Simply Japan: Snow Monkeys, Temples & Kyoto – 14 Days
The Japanese Alps, snow monkeys, temple stays and Kyoto, in a group of up to sixteen.
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
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A temple fire ceremony in Tokyo (Day 2)
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Matsumoto Castle (Day 4)
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The Jigokudani snow monkeys (Day 5)
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Kanazawa (Days 6–7)
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A sake brewery in Takayama (Day 8)
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A tea ceremony in Kyoto (Day 12)
Your route
10 stops from Tokyo to Arashiyama
- Tokyo Days 1–3
- Matsumoto Day 4
- Jigokudani Onsen Day 5
- Nagano Day 5
- Kanazawa Days 6–7
- Takayama Day 8
- Hiroshima Days 9–10
- Miyajima Day 10
- Kyoto Days 11–14
- 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
Day-by-day itinerary
14 days from Tokyo, Japan to Kyoto, Japan
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Day 1 · Tokyo Tokyo
Welcome to Japan.
- Hotel
- The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
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Day 2 · Asakusa, Tokyo Tokyo
A fire ceremony.
- Hotel
- The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Tokyo, Hakone Tokyo
A free day.
- Hotel
- The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto
Crow Castle.
- Hotel
- Tabino Hotel Lit Matsumoto
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Jigokudani, Nagano Snow monkeys
Snow monkeys.
- Hotel
- Zenkoji Yakuo In
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Zenkoji, Kanazawa Kanazawa
Morning prayers.
- Hotel
- Hotel Torifito Kanazawa
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Kenroku-en, Omicho Market Kanazawa
A free day.
- Hotel
- Hotel Torifito Kanazawa
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Takayama Takayama
A sake brewery.
- Hotel
- Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Hiroshima Peace Park Hiroshima
Peace Park.
- Hotel
- MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Miyajima Miyajima
The floating torii.
- Hotel
- MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Nijo Castle, Kyoto Kyoto
By bullet train.
- Hotel
- Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Kyoto Kyoto
A tea ceremony.
- Hotel
- Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Arashiyama Arashiyama
Bamboo groves.
- Hotel
- Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 14 · Kyoto Kyoto
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
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
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
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.
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