Tour overview

This 20-day small-group journey combines Japan's classic Golden Route with the wild, less-visited north, travelling by bullet train, local train and bus. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay nineteen nights in hotels, a countryside homestay and traditional ryokan with futons on tatami floors and hot spring baths. A handful of meals are included, including a home-cooked dinner at the homestay and dinners at the ryokan, leaving plenty of freedom to explore Japan's food.

In Tokyo you explore historic Asakusa and Sensō-ji Temple, the Meiji Jingu Shrine and the famous Shibuya crossing on a walking tour. A scenic train through tea country takes you to Kawane for a homestay and a visit to a tea farm. In Kyoto you walk through the thousands of vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha, and in Hiroshima you visit the sake breweries of Saijō and the Peace Memorial Museum, before tasting your way around Osaka, Japan's food capital.

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After a night back in Tokyo, the second half heads north by bullet train to Aomori, with a day in Hirosaki, home to one of Japan's most famous festivals and a fine castle. Crossing to Hokkaido, you explore Hakodate's harbour and morning market, then soak in the hot springs of Noboribetsu and stay on the shores of the caldera lake of Shikotsu.

In Asahikawa, Hokkaido's second city, you visit the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum to learn about the island's Indigenous people, then ride the ropeway up Mount Asahi, the island's highest peak. Furano's lavender fields at Tomita Farm, in season from late June to early August, lead to Sapporo and a day trip to Otaru's canal district.

The physical rating is medium, with plenty of walking and carrying your own luggage. This trip suits curious travellers who want Japan's highlights plus the mountains, lakes and culture of Hokkaido. Japan is famously safe, clean and efficient, and its trains run to the minute, so travelling between regions is part of the pleasure. Spring cherry blossom and autumn colours are especially beautiful times to go.

Trip highlights

  • Asakusa, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya (Day 2)
  • A homestay and tea farm in Kawane (Day 3)
  • Fushimi Inari in Kyoto (Day 5)
  • Hiroshima and Saijō's sake breweries (Days 6–7)
  • Noboribetsu and Lake Shikotsu (Days 13–14)
  • Mount Asahi and Furano (Day 17)

Your route

19 stops from Tokyo to Otaru

20-day route: Tokyo – Kawane – Kyoto – Hiroshima – Osaka – Aomori – Hakodate – Asahikawa – Sapporo
  1. Tokyo Days 1–2
  2. Kanaya Day 3
  3. Kawane Day 3
  4. Kyoto Days 4–5
  5. Hiroshima Days 6–7
  6. Miyajima Island Day 7
  7. Osaka Day 8
  8. Tokyo Day 9
  9. Aomori Days 10–11
  10. Hirosaki Day 11
  11. Hakodate Day 12
  12. Noboribetsu Day 13
  13. Lake Shikotsu Day 14
  14. Asahikawa Days 15–16
  15. Asahidake Ropeway Day 17
  16. Blue Pond Day 17
  17. Furano Day 17
  18. Sapporo Days 18–20
  19. Otaru Day 19

Why choose this tour

Japan's Golden Route plus the wild north of Hokkaido. A homestay and ryokan stays, with a small group.

Best suited to

  • Curious travellers who want more than the classic route
  • Nature lovers
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
  • Active travellers
Flower fields in Furano

Day-by-day itinerary

20 days from Tokyo, Japan to Sapporo, Japan

  1. Day 1 · Tokyo Arrive in Tokyo

    A welcome meeting at 6pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Tokyo

    Explore Tokyo's temples, shrines and streets.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  3. Day 3 · Kawane Kawane homestay

    A scenic train to tea country and a homestay.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Kyoto Kyoto

    Bus and bullet train to Kyoto.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Fushimi Inari Taisha Kyoto

    Walk through the vermilion gates.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  6. Day 6 · Saijō, Hiroshima Hiroshima

    Visit Saijō's sake breweries.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Peace Memorial Museum Hiroshima

    Visit the A-Bomb Dome and museum.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · Osaka Osaka

    Train to Osaka and a food tour.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Tokyo Tokyo

    Return to Tokyo for a free afternoon.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · Aomori Aomori

    Bullet train north.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Hirosaki Hirosaki

    A day trip to Hirosaki.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Hakodate Hakodate

    Cross to Hokkaido.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Noboribetsu Noboribetsu

    Travel to the hot spring town.

    Hotel
    Ryokan hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Lake Shikotsu Lake Shikotsu

    Stay by the caldera lake.

    Hotel
    Ryokan hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Asahikawa Asahikawa

    Travel to central Hokkaido.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum Ainu culture

    Learn about the Ainu people.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  17. Day 17 · Asahidake Ropeway, Furano Mount Asahi to Furano

    Ride the ropeway, then continue to Furano.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Tomita Farm, Sapporo Sapporo

    Visit Tomita Farm on the way to Sapporo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Otaru Otaru

    A day trip to Otaru's canal and a farewell dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  20. Day 20 · Sapporo Trip ends in Sapporo

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Otaru canal in winter

Where you stay

  • Tokyo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Kawane (1 night) Homestay
  • Kyoto (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hiroshima (2 nights) Hotel
  • Osaka (1 night) Hotel
  • Tokyo (1 night) Hotel
  • Aomori (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hakodate (1 night) Hotel
  • Noboribetsu (1 night) Ryokan hotel
  • Lake Shikotsu (1 night) Ryokan hotel
  • Asahikawa (2 nights) Hotel
  • Furano (1 night) Hotel
  • Sapporo (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 19 nights in hotels, a homestay and ryokan
  • Meals 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners
  • Selected meals, including homestay and ryokan dinners
  • Bullet train, local train and bus travel
  • Tokyo orientation walk, Sensō-ji, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya
  • Kawane homestay and tea farm, and Fushimi Inari
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Saijō sake breweries
  • Ainu Museum, Asahidake Ropeway and Otaru
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Tokyo and from Sapporo
  • Meals not included 10 breakfasts, 17 lunches and 13 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want Western-style hotels throughout — some nights are in ryokan
  • You want many meals included — only a few are
  • You dislike carrying luggage — you manage your own on trains
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 4, 11–12, 14–18 and 20 · Lunch: Day 16 · Dinner: Days 3, 6, 8, 13–14 and 19
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Japan
Lake Shikotsu in winter

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £6,545 per person, twin share, tour only. 46 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What are ryokan like?

Traditional inns with futons on tatami floors and hot spring baths, often with shared bathing facilities.

When are the lavender fields in bloom?

Usually from late June to early August.

Do I carry my own luggage?

Yes, on trains, so pack light.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors do not need a visa for Japan for a short holiday stay.

Does the group change?

Some travellers may join or leave in Tokyo on Day 9.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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