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Journey through Japan
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13 days
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Asia & The Far East
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On the go pace
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Cosmos escorted tours
Great value escorted tours in the world's most captivating places. No other travel company matches our expertise, on-trip experiences - with a great mix of included excursions and free time - and value.
This Japan tour showcases the very best that the country has to offer. You’ll start in Tokyo and end in Kyoto with many stops in between to see stunning scenery and visit many of Japan’s celebrated sites.
During your tour of Tokyo, visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Meiji Shrine, built in the 1920s to enshrine the emperor. Journey to nearby Nikko to see the Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls. See Shirakawa’s unique Gassho-Zukuri thatched houses, which can only be found here, then continue to historic Kyoto where you will visit several popular sites including the shimmering Temple of the Gold Pavilion.
In Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Park and see the only remaining structure—the Atomic Bomb Dome—that predates the 1945 atomic blast. An excursion from Hiroshima takes you to the Itsukushima Shrine, built over water and known for its iconic floating Torii gate.
All of this—and more—await you on this value-minded tour through Japan!
At a glance
Tokyo Visit Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise Shopping Arcade
Nikko Visit Toshogu Shine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Waterfall
Matsumoto Visit Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto City Museum
Shirakawa Visit Gassho-Zukuri houses
Kyoto Visit Nijo Castle, Temple of the Gold Pavilion, and Heian Shrine and Garden; Japanese tea ceremony
Matsue Visit Adachi Museum of Art, Matsue Castle, and Buke Yashiki
Hiroshima Visit Itsukushima Shrine, Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial, and Shukkei-en Garden
What's included
Price match guarantee
Find a like-for-like tour that's cheaper elsewhere and we'll match its price and give you £100 off. That's how confident we are that we offer the best possible value for money on our touring holidays.With accommodation, transfers, excursions, selected meals, private VIP home pick-up and the services of an expert Tour Director all included in the price, our escorted tour holidays are highly rated by our customers. But should you find a like-for-like tour cheaper elsewhere, we will match its price and give you a further £100 reduction.
Private home pick-up service
You'll be picked up at home and whisked off to your departure point in a private, air-conditioned car, and we'll be waiting to take you home too.
Our private home pick-up service is included up to 50 miles to your departure airport. Your driver will happily load and unload your luggage, and drive you to your departure terminal. At the close of your trip, you'll be welcomed by your driver in the arrivals hall and returned home again. A supplement is payable per mile over 50 miles.
Read more about our private home pick-up service.
Make your own way
If you prefer the flexibility of making your own travel arrangements and join us directly overseas, you can book this tour excluding flights, transfers and private home pick-up. Just call our travel specialists on 0330 0588 237 to confirm the price for your preferred date.
For more information please see our booking conditions for tour-only holidays.
Journey through Japan
Customer Reviews
a good holiday too much time on one or two...
2nd May 2018
Mrs Gillian Roberts
a good holiday too much time on one or two days in the coach. Your tour guide was excellent as I said on the written feedback if you'd care to read that! Some thought might be given to a couple of evenings where dinner is taken as a group. The additional trip we bought to go to a Geisha show was extortionate and very poor value but, we did enjoy the experience. Far too many folk taking a cut so the price was at least 3 times too much. Not even a free glass of alcoholic drink
Covered all that we wanted to see. Would have liked...
28th April 2018
Mrs Maureen Dent
Covered all that we wanted to see. Would have liked an extra day in Tokyo and Kyoto and more time on some of the trips to the castles etc. Several in our group thought that the trip to Nara should be part of the itinnery.
Good value, Tour Director with good knowledge. Almost all...
4th October 2017
Trusted Customer
Good value, Tour Director with good knowledge. Almost all hotels were of a good standard.
...
27th May 2017
Trusted Customer
...
20th April 2017
Mrs Yvonne Whatmough
...
11th April 2017
Trusted Customer
Overview
This Japan tour showcases the very best that the country has to offer. You’ll start in Tokyo and end in Kyoto with many stops in between to see stunning scenery and visit many of Japan’s celebrated sites.
During your tour of Tokyo, visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Meiji Shrine, built in the 1920s to enshrine the emperor. Journey to nearby Nikko to see the Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls. See Shirakawa’s unique Gassho-Zukuri thatched houses, which can only be found here, then continue to historic Kyoto where you will visit several popular sites including the shimmering Temple of the Gold Pavilion.
In Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Park and see the only remaining structure—the Atomic Bomb Dome—that predates the 1945 atomic blast. An excursion from Hiroshima takes you to the Itsukushima Shrine, built over water and known for its iconic floating Torii gate.
All of this—and more—await you on this value-minded tour through Japan!
Total meals included:
- 11 breakfasts
Depart UK
Day1
Tokyo, Japan
Day2
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for three nights (check in from 2pm).
Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Tokyo
Day3
Today’s sightseeing tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Afterward, pass by the Imperial Palace Plaza, the State Guest House, the Akihabara district, and the famous Ginza shopping street. Your tour concludes with a visit to the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE and the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in this cosmopolitan city.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Tokyo
Day4
Enjoy a full day at your leisure in Tokyo. You may choose an optional excursion to the Mount Fuji area for a leisurely cruise on Lake Ashi and an aerial cable-car ride (weather permitting) over the beautiful Owakudani Valley.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Tokyo – Nikko – Utsunomiya
Day5
Journey north to Nikko for a visit to TOSHOGU SHRINE and its famous YOMEIMON GATE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, continue on to the scenic Iroha-zaka Driveway, which reaches elevations of 3,940 feet, to visit LAKE CHUZENJI and the KEGON WATERFALL. Continue to Utsunomiya, home of Japan’s famous gyoza dumplings.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Utsunomiya – Matsumoto
Day6
This morning, travel to Matsumoto where you will see MATSUMOTO CASTLE and the MATSUMOTO CITY MUSEUM.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Matsumoto – Takayama
Day7
Continue through Japan’s beautiful mountain scenery to one of the country’s most remote regions, SHIRAKAWA. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the unique Gassho-Zukuri (joined hands) thatched houses can only be found here. This afternoon, journey through the Japanese Alps to the secluded town of Takayama, where old traditions are untouched by the passage of time.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Takayama – Kyoto
Day8
Journey to Kyoto, one of the most fascinating cities in Japan. The remainder of your day is free to explore. This evening, you may choose to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional expense).
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Kyoto
Day9
Enjoy a tour of Kyoto, visiting many of the city’s temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas. A highlight of the day is a visit to the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. You will also visit the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION and the HEIAN SHRINE AND GARDEN. During the day, there will also be a chance to participate in a traditional JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Kyoto – Matsue
Day10
Journey to the city of Yonago on the coast of the Sea of Japan. After a brief visit, continue to ADACHI MUSEUM OF ART to view Japanese-style gardens and view paintings by one of the greatest Japanese painters, Yokoyama Taikan. Later, visit Matsue to see MATSUE CASTLE and BUKE YASHIKI, a former samurai residence.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Matsue – Hiroshima
Day11
En route to Hiroshima, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE and its famous FLOATING TORII GATE. From here, continue to Hiroshima. This city bear’s significant historic importance, for it was here that the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. Your tour features the PEACE MEMORIAL PARK to see the PEACE MEMORIAL. Commonly referred to as the Atomic Bomb Dome, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. Also, visit the SHUKKEI-EN GARDEN, which dates back to 1620.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Hiroshima – Osaka
Day12
Your fascinating journey to Osaka, aboard one of Japan’s famous BULLET TRAINS, is sure to be a highlight of your tour. The rest of the day is yours to explore Japan’s second largest city.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Osaka - UK
Day13
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Tokyo - Shiba Park Hotel
Feel relaxed as if at home at the Shiba Park Hotel. Located near the Tokyo Tower, this hotel offers modern comfort with access to the city's main sites.
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Location
1-5-10 Shiba Koen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Bar/lounge
- Lifts
- Hairdryer
Utsunomiya - Daiwa Roynet Utsunomiya
Located a quick 3-minute walk from JR Utsunomiya Station, Daiwa Roynet Utsunomiya features a 24-hour front desk, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.
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Location
1 Chome-4-14 Higashishukugo, Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- Coffee maker in-room
Matsumoto - Alpico Plaza Hotel
A restaurant, self parking and meeting rooms are available at this hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, dry cleaning, laundry facilities and a 24-hour front desk are on-site. All 160 rooms provide conveniences such as fridges and electric kettles, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Hairdryers, phones and desks are among the other amenities that guests will find.
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Location
1 Chome-3-21 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- Coffee maker in-room
- Hairdryer
Takayama - Associa Takayama
Located in the Japanese Alps, Hotel Associa Takayama Resort offers hot spring baths and rooms with mountain views and free Wi-Fi. The hotel features a sauna, massages and tennis courts.
Guests at Takayama Associa Resort can unwind in indoor and outdoor hot spring baths with spectacular nature views, enjoy a treatment at Spa Phyton.
The cosy rooms overlook the Japanese Alps. They are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar and free tea/coffee.
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Location
1134 Echigomachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture 506-0033, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- Coffee maker in-room
Kyoto - Daiwa Roynet Shijo Kara Shijo Karasuma
Only a 1-minute walk from Shijo Subway Station in the heart of Kyoto downtown area, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma offers modern accommodations with free Wi-Fi and wired internet access. Guests can request for relaxing massages and enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring Japanese dishes. Hankyu Karasuma Train Station is a 5-minute walk away.
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Location
678 Omandokorocho, Kyoto, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- Coffee maker in-room
- Hairdryer
Matsue - Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu
Located just a 3-minute walk from JR Matsue Station, Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu provides simple guest rooms fitted with modern amenities. Free in-room wired internet is provided.
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Location
690-0003 Shimane, Matsue, Asahi 590, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- In-room safe
- Coffee maker in-room
- Hairdryer
Hiroshima - Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel
The hotel offers 2 restaurants along with a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge. Complimentary wireless and wired high speed Internet access is available in public areas and an Internet point is located on site. Additional amenities include multilingual staff, laundry facilities, and room service (during limited hours).
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Location
10-1 Mikawa-Cho, Naka-Ku Hiroshima, Japan
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Facilities
- Wifi
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- Coffee maker in-room
Osaka - Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI Hotel
This tall, modern hotel is located in Toyotsu Cho directly in front of the Esaka Staton. The proximity to the station makes for great shopping and dining, and sightseeing easy.
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Location
9-6, Toyotsu-Cho, Suita-Shi Osaka, Japan
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Facilities
- Restaurant on site
- Lifts
- Coffee maker in-room
- Hairdryer
- Iron/ironing board