Self-Guided Adventure
Tailor-made
Manga & Anime
10 Nights: from US$2367 per person (twin share) Trip Code: MANGAE
Our manga & anime itinerary is an excitement-packed ten-night tour of the best of Japan from the perspective of an anime-lover. Combine visits to hyper-modern Tokyo and Osaka with historic Kyoto, visiting the country's best manga and anime museums along the way. Read more >
Your adventure begins with plenty of time in Tokyo to explore Akihabara "electric town", browse the model shops of Nakano Broadway and see the cosplay kids in Harajuku. You will be staying within walking distance of Akihabara - the spiritual home of every otaku anime fan in Japan!
You'll have the opportunity to explore the Studio Ghibli inspired sights of Tokyo on a self-guided tour, from the Ghibli clock to themed restaurants to the best Ghibli shops. Tickets are also included to one of our favourite Tokyo experiences: teamLab, the home of futuristic, immersive, interactive art. It's an art gallery like no other and believe us, you can easily spend hours there.
As well as visiting the capital, you will travel west on the bullet train to visit Kyoto and Osaka. These cities are essential to any trip to Japan, and you'll have the chance to explore the temples and gardens of traditional Kyoto before being catapulted back into modernity as you wander amongst the giant plastic crabs and immense neon signs of Osaka's Dotonbori district.
In Kyoto, we recommend stopping at the International Manga Museum between visiting the historical sights. We'll include arrangements for you to join a walking tour of the gorgeous Gion geisha district, and tickets for a super cool non-verbal theatre performance on your first evening. No Japanese skills required! We're sure you'll love spending your final full day jumping on every ride at Universal Studios theme park, but if there's something else you'd love to do instead, just let us know. We can fully tailor your trip to suit your interests.
What's included
- Ten nights' accommodation in Japan
- Breakfast every day
- All transport between destinations incl. airport transfers
- Seven-day Japan Rail Pass
- Manaca transport card with 2,500 yen credit for city transport
- Walking tour of the Gion geisha district
- Toei Movie Village tickets
- Your personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack
What's NOT included:
- International flights
- Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination unless otherwise specified
- Any entrance fees unless otherwise specified
- Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
Trip Highlights
- Explore the Studio Ghibli-inspired sights of Tokyo
- Discover Kyoto's Gion geisha district
- Take a trip on the bullet train
- Experience futuristic interactive art at teamLab
- Soak up the vibrant Osaka nightlife
- Enjoy the day at Osaka's Universal Studios theme park
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380
What, where, when and how...
Manga & Anime - 11 Days
Destinations
Manga & Anime - 11 Days - Day by Day
Manga & Anime - 11 Days - Accommodation
Manga & Anime - 11 Days - Experiences
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Day 1-4
Stand in the shadow of a Gundam Wing suit in Odaiba or interact with the futuristic art at teamLab
Welcome to Japan! On arrival you will take a shared shuttle bus to Akihabara, where the best of Tokyo's manga and anime shops are right on your doorstep. The famous Mandarake shop, packed with outrageous costumes, wigs, comics and collectors' models, is a short walk away, whilst Don Quijote, Liberty 8 and Gamerz just around the corner are all well worth exploring.
On your first full day in the capital we'll arrange a half-day private guide for a tour of the city so that you can familiarize yourself with how it all works before doing some self-guided exploration in the afternoon. Your guide will have tons of suggestions and tips for your time in Tokyo.
On day two we recommend embarking on a self-guided Studio Ghibli-themed tour of Tokyo to visit sights, shops, and cafes inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's works. Then in the afternoon you can explore the nearby Kichijoji, Shimokitazawa, or Nakano districts which are full of independent shops and cafes.
Day three will see you heading down to Tokyo Bay to visit Odaiba with its “life-sized” Gundam Wing suit and the futuristic Miraikan Museum. We'll also include tickets to visit the incredible teamLab art exhibition, where you can interact with the brilliantly colourful displays.
There are plenty of activities we can arrange in Tokyo, from a cute bento box cooking class to a three-hour workshop at Tokyo's premier anime drawing school – just ask us for details and we can tailor the itinerary to suit you.Overnight: Remm Akihabara
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Day 5-7
Visit the Gion geisha district, stop by the International Manga Museum, and take in an incredible family-friendly show
The Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you on to Kyoto today, Japan's former Imperial capital and its permanent cultural heart.
This afternoon we'll arrange for you to join a guided tour of the historic geisha district, Gion. Led by the charismatic granddaughter of a geisha, you'll learn all about their secret world – and perhaps even spot a maiko, so don't forget your camera!
You'll then have two full days at leisure in the city. We recommend heading out early to visit the bamboo groves of Arashiyama in the west of the city before stopping by the International Manga Museum. If you'd like to try out some hands-on cultural activities such as a tea ceremony, learning about and trying on a traditional kimono, or giving calligraphy a go, just let us know. Alternatively we have plenty of suggestions for more energetic activities, from taiko drumming to a ninja class!Overnight: OMO5 Kyoto Sanjo
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Day 8-11
Discover Osaka's larger-than-life Dotonbori district, visit the hometown of a manga grand master and try out all the rides at Universal Studios
Today you will make the short journey to Osaka, arguably Japan's most exciting and vibrant modern city. Famous for its food and for its colourful local dialect, Osaka is bold, brash and a great place to have fun.
We recommend wandering the Dotonbori area, packed with top-notch bars and restaurants, huge plastic models and even huger neon signs. The Umeda Sky Building is also worth a visit, with its space-age architecture and fantastic views of the city.
On your second full day in Osaka, we'll arrange a one day pass for you to visit Universal Studio Japan. Alternatively if you want to take a day trip out of the city or visit somewhere else, we can tailor the itinerary to match.
On your final morning in Japan, you'll jump on the train to head out to Osaka's Kansai International Airport. Need to fly from Tokyo instead, or have some other destinations you want to visit before going home?? No problem, we can adjust your itinerary accordingly.Overnight: Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Manga & Anime
Read more >Excellent service all around. I could call or email our agents as often as I needed to ask any number of ridiculous questions. They helped everywhere they could and I…
Self-Guided Adventure Manga & Anime
Read more >Very impressed, I found the booking and payment process easy and convenient, and Will's help in tailoring my trip was brilliant, providing me with a trip that was filled…
Tour Gallery
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Manga & Anime
Read more >Excellent service all around. I could call or email our agents as often as I needed to ask any number of ridiculous questions. They helped everywhere they could and I…
Self-Guided Adventure Manga & Anime
Read more >Very impressed, I found the booking and payment process easy and convenient, and Will's help in tailoring my trip was brilliant, providing me with a trip that was filled…
5.0 out of 5 from 13 reviews Show all Manga & Anime Reviews
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