9 Day Japan Express Tour

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• A 9-day tour of Japan, starting in Osaka & ending in Tokyo, hitting the highlights

• Visit the spiritual heart of Japanese Buddhism

• Spend the night at a temple atop the towering Mt Koya 

• Relish a hearty helping of Shojin Ryori, a typical Japanese Buddhist vegetarian meal

• Attend the morning prayers of the monks

• Get on a train and visit the historically significant Hiroshima

• Visit the holy island of Miyajima & its iconic floating Torii Gate 

• Embark on a journey to Kyoto

• Check out UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Nijo Castle and its surrounding grounds

• Walk under the brilliant torii gates of the stunning Fushimi Inari Taisha temple

• Row a boat across Lake Ashino-ko, and maybe you'll get a view of Mt. Fuji

• Indulge in a traditional Japanese kaiseki lunch

• Relax in the hot springs

• All accommodation: Hotel (7 Nights), Mountain Monastery (1 Night, shared facilities)

• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners

• Transport: Bullet train, tram, ferry, public bus, walking

From the Buddhist monks of Kōyasan to the high rollers of Tokyo, see the many faces of Japan on this condensed tour beginning in Osaka. Savour the region’s culinary delicacies and the beautiful views at Mt Fuji. You'll stay in a mountain temple and really soak up local culture in onsen hot springs. A great combination of the traditional and the contemporary, this adventure provides a taste of the rich culture of Japan.

Day 1: Osaka

Today is arrival day, so you're welcome to arrive any time. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2: Osaka to Kōyasan

Journey to Mt Koya, a religious centre founded in 816 by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. The train ride up the mountain is possibly one of the finest rail journeys in Japan. For the final steep ascent, switch to the funicular and then hop on a bus to reach the monastery, where you'll stay the night. 

During the overnight stay in the mountain temple, witness the monks' routines and dine on typical fare. 

Transport: Train with an approx travel time of 3 hrs
Accommodation: Monastery

Day 3: Kōyasan to Hiroshima

Early morning at the temple offers the chance to observe the monks praying before a vegetarian breakfast. Breathe the fresh mountain air and soak in the beautiful surroundings before travelling to Hiroshima this afternoon. 

Today also includes a visit to Oku-no-in Cemetery, the most sacred site in Koyasan and the location of the mausoleum for Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. The area is surrounded by a massive cemetery, the largest in Japan. With over 200,000 tombstones lining the almost 2 km path to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum, there is plenty of area to explore. Be sure to see Torodo Hall (Hall of Lamps), the main place of worship, where more than 10,000 lanterns are kept burning day and night.

Finally, board a train to Hiroshima, a historically significant city marked by the explosion of the first atomic bomb in 1945.

Transport: Bullet train, train, & a funicular with an approx travel time of 5 hrs
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Hiroshima

This morning, walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. Visit the statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the bomb blast, despite folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to appeal to the gods to make her well. See the frame of the Gembaku Dome, the sole building to withstand the explosion. Reflect, remember, and be reminded of the power we all hold to create peace.

Then in the afternoon, take a trip to Miyajima Island, famed as one of Japan's most scenic spots, with a free afternoon to explore. See the famous floating Torii Gate, set out in the bay, which glows extraordinarily at sunset. The island is dotted with shrines and temples, populated by deer, and traversed with hiking trails for those who want to get some exercise. There are also lanes full of souvenirs and tasty treats. Visit Miyajima at your own pace, and have the option to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.

Transport: Ferry & walking
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5: Hiroshima to Kyoto

Travel to Kyoto and start exploring. First, visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period, built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defence), and the gorgeous gardens surrounding both.

In the evening, explore the geisha district of Gion on a CEO-led walking tour. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.

Transport: Bullet train with an approx travel time of 2 hrs
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6: Kyoto

Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area.

In the afternoon, continue exploring Japan's historic capital with some free time.

Transport: Walking
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 7: Kyoto to Hakone

Travel to Hakone, a town in the hills famous for its onsens or natural hot springs.

Hop aboard a passenger boat to cruise the waters of Lake Ashinoko. If you are lucky, you can capture a view of Mt Fuji on a clear day. The lake was formed from the caldera of Mt Hakone following its eruption 3000 years ago. So sit back, relax and enjoy.

Enjoy savouring a complex meal of traditional Japanese foods in the evening, followed by a recommended soak in the onsen.

Transport: Bullet train with an approx travel time of 2 hrs, a local bus with an approx travel time of 30 min, lake cruise with a travel time of 30 min
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 8: Hakone to Tokyo

Head to Tokyo with time to do some last-minute shopping. Arrive before noon, with time to explore this energetic metropolis.

Opt to visit Ueno park and the museums, Akihabara for cutting-edge electronics, Harajuku for funky fashions, Ginza for the highest of the high end, walk the grounds of the Imperial Palace East Garden, or just stroll the streets, looking for the traditional life that still lies just under the modern surface.

Transport: Bullet train with an approx travel time of 2 hrs
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 9: Tokyo

No activities are planned for this final day, so you can leave anytime. However, booking some post-tour accommodation is recommended to experience this vibrant city entirely.

Departure Info
Tour departs from the meeting point at Hearton Hotel Nishi Umeda, 3 Chome-3-55 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, Japan (meeting location may change, please check your final documents for the confirmed location).

• The minimum age is 12 years, and anyone under the age of 18 on the date of first travel is considered to be a minor & must be accompanied by an adult

• Medical Forms are mandatory for certain Tours. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions which may impact your ability to travel, participate in a Tour, travel to remote areas without access to medical facilities or may adversely affect the experience of others on your Tour, you must return a Medical Form, signed by a licensed and practising physician to the Tour Operator prior to or at the time of final payment for the applicable booking

• Participants should have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund

• Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate in any of these trips

• Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments

• Cancelation received 60 days or more before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, and the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the canceled product will be refunded.

• Cancelation received 30-59 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, an amount equal to 50% of the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the canceled Tour will be refunded.

• Cancelation less than 30 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, and no further refund will be payable.