Tour – Japan Bonsai (12 Days) by Bavaria Fernreisen – Reviews & Prices

Japan’s strongest contrasts are packed into this route: you move from Kyoto’s red torii gates to the high-rises of Tokyo, with gardens, mountain towns and a chance to see snow monkeys along the way. I like the mix of city and countryside and the chance to see major sights with a German-speaking guide who stays with the group from day 2 to day 11.

I also like that you get some free time in Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo, rather than spending every hour on a coach. The trade-off is pace: there are long drives and a lot of temples, shrines and gardens. If you want time to linger, you may find the schedule too full.

At a glance

• Kyoto’s headline sights: Visit the Imperial Palace grounds, Kinkakuji and Fushimi Inari, with a Zen garden stop along the way.
• A glimpse of rural Japan: The route crosses the Japanese Alps region, with optional trips to Takayama and Shirakawa-go.
• Snow monkeys and Fuji: Walk forest trails to Jigokudani Monkey Park, then continue to Lake Kawaguchi, weather permitting.
• A German-speaking guide: The guide accompanies the group from day 2 through day 11. Group size is 20 to 38.
• Optional excursions: Hiroshima and Miyajima, Takayama and Shirakawa-go, and Nikko add variety, but cost extra and take time.
• A packed schedule: Strong organization and guiding are highly praised, while long bus rides and time pressure are the main cautions.

The route at a glance: Osaka to Narita

This is a guided introduction to Japan, not a slow, stay-put trip. You arrive in Osaka, transfer to Kyoto, then travel north through Nara, Kanazawa and Nagano before reaching the Fuji Five Lakes region and Tokyo. The final airport transfer is to Narita or Haneda, with the tour described as ending in Narita.

The package is listed from $3,910, with scheduled flights from Frankfurt, airport transfers in Japan, coach transport, sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined. Rail and Fly second class, including ICE use, is also included. The group is fairly large, at 20 to 38 people, so expect shared coach time and the usual need to keep to the meeting times.

The advertised tour lasts 12 days, though the sightseeing portion runs from arrival in Japan on day 2 to departure on day 11. Day 1 is the outbound flight and day 12 is arrival back in Germany. Check your dates carefully, since flight timing can alter the actual travel duration.

Kyoto’s temples, gardens and famous red gates

Your first night in Japan is in Kyoto, and day 3 is a substantial sightseeing day. You visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace, known as Gosho, where the guide explains the complex from outside. Next comes Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, with its gold-leaf exterior and carefully arranged garden.

A Zen garden offers a quieter change of pace. You view it from a wooden platform and remove your shoes, a small detail that helps make the setting feel different from a quick photo stop. The day ends at Fushimi Inari, where thousands of red torii gates line the paths. The route through the gates is memorable, though the schedule may leave less time to explore at your own speed.

Day 4 is open for independent Kyoto time or an optional excursion by Shinkansen to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Miyajima’s famous torii gate make a powerful day trip, but it is a long outing. If you choose it, you give up a second day to explore Kyoto. Confirm the excursion cost and exact arrangements before booking, since optional trips are not included in the base price.

Nara, Kanazawa and the Japanese Alps

On day 5, the coach takes you to Nara, about an hour from Kyoto. At Todai-ji, you see Japan’s largest seated bronze Buddha, then walk through Nara Park among the sika deer. They are used to people, but remember they are still animals, not theme-park props. After lunch, the coach continues to Kanazawa, where the rest of the day is free.

Kanazawa gets a full day on day 6, with a choice between exploring independently or taking an optional trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Takayama is known for its old town and mountain setting; Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The excursion adds a very different feel to the trip, but it also means a long day away from Kanazawa.

On day 7, you visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s best-known landscape gardens, then walk through the grounds of Kanazawa Castle. The garden is a useful counterpoint to the temples and shrines: it asks you to slow down and notice how paths, water and planting shape a place. Later, you travel to Nagano and visit Zenkoji, a major Buddhist temple. Beneath it is a pitch-black passage you can walk through. It is short, but not for anyone who dislikes enclosed darkness.

Snow monkeys and Mount Fuji views

Day 8 brings one of the tour’s most unusual stops: Jigokudani Monkey Park near Yamanouchi’s hot springs. You walk about 30 minutes each way on forest trails and stairs to reach the area where Japanese macaques may be seen bathing in the springs. Sightings depend on conditions, and the trail can be impassable in snow or ice. An alternative program is offered if the path is unsafe.

After the park, you continue to the Fuji Five Lakes area and Lake Kawaguchi. Mount Fuji is the star, but views depend on the weather, so keep your expectations flexible. The hotel has a Japanese hot spring, giving you a chance to try an onsen after a day of walking and coach travel. If you have tattoos or other questions about onsen rules, ask the hotel or guide before you go; no specific policy is provided for this stay.

Tokyo’s shrines, shops and city views

On day 9, the trip shifts from mountain scenery to the Tokyo metropolis. You visit Meiji Shrine, set within a large park, then walk through Harajuku and along Omotesando Boulevard. The contrast is the point: a quiet shrine setting gives way to shops, fashion and city streets.

In Shinjuku, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers city views. It is a practical way to get a sense of Tokyo’s scale, especially after days spent in smaller cities and towns. Day 10 is yours to explore independently, or you can join an optional excursion to Nikko, a UNESCO shrine city. Nikko adds another dose of historic architecture and religious sites, so consider whether that is what you want after several temple-heavy days.

There is also an optional Tokyo highlights tour on the morning of departure day. Your airport transfer is scheduled for early evening, but check the flight details and tour timing before adding anything. The return flight is listed from Tokyo, with arrival in Germany on day 12.

How the pace feels on the ground

The tour’s strongest practical advantage is organization. The local guide is praised for clear explanations, careful coordination and useful tips, including help outside the formal touring hours. That matters on a route with many transfers and sights. A German-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the Japan portion, but this is not the right choice if you need English-language guiding.

The main drawback is the schedule. One participant found there was little time to enjoy the stops or have lunch at an easy pace; another praised the organization but pointed to long bus rides and time pressure. A further comment raised the feeling of too many temples, shrines, castles and palaces. That is a fair warning: the cultural focus is strong, but there is little emphasis on food, wildlife beyond the monkeys and deer, or modern transport experiences.

The bus is useful for connecting places that would otherwise take careful planning, but those connections can eat into your day. If riding the Shinkansen is important to you, note that it is tied to an optional Hiroshima excursion, not a clear included part of the main route. The itinerary uses a coach for several long transfers.

Hotels, meals and what the price covers

Accommodation is in mid-range hotels, with listed stays in Kyoto, Kanazawa, Nagano, Fujikawaguchiko and Tokyo. The Tokyo hotel is in Ariake, while the Kyoto hotel is in the Karasuma Gojo area. A single-room supplement is listed at EUR 655 per person.

There is conflicting information about breakfast: the included-services details say breakfast is not included, while the tour FAQ says breakfast is included. The hotel list also does not clearly settle the question. Confirm this directly with the operator before booking, and budget for meals either way. Lunch and dinner are not listed as included; the guide can offer recommendations, and you should mention dietary requirements on arrival.

At $3,910, the price includes international flights from Frankfurt, Japan airport transfers, coach transport, a German-speaking guide, and the sightseeing and entrance fees specified in the itinerary. That can be good value if you want a coordinated trip and would otherwise need to arrange several hotels and long-distance transfers yourself. It is less compelling if you prefer small groups, independent travel or slow mornings. Optional excursions, travel insurance and gratuities are extra. The optional Kyoto and Nikko excursion package is listed at 255, but the currency and exact inclusions should be verified.

Who should book this Japan tour?

I’d consider this tour if you want a broad first look at Japan, prefer having transport and major sights organized, and are comfortable following a busy group schedule. It suits people who enjoy historic sites and gardens, and who are happy to travel with a German-speaking guide in a group of up to 38.

Think twice if you want long stretches of unplanned time, dislike coach travel or have already seen many temples and shrines. The best way to get more from the trip is to choose optional excursions selectively: Hiroshima and Miyajima offer a distinct historical experience, while Takayama and Shirakawa-go add mountain-town scenery. You do not need to say yes to every extra.

FAQ

Is this tour conducted in English?

No. The tour is guided in German, with a local German-speaking guide accompanying the group from day 2 to day 11.

Are flights included?

Scheduled flights from Frankfurt to Osaka and a return flight from Tokyo are included in the tour details. Rail and Fly second class, including ICE use, is also listed.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes. Transfers are included on arrival and departure in Japan. The departure transfer is to Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport.

Are meals included?

The information conflicts: one section says breakfast is not included, while the tour FAQ says it is. Lunch and dinner are not listed as included. Confirm breakfast arrangements with the operator before booking.

How large is the group?

The stated group size is 20 to 38 people.

Which excursions cost extra?

Optional excursions include Hiroshima and Miyajima, Takayama and Shirakawa-go, and Nikko. An optional Kyoto and Nikko excursion package is listed at 255, but its currency and precise contents should be confirmed.

How demanding is the tour?

It is rated medium intensity. The walk to Jigokudani Monkey Park is about 30 minutes each way on forest trails and stairs, and the schedule includes long coach journeys.