Join us to discover the hustle of Tokyo, Kyoto’s temples, and Hiroshima’s history. We’ll stroll through Kamakura’s zen gardens, meet the deer of Nara, and ride the Shinkansen. After this trip, Japan will have no secrets for you.
Collection

This is a WeRoad Collection

A trip designed for ultimate comfort, with specially selected hotels and unique experiences.

★ Immerse yourself in tradition with a serene stay at a ryokan, where tranquility and tradition come together.★ Experience Japanese culture with a traditional tea ceremony while wearing an elegant kimono.★ Delight your taste with an authentic Japanese cuisine with a true feast of flavours.

Highlights of this trip

★ Immerse yourself in tradition with a serene stay at a ryokan, where tranquility and tradition come together.

★ Experience Japanese culture with a traditional tea ceremony while wearing an elegant kimono.

★ Delight your taste with an authentic Japanese cuisine with a true feast of flavours.

Experience the authentic WeRoad adventure with added luxury. Enjoy accommodation in carefully selected facilities, staying exclusively in twin rooms, and travel in comfort between destinations on the Japanese high-speed trains. If you are travelling solo and wish to have a private room, you can add that at check out for an extra cost (if available). If you are travelling as a couple/pair, a twin/double room is guaranteed for you at no extra cost.

This is a WeRoad Collection trip

Experience the authentic WeRoad adventure with added luxury. Enjoy accommodation in carefully selected facilities, staying exclusively in twin rooms, and travel in comfort between destinations on the Japanese high-speed trains. If you are travelling solo and wish to have a private room, you can add that at check out for an extra cost (if available). If you are travelling as a couple/pair, a twin/double room is guaranteed for you at no extra cost.

Examples of hotels where you will stay (hotel is specified on each day of the itinerary):4-5 star hotels in Kyoto: Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion or similar4-5 star hotels in Osaka: Centara Grand Hotel or similarA night in a Ryokan like the Japanese Ryokan Seryo in Kyoto or Balinese Onsen Ryokan Hakone Airu in Hakone, or similar.

Exclusive Accommodation

Examples of hotels where you will stay (hotel is specified on each day of the itinerary):

  • 4-5 star hotels in Kyoto: Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion or similar

  • 4-5 star hotels in Osaka: Centara Grand Hotel or similar

  • A night in a Ryokan like the Japanese Ryokan Seryo in Kyoto or Balinese Onsen Ryokan Hakone Airu in Hakone, or similar.

Is this trip for me?

Party and nightlife
Relax
Nature and adventure
City and cultures
Monuments and history
Physical effort
Trip type
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Itinerary

On a trip to Japan, some stops simply can’t be missed and, spoiler, this itinerary has them all: Tokyo, the frenetic, ultra-modern capital; Kyoto, with its temples and historic districts; Hiroshima, reborn after World War II; and Osaka, home of Japanese cuisine. This Collection version is a journey between tradition and modernity, without giving up comfort.

From the skyscrapers of Tokyo and the busiest intersection in the world, we move to Kamakura and the peace of its Buddhist temples and Zen gardens, not too far from the iconic Mount Fuji. The Shinkansen, the high-speed train famous for never being late, takes us to Kyoto: majestic temples, the bamboo forest and the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari. Then Hiroshima, Osaka, Himeji Castle and Nara, where the famous deer walk in the city park. A culture very far from ours, full of hidden secrets. Will we uncover them?

A map of Japan showing a circular travel route with multiple stops starting and ending in Tokyo.
A city skyline at twilight, featuring an illuminated orange tower and a distant, snow-capped mountain under a colorful sky.

Check-in in Tokyo and first dinner

Round trip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. This is to give you maximum freedom of choice!

Check-in at the hotel in Tokyo: we take the early afternoon easy, after all those hours of flying!

  • Then we decide where to have our first dinner.

  • Obviously, we look for the most typical place there is!

A giant, seated bronze Buddha statue towers over tourists taking photos in an outdoor courtyard.

Kamakura, the imperial city

An early start, and our adventure begins! Today we dive into the culture and history of Japan.

  • Kamakura: an imperial city and one of the first capitals of the country, with perfectly preserved temples and imposing palaces.

  • The Great Buddha: a majestic statue that resisted a tsunami which completely destroyed the temple around it.

  • It’s one of the few Buddha statues that can be visited inside. Are we going in? Of course!

Ueno Park and Ameyoko Market

Tonight we relax our muscles and empty our minds: at sunset we return to Tokyo.

  • Ueno Park, one of the most important parks in the city thanks to the numerous small temples inside it.

  • The most famous is the Gojo Tenjinsha, a Shinto temple reached along a small path of red torii gates.

  • A country’s culture can also be seen in its food! For dinner we get lost in the colorful streets of the Ameyoko Market, which starts right from the park.

  • Our tip: one of the many izakaya, the Japanese version of our pubs, with local beer, skewers and tastings of a bit of everything.

A woman in a traditional blue kimono and white makeup walks down a paved street lined with traditional wooden buildings at dusk.

Japanese high-speed train

Another early departure today: destination Kyoto!

  • We travel aboard the famous "bullet trains" of the Japanese railway network, which reach speeds of up to 400 km/h. Will they be more punctual than ours? We bet so.

  • We enjoy the landscape whizzing by and pass very close to Mount Fuji: fingers crossed for kind weather and a view of its perpetually snow-capped peak!

Kawaramachi, Nishiki Market and Gion

In the early afternoon we arrive in Kyoto: objectively the most beautiful city in Japan.

  • Getting lost in the narrow streets of the center is part of the magic, particularly in the Kawaramachi area, packed with shops and restaurants.

  • Among the stalls of the Nishiki Market we taste the delicacies of Japanese cuisine: the freshest fish eaten standing up, desserts, unusual teas and rice and soy-based products.

  • In the evening we head to the Gion district, where geishas can be seen walking around sunset. Will we be able to take some photos?

A golden Japanese temple stands by a reflective pond, surrounded by autumn trees and forested hills under a cloudy sky.

Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoto is the city that best represents Japan and its imagery of geishas, temples and good food.

  • 17 UNESCO sites and over 700 Shinto temples... don’t worry, we only visit a few!

  • The Fushimi Inari Shrine, where we walk among the red torii gates in a grove.

  • The Kiyomizu-dera temple, one of the most iconic in the country, where we can play "games" and drink from what appears to be a sacred spring. Will it cure all our ills?

Kinkaku-ji and traditional tea ceremony

After lunch we visit Kinkaku-ji (golden temple), one of the most important symbols of Kyoto.

  • It’s covered with gold leaf that creates a particular reflection on the pond in the sunlight: for the Japanese, gold symbolizes purification from any pollution or negative thoughts.

  • We put on the kimono, take a seat on the tatami and the traditional tea ceremony begins.

  • A tea master shows us all the secrets of the perfect matcha, then we get our hands dirty and try it ourselves!

A person in a kimono holding a red umbrella stands on a path that cuts through a tall, dense bamboo forest.

Arashiyama and the bamboo forest

We spend the morning in Arashiyama, a neighborhood famous for its bamboo forest.

  • It’s the film set of the very famous "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

  • The Togetsukyo Bridge leads us into this enchanted place full of temples, including the Tenryuji Temple, one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto.

  • Early morning is the best time, when the peace is unparalleled. Will we spot the monks wandering among the tall bamboos?

Relax or go shopping?

Kyoto is the cradle not only of culture, but also of craftsmanship and Japanese "good living".

  • A free afternoon to choose from: shopping, relaxing in an onsen (typical Japanese spa) or more temples.

  • Stories at dinner! Our favorite option? Obviously, the temples!

A WeRoad group leader wearing a conical hat looks out at a large orange torii gate standing in the water.

Miyajima, the island of sanctuaries

After three hours of "bullet train" we reach the port of Miyajimaguchi.

  • A comfortable ferry takes us in 10 minutes to the spiritual "island of sanctuaries", famous for its gigantic torii gate overlooking the water.

  • We enjoy the peace of the island, its Momijidani park and its Daisho-in Buddhist temple.

  • Then a nice feast of oysters and the typical local dessert, made of red beans, honey, eggs, sugar and wheat flour. Yum!

Hiroshima and Memorial Park

August 6, 1945: the city of Hiroshima is destroyed by the first man-made nuclear bomb.

  • What remains of the city is practically just one building, part of Memorial Park, which we visit in the afternoon: an experience that touches the soul deeply.

  • We may be accompanied by veterans or relatives of veterans who, as volunteers, tell this dark page of history.

  • After the busy day, it’s time for a typical Japanese dinner together.

A traditional Japanese castle on a forested hill overlooking a city with misty mountains at sunset.

Himeji and its castle

In the morning we move to Himeji, a town famous above all for its imposing castle.

  • Built more than four hundred years ago, it fortunately remained unharmed during the bombings of the Second World War.

  • With its characteristic pagoda roofs it soars proudly towards the sky: today too it will feel like being in a movie!

Osaka, home of Japanese cuisine

The third largest city in Japan by population: is Osaka really the most fun city in Japan, with the least social restraints? The best way to find out is to experience it to the full.

  • It’s famous throughout the country as the home of Japanese cuisine: among the many dishes is okonomiyaki, a very particular pancake we certainly have to try.

  • We work off the delicacies at Osaka Castle (Osaka-Jo), built by one hundred thousand men, and in its historic district.

A deer looks back over its shoulder on a paved street populated with people and other deer.

The seven wonders of Nara

Nara is the first historical capital of Japan, a relatively small city we can visit in a day.

  • Over 1200 deer live freely in Nara-koen: they’re considered messengers of the gods and protected as a National Heritage Site.

  • The Daibatsu-den, the largest wooden building in the world, houses the Great Buddha of over 17 meters.

  • Then the Kofukuji Temple, the House of National Treasure, the Kasuga Great Shrine, the famous Shinto shrine, and the Horyuji Temple, the oldest in the country.

  • The Todaiji Temple houses the most famous of the city’s monuments: the Great Buddha of Nara. A week wouldn’t be enough, so the choice is ours!

A close-up of an illuminated red Japanese paper lantern with calligraphy, hanging in a narrow city alley decorated with autumn leaves.

Asakusa and Senso-ji temple

We leave very early on a super fast train and in less than three hours we reach Tokyo!

  • A megalopolis with a thousand faces, where each neighborhood has its own identity: we’ll try to see as much as possible.

  • We start from Asakusa, the heart of ancient Tokyo, with the Senso-ji temple and its five-story pagoda, the colorful stalls and small craft shops.

  • To top it off, we make a wish with an omikuji, the Japanese lucky ticket.

Ueno, Yanaka and Shinjuku

After lunch we move to the Ueno area, the "popular" neighborhood of Tokyo.

  • An immense park with museums, temples, shrines and a zoo; during the flowering months, crowds gather to eat and drink under the cherry trees.

  • If we like, we can take a quiet ride in a rowing boat.

  • A walk through Yanaka, one of the few areas not bombed during the Second World War, then back to Shinjuku for dinner.

  • Maybe we’ll join some "locals" for a laugh in one of the many bars in the area!

An aerial view of pedestrians with umbrellas crossing a busy city intersection on a wet day.

Harajuku and Shibuya

We’re in the street fashion district of Tokyo, where the wildest trends are born, like Gothic Lolita and Ganguro. Will we find the courage to try a completely new look?

  • Yoyogi park and the Meiji-Jingu, a Shinto temple dedicated to the Emperor.

  • Takeshita-dori, a street full of shops: the perfect place for shopping lovers!

  • After lunch we move to the Shibuya area, lively and full of people, home to the most famous intersection in the world and the busiest pedestrian crossing.

Farewell dinner and karaoke

It seems impossible, but we’re already at the end of this journey to discover Japan.

  • We end on a high note with a dinner together.

  • One activity is still missing, and we can’t leave Japan without doing it at least once: karaoke! Let’s warm up our voices and sing!

Check-out and goodbye

The time has come to return home, richer in heart and spirit. See you at the next WeRoad!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and beverages unless specified

  • Entrance to 5 UNESCO sights

  • All souvenirs and extras that you wish to buy and will be able to squeeze in your backpack 

  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences. If pricing is not displayed below, those will be communicated by your Group Leader 2 weeks before departure.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Onsen - traditional Japanese hot springs, Arashiyama - approx. USD12

  • Karaoke in Shibuya, Tokyo - approx. USD10 - USD25

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Transport

    7-day pass with high-speed train, local public transport in the city and/or taxi.

  • Entry requirements

    Please visit your country's official government website to find out the necessary requirements for entering the country of destination.

  • Passport

    For this trip it is mandatory to provide an image of your valid passport upon leaving the country at least 30 days before departure to allow us to proceed with booking all the travel services. If it is not provided, we cannot predict your participation in the trip. The image can be uploaded to the reserved area following the booking.

  • Physical commitment

    This itinerary has an INTERMEDIATE level of physical effort and the pace of the journey is to be considered supported. Medium-long trips (from 3 to 6 hours) and excursions or trekking that require good physical preparation are also foreseen. We will change structure almost every day and we expect a good spirit of adaptation from you.

  • Meeting and greetings

    This trip starts and ends in Tokyo. On the first day of travel we will be there by 6pm, on the last day you can leave in the morning.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalTokyo (HND)
ReturnTokyo (HND)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Japan

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