Premium Japan by Intrepid – 12-Day Tokyo to Kyoto Tour – Reviews & Prices

Japan’s contrasts come into focus on this 12-day route: Tokyo’s high-speed city life, a steaming volcanic valley in Hakone, old streets in Takayama and a sobering visit to Hiroshima. You finish in Kyoto, where temples, sake and a guided Zen meditation make room for quieter moments.

I like the small group of 6 to 12 and the way local food and cultural experiences are built into the trip, from sushi-making at Tsukiji to a tea ceremony at Daitokuji. The route also handles Japan’s trains and transfers for you, so you can spend less time planning connections and more time noticing where you are.

The trade-off is a full schedule. Several days involve long train journeys, walking and carrying your own bags through stations; you may have less free time than you want. Past leaders have included Ken and Shingo, but the leader changes by departure.

Five things to know before you book

• A private Hakone onsen: Your ryokan room has its own hot spring bath, alongside larger shared baths.
• A thoughtful route: Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji and Kyoto give you a broad first look at Japan.
• Culture you take part in: Make sushi, join a tea ceremony and meditation, and taste sake at a brewery.
• Public transport is part of the trip: Bullet trains, metro, ferries and buses connect the stops, but you’ll need to handle your luggage.
• Full days, compact rooms: The tour earns its range of destinations, though long days and small hotel rooms are worth preparing for.

Tokyo sets the pace

The first three days give you time to see Tokyo from different angles. Day 1 begins with a 6 pm welcome meeting, followed by dinner featuring handmade soba, tempura and yakitori. Arrive early if you want time for a museum, shopping or a walk through the backstreets. You’ll need to arrange your own arrival transport, and the tour does not include flights.

On Day 2, a leader-guided walk takes you through Asakusa, including Senso-ji and Nakamise Dori, the shopping street that leads toward the temple. The metro then carries you to Shibuya, where you’ll see the famous crossing and visit an underground food hall, before heading to Harajuku. The day ends with a trip up Tokyo Skytree. It’s a brisk introduction to old and new Tokyo, and a lot to absorb in one day.

Day 3 turns to food. At Tsukiji Outer Market, your leader introduces the ingredients before a sushi class where you make nigiri, hand-rolled or temari sushi for lunch. The market is not the city’s wholesale fish market, which moved to Toyosu, but it remains a place to encounter seafood and market food. After a short walk in Ginza, the afternoon is free. You could shop, seek out a museum or try karaoke, though some activities, such as the Yayoi Kusama Museum, need advance reservations.

Hakone’s hot springs and volcanic air

On Day 4, you leave Tokyo by train for Hakone, a mountain region known for its hot springs. A cable car takes you to Owakudani’s sulphur vents, where you can walk among the volcanic features and try the local black eggs. Mt Fuji may be visible on a clear day, but don’t plan your whole afternoon around that view.

The night at Susukinohara Ichinoyu is a trip highlight for anyone who wants a traditional ryokan setting with modern comforts. The room has a private onsen, and the property also has indoor and outdoor shared baths. Dinner is included at the ryokan. If you use a public onsen, bathing is nude and separated by gender; ask your leader about etiquette. Tattoos may prevent entry to public baths, so check what private options are available.

Takayama and the thatched roofs of Shirakawa-go

Day 5 is a substantial travel day. You reach Takayama by shinkansen and connecting trains, then walk the town’s old streets with your leader. The Edo-period buildings, sake breweries and food stalls give this stop a different feel from the large cities. A taste of Hida beef, served as sushi or skewers, adds a local specialty to the walk. At Takayama Jinya, you’ll see the former government compound, including its garden, living quarters and rice storehouse.

The next morning starts at Takayama’s market, where stalls sell regional produce and preserved foods, sweets and miso. Then you take a public bus to Shirakawa-go, known for its steep, thatched gassho-zukuri houses. The village’s setting against the Japanese Alps is a welcome change after several urban stops. You return to Takayama in the afternoon, with time to rest or visit the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. That free time matters: the overall route is packed, and a quiet hour can be more appealing than another stop.

Hiroshima, Miyajima and a necessary pause

Day 7 takes you by train to Hiroshima. After an orientation walk, dinner introduces the city’s okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake made with ingredients such as cabbage, egg, noodles and meat or seafood. Oysters are another local specialty. The arrival day is mostly about getting settled, not fitting in a major sight.

The following morning is devoted to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Museum. Your leader helps explain the events of August 1945 and the city’s work for peace. The museum and memorials are affecting, and it’s sensible to leave yourself space to take them in rather than treat the visit as a quick photo stop.

Later, a ferry takes you to Miyajima Island and Itsukushima Shrine, known for its large orange torii gate rising from the sea. Deer roam around the island. If you have the energy and time, you can take the cable car from Momiji Park toward Mt Misen; this is optional, so don’t feel you need to add it after a demanding morning.

Himeji Castle and Kyoto’s slower rituals

On Day 9, you travel toward Kyoto by shinkansen, stopping at Himeji Castle. The white castle has survived centuries of conflict and natural events, and its grounds and interior offer a strong sense of Japan’s samurai past. There are stairs and walking involved, so wear comfortable shoes. In Kyoto, a guided walk through Gion introduces its old wooden teahouses and geiko culture. You may return in the evening on your own, but sightings of geiko or maiko are never something to count on.

Day 10 brings two very different temple visits. Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, is a striking sight beside its pond, though it is popular and the visit can feel brief amid the crowds. Daitokuji offers a more personal experience: a private temple tour, meditation led by a senior monk and a traditional tea ceremony with a prayer. You receive an omamori talisman and a calligraphy pen to write a wish. This is one of the tour’s most distinctive inclusions, offering time to take part rather than simply look around.

The final full day starts at Fushimi Inari, where thousands of torii gates climb Mt Inari. You can walk to the halfway point for city views, or take time among the quieter sections lower down. A sake brewery visit follows, with historical objects and a tasting. The farewell dinner closes the group trip. Day 12 has no scheduled activities, so you can leave Kyoto or arrange extra nights through your booking agent.

What the price covers, and what it does not

Prices start at $7,515, though dates may cost more or less as demand and availability change. For 12 days, that buys a planned route, transport between destinations, a group leader, 11 nights of accommodation and key visits that would take effort to arrange independently. Included meals are 11 breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners. The sushi you make is lunch, and welcome, Hakone, Hiroshima and farewell dinners are among the included meals.

The value is strongest if you want help navigating trains and a good mix of structured visits, local food and cultural activities. The small group can make it easier to move through stations and share meals, while the leader can offer practical suggestions and help with local arrangements. Past leaders Ken and Shingo have been singled out for their care, organization and help with onward travel, but names and experience vary by departure.

This is not a fully all-inclusive holiday. Flights, travel insurance, optional activities and other meals are extra. You’ll also spend time in transit, and the hotel rooms may be smaller than you expect. Japanese double rooms can be around 20 square metres, and a twin room may replace a requested double during busy periods. Accommodation can change if preferred properties are unavailable.

Solo travellers can request a single supplement. The quoted amount is $1,270 in one listing, while another gives CAD $1,655; confirm the cost in your booking currency and check availability before paying.

The pace, packing and practical realities

The trip is rated low intensity, but that does not mean it is effortless. Expect plenty of walking, station stairs and days spent moving between sights. One useful lesson from past departures is to pack light: you may have to carry a daypack while waiting for luggage or navigating busy stations. Comfortable shoes are essential.

The schedule gives you a broad survey rather than long stays in each place. That suits a first trip when you want to see several regions in a short time, but it leaves limited room for spontaneous detours. One past participant found the walking and lack of free time challenging; another felt the full itinerary sometimes rushed the group past places they wanted to linger. Build in a few extra nights in Kyoto or Tokyo if you can.

The group is limited to 6 to 12 people, the tour is guided in English, and the minimum age is 15. Leaders may be Japanese or long-term residents of Japan. They coordinate the trip and share general cultural and historical context, but they are not necessarily specialist guides at every site.

Is this the right Japan tour for you?

Book this trip if you want a well-organized first route through Japan, value a small group and would rather have the train logistics handled than plan every connection yourself. The sushi class, private onsen, Hiroshima memorial visit and Daitokuji meditation give the schedule more character than a checklist of famous sights.

Think twice if you need a slow pace, long stretches of free time or spacious hotel rooms. The price is substantial, and the days are active. If you can accept the walking and travel hours, and add a little time before or after the tour, it offers a practical way to see Japan’s cities, mountain towns and cultural sites in one memorable trip.

FAQ

How long is the tour, and where does it start and end?

It lasts 12 days, starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto. There are no scheduled activities on the final day.

How many people are in the group?

The group size is 6 to 12 people. The tour is guided in English and is open to ages 15 and over.

What meals are included?

The tour includes 11 breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners. These include the welcome dinner, Hakone ryokan dinner, Hiroshima dinner and Kyoto farewell dinner.

Are flights and airport transfers included?

Flights and travel insurance are not included. Airport transfers are not offered. Public transport is available between Kyoto and Kansai or Itami airports, and the tour recommends using it rather than a taxi.

Is there a single supplement?

Yes. A single supplement is available, subject to availability. The supplied prices differ by currency: $1,270 or CAD $1,655, so confirm the applicable amount when booking.

How much walking should I expect?

Quite a lot. You’ll walk during city tours and site visits, and use public transport and busy stations. Comfortable shoes and light luggage are recommended.

Are the Hakone hot springs private?

Your room at the listed Hakone ryokan has a private onsen. Larger shared indoor and outdoor baths are also available. Public onsens involve nude bathing with people of the same gender, and tattoos may affect entry.

Are all hotel rooms double rooms?

Double rooms are requested, but Japanese hotel rooms can be compact, around 20 square metres. During busy periods, a twin room may be provided instead, and accommodation can change if preferred properties are unavailable.

Is the tour suitable for a first visit to Japan?

It covers Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji and Kyoto, with transport and a group leader arranged. The pace is full, so it suits you best if you’re comfortable walking often and moving between destinations.