Japan Rail tour

Grand Tour of Japan 2024/2025

16 Days Train Tour from £5795 per person

Departing April 14th 2018 - Returning April 29th 2018

Magnificent cherry blossom displays, ta ceremonies, whiskey, sushi,  sacred temples; Japan has it all, and when you travel by train it is all too easy to fall in love with this unique country. On an exhilarating Grand Tour of Japan with Great Rail Journeys, you have a chance to experience all of these wonders and much more with ease and in comfort. Prepare to be amazed by the blistering speed of the Bullet Train, inspired by the natural beauty of Mount Fuji and wowed by a culture quite unlike any other.

Itinerary

Days 1-2

London to Sapporo

Our holiday begins with a flight from London to Sapporo, travelling via Hong Kong and arriving on Day 2. Sapporo is famed for its 19th-century architecture, pretty public spaces and gastronomy, some of which we explore on Day 3’s guided tour. Also included is a whiskey tasting at the Yoichi Distillery.

Days 4-6

Hakodate and Tokyo

Travelling by rail to Hakodate we enjoy a guided coach tour on arrival before an evening excursion ascending Mount Hakodate via cable car. We visit the local fish market on Day 5 before catching the bullet train to Tokyo. Day 6 includes a guided sightseeing tour of Japan’s capital.

Days 7-9

Hakone and Mt. Fuji

Boarding the ‘Romance Car’ train to Hakone, we tour the city and take a cruise across Lake Ashi. We visit iconic Mount Fuji on Day 8, continuing afterwards to Matsumoto Castle, a five storey fortification built in 1593. We experience a wasabi farm on Day 9 before exploring Hida Folk Village and making the journey to Takayama.

Days 10-12

Takayama, Kyoto and Nara

Takayama is a fascinating town which is almost untouched by time - some of which we explore today on a guided walking tour. Next we take the bullet train to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, touring the city on Day 11 and participating in an ancient tea ceremony. Day 12 takes us to Nara for a guided tour and time at the scenic deer park.

Day 13

Hiroshima

We arrive in Hiroshima today, making our way to the Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome, both dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb dropped in 1945. This is followed by a boat ride out a boat ride out to Miyajima Island, an incredibly sacred area.

Days 14-16

Hakata and farewell

On Day 14 we take the bullet train to Hakata, whose temples we explore. In the evening we visit the vibrant food market and enjoy a farewell dinner together. After breakfast on Day 15, we transfer from our hotel to Fukuoka Airport, for our scheduled flight to London. Arriving  home on Day 16.