Walking Tour
PLEASE NOTE: This tour is designated as a Walking Tour. Over the course of a 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 the 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 with a Japan Rail pass (using their incredible bullet train network) and just three conveniently located hotels in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto.
Interestingly enough, we don't travel like this to save money. We do it because it's the most efficient way to see a place like Japan, and it increases our interaction with the people who live there. Riding around on a bus with 40 other foreign tourists may be easier, but we believe our way provides a more authentic experience.
So, if you've always wanted to see Japan like that, we hope you will join us!
TOUR DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: $6,380 (US$4,785)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,440 (US$1,080)
Tour begins in Tokyo; ends in Osaka
(Guests depart Toronto the previous day.)
1. October 28, 2025
2. November 13, 2025
TYPE: Active Sightseeing (lots of walking)
HOTELS: 4 star & 3 star
GROUP: Max 12 guests
DURATION: 15 days (13 hotel nights)
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 1 (Oct 27/Nov 12) Depart Toronto
There are many ways to fly from Toronto to Tokyo, where there are two major airports. The easiest flight plan is direct with Air Canada to Haneda Airport, but flying through the USA or into Narita Airport may be considerably less expensive. As such, Barry suggests guests discuss flight options with him or our travel agent before booking.
DAY 2 (Oct 28/Nov 13) Arrive in Tokyo
Those who've arrived from Seoul the evening before will have a day to relax. For those arriving from Toronto, Barry will meet their flights at Haneda Airport. If some arrive at Narita Airport, Barry will do his best to meet those flights too.
Japanese women in traditional kimonos
DAY 3 (Oct 29/Nov 14) 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 4 (Oct 30/Nov 15) 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.
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
DAY 5 (Oct 31/Nov 16) 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.
DAY 6 (Nov 1/Nov 17) Nikko Day Trip (B,L)
One advantage of Japan is how easy it is to escape the city and visit the countryside. We'll take a train to the mountain village of Nikko and enjoy the day exploring the natural beauty and ancient architecture.
Shinkyo Bridge, Nikko
DAY 7 (Nov 2/Nov 18) Free Day in Tokyo (B,D)
On this day, guests can choose their own activities. Barry is happy to make suggestions and help with bookings. At the end of the day, we'll convene for our 'Farewell to Tokyo' dinner.
DAY 8 (Nov 3/Nov 19) Tokyo to Hiroshima; Atomic Museum (B,L)
After breakfast and check-out, we'll go to Tokyo Station to catch a train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, we'll drop our bags at the hotel and have lunch before heading over to the Atomic Museum (memorial to those killed in the atomic blast). Guests will have a free evening.
Atomic Remnant, Hiroshima
DAY 9 (Nov 4/Nov 20) Itsukushima Jinja & Island (B,D)
On this leisurely day, we'll take a ferry across the bay to Itsukushima Island to see the shrine and enjoy nature. After some free time in the afternoon, we'll have a group dinner at the hotel.
DAY 10 (Nov 5/Nov 21) Hiroshima to Kyoto; Imperial Palace (B,L)
After check-out, we'll go to Hiroshima Station to catch a train to Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto. Upon arrival we'll drop our bags and have lunch at the hotel before visiting the Imperial Palace. In the evening, we'll pick up a light dinner somewhere while walking through the geisha neighbourhood of Gion
Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima
DAY 11 (Nov 6/Nov 22) Kyoto Highlights Tour (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 12 (Nov 7/Nov 23) Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Nara (B)
After an early breakfast, we'll catch a train to Fushimi to see this world-famous temple and archway. In late morning, we'll continue on to Nara for lunch and to see the Todaiji Temple and surrounding sites in Nara Park (famous for all the deer). Guests will have a free evening.
Gion District, Kyoto
DAY 13 (Nov 8/Nov 24) Osaka Day Trip (B)
For our final day trip, we'll visit bustling Osaka. The attraction here isn't a specific site. Rather, it's the energy of the place. We'll visit Osaka Castle and other sites before enjoying a dinner amidst the chaos and noise of the Minami Nighlife District.
DAY 14 (Nov 9/Nov 25) Free Day in Kyoto; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
On our last day in Japan, guests will have free time to explore whatever they've missed before reconvening for our Farewell Dinner.
DAY 15 (Nov 10/Nov 26) Depart Japan (B)
Our tour ends this day. Depending on flight plans, guests will shuttle to Osaka International Airport for their flight home.
Minami Nightlife District, Osaka