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Japan Essentials 9 Day - One Life Adventures

Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
9 days
From Tokyo to Osaka
4.8
334 traveler reviews
From
$3,055
-10%
NZ $2,750 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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2025

Jan
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2026

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Jul
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Sep
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Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
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Apr
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 3 - 22
Ages 18-39
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Take a walk down the famous Bamboo Forest
  • Delve into the buzzing city of Tokyo
  • Visit the never-ending gates of the Fushimi-Inari Shrine
  • Have a taste of the best food spots in Osaka
  • Take in the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji
  • Are you looking to explore more of East Asia? Continue your epic journey with us on our South Korea 10 & 13 day tours where we’ll take you in for an unforgettable experience of a balanced blend between traditional and modern South Korean culture.

Itinerary

View Full Itinerary
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Welcome to Japan! Tokyo Time
  2. Day 2 Explore Tokyo, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park & Akihabara
  3. Day 3 Explore Tokyo & Shibuya evening
  4. Day 4 Hakone, Mt Fuji Viewing & Romance Car
  5. Day 5 To Kyoto! Gion District Walking Tour & Yakitori
  6. Day 6 Kyoto, Kiyomizu-Dera & Fushimi-Inari
  7. Day 7 Bamboo Forest, Monkey Mountain
  8. Day 8 Golden Pavilion, Zen Garden, Osaka Food Walk
  9. Day 9 Depart
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar 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
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Customer Photos

Number of tours

28

Age Range

18 to 59 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

80%

OUR STORY: At One Life, we’ve always seen tourism as an opportunity to make a...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Animal Welfare

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Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.4
  • 4.9
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • J
    · November 13th, 2025
    Very good experience, and Anna really excelled in creating a good balance between culture/sightseeing, and social activities to create a strong bond between guest!
    Show more
    Trip date: November 2025
  • BR
    · November 9th, 2025
    I have loved every moment in Japan and with the one life tour. Anna has been an icon this whole tour. Learning us about the culture and the history of this beautiful country
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review Bente! It sounds like you had a fantastic time exploring Japan with Anna.
    Trip date: November 2025
  • Japan Essentials 9 Day - One Life Adventures reviewer 3
    · November 9th, 2025
    I very much enjoyed the structured plans to start the new locations and then free time to spend as we please. The recommendations on what to do in the area were appreciated as well.
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review Toni! It's great that you were able to enjoy the balance between the structured activities as well as making the most of your free time with your guides recommendations.
    Japan Essentials 9 Day - One Life Adventures customer review photo 1
    Trip date: November 2025
  • PO
    · November 9th, 2025
    Very good trip, and Anna knew all the nice spots
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review Peter!
    Trip date: November 2025
  • Japan Essentials 9 Day - One Life Adventures reviewer 5
    · November 9th, 2025
    Very fun experience, the combination of free time and guided context was ideal.
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review Cajin!
    Trip date: November 2025
  • BM
    · September 29th, 2025
    It was amazing how we did so much in just 9 days! The trip was packed with so many things to do, but still gave us enough free time to wander around or just chill. Our guide, Jordan, was amazing, super knowledgeable, able to give so many suggestions for what to do in your free time, easy to talk to, and had a really relaxed vibe. Big thanks for an unforgettable trip!
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your lovely review Breda! We’re so glad you enjoyed the perfect balance of activities and free time on your adventure. It’s wonderful to hear that Jordan’s knowledge and relaxed energy made the trip even more memorable. We’ll be sure to... Show more
    Trip date: September 2025
  • JW
    · September 29th, 2025
    Had a great trip on the Japan Essentials tour! Covered a lot over the days here and still had free time to explore outside of the schedule. We had great recommendations from Jordan, who was an awesome tour guide - he was always happy to help with his extensive knowledge of Japan.
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review James! We’re so glad you enjoyed the balance of sightseeing and free time on the Japan Essentials tour. We hope to see you on another adventure soon.
    Trip date: September 2025
  • RJ
    · September 28th, 2025
    I really enjoyed the variety, there was a good balance of culture, activities, food and free time so there was something to suit every taste and mood. Jordan was an excellent guide, his knowledge extended far beyond the stops on the tour; he was able to share insights into Japanese life and pop culture and show us hidden gems around all of the cities we visited. He also gave us many personal recommendations for food, entertainment and good spots for photos. Jordan was friendly and outgoing and brought the group together.
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your thoughtful review Rebecca! We’re so glad you enjoyed the balance of culture, activities, food, and free time throughout your Japan tour. It’s wonderful to hear that Jordan’s knowledge, recommendations, and friendly approach added so... Show more
    Trip date: September 2025
  • H
    · September 28th, 2025
    Booking the tour was the best decision. Jordan was a lovely, helpful and well knowledge guide. I were traveling on my own but having other people around was the most important thing for me. Would book a tour with One Life again.
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review Hendrick! It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your time in Japan and made some great friends along the way. We can't wait to welcome you on another tour soon.
    Trip date: September 2025
  • RM
    · September 21st, 2025
    The tour itself was great, the accommodation in Tokyo was a bit far from the train station and the shared bathroom was always far too hot so it was a bit uncomfortable. It would have been good to spend an extra night in Hakone or Osaka to explore a little more, however, it was definitely a good way to explore more and learn as you went. Jordan was a great tour guide and a great laugh. I would definitely recommend the tour and Jordan :)
    Show more
    One Life Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for sharing your review Robyn! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and that Jordan’s guidance and energy made it such a memorable trip. We appreciate your feedback on the accommodations and timing in certain locations, insights like these help... Show more
    Trip date: September 2025

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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    • Free eSim with every purchase

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • M

    Matt

    Asked on September 21st, 2025

    Are the flights included in the price? Do I need to book flights myself or will they be booked for me? How do I get from the airport to the hotel? When does the group meet on arrival day?

    Flights / Transfers
    Tour Details
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2025

      Yes you will need to book your own flights to Tokyo. There are two airport transfer options - from Haneda Airport take Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusa Station. From Narita Airport, take Keisei Access Express or Keisei Main Line to Asakusa Station. On the first day the group will meet at 6pm for a welcome dinner and introductions.

  • O

    Olivia

    Asked on September 16th, 2025

    I am very interested in this tour, just wondering if there is an option for a private room or a maximum of two people in the hostels offered?

    Accommodation
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2025

      If you're looking for more private room, the Classic version is definitely the better option for you. Here's a breakdown of the accommodation: Nights 1-4 Twin/Double Rooms: If you and your travel companion book together, you'll automatically be placed in the same room for all twin/double nights.

    • O

      Olivia

      TravelerWritten September 2025

      I'm a solo traveler and I don't feel comfortable sharing with strangers. I had a bad experience before. It's a shame that you offer fewer options that suit everyone.

    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2025

      For our Japan Essentials tour, the accommodation is in multi-share dorm rooms, and unfortunately we don't have private or twin room options available on this particular trip. If privacy is a priority, our Japan Classic tour might suit you better. It offers upgraded accommodation, with private or twin rooms on several nights.

    • O

      Olivia

      TravelerWritten September 2025

      Many tour operators offer the option of twin or single rooms with a reasonable price increase. The tour is well designed, and it's a shame.

    • O
      3 more answers
  • R

    Ray

    Asked on July 17th, 2025

    I was wondering what times (local) that we would need to arrive at the hotel for the start of the tour, and what time (local) the tour would end on the 9th day, so that I can look at flights to schedule.

    Tour Details
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten July 2025

      The tour itself will begin at 5:30pm where you will meet up with the rest of your group ready for your traditional welcome dinner! The meet up point will be at the first accommodation, we shall provide detailed instructions in our welcome pack on how to get from the airport to this hostel. The tour itself will come to an end after breakfast on Day 9 in Osaka, we do offer a return train back from Osaka to Tokyo that can be added to your order for $275AUD.

  • B

    Brooke

    Asked on May 4th, 2025

    Tokyo has multiple airports. what airport should I drop down to in Tokyo? And how to move to the meet-up point?

    Flights / Transfers
    Tour Details
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten May 2025

      You can fly into both Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda International Airport (HND) which are both based in Tokyo. 30 days prior to your tour commencing you will receive a welcome pack with detailed instructions on how to get from both airports to our first accommodation/meeting point using Japans public transport system. The journey from both airports will take around 1 hour, and tickets can be purchased from English speaking kiosks.

  • R

    Roger

    Asked on April 10th, 2025

    Does this mean a room full of bunk beds? I have a CPAP machine - would I be able to get a bed near an outlet? Would my American CPAP machine plug into a Japanese outlet without issue?

    Accommodation
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      We will be using multi share dormitory rooms throughout the whole of the tour, and you will only be sharing with fellow members of your One Life Adventure. So after reaching out to our ground team over in Japan, I have been informed that we cannot guarantee that there will be outlets for power by each of your bed. We do have an award winning Japan Classic tour, this tour uses upgraded accommodation and can accommodate for your CPAP machine. Please do note that you will need a letter from your doctor to get the CPAP machine through customs.

  • D

    Deborah

    Asked on April 10th, 2025

    I'm currently 15 years old (turning 16 at the time of the tour), and I'll be traveling with my 19-year-old sister. I'm interested in the 9-day tour, which is listed as being suitable for ages 18–29, and I had a couple of questions. Firstly, could you please clarify why the age range is set that way? Is it primarily due to social activities such as drinking, or are there other reasons behind it? Secondly, is this an age restriction, or more of a general guideline?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      We do have age limits to ensure the best experience for all our participants. Guests must be 18 years or older to join. While we believe that all adventurers are young at heart, our tours are tailored for those aged 18-39, which is why we have an upper age limit of 45 years.

  • A

    Alyssa

    Asked on April 7th, 2025

    Will they match price for 1085$ for the tour in June 15th?

    Price / Availability
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      We would be more than happy for you to join our tour commencing on the 1st June for the price of $1075USD, would you like to secure a spot?

    • A

      Alyssa

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      Unfortunately I won't be able to make it so early in Japan! That's why I was looking for more the middle of the month.

    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      So our tours commencing throughout June have actually been incredibly popular at full price, and we are seeing them fill as we speak! These tours may in fact sell out between now and closeout date, would you like to get a spot on our 15th June departure date secured?

    • A

      Alyssa

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      Ok, so basically that's the reason why you won't be able to match the price with the previous one?

    • A
      3 more answers
  • K

    Kristin

    Asked on April 6th, 2025

    Looking for a self guided tour. Need hotels and transportation service for trip to Japan. Interested in Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto. Prefer 3 to 4 star hotels, budget friendly. Want hotel names and total cost.

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    Transport
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      We currently only offer group tours with fixed itineraries. Each tour has experienced guides. We have Japan Essentials 9 day tour available on 13th July, 2025 and 27th July, 2025.

  • D

    Debbie

    Asked on March 29th, 2025

    i wish to attend the Japan Expo 2025 in Osaka for 7 days. What does your tour package include. How can you assist me to enjoy this Japan experience

    Other
    Tour Details
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten March 2025

      Great choice with our Japan Essentials adventure, we have tailored this tour in a way that gives you the perfect balance of free time along with included activities for you to enjoy. This tour will in fact come to an end in Osaka where you could continue onto the Japan Expo! You will get to explore a handful of locations prior to reaching Osaka such as Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto, taking part in 13 activities. All accommodations and transport used on tour will be included in the given price.

  • G

    Greg

    Asked on March 28th, 2025

    Is it possible to boo this tour with 2 children 14 and 17?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • One Life AdventuresOperatorWritten March 2025

      We do have age limits to ensure the best experience for all our participants. Guests must be 18 years or older to join. While we believe that all adventurers are young at heart, our tours are tailored for those aged 18-39, which is why we have an upper age limit of 45 years.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at One Life Adventures with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.
From
$3,055
-10%
NZ $2,750 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

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 255975

  • 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 January 17th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after January 17th, 2026, a minimum payment of $350 is required to confirm your booking with One Life Adventures. 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 65 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 One Life Adventures will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "One Life Adventures" 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

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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