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The Award-Winning Tour Specialist

Journey through Japan

15 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

Celebrating 25 Years of tour excellence

Journey through Japan

Along with the must-see sites on the island of Honshu and a day trip to Nikko, this is a tour of varying landscapes as it journeys south from Hokkaido uncovering the charming cities of Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 12 , Lunches: 11 , Dinners: 12
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    12 nights in 3+ star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1
    A reasonable level of fitness is required but it's more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You'll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet.
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Classic Group Tour
15 DAYS
From $12,380PP
Sapporo (2N) Shiraoi Noboribetsu Hakodate (1N) Aomori Hirosaki (1N) Kakunodate Tsunagi (1N) Hiraizumi Sendai (1N) Nikko Tokyo (3N) Mt Fuji Kyoto (2N) Osaka (1N)
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Tour Highlights

Our Journey through Japan tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Sapporo (2N) - Shiraoi - Noboribetsu - Hakodate (1N) - Aomori - Hirosaki (1N) - Kakunodate - Tsunagi (1N) - Hiraizumi - Sendai (1N) - Nikko - Tokyo (3N) - Mt Fuji - Kyoto (2N) - Osaka (1N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly Overnight To Sapporo
    Dinner
    DAYS 1-2: Fly Overnight To Sapporo

    Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Sapporo, capital of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Ascend Okurayama
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 3: Ascend Okurayama

    This morning, ascend to the Okurayama viewing point, soaring up to the summit of the Sapporo Winter Olympics ski jump by chair lift. Continue to the pretty port town of Otaru and take some time to walk along the streets of the village and stroll along the picturesque canal. This evening sample some of the beer on offer before heading to a local restaurant to dine on a Genghis Khan dinner – barbeque lamb, a Sapporo special!

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Travel To Hakodate
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 4: Travel To Hakodate

    Depart Sapporo and travel to a lovely lakeside spot to visit a museum of Ainu culture, an indigenous people of the area. Continue to Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and walk through a volcanic caldera where you can see steam jets, vents and hot springs. After lunch, hop on a train to the harbour city of Hakodate, set on Hokkaido’s southern tip, where you’ll embark on a night tour with time to ascend the ropeway up Mount Hakodate, for magnificent views over the illuminated city.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Explore Hakodate Asaichi
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 5: Explore Hakodate Asaichi

    Start the day wandering Hakodate's bustling asaichi (morning market), where hundreds of stores and stalls sell fresh local produce, seafood and the odd souvenir. Ascend Goryokaku Tower for views over Goryokaku Fort and Mount Hakodate before boarding the bullet train to the lovely city of Aomori in the north of Honshu, Japan's largest island. Visit the Nebuta Warasse, a museum dedicated to Aomori's famous, 300-year-old Nebuta Matsuri, a lively summer festival.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Tsunagi Onsen
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 6: Tsunagi Onsen

    Depart Hirosaki for Kakunodate, an old samurai stronghold still known for its samurai traditions. Visit the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum for a fascinating look at samurai culture and stroll around Ishiguro House, a traditional samurai residence. Continue to the hot spring resort of Tsunagi, where you can make use of the onsen facilities at the traditional Japanese ryokan where you'll stay overnight.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Cruise Matsushima Bay
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 7: Cruise Matsushima Bay

    Travel to Hiraizumi, where you’ll explore the peaceful Chusonji with its beautiful old gold leaf-covered hall. Continue to Matsushima to enjoy a relaxed cruise on Matsushima Bay, passing amongst the small pine tree-covered islands of this picturesque seascape.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Sendai To Nikko
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 8: Sendai To Nikko

    Walk to Sendai station and take the bullet train to the culture-filled town of Nikko. Start your explorations in the beautiful surroundings of Nikko National Park, where you’ll visit Toshogu shrine. Built in the 1600s, this is Japan’s most lavish shrine, built as the final resting place of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Continue to the magnificent Kegon Waterfall, taking a 100-metre tall elevator up to the perfect viewing spot. Transfer to Tokyo.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Explore Tokyo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 9: Explore Tokyo

    Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is the ultimate 24- hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech frontage and you’ll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. Start the day in the vibrant district of Asakusa, where you will visit Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and wander down Nakamise shopping street before a visit to Tokyo National Museum. After lunch, stroll through the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine complex, before ascending to the observatory deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building for exceptional views over the city.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Admire Mount Fuji
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 10: Admire Mount Fuji

    Travel by road from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, where you’ll ascend 2,400 metres up Japan’s most iconic sight to the 5th Station (weather permitting). Transfer to the Hakone area. Embark on a cruise on the spectacular Lake Ashi before flying high above the lake on the Komagatake Ropeway to the summit of Mount Komagatake where the views of Mount Fuji will be breathtaking, if the peak isn’t hiding in cloud of course! Return to Tokyo.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Travel To Kyoto
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 11: Travel To Kyoto

    Take a bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, the city today is full of the legacy of ancient Japan and home to tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. This afternoon, visit Togetsukyo Bridge in the heart of the vibrant Arashiyama district and walk through the bamboo forest, with its towering bamboo thickets.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Explore Kyoto
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 12: Explore Kyoto

    This morning, visit one of Japan’s most famous temples, Kinkakuji, the ‘Golden Pavilion’. Set amongst classical Japanese Zen gardens and on the edge of a reflecting pool, the temple’s main hall is covered in gold leaf. Then, stroll through Nishiki Market, dubbed ‘Kyoto’s kitchen’, where there are many interesting food and sake stores to explore before a free afternoon to spend as you wish.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Sake Tasting & Handerkerchief Dyeing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 13: Sake Tasting & Handerkerchief Dyeing

    Begin the day immersed in the local culture by trying your hand at handkerchief dyeing followed by the rituals of an authentic tea ceremony. After lunch, walk the vermilion, torii gate-lined pathways of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and tour a traditional sake brewery, where you can have a few cheeky tasters. Continue to the booming city of Osaka.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 14-15
    Fly Osaka To Australia
    Breakfast
    DAYS 14-15: Fly Osaka To Australia

    This morning is free at leisure before you transfer to Osaka airport for your return flight home.

    Breakfast
Journey through Japan map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) when the cherry blossoms are bursting into life and autumn (September to November) when the scenery is ablaze with colour.

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • -6
    1
    -3
  • 77
  • Hiraizumi
  • -4
    3
    0
  • 58
  • Hirosaki
  • -5
    2
    -2
  • 121
  • Kyoto
  • 1
    9
    5
  • 50
  • Nikko
  • -8
    1
    -4
  • 42
  • Osaka
  • 3
    10
    6
  • 45
  • Sapporo
  • -7
    -1
    -4
  • 114
  • Sendai
  • -2
    5
    2
  • 33
  • Tokyo
  • 1
    10
    5
  • 65
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • -6
    2
    -2
  • 59
  • Hiraizumi
  • -4
    3
    0
  • 59
  • Hirosaki
  • -5
    2
    -1
  • 94
  • Kyoto
  • 1
    10
    6
  • 68
  • Nikko
  • -8
    1
    -4
  • 60
  • Osaka
  • 3
    10
    7
  • 62
  • Sapporo
  • -7
    0
    -3
  • 94
  • Sendai
  • -2
    6
    2
  • 48
  • Tokyo
  • 2
    10
    6
  • 58
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • -3
    5
    1
  • 59
  • Hiraizumi
  • -2
    7
    2
  • 77
  • Hirosaki
  • -2
    6
    2
  • 77
  • Kyoto
  • 4
    13
    9
  • 113
  • Nikko
  • -5
    5
    0
  • 83
  • Osaka
  • 6
    14
    10
  • 104
  • Sapporo
  • -3
    4
    1
  • 78
  • Sendai
  • 0
    9
    5
  • 73
  • Tokyo
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 77
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 3
    12
    7
  • 70
  • Hiraizumi
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 108
  • Hirosaki
  • 3
    14
    9
  • 59
  • Kyoto
  • 9
    20
    14
  • 116
  • Nikko
  • 1
    12
    6
  • 129
  • Osaka
  • 11
    20
    15
  • 104
  • Sapporo
  • 3
    12
    7
  • 57
  • Sendai
  • 6
    15
    10
  • 98
  • Tokyo
  • 9
    19
    14
  • 118
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 84
  • Hiraizumi
  • 9
    19
    14
  • 109
  • Hirosaki
  • 8
    20
    14
  • 72
  • Kyoto
  • 14
    25
    19
  • 161
  • Nikko
  • 6
    17
    12
  • 147
  • Osaka
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 146
  • Sapporo
  • 8
    17
    13
  • 53
  • Sendai
  • 11
    20
    15
  • 108
  • Tokyo
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 145
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 73
  • Hiraizumi
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 124
  • Hirosaki
  • 13
    24
    18
  • 70
  • Kyoto
  • 19
    28
    23
  • 214
  • Nikko
  • 11
    19
    15
  • 221
  • Osaka
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 184
  • Sapporo
  • 13
    22
    17
  • 47
  • Sendai
  • 15
    22
    19
  • 138
  • Tokyo
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 135
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 17
    23
    20
  • 130
  • Hiraizumi
  • 19
    26
    22
  • 159
  • Hirosaki
  • 18
    27
    22
  • 113
  • Kyoto
  • 23
    32
    27
  • 220
  • Nikko
  • 15
    23
    19
  • 223
  • Osaka
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 157
  • Sapporo
  • 17
    25
    21
  • 81
  • Sendai
  • 19
    26
    22
  • 160
  • Tokyo
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 81
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 19
    26
    22
  • 154
  • Hiraizumi
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 169
  • Hirosaki
  • 19
    29
    24
  • 132
  • Kyoto
  • 24
    33
    29
  • 132
  • Nikko
  • 16
    25
    20
  • 318
  • Osaka
  • 25
    33
    29
  • 91
  • Sapporo
  • 19
    26
    23
  • 124
  • Sendai
  • 21
    28
    25
  • 174
  • Tokyo
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 113
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 152
  • Hiraizumi
  • 15
    23
    19
  • 168
  • Hirosaki
  • 14
    24
    19
  • 127
  • Kyoto
  • 20
    29
    25
  • 176
  • Nikko
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 285
  • Osaka
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 161
  • Sapporo
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 135
  • Sendai
  • 17
    24
    21
  • 218
  • Tokyo
  • 20
    27
    23
  • 131
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 7
    17
    12
  • 100
  • Hiraizumi
  • 8
    18
    13
  • 114
  • Hirosaki
  • 8
    18
    13
  • 90
  • Kyoto
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 121
  • Nikko
  • 5
    15
    10
  • 159
  • Osaka
  • 16
    23
    19
  • 112
  • Sapporo
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 109
  • Sendai
  • 11
    19
    15
  • 99
  • Tokyo
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 132
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • 1
    10
    6
  • 108
  • Hiraizumi
  • 3
    12
    8
  • 95
  • Hirosaki
  • 2
    11
    6
  • 110
  • Kyoto
  • 8
    17
    12
  • 71
  • Nikko
  • 0
    10
    5
  • 86
  • Osaka
  • 10
    18
    14
  • 69
  • Sapporo
  • 1
    8
    5
  • 104
  • Sendai
  • 5
    13
    9
  • 67
  • Tokyo
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 128
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Hakodate
  • -4
    3
    0
  • 85
  • Hiraizumi
  • -1
    6
    2
  • 64
  • Hirosaki
  • -2
    4
    1
  • 117
  • Kyoto
  • 3
    12
    7
  • 48
  • Nikko
  • -5
    4
    0
  • 41
  • Osaka
  • 5
    12
    9
  • 44
  • Sapporo
  • -4
    2
    -1
  • 112
  • Sendai
  • 1
    8
    4
  • 26
  • Tokyo
  • 4
    12
    8
  • 109

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

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  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
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    Depart AUStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 August 2023. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
    • Tipping is generally not part of the culture in Japan; however, you may wish to tip your National Escort at your discretion.
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request
    • Please note: cherry blossoms & autumn leaves are weather dependent and it is not guaranteed that they will be in bloom at the time of your arrival.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
    • All Meals (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • 3 – 4 star accommodation plus ryokan
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    Extensions and Stopovers

    Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.

    What our Customers Say

    Rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 5409 reviews

    Booking Experience for Journey through Japan
    Very simple website to use with a lot of detail. The downloaded information for each tour is very detailed and useful. Looking forward to our trip to Japan.
    Sep 28, 2024
    Booking Experience for Journey through Japan
    WE've only got as far as completing the booking but, throughout, Beau has been excellent. Not only preofessional, but also a pleasure to communicate with. Thank you.
    Sep 12, 2024
    Booking Experience for Journey through Japan
    the conversation we had with Alexa was very straight forward and easy. She was knowledgeable on the location and helpful. We hope the tour is a s good as the booking process.
    Nov 12, 2023
    Review for Journey through Japan
    We had been planning to travel on this tour since 2020 & eventually made it this year.
    The wait was certainly worth it & all the places visited and sightseeing opportunities we experienced exceeded our expectations.
    Michiko, our guide was brilliant, very knowledgeable and had a wonderful sense of humour.
    The whole tour was well paced throughout but we would have liked an extra night in Kyoto making the tour 15 days as opposed to 14.
    Oct 12, 2023
    Booking Experience for Journey through Japan
    Excellent service. Very helpful and answered all our queries
    Sep 02, 2023
    Booking Experience for Journey through Japan
    Just back from Discover Japan . Outstanding. Had an absolutely amazing time. Had to book again. Quick and efficient booking . Journey through Japan here we come.
    Jun 29, 2023
    Booking Experience for Journey through Japan
    Excellent customer service experience.
    I booked via phone as opposed to online as I had a few queries & requests that I felt would be better dealt with by a human rather than a computer.
    Apr 04, 2023
    Review for Journey through Japan
    As always everyone you speak to is so helpful the girls do know their stuff, some really interesting holidays to japan, just need more money so I can do them all
    Jan 14, 2020
    Review for Journey through Japan
    They were very helpful in sorting out and costing the various travel costs. Being able to talk to the same agent on both the occasions I contacted Wendy Wo was also helpful.
    Jan 10, 2020

    Our Award-Winning Guides

    Meet Yoko
    Meet Yoko

    I always treat my tour groups like a family, making sure that everyone is happy throughout the tour. I am very passionate about Japanese history. If anyone is interested in learning about Samurai or the Meiji Restoration, you'll have to come to Japan and ask me!

    A special thank you to Yoko our National Escort, whose friendly, professional and organised approach to the holiday made sure everything ran smoothly and made the trip to Japan so memorable.
    Mr Degville
    Meet Takako
    Meet Takako

    It is great being able to explore my own country with different people who can offer a different perspective. I ensure my groups experience our culture as much as possible, because travel isn't just about the things that you see, it's also about the things you do.

    Our National Escort Takako Kaneko made the holiday. She was excellent, informative, hardworking and had obviously researched information for us.
    Mr Mcintosh
    Meet Michiyo O
    Meet Michiyo O

    I love sharing the culture of my country with visitors, that's why I become a tour guide! From noodles and sake to classical gardens and temples, learning about our culture is surely the best way to understand more about Japan as a whole.

    Our National Escort Michiyo 'made' this holiday with her charm, knowledge, lots of interesting details and her send of humour.
    Mrs Brownridge
    Meet Michiyo H
    Meet Michiyo H

    It's such a pleasure to introduce Japan to people from all over the world and explore its culture, history and traditions, as well as its unique cuisine. Along with this, I enjoy taking care of each and every member of the tour group, which is why I love being a tour guide.

    Michiyo was fantastic and went out of her way to make it a memorable experience. We would absolutely use Wendy Wu Tours again.

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