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Tokyo to Osaka by Rail - Private Tour

14 days
From Tokyo to Osaka
4.6
125 traveler reviews

No departure dates available

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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Medium Intensity
Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Ages 14+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Tokyo

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Edo Tokyo Museum
    • Visit Hokusai Museum
    • Explore Asakusa station area including Senso-ji Temple
    • Traditional goldfish scooping
    • Rickshaw rides
    Landmarks
    Edo Tokyo Museum
    Hokusai Museum
    Senso-ji Temple
    Ryogoku Station
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  2. Day 2

    Tokyo with Local Guide

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Morning fire service ceremony at Fudo-do Temple
    • Visit Senso-ji Temple
    • Explore Akihabara electronic district
    • Local guide tour through Tokyo neighborhoods

    Optional Activities

    • Themed cafes in Akihabara
    • Explore Harajuku
    • Visit Shibuya Crossing
    • Explore Shinjuku skyscraper district and robot restaurant
    Landmarks
    Fudo-do Temple
    Senso-ji Temple
    Thunder Gate
    Akihabara
    Harajuku
    Shibuya Crossing
    Shinjuku
  3. Day 3

    Free Exploration in Tokyo or Day Trips

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Hakone National Park and hot springs
    • Eat egg boiled in Owakudani hot sulphur pools
    • Visit Mount Fuji viewpoint
    • Day trip to Nikko temples and forests
    • Visit Toshogu shrine
    • Hiking in Nikko
    • Day trip to Kamakura beach town
    • Visit Great Buddha statue in Kamakura
    • Beach time in Kamakura
    • Tokyo Skytree visit
    • Sumida River cruise
    • Walk through Hamarikyu Gardens
    • Explore Tokyo restaurants, shops and bars
    Landmarks
    Hakone National Park
    Mount Fuji
    Owakudani
    Nikko
    Toshogu Shrine
    Kamakura
    Great Buddha
    Tokyo Skytree
    Sumida River
    Hamarikyu Gardens
  4. Day 4

    Tokyo to Matsumoto

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Travel by train to Matsumoto

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Matsumoto Castle
    • Visit Ukiyo-e woodblock printing museum
    Landmarks
    Matsumoto Castle
    Ukiyo-e woodblock printing museum
    Itinerary Image 1
  5. Day 5

    Jigokudani Onsen

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Travel by express train to Nagano
    • View snow monkeys at Jigokudani Onsen
    • Forest trail walk to hot springs
    Landmarks
    Jigokudani Onsen
    Itinerary Image 1
  6. Day 6

    Nagano to Kanazawa

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Travel by bullet train to Kanazawa

    Optional Activities

    • Explore samurai district with narrow lanes and earthen walls
    • Visit Kenrokuen Gardens
    Landmarks
    Kanazawa Samurai District
    Kenrokuen Gardens
    Itinerary Image 1
  7. Day 7

    Kanazawa

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Browse Omicho market stalls
    • Try chirashi-zushi regional dish
    • Visit teahouse (chaya) in Higashi Chaya area
    • Visit teahouse in Kazuemachi area
    • Explore Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple)
    Landmarks
    Omicho Market
    Higashi Chaya District
    Kazuemachi Chaya District
    Myoryuji Temple
  8. Day 8

    Kanazawa to Takayama

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional kaiseki dinner at ryokan, focusing on seasonal specialties, served in yukata (light cotton kimono provided at ryokan))

    Included Activities

    • Travel by local trains to Takayama
    • Traditional kaiseki dinner at ryokan

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Hida No Sato thatched roof village
    • Taste traditional sake from local distilleries
    • Soak in onsen hot spring baths
    • Massage services at ryokan
    Landmarks
    Sanmachi Suji District
    Hida No Sato Village
    Itinerary Image 1
  9. Day 9

    Takayama to Hiroshima

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Travel by scenic train to Nagoya
    • Travel by Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima
    • Visit Peace Memorial Park
    • Visit Peace Memorial Museum

    Optional Activities

    • Okonomiyaki meal in Hiroshima
    Landmarks
    Peace Memorial Park
    Peace Memorial Museum
    Itinerary Image 1
  10. Day 10

    Hiroshima to Miyajima

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Ferry to Miyajima island
    • View floating torii gate
    • Visit Buddhist Daisho-in Temple
    • Visit Itsukushima Shrine
    • Ferry return to Hiroshima

    Optional Activities

    • Hike to Mt. Misen summit (1.5-2 hours)
    • Cable car to Mt. Misen top
    • View wild monkeys on Mt. Misen
    Landmarks
    Miyajima Island
    Floating Torii Gate
    Mt. Misen
    Daisho-in Temple
    Itsukushima Shrine
    Itinerary Image 1
  11. Day 11

    Hiroshima to Kyoto

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Travel by bullet train to Kyoto

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Nijo Castle
    Landmarks
    Nijo Castle
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  12. Day 12

    Kyoto with Local Guide

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
    • Walk path through red torii gates
    • Walk Philosopher's Path
    • View Silver Pavilion
    • Visit Eikando Temple
    • Visit Nanzenji Temple
    • Local guide tailor-made tour

    Optional Activities

    • Tea ceremony experience
    • Search for geisha in Gion
    • Lunch at Nishiki Food Market
    • Sample exotic foods at market (octopus with quail eggs, green tea popcorn, eel, matcha ice cream)
    • Day trip to Arashiyama
    • Walk along Oi River
    • Visit Zen Tenryuji Temple
    • Explore bamboo groves
    • Hike to mountainside Monkey Park
    • View wild monkeys
    Landmarks
    Fushimi Inari Shrine
    Philosopher's Path
    Silver Pavilion
    Eikando Temple
    Nanzenji Temple
    Nishiki Food Market
    Gion District
    Arashiyama
    Oi River
    Tenryuji Temple
    Bamboo Groves
    Monkey Park
  13. Day 13

    Kyoto to Osaka

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Travel by train to Osaka

    Optional Activities

    • Morning visit to Kiyomizu Temple
    • Walk to Kodaiji Temple
    • Explore Kodaiji bamboo grove and rock garden
    • Explore Namba district with covered arcades
    • Visit Osaka Castle
    • Visit Umeda Sky Building for views
    • Eat octopus balls
    Landmarks
    Kiyomizu Temple
    Kodaiji Temple
    Namba District
    Osaka Castle
    Umeda Sky Building
    Itinerary Image 1
  14. Day 14

    Departure from Osaka

    Included Activities

    • Private car transfer to airport
    Landmarks
    Kansai International Airport
    Osaka International Airport
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Guide
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Explore!

Number of tours

581

Age Range

16 to 85 years old

Response time

12 hours

Response rate

96%

Explore Worldwide has over 40 years’ experience in creating expert-led small...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.6
Overall rating based on 125 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.6
  • Transport
    4.7
  • Guide
    4.8
  • Accommodation
    4.3
  • Food
    4.2
  • 4.5

Sort by

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Sort by

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Most Popular
Highest First
Lowest First
  • E
    December 17th, 2025
    5.0
    The tour provided a good overview of the history and culture of Japan. The second day of the tour was a free day in...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you, Edward, for sharing your thoughtful feedback. We’re delighted that you enjoyed the Simply Japan tour and that it was a highlight of your year. Your comments about Tokyo, the breakfasts, and the pace of the trip are greatly appreciated and will help us improve. We’re especially pleased to hear your kind words about Santi and the positive group experience, which i assure you will be passed on to them. Thank you once again and we hope to welcome you on another tour in the future
    Show more
  • K
    December 15th, 2025
    5.0
    I really enjoyed the tour. It’s a wonderful trip I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend for anyone who is fit and able to...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you very much for your feedback, it sounds like you had a wonderful trip with us and memories that will last a lifetime. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to Santi and our team here at Explore. Hoping to see you back with us again soon!
    Show more
  • K
    December 15th, 2025
    5.0
    It was a great trip to Japan. Some of the highlights were the stay in a ryokan in Takayama, where we had beautiful...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you so much for your lovely review, Kee! It's wonderful to know how much you enjoyed your Simply Japan trip. We are looking forward to seeing you on another Explore adventure soon!
    Show more
  • Tokyo to Osaka by Rail - Private Tour reviewer 4
    October 22nd, 2025
    4.0
    Trip was a lot of fun. Our guide, Santi, was fantastic and provided information, guidance and tips with the right...
    Show more
    Traveled in October 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review for your trip! I am so glad you had such a fun time exploring Japan with Santi. I will be sure to pass on your kind words to them, as we do love receiving feedback such as yours. Thank you also for the suggestion regarding the itinerary, I have passed this on to our Local Partners for review. Feedback like this is the only way we can ensure our trips are running to the high standard which we expect. We do hope you decide to travel on another Explore adventure again soon!
    Show more
  • Tokyo to Osaka by Rail - Private Tour reviewer 5
    August 6th, 2025
    5.0
    Thoughtful, well planned tour, made exceptional by our excellent guide, Dean G.
    Traveled in July 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Stuart. It's lovely to hear you've enjoyed exploring Japan with us and we hope to see you on another adventure soon!
    Show more
  • T
    May 10th, 2025
    5.0
    Great trip. Guide was excellent, as was the itinerary. Good variety of historic and modern cultural sites.
    Traveled in April 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thanks so much for your lovely review, Tom! So glad to hear you have thoroughly enjoyed your trip!
    Show more
  • M
    April 21st, 2025
    4.0
    We saw all the highlights of Japan and were lucky to be there when the cherry blossom was in full bloom! Our guide,...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you for your wonderful feedback! It sounds like you had an incredible experience in Japan—especially getting to see the cherry blossom in full bloom! We're so glad to hear Marco looked after the group so well and made the journey smooth and insightful. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him. The guesthouse banquet sounds like a real highlight too! We hope to have you travel with us again soon.
    Show more
  • W
    April 18th, 2025
    5.0
    This itinerary was superb and comprehensive. I did a lot of research on Japan and tour companies and Explore! Simply...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Simply Japan exceeded your expectations and that you had such a great experience with Dean. We’ll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to him. We hope to welcome you on another adventure with us soon! ????
    Show more
  • Tokyo to Osaka by Rail - Private Tour reviewer 9
    April 12th, 2025
    4.0
    Overall this trip was good, some confusion due to the guide never having led this tour before. She could have used a...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're glad to hear you found aspects of the trip enjoyable, but we’re genuinely sorry that certain elements fell short of your expectations. Your comments have been shared with our Product Team and Local Partners to improve future departures. We truly appreciate your honest feedback and hope we might have the opportunity to welcome you on a more suitable Explore adventure in the future.
    Show more
  • A
    April 8th, 2025
    5.0
    Henrik was an awesome guide!
    Traveled in March 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you for your lovely review!
    Show more
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Explore! with your enquiry, they usually respond within 12 hours.

No departure dates available

No dates, no problem! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive:

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Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 202126

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    Japan
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  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before May 1st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 1st, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec