Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
12 Days Starting in Tokyo, Japan and ending in Kyoto, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Japan, Mount Fuji Area, Osaka, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Bizen, Himeji, Kyoto
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2510-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This Japan tour is perfect for value-minded travel lovers who enjoy history, beautiful settings, and fascinating architecture. You’ll start in Tokyo, end in Kyoto, and overnight along the way in the Mount Fuji area, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Highlights of this tour through Japan are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites you’ll visit. Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, has long been worshipped as a sacred mountain; you’ll enjoy views of majestic Mount Fiji and Lake Kawaguchi during your cable-car ride (weather permitting). In Hiroshima, visit Itsukushima Shrine, built over water and known for its iconic floating Torii gate, and Peace Memorial Park to see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the only remaining structure from the first atomic bomb in 1945. In Kyoto, visit the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, a Buddhist temple covered in beautiful gold leaf, and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. In addition to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, famous shrines, and other historic sites, this tour includes visits to two of Japan’s premier gardens dating back to the 1600’s. Walk the tranquil Koraku-En to enjoy the ponds, bridges, waterfalls, and tea house and the Shinjuku Gyoen or “Imperial Garden,” formerly a feudal lord’s property and home to one thousand cherry blossom trees. You’ll enjoy a local lunch and taste the “Japanese pizza” of Hiroshima, the legendary okonomiyaki dish. Plus, you’ll ride on the famous bullet train, or shinkansen. History, scenery, culture, cuisine, and fun experiences…this Japan vacation has it all!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo,Japan
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions prior to morning sightseeing in Tokyo. Your tour starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Next, visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Originally dating from the early 1600s, the garden was destroyed in World War II and reopened in 1949 as a public park, home to one thousand cherry blossom trees. Today, it remains an immensely popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Last stop is the vibrant Asakusa Kannon Temple and the bustling Nakamise shopping arcade. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 3: Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy the day at your leisure to explore this sprawling metropolis.
Day 4: Tokyo,Mount Fuji Area
Location: Tokyo, Mount Fuji Area
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, leave Tokyo and head south along the coast to the beautiful Five Lakes region. Take a cable-car ride (weather permitting) for panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchi and spectacular Mount Fuji, or Fujisan as the locals call it, Japan’s highest mountain. You’ll also visit Chureito Pagoda for a chance to snap your own iconic image of the pagoda with Fujisan in the background!
Day 5: Mount Fuji Area,Osaka
Location: Mount Fuji Area, Osaka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, board Japan’s famous bullet train for Osaka. Upon arrival, join your Tour Director for a walking tour in Minami. Made up of Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Dotonbori, this area is home to great dining and nightlife and some of the city’s most fashionable shops and department stores. This is evening is free to explore the city on your own.
Day 6: Osaka
Location: Osaka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your sightseeing tour starts at the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses, where traditional thatched-roof farm houses dating from the Edo period have been restored. Be transported back in time as you explore the old architecture. Visit Osaka Castle, then enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure. Perhaps return to Dotonbori this evening to sample local cuisine and see the sparkling neon lights.
Day 7: Osaka,Okayama,Kurashiki,Hiroshima
Location: Osaka, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, drive south to Okayama and visit Koraku-en, one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” The 30-acre garden features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields. The wide lawns, believed to uplift the spirit and promote open mindedness, are unique to Koraku-en and not a traditional feature of Japanese gardens. In Kurashiki, enjoy free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese. Continue to Hiroshima.
Day 8: Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s full day sightseeing includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Peace Memorial Park, and Itsukushima Shrine. Start at Peace Memorial Park where you’ll visit the Peace Memorial, commonly referred to as the Atomic Bomb Dome, that is preserved and is just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. For lunch, enjoy the country’s legendary dish of okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese-style savory pancake. Then, travel to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine, known for its beautiful floating Torii Gate.
Day 9: Hiroshima,Bizen,Himeji,Kyoto
Location: Hiroshima, Bizen, Himeji, Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
HIROSHIMA–BIZEN–HIMEJI–KYOTO Drive north to Bizen, where you’ll visit a traditional pottery workshop to learn more about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s six ancient pottery styles dating back over 1,000 years. Stop in Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture that combines function with elegance. Continue to Kyoto. This evening, you may choose an optional style of accommodation at a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional fee and pre-booking required). (B)ACCOMMODATION HIGHLIGHTFUTON, ANYONE? Choose an overnight stay at a ryokan to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality. Your ryokan features traditional touches like tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath – as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast are included in your stay. Please note that space is limited. Pre-booking and additional fee required.
Day 10: Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Your day begins with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, covered in shimmering gold leaf. Walk through bustling Nishiki Market, a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Participate in a tea ceremony, time-honored tradition, and wonderfully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea. After lunch, visit Sanjusajendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gate. Then, take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, and sample a local Japanese treat. Oh, deer! Consider an optional afternoon trip to the expanses of Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming deer who wander freely amid its shrines and temples.
Day 11: Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full day at leisure to explore more of Kyoto’s historic sites and shrines.
Day 12: Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Fully Guided
The tour is fully guided as detailed in the itinerary.
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Transport
Travel in a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
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Accommodation
Stay at various hotels including Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier, Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel, Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae, and Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo.
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Meals
11 breakfasts and 4 lunches are included.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Himeji Castle, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Itsukushima Shrine, and Mount Fuji.
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Small Group
Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates, limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure.
What's Not Included
International TravelInternational travel is not included.
Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches
Small Group
Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Himeji Castle|Hiroshima Peace Memorial|Itsukushima Shrine|Mount Fuji|Temple of the Gold Pavilion
Accommodation
Tokyo:Mitsui Garden Hotel ShiodomeMount Fuji Area:Fujisan Mishima Tokyu HotelOsaka:Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI HotelHiroshima:Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima EkimaeKyoto:Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
Travel is provided in a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuring a smooth and connected journey throughout the tour.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect on this tour?
You will stay at various hotels including the Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier, Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel, Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae, and Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo. These hotels offer amenities such as city views, calming garden areas, spacious rooms, Japanese-style baths, and convenient locations.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 11 breakfasts and 4 lunches.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visits to Mount Fuji, Chureito Pagoda, Osaka Castle, and Peace Memorial Park. You will also experience a cable-car ride for panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji, a walking tour in Minami, and a visit to the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
Unique experiences include a visit to a traditional pottery workshop in Bizen, a tea ceremony in Kyoto, and a chance to sample okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savory pancake, in Hiroshima.
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What UNESCO World Heritage Sites will I visit on this tour?
You will visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Himeji Castle, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Itsukushima Shrine, and Mount Fuji.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there are several opportunities for leisure time, including afternoons in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, where you can explore the cities on your own.
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Is there an option for a more intimate group experience?
Yes, Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates, limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. This option includes all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour with extra space and personalized experiences.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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