9 Day Japan Discovery
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Quality twin share accommodation throughout
✓ English speaking local guides
✓ Sightseeing and entry fees as per itinerary
✓ Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
✓ One-way transfer from airport to hotel
✓ All domestic transportation
✓ All tipping and gratuities
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun!
Upon arrival, you will be met by your tour manager and transferred to the hotel by shuttle bus to prepare for your tour tomorrow.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Following breakfast, you will visit Osaka Castle (from the outside), one of Japan's most iconic landmarks. Constructed in 1583, it served as a symbol of the unification of Japan in the 16th century. You will then continue on to Asahi Breweries in Suita where you can watch the entire brewing process, and also enjoy the freshly brewed beer in an open-area tasting room.
Afterwards, you will be escorted to the famous Shinsaibashi shopping district.
In the afternoon, you will proceed to the city of Nara, which was the first capital city of Japan. Your first stop will be the Todaiji Temple, home to the great bronze Buddha. The statue is the largest Buddha statue in the world, and the surrounding park is full of thousands of holy deer.
Today, following breakfast, you are free to explore Osaka at your own pace, or you can choose to join the optional Kyoto city tour.
Embark on a city tour of Kyoto including Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavillion, Nishijin Textile Gallery and the Nishiki Market. Witness a traditional Kimono Show at the Nishijin Textile Gallery before enjoying free time at the Terrajicho mall.
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will visit the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, also known as "Oinari-san". Inari shrines are the most well-known shrines to Japanese people; there are approximately thirty thousand throughout the country, frequented by people of all ages. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine which all the others are affiliated with. In the 1300 years since its establishment in 711AD, people have gathered here to pray for bountiful harvests,
business prosperity, the safety of their home and family, and the fulfilment of all kinds of other wishes.
You will continue on to visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple which was first constructed in the 7thcentury and rebuilt in 1633. On the journey to the temple you will walk through a beautiful shopping district where souvenirs, Kyoto ceramics, Japanese Mochi, and snacks can be purchased.
At the end of the day, you will be transferred to Toyohashi by bus.
Following breakfast, you will travel to Hakone to visit the Owakudani volcano, and will witness its sulphurous fumes, hot springs, hot rivers, and on a clear day, the best view of the iconic Mount Fuji. Here you will get to enjoy a scenic ride on the Hakone Ropeway (cable car).
You will also visit Grinpia Makinohara Tea Factory, where you will taste authentic Japanese green tea.
Afterwards, drive to Tokyo and check into the hotel to rest.
Please Note: Your trip to Owakudani will depend on the weather, if the weather does not permit, alternative arrangements will be made.
After breakfast, you will commence a tour of the beautiful capital city of Tokyo. The tour will include a visit to the Tokyo Tower (from the outside). This iconic structure was first opened in 1958 and stands at 333 metres high. You will stop at the Imperial Palace, otherwise known as Edo Castle, which was constructed in 1457. You will then head to Asakusa Kannon Temple, also known as Sensoji Temple. The structure is a Buddhist temple built in the 7th century and is the oldest temple in all of Japan.
Then head to the famous Nakamisen shopping street where traditional Japanese food, souvenirs and novelty items can be purchased. You will also stop at Ameyoko Market. The bustling street way is an ideal place to shop for souvenirs, see vendors hawking their wares and sample some of cheapest, rustic food, at the seafood or various ethnic restaurants.
Afterwards, you will be escorted to the famous shopping district of Ginza.
After breakfast, you are free to explore Tokyo at your own pace.
You will make your own transfer to the airport for your scheduled departure flight home.
We hope you enjoyed your journey to Japan with us!
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!
Osaka - Todaiji Temple
Osaka - Asahi Breweries
Osaka - Shinsaibashi
Osaka - Osaka Castle
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kyoto - Kiyomizu Temple
Hakone - Grinpia Makinohara
Hakone - Owakundani Volcano
Tokyo - Tokyo Tower
Tokyo - Nakamisen
Tokyo - Ameyoko Market
Tokyo - Imperial Palace
Tokyo - Asakusa Kannon Temple
Tokyo - Ginza
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Not available. Should you wish to travel to China in premium economy or business class please view one of our other Japan tours which have upgrade options by clicking HERE.
Airline Upgrade
Change of airline is not permitted. If you wish to fly with a particular airline you will need to purchase land only and airfares will be at your own arrangement. Please refer to the land only section for arrival and departure time restrictions.
Land Only discount
A $800 per person reduction from the twin share price applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. Should you wish to purchase land only, please select this option in the booking process, under 'Departure City'.
Airport transfers are not included when arriving outside of the group flight times. Please advise us of your flight details to confirm the availability of group transfers. Private transfers may be organised at an additional cost.
How to extend your stay
In order to bring you this great price the package cannot be altered. Customers wishing to extend their package, add a stopover or amend their flights will need to purchase the land only option and arrange their own airfares to suit their requirements.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre/post-tour accommodation and airport transfers
Not available
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities:
Costs are per person. Tour descriptions are in the day-by-day itinerary.
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and downstairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $800 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of your return.
Australian passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Japan, for stays less than 90 days.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
10-40 people
Trip Style
Group Tour - Unparalleled value for money is the name of the game. These tours tick all the boxes with loads of inclusions: sightseeing highlights, quality accommodation, transfers, private transportation, breakfasts and some meals. You will be travelling with up to 40 Inspiring Vacations guests and the tour will be escorted by an expert, local tour leader.
Children
Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Click HERE for more information on the weather in Japan.
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
For travellers new to Japan and our Japan tours, travelling to and from Japan's major airports—Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo, and Kansai and Itami airports in Osaka—can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. These four airports are well-connected to their respective cities, and several transport options are ava...
Japan is one of East Asia's most beloved countries, with a cherished ancient culture and exquisite sights. But, when is the best time to go? Japan is an island country full of contrasts. From ultra-sleek modern cities, to soaring alps, traditional villages and ancient shrines. And with four distinct seasons that e...
A country that charms in any season, you’ll find winter delights aplenty in this wonderland Japan really is a country for all seasons. Tourists have already cottoned onto the renowned beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms) in spring and the rich foliage of autumn, but winter brings a crisp, festive prettiness. Think snow-c...
The act of viewing flowers in bloom is a sacred Japanese past time that dates back centuries What is hanami? The term hanami is a combination of two words: hana meaning flowers and mi meaning viewing. While it sounds like a vague expression, the term has become synonymous with the annual flowering of cherry blossom t...
From cherry blossoms to sunflowers and hydrangeas, Japan is a country in bloom The change of the seasons and the floral displays they bring are celebrated across Japan. From the keenly anticipated cherry and plum blossoms to the cheery sunflower, flowers hold a special place in Japanese society. There is even an anci...
From March to April every year, millions head to Japan to see their famed cherry trees shower the landscape in pink and white petals The annual blooming of sakura (cherry blossom) trees in Japan is a sacred occurrence that has been celebrated for over 1,000 years. While its origins are somewhat disputed, with some so...
Where to experience the prettiest landscapes in Japan during the autumn foliage season Japan might be all about cherry blossom season, but once September hits, summer is farewelled and the focus shifts towards welcoming autumn and koyo zensen or tracking the progress of the leaves turning red. Much like the pink bloomi...
From September to December every year, Japan's temples and ancient shrines are transformed by seas of crimson foliage After months of steamy weather, an epic transformation begins across Japan. Trees change seemingly overnight from green to red, orange and yellow, turning the landscape into an artist's palette of autum...
A needle-nosed train speeds past the base of beloved Mount Fuji. It's an image as synonymous with Japan as a geisha shuffling through the streets of Kyoto or a steaming bowl of ramen—and for good reason. Travelling on a Japan bullet train is a bucket list fixture for many visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun. Japan'...
Discover five faces of Japan’s sprawling capital over as many days with a jaunt through these diverse areas Day 1 – Shinjuku and Harajuku Dive headlong into two of Tokyo’s most colourful neighbourhoods. Begin in youthful Harajuku, where edgy boutiques line Omotesando Avenue and Cat Street and all things cute reign on T...
From the delicious to the quirky, Japan is bursting with fun things to do If you're all templed-out or just have some time to kill while visiting Japan, here, 101 ideas to keep you busy. 1. Queue up for sushi at Daiwa Sushi in the Toyosu Market (Tokyo) Recently located to a new, larger location, the sprawling fish...
Japan is a country with buckets of charm and ancient history, but its customs can be tricky to navigate There’s a lot to love about Japan. Its quirky streets, delicious cuisine and centuries-old castles attract millions of visitors each year, but while its culture intrigues, it also confuses. Manners and strict etiquet...
From sights to scenery and five-star fare, Japan is the ultimate Asian all-rounder Japan is undoubtedly one of the hottest destinations in the world right now, and for good reason. This geographically blessed country is spectacular year-round, easy to navigate and packed with ancient sights. In between attractions, d...
From modern classics to guides and memoirs, the many facets of Japan are best explored through literature These days, it seems like everything you need to know about a place can be found with a quick Google search. But sometimes, the best way to find out about the history or culture of a country is to turn to a good ol...
Japanese food is treasured across the globe, but there’s much more to it than teriyaki chicken With such a vast array of flavours, dishes and regional specialties, it’s no surprise that Japan’s capital Tokyo, has been awarded the most Michelin Stars in the world, defeating culinary superpower Paris for 11 consecutive y...
Japan can be visited year-round, with each season showcasing its own special charm While its eclectic capital Tokyo exudes modernity and is one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world, there are many prefectures throughout Japan that resemble their traditional forms with wooden minka architecture and t...
Deep into Japanese snow season, the northern city of Sapporo hosts the country’s largest winter festival Japan has long been considered a leading winter destination, thanks to its powdery slopes and heavy snowfall. From February 4-11, 2025, the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival) turns the capital of Hokkaido into a f...
New Zealand
United States
Canada
India
