PLEASE NOTE: After his recent trip to Japan, Barry made several improvements to the flow of this tour. This new plan includes all the features of the original, but the logistics have been streamlined to allow a couple of extra things to be added (at no additional cost).
This tour is designated as a TravelMaven Walking Tour. Over the course of a typical day, guests should be able to handle 10,000 steps, ten or more flights of stairs and lots of ups and downs on uneven terrain. The good news is: we won't be in a race, so our pace will be relaxed!
Japan occupies a unique place in many Westerners' minds. On the one hand, it seems very familiar. We've seen it in dozens of movies, and Japanese consumer products have been part of our everyday lives for decades. On the other hand, it seems exotic and foreign. On this tour, we'll reconcile these two perspectives and experience the Japan of today.
Travel in Japan has also been presumed expensive since the 1980's. We've all heard crazy stories about $800 hotel rooms and $25 hamburgers. While this may have been true at one time, things have changed so that Japan today is no more expensive than Canada. In fact, hotels are cheaper in Tokyo than Vancouver, and beer costs less in Kyoto than Toronto!
This Best of JAPAN tour is meant as an introduction to this beautiful country. It doesn't purport to be comprehensive, as a truly exhaustive tour of Japan would take many weeks. Instead, we will sample the best this country has to offer using their incredible bullet train network and just three conveniently located hotels in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto.
So, if you've always wanted to see Japan like that, we hope you will join us!
2025: SOLD OUT
DEPARTS TORONTO: Mon Oct 27 2025
BEGINS in TOKYO: Tue Oct 28 2025
ENDS in TOKYO: Mon Nov 10 2025
RECOMMENDED FLIGHT PLAN:
Oct 27/25: (AC001) YYZ-HND @ 13:15
Nov 10/25: (AC002) HND-YYZ @ 18:10
2026:
LAND PACKAGE: $6,980 (US$5,235)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,940 (US$1,455)
2026 Dates & Flight Plans tbd
TYPE: Active Sightseeing (lots of walking)
HOTELS: 3 star & 4 star
GROUP: Max 12 guests
DURATION: 14 days (13 hotel nights)
DAY 0 (Mon Oct 27) Depart Toronto
The trans-Pacific flight is not included in this Land Package, but TravelMaven recommends AC001 from Toronto to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Barry will meet this flight at Haneda airport, while guests arriving at Narita Airport (much further out of the city) will need to make their own way to the hotel in Shinjuku.
DAY 1 (Tue Oct 28) Arrive in Tokyo
Those who arrive from Seoul with Barry will have a free day. For those arriving from Toronto, Barry will meet them at Haneda Airport on AC001 at 15:50 and bring them to the hotel. While there is no group dinner planned (as some may want to rest), Barry will take those interested to a casual restaurant nearby.
Japanese women in traditional kimonos
DAY 2 (Wed Oct 29) Imperial Palace; Ginza District (B,D)
We'll begin the day with breakfast and a short meeting to discuss the tour. Afterwards, we'll walk a few blocks to one of Japan's most significant landmarks, the Imperial Palace, for a guided tour. Afterwards, we'll stop along the way for lunch before returning to the hotel for a couple of hours before walking to nearby Ginza to check out Tokyo's version of Fifth Avenue in New York.
DAY 3 (Thu Oct 30) Tokyo Sightseeing Tour (B)
On this day we'll see many of the top tourist sites in Tokyo (actual tour route to be determined). Guests will have a free evening.
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
DAY 4 (Fri Oct 31) Mount Fuji Day Trip. (B)
The number one tourism icon in Japan is Mount Fuji, visible from tall buildings in Tokyo on a clear day. We'll take a full day bus tour that provides multiple photo ops and other opportunities to see this majestic peak. Upon our return, guests will have a free evening.
DAY 5 (Sat Nov 1) FREE DAY (optional Nikko Day Trip) (B)
Guests will have a full day to explore Tokyo on their own, or they may travel to Nikko to explore the Toshogu Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage site). Nikko is impressive, but this is a long and tiring day.
Mount Fuji
DAY 6 (Sun Nov 2); Train to Kyoto; Gion District (B)
After an easy morning we'll catch a high-speed train to Kyoto. After checking-in at our hotel, we will take a subway to the nearby Gion District for a walk and casual dinner.
DAY 7 (Mon Nov 3) Kyoto Highlights #1 (B)
Our tour of historic sites in Kyoto will begin with the Royal Palace. Afterwards, we will walk to nearby Nijo Castle. We'll get lunch along the way, finishing at Higashi Hongan-ji Temple before returning to our hotel for an easy evening.
Gion District, Kyoto
DAY 8 (Tue Nov 4) Kyoto Highlights #2 (B)
On this day, we'll visit several popular sites around Kyoto, including the Sagano Romantic Train, the Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park Iwatayama, and the Kinkakuji Temple. Guests have a free evening, or they can join Barry for a tour and casual dinner in the surprising Kyoto Station.
DAY 9 (Wed Nov 5) Todaiji Temple in Nara (B)
After breakfast, we'll catch a train to the nearby ancient capital of Nara. We will explore the grounds of the Todaiji Temple and surrounding sites in Nara Park (famous for all the deer). While Barry will return to Kyoto in the early afternoon, guests may choose to stay longer in the historic small city.
Todaiji Temple, Nara
DAY 10 (Thu Nov 6) Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Osaka for the evening (B)
We will begin with a very early visit to the Fushimi Shrine, home of many hundred Torii gates. We wil hike to the top, then return to our hotel for a free afternoon in Kyoto. In the evening, we will travel to Osaka to enjoy the energy and excitment of the Minami Nightlife District.
DAY 11 (Fri Nov 7) FREE DAY in Kyoto or Osaka (B)
On this day, guests will be able to create their own program, either staying in Kyoto or travelling to nearby Osaka. Barry is happy to share ideas and help with planning.
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
DAY 12 (Sat Nov 8) Train to Hiroshima; Atomic Museum (B,L)
After breakfast and check-out, we'll catch a train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, we'll drop our bags at the hotel before heading over to the Atomic Museum (memorial to those killed in the atomic blast). After the museum, we will have our final Group Dinner.
DAY 13 (Sun Nov9) Itsukushima Jinja & Island (B,D)
We start early to beat the crowds that builld later in the day at the Miyajima Ropeway (aka cable car). Barry will take everyone to the top, then release guests to enjoy the island at their own pace.
Atomic Remnant, Hiroshima
DAY 14 (Mon Nov 10) Depart Japan (B)
After an easy morning, leisurely breakfast and check-out, we will head to Hiroshima Airport to catch our afternoon flight to Tokyo Haneda Airport. Those heading home will catch their 18:10 flight. Those staying longer in Japan, will be able to carry on with their plans.
If anyone is interested, TravelMaven offers two tours starting shortly after Best of JAPAN. Ask Barry if you'd like to link Japan with either. One is the Best of VIETNAM, beginning in Hanoi on Thu Nov 13. The second is BORNEO SAFARI, beginning on Sun Nov 16.
Itsukushima Gate
Tokyo Imperial Palace tour
Visit to Ginza District
Mount Fuji Day Trip
Tokyo City Sightseeing Tour
Nikko City Day Trip (optional)
Atomic Museum Hiroshima
Itsukushima Shrine
Hijemi Castle
Kyoto Imperial Palace tour
Gion (Kyoto's geisha district) walkabout
Sagano Romantic Train
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest walkabout
Monkey Park Iwatayama summit
Kinkakuji Temple visit
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Todaiji Temple (and more in Nara)
Nara Park
Minami Nightlife District
Tokyo: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (or similar) 5 nts
Hiroshima: Hotel Granvia (or similar) 2 nts
Kyoto: Hotel Granvia (or similar) 6 nts
Breakfast (13)
Lunch (3)
Dinner (4)
All ground transportation (including high speed trains)
One-way flight (Hiroshima to Tokyo Haneda)
Taxes and fees
The price is in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy, and guaranteed once a 20% nonrefundable deposit is received. The US dollar price is an estimate based on an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.75. As such, it will fluctuate with that exchange rate.