Highlights of Japan

Discover Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka by Shinkansen and public transport, exploring temples, markets and the Peace Park, with a tour leader throughout and the chance to experience cherry blossom season or vivid autumn colours.

In Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka, our hotels are centrally located with excellent, modern facilities and English-speaking staff.



For the one night in Nikko, we stay in a traditional inn/guesthouse where we can feel the timeless rhythms and customs of the Japanese countryside. Ryokans and minshukus, while comfortable and full of local character, do not run along the same lines as Western hotels and all have their own unique style.



Some are more like Japanese B&Bs (minshukus) with a homestay/guesthouse feel (guests make their own Japanese-style beds up), while others are managed more like a standard hotel (ryokans) with bedding made up for guests. Rooms do not generally have private facilities and bedding is usually in the Japanese style with thick futon mattresses placed on tatami mats on the floor.



Rooms are always doubles or twin-share but bathrooms and showers are generally communal. Please be advised, while females and males have access to separate gender-specific bathrooms, inside showering and bathing facilities can lack the level of privacy you would be used to in a Western-style shared bathroom.



Onsen (Japanese public bath)



For many visitors to Japan, the onsen is a somewhat unfamiliar territory. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and the bathing facilities and inns frequently situated around them. The combination of a strict bathing etiquette, that nudity compulsory, and that the water temperature is often hotter than most hot tubs can cause some reluctance for first timers. However, once the courage is mustered, you may discover that an onsen dip is likely to be a trip highlight. You may have the opportunity to try a public onsen. Please be aware, you may be refused entry if you have large and visible tattoos.



Single supplements



Single supplements can be pre-booked for six nights only, these are limited and payable at the time of booking. In Nikko, single supplements are not available and rooming is based on twin share (sharing with another group member of the same gender). In Japan, often single supplements are accommodated in either a single or a twin-bedded room. Double for sole use rooms are limited in availability and cannot be guaranteed.



Please advise at time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement and we will do our best to fulfill your request.



Worth knowing



Room sizes and beds in Western-style hotels in Japan are generally smaller. Twin rooms will be provided as standard for two passengers sharing a room, as these offer more space and comfort than double rooms.

If you would like to add pre- or post-tour accommodation to your existing booking, we strongly recommend you request well before 30 days before departure. Booking requests within 30 days before departure, including pre- and post-tour accommodation, and especially during peak season (March-April/October-November), may not be possible due to limited availability during peak travel periods.