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Back Roads of Japan

11 days, Tokyo to Kyoto

11 days

Tokyo to Kyoto

From$25967HKD
was $32459
Valid on Nov 23 2024
Trip Code: AJBR

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

11 days

Tokyo to Kyoto

From$25967HKD
was $32459
Valid on Nov 23 2024
Trip Code: AJBR

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 11

Ripple Score

Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 92

Map of the route for Back Roads of Japan

Places visited

  • Japan
Itinerary Notes

Luggage size restriction – Effective from May 2020 onwards
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.

We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.

Itinerary

Day 1Tokyo

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Tokyo

Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through to Harajuku.

Day 3Tokyo/Nagano

Journey to Nagano, located in the Japanese Alps and host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Discover the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and watch Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs.

Day 4Nagano

Enjoy a day-trip to quaint Matsumoto and visit one of Japan's most treasured castles. Return to Nagano and explore historic Zenkoji Temple.

Day 5Nagano/Otsu

Travel to Otsu in Shiga prefecture, located on the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. Settle in and relax with a stroll around this picturesque lake before heading out to enjoy a delicious bowl of Ramen for dinner.

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 6Otsu/Hagi

Grab a quick breakfast before heading off, on a long travel day. In the late afternoon, arrive in the quaint city of Hagi, a former castle town that boasts feudal architecture. Take part in a welcome ceremony with the local residents, and meet your host family at a community homestay, a G Adventures for Good project. Get to know each other as you enjoy dinner together.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Hagi Community Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 7Hagi

Explore rural Hagi on a guided morning cycle, spotting samurai architecture along the way. On return, experience authentic Japanese countryside life. Return to your homestay in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner with your host family.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Hagi Community Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 8Hagi/Tottori

Bid farewell to your host family after enjoying breakfast together. Later, travel to Miho-misumi by train, taking in scenic views along the way. Learn the art of making "washi," a UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese paper, then enjoy a Japanese lunch along the beautiful coastline before continuing to the seaside town of Tottori.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Hands-On Moment Traditional Paper-making Lesson

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 9Tottori/Kyoto

Spend the morning exploring Tottori's scenic sand dunes, some reaching 50m (164 ft) in height. After, visit the local fish market and opt for a fresh seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, travel to Kyoto for two nights in the traditional heart of Japan.

Day 10Kyoto

Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for an impressive 10,000 red torii gates. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this picturesque city. Opt to experience zen gardens, teahouses, shrines, and local gift shops – and maybe even spot a real-life geisha.

Day 11Kyoto

Depart at any time.

View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay, Hagi
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson, Mihomisumi
  • Modern Tokyo walking tour
  • Zenkoji Temple visit (Nagano)
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park visit (Nagano)
  • Matsumoto Castle visit
  • Hagi Community Homestay welcome ceremony
  • Hagi cycling tour
  • Tottori sand dunes visit
  • Tottori fish market visit
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine visit
  • Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days)
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (8 nts), Homestay (2 nts, multi-share).

Meals

3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Allow USD450-585 for meals not included.

Transportation

Bus, bullet train, local train, bicycle, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

My Own Room - From $3909.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Back Roads of Japan

| 11 days - Tokyo to Kyoto - from $25967 HKD