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The Award-Winning Tour Specialist

Off-Beat Japan

14 days Go Beyond Group Tour

Celebrating 25 Years of tour excellence

Off-Beat Japan

Prepare to immerse yourself in the wacky and wonderful in this fascinating land. Get off the beaten track on our most culturally immersive Japan holiday and trek at the foot of Fuji, meet the Snow Monkeys of Yudanaka, take a rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest. You'll see all the classic highlights too in Tokyo and Kyoto. This tour includes a one night stay in a traditional ryokan as well as a one night stay in a Buddhist lodge with simple shared facilities.

  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 11 , Dinners: 4
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    11 nights in 3+ star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 18
  • Physical Rating 3
    A good level of fitness is required as you need to be comfortable walking for 2-3 hours and covering longer distances. Other activities such as cycling will be at a gentle pace and will involve straightforward terrain.
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    Longer walking and gentle paced physical activities.
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Go Beyond Group Tour
14 DAYS
From $11,090PP
Tokyo (3N) Mt Fuji (1N) Yudanaka Nagano (1N) Takayama (1N) Nagoya Kyoto (2N) Koyasan (1N) Himeji Osaka (2N)
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Tour Highlights

Our Off-Beat 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

Tokyo (3N) - Mt Fuji (1N) - Yudanaka - Nagano (1N) - Takayama (1N) - Nagoya - Kyoto (2N) - Koyasan (1N) - Himeji - Osaka (2N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly overnight to Tokyo
    DAYS 1-2: Fly overnight to Tokyo

    Fly overnight to the dazzling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, for a three-night stay. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

  • Day 3
    Japanese Drumming
    Breakfast
    DAY 3: Japanese Drumming

    Begin your tour of Tokyo and immerse yourself into the local culture by spending the morning trying your hand at traditional Japanese drumming with a Taiko class, where you will learn how to beat the 'wadaiko' with 'bachi'. Later, stop by Meiji Jingu Shrine and continue to the vibrant district of Harajuku before stopping by the famous Shibuya Crossing. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

    Breakfast
  • Day 4
    Discover Tokyo
    Breakfast
    DAY 4: Discover Tokyo

    Tokyo is a city that is always moving forward from the ever-changing skyline to the fashions and trends of the people who call it home. As modern as it may appear, behind the neon façade is a traditional soul that is easy to find amongst the old alleyways, temples and shrines of the Edo era. Sightseeing today begins with a stroll through the Imperial Palace East Garden and a visit to the observation deck of the 634m Skytree for views over the sprawling city below. You'll also stop by Sensoji Temple - Tokyo's oldest, and stroll along Nakamise shopping street. In the afternoon, explore the Tokyo National Museum.

    Breakfast
  • Day 5
    Mount Fuji
    Breakfast, Dinner
    DAY 5: Mount Fuji

    Journey out of Tokyo to the foot of mighty Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes area. Pick up a walking trail and make your way through lush alpine forest at Fuji’s base, pausing often to admire the landscapes around you.

    Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Snow Monkeys
    Breakfast
    DAY 6: Snow Monkeys

    Travel to Matsumoto and explore its magnificent 16th-century castle. Continue to Nagano, stopping in Yudanaka to watch the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) at Jigokudani Monkey Park bathe and play in and around their hot spring pool.

    Breakfast
  • Day 7
    Japanese Alps
    Breakfast, Dinner
    DAY 7: Japanese Alps

    Travel to Hotaka and ride up into the Japanese Alps on the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway, reaching an observation platform at 2,156 metres, which gives breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains (weather permitting). Drive to Takayama where you will be staying at an onsen hotel. Here you can relax and bathe in the natural hot spring pools and experience this most traditional pastime. This afternoon you will have time to explore Kamisannomachi Street and sample the street food on offer (at your own expense).

    Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Bullet Train to Kyoto
    Breakfast
    DAY 8: Bullet Train to Kyoto

    Take a Limited Express train to Nagoya, where you will change onto a Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. This afternoon, start discovering Kyoto's rich heritage with a visit to the enchanting Fushimi Inaritaisha Shrine with its pathway of torii gates before admiring the views over the city from Kiyomizudera Temple. Stroll around the old neighbourhoods of Higashiyama and Gion, the geisha district, with a stop at Gion Corner.

    Breakfast
  • Day 9
    Japanese Tea Ceremony
    Breakfast
    DAY 9: Japanese Tea Ceremony

    Start today by visiting Kinkakuji Temple, known as the 'Golden Pavilion', and Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan's most famous zen garden. Continue to the Arashiyama district where you will have some free time to explore the Bamboo Forest as well as enjoying a rickshaw ride. Later, witness the rituals involved in the preparation and pouring of matcha tea in a traditional tea ceremony.

    Breakfast
  • Day 10
    Kyoto Culture & Koyasan
    Breakfast, Dinner
    DAY 10: Kyoto Culture & Koyasan

    Spend the morning discovering the craft of kimono creation at Nishijin Textile Centre, before learning the paper-folding art of origami and the complicated process of dressing in a traditional kimono. This afternoon, travel by road to Koyasan, where you will spend the night in a 13thcentury temple in a traditional tatami room.

    Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Morning Prayers
    Breakfast
    DAY 11: Morning Prayers

    Rise early to join the monks for their morning service – hearing the recitation and chanting is a magical experience. After breakfast, take a walking tour of Koyasan. Visit Kongobu-ji and Okunoin before travelling to Osaka.

    Breakfast
  • Day 12
    Himeji Castle & sake Brewery
    Breakfast, Dinner
    DAY 12: Himeji Castle & sake Brewery

    Take a day tour to Himeji to visit the 17th-century Himeji Castle which is considered a prime example of Japanese feudal period architecture. Continue to a sake brewery, where you can learn about the brewing process of this potent rice wine and enjoy some tasters. Return to Osaka and experience the bright and brash Dotonbori district. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.

    Breakfast, Dinner
  • Days 13-14
    Fly Osaka to Australia
    Breakfast
    DAYS 13-14: Fly Osaka to Australia

    Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

    Breakfast
Off-Beat Japan map

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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)
  • Himeji
  • -1
    9
    4
  • 39
  • Kyoto
  • 1
    9
    5
  • 50
  • Nagano
  • -4
    4
    0
  • 51
  • Osaka
  • 3
    10
    6
  • 45
  • Takayama
  • 4
    9
    7
  • 8
  • Tokyo
  • 1
    10
    5
  • 65
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 0
    9
    4
  • 51
  • Kyoto
  • 1
    10
    6
  • 68
  • Nagano
  • -4
    5
    0
  • 50
  • Osaka
  • 3
    10
    7
  • 62
  • Takayama
  • 5
    10
    7
  • 15
  • Tokyo
  • 2
    10
    6
  • 58
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 2
    12
    7
  • 87
  • Kyoto
  • 4
    13
    9
  • 113
  • Nagano
  • -1
    10
    4
  • 59
  • Osaka
  • 6
    14
    10
  • 104
  • Takayama
  • 7
    13
    10
  • 41
  • Tokyo
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 77
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 8
    18
    13
  • 131
  • Kyoto
  • 9
    20
    14
  • 116
  • Nagano
  • 5
    17
    11
  • 54
  • Osaka
  • 11
    20
    15
  • 104
  • Takayama
  • 13
    18
    15
  • 31
  • Tokyo
  • 9
    19
    14
  • 118
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 12
    23
    17
  • 140
  • Kyoto
  • 14
    25
    19
  • 161
  • Nagano
  • 10
    22
    16
  • 75
  • Osaka
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 146
  • Takayama
  • 17
    22
    20
  • 43
  • Tokyo
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 145
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 209
  • Kyoto
  • 19
    28
    23
  • 214
  • Nagano
  • 16
    26
    21
  • 109
  • Osaka
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 184
  • Takayama
  • 21
    25
    23
  • 58
  • Tokyo
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 135
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 162
  • Kyoto
  • 23
    32
    27
  • 220
  • Nagano
  • 20
    29
    25
  • 134
  • Osaka
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 157
  • Takayama
  • 24
    28
    26
  • 36
  • Tokyo
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 81
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 23
    32
    27
  • 101
  • Kyoto
  • 24
    33
    29
  • 132
  • Nagano
  • 21
    31
    26
  • 98
  • Osaka
  • 25
    33
    29
  • 91
  • Takayama
  • 26
    30
    28
  • 16
  • Tokyo
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 113
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 19
    27
    23
  • 200
  • Kyoto
  • 20
    29
    25
  • 176
  • Nagano
  • 17
    26
    21
  • 129
  • Osaka
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 161
  • Takayama
  • 23
    27
    25
  • 57
  • Tokyo
  • 20
    27
    23
  • 131
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 12
    22
    17
  • 104
  • Kyoto
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 121
  • Nagano
  • 10
    19
    14
  • 83
  • Osaka
  • 16
    23
    19
  • 112
  • Takayama
  • 17
    21
    19
  • 38
  • Tokyo
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 132
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 6
    17
    11
  • 61
  • Kyoto
  • 8
    17
    12
  • 71
  • Nagano
  • 3
    13
    8
  • 44
  • Osaka
  • 10
    18
    14
  • 69
  • Takayama
  • 12
    16
    14
  • 16
  • Tokyo
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 128
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Himeji
  • 1
    11
    6
  • 32
  • Kyoto
  • 3
    12
    7
  • 48
  • Nagano
  • -2
    7
    3
  • 46
  • Osaka
  • 5
    12
    9
  • 44
  • Takayama
  • 7
    12
    9
  • 6
  • 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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1 Room, 2 Guests
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    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)
    • Most Meals (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • 3 – 4 star accommodation, plus ryokan and Buddhist temple lodging
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees

    Important Information For Your Tour

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

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