The journey
From Kyoto's temples and Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park to a traditional ryokan stay in the mountain town of Takayama, a stretch of the historic Nakasendo trail and Yudanaka's snow monkeys, fourteen escorted days through Japan's essential highlights and its quieter mountain heartland.
Essential Japan is a fourteen-day escorted journey through the country's classic highlights and its rarely visited mountainous heartland, travelling with an EXO tour leader throughout. Begin in Kyoto with Nijo Castle, the gold-leafed Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates, with day trips to Nara's tame deer and, by bullet train, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima's floating torii gate. Continue into the mountains for two nights in a traditional ryokan in Takayama, a beautifully preserved Hida-region town, before walking a stretch of the historic Nakasendo trail between the post towns of Tsumago and Magome on the way to Matsumoto, home to one of Japan's most complete original castles. A night in the onsen town of Yudanaka brings a visit to the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani Park, before the journey ends with several days exploring Tokyo, the vast and futuristic capital.
Highlights
- Explore Kyoto's Nijo Castle, the gold-leafed Kinkaku-ji and the rock garden of Ryoan-ji on a full guided day
- Visit Nara's tame deer and Todai-ji Temple, then walk Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates and stroll Kyoto's lantern-lit Gion district
- Take a bullet train day trip to Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima's floating torii gate
- Stay in a traditional ryokan in the mountain town of Takayama, dining in yukata on local Hida beef and soaking in an onsen bath
- Walk a stretch of the historic Nakasendo trail between the Edo-period post towns of Tsumago and Magome
- Watch Japan's snow monkeys bathe in the hot springs of Jigokudani Park near Yudanaka Onsen
Included
Accommodation
13 nights across Kyoto, Takayama, Matsumoto, Yudanaka Onsen and Tokyo, including two nights in a traditional ryokan in Takayama and a night in a ryokan in Yudanaka Onsen
Activities
Kyoto guided tour (Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji) · Nara day trip (Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha) · Fushimi Inari and Gion evening stroll · Hiroshima and Miyajima day trip (Peace Memorial Park and Museum, floating torii gate) · Takayama (Hida no Sato Folk Village) · Nakasendo trail walk (Tsumago to Magome) · Matsumoto walking tour and castle · Jigokudani snow monkeys · Tokyo guided tour (Ueno Park, Asakusa, Senso-ji)
Also included
EXO certified tour leader throughout · group transfer to the first hotel on arrival · shared shuttle transfer from the Tokyo hotel to the airport · luggage transfer service ahead to Matsumoto and to Tokyo on the two ryokan-stay days · sightseeing entrance fees as indicated · breakfast on Days 2 to 10 (9 total), plus 3 dinners (Days 6, 7 and 9)
The route
Fourteen days across Japan
5 stops · Kyoto to Tokyo
Kyoto
Takayama
Matsumoto
Yudanaka Onsen
Tokyo
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Journey's end
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Day by day
The route in detail
Day 1
Arrival in Kyoto
Arrive at Kansai International Airport and make your own way to the hotel. In the afternoon, meet the tour leader for a briefing and orientation session ahead of the trip. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 2
Kyoto's Temples & Gardens
A full day exploring Kyoto's highlights with the tour leader. Visit Nijo Castle, an ornamental residence built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate in 1603, known for its Momoyama architecture and "chirping" nightingale floors, then continue to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, a former shogun's retirement villa turned Buddhist temple. Finish at Ryoan-ji, a Zen temple famed for its dry landscape rock garden, with the option to browse Nishiki Market for traditional local food and snacks. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 3
Nara Day Trip & Evening in Gion
Travel by local train to Nara, one of Japan's ancient capitals, to visit Todai-ji Temple and the surrounding Nara Park, home to hundreds of wild deer. Continue to Kasuga Taisha, Nara's most celebrated Shinto shrine, known for its bronze and stone lanterns, reached on foot through backstreets past local shops and a small forest. Lunch is around 13:00. Return to Kyoto and stop at Fushimi Inari Taisha, with its thousands of vermilion torii gates. In the early evening, stroll Gion, Kyoto's old entertainment district, where geisha and maiko still provide classical entertainment in atmospheric tea houses, passing the Yasaka Shinto shrine. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 4
Free Day in Kyoto
A day at leisure to explore Kyoto independently. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 5
Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trip
An early start for a two-hour journey by Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, a sobering yet ultimately hopeful reminder of the events of 6 August 1945, then take a short ferry to Miyajima Island for a view of the Floating Torii Gate, one of the most photographed sights in Japan. Return to Kyoto in the evening; dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 6
Kyoto to Takayama
A luggage transfer service is included today; pack a smaller bag for the two-night ryokan stay in Takayama, with the main luggage sent ahead to Matsumoto. Travel by train to Takayama, a beautifully preserved old town once cut off from the rest of Japan by its remote location in the Hida Alpine region. On arrival, take a leisurely walk to Hida no Sato Folk Village, home to more than thirty thatched farmhouses and traditional buildings typical of the region, with occasional demonstrations of local crafts like weaving and pottery (hands-on workshops available at an extra charge). This evening, relax in a yukata and dine on a traditional multi-course meal featuring Takayama's famous Hida beef, followed by an onsen bath. Overnight in Takayama.
Day 7
Free Day in Takayama
A day at leisure to explore the traditional town of Takayama. Overnight in Takayama.
Day 8
Takayama to Matsumoto via the Kiso Valley
Travel by train to Tsumago, a well-preserved Edo-period post town in the Kiso Valley, known among trekkers for its views of the Japan Alps and the Kiso River. Walk a stretch of the Magome-Tsumago portion of the Nakasendo, the historic trade route once connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. Continue by train to Matsumoto, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Overnight in Matsumoto.
Day 9
Matsumoto to Yudanaka Onsen
A luggage transfer service is included today; pack a smaller bag for the ryokan stay in Yudanaka, with the main luggage sent ahead to Tokyo. This morning, take a walking tour of Matsumoto, including its castle, one of the most complete original castles in Japan and known as "Crow Castle" for its black walls. Continue to the onsen town of Yudanaka, where a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner awaits, followed by onsen baths. Overnight in Yudanaka Onsen.
Day 10
Yudanaka to Tokyo
Travel by train and bus via Nagano to Jigokudani Park, known as "hell's valley" for the steam and boiling water bubbling from crevices in the frozen ground, and home to the famous snow monkeys. Watch the resident Japanese macaques soak in the hot spring baths, accustomed enough to visitors to be observed at close range. In the afternoon, continue to Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 11
Free Day in Tokyo
Today is free to explore Tokyo independently, with options including the Tsukiji Fish Market, the electronics district of Akihabara, or the city's world-class museums and galleries. Alternatively, take an excursion to Kamakura, a former capital home to the Daibutsu bronze Buddha, or to Hakone, gateway to Mt. Fuji and known for its onsen hot springs. The tour leader can provide detailed information on all the options. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 12
Tokyo's Highlights
A guided day through Tokyo's highlights, including Ueno Park, famed for its cherry blossoms, the old geisha district of Asakusa, and Senso-ji Temple, the city's oldest Buddhist temple, known for its bright colours. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 13
Free Day in Tokyo
A final day at leisure to enjoy the many sides of Tokyo, with an optional group karaoke night. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 14
Departure from Tokyo
The tour leader will be on hand at breakfast to say goodbye and assist with directions to the airport for the departure flight.
Moments
Along the way
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