Essential Honshu

14 Nights: £2400 (excluding international flights)

Destinations:
Tokyo | Kamakura | Hakone | Osaka | Kyoto | Takayama | Kamikochi | Tokyo

Honshu has everything that a trip to Japan should include; the bright lights and confusion of Tokyo; Osaka, Japan's fashion and culinary heartland; former capital cities Kyoto, Nara, and Kamakura all with a unique ambience of past and present; and the awe-inspiring peaks of the Japan Alps.

We'll start and finish in Tokyo giving you three nights to try and get to grips with this modern metropolis, a city of pulsating energy. In between you'll have the chance to experience the many different sides that combine to make Japan such a unique and fascinating country.

£150 per person discount for all new bookings departing in July and August 2012 (book by March 31st).

From the hi-tech speed and efficiency of the bullet train which will whisk you down to Osaka, to the serenity of Kyoto's Zen gardens; from the tops of sky-scrapers to the summit of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest and most sacred mountain; from the glowing neon nights of futuristic cities to the wondrous star filled skies above the Kamikochi national park.

Several nights in traditional inns (ryokan) in Kyoto, Takayama and Hakone complete this never to be forgotten adventure in the land of the rising sun. As one of our most popular tours the Essential Honshu always sells out quickly so please book as early as possible to avoid missing out.


** New - 5 night Self-Guided add-on package **

Why not spend a few more days in Japan, with our 5-night self-guided extension?

You will have 2 nights in Nikko, to visit some of Japan's most ornate temples and shrines and enjoy the beautiful scenery around Lake Chuzenji. You then head further north to Sendai, a vibrant modern city with a variety of day trip options on offer, so you can tailor your time here to suit your preferences. Coastal scenery at Matsushima, the cliff-top temple complex of Yamadera and the rich history of Hiraizumi all compete for your attention! After 2 nights in Sendai you will travel back to Tokyo for a final night before heading home.

The Pacific coast of the Tohoku region bore the brunt of the tragic earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. The destinations you will visit are all fully recovered, and the hotels, inns, restaurants and local suppliers we work with are keen for our customers to visit. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the recovery of this beautiful region of Japan. 

Twin/Double: £560 per person
Single: £650 per person

Please note that the add-on is treated as a seperate booking to the tour and we will ask for a seperate deposit at the time of booking.

Pricing Information

2011
Tour Price: £2400
Extra Nights  
Pre-Tour: Twin Share pp £50     Single pp £60 
Post-Tour: Twin Share pp £60    Single pp £110
2012
Tour Price: £2400
Extra Nights  
Pre-Tour: Twin Share pp £50     Single pp £60 
Post-Tour: Twin Share pp £60    Single pp £110
Start Dates 2012

2012
Sat 5 May - NOW BOOKING
Sat 21 Jul - NOW BOOKING
Sat 4 Aug - NOW BOOKING
Sat 11 Aug - NOW BOOKING
Sat 22 Sep - NOW BOOKING
Sat 13 Oct - NOW BOOKING

 Prices:
2012: £2400

Prices are excluding international flights.

What’s Included:
  • A great mix of accommodation including a guest house in Hakone, a family run minshuku in Takayama and log cabins in Kamikochi (total 14 nights)
  • All transport between destinations in Japan including airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • Meet and Greet on arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport
  • A mix of Western and traditional Japanese style breakfasts everyday
  • 7 evening meals including Kamikochi BBQ and traditional Kaiseki Ryouri (banquet of beautifully prepared individual dishes) in Kyoto
  • Tokyo Transport Pass
  • Hakone Transport Pass
  • Sumida River boat cruise in Tokyo
  • Geisha district walking tour in Kyoto
  • Luggage forwarding between Kamakura & Osaka and Takayama & Kyoto
  • Full time services of your Tour Leader
  • InsideJapan Tours' complimentary Info-Pack
  • 7 Day Japan Rail Pass - a flexible pass allowing you to make optional day trips using Japan Rail at no extra cost
What’s NOT Included:
  • International Flights
  • Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination except that covered by transport passes in Tokyo and Hakone
  • Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
  • Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip

Important Practical Information

Max Group Size: 14

Single Supplement: We do NOT charge a single supplement. In some accommodation single travellers will have a single room. However, singles will be asked to share a room with a group member of the same sex at 7 night stops: Kamakura, Hakone, Takayama and Kamikochi (see note below).

Transport: Please note that all transfers are by public transport making use of Japan's first-rate transport network. All the hotels and ryokan have been chosen for their location close to the nearest station. However, you will have to carry your bags for short distances and some stations do not have escalators. We highly recommend that to make your stay more enjoyable you pack reasonably light. Large suitcases will be an inconvenience to you. A small case or bag with wheels or a rucksack are most appropriate for this tour. Clothes washing machines are available in Tokyo, Hakone and Osaka for a small fee.

Accommodation: The hotels in Tokyo, Kamakura and Osaka and the ryokan in Kyoto are equipped with full en-suite facilities (attached bath, shower and toilet). The traditional Japanese Inn in Hakone has private-use shared facilities. The traditional inn in Takayama has communal baths available 24 hours a day (single sex) and NO private facilities.

Kamikochi: In the Kamikochi national park we stay in log cabins. These are shared with up to 5 people in the same cabin. They are clean and comfortable but we do used the shared space for eating together.  Customers also should note that the only private washing facilities are pay showers. Other bathing is available at the communal bath house (Men and women are separate) or at the Kamikochi Onsen (hot-spring) Hotel. You will need your own towel in Kamikochi. If you would prefer a private room for your accommodation in Kamikochi then we can offer an upgrade to an en-suite ryokan stay for GBP250 per person (twin share) or GBP350 per person (single use) covering both nights. Please ask us for further details.

International Flights: This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo for arrivals and departures at Tokyo Narita Airport.

Please note that the included meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available up to 2 days in advance of the tour and if you are staying extra nights pre-tour it is only available if those nights are booked through InsideJapan Tours.

Check-in: Please note that rooms at the Tokyo hotel are only available from 4pm. (You can however securely leave your luggage at the front desk at any time).

BACK TO TOP


Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Meals: Dinner

The tour begins today in Tokyo, Japan’s electric capital city. You’ll be arriving at Narita Airport and your Tour Leader will be there to meet you and escort you into Tokyo. Many of our customers choose to come in a day or two early to get over jet-lag and get the most out of the tour. Whatever the case, up to two days before the tour starts we will still have someone there to meet you. The hotel is situated in the Asakusa area, the former downtown and entertainments district of Edo, as Tokyo was formally known. This friendly district still maintains a traditional atmosphere and is home to Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. Tonight, we will be indulging in a first night's dinner of your Tour Leader's choice. Options include Okinomiyaki - a kind of savoury pancake, or at an Izakaya - a Japanese style pub. Food is on us so this a great chance to start getting to know the other members of the group.

Day 2 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Today we embark on a full day tour of the city. We’ll cruise down the Sumida River, take a relaxing stroll through Hamarikyu tei-en, a tranquil garden that is just a few minutes walk from the lively Ginza shopping district. From there we head to the trendy Harajuku district to check out all the latest crazy fashions, before exploring the precincts of Meiji Shrine. If you prefer to explore independently please ask your Tour Leader for suggestions.

Day 3 Kamakura

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today we’ll be making an early start... about 4.30am in actual fact if you’d like to join us at the city’s morning fish market! This is a great experience and a chance to eat some of Japan’s best sushi on us! After returning to the hotel we will be departing for Kamakura. The journey takes about 1h45 from door to door. You’ll be able to drop off your bags before heading off to look around some of Kamakura’s many beautiful temples and shrines. The town is small enough to see all the major sights on foot and there are some really nice walking routes you might like to take. Be sure not to miss the big Buddha at Kotokuin temple. In the evening you will be treated to an exquisite ‘kaiseki’ meal at a local restaurant. The chef will specially prepare a full course meal containing no meat or fish for the vegetarians in the group.

Day 4 Hakone

Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying a Japanese style breakfast at our hotel we will move on to Hakone. Total journey time is around 2h30. The tour includes a Hakone free-pass which allows you unlimited travel on all of the many forms of transport in the Hakone region; buses, rail, funicular railway, cable car, rope-way, and even the sightseeing ’pirate’ boat which crosses Lake Ashino. We’ll be staying at the traditional style Fuji-Hakone Guest House which boasts a very nice outside hot spring ‘rotemburo’ bath where you can relax after a hard day sightseeing and look up at the stars! For those of you joining us in July or August there is the option of a Mt. Fuji climb, a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Be warned though, you’ll need to be fit!

Day 5 Hakone

Meals: Breakfast

More time to explore Hakone (or rest up if you viewed this morning's sunrise from the top of Fuji-san!). You may like to take a short hike along what remains of the old Tokaido highway which used to be the major road linking Edo (modern day Tokyo) with Kyoto and Osaka. The open air sculpture museum features pieces by many world renowned artists all set against a stunning mountain backdrop. There are also all kinds of museums to visit and this is a great chance to pick up one of Hakone’s famous “trick boxes” as a unique souvenir.

Day 6 Osaka

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

After breakfast we’ll be moving on to Osaka, taking a three hour ride on the world famous ‘Bullet’ Train. Osaka is the concrete beating heart of the Kansai region and home to some of the best food, drink and entertainment in all of Japan. Your hotel is right in the heart of the city, in the Umeda district, about a 10 minute walk from Osaka station. Tonight, dinner is included at a local restaurant.

Day 7 Osaka

Meals: Breakfast

Today you have the option of taking an excursion to Nara where you will find the huge Big Buddha at Todaiji Temple, or to Himeji, famous for the stunning original castle. Alternatively, you may like to remain in Osaka to explore this exciting city. There is fantastic shopping, one of the world’s best aquariums, an Olympic sized swimming pool, and an enormous proliferation of video game arcades and karaoke parlours. The evening will be spent back in Osaka for some great food and great nightlife.

Day 8 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

We’ll head off to Kyoto reasonably early this morning so as to allow a full day of sightseeing in this historic city. Kyoto is a great city in which to sightsee on foot and has hundreds of things to see. There are several walking tour routes all of which have many different places of interest along the way and your Tour Leader will be on hand to make sure you get to see the things you want to. This afternoon we will be taking a tour of Gion and the Geisha districts with a local Geisha expert, giving you a truly unique insight into this hidden world. We will then go for dinner at a restaurant in Gion so we can enjoy some delicious food and a carafe or two of sake.

Day 9 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

A free day to further explore this amazing city. Your Tour Leader may lead an excursion out of town to Kameoka from where you can take a white water ride back down the river to Arashiyama, one of the most charming districts of the city. Don’t be concerned though, it’s not really a hair-raising ride! From here the famous temples of Ryoanji with its timeless zen rock garden and Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, are within easy reach. Dinner is not included tonight so this is a good chance to head out for some culinary adventures.

Day 10 Takayama

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today it’s on by ‘Bullet’ and express trains to Takayama. We’ll be arriving early afternoon and after leaving our bags at our minshuku lodgings, we'll have a chance to start exploring this intriguing mountain town. Dinner will tonight be served at the minshuku so we’ll be sure to have some delicious home cooked fare to enjoy.

Day 11 Takayama

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Takayama is packed with things to see and do. In the morning your Leader will be visiting the Hida-Takayama folk village. This fantastic outdoor museum is made up of a collection of old traditional style houses from all around the ‘Hida’ region. This is a rare chance to catch a glimpse of what rural life was like for ordinary Japanese before industrial advancement was undertaken by the new Meiji regime in 1868. In the afternoon you might like to check out some of the museums in the area or perhaps take a stroll round the beautiful shrines and temples. Sake tasting at a brewery is also a popular option! Dinner will again be served at the minshuku this evening. More top tucker!

Day 12 Kamikochi

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

After breakfast we will take the bus up into the mountains and onto the Kamikochi National Park. The plateau is nearly 1500m above sea level and even in summer it can be quite cool. If you are coming in September remember to bring warm clothing for night time as temperatures can fall below freezing. The park is one of the most beautiful places in Japan with each season providing a different experience. Tonight we shall barbecue over a real fire! Any fire starting assistance will no doubt be gratefully received by your Tour Leader. Customers should note that the main washing facilities at Kamikochi are at the communal bath house (or ‘onsen’). Men and women are separate. Private showers are available at the visitor centre.

Day 13 Kamikochi

Meals: Breakfast

This is a great chance for you to relax or perhaps do some walking or hiking. There are a variety of trails to walk and if you are lucky you might get to laugh at the antics of the park’s many resident wild monkeys! There is also an onsen where you can take a natural hot spring bath.

Day 14 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

We’ll be taking an early bus down to Matsumoto, from where we will transfer by express train back to Tokyo. The journey is absolutely stunning as the road twists and turns down the valley through a series of seemingly never-ending tunnels. Once we reach Matsumoto we will have time to stop off for a couple of hours to visit the famous castle before grabbing some lunch and heading back to the station to catch the train to Tokyo. We will arrive late afternoon into Shinjuku Station - seemingly a world away from the peace and tranquillity of Kamikochi. This is the final day of the tour so we hope that you might join with your Tour Leader for a farewell meal in the evening: A chance for one last night of good food and drink before heading home.

Day 15 Depart

Meals: Breakfast

Sadly the tour is over and we all have to say our farewells and go our separate ways. Your transfer ticket back to Narita Airport is included and your Leader will supply you with a reserved seat ticket to make sure you’re in good time for your flight home.

Photos

Kappabashi bridge in Kamikochi

Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi, Hakone

Kamikochi

Street food - Osaka style!

Takayama farm houses

At the top of Mt Fuji