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Back Roads of Japan
11 days, Tokyo to Kyoto
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The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.
Wander off the beaten path away from Japan's big cities and popular sites with this 11-day tour that takes you to destinations that are often overlooked. Visit the treasured castle of Matsumoto and learn about samurai culture, relax in a traditional hot spring-fed onsen, explore the quaint city of Hagi by bicycle, and settle in at a community homestay to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Of course, there's time before and after to explore Tokyo and Kyoto, making this trip a well-rounded glimpse into Japan's past and present.
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: AJBR
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
92
Ripple Score
Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 92
More from Back Roads of Japan
Itinerary Notes
Luggage size restriction – Effective from May 2020 onwards
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.
We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.
Itinerary
Day 1Tokyo
Arrive at any time and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting in the evening around 6:00 pm.
Day 2Tokyo
Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through to Harajuku. The rest of the day is free for exploring more of the city.
Day 3Tokyo/Nagano
Journey to Nagano, located in the Japanese Alps and host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Discover the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and watch Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs.
Day 4Nagano
Enjoy a day-trip to quaint Matsumoto and visit one of Japan's most treasured castles. Return to Nagano and explore historic Zenkoji Temple.
Day 5Nagano/Otsu
Travel to Otsu in Shiga prefecture. Located on the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, the area is known for the Ogoto Onsens. Settle in and relax with a dip in the healing waters of these Japanese style hot springs, and dine on traditional fare.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 6Otsu/Hagi
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Hagi
Explore rural Hagi on a guided morning cycle and spot samurai architecture along the way. Later, travel to your community homestay, a G Adventures for Good project. Meet your host family and get to know each other as you enjoy dinner together.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 8Hagi/Tottori
Bid farewell to your host family after enjoying breakfast together. Later, travel to Miho-misumi by train, taking in scenic views along the way. Learn the art of making "washi," a UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese paper, then enjoy a Japanese lunch along the beautiful coastline before continuing to the seaside town of Tottori.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 9Tottori/Kyoto
Spend the morning exploring Tottori's scenic sand dunes, some reaching 50m (164 ft) in height. After, visit the local fish market and opt for a fresh seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, travel to Kyoto for two nights in the traditional heart of Japan.
Day 10Kyoto
Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for an impressive 10,000 red torii gates. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this picturesque city. Opt to experience zen gardens, teahouses, shrines, and local gift shops – and maybe even spot a real-life geisha.
Day 11Kyoto
Depart at any time.
What's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay, Hagi
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson, Mihomisumi
- Modern Tokyo walking tour
- Zenkoji Temple visit (Nagano)
- Jigokudani Monkey Park visit (Matsumoto)
- Matsumoto Castle visit
- Hagi orientation walk
- Hagi cycling tour
- Tottori sand dunes visit
- Tottori fish market visit
- Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine visit
- Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days)
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (8 nts), traditional inn (1 nt, shared facilities), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Allow USD485-630 for meals not included.
Transportation
Bus, bullet train, local train, bicycle, subway, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)
My Own Room - From $549.00
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.