tour schedule:
Year - 2026
Departure Date - nov 3
Return Date - nov 19
This Tour Is Open - sure go
Tour Type - Tourist / Railfan
maximum group size - 25
tour pricing:
$12,975 - Double Room Occupancy
$4,475 - Single Room Supplement
$4,000 - Deposit To Hold Space
-$400 - Early Bird Discount
Book by December 31, 2025
Final Payment Due By - jul 15 2026
It’s not hard to argue the merits of train travel, but to truly discover how far rail technology has come in the last two centuries, simply visit Japan. Its excellent railway system is one of the world’s most extensive and advanced, and train travel is undoubtedly the best way to explore this fascinating country. Speed, efficiency, comfort, convenience and a choice of spectacular destinations are hallmarks of traveling by rail in Japan.
On this exciting journey you’ll discover the highlights of Japan’s main island, Honshu, at a much under-rated time of the year - Autumn. Beginning in the modern neon-lit capital of Tokyo you’ll ride the famous bullet train across the island to Kanazawa and beyond. You’ll travel through sprawling cities, mountains, valleys, and forests full of deciduous trees which, climate permitting, will be ablaze with autumn colors. Despite the country’s population, 68.5% of Japan’s countryside is forested, with some 20% of that being some of the most biodiverse and significant forest in the world, so the display of color outside the cities is nothing short of magnificent.
The rural region around Mt Fuji is rich with natural beauty and volcanic drama, and is also home to the extraordinary Hakone open-air art museum, housing the largest private collection of Picasso’s ceramics and exquisite sculpture works by both Japanese and international artists (including Henry Moore). Iconic Kyoto is richly endowed with exquisite gardens, extraordinary temples and enthralling cultural treasures. Prosperous Hiroshima, is a city with a moving history and a legacy like no other. Various boat cruises, steam trains and local expresses will take you into autumn-colored hills and a variety of quirky museums and unforgettable experiences like witnessing a 311 mph run past of Japan’s new Mag Lev test train, traditional paper making, woodblock printing, and tickets to the grand national Sumo wrestling tournament in Fukuoka.
This amazing autumn tour combines a wide variety of regions and experiences with exquisite food, fine hotels, a feast of spectacular scenery, and the company of the friendly warm hearted people of this fascinating country.
Tokyo is served by a large number of flights into both Haneda and Narita Airports and our hotel, situated at Tokyo Station, is easy to reach by train from either airport. Located in the heart of Tokyo, overlooking the Imperial Palace, it is directly connected to the JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi, for convenient access to the Shinkansen station. If you wish, we will arrange a complimentary meet and greet where you’ll be met off your flight by a representative who will then assist you to navigate the public transport to our hotel. The hotel is located just 35 minutes by train from the Haneda Airport Station, and 60 minutes from the JR Narita Airport Station. If you’d prefer to go it alone as part of your adventure, here’s what you need to know.
If you’re arriving into Haneda, take the Keikyu Airport line to Shinagawa station and change for Tokyo station. From Narita, take the JR Narita Limited Express directly to Tokyo Station. Once you get to Tokyo Station, the hotel’s entrance is right next to the Marunouchi South Exit of Tokyo Station. From the Shinkansen exit or the Narita Express platform, please follow the sign for the Marunouchi South Exit. Check in is available from 3.00pm.
Overnight: The Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo
🍽 none
Our tour kicks off this morning after breakfast with a gentle look at a couple of local ‘must do’s in Tokyo. Led by our local guide and your tour leader, we’ll visit Tokyo’s most significant Shinto monument, The Meiji Shrine. Located near the Harajuku Station in an evergreen forest that covers an area of 170 acres and consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, this grand complex, dedicated to the memory of the Emperor Meiji who ruled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, displays the dignified grandeur of Japanese history.
Right next door, and in stark contrast to the majestic yet gentle Meiji Shrine, lies Harajuku, home to some of the world’s wackiest fashion trends and a gathering place for fans and aficionados of Japanese street fashion and associated subcultures, and a place where quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops stand side by side with traditional, upmarket boutiques.
Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani are among those who find fashion inspiration here. There’ll be time to grab a cup of coffee while you wander the streets. After a sit-down lunch together in another area of Tokyo, we’ll return to Tokyo Station beneath our hotel to have our Japan Rail passes validated and the tickets issued for the journeys we’ll be taking over the next 14 days. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax in the luxury of the hotel or get out and about and explore the area before we gather in the evening for a very special welcome dinner involving the canals of Tokyo.
Overnight: The Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our exploration of Tokyo continues today after breakfast. Using the city’s incomparable rail network, you’ll get to enjoy the contrast between the old and new city. We’ll start by visiting the 2028 foot Tokyo Sky Tree, one of the world’s tallest towers. After a high-speed elevator ride to the observation platform, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panorama and a clear view of the sheer scale of the city of Tokyo.
This remainder of the day is yours at leisure. You may like to return to the hotel to relax, or stroll through the magnificent Imperial Palace Gardens, ablaze with autumn colors, or alternatively, take in a little more culture with a visit to the Hokusai Museum, showcasing the works of the most famous ‘ukiyoe’ wood-block print artist in history; or a trip by local rail to Ueno Park where you can visit numerous Museums (including the Tokyo Ntional Museum) or the pandas at Ueno Zoo. Dinner tonight is at leisure.
Overnight: The Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo
🍽 breakfast
Exploring Exciting Tokyo During The Day -
next photo
Exploring Exciting Tokyo During
The Night - next photo
This morning we’ll relieve ourselves of our big luggage for separate same day arrival transport to Kanazawa. After breakfast and check out we’ll embark on the next leg of our journey, heading north-west into the Japanese Alps on the Hokuriku Bullet-Train “Kagayaki”, for the 2-hour journey to Toyama.
Here, we’ll pick up our private coach and travel south into Japan’s rural heartland, exemplified by the village of Gokayama, the less crowded, less-developed sibling of the now-famous Shirakawa-go settlement. After enjoying a local lunch, we’ll learn about the traditional thatched roofed ‘Gassho’ houses, and visit a ‘washi’ Japanese-paper making atelier in charming Ainokura, where you’ll personally experience the traditional craft of paper-making.
After this immersion in the sights and sounds of rural Japan, we’ll head to our next home-away-from-home, the medieval Samurai city of Kanazawa. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric, Kanazawa
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
The Hokuriku Bullet-Train On The Way To Toyama
Traditional Thatched Roofed Houses In The Shiradawa-Go Settlement
This morning after breakfast we’ll transfer by Shinkansen and local rail to the departure point of the charming Kurobe Gorge Railway for a scenic ride through a beautiful, forested ravine in the rugged mountains of the northern Japan alps with panoramic views of the gorge below.
We’ll collect Ekiben lunch boxes at the station to enjoy on our return train journey back to Kanazawa. Upon our return to Kanazawa we will board our private ‘Saloon car’ coach for the unforgettable experience of a sunset drive along the beach whilst enjoying some drinks on the 5 mile long Chirihama Nagisa Driveway! We’ll then head back to our hotel in Kanazawa for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric, Kanazawa
🍽 breakfast, lunch
The Spectacular Kurobe Gorge Railway - next 4 photos
Kanazawa is a charmingly walkable city, and so this morning after breakfast we’ll transfer by coach to Kenrokuen Gardens, and there embark on a Garden and Kanazawa Castle and Park walk, followed by a city tour on foot, taking in the Higashi Chaya and Nagamachi Samurai Quarters and enjoying a traditional tea ceremony.
The city tour will end before lunchtime, allowing the opportunity to eat and stay longer in the city center or to return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon and evening at your leisure. You might like to visit the spectacular 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art housed in a unique architecturally designed circular building with no facade or main entrance or head to the Omicho Market to delight in the colorful sights and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants inside the market which specialise in rice bowls topped with fresh Kanazawa seafood.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric, Kanazawa
🍽 breakfast
After checking out of our hotel, and handing your luggage to the courier for separate transport to Kyoto, we take a morning Thunderbird Express train to Kyoto where we’ll head straight into a city tour. Our first stop is the 400 year old Nijo Castle, built as the Tokyo Shogun’s home in the Imperial Capital of Kyoto, and suitably ostentatious and eye-catching, in comparison to the much more discreet, almost subdued, Imperial Palace and Gardens just to its north. Discover some of the secrets of medieval Japanese architecture and enjoy the castle’s splendid gardens.
The Thunderbird Express To Kyoto
The Jijo Castle
After lunch in a restaurant converted from a traditional Kyoto ‘machiya’ house, we finish our tour of Kyoto’s highlights with the ultimate must-see attraction, visiting Rokuonji Temple to see the famed Kinkakuji Golden pavilion, beautifully embodying many of the principles of traditional Japanese architecture.
From there, we switch our focus back to railways for our last stop of the tour, a visit to Kyoto Railway Museum. Opened in April 2016 on the site of the city’s famous Umekoji Railway Park, the museum’s core theme is ‘railways revitalizing local communities’ and was created to balance historical rail exhibits with a variety of interactive areas aimed not only to demonstrate, but educate visitors on advances in technology and safety.
After a long day, we’ll return to the hotel to be reunited with our luggage and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s popular Italian restaurant.
Overnight: The Thousand, Kyoto
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
Kyoto Railway Museum - next 4 photos
This morning we’ll venture west by local train to see the part of the city most beloved by Kyoto’s residents - Arashiyama, an area dotted with temples, old imperial villas, and famous historical sites, many of which are National Treasures, or have been recognized as World Heritage sites. The entire region is designated by the Japanese government as a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Sagano Romantic Train In The Hozu River Valley -
next 2 photos
Walking up from the station, we will begin with a stroll through the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, whose scale is genuinely breathtaking. This is one of the most photographed sights in the city and we will arrive early enough to beat the crowds. After a brief stop at the unique Mikami Shrine dedicated to hair, located at the end of the winding bamboo forests of Arashiyama we will find the Okochi Sanso Garden, which surrounds the one-time home of one of Japan’s most famous film stars of the early 20th Century. Seated in the foothills of Mt. Ogura, the Japanese-style gardens were designed to showcase the best of each of the four seasons. Here we will soak up the expansive views of the Hozugawa river, the Arashiyama mountains and Kyoto city.
In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the lively streets of Arashiyama and have a bite to eat before embarking on a spectacular scenic train journey on the Sagano Romantic Train along the stunning Hozu River Valley aflame with autumn color.
Overnight: The Thousand, Kyoto
🍽 breakfast
Walking Through The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Beautiful Fall Colors Along The Hozu River Valley - next 2 photos
After breakfast and checking out, we will again hand over our big luggage for separate same day arrival transport to Hiroshima. Our day then starts with a walk from our hotel through the railway station complex to the bullet train platforms for a journey on the Shinkansen to Himeji, a small city west of Kobe, famous as the home of Japan’s finest castle, Himeji Castle.
Upon arrival at Himeji Station we’ll board our coach to transfer to the castle affectionately known as ‘the White Heron’ for its elegance and dazzling white facades. Both a national treasure and a World Heritage Site, it is a rarity among Japanese castles in that it has retained its original form. It took 200 years to erect in the middle ages and has never been rebuilt, although extensive repairs have been done over the last five years to ensure its continuing stability and safety for visitors. You have free time for lunch in the main shopping street which runs between the station and the castle.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue by Shinkansen to Hiroshima and check in to our centrally-located hotel for the next four nights. Dinner this evening has a particular local theme - the regional delicacy, Okonomiyaki!
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate, Hiroshima
🍽 breakfast, dinner
Considered Japan's Finest Is The Himeji Castle
This morning we’ll travel on a special private vintage tram charter along some of Hiroshima’s extensive tram network and learn more about this important city with our local guide. Arriving at the heart of the city, the rest of the morning will be dedicated to learning about Hiroshima’s unique place in global history as the first in the world to experience an atomic explosion. This tragic event, its aftermath, and the city’s resurrection back to life, is all part of the revealing story you will find on today’s visit.
We’ll start at the A-Bomb Memorial Mound and walk through the Peace Park, stopping at monuments including the Peace Bell, and the Children’s Peace Monument, to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Each is individually moving, but all together they represent one of the most emotionally-challenging testimonials to human tragedy and resilience one can experience.
After some time for lunch at leisure, we will take the ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima for a deer-dodging walk through the island’s central streets to see the stunning Itsukushima Shrine with its famous red ‘torii’ gates sitting in the sea just off the island. We’ll also enjoy a walk through the lesser-known but equally impressive Daishoin Temple. Perched on the side of Mount Misen, the steep peak which dominates Miyajima, this temple is where the current Dalai Lama resided for almost a week during his visit to Japan to celebrate the temple’s 1,200th anniversary in autumn, 2006.
We return to our hotel (and our luggage) in the afternoon and your evening is free to enjoy the many delights of the city and its surroundings.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate, Hiroshima
🍽 breakfast
We Ride On Our Own Charter Tram Over
Hiroshima's Tram Network - next photo
Today we switch the focus from railways to a totally different element of Japanese Culture - its original national sport of Sumo. After a sleep in, a lazy breakfast and leisurely morning, we’ll head to the westernmost point of our visit, taking the Shinkansen to Hakata, the local name used for Fukuoka Central Station.
Here, we’ll attend the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, a unique opportunity to enjoy and participate in the centuriesold ceremony of official Sumo Tournaments. From our reserved seats, we’ll enjoy the pageant of the Ring-circling Ceremony, the carefully defined pre-fight protocol, and the sudden explosive action of the actual bouts, some of which last only for the blink of an eye.
After seeing the top wrestlers fight in the final bouts, we’ll return to the station for a convivial post match dinner at a nearby local restaurant before returning to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate, Hiroshima
🍽 breakfast, dinner
Today we hand over our big luggage to our private courier for overnight transport to Hakone, keeping only what we need for tonight in an overnight bag. After breakfast, we’ll take the train to the coastal city of Yamaguchi, passing through stunning country vistas ablaze with autumn colors. Here we will collect our Ekiben bento boxes to enjoy aboard the SL Yamaguchi, a C – 571 4-6-2 steam engine that originally entered service in 1937. The engine has been lovingly restored to operate on the two-hour journey between Yamaguchi and an “off-the-beaten-track” gem, the charming town of Tsuwano. The town’s white walls and red-tiled roofs add splashes of vibrant color to the peaceful and unspoiled townscape. Keep an eye out for carp swimming in the aqueducts flowing alongside the main street!
We will continue by private coach to another of Japan’s glorious undiscovered highlights, the Kintaikyo Bridge. This unique five-span edifice across the Nishiki River is a truly amazing piece of timber architecture. After some time exploring the area we will continue by coach to Iwakuni station where we will board the bullet train back to Hiroshima in the early evening for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate, Hiroshima
🍽 breakfast, lunch
Class C-57 No. 571 Is A 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive Built
By Hideo Shima In 1937 - next 2 photos
The Kintaikyo Bridge Across The Nishiki River
Today we begin our journey back towards Tokyo covering close to 500 miles with most of it on our high speed trains. Around midday we will turn our attention to another famous element of Japanese cuisine, Kobe Beef. On the way to Kobe we’ll visit a small but fascinating museum introducing the history and a host of fascinating facts relating to Kobe Beef before enjoying a Kobe Beef Lunch.
Following this we’ll continue on to Mishima by Bullet Train, and take our private coach up into the foothills, forests, and glorious lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, to Hakone. Located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park west of Tokyo, Hakone is a mountainous town known for its hot springs resorts (onsen) and views of the iconic Mount Fuji. You’ll spend two glorious nights here in accommodation that combines the relaxation, atmosphere, and private onsen amenities of a traditional ryokan with the comfort of a top international hotel.
Tonight we’ll reunite with our luggage and enjoy a very special dining experience in the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, Hakone
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
We Begin Our 500 Mile Journey Towards Tokyo Onboard The Bullet
Train With Mt. Fuji In The Background
Beautiful Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park With Mr. Fuji - next 3 photos
This morning we’ll transfer by coach to the famous Great Boiling Valley in the Owakudani area, 3,281 feet above sea level, where volcanic geysers fill the air with pungent sulphur. After exploring the area we’ll continue via cablecar to Togendai traveling past Mount Kamiyama, part of the large Hakone Volcano, the massive eruption of which created the stunning physical beauty of this area.
Upon arrival in Togendai we will board an ornate replica pirate ship for a cruise around Lake Ashinoko and see the red Tori Gates of the Hakone-jinja Shrine amongst the mountain scenery. After a stop for a very pleasant lunch we continue by private coach to the magnificent Hakone Open Air Museum, a breathtaking combination of the area’s natural beauty as a backdrop for an expansive and high-quality collection of sculpture and art, including sculptures by Henry Moore, and highlighted by the remarkable Picasso Pavilion, housing the world’s largest private collection of Picasso’s ceramics - more than 100 pieces by the 20th Century’s most iconic artist. After our visit we will return to the hotel by coach or you may like to stay on and take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Chokoku-no-Mori Station to Gora Station. This evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, Hakone
🍽 breakfast, lunch
We Enjoy A Cruise Onboard A Replica Pirate Ship On Lake Ashinoko
Today, after handing over our luggage to our private courier for separate transport, we will make the final leg of our journey back to Tokyo, incorporating a glimpse of the future of rail travel. The day starts with a coach trip to visit the Yamanashi Maglev Exhibition Center and an opportunity to catch an exciting glimpse of Japan’s next generation of high-speed trains, the due to go into operation in 2027.
Then, we venture south to the coastal town of Atami, once the honeymoon destination of choice for Japanese newlyweds during the ‘Showa-era’ years. Here we will enjoy lunch at leisure before taking our seats on the elegant Saphir Odoriko train, named after the sapphire-esque Izu sea views you’ll enjoy as it trails along the coast for our journey into Tokyo, where we’ll return to our familiar hotel and reunite with our luggage for the next two nights. Dinner tonight is at leisure.
Overnight: The Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo
🍽 breakfast
On Our Last Leg Into Tokyo We Ride The Saphir Odoriko Train
Today you have a number of optional activities to choose from. You may like to stay in Tokyo for a mix of culture and technology with your tour leader, starting with a morning in Ueno, Tokyo’s cultural cradle, where most of the city’s major museums can be found around the boundaries of the famous Ueno Park. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to ride the popular monorail that runs across the Rainbow Bridge to the new vibrant area of Odaiba, renowned for its museums and cultural hubs including the iconic Fuji Television Building, the Science and Technology museum, Toyota’s Megaweb Showcase and the Panasonic Center.
Alternatively, you might like to poke around Tokyo on your own and enjoy shopping in Ginza and Shinjuku or stroll the Ginko tree lined avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien using the extraordinary subway system, or use your JR Pass to explore further afield. A few ideas just a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo are the port city of Yokohama, where the past and future seamlessly blend; Nikko, where you can explore more of Japan’s natural beauty and history at the Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the splendor of the Edo period; or travel along the stunning Pacific coast to the charming, historic coastal town of Kamakura.
Tonight, the final night of our tour, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner and drinks together.
Overnight: The Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo
🍽 breakfast, dinner
Back In Tokyo You Might Enjoy A Ride On The Monorail
The Monorail Runs Across The Rainbow Bridge
To The Odaiba Area Of The City
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Your JR Rail Pass is still valid today, so for those not traveling onward until the evening, make the most of it exploring the city or beyond before boarding your flight or train.
Japan By Rail:
Honshu Autumn Colors By Bullet Train
Tour Schedule:
Year - 2027
Departure Date - nov 2
Return Date - nov 18
This Tour Is Open -
Tour Type - Tourist / Railfan
Tour Pricing:
$13,195 - Double Room Occupancy
$3,550 - Single Room Supplement
$3,500 - Deposit To Hold Space
-$400 - Early Bird Discount
book by oct 15, 2026
Final Payment Due By - jul 15, 2027
Imagine gliding effortlessly through Japan’s breathtaking landscapes aboard the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, scenic and heritage trains, where every scenic window frames a new chapter in the Land of the Rising Sun. This exclusive, fully-escorted rail tour discovers the highlights of Japan’s main island, Honshu, at a much under-rated time of the year - Autumn, and invites you to experience the perfect harmony of ancient heritage, vibrant cities, serene nature, and unforgettable flavors - all seamlessly connected by Japan’s legendary high-speed rail network.
You’ll travel through sprawling cities, mountains, valleys, and forests full of deciduous trees which, climate permitting, will be ablaze with autumn colors. Despite the country’s population, over two thirds of Japan’s countryside is forested, and home to some of the most biodiverse and significant forest in the world, so the display of color outside the cities is nothing short of magnificent. A special treat is witnessing a 311 mph run-past of Japan’s new Mag Lev test train - the next generation of rail travel.
Your journey begins in electrifying Tokyo, a dazzling metropolis where futuristic skyscrapers and neon lights coexist with tranquil temples and bustling markets. From there, ride the famous bullet train across the island to Kanazawa, home to meticulously preserved samurai districts and the exquisite Kenrokuen Garden, ablaze with spectacular autumn colors. Nearby, step into a living fairytale at the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Gokoyama, where iconic gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses nestle amid misty mountains - a true glimpse of rural Japan’s soul.
Arrive in Tokyo and make your way to our hotel. Check in is available from 3.00pm. Tokyo is served by a large number of flights into both Haneda and Narita Airports and our hotel, situated close to Shinagawa Station, is easy to reach by train from either airport. If you wish, we can arrange a complimentary meet and greet where you’ll be met off your flight by a representative who will then assist you to navigate the public transport to our hotel.
If you’d prefer to go it alone as part of your adventure, whether you arrive at Narita or Haneda, you jump on an express train to Shinagawa Station, and our hotel is a 4-minute walk from the station. We’ll send specific directions on how to do this in our communications closer to your departure date.
Overnight: Intercontinental The Strings, Tokyo
🍽 none
Our tour kicks off this morning after breakfast with a gentle look at a couple of local ‘must do’s in Tokyo. Led by our local guide and your tour leader we’ll visit Tokyo’s most significant Shinto monument, The Meiji Shrine. Located near the Harajuku Station in an evergreen forest that covers an area of 170 acres and consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, this grand complex, dedicated to the memory of the Emperor Meiji who ruled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, displays the dignified grandeur of Japanese history. Right next door, and in stark contrast to the majestic yet gentle Meiji Shrine, lies Harajuku, home to some of the world’s wackiest fashion trends and a gathering place for fans and aficionados of Japanese street fashion and associated subcultures, and a place where quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops stand side by side with traditional, upmarket boutiques. There’ll be time to grab a cup of coffee while you wander the streets. After a sit-down lunch together in another area of Tokyo, we’ll return to Shinagawa Station to have our Japan Rail passes validated and the tickets issued for the journeys we’ll be taking over the next 14 days. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax in the luxury of the hotel or get out and about and explore the area before we gather in the evening for a very special welcome dinner involving the canals of Tokyo.
Overnight: Intercontinental The Strings, Tokyo
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our exploration of Tokyo continues today after breakfast. Using the city’s incomparable rail network, you’ll get to enjoy the contrast between the old and new city. We’ll start by visiting the 2028 foot Tokyo Sky Tree, one of the world’s tallest towers. After a high-speed elevator ride to the observation platform, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panorama and a clear view of the sheer scale of the city of Tokyo.
This remainder of the day is yours at leisure. You may like to return to the hotel to relax, or stroll through the magnificent Imperial Palace Gardens, ablaze with autumn colors, or alternatively, take in a little more culture with a visit to the Hokusai Museum, showcasing the works of the most famous ‘ukiyoe’ wood-block print artist in history; or a trip by local rail to Ueno Park where you can visit numerous Museums (including the Tokyo Ntional Museum) or the pandas at Ueno Zoo. Dinner tonight is at leisure.
Overnight: Intercontinental The Strings, Tokyo
🍽 breakfast
Exploring Exciting Tokyo During The Day -
next photo
Exploring Exciting Tokyo During
The Night - next photo
This morning we’ll relieve ourselves of our big luggage for separate same day arrival transport to Kanazawa. After breakfast and check out we’ll embark on the next leg of our journey, heading north-west into the Japanese Alps on the Hokuriku Bullet-Train “Kagayaki”, for the 2-hour journey to Toyama.
Here, we’ll pick up our private coach and travel south into Japan’s rural heartland, exemplified by the village of Gokayama, the less crowded, less-developed sibling of the now-famous Shirakawa-go settlement. After enjoying a local lunch, we’ll learn about the traditional thatched roofed ‘Gassho’ houses, and visit a ‘washi’ Japanese-paper making atelier in charming Ainokura, where you’ll personally experience the traditional craft of paper-making.
After this immersion in the sights and sounds of rural Japan, we’ll head to our next home-away-from-home, the medieval Samurai city of Kanazawa. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric, Kanazawa
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
The Hokuriku Bullet-Train On The Way To Toyama
Traditional Thatched Roofed Houses In The Shiradawa-Go Settlement
This morning after breakfast we’ll transfer by Shinkansen and local rail to the charming Unaduki Onsen station, the departure point of the historic Kurobe Gorge Railway - a scenic narrow-gauge railway that runs through the dramatic Kurobe Gorge, Japan’s deepest V-shaped gorge, carved by the Kurobe River in the Northern Japan Alps. Originally constructed in the mid-20th century to transport workers and materials for hydroelectric power plants and the famous Kurobe Dam, the line offers a thrilling, slow-paced ride crossing over 20 bridges and passing through around 40 tunnels while providing stunning views of steep cliffs, rushing turquoise waters, dense forests, and towering mountains
Upon our return, we’ll collect traditional Ekiben lunch boxes at the station to enjoy on the train journey back to Kanazawa. Upon arrival back in Kanazawa, we’ll board our private ‘Saloon car’ coach for an unforgettable experience of a sunset drive along the beach on the 5 mile long Chirihama Nagisa Driveway on the Sea of Japan - complete with drinks! Upon our return to the hotel, your evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric, Kanazawa
🍽 breakfast, lunch
The Spectacular Kurobe Gorge Railway - next 4 photos
This morning after breakfast we’ll embark on a tour of Kanazawa, starting with a visit to the stunning Kenrokuen Garden, located in the heart of Kanazawa and one of Japan’s three most famous gardens which will be ablaze with autumn colours. Originating in the Edo period (17th century) as the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, it was opened to the public in 1871 and has been meticulously maintained ever since.
From here, we’ll explore the nearby Kanazawa Castle, a partially reconstructed historic castle that served as the seat of the powerful Maeda clan, who ruled the wealthy feudal Kaga Domain from 1583 until the Meiji Restoration in 1869. After the Meiji period, the site served as a military base and then Kanazawa University campus until the 1990s. Since then, a major reconstruction project has already restored several buildings using traditional methods, to reflect the castle’s appearance around the 1850s. Key features are the striking wooden 1788 Ishikawamon Gate - the oldest surviving original structure; the Hishi Yagura, Tsuzuki Yagura, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura - rebuilt wooden watchtowers with distinctive lead-covered roofs; and the Gojikken Nagaya (Long Warehouse), a surviving 19th-century storehouse. The surrounding park includes a beautiful reconstructed garden with a pond and circular path.
Later in the morning, we’ll transfer to the Nagamachi Samurai Quarters, a beautifully preserved historic neighborhood that was once the residential area for middle- to high-ranking samurai and their families serving the wealthy Maeda clan of the Kaga Domain during the Edo period (1603–1868). Here we’ll take some time for lunch at leisure.On our way back to the hotel, we’ll stop at the Higashi Chaya district, the largest and most atmospheric of Kanazawa’s three preserved historic geisha entertainment quarters for a walking tour. Established in the early 19th century during the late Edo period as an exclusive area for wealthy merchants and samurai to be entertained, it retains a quiet, intimate charm with its well-preserved wooden machiya townhouses, narrow stone-paved streets, and traditional wooden lattice facades.
Here, we’ll enjoy a private traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours at leisure - you may choose to stay in this historic part of the city and explore more at your own pace, or return to the hotel on the coach for some downtime.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric, Kanazawa
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After breakfast, check out and handing your luggage to ourprivate courier for separate transport to Kyoto, we’ll wander across to the station and board a morning Thunderbird Express train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, we’ll be met by our private coach for an afternoon of sightseeing.
Our first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage listed 400 year-old Nijo Castle, built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period (1603–1868) to serve as the Kyoto residence and symbolic power base for the Tokugawa shoguns when they visited the imperial capital. Suitably ostentatious and eye-catching, in comparison to the much more discreet, almost subdued, Imperial Palace and Gardens just to its north, it demonstrated shogunal authority over the emperor and operated more as an elegant palace complex than a heavily fortified defensive stronghold. You’ll have plenty of time to discover some of the secrets of medieval Japanese architecture and enjoy the castle’s splendid gardens
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The Thunderbird Express To Kyoto
The Jijo Castle
After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll visit one of Kyoto’s highlights - Kinkakuji Temple, home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Golden Pavilion, one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, and one of Japan’s most photographed sites, symbolising beauty, impermanence, and the fusion of architecture with nature. This stunning three-story Zen Buddhist temple, covered in brilliant gold leaf that shimmers over a serene mirror-like pond, was originally built in the late 14th century as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi period, and converted into a Zen temple after his death in accordance with his will.
From here, we switch our focus back to railways for our last stop of the day - a visit to the world-renowned Kyoto Railway Museum. Opened in April 2016 on the site of the city’s famous Umekoji Railway Park, the museum comprehensively covers the history and technological evolution of Japanese railways from the Meiji era to the present, featuring over 50–54 full-scale historic and modern rolling stock items.
We’ll arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon to be reunited with our luggage and check in. After some time to freshen up, we’ll regroup in the hotel’s popular multi-cuisine restaurant for dinner.
Overnight: Double Tree by Hilton Kyoto Station, Kyoto
Kyoto Railway Museum - next 4 photos
This morning we’ll venture west by local train to see the part of the city most beloved by Kyoto’s residents - Arashiyama, an area dotted with temples, old imperial villas, and famous historical sites, many of which are National Treasures, or have been recognized as World Heritage sites. The entire region is designated by the Japanese government as a Place of Scenic Beauty.
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Sagano Romantic Train In The Hozu River Valley -
next 2 photos
Walking up from the station, we will begin with a stroll through the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, whose scale is genuinely breathtaking. This is one of the most photographed sights in the city and we will arrive early enough to beat the crowds. After a brief stop at the unique Mikami Shrine dedicated to hair, located at the end of the winding bamboo forests of Arashiyama we will find the Okochi Sanso Garden, which surrounds the one-time home of one of Japan’s most famous film stars of the early 20th Century. Seated in the foothills of Mt. Ogura, the Japanese-style gardens were designed to showcase the best of each of the four seasons. Here we will soak up the expansive views of the Hozugawa river, the Arashiyama mountains and Kyoto city.
In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the lively streets of Arashiyama and have a bite to eat before embarking on a spectacular scenic train journey on the Sagano Romantic Train along the stunning Hozu River Valley aflame with autumn color.
Overnight: Double Tree by Hilton Kyoto Station, Kyoto
Walking Through The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Beautiful Fall Colors Along The Hozu River Valley - next 2 photos
After breakfast and checking out, we’ll again hand over our big luggage for separate same day private transport to Hiroshima before walking to the station for a journey on the Shinkansen to Himeji, a small city west of Kobe, and home to Japan’s finest castle, the famous UNESCO World Heritage listed Himeji Castle, affectionately known as ‘the White Heron’ for its elegance and dazzling white facades.
Our private coach will be on hand at Himeji Station to whisk us off to the castle gates of this rarity among Japanese castles. Erected over a 200- year period in the Middle Ages, the castle has retained its original form -unlike most Japanese castles that were lost to fire, war, or reconstruction, Himeji remains largely authentic from its early 17th-century final form, featuring over 80 wooden structures, complex defensive layouts, massive stone walls, and moats. After your visit, you’ll have free time for lunch in the main shopping street which runs between the station and the castle, before returning to the station to continue by Shinkansen to Hiroshima, our home for the next four nights. After being reunited with your luggage and checking into our hotel located next to the station, we’ll regroup for dinner at a local restaurant to indulge in the regional delicacy, Okonomiyaki!
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate, Hiroshima
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Considered Japan's Finest Is The Himeji Castle
This morning we’ll travel on a special private vintage tram charter along some of Hiroshima’s extensive tram network and learn more about this important city with our local guide. Arriving at the heart of the city, the rest of the morning will be dedicated to learning about Hiroshima’s unique place in global history as the first in the world to experience an atomic explosion. This tragic event, its aftermath, and the city’s resurrection back to life, is all part of the revealing story you will find on today’s visit.
We’ll start at the A-Bomb Memorial Mound and walk through the Peace Park, stopping at monuments including the Peace Bell, and the Children’s Peace Monument, to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Each is individually moving, but all together they represent one of the most emotionally-challenging testimonials to human tragedy and resilience one can experience.
After some time for lunch at leisure, we will take the ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima for a deer-dodging walk through the island’s central streets to see the stunning Itsukushima Shrine with its famous red ‘torii’ gates sitting in the sea just off the island. We’ll also enjoy a walk through the lesser-known but equally impressive Daishoin Temple. Perched on the side of Mount Misen, the steep peak which dominates Miyajima, this temple is where the current Dalai Lama resided for almost a week during his visit to Japan to celebrate the temple’s 1,200th anniversary in autumn, 2006.
We return to our hotel (and our luggage) in the afternoon and your evening is free to enjoy the many delights of the city and its surroundings.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate,Hiroshima
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We Ride On Our Own Charter Tram Over
Hiroshima's Tram Network - next photo
Today we switch the focus from railways to a totally different element of Japanese Culture - its original national sport of Sumo. After a sleep in, a lazy breakfast and leisurely morning, we’ll head to the westernmost point of our visit, taking the Shinkansen to Hakata, the local name used for Fukuoka Central Station. Here, we’ll attend the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, a unique opportunity to enjoy and participate in the centuriesold ceremony of official Sumo Tournaments. From our reserved seats, we’ll enjoy the pageant of the Ring-circling Ceremony, the carefully defined pre-fight protocol, and the sudden explosive action of the actual bouts, some of which last only for the blink of an eye.
After seeing the top wrestlers fight in the final bouts, we’ll return to the station for a convivial post match dinner at a nearby local restaurant before returning to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate,Hiroshima
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Today we hand over our big luggage to our private courier for overnight transport to Hakone, keeping only what we need for tonight in an overnight bag. After breakfast, we’ll take the train to the coastal city of Yamaguchi, passing through stunning country vistas ablaze with autumn colors. Here we will collect our Ekiben bento boxes to enjoy aboard the SL Yamaguchi, a C – 571 4-6-2 steam engine that originally entered service in 1937. The engine has been lovingly restored to operate on the two-hour journey between Yamaguchi and an “off-the-beaten-track” gem, the charming town of Tsuwano. The town’s white walls and red-tiled roofs add splashes of vibrant color to the peaceful and unspoiled townscape. Keep an eye out for carp swimming in the aqueducts flowing alongside the main street!
We will continue by private coach to another of Japan’s glorious undiscovered highlights, the Kintaikyo Bridge. This unique five-span edifice across the Nishiki River is a truly amazing piece of timber architecture. After some time exploring the area we will continue by coach to Iwakuni station where we will board the bullet train back to Hiroshima in the early evening for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Southgate,Hiroshima
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Class C-57 No. 571 Is A 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive Built
By Hideo Shima In 1937 - next 2 photos
The Kintaikyo Bridge Across The Nishiki River
Today we begin our journey back towards Tokyo covering close to 500 miles with most of it on our high speed trains. Around midday we will turn our attention to another famous element of Japanese cuisine, Kobe Beef. On the way to Kobe we’ll visit a small but fascinating museum introducing the history and a host of fascinating facts relating to Kobe Beef before enjoying a Kobe Beef Lunch.
Following this we’ll continue on to Mishima by Bullet Train, and take our private coach up into the foothills, forests, and glorious lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, to Hakone. Located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park west of Tokyo, Hakone is a mountainous town known for its hot springs resorts (onsen) and views of the iconic Mount Fuji. You’ll spend two glorious nights here in accommodation that combines the relaxation, atmosphere, and private onsen amenities of a traditional ryokan with the comfort of a top international hotel. Tonight we’ll reunite with our luggage and enjoy a very special dining experience in the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, Hakone
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We Begin Our 500 Mile Journey Towards Tokyo Onboard The Bullet
Train With Mt. Fuji In The Background
Beautiful Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park With Mr. Fuji - next 3 photos
This morning after breakfast, we’ll head out to Owakudani, literally translated as the “Great Boiling Valley” - a dramatic active volcanic valley known for its steaming sulphur vents, bubbling hot springs, and stark, moon-like landscape, and one of the most iconic and ‘otherworldly’ spots in the Hakone National Park. Formed about 3,000 years ago during a major eruption of Mount Hakone, it sits around an old crater and remains geothermally active, with sulphurous fumes, hot rivers, and steam constantly rising from vents in the ground. On clear days, you get stunning panoramic views of Mount Fuji in the distance. You may like to try Kuro-Tamago (Black Eggs) - the signature snack! These are regular chicken eggs hard-boiled in the sulphur-rich hot spring water, turning the shells jet black while protecting the taste and texture of a normal hard-boiled egg - legend says eating one adds 7 years to your life.
We’ll then take the Hakone Ropeway (cable car), which offers incredible aerial views as you glide over the steaming valley, to Togendai on the shores of Lake Ashi and board an ornate replica pirate ship for a cruise around the lake to marvel at the incredible autumn colors, mountain scenery, and the red Tori Gates of the Hakone-jinja Shrine. After disembarking, we’ll enjoy a very pleasant lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Hakone by private coach for a visit to the magnificent Hakone Open Air Museum.
Featuring around 120 permanent outdoor sculptures from a larger collection of over 1,000 pieces by renowned Japanese and international artists, including Henry Moore (one of the world’s largest collections of his works), Auguste Rodin, Pablo Picasso and more, the outdoor setting here is the star - sculptures are placed thoughtfully amid lawns, wooded paths, and gardens, against the stunning backdrop of Hakone’s green mountains and valleys. A special highlight of the museum is the remarkable Picasso Pavilion, housing the world’s largest private collection of Picasso’s ceramics - more than 100 pieces by one of the 20th Century’s most iconic artists.
After our visit we will return to the hotel by coach or you may like to stay on and take the little Hakone Tozan Railway from Chokoku-no-Mori Station to Gora Station, then stroll up to the hotel. Dinner tonight is at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, Hakone.
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We Enjoy A Cruise Onboard A Replica Pirate Ship On Lake Ashinoko
This morning after breakfast, handing your luggage to our private courier for separate transport, and checking out, we’ll embark on the final leg of the tour back to Tokyo. We’ll kick the day off with a private coach transferto the Yamanashi Maglev Exhibition Center for a very special look at the future of rail travel and an exciting glimpse of Japan’s next generation of high-speed trains - the 500-kmh Linear Motor Cars due to go into operation in 2027. You’ll be left breathless after watching the test runs!
Back on our coach, we’ll travel south to Atami, a charming seaside onsen resort town nestled in the remnants of an ancient volcanic crater with hills sloping down to Sagami Bay. You’ll have time to enjoy lunch at leisure before taking your seat on the elegant Saphir Odoriko train, named after the sapphire-esque Izu sea views you’ll enjoy as it trails along the coast on our journey to Tokyo, where we’ll return to our familiar hotel and reunite with our luggage for the next two nights. Dinner tonight is at leisure.
Overnight: Intercontinental The Strings, Tokyo
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On Our Last Leg Into Tokyo We Ride The Saphir Odoriko Train
Today you have a number of optional activities to choose from. You may like to stay in Tokyo for a mix of culture and technology with your tour leader, starting with a morning in Ueno, Tokyo’s cultural cradle, where most of the city’s major museums can be found around the boundaries of the famous Ueno Park. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to ride the popular monorail that runs across the Rainbow Bridge to the new vibrant area of Odaiba, renowned for its museums and cultural hubs including the iconic Fuji Television Building, the Science and Technology museum, Toyota’s Megaweb Showcase and the Panasonic Center.
Alternatively, you might like to poke around Tokyo on your own and enjoy shopping in Ginza and Shinjuku or stroll the Ginko tree lined avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien using the extraordinary subway system, or use your JR Pass to explore further afield. A few ideas just a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo are the port city of Yokohama, where the past and future seamlessly blend; Nikko, where you can explore more of Japan’s natural beauty and history at the Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the splendor of the Edo period; or travel along the stunning Pacific coast to the charming, historic coastal town of Kamakura.
Tonight, the final night of our tour, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner and drinks together.
Overnight: Intercontinental The Strings, Tokyo
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Back In Tokyo You Might Enjoy A Ride On The Monorail
The Monorail Runs Across The Rainbow Bridge
To The Odaiba Area Of The City
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Your JR Rail Pass is still valid today, so for those not travelling onward until the evening, make the most of it exploring the city or beyond before boarding your flight or train.
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TOUR CONDITIONS PRICING - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Tour Pricing:
All tour prices are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room occupancy. We reserve the right to change tour prices if it becomes necessary and is beyond our control. If payments are made by credit card a 3% conveyance fee will be added.
