Explorer Tours from Tokyo to Osaka

What our customers ask about Explorer Tours from Tokyo to Osaka

• What would be a typical day-by-day itinerary for an explorer tour from Tokyo to Osaka?

  You'll spend your first 2-3 days getting to know Tokyo, walking through the old streets around Senso-ji Temple, crossing the famous Shibuya intersection, and exploring the fish market. The next couple of days take you to Mount Fuji and Hakone, where you'll sleep in a traditional Japanese inn like the Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort Hotel. On days 5-6, you'll discover Takayama's morning markets and see the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa. Kyoto fills days 7-8 with temple visits, including the famous Golden Pavilion and peaceful bamboo forest in Arashiyama. Your trip wraps up in Osaka where you can try local foods in the lively Dotonbori area and visit Osaka Castle. As one TourRadar traveler shared, "The progression from Tokyo's modernity to Kyoto's traditions before ending in Osaka's food scene was perfectly planned."

• What are the typical destinations visited between Tokyo and Osaka on explorer tours?

  The journey from Tokyo to Osaka takes you through some of Japan's most interesting places. You'll stop at Mount Fuji and Hakone for mountain views and relaxing hot springs. Next comes Takayama, a small city famous for its old wooden buildings and morning markets. Many tours visit Kanazawa, where you can walk through one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, Kenroku-en, and explore old samurai neighborhoods. In Kyoto, you'll visit temples like the golden Kinkaku-ji and walk through the peaceful Arashiyama bamboo forest. As one TourRadar traveler noted, "The Nishiki food market in Kyoto and the bamboo forest in Arashiyama were incredible highlights." The trip ends in Osaka, where you can try amazing street food in Dotonbori and visit the impressive Osaka Castle.

• What are the average tour lengths for explorer tours from Tokyo to Osaka?

  Most tours run between 7 and 12 days, with 9 or 10 days being the most common length. For example, the "9 Day Splendid Central Japan" tour lets you see all the main spots, while the "12 Day Kanto Kansai Tour" gives you more time to explore at a relaxed pace. You'll usually spend 2-3 days in Tokyo, stay overnight near Mount Fuji in the Hakone hot spring area, spend 2-3 nights in Kyoto, and finish with 1-2 nights in Osaka. As one TourRadar traveler put it, "The 9-day itinerary felt well-paced, giving us enough time to experience both the bustling cities and peaceful traditional sites like the Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa."

• What are the must-see attractions typically included on Tokyo to Osaka tours?

  Tours always make sure to include Tokyo's historic Senso-ji Temple and busy Shibuya Crossing, views of Mount Fuji and a boat ride on Lake Ashi in Hakone, Kyoto's shimmering Golden Pavilion and peaceful bamboo forests, and Osaka's iconic castle and food-filled Dotonbori district. One TourRadar review captures it well: "The itinerary perfectly balanced Tokyo's modern energy with Kyoto's traditional beauty before ending in Osaka's amazing food scene." You'll get guided tours of these famous spots plus free time to explore on your own.

• What is the average distance covered on explorer tours between Tokyo and Osaka?

  The main route between Tokyo and Osaka is about 500 kilometers (310 miles), but you'll actually travel around 800 kilometers (497 miles) total when you count all the side trips. Most of the travel is on Japan's fast bullet trains, which can get you from Tokyo to Osaka in just 2.5 hours at speeds up to 320 km/h (199 mph). Tours make stops at places like Mount Fuji, Takayama, and Kyoto along the way. One TourRadar traveler said, "The bullet train rides were a highlight themselves, especially seeing Mount Fuji from the window while traveling from Tokyo to Kanazawa."

• What are the most common accommodation types between Tokyo and Osaka?

  You'll stay in a mix of modern hotels and traditional Japanese inns. In big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you'll find yourself in comfortable 3-4 star hotels like the Daiwa Roynet Hotel or Mitsui Garden Hotel. When visiting areas near Mt. Fuji or smaller towns, you'll often stay in ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) like the Hanaya Ryokan in Tsumago. A TourRadar traveler mentioned, "the combination of western-style hotels and traditional ryokans gave us a great mix of comfort and cultural experience."

• How many cities do Tokyo to Osaka tours typically visit?

  Most tours take you to 6-8 main cities along the way. You'll definitely visit Tokyo, the Hakone/Mt. Fuji area, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Some tours add extra stops like Kanazawa or Matsumoto. The Backroads of Japan tour, for example, includes 8 different places, even taking you to small towns like Tsumago and Magome on the historic Nakasendo Way.