We are planning to get this tour in December. We planned to book Sydney to Osaka return. We are hoping we can start tour in Osaka then finish in tokyo. Is this the best tour you can suggest? Can you please advise.

Yes, absolutely. We can certainly arrange for you to start your journey in Osaka and finish in Tokyo. Our 8 Day Japan on a Budget Small Group Tour Package is a fantastic option and offers excellent value while allowing you to experience many of Japan's highlights. To prepare a personalised proposal, could you please provide the following details: • Your planned arrival and departure date If you already know the following, it would also be helpful: • Your preferred hotel category (3, 4, or 5-star) • Whether you would like airport transfers included • Any particular activities or experiences you are interested in

Is any food included in the tour?

Meals are not included in this package and would need to be arranged independently.

What are the optional fees/cost for transportation to and from airport

Each transfer for 2 people costs USD 130.00. We can include that to your booking without any issues :)

Is it possible to have the airport transfer earlier and have the same hotel booked where we will be staying for the tour?

Do you need a private OR shared airport transfers? From which airport are you departing? Regarding the accommodation it will be the same accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto. Do you need 3 double rooms?

I am an active senior planning to take my 2 grandchildren on a tour of Japan starting around March 14(15) but they must be back in Canada by March 23. Given the time changes is it possible to fit in the 8 day tour?

If your package starts on March 14th then your departure would be on the 21st. Would you like to add extra days?

Is a guide with you all the time?

Are we driven around in a bus with an English-speaking guide? What type of hotels?

How do the departure dates work? How is it possible that Tourist Journey is able to offer this package on every single day of the year, considering the package is advertised as a group tour with multiple travellers? If I book a departure date, am I guaranteed for the tour to proceed on that date or is it subject to change?

Yes - we offer all dates, and our packages have guaranteed departure. Our packages are build based on our day tours so the only thing that might change is the order of the tours inside your package. However, as soon as you book/pay, you will receive your PDF with the order that corresponds to you. Please note also that the group of people on each tour will change as this is based on our daily group tours.

From

US $1,024 per person

8 Day Japan on a Budget Small Group Tour Package

8 days

•

From Tokyo to Kyoto

3.0 (2 reviews)

View all
View all

From

US $1,024 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Silver Operator: Tourist Journey
City & Culture: Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Partially Guided: Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 50
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Tokyo
Tokyo
Start point
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (Tokyo)
Accommodation
Hotel 4* (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo), Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Tokyo Roppongi), Hotel 3* (the b shimbashi, Tokyo)
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer
Day 2
Tokyo
Tokyo
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Tokyo Roppongi), Hotel 3* (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel 4* (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Walking tour near Tokyo Station
- Imperial Palace Gardens visit
- Senso-ji Temple visit
- Meiji Jingu Shrine visit
- Harajuku district exploration
- Shibuya Crossing viewing
- Tokyo Metro pass during the Tokyo Day Tour
Optional Activities
- Shopping on Nakamise-dori street
Landmarks
Imperial Palace Gardens
Nijubashi Bridge
Senso-ji Temple
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Harajuku district
Shibuya Crossing
Day 3
Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Tokyo Roppongi), Hotel 3* (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel 4* (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Oishi Park visit
- Lake Kawaguchi scenic views
- Arakurayama visit
- Chureito Pagoda visit
- Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine visit
- Oshino Hakkai visit
- 5th Station panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Shopping for souvenirs in traditional shops in Fujiyoshida
Landmarks
Oishi Park
Lake Kawaguchi
Chureito Pagoda
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
Oshino Hakkai
Mount Fuji 5th Station
Day 4
Tokyo
Tokyo
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Tokyo Roppongi), Hotel 3* (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel 4* (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo)
Optional Activities
- Local shrine visits
- Market exploration
- Museum visits
Day 5
Tokyo to Kyoto
Tokyo to Kyoto
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (TUNE STAY Kyoto), Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma), Hotel 4* (Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Ekimae PREMIER)
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Kyoto
- Pontocho Alley tour
- Gion geisha district visit
- Yasaka Shrine visit
- Hanamikoji Street stroll
Optional Activities
- Learning about Izumo-no-Okuni Statue and kabuki history
Landmarks
Pontocho Alley
Gion district
Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji Street
Day 6
Kyoto and Nara
Kyoto and Nara
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (TUNE STAY Kyoto), Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma), Hotel 4* (Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Ekimae PREMIER)
Included Activities
- Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) visit
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest stroll
- Fushimi Inari Shrine visit
- Red torii gates walk
- Todai-ji Temple visit
- Great Buddha viewing
- Nara Park free time with Sika deer
Landmarks
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Todai-ji Temple
Great Buddha (Todai-ji)
Nara Park
Day 7
Kyoto
Kyoto
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (TUNE STAY Kyoto), Hotel 3* (Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma), Hotel 4* (Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Ekimae PREMIER)
Optional Activities
- Nishiki Market visit
- Matcha-making class
Landmarks
Nishiki Market
Day 8
Departure
Departure
End point
Kyoto, Japan (Kyoto)
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Kansai Airport (KIX)
- Transfer to Tokyo city center

Landmarks
Imperial Palace Gardens
Nijubashi Bridge
Senso-ji Temple
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Harajuku district
Shibuya Crossing

Landmarks
Oishi Park
Lake Kawaguchi
Chureito Pagoda
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
Oshino Hakkai
Mount Fuji 5th Station

Landmarks
Pontocho Alley
Gion district
Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji Street

Landmarks
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Todai-ji Temple
Great Buddha (Todai-ji)
Nara Park

Landmarks
Nishiki Market

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Meals
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

the b shimbashi, Tokyo
Hotel 3*
Days 1, 2, 3, 4
Comfort Inn Tokyo Roppongi
Hotel 3*
Days 1, 2, 3, 4
Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo
Hotel 4*
Days 1, 2, 3, 4
Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma
Hotel 3*
Days 5, 6, 7
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Ekimae PREMIER
Hotel 4*
Days 5, 6, 7
TUNE STAY Kyoto
Hotel 3*
Days 5, 6, 7

Operated by

Tourist Journey

Silver Operator

Rating: 4.0 (57 reviews)
Response time: 11 hours
Response rate: 92%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

3.0

Overall rating based on 2 Reviews

Itinerary
2.5
Transport
3.0
Guide
3.5
Accommodation
3.5
Food
3.5
Tour Operator
4.0

Suzanne4.0•April 2025
The tour, although short, covered a lot in Tokyo and Kyoto. The guides were excellent and very personable, even...
The tour, although short, covered a lot in Tokyo and Kyoto. The guides were excellent and very personable, even taking us to some local spots for sushi. The downside to the tour was meeting them. The Tokyo subway station is huge and it is very difficult to locate the meeting points. One guide called us and that is how we found him (we were not the only ones late). Overall the tour was a good mix of free time and guided tours.Show more
Traveled in March 2025
Reply from: Tourist Journey
Thank you, Suzanne! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the guides — especially those local sushi stops! We hear you about the subway meeting points and are working to make those clearer. Hope to see you again in Japan!
Show more
Kristi2.0•August 2024
When I booked my 8 day tour of Japan I was excited to get to see Tokyo and Kyoto with my 'tour group'. What I did not...
When I booked my 8 day tour of Japan I was excited to get to see Tokyo and Kyoto with my 'tour group'. What I did not expect was that the 'tour' was really just a few day tours that were booked for me that I had to navigate my way through the city to find the starting points. When someone books a group tour they typically are expecting that they are with the same people doing the same tour. The group is staying at the same hotel/hostel and the tour guide and bus pick up and drop off the group at the hotel. I found that I spent a lot of my time just trying to figure out how to use the trains/subway/buses just to try to make sure I could get to the location that the day tour bus was waiting. Because of this I did not get to my first day tour on time and missed it altogether. Luckily after I contacted them I was able to rebook the day tour to Mt. Fuji on my free day in Tokyo. I was really disappointed that I had to spend all my time trying to navigate everywhere myself. I could have booked the day tours myself knowing that I would have to navigate by myself. I also did not appreciate that my 'group tour' was not a group tour instead I was the sole person in my group and I was just meeting up with people on a day tour for a single day. What I take away from this is that I will be booking my next vacations with tour companies that I have booked group tours with before that were actually a group tour and not just me on my own. The only reason I did not go with a bad rating was because I was able to see many great parts of Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Mt. Fuji etc. I was just disappointed with the overall organization and communication.Show more
Traveled in July 2024
Reply from: Tourist Journey
Dear Kristi, thank you for sharing your feedback, and we’re really sorry to hear that the experience wasn’t what you expected. We understand that our style of tours—where there’s a mix of guided tours and independent exploration—may not suit everyone, and we genuinely appreciate your perspective. Our goal is to provide a balance of independence, so travelers can explore Japan on their own terms, while still having the support of our local guides for those important experiences like day tours to iconic places such as Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Nara. Many of our customers have shared that this approach gives them a deeper connection to the country, allowing them to immerse themselves in the culture, but we absolutely understand that it may not be the right fit for everyone. We’re glad to hear that you were able to visit Mt. Fuji despite the challenges. Our team is always here to assist with any tips, suggestions, or guidance on how to navigate between tours, and we try our best to ensure everything is as smooth as possible. We truly hope your next trip is more aligned with your expectations, and we’d love to help you plan another adventure, whether that’s a more traditional group tour or something else entirely.
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!

Ends on 12 Aug, 2026

From Monday
10 Aug, 2026
To Monday
17 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Tuesday
11 Aug, 2026
To Tuesday
18 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Wednesday
12 Aug, 2026
To Wednesday
19 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Thursday
13 Aug, 2026
To Thursday
20 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Friday
14 Aug, 2026
To Friday
21 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Saturday
15 Aug, 2026
To Saturday
22 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Sunday
16 Aug, 2026
To Sunday
23 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Monday
17 Aug, 2026
To Monday
24 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
18 Aug, 2026
To Tuesday
25 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
From Wednesday
19 Aug, 2026
To Wednesday
26 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US$1,024 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

A
Angela
Asked on July 1st, 2026
We are planning to get this tour in December. We planned to book Sydney to Osaka return. We are hoping we can start tour in Osaka then finish in tokyo. Is this the best tour you can suggest? Can you please advise.
Flights / Transfers
Tour Details
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written July 2026
  Yes, absolutely. We can certainly arrange for you to start your journey in Osaka and finish in Tokyo.
  
  Our 8 Day Japan on a Budget Small Group Tour Package is a fantastic option and offers excellent value while allowing you to experience many of Japan's highlights.
  
  To prepare a personalised proposal, could you please provide the following details:
  • Your planned arrival and departure date
  
  If you already know the following, it would also be helpful:
  • Your preferred hotel category (3, 4, or 5-star)
  • Whether you would like airport transfers included
  • Any particular activities or experiences you are interested in
C
Carrie
Asked on May 30th, 2026
Is any food included in the tour?
Meals
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written May 2026
  Meals are not included in this package and would need to be arranged independently.
J
Jeffrey
Asked on February 2nd, 2026
What are the optional fees/cost for transportation to and from airport
Flights / Transfers
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written February 2026
  Each transfer for 2 people costs USD 130.00. We can include that to your booking without any issues :)
J
Jonathan
Asked on January 25th, 2026
please tell me about your optional transportation to and from the airport on you 8 Day Budget tour in Japan
Flights / Transfers
Transport
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written February 2026
  From Haneda or Narita?
S
Sandy
Asked on August 22nd, 2025
Is it possible to have the airport transfer earlier and have the same hotel booked where we will be staying for the tour?
Accommodation
Flights / Transfers
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written August 2025
  Do you need a private OR shared airport transfers? From which airport are you departing? Regarding the accommodation it will be the same accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto. Do you need 3 double rooms?
K
Kerry
Asked on December 23rd, 2024
I am an active senior planning to take my 2 grandchildren on a tour of Japan starting around March 14(15) but they must be back in Canada by March 23. Given the time changes is it possible to fit in the 8 day tour?
Age Range
Tour Details
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written December 2024
  If your package starts on March 14th then your departure would be on the 21st. Would you like to add extra days?
J
Joe
Asked on October 28th, 2024
Is a guide with you all the time?
Tour Details
Travel Support
- J
  Joe
  Traveler•Written October 2024
  Are we driven around in a bus with an English-speaking guide? What type of hotels?
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written October 2024
  Your guide will be with you during the tours. You will meet them each day at a designated meeting point for the tour. Transfers between cities are self-guided; we provide the tickets and all necessary instructions to ensure a smooth experience.
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written October 2024
  Yes, the guides for the tours are English-speaking. Some tours involve walking, while others combine walking and bus transportation. We offer a selection of 3, 4, and 5-star hotels, so you can choose based on your preference and budget.
L
Lauren
Asked on June 27th, 2024
How do the departure dates work? How is it possible that Tourist Journey is able to offer this package on every single day of the year, considering the package is advertised as a group tour with multiple travellers? If I book a departure date, am I guaranteed for the tour to proceed on that date or is it subject to change?
Tour Details
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written June 2024
  Yes - we offer all dates, and our packages have guaranteed departure. Our packages are build based on our day tours so the only thing that might change is the order of the tours inside your package. However, as soon as you book/pay, you will receive your PDF with the order that corresponds to you. Please note also that the group of people on each tour will change as this is based on our daily group tours.
- L
  Lauren
  Traveler•Written June 2024
  Could you please advise me of the differences between the Standard, Boutique & Superior Class accommodation types?
- Tourist JourneyOperator•Written June 2024
  Of course - they are 3, 4 and 5 stars correspondently.

From

US $1,024 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 284488

Currency
¥
Yen
Japan
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.
Type A
Japan
Type B
Japan
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 September 11th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after September 11th, 2026, a minimum payment of 35% is required to confirm your booking with Tourist Journey. 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 35 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 Tourist Journey will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Tourist Journey" 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
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Tourist Journey. Please familiarize yourself with the Tourist Journey payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
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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8 Day Japan on a Budget Small Group Tour Package

Itinerary

Tokyo

Optional Activities

Tokyo

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Tokyo

Optional Activities

Tokyo to Kyoto

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Kyoto and Nara

Included Activities

Kyoto

Optional Activities

Departure

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Good to Know

Keep Exploring Japan

8 Day Japan on a Budget Small Group Tour Package

Itinerary

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

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Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Earn while you share

Good to Know

Keep Exploring Japan

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