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Japan Adventure: Kyoto,...
 

Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo

14 days |  18 days with Okinawa & Tokyo extension
14 days |  18 days with Okinawa & Tokyo extension
Group size1222 travelers
Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars

60
Physical activity
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto Japan
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto Japan
japanese paper lanterns
chef preparing sashimi in Japanese restaurant
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Discover a country home to ancient customs and modern-day innovations.

Find your Zen in the Japanese Alps and step inside shrines built by emperors in Kyoto. Savor dishes the Japanese have perfected—ramen and sushi, anyone?—and enjoy a guided meditation and tea tasting. Then, when you think things can’t get any more astounding, look to the horizon in Tokyo, where skyscrapers and iconic Mount Fuji anchor the skyline. Each day, you'll find a new reason to love the Land of the Rising Sun on this small group Adventure Tour.

Your tour package includes

  • 12 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 12 breakfasts
  • 5 dinners with beer or wine
  • 3 tastings
  • 1 liquor tasting
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Included highlights

  • Kuromon Ichiba Market
  • Peace Memorial Park and Museum
  • Hiroshima legacy successor talk
  • Himeji Castle
  • Golden Pavilion
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Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Talk to a Tour Consultant

Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Osaka today.

Osaka2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Osaka

Welcome to Japan! Get settled in to your hotel this evening.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Osaka
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Welcome dinner

Join a local guide and set out to explore Osaka, the birthplace of many of Japan’s well-known arts, such as Kabuki theater and the tea ceremony.

  • Visit the massive Osaka Castle, which houses a museum dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the legendary leader who built it
  • Stroll through Kuromon Ichiba Market, famous for its selection of fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, and other Japanese specialties
  • Learn about the country’s culinary traditions and try takoyaki, a fried octopus ball
  • Walk to Dōtonbori, one of the most colorful areas in the city and a haven for food culture

This evening, sit down for a Yakiniku, family-style welcome dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelers. You’ll enjoy grilled meats and veggies prepared at your table.

Hiroshima1 night
Day 4: Train ride to Hiroshima & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast

Board a high-speed bullet train and travel to Hiroshima. Then, get to know this renowned City of Peace alongside your Tour Director.

  • Visit Peace Memorial Park to see the ruined Atomic Bomb Dome, marking the exact location where the atomic bomb detonated during World War II
  • Meet a legacy successor, a local trained to pass on the stories of the Hiroshima bombing survivors
  • Hear their story and ask them questions about their work preserving the city’s history
  • Learn about the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing and the mission to create a world without nuclear weapons, during a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum
  • Take a short boat ride to Miyajima Island to view the 12th-century, UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine

Please note: The order of the activities may change depending on the timing of the legacy successor talk.

Kyoto3 nights
Day 5: Kyoto via Himeji
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to Kyoto, stopping in the city of Himeji along the way.

  • Enjoy free time for lunch
  • Enter Himeji Castle, a UNESCO-listed wooden masterpiece comprised of over 80 buildings
  • Snap photos of the Otemon Gate as you enter and admire the castle’s white facade, elegant pinnacles, and striking 17th-century architecture
  • Round out your visit with free time to explore Kōko-en, a stunning garden that’s designed to be pleasing all four seasons

Continue on to Kyoto, where you’ll enjoy a traditional shabu-shabu (hot pot) dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6: Zen meditation class & sightseeing tour of Kyoto
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

This morning, visit a local Buddhist temple and immerse yourself in the spiritual traditions of Japan.

  • Tour the temple and tap in to your unconscious mind during a guided Zen meditation session
  • Sip matcha green tea alongside a traditional Japanese sweet

Then, a local guide leads a tour of Kyoto, the city that served as the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years—and is still considered its spiritual capital.

  • See one of Japan’s most famous temples, the glittering Golden Pavilion
  • See the country’s finest Zen gardens at Ryōan-ji Temple

Please note: The guided Zen meditation session may take place in the afternoon and the Arashiyama District & Okochi Sanso Garden excursion may take place in the morning.

Spend a free afternoon in Kyoto or add an excursion.

Arashiyama District & Okochi Sanso Garden

From $119 per person

Day 7: Walking tour of Fushimi Inari Shrine
Included meal: Breakfast

Discover some of Kyoto’s sacred spots and traditional flavors alongside your Tour Director today.

  • Enter Fushimi Inari, a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of red Torii gates
  • Walk up steps and follow the pathway of gates up the mountain to the Yotsutsuji intersection, and take in the panoramic views of Kyoto

Please note: The walk through Fushimi Inari Shrine is one-way. You must complete the walk once you enter.

Spend a free afternoon in Kyoto or add an excursion.

Nara: Traditions of Japan

From $89 per person

Japanese Alps2 nights
Day 8: Japanese Alps via Kanazawa
Included meal: Breakfast

Board a high-speed bullet train and travel to Kanazawa, a city bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Japanese Alps to the east. You’ll take a guided tour of Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Enjoy free time to stroll through the park before continuing on to the Japanese Alps.

Enjoy a free evening to relax or explore the area.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Takayama & the Alps
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Liquor tasting

Spend the day uncovering the beauty of Takayama and the Japanese Alps.

  • Travel to the city of Takayama and stroll through the Old Town with your Tour Director
  • Walk through the Sanmachi Historic District, a neighborhood of preserved Edo-style homes dating back to the 17th century

Next, drive through the scenic mountain landscape to Chubu-Sangaku National Park to visit Kamikōchi, one of the most beautiful areas in the Alps.

  • Hike along Taisho Pond, a picturesque mountain lake formed by a volcanic eruption
  • Enjoy views of the surrounding mountain landscape as you hike to Tashiro Pond
  • Cross Kappabashi, a suspension bridge with spectacular Alpine views
  • Enjoy free time to visit the Kamikochi Visitor Center

Please note: Kamikochi is closed from mid-November to mid-April. A sightseeing of the Shirakawa-go region, Ogimachi village, and Gassho-zukuri Minkaen open-air museum will be included during these months.

This evening, sit down with your group for a traditional Kaiseki dinner paired with a sake tasting. This multi-course meal showcases a chef’s refined skills and talent through elegantly prepared, seasonal dishes.

Tokyo4 nights
Day 10: Train to Tokyo & tea ceremony
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Return to Kanazawa this morning and board a high-speed bullet train to Tokyo.

This afternoon, sit down for a Japanese tea ceremony.

  • Join a tea master to learn about the customs of a traditional ceremony and why each utensil is essential to this ancient practice
  • Discover the meaning of the symbolic gestures you’ll make as you try matcha
  • Sip some tea and snack on wagashi, Japanese sweets often made from red beans, which balance the bitterness of the matcha
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Tokyo & cooking class
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner

Join a local guide and embark on an immersive tour of Tokyo.

  • Walk through Tsukiji fish market and learn about Japan’s seafood heritage
  • Visit a vendor’s stall to sample fresh sushi (vegetarian option available)
  • View the iconic Shibuya Crossing as you drive through the central part of the city
  • Set off on a short walk from Yoyogi Park to the Meiji Shrine, final resting place of Emperor Meiji
  • Stroll through the colorful Harajuku neighborhood

Tonight, join an experienced chef at a local restaurant for a cooking lesson and dinner.

  • Grab your apron and watch as the chef demonstrates how to make traditional Japanese cuisine such as gyudon, miso soup, cucumber pickles, or a chicken teriyaki bento box
  • Try your hand at crafting your own authentic meal
  • Sit down to enjoy the cuisine for dinner
Day 12: Free day in Tokyo
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Tokyo or add an excursion.

Aokigahara Forest & Mount Fuji

From $95 per person

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Tokyo
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Set out with your Tour Director to see more of Tokyo’s iconic pagodas, temples, shrines, and markets.

  • See the pagodas and shrines in Ueno Park, as you hear the history and stories behind them
  • Walk to Ameya market and enjoy free time to visit many of the shops and open-air stalls
  • Peruse Kappabashi Street, or Kitchen Town, home to more than 170 shops specializing in high-quality kitchenware, such as chopsticks and knives
  • Enter Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Japan

Celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner this evening.

Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Naha, Okinawa.

Extension to Okinawa & Tokyo
Okinawa's white sand beaches and turquoise water make it seem like a world away from mainland Japan—which makes it just the place to round out your trip. Leave mountains and skyscrapers behind as you fly to the tropical island, where local experts will show you the highlights.
Okinawa3 nights
Day 14: Flight to Naha
Included meal: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport this morning and board your flight to the city of Naha on the island of Okinawa, located to the southwest in the East China Sea.

Day 15: Sightseeing tour of Naha
Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local guide for a tour of Naha, Okinawa’s capital city.

  • Explore the UNESCO-listed Shikinaen Gardens, built in 1799 to entertain envoys of Chinese Emperors
  • Head north for a tour of the Hacksaw Ridge Battlefield, where one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles took place during the Pacific War
  • Walk up the escarpment to the top of Hacksaw Ridge

Spend a free afternoon in Naha or add an excursion.

Okinawa Blue Zone: Culinary Traditions & Dinner

From $109 per person

Day 16: Free day in Naha
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Naha or add an excursion.

Awamori Underground Caves & Distillery Tour

From $139 per person

Tokyo1 night
Day 17: Flight to Tokyo
Included meal: Breakfast

Fly back to Tokyo this morning and spend a free night in the city.

Flight Home
Day 18: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Show full itinerary
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Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.4 out of 5

Based on 60 authentic traveler reviews
Sort by

    5 out of 5 stars

    Japan
    2/25/24 by 2nd-time traveler Olga

    Beautiful Japan… was introduced to so many beautiful places as we toured through this wonderful country. Out tour director Micki brought places and events to life. Her enthusiasm and love of Japan shown through and spread through our group. Wish we would have had more time to explore but overall it ...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    Great Trip through Japan
    2/25/24 by 2nd-time traveler Veronica

    I really enjoyed this trip, we went from bustling cities to quaint countryside towns. Takeyama was gorgeous with the snowfall, looked like a hallmark movie set! The only downside is that there wasn’t a lot of “free time” to explore as most of the free time was used to commute between one area and th...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 3/18/24

    Thank you for sharing your feedback about your rec...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    2/25/24 by 2nd-time traveler Peter
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 3/12/24

    Peter, Thank you for the five-star rating! We app...

    Read more +
    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Osaka Excel Tokyu
    Osaka Excel Tokyu

    This sleek hotel is located in the heart of Osaka. Guests enjoy amazing city views, a fitness center, and free amenities in the rooms. Nearby you'll f...

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    KIRO Hotel Hiroshima
    KIRO Hotel Hiroshima

    This minimalist hotel is located in Hiroshima's city-center. Guests enjoy the simple modern rooms, on-site coffee house, and bar. Nearby you'll find ...

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    La'gent Kyoto Nijo
    La'gent Kyoto Nijo

    This modern hotel is located in the heart of Kyoto. Guests enjoy the public bath and spa, on-site restaurant, and peaceful rooms. Nearby you'll find N...

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    Hotel Wood Takayama
    Hotel Wood Takayama

    This relaxing hotel is located in the Japanese Alps in the city of Takayama. Guests enjoy traditional style rooms, a zen room, and large public bath. ...

    Read more +
    Hotel Groove Shinjuku
    Hotel Groove Shinjuku

    This eclectic hotel is located in the Shinjuku neighborhood of Tokyo. Guests enjoy city views, open-air terraces, and on-site restaurant with bar. Nea...

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    Hotel Collective
    Hotel Collective

    This contemporary hotel is located in the Naha neighborhood of Okinawa. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and city views. Nearby you'll f...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

    Print FAQ