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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.
    Learn More
    Longer walking and gentle paced physical activities.
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Go Beyond Group Tour
14 DAYS
From $11,380PP
Tokyo (3N) Mt Fuji (1N) Yudanaka Nagano (1N) Takayama (1N) Nagoya Kyoto (2N) Koyasan (1N) Himeji Osaka (2N)
16 Reviews
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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

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)
  • 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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  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    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)
    • 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
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    What our Customers Say

    Rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 5526 reviews

    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    A very busy and interesting trip taking in the full range of sightseeing possibilities..
    The urban sprawl of Tokyo contrasted with the peaceful monastery in the mountains . We saw monkeys and Mount Fuji under blue skies so felt very privileged.
    Our guide Shioji was brilliant.
    Dec 01, 2024
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    A great trip, all the activities were wonderful, the guide was great snd all the logistics were perfect.
    Nov 26, 2024
    Booking Experience for Off-Beat Japan
    Very helpful and checked around to find best flights. Changed name to correct one immediately when informed it was incorrect.
    Nov 19, 2024
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    Our guide was lovely and helpful. Tour was very full on but we got to see so much in a relatively short space of time.
    Nov 05, 2024
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    Temples, shrines, bamboo forest, mount Fuji, cities, dress in authentic clothes, tea ceremony, japanese food specialities and the Japanese people. You can read that in the brochure.
    But add in the best guide from Japan, sharing interesting facts, personal reflections, insider knowledge and a vitality and sense of humour.
    Having learned japanese for three years Shioji our guide allowed me to ask silly questions, and that gave me confidence to jump right in to my adventure of a lifetime.
    Our seven hotels were in convenient locations, so when I ventured out on my own in Tokyo the metro was nearby, as were Seven Elevens, Lawsons or Family Marts.
    While journeying from one place to another the comfort stops, food outlets, and souvenir shops seemed well chosen and time available to explore was ideal.
    I suppose as a first timer in Japan every thing would be exciting, but the size of group meant we could join up to visit venues, or just sit and drink it all in, at our own pace and ability, and this is where I mention the earpiece and 'intercom' device, that allowed our guide to easily communicate in the largest of crowds. Great idea!
    Oct 04, 2024
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    This Off Beat tour of Japan was truly a holiday of a lifetime. Our tour guide was excellent and bought the places we visited and experiences to life. We enjoyed everything about the holiday.
    Jun 09, 2024
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    The guide marie made Shure we had a fun time seeing Japan with her deep knowledge and nice hotels fantastic coach drivers made for the perfect holiday. And with Marie helping to find diverse choice of restaurants to try at every destination it will soon be a foodies paradise
    Jun 03, 2024
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    Brilliant holiday, top quality guides. Very well organised without feeling organised
    Sep 29, 2023
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    Extremely well organised and helpful staff at every stage.
    Jun 10, 2023
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    Outstanding , action packed , varied , incredible tour with an absolutely brilliant Japanese guide - Okada Susumu ( Sam) . He was knowledgable , funny, explained Japanese life and culture and history with tremendous honesty . I would give him 10 stars ! We were fortunate in sharing the trip with 16 wonderful travelling companions . There were a lot of early starts , lots of walking , lots of visits but this was balanced with free time and also able to eat independently a lot of the meals . The accommodation was varied from European style hotels to typical Japanese hotels , to a Buddhist Monastery where we were able to join morning prayers and sleep on futons. I think the trip was made extra special by Sam and the fab travelling companions .
    May 25, 2023
    Booking Experience for Off-Beat Japan
    Helpful and flexible service throughout. Consistent communication with Customer Service agent who focused on our needs.
    Feb 10, 2023
    Review for Off-Beat Japan
    Well designed, if energetic, tour with first class guide
    Oct 31, 2022

    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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