13 nights – Tokyo | Nagano | Matsumoto | Takayama | Kanazawa | Hiroshima | Kurashiki | Kyoto | Tokyo
From: £3,395pp | $4,753pp | AU$7,130pp (Exclusive of flights)
What to expect?
Japan Unmasked is designed to show the most famous sights Japan has to offer, but also reveal its quieter, more rural local rhythms, which are often harder to arrange.
You’ll visit the big cities you’d expect at the core of any first-time itinerary: Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto but also, the lesser-known spots. Like the canal-lined merchant town of Kurashiki, and Nagano, at the foot of the Japan Alps.
Japan’s culture is inseparable from its history – and on this tour, you'll learn why. Visit the 16th century “Black Crow” samurai castle in Matsumoto and discover Kyoto’s Gion geisha district with a local expert, for a glimpse into life as it is lived there now, and years ago.
Much of what makes Japan special lies in its living, natural world. You’ll visit Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, one of Japan’s top three landscape gardens and cycle through the Kibi Plain, learning about the legend of the little boy, born in a peach, who fought ogres.
The pace of the tour is fast. You'll stay in Nagano, Kanazawa and Kurashiki for just one night each and board the famous Shinkansen bullet train to speed you from capital Tokyo to the mountain Buddhist temple town of Nagano – all with the help of your Insider guide to navigate tickets and platforms.
You'll check into some truly unique accommodation, like a ryokan guest house that’s like joining a family home, and one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples, where you can join the hypnotic morning service at Zenko-ji temple.
With your expert Insider guide at your side, you'll unlock incredible experiences at every stop. And, there's no single supplement, great for solo travellers.
Explore the old canal town of Kurashiki
Visit the historic town, dating back to the Edo Period. Then, hop on a bike to explore the rice fields and temple pagodas of the nearby Kibi Plains
Stay in overnight Buddhist temple lodgings
Experience staying overnight in a temple and watch the incredibly atmospheric morning service
Ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train
Feel the lightning rush of the world-famous bullet trains as they rocket past before boarding one yourself
INSIDER TOP TIP
Nobody knows our trips as well as our Insiders, the expert guides that run them, do. If you're thinking about joining us on Japan Unmasked, here are Richard's highlights.
"There are so many off the beaten track places we visit on Japan Unmasked, but my favourite element has to be some of the accommodation we stay in.
Take Iwatakan in Takayama, for example. It's a simple, family run minshuku inn that we've been staying at for many years.
The homecooked kaiseki dinner that everyone enjoys on the first night is always fantastic, and the family that run the inn are incredibly friendly.
It's always a highlight for people who want to get a taste of real Japanese living and hospitality."
“The tour was amazing in all ways. Pacing and places visited allowed us to see more of Japan than we ever would have by travelling by ourselves. Small group and detailed itinerary really enhanced the experience.
Pre and post tour service and assistance were invaluable. Went above and beyond on all aspects of the tour, from looking up answers to obscure questions to helping us with train ticket bookings for our add on after our main tour was finished.
Thoughtful, insightful and patient for the entirety of the trip”
Michael - Unmasked Japan, June 2023
Ready to find out more or book a Small Group Tour?
Call:
0117 244 3380 (Bristol, UK)
07 3186 8800 (Brisbane, Australia)
303 952 0379 (Broomfield, Colorado)
Email:
info@insidejapantours.com