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Best price guarantee Learn More
- Gold Operator
- Explore!
- In-depth Cultural
- Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Guided in English
- Group Size 7 - 16
- Age range 16 to 80
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Explore Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji
- Watch snow monkeys bathe in Jigokudani
- Experience a traditional tea ceremony
- Visit Hiroshima's poignant Peace Park
- Stroll through Kyoto's historic temples
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Tour begins in Tokyo
- Day 2 Explore Tokyo - Discover temples, neighbourhoods and the spectacular Fire Ceremony
- Day 3 Free day in Tokyo. Optional visit Hakone National Park for views of Mount Fuji
- Day 4 Travel by train to Matsumoto and discover the impressive Crow Castle
- Day 5 Meet the snow monkeys of Jigokudani and spend the night in Zenkoji Temple lodgings
- Day 6 Join the monks for morning prayers and explore the samurai district of Kanazawa
- Day 7 Free time in Kanazawa to try sushi at the Omicho Fish Market or stroll through Kenrokuen Gardens
- Day 8 Tour a sake brewery in the old town of Takayama and stay in a family-run ryokan
- Day 9 Travel by train to Hiroshima and experience the poignant Peace Park and Peace Museum
- Day 10 Take the ferry to Miyajima Island, see the famous torii gate and chance to explore the island
- Day 11 Take the Bullet train to Kyoto and explore Nijo Castle
- Day 12 In Kyoto: free time to explore the Zen gardens, temples and geisha district
- Day 13 Continue discovering Kyoto before travelling to Osaka for a final night amongst the neon lights
- Day 14 Trip ends in Osaka
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Additional Services
Where You'll Stay
The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel
HotelDays 1, 2, 3Tabino Hotel
Hotelday 4Zenkoji Yakuo In
Monasteryday 5Hotel Torifito Kanazawa
HotelDays 6, 7Minshuku Iwatakan .
Hotelday 8Hotel Mielparque Hiroshima
HotelDays 9, 10Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
HotelDays 11, 12Shin-Osaka Washington Hotel Plaza
Hotelday 13
Customer Photos
Operated by
Explore!
Number of tours
532
Age Range
16 to 85 years old
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
96%
Explore is a global adventure travel company with 42 years’ experience in...
Read moreSustainability Initiatives
Reduce Carbon Emissions
Animal Welfare
Supporting Destinations
Sustainability Programs
Customer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodExcellent
- TPTom· May 10th, 2025Great trip. Guide was excellent, as was the itinerary. Good variety of historic and modern cultural sites.Show more
Explore! commented on this reviewThanks so much for your lovely review, Tom! So glad to hear you have thoroughly enjoyed your trip!Trip date: April 2025 - MSMelanie· April 21st, 2025We saw all the highlights of Japan and were lucky to be there when the cherry blossom was in full bloom! Our guide, Marco, successfully managed to get 14 of us around the Tokyo metro, on trams, local trains, bullet trains and ferries! He was full of interesting information about the country and its people. The accommodation was good. I particularly loved the guesthouse, where the owner prepared us an amazing banquet!Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you for your wonderful feedback! It sounds like you had an incredible experience in Japan—especially getting to see the cherry blossom in full bloom! We're so glad to hear Marco looked after the group so well and made the journey smooth and... Show moreTrip date: March 2025
- WEwendy· April 18th, 2025This itinerary was superb and comprehensive. I did a lot of research on Japan and tour companies and Explore! Simply Japan exceeded my expectations. The tour was small and fast paced and perfectly timed. I wouldn't have done anything different. Thank you Dean for your extensive knowledge of Japan and your willingness to answer questions with sincere attention.Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you so much for your kind feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Simply Japan exceeded your expectations and that you had such a great experience with Dean. We’ll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to him. We hope to welcome you on another... Show moreTrip date: April 2025
Daniel· April 12th, 2025Overall this trip was good, some confusion due to the guide never having led this tour before. She could have used a bit more coaching, her mentor was not very good in training her to lead a group of people, not her fault. Staying in a monastery was interesting but the home stay was a bust. Sleeping on the floor with a 4 inch mat is for high school kids, not retirees. The "home stay" meal was also a disappointment. Stayed at a new place that didn't include dinner so we went to a local restaurant that gave everyone a bento box dinner that included 5 wafer thin slices of beef that you could almost see through over slightly warm rice. After dinner, everyone went to the local 7-11 to buy more food - shame on Explore! Not much personal time and lots of quick walking to make trains, buses, trams. Pretty rushed.Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're glad to hear you found aspects of the trip enjoyable, but we’re genuinely sorry that certain elements fell short of your expectations. Your comments have been shared with our Product Team... Show moreTrip date: March 2025- AWAnne· April 8th, 2025Henrik was an awesome guide!Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you for your lovely review!Trip date: March 2025
- STEPHANIE· June 25th, 2024The entire trip was very good. It was so wonderful to realize that we picked the best trip to Japan for us. We got to see all of my top places and experiences, had the best tour guide in Irene Perez with Explore!, and could not have had the best travel tour companions. My husband and I were the senior members; we were also the least experienced with world travel, and the only ones from the US. But we never felt rushed or that we held the tour back. And it would not be the same anywhere but Japan, where everyone we met wanted us to have the best experience.Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you so much for your review! We are delighted that you had such an enjoyable time on your Simply Japan holiday and that your Explore Leader, Irene, provided such a wonderful experience for your group. We hope to have the chance to welcome you on... Show moreTrip date: June 2024
- AGill· March 6th, 2023Learning about the whole culture of Japan which is significant different to European culture and some of the reasons behind it. All the different types of food.Show moreTrip date: February 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AJenny· March 28th, 2023Tokyo Snow monkeys Bullet trains Hiroshima KyotoShow moreTrip date: March 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AGillian· March 31st, 2023Highlight for me was the snow monkeys and Hiroshima which was very moving and educational . The food was excellent and being with a guide helped with trying lots of new things .Show moreTrip date: March 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AZalihe· April 1st, 2023There were many highlights so hard to pick out one or two. Tokyo, Matsumoto, Bullet train, snow monkeys, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Generally houses and gardens were all great. Osaka at night.Show moreTrip date: March 2023Review collected by Explore!
Dates & Availability
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- From Sunday29 Jun, 2025To Saturday12 Jul, 2025This departure date is not available or sold outSold outFrom:NZ $8,610
- -28%From Sunday6 Jul, 2025To Saturday19 Jul, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,740NZ $5,570
- From Sunday13 Jul, 2025To Saturday26 Jul, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $8,920
- -16%From Sunday20 Jul, 2025To Saturday2 Aug, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$9,150NZ $7,710
- -25%From Sunday3 Aug, 2025To Saturday16 Aug, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$9,590NZ $7,150
- -25%From Sunday17 Aug, 2025To Saturday30 Aug, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$9,150NZ $6,820
- Instant Confirmation-25%From Sunday31 Aug, 2025To Saturday13 Sep, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$9,150NZ $6,820
- From Wednesday3 Sep, 2025To Tuesday16 Sep, 2025This departure date is not available or sold outSold outFrom:NZ $10,030
- From Sunday7 Sep, 2025To Saturday20 Sep, 2025This departure date is not available or sold outSold outFrom:NZ $10,360
- From Sunday14 Sep, 2025To Saturday27 Sep, 2025This departure date is not available or sold outSold outFrom:NZ $10,450
- 2 Other Unavailable Departures
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- J
Jacob
Asked on April 11th, 2025Are there limitations on the amount of luggage you can bring?
Explore!Operator•Written April 2025We ask that you bring one suitcase per person (due to space in the minivan), and a day pack. In regards to weight of the suitcase, that is down to the airlines allowance - usually between 20 and 23kg.
- C
Carla
Asked on March 19th, 2025May I ask if all the transport are included?
- Explore!Operator•Written March 2025
The transportation included in the trip is: Bus, Ferry, Train. The international flights are not included.
- C
Carla
Traveler•Written March 2025I would love to join this tour! My only question is there all transport and transfert between all activities and hotel included?
- Explore!Operator•Written March 2025
All transport is included.
C2 more answers - L
Linda
Asked on March 17th, 2025I noticed that the tour age went to 80. I am 82 and my husband is 84. We do not use a cane or walker or any other assisted device for moving or walking. Will this be a problem on this tour?
- Explore!Operator•Written March 2025
For this trip you should note: Lots of walking and time spent on our feet on this trip. City tours are on foot and using public transport. When changing locations we walk from our accommodation to the train station, and then within the station (often up and down flights of stairs) and then at the other end to reach the hotel.
- L
Linda
Traveler•Written March 2025How does Japan discovery differ from this tour?
L1 more answer - A
Allison
Asked on March 10th, 2025They want to know the best dates to see cherry trees and if you'd take them and where.
- A
Allison
Traveler•Written March 2025Does the tour takes the group to enjoy watching the beautiful cherry trees in japan? in which places they'll see them? and is the date april 4rrd good for watching them blooming?
- Explore!Operator•Written March 2025
The group does explore the Cherry blossoms when in Osaka and Kyoto visiting Osaka castle and the Nijo castle and anytime in the spring is a good time to see them.
1 more answer - A
Alicia
Asked on March 3rd, 2025Do Explore Japan trips pair 2 single travelers of the same gender?
- Explore!Operator•Written March 2025
Yes, we room same genders together.
- L
Leslie
Asked on March 2nd, 2025How many people are on the trip already and what are the ages of the people who are already booked
- Explore!Operator•Written March 2025
We have 14 people booked for our May 7th 2025 departure and only 2 spaces still available. Currently there are 4 solo travelers. The ages of the travelers range from 45 - 76.
- J
Johannes
Asked on February 19th, 2025Will I receive assistance with planning activities after the tour?
- Explore!Operator•Written February 2025
Individual activities after the tour cannot be arranged through us; you will need to organize those yourself.
- G
Ginette
Asked on February 14th, 2025Are group transfers provided at the end of the tour?
- Explore!Operator•Written February 2025
Group transfers to the airport are included on the last day of the tour, but only for travelers who depart on the designated transfer day.
- I
Isabel
Asked on January 17th, 2025What happens if I arrive late for the tour?
- Explore!Operator•Written January 2025
If you arrive late, you may miss the initial program, and alternative arrangements for transfers will need to be made.
- T
Tim
Asked on December 7th, 2024Is it likely there will there be snow at all during the trip to the Onsen to see the snow monkeys? I've never seen snow in real life and would like to experience it during my trip, the onsen seems the most likely place
- T
Tim
Traveler•Written December 2024I'll be planning for around the 20th of March to begin the tour
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
You should have a pretty good chance of seeing snow in March at the snow monkey park as it is in Nagano. As it is the beginning of Spring, the snow will slowly start to melt late March - early April.
1 more answer
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Tour ID: 158032
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