Cultural Wonders of Japan Expedition
Set off from Osaka and wind your way to Tokyo on an 11 day Japan adventure – a brilliant mix of spiritual sites, alpine scenery and city buzz. Stay at a Mount Koya temple with guided meditation, then enjoy time in Kyoto. Expect to see Zen monasteries, samurai districts and Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa. You’ll visit UNESCO thatched villages, folk museums and elegant castles, cross the Japanese Alps, meet the snow monkeys near Nagano and soak in onsen at a traditional ryokan. Round off with Nikko’s lavish shrines and a full Tokyo tour – from Meiji Shrine and Asakusa to sky high views at Tokyo Skytree.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
11 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
OsakaEnds
TokyoMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Japan that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Country
JapanPassengers
£2,935.00
£300.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Osaka
Mount Koya
Kyoto
Eihei-ji
Katsuyama-dinosaur museum
Katsuyama
Kanazawa
Ainokura
Shirakawa
Hida village
Takayama
Hida furukawa
Matsumoto
Nagano
Monkey Park
Kusatsu
Ikaho
Nikko
Tokyo
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Osaka
Welcome to Japan – and to Osaka. On arrival, we’ll arrange your transfer to the hotel, where you’ll have time to relax and settle in. In the afternoon we’ll meet to brief you on the start of the tour and share the key details so you’re ready for the days ahead.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Osaka - Koyasan (Mount Koya)
At 11:30 a.m., we depart Osaka for sacred Mount Koya – the principal centre of Shingon Buddhism in Japan and home to around 120 temples and monasteries. On arrival, we visit Okuno Mausoleum, a vast cemetery set in nature with more than 200,000 graves, and explore Kongobuji Temple, founded in 1593.We stay overnight in a Buddhist monastery, where monks lead a guided Ajikan meditation. A vegetarian dinner is included. If you wish, you can attend the temple’s religious ceremony before breakfast.Important notes: In winter – due to early nightfall – there may not be enough time to visit the interior of Kongobuji. Monastery stays are a rewarding experience but simple – traditional tatami rooms without private bathrooms, with shared facilities. Meditation sessions cannot be guaranteed during busy tourist periods. Temple accommodation on Mount Koya is limited – if necessary, we may arrange lodging in nearby hotels instead, with half board.
Day 3 - Koyasan (Mount Koya) - Kyoto
We begin with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple, then depart at first light for Kyoto. On arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace – our guide will share recommendations and practical tips to help you make the most of your time and take in the city’s key sights.
Day 4 - Kyoto - Eihei-ji - Katsuyama-dinosaur museum - Katsuyama - Kanazawa
We begin with breakfast, then follow the shores of one of Japan’s largest lakes to our first stop at Shirahige Ginra shrine by the water. We continue to Eihei–ji – a temple–monastery founded in 1244 and a major centre of Zen Buddhism – with admission included. Its architecture, gardens and calm setting reflect the discipline of a training centre where monks practise zazen meditation and follow a strict daily routine. In Katsuyama, we visit three key sites. First is the Dinosaur Museum at Japan’s largest dinosaur fossil site – you’ll have free time for lunch and to explore its educational displays featuring more than 40 dinosaur skeletons. Then we visit the Great Buddha of Echizen and its grand temple, along with a five–storey pagoda that we can climb for panoramic views. We arrive in Kanazawa by evening.
Day 5 - Kanazawa
We spend a full day in Kanazawa, starting with a morning guided tour. Once a powerful rival to Kyoto and Tokyo, the city was largely spared from wartime air raids, leaving its historic quarters intact. We explore the castle precinct with its impressive walls and stroll through Nagamachi, the preserved samurai district of earthen walls, private gates, narrow lanes and water canals. We include entry to Kenrokuen – celebrated as one of Japan’s three great gardens. The tour finishes at Omicho Market, a lively spot with plenty of lunch options. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace.
Day 6 - Kanazawa - Ainokura - Shirakawa - Hida village - Takayama
We leave Kanazawa and travel through mountain landscapes to the UNESCO World Heritage regions of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go. We stop in Ainokura, a small village of steep–roofed traditional houses nicknamed ‘praying hands’ for their resemblance to joined hands – built to withstand heavy winter snow. We then continue to Shirakawa-go Ogimachi, the larger and more popular village. There is time to stroll and enjoy lunch at your own pace.In the afternoon we continue to Takayama to visit the Hida Folk Village, an open–air museum in a peaceful setting. More than 30 traditional houses from the Edo period 1603–1868 were relocated here in 1971, showcasing tools and utensils used in everyday life. Afterwards, you have free time to explore the old town with its wooden houses and traditional shops.
Day 7 - Takayama - Hida furukawa - Matsumoto - Nagano
After breakfast in Takayama, we travel to Hida Furukawa for a guided stroll through its atmospheric old streets. The town’s festival is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage for its large drums and beautifully decorated floats – we include admission to the museum to see the floats, costumes and drums. We then cross the Japanese Alps, known for their snow covered peaks for much of the year, and arrive in Matsumoto to visit its impressive castle, the black Crow Castle dating from the 16th century. You will have free time to find lunch and explore the town before we continue in the afternoon to Nagano for the night.
Day 8 - Nagano - Monkey Park - Kusatsu - Ikaho
In Nagano, we visit Zenko-ji Temple, a major pilgrimage site believed to house Japan’s first Buddhist image, and we take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony – a traditional ritual intended to attract good fortune. We then head into the Japanese Alps to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where we follow forest trails beside rivers and hot springs to see colonies of Japanese macaques bathing in the warm waters.Our route continues through high-mountain scenery – reaching 2,172 metres and passing semi-active volcanoes – to Kusatsu, a renowned hot-spring town. We take a gentle stroll through the city park with its open-air onsen, and you’ll have free time for lunch. We then continue to Ikaho, another historic hot-spring town, and stroll its old centre, known for its traditional stone stairways.We stay overnight in a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – with a traditional dinner included. You may wish to relax in the hot-spring baths.Please note: In autumn, the monkeys’ movement can be unpredictable and the park may close if they do not come down. The visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to weather conditions from November to April.
Day 9 - Ikaho - Nikko - Tokyo
We continue to Nikko for a day of standout sights. We visit the Nikko-Toshogu Temple, including its famed room known for the sound of a dragon, and explore the serene Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum. We then take a riverside walk at Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where rows of Jizo statues watch over the banks. You’ll have free time to wander the town centre before we return to Tokyo – arriving at around 6.30 pm.
Day 10 - Tokyo
This morning we join a guided city tour of around seven hours. We stop at Zojoji Temple for the classic view of Tokyo Tower and to see the rows of Jizo statues. From the bus we take in the famous Shibuya Crossing, then visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Admission is included to Tokyo Skytree up to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres for panoramic city views. We finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street, then return to the hotel, passing Akihabara – the Electric City and a centre of manga and anime culture – and Ginza.At 6.30 pm we meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway – tickets included – to Shinjuku for a guided walk, followed by dinner at a local restaurant – included. We return to the hotel by subway with our guide.Note: The order of visits may change depending on our Skytree admission time. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited – an alternative city viewpoint will be offered.
Day 11 - Tokyo
Today we conclude our journey in Tokyo. Please check your flight time – you may wish to book an additional night if required. The departure transfer to the airport is not included, but our guide will recommend the best public transport options for your route.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Tokyo
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Osaka
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
Can't find a date that works for you?
Looking for a date not yet released?
Similar Tours
Explore more exciting tours in Japan to discover even more unforgettable adventures!
On The Go Tours
Our agents are waiting to chat to you...
Are you a Travel Agent or Customer?
Do you have an booking reference?