Explore by Rail

Explore Japan by Rail 21 Days 

Fully Escorted Tour

JTB Australia Tour
JTB Australia Tour
JTB Australia Tour

Sit back and relax as you travel on some of the world’s fastest high-speed trains, including the world famous Shinkansen. This fully escorted tour will take you by train all over Japan, using your Japan rail pass. Stay in accommodation that is conveniently located near stations. Visit historic Hiroshima and Kyoto. Enjoy the Japanese countryside of Takayama and the excitement of Tokyo. This Japan by Rail Tour will operate with an experienced JTB escort and local guides where applicable who will assist with the entire trip, from sightseeing to shopping and dining.

  1. Day
  2. 1
Narita/Haneda Airport – Tokyo
  • Hotel Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, Tokyo

Upon arrival at Narita/Haneda Airport, clear customs immigration and board the Airport Limousine Bus to downtown Tokyo.

yes_tokyo_024

  1. Day
  2. 2
Tokyo
  • Meal Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Hotel Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, Tokyo

Tokyo 1 day sightseeing tour visiting, Tsukiji Outer Fish Markets, Tokyo Sky Tree, Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade. Ginza and Akihabara (drive-by). Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Tokyo-Tower-Exterior-+-Mt-Fuji

  1. Day
  2. 3
Tokyo – Nagasaki
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer Tokyo to Hiroshima. Carry an overnight bag.  
  • Hotel Hotel New Nagasaki 

Domestic flight to Nagasaki city. 
Luggage transfer from Tokyo to Hiroshima. Travel with an overnight bag for 2 nights 3 days.

nagasaki tour

  1. Day
  2. 4
Nagasaki
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Hotel New Nagasaki 

Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting, famous places in Nagasaki including Old Glover Garden and Dejima. agasaki. Upon arrival, transfer to downtown Nagasaki by bus, then validate your Japan Rail Pass.

Nagasaki-Japan-JTB-Australia

  1. Day
  2. 5
Nagasaki – Hiroshima
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Hotel Granvia Hiroshima

In the morning, transfer to Nagasaki Station and depart by train to Hiroshima. Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.

okonomiyaki

  1. Day
  2. 6
 Hiroshima
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Granvia Hotel Hiroshima

Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting, Miyajima Island and the World Heritage listed Itsukushima Shinto Shrine.

Miyajima-Hiroshima

  1. Day
  2. 7
Hiroshima – Himeji – Kyoto
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Kyoto Century Hotel

Board the Shinkansen bullet train for Himeji. Visit Himeji Castle & Koko Garden before arriving into Kyoto.

Luggage transfer from Hiroshima to Kyoto. Travel with an overnight bag for 1 night 2 days.

Himeji-Castle

  1. Day
  2. 8
Kyoto
  • Meal Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Hotel Kyoto Century Hotel

Full day sightseeing in Kyoto visiting the Golden Pavilion, Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo and Yasaka Jingu Shrine. Lunch today is included. Dinner tonight at a local restaurant in Kyoto.

geisha-maiko-kimono-japan

  1. Day
  2. 9
Kyoto
  • Meal Breakfast, Lunch
  • Hotel Kyoto Century Hotel

Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting Arashiyama and Sagano area (Bamboo Grove).

Bamboo

  1. Day
  2. 10
Kyoto
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Kyoto Century Hotel

Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting Osaka Dotombori Namba area, Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Building.

Osaka

  1. Day
  2. 11
Kyoto – Kanazawa
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer Kyoto to Takayama. Carry an overnight bag
  • Hotel ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa 

Depart for Kanazawa by JR limited express. Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting, some famous spots in Kanazawa, the Higashi Chaya District, Kenroku Garden and old Samurai House. Luggage transfer from Kyoto to Takayama. Travel with an overnight bag for 1 night 2 days.

Kenroku-Garden-Kanazawa

  1. Day
  2. 12
Kanazawa – Takayama
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Tokyu Stay Hida – Takayama Musubinoyu

Depart for Toyama and continue travelling to Takayama by JR limited express. Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting some famous spots in Takayama, San-machi, a traditional Japanese village area and Takayama Jinya.

marble_beef

  1. Day
  2. 13
Takayama
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Tokyu Stay Hida – Takayama Musubinoyu

Optional sightseeing with tour escort visiting some famous spots in Takayama. Morning markets, Hida Folk Village and Matsuri-no-mori. Afternoon free.

Takayama-Villiage

  1. Day
  2. 14
Takayama – Hakone
  • Meal Breakfast, Dinner
  • Luggage transfer Takayama to Hakodate. Carry an overnight bag for 2 nights 3 days
  • Traditional Japanese Ryokan Inn Hakone Yunohana Prince Hotel – Japanese Style room

Depart for Nagoya by JR limited express and continue onto Hakone by Shinkansen bullet train. Dinner tonight is at your Hotel in Hakone. Luggage transfer from Takayama to Hakodate. Travel with an overnight bag for 2 nights 3 days.

Morning Class Bento 1

  1. Day
  2. 15
Hakone – Sendai
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East

Today’s Hakone and Lake Ashi sightseeing tour will include Mt Fuji viewing spots, Lake Ashi Cruise, Owakudani Valley, Mt Komagatake and Hakone Ropeway. In the afternoon depart for Sendai.

fuji9@2x
  1. Day
  2. 16
Sendai
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East

Optional sightseeing with tour escort – take a Matsushima Bay cruise and then visiting Zuiganji Temple.

hkd_slope

  1. Day
  2. 17
Sendai – Hakodate
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Hakodate Koksai Hotel 

Depart for Hakodate by Shinkansen bullet train via Seikan Tunnel crossing under the Tsugaru Strait. Optional sightseeing with tour escort in the evening visiting Hakodate Mountain, night viewing.

hkd_night

  1. Day
  2. 18
Hakodate – Sapporo
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer Hakodate to Tokyo. Carry an overnight bag 2 nights 3 days
  • Hotel Keio Plaza Hotel  

Optional sightseeing with tour escort in the morning visiting some famous spots in Hakodate, the Waterfront Warehouses, old churches of Hakodate, and Daisanzaka Slope. Board a Limited Express train for Sapporo.
Luggage transfer from Hakodate to Tokyo. Travel with an overnight bag for 2 nights 3 days.

hkd_haristos

  1. Day
  2. 19
Sapporo
  • Meal Breakfast, Dinner
  • Hotel Keio Plaza Hotel 

Full day sightseeing tour of Sapporo, visiting Lake Shikotsu, Aeon Mall Sapporo Naebo, Hokkaido Museum, Okurayama Viewing Point and Sapporo Beer Museum. Farewell dinner tonight.   

  1. Day
  2. 20
Sapporo – Tokyo
  • Meal Breakfast
  • Hotel Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa

Transfer by train to Sapporo Airport and take a domestic flight to Tokyo.

  1. Day
  2. 21
Tokyo – Narita/Haneda Airport 
  • Meal Breakfast

Your tour finishes today after breakfast. Transfer to Narita/Haneda Airport is included after the tour concludes.


Optional sightseeing (as stated on this itinerary) with tour escort: Local transfer costs, entrance fees and lunches on these tours are NOT included in the tour cost (21 days approximately $200 per person). This is to be paid while on the tour.

Remarks

*Minimum 10 persons for the tour to operate, maximum 20 people
*A fair amount of walking is involved on this tour
*Accommodation and daily schedule is subject to chang

Tour Inclusions:

  • 20 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
  • 2 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Return airport transfers
  • Rail station to hotel transfers where applicable
  • Tokyo 1 day tour
  • Osaka afternoon tour
  • Himeji half day Tour
  • Kyoto 1 day tour
  • Hakone and Lake Ashi tour
  • Hokkaido Lake Shikotsu, Sapporo full day tour
  • Japan Rail Pass 14-day Economy Class   
  • Domestic flights from Tokyo – Nagasaki, Sapporo – Tokyo
  • 5 luggage transfers (Tokyo – Hiroshima – Kyoto – Takayama – Hakodate – Tokyo)

Tour Inclusions: *20 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
*2 lunches and 4 dinners
*Return airport transfers
*Rail station to hotel transfers when required
*Tokyo 1 day tour
*Osaka afternoon tour
*Himeji half day tour
*Kyoto 1 day tour
*Hakone and Lake Ashi tour
*Hokkaido Lake Shikotsu, Sapporo full day tour
*Japan Rail Pass 14 Day Ordinary Class
*Domestic flights (Tokyo –  Nagasaki, Sapporo – Tokyo)
*6 luggage transfers (Tokyo – Hiroshima – Kyoto – Takayama – Hakodate – Tokyo)
Guide Service: The tour will operate with an experienced JTB escort and local guides where applicable who will assist with the entire trip, from sightseeing to shopping and dining.
Optional Sightseeing: Optional sightseeing, as stated on the daily itinerary with the tour escort – Local transfer costs, entrance fees and lunches on these tours are NOT included in the advertised tour price. This additional cost is approximately $200 per person. This is payable in Japan at each sightseeing spot before entry. Your tour escort will be with you to assist.
Group Size: Minimum 10 / Maximum 21 People
Baggage: Luggage transfers as per tour itinerary are recommended by JTB as there is limited space on local transport. The Japan hotel luggage transfer service is very reliable; you large luggage will be safe when you send it onto the next city.
Pre/Post Tour Accommodation: JTB can arrange pre and post accommodation for the tour. Please request at time of booking. 
Grand Prince New Takanawa (Superior Modern Room)
General Remarks: *A fair amount of walking is involved on this tour.
*Hotels are subject to change of the same category
*Daily schedule is subject to change due to weather, transport or any other unforeseen circumstances.
*Minimum 10 persons for the tour to operate, maximum 20
*Child reduction prices are also available, please contact JTB.
*Double rooms can be requested upon booking. Request base only.
*Single supplement has been calculated based on Single Room use. Twin room single use will be required additional charge.
*JTB does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. However, the locations visited during a JTB Fully Escorted Tour may involve a considerable amount of walking and climbing stairs. JTB recommends that travellers with disabilities be accompanied by their own assistant, capable of providing all necessary assistance. JTB Fully Escorted Tours do not include special assistance to participants with disabilities. JTB reserves the right to refuse participation in Fully Escorted Tours if it considers that such participation is reasonably likely to impose an unjustifiable hardship on JTB or its personnel. Alternatively, JTB would be pleased to organise Independent Tours for travellers with special needs.

 

AVAILABLE: Bookings are open. Minimum 10 passengers for the tour to operate. 

GUARANTEED TO DEPART: There is a minimum of 10 people booked. The tour will be operating.

FULLY BOOKED: Maximum capacity reached. 

TOUR DATES TOUR STATUS SINGLE TWIN (PP PRICE) TRIPLE (PP PRICE)
20 Sep 2020 BOOKING CLOSED 13,500 10,350 9,820
18 Oct 2020 BOOKING CLOSED 13,500 10,350 9,820
15 Nov 2020 BOOKING CLOSED 13,720 10,490 10,060
14 Mar 2021 BOOKING CLOSED 14,080 10,750 10,280
04 Apr 2021 BOOKING CLOSED 13,720 10,150 9,890
16 May 2021 AVAILABLE 13,720 10,150 9,890


Japan is a wonderful country!

Japan is a wonderful country. Our guide was knowledgeable and very easy to get along with. He catered for everyone's individual needs. Very highly recommended. 

What a pleasure to travel by train

What a pleasure to travel by train with plenty of legroom and ease of getting on and off. Having a tour guide and travelling in a small group ensured that any concerns or queries were promptly attended to. Spring temperatures were warm and pleasant. The amount of walking was not strenuous and the overall pace of the tour was relaxing. 

I loved the train experience

I loved the train experience and the variety of activities, places and information by the guide. He helped me understand better how Japan "ticks". I particularly enjoyed the tea ceremony and the stay at the Ryokan. 

A very comprehensive tour showing us the many faces of Japan

This was a very comprehensive tour showing us the many faces of Japan, old and new - A fascinating country with delightful welcoming people. Train network was a great way to travel. Our tour guide was outstanding - helpful at all times and knowledgeable! 

Most enjoyable tour

Most enjoyable tour, excellent tour escort, not too many shrines or temples but the Japanese culture was well presented without information overload.

A memorable tour

A memorable tour with tour escort. Not only did we see so much on foot and from the trains we also learnt about Japan's history and culture. 

Comprehensive tour in 21 days

Quality of guides and explanation of culture/locations. Mr Kawakami is the best tour guide we have ever had - we have toured extensively in north/south America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Comprehensive tour provided on Japan Rail network and great accommodation quality. 

We covered so much of Japan!

This was my first trup with JTB and I am very pleased to have chosen this tour. We covered so much of Japan and were shown many cultural and natural sights. The train experience was also fun and memorable. The tour guide was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and approachable. He was the key reason we enjoyed the overall experience! 

















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