Essential Japan

What our customers ask about this tour

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• R

  Ruth

  Asked on April 25th, 2026

  I would like to visit Akita and Nagasaki spending a day visiting the catholic sites.. how best can this be done. I am looking for options before, after or during the tour dates. Also I am traveling solo.

  Tour Details
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written April 2026

    Akita and Nagasaki are both wonderful places to explore, especially for visiting Catholic heritage sites. Unfortunately, we're unable to arrange or assist with activities, accommodation, or travel outside of the scheduled group trip itinerary. This includes any sightseeing or extensions before, during, or after the tour dates. As you are travelling solo, you are welcome to plan these visits independently either before or after the tour. Many travellers choose to arrange additional stays on their own to explore destinations beyond the group itinerary.
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  Danielle

  Asked on March 18th, 2026

  are you providing pick up from hotel and drop off for hotels and train stations and when visiting sites? Does the price include bullet trains? if people do not wish to do onsen what are other options?

  Meals

  Price / Availability

  Transport
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    Transport on this trip would be in - Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train and the Bullet train cost is included in the trip cost. If you do not wish to participate in any of the included activities, kindly note there wont be any refunds and we are unable to guarantee if our local team will be able to provide any alternate activities.
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    Danielle

    Traveler•Written March 2026

    I also want to know if the rooms are twin rooms or dorm rooms? Will the guide be touring around with the travellers in Hiroshima?
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    Accommodation
    
    Multishare Hostel (5 nights), Pod Hostel (2 nights), Family Owned Guesthouse (2 nights)
    
    RYOKANS & MINSHUKUS
    Japanese-style accommodation - ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation - this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning. Some of such properties will only give 1 key for each room so you can leave the key at the reception so that you and your roommate won't have to conform to the same schedule when you are out exploring.
    
    ONSENS
    We like to encourage travellers to visit traditional Japanese 'onsens' while in the country as it is a quintessential local experience. In public onsens this means bathing naked with others of the same gender. While the experience can feel strange at first for some, most of our groups end up enjoying this activity. There is very specific etiquette for visiting onsens - your leader can give you some tips and instructions. Please be aware that travellers with tattoos may not be permitted to enter public onsens. Private onsens may also be available - talk to your leader for more information.
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  Sophia

  Asked on March 17th, 2026

  planning a to tour Japan 6 persons. what can you do for us

  Group size

  Tour Details
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    Our Essential Japan is a group tour with a max group size of 16 - if you have 6 people looking to join this tour depending on the date we should be able to fit you all in. This is an 18-35s age restricted tour with no exceptions. If anyone in the group falls outside of this range, please let us know and we can suggest some alternatives for you.
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  Jackie

  Asked on March 10th, 2026

  I was wondering why it's saying my booking got declined?

  Payments
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    On our end it indicates that you declined the changes made on the booking. I'm not sure what happened there, but I would try to put through an alternate booking request if you're still looking to book.
    
    Please be advised that this trip and date for March 26th is current On Request, meaning we would need to take full payment and then contact our local team to seek availability. This process usually takes 2-4 business days. Should we be unable to confirm any details you will, of course, be refunded.
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    Jackie

    Traveler•Written March 2026

    I might have declined it on accident, but I am not sure. The sad thing is that I already paid for it. So now I need to make an alterative paid request? This is my first time using an app like this and I would love to travel to Japan on the date I requested 26 March. I want to stay in Osaka for a bit longer afterwards!
    
    Could you please help me to change the status of my planned trip? I would understand that the trip is on request and might not go through. However I would like to try to sign up for this trip. Especially since I already made the full payment.
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    I'm not seeing any payments on the booking just yet - with TourRadar it's generally just that your card gets pre-authorized, so that may have been what happened but the funds have not been taken yet.
    
    You can either request a new booking the same way you originally did, or I will also try to flag TourRadar to provide some assistance with their booking platform. They may be able to un-decline this or something, I am not exactly sure! I'll message them and see what they can do for you :-)
  • J

    Jackie

    Traveler•Written March 2026

    I just checked my bank details and the payment definitely is withdrawn from my bank account. As of yet I also have not been reimbursed by TourRadar, so I would like to get your assistence with that. Hopefully TourRader could either reimburse or change the status of my booking.
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    Oh okay, no problem! I have flagged TourRadar to get involved as they will be able to look into the finance side of things and hopefully be able to change your booking status so we can more forward.
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    Thank you for reaching out to us. We understand that having your booking declined can be inconvenient, and we're here to assist you with the next steps.
    
    For your declined booking, we have requested our payments team to release the funds. The refund should be back in your credit card within 1-7 business days, depending on your bank's processing times.
    
    If you still wish to travel, we invite you to place a new booking at your convenience.
    
    We understand how important this trip is for you, and we're committed to ensuring a smooth experience. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help.
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    Jackie

    Traveler•Written March 2026

    I think everything is sorted, I think the problem was with my local bank. They declined the payment, after a couple days I recieved the money again. Sorry for the trouble I caused. I will look into my settings and will give it some more tought.
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  Joel

  Asked on January 25th, 2026

  I would like an age exception I may be older but more than fit and capable for the tour

  Age Range
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    To review your request for an age exception, could you please share your date of birth?
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    This itinerary has a strict age restriction set by our operations and unfortunately we're unable to make individual exceptions.
  • J

    Joel

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    IAll the tours for my dates and length of stay that I am interested in purchasing have age restrictions isn't this discrimination
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Our age-specific departures, such as 18–35 trips, are designed around the travel style, pace, and shared experiences of that particular age group. This is not a reflection of a traveler's ability, fitness, or value, but rather a way to ensure that expectations, activities, and group dynamics align for everyone on the trip. We offer a wide range of other departures that are open to all adults and are equally immersive and rewarding.
  
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  Kelly

  Asked on January 18th, 2026

  Is there a tour like this for 40s and early 50s…. Im 51 yrs old not disabled at all just wondering

  Age Range
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    You can check below alternative tours listed below :
    
    If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again via this chat.
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  Juan

  Asked on January 5th, 2026

  where do you meet at 6pm as I would have to fly in the day before and will need to book a hotel near to the meeting point thank you

  Accommodation

  Flights / Transfers
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    The 6:00 pm welcome meeting on the first day of the tour will take place at the joining point accommodation:
    
    Imano Tokyo Hostel
    5-12-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
    Tokyo 160-0022
    Japan
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    Juan

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    What would the cost be and availability for having the night before the tour at the hostel and what time is check in thank you
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Due to challenges in obtaining allotment and confirming availability at our joining & finishing point hotels we do not offer pre or post trip accommodation on this trip. We kindly request you to make own arrangement.
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  Rose

  Asked on January 5th, 2026

  Is this tour available but in regular hotels without ryokan or onsen?

  Accommodation
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Unfortunately, this tour is offered as a fixed package, and the accommodation is an essential part of the experience. As such, we're unable to replace the ryokan or onsen stays with regular hotels or make changes to the accommodation included.
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  Mike

  Asked on January 3rd, 2026

  Can I jump on this tour if Im 54? I like these locations.

  Age Range
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Unfortunately, we are unable to accept you on this departure, as it is specifically for travelers aged 18 to 35.
    
    If you're interested, please let us know, and we can check if there are any alternative departures or tours that include these locations and are suitable for your age group.
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  Diane

  Asked on November 23rd, 2025

  wondering what the accommodation is like for everyday, as in what kind of accommodation as I am traveling with my girlfriend and wondering if we would be separated the whole time

  Accommodation
  • 

    Intrepid TravelOperator•Written November 2025

    Accommodation on this trip includes some multi-share hostels with shared facilities. People travelling together may be separated into single gender dorms.