirky Kinutani Koji Tenku Art museum; or to continue filling your belly, dive into Kuromon market's seafood specialities.
For families, you could even visit Universal Studios Japan before heading on to Tokyo later in the day (your Insider will help sort logistics with rejoining the group).
In the afternoon, board your final bullet train back to Tokyo. You'll stay in the upmarket Ginza area, packed with boutique shops and restaurants, and with the former Tskukiji wholesale fish market just around the corner, you'll be in a great spot to do as the locals do and indulge in super fresh sushi for breakfast.
Spend your final free day in Tokyo wrapping up any last bits to explore – let your Insider know what you'd like to do, and they'll help you plan it all out. We suggest heading to the SkyTree for incredible views across the city, checking out the Miraikan Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, heading to Nakano Broadway or Akihabra if you want to take a deep dive into manga and anime ‘geek culture', visiting the bustling Shinjuku district to glimpse the busiest train station in the world, or opting for the quieter Yanaka area for a taste of local Tokyo life.
After a final day of fun in Tokyo, join your Insider and the group for an optional farewell dinner to say your goodbyes, swap stories, and reflect on everything you've packed in.Overnight: Vista Tokyo Tsukiji
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