Tokyo to Osaka: Neon-lit Cities & Tranquil Countryside
About Japan - From $3,899.00 CAD
Japan's cities are world-class and its countryside is highly underrated — and this trip proves both. Tokyo, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, and Osaka all deliver in their own spectacular way, with Miyajima's floating torii gate thrown in for good measure. Then a night in a traditional farmhouse with locals reveals a side of Japan most travellers never find. The cities deliver. The countryside steals it.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Local Street Food Tour in Osaka, Osaka. Free morning in Tokyo. Visit Meiji Shrine and Harajuku. Orientation walk in Kanazawa. Guided visit to Higashi Chaya District. Kanazawa city tour including Kenroku-en Garden. Free afternoon in Kanazawa. Miyajima Island visit including Itsukushima Shrine and Floating Torii Gate. Free time in Hiroshima. Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum visit. Dotonbori street food and exploration. Free day in Osaka. Japan Rail (JR) pass. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Ride the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa and wander its preserved Edo-period streets, Hike through the atmospheric Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on the outskirts of Kyoto, Cross to Miyajima Island and photograph the torii gate rising from the sea, Visit Hiroshima Peace Park — a deeply moving chapter in Japan's modern history, Swap city life for a night in a traditional rural farmhouse with a local family
How large will the group be?
Max 15, avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Bullet train, local train, private vehicle, public bus, subway, tram, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (6 nts), village stay (1 nt).
Itinerary
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Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive in the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo and head to your starting hotel around 4:00 pm, with the afternoon free to settle in and take in your first impressions of the city. There are no scheduled activities until the evening, giving you time to rest after your journey or explore the neighbourhood at your own pace. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting, so we recommend arrival time to be no later than 3PM. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
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Journey to Kanazawa
Head out to explore the serene grounds of Meiji Shrine and the vibrant streets of Harajuku, with free time for lunch at your own expense to sample the city’s incredible food scene. Later, board the Shinkansen and journey through Japan at high speed. Arrive in Kanazawa and head out to explore. The evening is free for an orientation walk around the hotel area, with the option to join an optional group dinner or explore local restaurants independently at your own pace.
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Explore Kanazawa
Spend the day uncovering the refined charm of Kanazawa, beginning in its beautifully preserved geisha quarter, where wooden teahouses and narrow lanes in the Higashi Chaya District evoke the atmosphere of a bygone era. Continue on to the breathtaking Kenrokuen Garden, widely regarded as one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens, where ponds, bridges, seasonal flowers, and sweeping pathways create a perfect harmony of design and nature. After exploring the gardens, you may choose to visit one of Kanazawa’s many museums or dive deeper into the city’s traditional crafts scene. For a taste of local flavour, head to the lively Omicho Market, where fresh seafood and regional specialties showcase the best of the city’s culinary heritage.
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Journey to Hiroshima
Enjoy a relaxed free morning in Kanazawa before continuing your journey south by train to Hiroshima. Opt to join a visit to the lively Omicho Market, where fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and local specialties offer a true taste of the region. Alternatively, enjoy your own independent adventure through Kanazawa’s streets at your own pace before regrouping for the onward journey.
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Day Trip to Miyajima Island
Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, not far from the coast.
Here, view one of the most photographed sights in Japan— the floating Torii Gate. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century and is designed in a pier-like structure.
Enjoy time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples. Sample local treats like maple leaf shaped cakes, and opt to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
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Journey to the Hiroshima Countryside
Start the day in Hiroshima with a meaningful visit to the moving Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the powerful exhibits at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, reached via local tram. Continue your journey beyond the city and travel into the countryside, arriving at Kitahiroshima Town, where you will be welcomed and transferred by your traditional village stay. Settle into your accommodation, take time to meet your hosts and get familiar with your surroundings. In the evening, share a homemade dinner with locals and experience everyday life in the countryside. After dinner, enjoy free time to relax, unwind, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere before bed.
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Arrive in Osaka
Wake up in the countryside and start your day with a relaxed walk around the old farmhouse, taking time to visit with local farmers and experience everyday rural life. Enjoy a slow, authentic start to the day before saying farewell to your hosts and boarding the bus back toward the city, where you will continue your journey by Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Osaka. On arrival, head out to explore the vibrant streets of Dotonbori. Enjoy a lively street food lunch, neon-lit canal views, and free time to wander Osaka’s bustling entertainment district at your own pace.
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Departure Day
Depart at any time and enjoy the freedom to shape your final moments in Osaka at your own pace. We strongly recommend booking post-accommodation so you can linger a little longer and fully soak in Osaka’s unforgettable energy before you move on.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
