Could you please tell me the name of hotels used on this tour.

We're pleased to provide you with a list of the carefully selected accommodations typically used on this tour. While exact hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking, we usually work with the following comfortable and well-located properties (or similar): Tokyo – Asakusa View Hotel or similar, Hakone – Hotel Green Plaza Hakone or similar, Kanazawa – Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa or similar, Kyoto – Sakura Terrace The Gallery or similar, Hiroshima- Hotel Intergate Hiroshima or similar, Osaka – The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama or similar.

From

US $6,290 per person

Essence of Japan: 14-Day Cultural Tour of Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara & More

14 days

•

From Tokyo to Osaka

3.0

2 traveler reviews

View all
View all

From

US $6,290 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Silver Operator: Across Africa Tours & Travel
Safari: Get up close with wildlife in the heart of nature
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 - 8
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Tokyo
Start point
Japan (Airport to Hotel)
Meals
Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local izakaya with authentic Japanese cuisine)
Accommodation
Hotel (Asakusa View Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Private airport transfer
- Welcome dinner at local izakaya
Day 2
Tokyo
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Asakusa View Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit to Senso-ji Temple
- Nakamise Shopping Street exploration
- Cultural walking tour
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Kimono-wearing experience
- Visit to Samurai Museum
Landmarks
Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise Shopping Street
Samurai Museum
Day 3
Tokyo
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Asakusa View Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit to teamLab Planets
- Tokyo Skytree visit
- Exploration of Shibuya neighborhood
- Exploration of Harajuku neighborhood
- Shibuya Crossing experience
Optional Activities
- Manga café experience
- High-energy robot show
Landmarks
teamLab Planets
Tokyo Skytree
Shibuya Crossing
Day 4
Tokyo to Hakone
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Multi-course kaiseki dinner at ryokan)
Accommodation
Hotel (Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori or similar )
Included Activities
- Mt. Fuji 5th Station visit
- Lake Ashi scenic cruise
- Hakone Ropeway ride
- Hot spring bath experience at ryokan
- Multi-course kaiseki dinner
Landmarks
Mt. Fuji 5th Station
Lake Ashi
Hakone Ropeway
Day 5
Hakone to Kanazawa
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa or similar )
Included Activities
- Bullet train travel to Kanazawa
- Visit to Kenrokuen Garden
- Historic Samurai District exploration
- Gold Leaf Museum visit
- Gold-leaf soft serve ice cream
Landmarks
Kenrokuen Garden
Samurai District
Gold Leaf Museum
Day 6
Kanazawa
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa or similar )
Included Activities
- Visit to 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
- Traditional tea ceremony at teahouse
Optional Activities
- Exploration of local markets
- Crafts exploration
- Traditional samurai outfit try-on
Landmarks
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Day 7
Kanazawa to Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Sowaka (Gion) or similar)
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride to Kyoto
- Visit to Yasaka Shrine
- Gion district walking tour
Optional Activities
- Private geisha dinner
- Traditional cultural performance
Landmarks
Yasaka Shrine
Gion District
Day 8
Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional vegetarian Buddhist lunch), Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Sowaka (Gion) or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove visit
- Monkey Park visit
- Zen meditation session at temple
- Traditional vegetarian Buddhist lunch
Landmarks
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Day 9
Nara Day Trip
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Sowaka (Gion) or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit to Todai-ji Temple
- Nara Deer Park visit
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine exploration
- Sushi-making class in Kyoto
Landmarks
Todai-ji Temple
Nara Deer Park
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Day 10
Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Sowaka (Gion) or similar)
Optional Activities
- Ikebana (flower arranging) class
- Matcha-making class in Uji
- Hike to mountaintop Kurama-dera temple
- Street food crawl through Nishiki Market
Landmarks
Nishiki Market
Kurama-dera Temple
Day 11
Kyoto to Hiroshima
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki)
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar)
Included Activities
- Bullet train travel to Hiroshima
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Museum visit
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate visit
- Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki experience
Landmarks
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate
Miyajima Island
Day 12
Hiroshima to Osaka
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Swissôtel Nankai Osaka or similar )
Included Activities
- Osaka Castle visit
- Kuromon Market exploration
- Dotonbori street food tasting tour
Optional Activities
- Universal Studios Japan visit
Landmarks
Osaka Castle
Kuromon Market
Dotonbori
Universal Studios Japan
Day 13
Osaka
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner with photo slideshow and parting gift)
Accommodation
Hotel (Swissôtel Nankai Osaka or similar )
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner with photo slideshow and parting gift
Optional Activities
- Cooking class
- Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine visit
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
Landmarks
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Day 14
Departure
End point
Japan (Hotel to Airport )
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Check-in assistance
- Tax refund assistance

Landmarks
Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise Shopping Street
Samurai Museum

Landmarks
teamLab Planets
Tokyo Skytree
Shibuya Crossing

Landmarks
Mt. Fuji 5th Station
Lake Ashi
Hakone Ropeway

Landmarks
Kenrokuen Garden
Samurai District
Gold Leaf Museum

Landmarks
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Landmarks
Yasaka Shrine
Gion District

Landmarks
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Monkey Park

Landmarks
Todai-ji Temple
Nara Deer Park
Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Landmarks
Nishiki Market
Kurama-dera Temple

Landmarks
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate
Miyajima Island

Landmarks
Osaka Castle
Kuromon Market
Dotonbori
Universal Studios Japan

Landmarks
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Asakusa View Hotel or similar
Hotel
Days 1, 2, 3
Upgrade Available
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori or similar
Hotel
day 4
Upgrade Available
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa or similar
Hotel
Days 5, 6
Upgrade Available
Hotel Sowaka (Gion) or similar
Hotel
Days 7, 8, 9, 10
Upgrade Available
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar
Hotel
day 11
Upgrade Available
Swissôtel Nankai Osaka or similar
Hotel
Days 12, 13
Upgrade Available

Adventure Type

Choose the type of organized adventure that suits your preferences.

Group Adventures
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships.
What to expect
- Group of 8 travelers max.
- Fast booking confirmation
- Carefully planned itineraries
- Travel with like-minded people
Starting at
US $6,290 / traveler
Check availability
Personalized Adventures
Customize an existing itinerary or create your own.
What to expect
- Travel with your own group of min. 1 travelers
- Choose your preferred dates and duration
- Upgrade your accommodation
- Customize the itineraries
After requesting a quote, we will get back to you with a price based on your requirements.
Request quote

Operated by

Across Africa Tours & Travel

Silver Operator

Rating: 4.2(133 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 88%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

3.0

Overall rating based on 2 Reviews

Tour Operator
4.2

C
Catherine
April 25th, 2026
As this was my first time travelling through Japan I thought a fully guided tour was the way to go. This proved an...
As this was my first time travelling through Japan I thought a fully guided tour was the way to go. This proved an excellent choice. The 14 day Essence of Japan tour provides daily local guides (different ones for each city stop so they don’t travel with you) and all transfers, a mixture of the Shinkansen for long-haul and local transport such as buses, subways and even a ferry, to get around. Having a bit of independence of travel mixed in with expert local knowledge on arrival was ideal. After an initial bumpy pre-start where we were chasing the detailed itinerary and hotel list prior to departure, and the lack of included daily breakfasts in the first hotel, this misunderstanding was dealt with and responded to and was not a problem in subsequent hotels. Communication continued to improve as the trip progressed with a daily update delivered via What’s App which provided us with all the details needed to plan for the day. The local guides chosen for each city were a highlight - always knowledgeable, passionate and generous with their time and help. Apart from the first and last hotels which were not in tourist-friendly locations and required long subway commutes or expensive taxi rides, the rest of the accommodation was excellent. The itinerary itself was comprehensive and jam-packed with culturally interesting experiences such as a Zen meditation, sushi making and tea ceremony. Some lunches and dinners were included, the quality and variety selected were excellent and served to highlight the many Japanese styles of cooking, a highlight of the trip. As my friend and I were the only guests on the trip the Essence of Japan felt very much like a private tour and this afforded excellent value for money.Show more
Traveled in March 2026
Reply from: Across Africa Tours & Travel
Dear Catherine, Thank you for your detailed and honest feedback. We’re delighted your first journey through Japan was such a rewarding experience and that our local guides, cultural activities, and curated meals stood out. We appreciate your comments regarding the initial communication and hotel locations, and we’re pleased these were addressed promptly during your trip. Your insights are valuable in helping us continually improve. It’s wonderful to hear the tour felt like a private experience and delivered great value. We look forward to welcoming you again on another journey.
Show more
iris
April 15th, 2026
Tour Feedback – Summary • Itinerary & Bookings: No detailed tour plan was provided in advance, including hotel and...
Tour Feedback – Summary • Itinerary & Bookings: No detailed tour plan was provided in advance, including hotel and tour bookings. • Accommodation: Initial hotel rooms (15 m² for two people) were far too small, though this was improved during the tour. • Communication: Due to uncertainty, I had to check and clarify many details myself. • Guiding: Guides changed daily, which led to repeated explanations. Some guides were students with limited experience, though all were unfailingly kind and friendly. • Transportation: Organization was poor at the beginning but improved as the tour progressed. Overall Impression: The tour did not meet our expectations. The balance between price and service was not satisfactory.Show more
Traveled in April 2026
Reply from: Across Africa Tours & Travel
Dear Iris, Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We sincerely regret that your experience did not fully meet your expectations. However, we would like to clarify a few points for accuracy. The tour booking details, including the full itinerary, were shared well in advance, and a pre-departure briefing was conducted to address any questions or concerns prior to arrival. Regarding accommodation, all hotels provided were 4-star properties as outlined in the program, and we are pleased that adjustments were made promptly after your concern regarding room size was raised. On the matter of communication, we were surprised by your comment, as a dedicated WhatsApp group was created to ensure clear and consistent daily updates, including briefings for the following day’s schedule. Additionally, as the itinerary spans multiple destinations, different local guides are assigned in each city to ensure specialized and efficient service delivery. We truly appreciate your acknowledgment of the improvements made during the tour. Your feedback is valuable, and we will continue to use it to strengthen our planning, coordination, and overall service standards. We regret any inconvenience experienced and thank you once again for your time and feedback. Kind regards, Public Relation Manager
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

From Tuesday
26 May, 2026
To Monday
8 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Wednesday
27 May, 2026
To Tuesday
9 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Thursday
28 May, 2026
To Wednesday
10 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Friday
29 May, 2026
To Thursday
11 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Saturday
30 May, 2026
To Friday
12 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Sunday
31 May, 2026
To Saturday
13 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Monday
1 Jun, 2026
To Sunday
14 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Tuesday
2 Jun, 2026
To Monday
15 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Wednesday
3 Jun, 2026
To Tuesday
16 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Thursday
4 Jun, 2026
To Wednesday
17 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $6,290 per person
Multiple Room Types

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

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K
Kylie
Asked on July 20th, 2025
Could you please tell me the name of hotels used on this tour.
Accommodation
- Across Africa Tours & TravelOperator•Written July 2025
  We're pleased to provide you with a list of the carefully selected accommodations typically used on this tour. While exact hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking, we usually work with the following comfortable and well-located properties (or similar): Tokyo – Asakusa View Hotel or similar, Hakone – Hotel Green Plaza Hakone or similar, Kanazawa – Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa or similar, Kyoto – Sakura Terrace The Gallery or similar, Hiroshima- Hotel Intergate Hiroshima or similar, Osaka – The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama or similar.
- K
  Kylie
  Traveler•Written July 2025
  What is the limit of people in the group for this tour
- Across Africa Tours & TravelOperator•Written July 2025
  The minimum number of participants required for the tour to depart is two, while the maximum group size is limited to eight pax per group.

From

US $6,290 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 317000

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 August 31st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 31st, 2026, a minimum payment of 30% is required to confirm your booking with Across Africa Tours & Travel. 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 100 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 Across Africa Tours & Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Across Africa Tours & Travel" 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 Across Africa Tours & Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the Across Africa Tours & Travel 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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Essence of Japan: 14-Day Cultural Tour of Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara & More

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Adventure Type

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

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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