Tour overview

This 23-day small-group journey goes far beyond Japan's classic sights, travelling by local train and bullet train to the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, with homestays and traditional inns along the way. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay 22 nights in a mix of hotels, Japanese-style minshuku and ryokan inns with futons on tatami floors, and two homestays with local families. A handful of meals are included, notably home-cooked dinners at the homestays, leaving plenty of freedom to explore ramen bars, izakayas and markets.

After a welcome meeting in Tokyo, you head to Hakone in the foothills of Mount Fuji, crossing Lake Ashi by boat and riding the ropeway over volcanic valleys. In Takayama, an Edo-period town in the Japanese Alps, you visit morning markets held for over 600 years and the Hida Folk Village. Hiroshima's Peace Park is followed by a day on Miyajima with its floating torii gate.

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In Hagi, a coastal city of samurai history and pottery, you spend two nights with a local host and dive into daily life. Kyoto's Golden Pavilion and temples lead to Osaka, the country's food capital, before you cross to Shikoku. From Takamatsu you take the ferry to Naoshima, an island of contemporary art museums and installations, then explore Matsuyama, with its castle and ancient Dōgo hot spring.

On Kyushu you stay with a family near Usuki and visit a local shōchū distillery, soak in the many hot springs of Beppu and drive to Mount Aso, one of the world's largest volcanic calderas, staying in a Japanese inn. The journey ends in Nagasaki, a harbour city with a rich international history, before returning to Osaka.

The physical rating is medium, with lots of walking and carrying your own luggage. This trip suits curious travellers who want to experience everyday Japan and its quieter regions, not just the headline cities. 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

  • Hakone by boat and ropeway (Day 3)
  • Takayama's morning markets (Day 5)
  • A homestay in Hagi (Days 8–9)
  • Naoshima's art island (Day 14)
  • Beppu's hot springs (Days 17–18)
  • Mount Aso and Nagasaki (Days 19–21)

Your route

16 stops from Tokyo to Osaka

23-day route: Tokyo – Hakone – Takayama – Hiroshima – Hagi – Kyoto – Takamatsu – Beppu – Nagasaki – Osaka
  1. Tokyo Day 1
  2. Hakone Days 2–3
  3. Takayama Days 4–5
  4. Hiroshima Days 6–7
  5. Miyajima Day 7
  6. Hagi Days 8–9
  7. Kyoto Days 10–11
  8. Osaka Day 12
  9. Takamatsu Days 13–14
  10. Naoshima Day 14
  11. Matsuyama Day 15
  12. Usuki Day 16
  13. Beppu Days 17–18
  14. Mount Aso Day 19
  15. Nagasaki Days 20–21
  16. Osaka Days 22–23

Why choose this tour

Japan's quieter islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, as well as its classics. Two homestays and traditional inns, with a small group.

Best suited to

  • Return visitors to Japan
  • Curious travellers who enjoy local life
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
  • Travellers with time for a long trip
A steaming hot spring in Beppu, Japan

Day-by-day itinerary

23 days from Tokyo, Japan to Osaka, Japan

  1. Day 1 · Tokyo Arrive in Tokyo

    A welcome meeting at 6pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Tokyo, Hakone Hakone

    A free morning, then travel to Hakone.

    Hotel
    Minshuku (Japanese inn)
  3. Day 3 · Lake Ashi, Hakone Ropeway Hakone

    A boat across the lake and the ropeway.

    Hotel
    Minshuku (Japanese inn)
  4. Day 4 · Takayama Takayama

    Train and bullet train into the Alps.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  5. Day 5 · Takayama, Hida Folk Village Takayama

    Morning markets and the folk village.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Hiroshima Hiroshima

    Visit the Peace Park.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Miyajima Miyajima

    A day on Miyajima.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · Hagi Hagi

    Travel to Hagi to meet your host.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Hagi Hagi

    Daily life with your host family.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Kyoto Kyoto

    Travel to Kyoto.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto Kyoto

    Visit the Golden Pavilion and temples.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  12. Day 12 · Osaka Osaka

    Travel to the food capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  13. Day 13 · Takamatsu Takamatsu

    Cross to Shikoku.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  14. Day 14 · Naoshima Naoshima

    A ferry trip to the art island.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  15. Day 15 · Matsuyama Matsuyama

    Travel west to Matsuyama.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  16. Day 16 · Usuki Usuki homestay

    Visit a shōchū distillery and stay with a family.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Dinner
  17. Day 17 · Beppu Beppu

    Travel to the hot spring town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  18. Day 18 · Beppu Free day in Beppu

    Soak in the onsen.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  19. Day 19 · Mount Aso Mount Aso

    A private transfer to the volcano.

    Hotel
    Japanese inn
    Meals
    Dinner
  20. Day 20 · Nagasaki Nagasaki

    Train to Nagasaki.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · Nagasaki Nagasaki

    Explore the harbour city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  22. Day 22 · Osaka Osaka

    Bullet train back to Osaka.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  23. Day 23 · Osaka Trip ends in Osaka

    The trip ends this morning.

The crater of Mount Aso

Where you stay

  • Tokyo (1 night) Hotel
  • Hakone (2 nights) Minshuku (Japanese inn)
  • Takayama (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hiroshima (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hagi (2 nights) Homestay
  • Kyoto (2 nights) Hotel
  • Osaka (1 night) Hotel
  • Takamatsu (2 nights) Hotel
  • Matsuyama (1 night) Hotel
  • Usuki (1 night) Homestay
  • Beppu (2 nights) Hotel
  • Mount Aso (1 night) Japanese inn
  • Nagasaki (2 nights) Hotel
  • Osaka (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 22 nights in hotels, inns and homestays
  • Meals 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
  • Selected meals, including home-cooked homestay dinners
  • Train, bullet train, ferry and private transfers
  • Hakone cruise and ropeway, Hida Folk Village and Takayama markets
  • Hiroshima Peace Park and Miyajima
  • Kyoto temples, Naoshima and a shōchū distillery
  • Mount Aso and Nagasaki
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Tokyo and from Osaka
  • Meals not included 16 breakfasts, 20 lunches and 18 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A historic street in Takayama

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want Western-style hotels throughout — several nights are in inns
  • 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 5–6, 9–10, 17 and 20 · Lunch: Day 17 · Dinner: Days 8–9, 16 and 19
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Japan
A pirate ship on Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £7,365 per person, twin share, tour only. 64 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 minshuku and ryokan?

Traditional Japanese inns with futons on tatami floors, often with shared bathing facilities.

What are the homestays like?

Two stays with local families, in Hagi and near Usuki, with home-cooked meals.

Do I carry my own luggage?

Yes, on trains, so pack light. A small suitcase or backpack is best.

Do I need a visa?

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

Which meals are included?

A few, including homestay dinners. Most meals are free to choose.

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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