SHORTLIST

Premium Highlights of Japan

If you want to experience a few (of the many) highlights of Japan, all while staying in comfortable accommodation with like-minded travellers, this Premium adventure from Tokyo to Kyoto is a must! You’ll spend nine days exploring world-class shopping neighbourhoods, geisha districts, hole-in-the-wall eateries, ancient temples and markets with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. Learn about the history of samurai from a family of contemporary ninjas, try to find snow monkeys bathing in hot springs on the mountain in Yamanouchi, wander through a designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Arashiyama and Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden in Kanazawa and follow the trail at a sacred shrine in Kyoto.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. When travelling by train, we include the transfer of one piece of luggage from destination to destination. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details on luggage transfers and luggage size.

3. We are currently unable to offer airport transfers in Japan. Please refer to the Joining Point Instructions of the Essential Trip Information for our recommendations on arrival. Your leader will be able to advise the best way to reach the airport at the end of your trip.

4. For the departures starting in March, November and December, the Yudanaka area may experience up to 20 cm of snow. It is therefore recommended to bring suitable footwear – e.g. snow boots, hiking boots, etc. – for the short group hike here.

Tour details

Tour Provider	Intrepid Travel
Price From	$6,909
Number of Days	9
Start Location	Tokyo, Japan
End Location	Kyoto, Japan
Age Range	Avg. 30+
Group Size	1 to 12
Tour Style	Comfort
Tour Themes	Adventure
Physical Rating	Easy to Moderate

Itinerary Open all

Day 1: Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, Tokyo has many sides to explore, from fascinating museums and world-class shopping to neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. After your meeting tonight, you’ll head out for an included welcome dinner with your new trip leader and fellow travellers.

Day 2: Tokyo

This morning after breakfast at your hotel, you’ll head out for a leader-led walking tour of Asakusa – an area of Tokyo that retains the vibe of older Tokyo, lined with craft shops and street-food stalls. Asakusa’s main attraction is Sensoji Temple. You’ll explore this ancient Buddhist temple – the oldest and one of the most significant in the city – and learn how it became independent from the Tendai sect of Buddhism after World War II. Then, head to a non-profit family-owned dojo with over 400 years of operation for an authentic samurai experience run by contemporary ninjas. Learn about the history and culture of Samurai, from a descendant of an original Samurai clan, see and touch real weaponry and try on some traditional costumes. Tonight, cruise down the Sumida River to enjoy some of Tokyo’s best sites from a different perspective. After the cruise, join your group for a dinner at a traditional local restaurant.

Day 3: Tokyo

Head out on a day trip to Kamakura – a small coastal town known for its historical treasures, sometimes called ‘the Kyoto of Eastern Japan’. See the sites with a unique mode of transport – a traditional rickshaw. Your knowledgeable driver (there are no wheels on this rickshaw, only your guide’s feet) will tell you all about the local history, the best spots to pick up some local favourites for lunch and maybe even take you to some secret spots along the way. See the Jufukuji Temple, the Eishoji Temple and Kawakita Film Museum, as well as the giant Buddha at Kotoku-in. After, you’ll switch your guide’s feet for train tracks on a traditional Enoden ride – the electric railway that the Enoden travels on is the sixth oldest railway in all of Japan! This train will take you through some winding, narrow alleyways that no other train could ride through.

Day 4: Yudanaka

Make the train journey to Yamanouchi – home of the famed snow monkeys who live at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. When you arrive, head to your Feature Stay to settle in – a traditional-style onsen (hot springs and the bathing facilities and inns that surround the springs). Head out on a group hike to the park. This is the only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs! If the season’s right, you can watch the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathing, pruning each other and relaxing in the steaming waters by the mountain. Back at the accommodation, maybe take a quick dip in the onsite hot springs, some overlooking the rolling greens of the mountain surroundings. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a group dinner at your accommodation of seasonal wild plants, fresh local vegetables and natural river fish from the Chikuma River nearby.

Day 5: Kanazawa

Take the train to Kanazawa, known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, handicrafts, garden and castle. When you arrive, pick up some lunch, then you’ll visit Kenrokuen Garden – Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden, which began in the 17th century. This park is celebrated for its classic landscape designs that feature ponds and streams, promoting well-being, a clear mind and a connection to nature. After wandering through the garden, you’ll walk by the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle – this historic area was once a residential district for the city’s samurai. After exploring Nagamachi Samurai District and learning about the area’s past, continue exploring in the Higashi Chaya District – a small neighbourhood with teahouses, alleys and lots of shops and restaurants. Maybe ask your leader for recommendations on how to spend the late afternoon.

Day 6: Kanazawa

After breakfast, you’ll continue exploring Kanazawa with a tour of Omicho Market – the hub of the local food culture, famous for its seafood and locally grown produce. With a local guide with all the insight into the region, the food and the market, you’ll wind your way through the stalls and learn how to spot the freshest ingredients. Then head back to your guide’s kitchen and learn some tips and tricks on how to cook a traditional Kanazawa meal. Sit down as a group and enjoy the fruits of your labour, before enjoying an afternoon at your leisure.

Day 7: Kyoto

Today, you’ll leave Kanazawa and head to Kyoto by Shinkansen and the Thunderbird train. Once the capital of Japan, this city in Honshu is famous for its classic Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, gardens, imperial palaces and traditional architecture. When you arrive, you’ll head to Arashiyama – in the west, this area is a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. Explore the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple and Kameyama-kn Park on the hilltop. After some time for lunch, try your hand at Kyoto Yuzen dyeing in its most typical form. Learn from traditional craftsmen as you immerse yourself in Kyoto’s tradition of dyeing and take home anything you create as a souvenir. In the evening, head to Gion, the geisha district, filled with shops, restaurants and teahouses. This area is a geisha district, meaning hostesses in colourful kimonos are often sighted on the Tatsumi Bridge and in the boutiques of Hanamikoji Street.

Day 8: Kyoto

This morning, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine – known for the distinctly red tunnels of more than 10,000 vermilion torii gates that wind over the hills of Mount Inari. After taking in this iconic spiritual site, take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Also called ‘Chado’, ‘the way of the tea’ is the traditional and ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha. Learn how to prepare the tea then gain hands-on experience by preparing it yourself. After, maybe head to Nishiki Market, where you might like to grab a bite to eat from one of the hundred shops and restaurants that line this narrow shopping street. Tonight, you’ll sit down for an included group dinner to say goodbye, share stories (and great photos) and celebrate a trip well-travelled.

Day 9: Kyoto

With no activities planned today, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to spend longer in Kyoto, just speak to your booking agent.

Inclusions

Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners.
Transport: Train, Bus.
Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night).
Tokyo - Welcome dinner.
Tokyo - Authentic Samurai Experience.
Tokyo - Sensoji Temple.
Tokyo - River Cruise.
Tokyo - Kamakura Day Trip.
Kamakura - Enoden Ride.
Kamakura - Rickshaw Ride.
Kamakura - Kotoku-In temple.
Yudanaka - Snow Monkey Park.
Yudanaka - Onsen Experience.
Kanazawa - Kenrokuen Garden.
Kanazawa - Samurai District Walking Tour.
Kanazawa - Higashi Chaya District walking tour.
Kanazawa - Market Visit and Sushi Making Experience.
Kyoto - Arashiyama Walking Tour.
Kyoto - Gion Night walk.
Kyoto - Yuzon Dyeing Workshop.
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari - Taisha.
Kyoto -Tea Ceremony.

Departure dates

All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply

Start	End	Availability	Price NZD
27 Sep 2025	05 Oct 2025	2	$10,160
04 Oct 2025	12 Oct 2025	1	$10,300
15 Oct 2025	23 Oct 2025	9	$6,909
18 Oct 2025	26 Oct 2025	7	$8,381
08 Nov 2025	16 Nov 2025	2	$9,910
29 Nov 2025	07 Dec 2025	8	$9,420
06 Dec 2025	14 Dec 2025	9	$7,675
20 Dec 2025	28 Dec 2025	11	$9,420
17 Jan 2026	25 Jan 2026	7	$8,980
14 Feb 2026	22 Feb 2026	8	$9,145
07 Mar 2026	15 Mar 2026	4	$9,515
14 Mar 2026	22 Mar 2026	11	$9,060
21 Mar 2026	29 Mar 2026	10	$9,060
25 Mar 2026	02 Apr 2026	10	$9,060
28 Mar 2026	05 Apr 2026	10	$9,320
01 Apr 2026	09 Apr 2026	10	$9,320
04 Apr 2026	12 Apr 2026	12	$9,320
11 Apr 2026	19 Apr 2026	11	$9,500
15 Apr 2026	23 Apr 2026	12	$9,500
09 May 2026	17 May 2026	12	$9,500
13 May 2026	21 May 2026	12	$9,500
16 May 2026	24 May 2026	12	$9,500
23 May 2026	31 May 2026	12	$9,320
30 May 2026	07 Jun 2026	12	$9,320
13 Jun 2026	21 Jun 2026	12	$8,155
27 Jun 2026	05 Jul 2026	12	$7,915
22 Jul 2026	30 Jul 2026	12	$7,915
22 Aug 2026	30 Aug 2026	11	$7,915
05 Sep 2026	13 Sep 2026	12	$9,060
12 Sep 2026	20 Sep 2026	12	$9,060
26 Sep 2026	04 Oct 2026	12	$9,320
30 Sep 2026	08 Oct 2026	12	$9,320
03 Oct 2026	11 Oct 2026	12	$9,500
07 Oct 2026	15 Oct 2026	10	$9,500
10 Oct 2026	18 Oct 2026	12	$9,500
14 Oct 2026	22 Oct 2026	12	$9,320
17 Oct 2026	25 Oct 2026	12	$9,060
24 Oct 2026	01 Nov 2026	12	$9,060
07 Nov 2026	15 Nov 2026	11	$8,795
14 Nov 2026	22 Nov 2026	12	$8,795
21 Nov 2026	29 Nov 2026	12	$8,795
28 Nov 2026	06 Dec 2026	12	$8,795
05 Dec 2026	13 Dec 2026	12	$8,795
19 Dec 2026	27 Dec 2026	12	$8,795
16 Jan 2027	24 Jan 2027	12	$9,235
13 Feb 2027	21 Feb 2027	12	$9,235
06 Mar 2027	14 Mar 2027	12	$9,515
13 Mar 2027	21 Mar 2027	9	$9,515
20 Mar 2027	28 Mar 2027	12	$9,515
24 Mar 2027	01 Apr 2027	12	$9,515
27 Mar 2027	04 Apr 2027	12	$9,785
31 Mar 2027	08 Apr 2027	12	$9,785
03 Apr 2027	11 Apr 2027	12	$9,785
05 Apr 2027	13 Apr 2027	12	$9,975
07 Apr 2027	15 Apr 2027	12	$9,975
10 Apr 2027	18 Apr 2027	12	$9,975
14 Apr 2027	22 Apr 2027	12	$9,975
08 May 2027	16 May 2027	12	$9,975
12 May 2027	20 May 2027	12	$9,785
15 May 2027	23 May 2027	12	$9,785
22 May 2027	30 May 2027	12	$9,785
29 May 2027	06 Jun 2027	12	$9,515
05 Jun 2027	13 Jun 2027	12	$9,515
12 Jun 2027	20 Jun 2027	12	$9,235
26 Jun 2027	04 Jul 2027	12	$9,235
03 Jul 2027	11 Jul 2027	12	$9,235
21 Jul 2027	29 Jul 2027	12	$9,235
28 Jul 2027	05 Aug 2027	12	$9,235
14 Aug 2027	22 Aug 2027	12	$9,235
18 Aug 2027	26 Aug 2027	12	$9,235
21 Aug 2027	29 Aug 2027	10	$9,235
04 Sep 2027	12 Sep 2027	12	$9,515
11 Sep 2027	19 Sep 2027	12	$9,515
15 Sep 2027	23 Sep 2027	12	$9,785
25 Sep 2027	03 Oct 2027	12	$9,785
29 Sep 2027	07 Oct 2027	12	$9,975
02 Oct 2027	10 Oct 2027	12	$9,975
06 Oct 2027	14 Oct 2027	12	$9,975
09 Oct 2027	17 Oct 2027	12	$9,975
13 Oct 2027	21 Oct 2027	12	$9,785
16 Oct 2027	24 Oct 2027	12	$9,785
23 Oct 2027	31 Oct 2027	12	$9,515
30 Oct 2027	07 Nov 2027	12	$9,515
06 Nov 2027	14 Nov 2027	12	$9,235
10 Nov 2027	18 Nov 2027	12	$9,235
13 Nov 2027	21 Nov 2027	12	$9,235
20 Nov 2027	28 Nov 2027	12	$9,235
27 Nov 2027	05 Dec 2027	12	$9,235
04 Dec 2027	12 Dec 2027	12	$9,235
18 Dec 2027	26 Dec 2027	12	$9,235