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2026

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Who is travelling?

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From
US $2,361 per person

12 Day Best of Japan the Golden Route

12 days
From Tokyo to Osaka
1.5
2 traveler reviews
From
US $2,361 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2026

Jan
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Mar
Apr
May
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Sep
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2027

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Feb
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Jul
Aug
Sep
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2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

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2

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Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
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

  1. Day 1

    Tokyo

    Start point
    Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (Tokyo)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo), Hotel (The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection)

    Optional Activities

    • Shared airport transfer
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Tokyo

    Accommodation
    Hotel (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo), Hotel (The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection)

    Included Activities

    • Walking tour near Tokyo Station
    • Imperial Palace Gardens
    • Senso-ji Temple
    • Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • Harajuku district exploration
    • Shibuya Crossing
    Landmarks
    Imperial Palace Gardens
    Nijubashi Bridge
    Senso-ji Temple
    Nakamise-dori
    Meiji Jingu Shrine
    Harajuku
    Shibuya Crossing
    Itinerary Image 1
  3. Day 3

    Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi

    Accommodation
    Hotel (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo), Hotel (The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection)

    Included Activities

    • Oishi Park visit
    • Arakura-Fuji Sengen Shrine
    • Mount Fuji 5th Station
    • Oshino Hakkai natural ponds
    Landmarks
    Oishi Park
    Lake Kawaguchi
    Mount Fuji
    Arakura-Fuji Sengen Shrine
    Mount Fuji 5th Station
    Oshino Hakkai
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Tokyo

    Accommodation
    Hotel (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo), Hotel (The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection)
  5. Day 5

    Tokyo

    Meals
    Snack (Traditional food tastings including seafood and savory meat (4-5 tastings))
    Accommodation
    Hotel (the b shimbashi, Tokyo), Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo), Hotel (The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection)

    Included Activities

    • Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple purification ritual observation
    • Tsukiji Outer Market exploration
    • Traditional food tastings (4-5 tastings)
    Landmarks
    Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple
    Tsukiji Outer Market
    Namiyoke Shrine
  6. Day 6

    Tokyo to Kanazawa

    Accommodation
    Hotel (Hotel Forza Kanazawa), Hotel (the square hotel KANAZAWA), Hotel (Hyatt Centric Kanazawa)

    Optional Activities

    • Kenrokuen Garden visit
    Landmarks
    Kenrokuen Garden
    Itinerary Image 1
  7. Day 7

    Shirakawago & Gokayama

    Accommodation
    Hotel (Hotel Forza Kanazawa), Hotel (the square hotel KANAZAWA), Hotel (Hyatt Centric Kanazawa)

    Included Activities

    • Inami exploration
    • Zuisenji Temple visit
    • Ainokura Village exploration
    • Shirakawa-go village exploration
    Landmarks
    Inami
    Zuisenji Temple
    Gokayama
    Ainokura Village
    Shirakawa-go
    Itinerary Image 1
  8. Day 8

    Kanazawa to Kyoto

    Accommodation
    Hotel (Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma), Hotel (Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Ekimae PREMIER), Hotel (The Thousand Kyoto)

    Included Activities

    • Pontocho Alley walk
    • Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni viewing
    • Gion geisha district exploration
    • Gion Corner visit
    • Yasaka Shrine
    • Hanamikoji Street stroll
    Landmarks
    Pontocho Alley
    Gion
    Gion Corner
    Yasaka Shrine
    Hanamikoji Street
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  9. Day 9

    Kyoto & Nara

    Accommodation
    Hotel (JR WEST GROUP VIA INN Prime SHINSAIBASHI YOTSUBASHI), Hotel (HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi), Hotel (Hotel THE LEBEN OSAKA)

    Included Activities

    • Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple)
    • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
    • Fushimi Inari Shrine and torii gates walk
    • Todai-ji Temple
    • Great Buddha
    • Nara Park and Sika deer interaction
    Landmarks
    Kinkaku-ji Temple
    Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
    Fushimi Inari Shrine
    Todai-ji Temple
    Great Buddha
    Nara Park
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  10. Day 10

    Osaka

    Accommodation
    Hotel (JR WEST GROUP VIA INN Prime SHINSAIBASHI YOTSUBASHI), Hotel (HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi), Hotel (Hotel THE LEBEN OSAKA)

    Included Activities

    • Osaka Castle
    Landmarks
    Osaka Castle
    Dotonbori
    Glico Man
    Hozenji Temple
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  11. Day 11

    Hiroshima & Miyajima

    Accommodation
    Hotel (JR WEST GROUP VIA INN Prime SHINSAIBASHI YOTSUBASHI), Hotel (HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi), Hotel (Hotel THE LEBEN OSAKA)

    Included Activities

    • Ferry to Miyajima
    • Itsukushima Shrine
    • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
    • A-Bomb Dome
    Landmarks
    Miyajima
    Itsukushima Shrine
    Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
    A-Bomb Dome
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  12. Day 12

    Departure

    End point
    Osaka, Japan (Osaka)

    Optional Activities

    • Transfer to Kansai Airport (KIX)
    • Transfer to Tokyo city center

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Meals
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Tourist Journey

Silver Operator
Rating
4(53 reviews)
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
96%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

1.5
Overall rating based on 2 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    1.5
  • Transport
    2.0
  • Guide
    2.0
  • Accommodation
    3.5
  • Food
    2.0
  • 4.0

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  • R
    January 28th, 2025
    Not guided, guide no show on day 7. Poor organization as far as where to meet guides and distance from hotels....
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2025
    Reply from: Tourist Journey
    Hi Robert! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on the 12-Day Best of Japan – The Golden Route tour. We’re sorry to hear that the experience didn’t meet your expectations. Our goal is to offer a balance of guided exploration and independent travel so guests can enjoy flexibility while still benefiting from expert insights and support. That said, we understand that finding meeting points in a large city like Tokyo can sometimes be a challenge. To help with this, we’ve recently improved our meeting instructions by including detailed descriptions, map links, and even photos to make navigation easier. We also provide live support 7 days a week in case any additional guidance is needed. Regarding the accommodation, we do offer hotel options across a range of budgets. In many cases, we can suggest hotels that are closer to the meeting points for added convenience — and we’d have been happy to assist with this if informed in advance. We value your comments and take them seriously as we continue refining the tour experience for all our travelers. Thank you again for your insights, and we wish you all the best in your future travels.
    Show more
  • M
    November 7th, 2024
    Quite a number of organisation issues including failure to be booked on one day trip and one half day trip....
    Show more
    Traveled in October 2024
    Reply from: Tourist Journey
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Mark. Our customer support team is available 7 days a week and we strive to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, especially during busy seasons like autumn. We understand the importance of clear communication and regret any delays you experienced in getting the updates you needed. Regarding the day trips, we always aim to provide the best possible experience, and sometimes adjustments are made to itineraries due to factors like weather or unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. As for the hotels, we offer a range of options, but we understand that proximity to the meeting points can be crucial. For future bookings, we can help suggest accommodations that are more conveniently located for your needs. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we’ll take your feedback on board to further improve our services!
    Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

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
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
  • From Sunday
    10 May, 2026
    To Thursday
    21 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Monday
    11 May, 2026
    To Friday
    22 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Tuesday
    12 May, 2026
    To Saturday
    23 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Wednesday
    13 May, 2026
    To Sunday
    24 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    14 May, 2026
    To Monday
    25 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Friday
    15 May, 2026
    To Tuesday
    26 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    16 May, 2026
    To Wednesday
    27 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Sunday
    17 May, 2026
    To Thursday
    28 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Monday
    18 May, 2026
    To Friday
    29 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Tuesday
    19 May, 2026
    To Saturday
    30 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,514 per person
    Multiple Room Types

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Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

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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
  • D

    Don

    Asked on February 5th, 2026

    Could you please provide more information on the itinerary, inclusions, and the types of accommodations for this tour?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten February 2026

      The itinerary, inclusions/exclusion and type of accommodation can be find in our TourRadar page.

  • D

    Dean

    Asked on April 3rd, 2025

    Will someone meet us at Narita Airport to help get transfer from there to our hotel as I paid for transfer but have received nothing buit statement sayingh about Skyliner ans Subway. I have nothing in hand as far as tickets or info as to how,where to catch the rtides.

    Flights / Transfers
    Transport
    • D

      Dean

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      I am booked on a Tourist Journey and will leave Thailand in 2 1/2 days but still nothing about meeting at airport, Paid for transfer from airport to hotel, Not sure where meeting point is on Sat April13 in Tokyo.

    • D

      Dean

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      Your help has been worthless so far as they refuse to get info here and I leave for airport in 3 hours. who and how do i contact this outfit once I land in Tokyo

    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten April 2025

      I can see in your booking that you have a shared transfer from Narita to your hotel, so you'll be responsible for taking the Skyliner and subway on your own. Our customer service team will be sending you the voucher soon, along with all the meeting points and times for your tours.

    • D
      2 more answers
  • M

    Melanie

    Asked on December 20th, 2024

    Do the hotels provide breakfast?

    Accommodation
    Meals
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten December 2024

      The hotels do provide continental breakfast.

    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten December 2024

      Please note that we can gladly add breakfast to the package for all of the hotels. Keep in mind that due to the number of participants you have, it must be a private package. To send you a proposal please let me know how would the rooms be? 7 double rooms?

    • 1 more answer
  • J

    Jay

    Asked on October 13th, 2024

    Can two 17-year-olds travel alone with your tour group? Without parents or an adult? (but, we can supply signed parental consent forms?)

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten October 2024

      Yes, of course two 17-year-olds can travel with our tour group - they need their parents permit to travel to Japan, but not to join the tour.

    • J

      Jay

      TravelerWritten October 2024

      For the time spent in Hiroshima, will there be time to go inside the Hiroshima Museum? Are tickets included?

    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten October 2024

      The inclusions and exclusions are: a) Includes: Hand-picked expert tour guide, Miyajima visitor tax, Transportation by Shinkansen b) Excludes: Meals & drinks, Personal travel insurance, Gratuities

    • J
      2 more answers
  • S

    Sandy

    Asked on September 26th, 2024

    I would like to ask if this tour includes a guide in each city, or if everything is self-guided.

    Tour Details
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten September 2024

      Yes, the tour will be accompanied by an expert guide throughout all the cities included in the itinerary. This way, you'll have valuable insights and assistance during your journey.

  • A

    Allison

    Asked on September 5th, 2024

    Meals are not included but is it possible to purchase breakfast at the hotels? Also, is insurance included? If not, what type needs to be purchased for this trip?

    Meals
    Travel Support
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten September 2024

      Yes, it's possible to add breakfast to the hotel. Insurance is unfortunately not included. There is no special insurance required. Travel insurance is recommended.

  • J

    Joanna

    Asked on August 28th, 2024

    Do you have 2 person private tour?

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • J

      Joanna

      TravelerWritten September 2024

      Private tour will be the same price?

    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten September 2024

      Private tour will generally have a different price compared to a group tour. Private tours usually come at a higher cost due to the exclusive nature and personalized service provided. If you'd like more specific details or a quote for a private tour, please let me know, and I'll be happy to provide that information.

    • 1 more answer
  • N

    Natasha

    Asked on August 5th, 2024

    for day 8 are we travelling by train but we also have the option to fly?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten August 2024

      Could you explain a bit further your inquiry? You mean if we can include flights?

  • H

    Helen

    Asked on July 25th, 2024

    Need twin beds for two single guys

    Accommodation
    • Tourist JourneyOperatorWritten July 2024

      We will select twin beds, no problem. Do you want to add the transfer from Osaka to KIX? Please let us know if private or shared.

    • H

      Helen

      TravelerWritten July 2024

      Want to add transfer to KIX from Osaka if reasonably priced

    • H
      1 more answer
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Tourist Journey with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.
From
US $2,361 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

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
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 285113

  • Currency
    ¥
    Yen
    Japan
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • 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 June 11th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 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
  • 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.

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