what is the (more or less) exact timeframe for the stay in tokio? How long will the pleasantires on the first day last, when are we "on our own" on th esecond day and when do we leave on the thrid day

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo anytime. Welcome meeting at 6:30 pm (ends around 7:15 pm). Day 2: Guided Tokyo tour in the morning (8 am–1 pm), free time after. Day 3: Free morning, depart for Hakone around 12 pm.

Do you have departure dates and prices for late March / early April next year?

Late March and early April will be peak season in Japan due to the Cherry Blossoms. How long of a tour would you prefer?

Please let me know the name and address of the first hotel.

The first hotel is Metropolitan Ikebukuro. Address: 1 Chome-6-1 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-8505, Japan.

I'd like to know if it is a strict cut off with the 59 age, as my husband is 60.

The age limit of 59 is a guideline rather than a strict restriction. Your husband, being 60, is more than welcome to join the tour. We encourage guests to assess their comfort with the tour's pace and activities.

When the age range says 18 - 59 does that mean we can't join it if we are 62 and 63 yrs old?

You can still join the tour since you are not significantly outside the age range. The 18-59 guideline is a general indication of the typical traveler demographic, but it does not mean you are excluded from participating.

How, when, and where to book airlines?

Flights to and from the destination are to be booked separately; Travel Talk does not offer flight bookings.

Do you guarantee two beds in each location? Can we add a night (or 2) at the starting hotel in Tokyo? When and how often on the trip does luggage get sent forward? How many people are signed up for Japan Explorer on May 11 as of now? Is there a stay in a ryokan? Is there an opportunity to use on Onsen?

You may leave a note on your booking to request two separate beds. We will do our best to accommodate this preference. You may add nights to the starting hotel by contacting the hotel directly. Luggage is carried with you by the transfer service between destinations and will stay with you throughout the tour. Only one passenger is currently booked on the Japan Explorer tour departing on May 11. There is no ryokan stay included in this itinerary. Opportunities to use an onsen would depend on the hotel, which are not yet finalized.

Is it possible to switch to a longer duration tour?

Unfortunately, we are unable to make any changes to the arrangements at this stage.

Looking for a trip 10 days to see Japan and the not so touristy places. Travel with bus and train

We specialize in offering pre-designed tours with carefully planned itineraries. We do not provide customized tours. We have a selection of Japan tours that include visits to both popular landmarks and some lesser-known locations, combining travel by bus and train for an authentic experience.

I am 86. I want a tour to Japan for my age

We would like to clarify that all ages are welcome to join our amazing trips! While we don't have strict age restrictions, we do provide guidelines to ensure everyone's comfort. Passengers that falls out of this age group (18-59) and traveling alone may find it beneficial to consider booking a private room. For this reason we request to add a singe supplement. This enhances comfort throughout the tour, providing a personal space to relax and unwind after exciting adventures.

Japan Explorer-2025

10 days

•

From Tokyo to Kyoto

4.5

14 traveler reviews

View all
Accomodation was superb in every place, different and quirky!! Breakfast were all good, plus the dinner was terrific.
alan, traveled in May
5.0
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Plan your adventure:

Operator: Travel Talk
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 2 - 20
Ages 18-59

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Tokyo
Included Activities
- Group Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Tokyo Flavours and Dishes - 8,000 JPY
- Tokyo's Kitchen Tour - 8,000 JPY
Day 2
Tokyo
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hama Rikyu Garden Sightseeing
- Meiji Jingu Sightseeing
- Shibuya & Harajuku Walk
Optional Activities
- Visit Ueno Park
- Visit Tokyo National Museum
- Visit Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Visit Hokusai Museum
- Visit Odaiba Team Labo
Landmarks
Hama Rikyu Garden
Meiji Jingu
Shibuya
Harajuku
Ueno Park
Tokyo National Museum
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Hokusai Museum
Odaiba Team Labo
Day 3
Tokyo to Hakone
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Yutowa Hotel or Hidamari Ichinoyu or Highland or Tonosawa Ichinoyu)
Included Activities
- Hakone Sightseeing
- Boat ride on Lake Ashinoko
- Owakudani Cable Car
Landmarks
Mount Fuji
Lake Ashinoko
Hakone Shrine
Tokaido Checkpoint
Owakudani Cable Car
Day 4
Hakone to Takayama
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (WAT Hotel or Mercure Hida or Chisun Grand or Wıng International or SPA Alpina)
Included Activities
- Hida Folk Village Tour
Landmarks
Hida Folk Village
Day 5
Takayama
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (WAT Hotel or Mercure Hida or Chisun Grand or Wıng International or SPA Alpina)
Included Activities
- Takayama Sightseeing
Optional Activities
- Taste Takayama's signature sake at a local store
Landmarks
Takayama Morning Market
Merchant House
Takayama Jinya Building
Day 6
Takayama to Hiroshima
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ekimae or Mystays Heiwa Koen or Smile Hotel or Washington Hotel or Candeo Hocchobori)
Included Activities
- Peace Museum visit
- Peace Park & A Bomb Dome
Landmarks
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Museum
A-Bomb Dome
Day 7
Hiroshima to Miyajima Island
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ekimae or Mystays Heiwa Koen or Smile Hotel or Washington Hotel or Candeo Hocchobori)
Included Activities
- Miyajima Island Ferry & Sightseeing
Landmarks
Miyajima Island
Torii Gate
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
Mt Misen
Day 8
Hiroshima to Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Vista Premio Kawaramachi Dori or Oyado Nono Shichijo)
Included Activities
- Nijo Castle Visit
Landmarks
Nijo Castle
Ninomaru Palace
Day 9
Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Vista Premio Kawaramachi Dori or Oyado Nono Shichijo)
Included Activities
- Kyoto Sightseeing (1-day public bus pass)
Optional Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera
- Visit Imperial Palace
- Visit Nanzenji Temple
- Visit Shosei Strolling Garden
- Visit Nishiki-Koji Market
- Visit Gion Corner cultural centre
- Visit Ryoanji Zen Garden
- Visit Tenryuji Temple
- Visit National Museum
Landmarks
Kiyomizu-dera
Imperial Palace
Nanzenji Temple
Shosei Strolling Garden
Nishiki-Koji Market
Gion Corner
Ryoanji Zen Garden
Tenryuji Temple
National Museum
Day 10
Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
Hama Rikyu Garden
Meiji Jingu
Shibuya
Harajuku
Ueno Park
Tokyo National Museum
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Hokusai Museum
Odaiba Team Labo

Landmarks
Mount Fuji
Lake Ashinoko
Hakone Shrine
Tokaido Checkpoint
Owakudani Cable Car

Landmarks
Hida Folk Village

Landmarks
Takayama Morning Market
Merchant House
Takayama Jinya Building

Landmarks
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Museum
A-Bomb Dome

Landmarks
Miyajima Island
Torii Gate
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
Mt Misen

Landmarks
Nijo Castle
Ninomaru Palace

Landmarks
Kiyomizu-dera
Imperial Palace
Nanzenji Temple
Shosei Strolling Garden
Nishiki-Koji Market
Gion Corner
Ryoanji Zen Garden
Tenryuji Temple
National Museum

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Yutowa Hotel or Hidamari Ichinoyu or Highland or Tonosawa Ichinoyu
Hotel
day 3
WAT Hotel or Mercure Hida or Chisun Grand or Wıng International or SPA Alpina
Hotel
Days 4, 5
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ekimae or Mystays Heiwa Koen or Smile Hotel or Washington Hotel or Candeo Hocchobori
Hotel
Days 6, 7
Hotel Vista Premio Kawaramachi Dori or Oyado Nono Shichijo
Hotel
Days 8, 9

Operated by

Travel Talk

4.7

(4,573 reviews)

Number of tours

152

Age Range

18 to 60 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

92%

At Travel Talk, we have one focus and that is simply to make your trip the...

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 Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.5

Overall rating based on 14 Reviews

Itinerary
4.3
Transport
4.3
Guide
4.6
Accommodation
4.3
Food
4.3
Tour Operator
4.7

Johanna
July 8th, 2025
4.0
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Japan, and it was an experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the...
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Japan, and it was an experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, every moment was filled with wonder and discovery. Tokyo, with its dazzling skyscrapers and vibrant neighborhoods, was a city like no other. I was amazed by the seamless blend of traditional and modern elements. The food scene was a highlight, with everything from sushi to ramen being a culinary delight. Exploring the quirky shops in Harajuku and the historic streets of Asakusa provided a perfect balance of the old and new. Kyoto, on the other hand, offered a more tranquil experience. The city's beautiful temples and gardens, such as Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, were breathtakingly serene. Walking through the historic district of Gion, I felt as though I had stepped back in time. The sight of geishas gracefully moving through the streets was truly enchanting. A visit to Hiroshima was both moving and inspiring. The Peace Memorial Park and Museum provided a poignant reminder of the past, while the city's resilience and vibrant spirit were evident everywhere. The efficiency and convenience of Japan's transportation system made traveling between cities a breeze. The Shinkansen, or bullet train, was an experience in itself, offering comfort and speed as we journeyed across the country. Throughout my trip, I was continually impressed by the politeness and hospitality of the Japanese people. Their kindness and willingness to help made my journey even more enjoyable. In conclusion, my trip to Japan was a magical experience filled with unforgettable sights, delicious food, and warm hospitality. I highly recommend visiting this incredible country to anyone looking for a unique and enriching travel adventure.Show more
Traveled in November 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Johanna, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience in Japan! It sounds like you truly embraced the perfect blend of vibrant city life, history, and serene beauty that the country offers! We’re glad you enjoyed the incredible food, efficient travel, and warm hospitality along the way. Your story is inspiring and a great recommendation for anyone considering an unforgettable adventure in Japan! We hope to welcome you on another adventure with us soon! All the best, Travel Talk Team
Show more
D
Deeptan
May 9th, 2025
5.0
The best thing about the Tour were the 2 Tour Guides - Pepijn Cox and Yukiya Nishida. The hotels were all good...
Show more
Traveled in March 2025
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Deeptan, thanks so much for sharing your experience on our Japan Explorer tour! We're so glad to hear Pepijn and Yukiya made your trip extra special—they’re truly amazing at what they do. It’s great that the balance between group activities and free time worked well for you, and that you enjoyed the hotel stays too. We’d love to see you on another adventure with us soon—welcome back anytime! All the best, Travel Talk Team
Show more
A
alan
May 17th, 2024
5.0
The guide Maya was fantastic, helped with some train fares, she was delightful. Accomodation was superb in every...
Show more
Traveled in April 2024
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Alan, thank you for your review! We're so glad to hear you had a wonderful time on your tour of Japan! We really appreciate you sharing your experience and are thrilled to hear you enjoyed our accommodation, breakfast, dinners and unique experiences on tour. We hope to see you on another adventure with us soon! All the best, Travel Talk Team
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Penny
May 1st, 2024
2.0
Not at all what I expected. It said it was a ten day tour but more like eight days. I found it very overpriced for...
Not at all what I expected. It said it was a ten day tour but more like eight days. I found it very overpriced for what you get. The last day was just a breakfast. The first day we were expected to get from the airport to the hotel on our own. Very pricey and/or time consuming depending what airport was used. A lot to expect for a person new to Japan. The stress was unreal! The transportation was mostly subways. I felt like all I saw was the inside of a subway station for days. Many on the tour felt this way. Then on our free time (we had a lot as not much was included with price of tour) we were expected to navigate subways on our own as well. So stressful! I joined a tour so it would be easy! I have enough weeks in Japan on my own to go around on subways. We missed one of our guided spots because a train was late. One guided spot that was supposed to be included, we were expected to pay anyway. Our guide told us she was told to make us pay even when it said it was included. (Not her fault) I’m still confused as to why the tour was so expensive when it was a place to stay and public transportation for the most part. It worked out to around $450 a day with what I paid. The accommodation was great. Maybe spend less on accommodations and more on a bus though so we can see more. Ayako, our guide was excellent when we did have guided tours on some of the sites. I felt like a lot of Japan was missed though. Usually you see more sites on tours. I was told the two week option was sold out yet when I joined the tour, it had only six people on it. I asked to join but was told it wasn’t possible.Show more
Traveled in April 2024
D
Dianne
December 27th, 2023
4.0
Fast-paced tour from beginning to end with a small group and attentive, knowledgeable tour director. Received a good...
Show more
Traveled in December 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Dianne, thank you for your review! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour through Japan, its such an incredible destination with so much to see. We're happy to hear that you got a good overview of what the country has to offer! All the best, Travel Talk Team
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U
Uver
July 13th, 2023
5.0
Very cool and fun, seen a lot of cool things about Japan and made a bunch of memories of all the different kinds of...
Show more
Traveled in July 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Uver, thank you for your review! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour to Japan and we look forward to welcoming you on another adventure! All the best, Travel Talk Team.
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J
Julia
June 28th, 2023
5.0
Our guide Akemi was wonderful knowledgeable and very helpful.
Traveled in June 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Julia, thank you for taking the time to leave your review! We will be sure to pass your kind words onto Akemi, as we know she will really appreciate your feedback. We hope to welcome you on another trip with us soon! All the best, Travel Talk Team
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S
Stephanie
June 28th, 2023
5.0
We had the best experience with this tour! Our tour guide Akemi was wonderful, helpful, and fun! She made this trip a...
We had the best experience with this tour! Our tour guide Akemi was wonderful, helpful, and fun! She made this trip a memorable one and we are great full! We made memories that we will cherish for life!Show more
Traveled in June 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Stephanie, thank you for your review! We're so glad that you had a wonderful time in Japan and will be sure to pass your kind words onto your guide, as we know she will really appreciate your feedback. We hope to see you on another adventure with us soon! All the best, Travel Talk Team.
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C
CHRIS
June 23rd, 2023
5.0
Our tour guide KJ was spectacular. He took us to all of the mentioned locations as well as make accommodations for...
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Traveled in June 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Chris, thank you for your review! We will be sure to pass your kind words onto your guide as we know they really appreciate your wonderful feedback. We hope to see you on another trip with us soon!
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Larry
April 21st, 2023
5.0
This was such a wonderful tour! Our tour guide, Max took excellent care of us and had all the logistics planned out...
This was such a wonderful tour! Our tour guide, Max took excellent care of us and had all the logistics planned out to perfection for each day so we had no worries. He was full of knowledge about the places we went to, helped everyone out with arrangements for "side quests" and add-ons, even helped out with booking travel on JR Rail for those of us traveling on after our tour ended. Travel Talk and Max helped make a dream come true for my bucket list trip to Japan! Thank you both!Show more
Traveled in April 2023
Reply from: Travel Talk
Hi Alexander , we're so happy to hear that we made your dream come true on your Japan tour , thank you for your review . Nice photo of the group , you've made some good friends to remember your experience in Japan . Hopefully you'll be able to join one of our other destination tours in the future. All the best. Travel Talk Team
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