Tour overview

This 14-day trip explores Japan from its cities to the Japanese Alps by train. A tour leader travels with the group, which numbers between ten and sixteen. You stay thirteen nights in comfortable hotels, plus a night in temple lodgings and a night in a traditional inn, with breakfast daily.

After exploring Tokyo, including a temple fire ceremony, you take the train to Matsumoto and its black Crow Castle, then meet the snow monkeys of Jigokudani and spend a night in temple lodgings at Zenkoji, joining the monks for morning prayers.

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You explore the samurai district and gardens of Kanazawa, tour a sake brewery in Takayama, visit Hiroshima and Miyajima, and finish in Kyoto with a tea ceremony and a day trip to Arashiyama.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers who want a thorough, well-paced journey through Japan.

Trip highlights

  • A temple fire ceremony in Tokyo (Day 2)
  • Matsumoto Castle (Day 4)
  • The Jigokudani snow monkeys (Day 5)
  • Kanazawa (Days 6–7)
  • A sake brewery in Takayama (Day 8)
  • A tea ceremony in Kyoto (Day 12)

Your route

10 stops from Tokyo to Arashiyama

14-day route: Tokyo – Matsumoto – Jigokudani – Nagano – Kanazawa – Takayama – Hiroshima – Kyoto
  1. Tokyo Days 1–3
  2. Matsumoto Day 4
  3. Jigokudani Onsen Day 5
  4. Nagano Day 5
  5. Kanazawa Days 6–7
  6. Takayama Day 8
  7. Hiroshima Days 9–10
  8. Miyajima Day 10
  9. Kyoto Days 11–14
  10. Arashiyama Day 13

Why choose this tour

Snow monkeys and a temple stay. Two weeks across Japan by train.

Best suited to

  • Culture lovers
  • Rail lovers
  • Solo travellers
  • First-time visitors to Japan
Matsumoto Castle above its moat

Day-by-day itinerary

14 days from Tokyo, Japan to Kyoto, Japan

  1. Day 1 · Tokyo Tokyo

    Welcome to Japan.

    Hotel
    The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
  2. Day 2 · Asakusa, Tokyo Tokyo

    A fire ceremony.

    Hotel
    The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Tokyo, Hakone Tokyo

    A free day.

    Hotel
    The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto

    Crow Castle.

    Hotel
    Tabino Hotel Lit Matsumoto
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Jigokudani, Nagano Snow monkeys

    Snow monkeys.

    Hotel
    Zenkoji Yakuo In
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Zenkoji, Kanazawa Kanazawa

    Morning prayers.

    Hotel
    Hotel Torifito Kanazawa
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Kenroku-en, Omicho Market Kanazawa

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel Torifito Kanazawa
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Takayama Takayama

    A sake brewery.

    Hotel
    Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Hiroshima Peace Park Hiroshima

    Peace Park.

    Hotel
    MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Miyajima Miyajima

    The floating torii.

    Hotel
    MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Nijo Castle, Kyoto Kyoto

    By bullet train.

    Hotel
    Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Kyoto Kyoto

    A tea ceremony.

    Hotel
    Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Arashiyama Arashiyama

    Bamboo groves.

    Hotel
    Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Kyoto Kyoto

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A quiet street of wooden houses in Kanazawa

Where you stay

  • Tokyo (3 nights) The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
  • Matsumoto (1 night) Tabino Hotel Lit Matsumoto
  • Nagano (1 night) Zenkoji Yakuo In temple lodgings
  • Kanazawa (2 nights) Hotel Torifito Kanazawa
  • Takayama (1 night) Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama
  • Hiroshima (2 nights) MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park
  • Kyoto (3 nights) Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 13 nights in hotels and temple lodgings
  • Meals 13 breakfasts
  • Bullet trains, express trains and ferries
  • Jigokudani snow monkey visit
  • Sake brewery tour and tea ceremony
  • Arashiyama day trip
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 12 lunches and 13 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Snow monkeys in a hot spring in winter

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You want a short trip
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–14 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: none included
Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,695 per person, twin share, tour only. 101 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.

Do I need a visa for Japan?

No, UK citizens can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.

What is the temple stay like?

A simple night in Zenkoji temple lodgings, with the option to join morning prayers.

Will we see the snow monkeys?

They live wild at Jigokudani and are usually seen, especially in colder months.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.

How many people travel together?

Between ten and sixteen travellers, with a tour 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
From £3,695
See dates & prices