the dragon trip japan

13-day Budget Japan Tour

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• E-ticket/Mobile voucher
• City sightseeing
• Sightseeing tour
• Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Young Adults
• duration 13 days
• tour type Small group
• age requirement 18-55 yrs
• max group size 18
• guiding method Fully guided
• Tour Code BM-27822

• Starts Tokyo, Japan
• Ends Tokyo, Japan
• Go to the top of a skyscraper and take in Tokyo’s cityscape
• Hike through the Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Take a cable-car in Hakone and get a view of Mt. Fuji
• Explore Kyoto’s Geisha District
• Day 1: Tokyo
• Day 2: Tokyo
• Day 3: Tokyo
• Day 4: Tokyo
• Day 5: Tokyo & Kamakura
• Day 6: Hakone
• Day 7: Kyoto, Arashiyama
• Day 8: Kyoto
• Day 9: Kyoto
• Day 10: Kyoto & Hiroshima
• Day 11: Hiroshima
• Day 12: Osaka
• Day 13: Osaka
• Accommodation. All hostels are safe, clean and hygienic and have their own unique charm. Standard accommodation is in dorm rooms but upgrading to a single, twin or double room is available on request.
• All transportation within Japan, including all inter-city transfers, and all transportation to and from included activities
• All non-optional activities
• All taxes and charges
• A combination of Western and Japanese bilingual tour guides.
• Kartoon Karting
• Ninja Experience
• Calligraphy Class
• Flights to and from Japan
• Food and drink
• Any train/bus tickets for journeys made before or after the trip
• Any hostels for before or after your trip starts or has ended
• Dennis Laehn
• On Nov 06 2023
• Jenny Gale Ozanne
• On Nov 02 2023
• Bethan Alice Cotterell
• On Oct 30 2023
• Earn US$ 83+ in travel credits.
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• Best price guaranteed.
• No credit card or booking fees.
• 100% financial protection.
• Carbon neutral tours.
• 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
• Read more reasons to book with Bookmundi less Read less

20% Deposit payable upfront. Remaining balance payable 45 days prior to trip departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days prior departure, but the 20% deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applicable within 45 days of departure.

A deposit of 20% is required when booking this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 45 days prior departure. For any bookings within 45 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking.

We advise to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. Bookmundi recommends World Nomads' travel insurance.

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• Adventure Tours

13-day Budget Japan Tour

4,032 Views

13 Days Starting and ending in Tokyo

Visiting: Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Hiroshima, Itsukushima, Osaka

Tour operator:

The Dragon Trip

Recommended For:

18-30 somethings , Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

Physical rating:, special diets catered:.

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

Trip styles:.

Adventure Tours , Budget

Activities:

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry, tour overview.

13-day Budget Japan Tour Every day on our epic 2 week budget Japan tour you’ll see a different side to this fascinating country. The daily contrast makes travelling here completely unique and – if done the right way – very ‘doable’ on a budget. Travel with us through major regions, top destinations, epic sites and off-the-beaten-track to discover countless hidden gems. Pack in all of Japan’s highlights in to two weeks at an affordable price. Travel by high speed bullet train, sleep in dorm rooms in hostels, sing your heart out at karaoke bars, stock up on sushi and sake, visit Tokyo’s quirky cafes and immerse yourself in Japanese culture. This is a trip for the young and the young at heart to really get under the skin of Japan.

Explore Akihabara

Visit the Daibutsu Buddha located in the Kotoku-in

Experience Kyoto’s Geisha district

Ride the ropeway to Owakudani

Visit the Peace Memorial Museum

Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Places You'll See

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Day 1 : Arrival Day

Location: tokyo, accommodation: hostel.

On the first day of your budget Japan tour, you will meet your Adventure Leader in the lobby of the Tokyo hostel in the morning, and drop off your luggage, have a briefing, discuss the itinerary and get to know your fellow travellers. After your briefing you will head to the Asakusa District and visit the Sensō-Ji temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. At lunchtime, you will feast on the freshest sashimi you’ve ever eaten! This will take place at Tokyo’s iconic Tsukiji Outer Market, where you’ll also be amazed by the variety of fish on offer and catch a glimpse of the famous blue-fin tuna. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry, your Adventure Leader will let you know where you can grab a bite to eat. After lunch, you will soak up incredible views from the top of Metropolitan Government Building and then take part in some optional activities – either experience one of Japan’s national obsessions (baseball, at a local batting cage) or kick back and relax with a drink or bathe with the locals at a nearby bathhouse.

Day 2 : Tokyo

In the morning, you’ll discover the Japanese art of sushi-making with an unforgettable lesson from a sushi chef, and then sample your creations for lunch! Later, you will visit Akihabara, Japan’s ‘electric town’ and hub of Anime, which is also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48. You will find venues specialising in manga and games such as the Tokyo Anime Center. Here, you can take part in an optional ‘Made in Tokyo’ experience at one of the Akihabara’s maid cafes. If you’re up for something fun and different, you’ll also have the option to bring your favourite video game to life with Street Kart! This activity allows you to choose a costume such as Mario or Luigi and race down the streets of Tokyo! (Please note: to participate, you must secure an international drivers permit valid in Japan before the start of the trip). In the evening, you can head to Golden Gai and experience Japanese nightlife!

Day 3 : Tokyo

Start the morning with a trip to the unmissable Tokyo Imperial Palace – an abundance of gardens and galleries, with guided tours and castle ruins. Surrounding the home of the Emperor, the grounds are perfectly maintained and are a top attraction for visitors to the capital. Here, you’ll learn more about why Japan’s Imperial Family is so unique. It’s another afternoon of traditional-modern contrast in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. Your first stop will be Harajuku, which is Tokyo’s fashion district, you will encounter punks, goths, technicolour hair – anything goes in Harajuku. Take in the industrial vibes and if you want, grab some hair dye and get involved! After this, you will make your way to Shibuya to visit the Meiji Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. Then, you’ll head to the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and iconic landmark, Shibuya Crossing. This is where you will find the Hachiko Statue. After, why not stop by the Cat Café MoCHA to make some furry friends while enjoying a cup of tea and slice of cake? If you want to experience some more nightlife, you can explore the streets of Roppongi. If not, you can have a relaxing evening at the hostel.

Day 4 : Tokyo

First thing in the morning, you will head to Ryōgoku to discover Tokyo’s fascinating history at Edo-Tokyo Museum. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to learn the ancient art of Samurai and have a chance to see a live sword demonstration in Tokyo’s Samurai Museum. The Samurai Museum not only exhibits samurai swords, armor and guns, but also allows visitors to join in by trying on samurai outfits and having a go at the sport themselves!

Day 5 : Kamakura

Location: tokyo, kamakura.

Off to a new destination: Kamakura! After brunch in Tokyo, it’s time to say goodbye to the modern capital and hop on a train to Japan’s medieval center. Kamakura is a seaside Japanese city south of Tokyo. As the political centre of medieval Japan, today, Kamakura is a resort town with many Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. Upon arrival you have the option to rent a surfboard and head to the beach, as the hostel is moments away from the coast, or you can make the most of this opportunity to sunbathe. There are beachside bars where you can relax, enjoy a drink, and watch the sunset later on. Later on, you will explore some of the town’s many ancient shrines, and then hike over to Kotoku-in Temple to marvel at the Great Buddha statue, which stands at nearly 45ft tall, even after a tsunami, and is made of solid bronze! Afterwards, you will travel to Enoshima, a small offshore island where you can spend some time exploring the temples or you can kick back in one of the many beach front bars and watch the sun go down.

Day 6 : Hakone

Location: hakone.

Say goodbye to Kamakura as you hop on a series of trains and buses to Hakone station. When you arrive you will hike along the Old Tokaido and enjoy lunch near Moto-Hakone. Hakone used to be a checkpoint to control traffic along the Tokaido, the highway which linked Tokyo with Kyoto during the feudal Edo Period. Today, a passage of the old Tokaido is located along the shore of Lake Ashi. Later, you will climb aboard a sightseeing cruise with a twist – it’s a pirate ship! From the deck of this ship, you’ll cross the Lake Ashi’s clear blue waters and, on a cloudless day, get an unforgettable view of the famous Mount Fuji. You’ll take the Hakone Ropeway for a great cable car journey that drops you at Owakudani, an active volcanic zone where you can try black eggs – a local delicacy coloured by the sulphuric water they’re boiled in. Spend the evening soaking in the sulphuric water of a traditional Japanese outdoor bath, called an ‘Onsen’. (Please note: those with tattoos may not be able to enter an ‘onsen’ in Japan as tattoos are associated with gang culture) Change into your kimono after a long hot bath ready to learn about the art of Japanese rice wine during a Sake tasting session! You’ll listen to an introduction about how sake is made, the different varieties and top it off with tasting opportunities to truly understand the art.

Day 7 : Kyoto

Location: kyoto.

Next, you’re off to Kyoto via bullet train. You’ll zoom across the country, covering around 273 miles in two hours, leaving plenty of time to experience Kyoto later in the day and evening. In the afternoon, wander the hillside streets to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which leads into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. In the evening you will have the option to attend a live geisha performance, which also features a tea ceremony, puppet show, traditional music and more. For something quintessentially Kyoto, you can also wander through Pontocho alley, full of lanterns and intimate wood-panelled restaurants – quietly sip on sake and look out for geishas wandering past!

Day 8 : Kyoto

Location: arashiyama bamboo forest, kyoto.

You’ll start the day with a two-hour boat trip down the Hozugawa River. In a traditional wooden raft, driven by guides, you’ll cruise through rocky ravines and experience the rush of rapids as you meander through the Arashiyama Hills. Later, you’ll head across to the Arashiyama Monkey Park. It’s a tough climb up, but at the top, you can feed monkeys or simply enjoy the panorama of Kyoto below. After, you’ll visit the Tenryu-Ji Temple, one of the most important Zen temples. With this, you’ll walk around the temple’s gardens, that were designed in the 14th century and are a real show-stopper. Finally, you’ll hike through Arashiyama’s famous Bamboo Forest. End the afternoon with a Japanese calligraphy lesson lesson from a master. In the evening, let your hair down and enjoy some Japanese karaoke with the rest of your group!

Day 9 : Kyoto - Free Day

Take a breather and relax your vocal cords after the previous night’s exertions – you have a free day to enjoy! If you feel you have the energy, we would suggest taking a look at the majestic temples that adorn the Philosopher’s path. Alternatively, you could check out the International Manga Museum.

Day 10 : Travel To Hiroshima

Location: kyoto, hiroshima.

Today you will cycle around Kyoto like a local! First, you’ll ride over to a Zen temple where you can discover your inner peace with meditation led by a Buddhist monk. Continuing your Kyoto adventure, admire an iconic image of Kyoto: The Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-Ji. Walk around the mirror pond and prepare to be mesmerised by the shimmering golden reflection of the pavilion on the water. After lunch, jump on your bike and cycle around to the Imperial Palace, before bidding farewell to this magical city. In the afternoon, you’ll take another bullet train and venture further west for Hiroshima.

Day 11 : Hiroshima

Location: hiroshima, itsukushima.

Hiroshima, a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island, was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. Here, you will find out how this city came to suffer the consequences of the world’s first atomic bomb, but you will also learn that Hiroshima is now the standard bearer for a peaceful and nuclear-free world. After a train ride and a short ferry trip to Miyajima Island, you’ll reach the Itsukushima shrine. To avoid angering the gods on the island, the main temple buildings were built on stilts on the shores of the island. Just offshore, you will see an enormous torii gate standing in the sea. At low tide, you can walk across the sand to take a closer look. Make your way back to the hostel and enjoy a free evening to relax.

Day 12 : Osaka

Location: osaka.

Today, another bullet train will take you to Osaka – you’ll arrive in time for lunch in the Shinsaibashi area. After enjoying your typically Japanese lunch of yakitori, ramen, sushi or whatever takes your fancy, it’s a short subway ride to the Osaka Castle. The castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks as it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century. Take a stroll around the castle that rises above the moat, and don’t forget to check out the 9-level dungeon. Time for a free afternoon! You can choose to explore more of Osaka on your own, have the ultimate Japanese shopping experience in Shinsaibashi or have a rest. Your evening you will start the night off by playing off to become The Dragon Trip Arcade Challenge Champion, or eat, drink, game and enjoy the endless Dotonbori and Namba night scenes. Tonight, you will sleep at a capsule hotel – small, private and quintessentially Japanese.

Day 13 : Departure Day

Location: osaka, tokyo.

Say goodbye to your fellow Dragons over brunch in Osaka before catching your final bullet train back to Tokyo – where you’ll arrive at 4.30pm.

What's Included

Accommodation

including hostels, guesthouses, capsule hostels & 1 night in a traditional Ryokan

All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

including a 7-day Japan Rail pass

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees for included activities

Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation

Local Taxes

Train Tickets

Including a 7-day rail pass

Included activities. such as

Sushi-making class (Tokyo), Cycling city tour (Kyoto), Daisen-in Temple: Meditation class(Kyoto) etc.

What's Not Included

Country Entry Visas

They’re are available upon arrival for over 60 countries including the UK, US, Canada Australia and EU countries.

Airport Transfers at Destination

Detailed information will be provided pre-departure

Optional Extras

Calligraphy Class

Learn about the history of the Japanese art of calligraphy whilst mastering how to write your name. This short class allows you to take home an authentic, personalised souvenir for you to hang on your wall.

Check out our Q&As

Is free wi-fi available in the accommodation used, company instant book.

Yes, if you book at least 60 days before

Do you require a visa for this holiday?

No, most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Japan.

Do I need any special vaccinations for Japan?

No vaccinations are required to enter Japan. Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan.

Are all entrance fees included in the price?

All entrance fees for included activities are included in the tour price.

What travel insurance do I need to join the tour?

We require all our customers to have backpackers travel insurance when coming on the trip. We recommend purchasing a travel insurance that offers ‘Bad Weather or Natural Disaster Coverage’. Please bring details of your travel insurance along with you. In the event of an accident, we may need to contact your insurance company on your behalf, so we will need the insurance company’s name and phone n

What currencies are required for this tour?

Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour.

Yes, The Dragon Trip in an international travel company and we have trippers from all over the world.

I’m a vegetarian/have allergies – will I be able to get the right food?

Yes! With so many food choices, Japan can meet the needs of individuals with special dietary needs or requests. Just tell your Adventure Leader and they can help you find something suitable. You will probably discover a new dish that you love!

Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

Yes, these can be booked on request (with extra charge).

Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

No, this is a backpacking tour for young adults.

Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

Yes, more details will be provided pre-departure.

Are flights included in this tour?

No, you will need to book your own international flights.

What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

Are the local guides on the tour english speaking.

Yes, they are locals who speak fluent English and have guided our trips with experience.

Are airport transfers included in this tour?

No, but details will be provided before tour starts.

Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

Most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Japan. If you do need a visa for any reason, do let us know. You may have to pay additional fees for your Japan Rail Pass.

Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

We recommend to have one small luggage for our tour.

Are vaccinations required for this tour?

Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work.

Majority of our clients are solo travellers and our prices are based on sharing in dorm style rooms. We do offer single room upgrades for those who do not wish to share a room.

Can you guarantee same-sex dorm rooms?

We always strive to ensure the highest level of comfort and convenience for our valued clients during their travels with us. However, for our tours in Asia, we cannot guarantee same-sex dorm rooms in the hostels we use, particularly during high season, such as the cherry blossom season in Japan. Please rest assured that we do our utmost to accommodate our clients' preferences wherever possible. However, the availability of same-sex dorm rooms ultimately depends on the policies of the hostels we work with. In some cases, different genders may be allocated to the same room due to limited availability.

What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

Please speak to our sales team as soon as possible to see how we can help.

Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

All our accommodation is check regularly to make sure it's a safe and clean environment.

What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

We are not perfect but we aim to be, that is why year on year we aim to increase the proportion of local businesses we work with as well as reduce the average carbon footprint of all of our group tour adventures. We do this by measuring our performance and making small but positive changes to how we operate.

What documents will I receive before I travel?

You will receive a booking pack with all the pick up times, accommodation and activities included.

How long has the tour company been trading?

The Dragon Trip has been trading since March 2011

Can I join the tour once it has departed?

Yes, although you will have to make your own way to where the group is heading to out of your own expense.

Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

Our tours are aimed at fun, out-going and open minded individuals. We typically get people aged between 18 to 55 travelling on our trips. Feel free to call us to see the ages of the people who are booked already.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

The best trip i’ve ever booked.

The best trip I’ve ever booked! The group was just amazing and the guide was the nicest and most informed one I’ve ever met (thanks, Juno – you’ve made this trip special)

An incredible, well planned and executed experience.

An incredible, well planned and executed experience. Juno Choi, whilst training two other people was able to stay very professional, showing us everything Japan has to offer! Would recommend this 100% to anyone who's thinking of a tour around Japan. It's a good way to people and do things you might not usually be able to!

An amazing experience.

I have just finished my 14 day adventure with dragon trip in Japan. An amazing experience. Don’t be expecting a rest on the trip, it’s Full on, but that’s what makes it more memorable...You see a lot. The people definitely made this trip for me. It’s always nerve wracking coming into a big group, but our group were just amazing. Our guide was Chipa Mwenya, Awesome guy. Very welcoming to all and made the effort to engage everyone in the group. Really kind, caring and attentive to all needs. If there was ever a problem, Chipa was the first person there to give advice/help, even in our free time he was still on hand to give recommendations and ensure everyone was safe. Didn’t just seem like his job, you could tell he was very passionate in what he does. Cheers Chips! Stay safe

11/10. Honestly could not have asked for a better being tour for me and my partner!

an incredible experience that everyone should try

If your thinking of booking the tour then you 1000% should. Its an incredible experience that everyone should try

Dates & Availability

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Monday - Saturday

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$124 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$118 (USD)

Tuesday - Sunday

Book with Confidence

Low deposit.

The Dragon Trip requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 65 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the dragon trip charges.

Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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Epic 13-Day Japan Budget Tour: Odyssey Across the Land of the Rising Sun

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided
• Train & Rail

Places You’ll See

• Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Check out the international Manga museum
• Experience Kyoto’s Geisha district
• Learn how to make sushi
• Introduction
• Day 1 Meet your fellow dragons + Tsukiji Outer Market
• Day 2 Sushi making class
• Day 3 Tokyo Imperial Palace + Shibuya Crossing
• Day 4 More of Tokyo
• Day 5 Arrive in Kamakura + Great Buddha Statue
• Day 6 Travel to Hakone + Mount Fuji
• Day 7 Travel to Kyoto + Visit Kiyomizu temple
• Day 8 Keep exploring Kyoto
• Day 9 Free day to explore
• Day 10 Golden Pavilion + Travel to Hiroshima
• Day 11 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Day 12 Travel to Osaka + Osaka Castle
• Day 13 Say your goodbyes + Travel back to Tokyo

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by The Dragon Trip

We are The Dragon Trip. We expand minds through transformative experiences. We provide meaningful adventures throughout Asia, showing a real side of life through deeply researched trips. We support local communities through sustainable and ethical travel, investing as much as possible into the places we visit. Our Adventure Leaders are experts in their destination. They love their home and their country and take pleasure in introducing it to new travellers - the culture, history and the food. We don't do package holidays. We don't do tourist traps. We do Dragon Trips.

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.3
• Itinerary Excellent 4.4
• Guide Excellent 4.6
• Transport Excellent 4.3
• Accommodation Good 3.9
• Food Good 3.8
• Tour Operator The Dragon Trip 4.5
• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Highest First
• Lowest First

• IA Ian · 21st February 2024 Excellent trip. The guide was excellent and very helpful to all members of the group. Will definitely be going to Japan again, I hope with Dragon Trip. Trip date: March 2023
• HB Hjalmar · 21st February 2024 Had a blast. Our tourguide Chryss was so helpful and we enjoyed our honeymoon on this trip. I couldnt have been any happier Trip date: July 2023
• R Rora · 17th December 2023 I'm really glad I did this tour. The itinerary is excelent. It covers a lot and it was very well planned. It might feel that we need to rush sometimes but we always had some free time to explore most places we visited or free time in the end of the the... Show more Trip date: November 2023

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• November 2025
• Monday 22 Apr, 2024 Saturday 4 May, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 29 Apr, 2024 Saturday 11 May, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 6 May, 2024 Saturday 18 May, 2024 English Sold Out €2,277 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 13 May, 2024 Saturday 25 May, 2024 English Sold Out €2,277 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 20 May, 2024 Saturday 1 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 27 May, 2024 Saturday 8 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 3 Jun, 2024 Saturday 15 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 10 Jun, 2024 Saturday 22 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 7 Other Unavailable Departures
• Monday 17 Jun, 2024 Saturday 29 Jun, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,397 Confirm Dates
• Monday 24 Jun, 2024 Saturday 6 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,397 Confirm Dates
• Monday 1 Jul, 2024 Saturday 13 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,397 Only Pay 5% Deposit Confirm Dates
• Monday 8 Jul, 2024 Saturday 20 Jul, 2024 English Sold Out €2,397 Only Pay 5% Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 15 Jul, 2024 Saturday 27 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,397 Only Pay 5% Deposit Confirm Dates
• Monday 22 Jul, 2024 Saturday 3 Aug, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,397 Only Pay 5% Deposit Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour finishes at around 4.30 pm at the Toyko Railway station after taking the train back from Osaka. It's time to say goodbye to your fellow Dragon Trippers and continue on your travels!

This tour starts in the reception of Tokyo House Inn at 10 am on the first day. Spend the rest of the day taking in the cityscape from the top of a skyscraper, check out Shinjuku, take a relaxing trip to a local bathhouse and explore the endless eating and drinking options in Tokyo by night. Please be aware that the starting hotel is subject to change until your final documents are released.

Airport transfers are not available for this tour, however, the tour operator is happy to provide you with a detailed instructions pdf on how to arrive at Tokyo House Inn from the airport (both Haneda or Narita International Airports) after the booking is made.

All accommodations are subject to change until 4-6 weeks before the departure date. After the booking is made you will be issued your final trip documents with your specific accommodation details. This is a list of accommodations that they typically stay at, but please be advised that they are subject to change: Tokyo House Inn Webase Kamakura Fuji Hakone Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Wabisabi Hostel Capsul Hotel Astil Dotonbori Hopefully, this list will give you a better idea of what kind of accommodation you can expect while on tour.

The optional excursions for this tour are: Grab a drink on a nearby Hoppy Street or relax with the locals at a nearby bathhouse. Price: 460 JPY Real-life Mario Kart. Price: £65 (Please note: to participate, you must secure an international drivers permit valid in Japan before the start of the tour) Cook a typical Sumo wrestler’s meal, called Chanko Nabe, from raw ingredients. Price: Not advised Robot Show. Price: £55 Surfboard rental. Price: 3000 JPY for a day Karaoke with a twist including an open bar. Price: 2100 JPY for 90 minutes Please note that this list is a guideline only and all prices are subject to change.

Of course, we can! Once you have a confirmed booking on this tour, we can request additional accommodation for you with the tour operator.

This tour accepts guests between 18 and 50 years old. Please be aware that young travellers under 5 years of age and more mature travellers above the age of 50 are not eligible to participate in this tour.

If you are a solo traveller and you don't mind sharing you will be roomed with a fellow traveller of the same gender for no additional cost. If you would prefer your own private room this can be requested for an additional cost, please contact our customer support team for more information.

Yes! With so many food choices, Japan can meet the needs of individuals with special dietary needs or requests. Just tell your Adventure Leader and they can help you find something suitable. You will probably discover a new dish that you love!

It really varies depending on your taste and budget. You can get a simple meal such as a bowl of ramen for £2 or go for high-class sushi. Generally, travellers will be taken to affordable restaurants, a budget of £15-20 a day for food and drink is recommended.

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Good to Know

• Currency ¥ Yen Japan

As a traveller from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Japan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 27th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 27th June 2024, a minimum payment of 5% is required to confirm your booking with The Dragon Trip. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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4 replies to this topic

Lots of reviews are available

: https://www.tourradar.com/o/the-dragon-trip

Are you looking at 13-day Budget Japan Tour? Note that most accommodations are in hostel dorm rooms (and one night in a capsule hotel), although upgrades to private rooms (might not have en suite bath) are available. Nothing wrong with that if it suits you, just be aware.

Have you found out about The Dragon Trip? Legit?

If you want to sleep in a room with random people of the same and opposite sex, then go ahead. There is apparently a small statement that discloses the possibility of being placed in a room with people of the opposite sex whom you do not know. We didn't notice it but ended up in an awkward situation. I would warn you to prepare to have ro book alternate accommodations.

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Travel | Explore | Inspire

The Dragon Trip Japan Tour

Ready to discover THE ultimate Japan Tour – experience the best that Japan has to offer, revel in the culture and taste food you never knew existed. Feast your eyes on incredible temples and have a go at activities you would never have thought you would be doing ( like driving through the streets of Tokyo wearing a cartoon character onesie on a go kart!) We spent an incredible 13 days travelling around Japan with The Dragon Trip . Read on to discover why we came back absolutely adoring Japan.

• Why Visit Japan
• When to Visit Japan

Japan Tour Schedule

Budget tips for japan.

• Accommodation Types
• Getting Around Japan
• Suitability for Vegetarians, Vegan or GF
• Why go on a Group Trip

Why Visit Japan?

For years we have wanted to visit Japan, to discover the culture and experience first hand a country that has peaked our interest. All you have to do is browse photographs of the varied landscapes and be amazed, from the wild mountains to the vibrant city scapes. Japan has something for everyone, for single travellers, to couples and families with kids.

When to visit Japan?

We visited in November which was a fantastic time to visit. Although many travel guides will be aimed at focussing on Cherry Blossom season in March-May, we found Autumn with all the trees turning golden and red hues simply fantastic, both for photos and the milder temperatures. The temperature on our trip was between 16-20 degrees which we find is the perfect weather for sightseeing and traveling around.

The summer in Japan gets very hot and humid so if you are one for cooler weather then Autumn could be just the ticket for you. In November there is snow in certain parts of Japan and the temperature is much cooler so its worth checking your must see list and working around your ideal temperatures.

It can be expensive to travel during the Cherry Blossom season so it’s worth pre-booking accommodation etc if you wish to see the pink blossoms. Alternatively, book a space on The Japan Tour with The Dragon Trip and have all of your accommodation included already.

We spent 13 days on tour with The Dragon Trip travelling around Japan using Bullet Trains to local buses. Visiting Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka. We found this a perfect amount of time to see these locations and you can see below what we got up to at each location. The trip is jam packed with activities so get ready to be inspired (and a little surprised at how much you can actually do on this tour).

 Days 1- 4 

We start the tour in Tokyo, and meet our guide at the hostel in Shinjuku that we stay in for the first 4 nights of the trip. It’s here that we meet the rest of the tour group and get an idea of how the trip will play out. Before long we are out and about exploring the streets of Tokyo.

Tokyo is such a vibrant city with so much to offer.  There are so many different districts to visit with a completely different feel to each of them. Our accommodation was located in Shinjuku a perfect choice for a stay in Tokyo. We stayed in a hostel located down a quiet side street – it was a perfect base. What you may find in a lot of accommodations in Japan are “Handy” phones. These are free mobile phones connected to wifi that you can use to help sightsee and google information during your trip. We had one of these in our room in Tokyo and loved the idea.

Shinjuku is full of neon bright lights, bars and shopping and the perfect base for a Tokyo adventure. Shinjuku’s railway station is the busiest in the world transiting up to 2 million passengers a day and is on the JR Yamanote line – if your looking for accommodation in Tokyo stay close to this subway line. The red light district of Kabukicho takes some great photos too.

Never have we been to a cleaner city! Did you know they don’t have bins on the street so you have to take your rubbish home with you. It’s also been said that this has reduced crime rates drastically!

We spent 4 nights in Tokyo on the tour and another 4 nights either side of the tour by ourselves. We still feel like there is so much more of Tokyo to experience just because we loved it so much, BUT we did put a dent in a majority of the attractions that you would want to see plus some extra stuff I don’t think would ever have done on our own thanks to being on The Dragon Trip Tour.

Day 1 in Tokyo:

Our tour started with a walk past some famous sights including Godzilla above the Toho cinema. Since the original movie was filmed by this company they placed a giant Godzilla head above the building as it looks down on to the city. Blink and you will miss it but it is one of those attractions that is worth walking by. We then passed Memory lane , also known as “Piss Alley”. A narrow lane decorated each season in themes matching the weather lined with tiny bars and restaurants that might only fit about 6 people.

We then visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, offering 360 degree views of the city, this was the perfect place to begin the tour to get our bearings on the city. It is free to come here and they are also open in the evening if you want to see the city lit up. The line can be pretty long to get in but it does move quickly.

Tsukiji Outer Market is where it’s at if you want to eat fresh fish, it’s the largest fish market in Asia and they sell Whale meat! There is no stinky fish market smell here since everything gets sold out on the day, it’s that damn tasty. You must try the little octopus on a stick – they are so delicious. Our guide wanted to take us to get fresh tuna that gets blow torched, but they were sold out. He surely knew the best secret spots.

Senso – Ji Temple in Asakusa is an ancient Buddhist Temple. It was here that we had the opportunity to get our fortune. By donating 100 JPY you can then shake a big metal hexagonal box that contains wooden sticks inside. Each stick has characters that correspond to a wooden drawer. Inside your drawer is your fortune, be it The Best, Good or Bad. Care to guess what we got? I got The Best fortune and Phil got a Bad Fortune. We like to think they cancel each other out. 

Batting Cage – one of Japan’s surprising favourite sports is Baseball – there have been competitions since the 1920’s but when Japan’s 1934 All-Star team beat the All Star American team featuring legends of the game such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Baseballs popularity in Japan Sky Rocketed!

We visited a batting cage in Shinjuku – you get between 20-25 balls fired at you in either left or right handed cages at various speeds (start with the 80 kph areas). All bats are supplied ready to go along with arcade machines and vending machines. A great experience to enjoy pre-night out or simply for a good laugh with your travel buddies. It is activities like this that made the start of our tour with The Dragon Trip so memorable.

Day 2 in Tokyo:

Sushi Making – if you want to learn how to make sushi, Japan is the place! We joined our chef’s and hosts at their cookery school and under their watchful eye created our very own sushi meal.

From the egg rolls to California rolls we learnt the techniques from the pros. You can pick up the sushi making kits from the markets in most Japanese towns if you want to impress your friends and family. It was such a unique experience, one that we would never have booked for ourselves normally when we travel.

Akihabara and Maid Cafe – Tokyo’s ‘Electric Town’ is a must see for anyone into technology, Manga and Anime (known as the Manga capital of the world). Some of Tokyo’s largest technology shops are in Akiba (the local name for the district) and also a huge range of Anime and Manga shops. It is known as ‘Electric Town’, because after the World War Two depression electric goods were brought into the black market here.

One thing you must try is a Maid Cafe! Our tour took us to ‘Maidreamin’, a chain of maid cafes in Tokyo. We were apprehensive of what to expect but our guide Chipa told us to ‘go with flow’, so we did.

What an experience! Maid cafes sprung up as a sub-genre of Cosplay to cater for ‘Otaku’ which is a person who is into gaming, pop culture, Anime or Manga similar to western geek style. These cafes allow people to socialise and spend time in a fun environment with cosplay maids serving them and performing songs and stage shows. Overall a great fun place to get a great ice-cream sundae and have a good laugh.

Seat charge is 500 yen then they have a wide menu of ice creams and drinks – typically 680 yen for the cutest ice cream sundae you’ll ever see. You cannot take photos inside so there is just the ice cream sundae photo for you. There is no “toilet”, instead it is called a flower garden!

Akiba area has lots of animal cafes with meerkats, hedgehogs, mini pigs, owls, cats, toy poodles and even sheep. Sometimes the animals are on show in the street to entice you to come in.

Mari Car – Starting in Akiba (Akihabara) you zip through the streets of Tokyo in your very own go-kart dressed as a minion, chipmunk or Spiderman! What’s not to like! Our Mari-Car tour started at sun down so we got to experience all the lights of Tokyo’s central districts such as Ginza.

Very easy to drive so suitable for everyone, Tokyo’s streets are very organised and you feel like a celebrity with everyone waving and taking photos as you zoom down the streets. This was a once in a lifetime experience, as an optional extra on the tour, it was one we were so glad we participated in.

Golden Gai + Karaoke – Shinjuku’s Golden Gai’s are a must see! In the 1980’s the owners of these pint sized bars fought the Yakuza to stop them burning the area down to sell as real estate and as such this small area of Tokyo is un changed.

Tiny bars all squeezed in together with seating for approximately 8 clients each have their own theme and style – some bars will say if they are for locals or members only and typically have had the same patrons since the 1990’s, others will be open for visitors. Expect to pay a cover charge in most between 500-1200 Yen, free ones will say on the door.

We visited the Karaoke bar called ‘Champion’, with 500 yen drinks and 100 yen per song, it has a great atmosphere. Choose your song on the iPad, place a 100 yen coin on top and hand it back to the barman to get in the queue. Many expats and foreigners visit this bar for a good old sing song and a plum wine. Our guide Chipa was especially enthusiastic which ended up spreading to the group and I ended up singing Abba in front of a bar full of strangers. When in Japan!

Day 3 in Tokyo:

Tokyo Imperial Palace – Located on a huge stretch of parkland, the Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle. It is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. When you look on a train map you will notice that they go around in a loop, this is because the Imperial Palace is in the middle and no trains pass through the area. The gardens are so beautifully manicured with the help of local volunteers. The stark contrast between the old and new is visible here with the big sky scrapers behind the gardens.

Harajuku – Takeshita Street is one of the busiest in Tokyo. The Harajuku district is Tokyo’s self proclaimed street wear and fashion capital. Further towards Omotesando the street wear stores turn to larger fashion icons as well as H&M and UniQlo.

Lots of cafes here aim at youth culture and also include Cat Cafe Mocha- we visited this cat cafe at the start of Takeshita Street and spent a good half an hour enjoying the cutest kitties we’ve ever  seen in the comfortable lounge set up.

Our guide took us for a traditional ‘Tokyo Style’ Okonomiyaki lunch. These Japanese Pancakes of all flavours are a must try. At our restaurant you receive instructions and cook them yourselves on your table over a hot plate. Careful on the flip!

Meiji Shrine – located in Harajuku this Shinto shrine was first completed in 1920 and rebuilt after World War 2. Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of Modern Japan after the end of Japan’s feudal era.

The main shrine buildings are a 10 min walk from the entrance near Harajuku station through a tranquil forest a million miles away from Tokyo’s busy streets. Under the huge Torii Gate you wind your way through to the main shrine. If you come an hour before closing many Japanese couples have their wedding photos taken here in traditional dress. A great place to purchase Onamori, a Japanese Amulet typically available at Shinto shrines – these Amulets made sacred through Shinto or Buddhist rituals can provide prayers and invocations for safe travel and health among other things.

Shibuya Crossing – rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world anywhere from 2000-3000 people cross at one time during rush hour in a true organised Japanese dance. The best pictures of here can be taken from the Magnet Shopping building on one of it’s corners – the elevated position does cost 600 yen to access though. Free options for pictures include Starbucks and the bridge linking the train buildings.

Day 4 in Tokyo:

Edo Tokyo Museum – Our guides favourite museum, the Edo Tokyo Museum is the perfect opportunity to learn about the history of Tokyo. The Edo period (also known at the Tokogawa Period) was between 1603 and 1868, when the country was under the power of the Tokogawa shogunate and 300 Daimyo (Powerful Japanese Feudal lords who ruled most of Japan from their vast land holdings). The museum guides you through Japan’s history including its role in World War 2. We learnt so much information we never knew before, this was a fantastic museum to visit on the tour.

Sumo Experience – I wrestled a real Sumo in Japan! Not many people can say that but I fought (i use the word loosely) Jambo one of our Sumo hosts at our optional lunch with 2 former Sumo Champions.

We learnt about Sumo traditions and matches through demonstrations as well as having the chance to try our hand at being Sumo wrestlers. We had lunch including ‘Chanko’ a Sumo stew and staple meal that accompanies the Sumo’s strict training regime. At the end they answered our many questions on Sumo life and competitions. Including how many pieces of sushi Jambo ate in one sitting? Any guesses? Hint – it’s more than 300.

Samurai Museum – Shinjuku’s Samurai museum has armour and swords on display from Japan’s ancient times and a knowledgeable tour guide took us through the history and design of the Samurai armour as well as weapons. During the tour we got to experience a sword demonstration from 2 sword masters…..with real steel blades! You sit very close so its quite the experience! After the show we had the opportunity to dress up in a Kimono and Samurai outfit.

Robot Show – If you are looking for a crazy Japanese experience then make sure you check out the Robot Show in Shinjuku. A mixture of robots and costume clad dancers, lazer lights and musical instruments make a show like no other. This kitsch show is a must just for the pure crazy atmosphere. It is an optional activity on the tour but an absolute must If you are in Tokyo.

Time in Location: 1 Night

Day 5 in Kamakura

Kamakura is a seaside town just south of Tokyo and a popular spot for people looking to move from the city or go for a surf! 

Our accommodation at the fantastic WeBase in Kamakura had its very own Onsen Bath – we would recommend experiencing an Onsen at least once while you are in Japan. Separated into Male and Female baths Onsens are considered a social place to meet and chat with others. Also its hot water helps with the achy muscles from exploring and jet lag.

At the Kotoku-in Temple you can find the Great Buddha, a 13m-high bronze statue still standing after a tsunami in the 15th-century. You can still spot some of the original gold leaf that covered the buddha on the cheek. There is even the opportunity to go inside the Buddha

Enoshima Island is a great spot in Kamakura to soak up the seaside atmosphere – on the bridge connected island the Enoshima Shrines are dedicated to the goddess of wealth, fortune, music and good knowledge – who doesn’t want some of that? Keep a keen eye out for the local Japanese Racoons that roam the island! 

Day 6 in Hakone

Hakone is less than 100km from Tokyo and it is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park – a beautiful wooded valley with Lake Ashinoko. This area feels so tranquil and secluded, famed for its healing hot springs.

Here we stayed in a traditional Ryokan – a type of traditional Japanese Inn. Complete with Yukata to wear in the evenings (a style of pyjamas). It had a fantastic homely feel.

During the day we travelled by bus to an Amazake Chaya – a traditional tea house founded 400 years ago whose Amazake recipe is unchanged since it was opened. Amazake is a sweet alcohol free rice wine made from koji fungi, rice and yeast and was used to fuel and warm travelling Samurai heading to Edo (ancient Tokyo). This sweet hot drink really pops with the addition of fresh ginger for a true winter warmer.

The location of the Amazake Chaya in the hills of Hakone is no coincidence. Hakone was one of the last check points before Tokyo on the ancient Tokaido Road . After we finished our Amazake we headed to a remaining section of this connection to Kyoto.

The Tokaido Road was one of 5 routes that connected Tokyo with the rest of Japan – as you walk on the cobbled route through the forest you can imagine the tales of samurai’s and folk lore surrounding this ancient route. 

The trail led to Lake Ashinoko where you can find the Torii Gates of the Hakone Shrine. A 15 minute walk along the shore of the lake and you will reach this beautiful viewpoint. If you want to take a photo here, you may have to queue for a while with the locals since it is a very popular instagram photo location in Hakone.

From here we jumped on to a Pirate Ship that crosses Lake Ashinoko to the Owakudani Volcano. Keep an eye out for Mount Fuji in the distance, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see it in such a beautiful location. 

Once at Owakudani there is a Ropeway (Gondola) that climbs to the top of the Volcano. We came during sunset and it was the most incredible view. The sulphur was particularly thick when we visited so we were unable to go outside the viewing building at the top, but it made the sky incredibly red and hazy in the setting sun.

Once back at the Ryokan we had the opportunity to use their own private Onsen under the stars. I could definitely get used to these.

Wearing our traditional yukatas our guide Chipa arranged some Sake tasting – we tasted a variety from premium to budget to see which we preferred. Apparently those who enjoy a good drink and night out don’t always prefer the premium sake!

Time in Location: 4 Nights

Day 7 in Kyoto

We arrive on our bullet train in Kyoto – once the capital of Japan it was left out of World War bombing efforts due to its cultural significance and removed from a list of options for the dropping of atomic weapons.

Because of this Kyoto retains many old buildings and neighbourhoods unchanged from Japan’s ancient history. This is a great city to experience traditional Japanese buildings and culture. It is considered Japan’s Cultural Capital.

Our first stop was the Kiyomizu Dera Temple or ‘Pure Water Temple’. It is one of Japan’s most respected and celebrated temples – the name relates to the waterfall that the temple was founded on in 780 and is a UNESCO heritage site – the expansive grounds of the temple feature many shrines and statues nestled amongst maple trees and you can get one of the best views of modern Kyoto from the top. Behind the main hall there is Jishu Shrine which is dedicated to Love and Match Making, here you can find two stones, placed 18 metres apart, if you can travel from one to the other with your eyes closed it is believed you will have success finding love, if you need help being guided it is suggested you may need someones help to find your soul mate.

The Ottawa Waterfall from the temples namesake appears below the temple, its stream is divided into 3 separate spouts all with a different meaning, from happy love life, longevity and success, where you can drink from whichever you choose. However, drink from all 3 and it is considered greedy and no effects will be gained.

Kyoto is the home of the Geisha in Japan, when here visiting a traditional Geisha performance is a must and instantly captivating. Our guide took us to a traditional show of the ancient arts which featured a Geisha show and traditional play. A tea ceremony was also performed.

One of our favourite parts of Kyoto was the Gion and Higashiyama Districts around Hanamikoji Street – this is one of the most photographed and popular instagram spots in Kyoto and takes you back to a time when travellers and pilgrims to the shrines would have found lodging and traded in the area. 

Many young Japanese travellers can be found in traditional Kimonos here, find the stunning Yasaka Pagoda for your perfect holiday picture.

Day 8 in Kyoto

Today we travelled to the Hozugawa River – this river was used to transport much of the material used to build Kyoto and Osaka and was later used as the main route for traders to supply food and goods to the areas.

We hopped aboard our flat bottom boat and headed off down the river to the start point – this trip is expertly piloted by 3 boatmen through the rapids and stunning valley that the river winds its way through. In Autumn as the leaves on the trees change to red and golden you can get some great pictures. Keep an eye out for Snoopy Rock.

After the 2 hour boat ride we arrived in Arashiyama, a great district in western Kyoto for its natural setting and a popular destination for rich noble lords. Here you can find the Iwatayama Monkey Park after hiking approximately 20 minutes to the summit of the park. 

Home to around 170 Japanese macaque monkeys that have free roam of the area, you can enjoy their funny antics over looking Kyoto. You are able to purchase nuts and bananas for 100 Yen and feed them from inside a safe cage….for humans!

We walked through a beautiful Zen Garden on the way to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest made famous from Instagram. Here is where you want to get your Instagram photos. The bamboo is incredibly tall and a true spectacle. Known as being a great place to escape to during earth quakes since the roots form a large web like structure underground.

You used to be able to walk among the bamboo forest freely however people started carving their names into the bamboo so now there is walk ways to stick to.

In the evening we attended a Calligraphy Class where our expert teachers taught us how to write Kanji characters including our name – luckily they gave us time to practice before attempting our final piece which we could display at home.

The evenings entertainment arranged by our tour guide was Karaoke ! A favourite Japanese pastime. A private booth was organised for our group along with all you can drink alcohol which helped everyone get into the spirit. What started as ‘who wants to sing’ turned into ‘give me the mic!’ And there was a few sore heads in the morning – not from singing voices.

Day 9 in Kyoto

Today was our free day to explore Kyoto on our own – after a later than normal start for some after the previous evenings karaoke, we decided to set out to Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. This is where you can find Kyoto’s famed Torii Gates – there are over 1000 of these gates winding their way through the forest and make a perfect picture for your travel album. Bring your walking shoes as the mountain trails have lots of steps and areas to explore. It is based on a mountain side and the hike to the top is long if you fancy it. Once you reach the view point there is a further optional 40 minute round trip hike to view further mountain shrines.

The main shrine is dedicated to Inari the Shinto God of Rice – and is one of the most important shrines dedicated to this god in Japan.

The 1000’s of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha are a favourite instagram location and they are all donated by companies or people who visit the shrine, small ones cost upwards of 350,000 yen and the large can be upto a million.

After hiking around the Torii Gates we headed for the Hokanji Temple or Yasaka Pagoda in the aforementioned Higashiyama District. We spent a few hours exploring the old neighbourhood and snapped some great pictures.

Day 10 in Kyoto

Today was bike riding day in Kyoto – we set off through the city and diverted to the path along the river which was a great cycle ride. You can spot dozens of blue and white heron’s along the river, quite a rare bird in the UK but not in Kyoto.

We cycled about an hour to our Zen mediation class with our buddhist monk teacher at the Daisen-In Temple which is one of the oldest Hojo style Zen-Buddhist temples remaining. We mediated in silence as a group under the watchful eye of our instructor.

If you find your mind wandering or wish to flex a little from your lotus position, the monk will provide 4 well placed strikes with a flat wooden cane, 2 to each shoulder. This is optional of course but most of the group tried it and it works wonders.

Following our relaxing meditation session we joined our guide for a tour of the temple and its original screen door paintings and famous Zen garden. We finished our afternoon at Daisen-in with a matcha tea ceremony – you must try matcha in Japan.

After lunch we cycled to Kinkaku-Ji the Golden Pavilion . This Zen Temple’s upper two floors are covered in gold leaf, its position on a beautiful lake is a true show stopper and allows you to take some stunning photographs. The shogun who retired to this holiday villa certainly had a great eye for design.

We caught the Bullet Train to Hiroshima from Kyoto station in the late afternoon.

Time in Location: 2 Nights

Day 11 in Hiroshima:

Hiroshima’s modern city was a great surprise. It’s bustling neon light alleys and shopping centres are a far cry from what most people know about Hiroshima.

Our first important stop in Hiroshima is the Memorial Peace Park – this area was the epicentre for the atomic bomb explosion that destroyed Hiroshima during the world war. The park is home to the Memorial Peace Museum which documents the life before and after the dropping of the bomb.

It is a stark reminder of the devastating effects that possessing nuclear weapons can have on the people of the world. It serves as a model for peace as it strives to act as a monument to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Also in the park is the A-Bomb Dome which is the remains of the old Promotions Hall – this building is left as it was after the bomb exploded just above the building as it was one of the only buildings left standing in Hiroshima.

After learning the history of the events in Hiroshima we headed to Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Bay about an hour from the city centre. This island is one of the most scenic spots in Japan and was thought to be an Island of Gods.

Miyajima Island is home to the large floating tori gate which has the effect of floating on the water at high tide. The island has a romantic reputation with many visitors choosing to stay over night in its many ryokan’s. Alternatively you can travel over for the day or afternoon as we did.

Although the island is famous for its over water Itsukushima Shrine, its wild roaming deer get almost the same amount of attention. Wandering the streets and beaches of the islands they are quite accustomed to human visitors.

Time in Location: 1 night

Day 12 in Osaka

We caught the bullet train to Osaka for our last day of our tour. Our accommodation here was another Japan must – a capsule or pod hotel . These little accommodations have become a Japanese icon with copies springing up all over the world….we even stayed in one in Canada!

Separated into male and female dorms your little home has everything you need from a tv and pyjamas to toiletries. Perfect for budget travellers.

We visited one of the cities most famous sights, Osaka Castle . One of Japans largest castles of its time and now features a museum and viewing deck at its peak. This historic castle played a major role in the unification of Japan in the 16th century. The original castle was commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a samurai general and is considered one of Japan’s most famous.

That evening we partook in another favourite Japanese pastime…. gaming arcades ! We raced each other in Mario Cart challenges and battled it out shooting basketball before heading to Osaka’s famous Dotonburi District for a few refreshments.

The Dotonburi district in Osaka is bright lights and party vibes. It features some of Japan’s last remaining Neon Light signs and more bars and restaurants than you can visit. 

Day 13 in Osaka

This was the last day of the tour and the travel day back to Tokyo. Some people stayed on in Osaka and continued on in their travels around Japan or departed from Osaka airport. The remainder travelled back to Tokyo on the Bullet Train. We stayed in Osaka for the day and spent it at Universal Studios. To read all about our incredible day there click here .

Japans famous convenience stores are perfect for travellers who need to watch their spends – the most common store brands of Lawsons, 7-Eleven and Family Mart have something for every taste. Noodles, Sushi, Ramen and Sandwiches along with accompanying salads and sides like Gyoza’s mean the thrifty traveller can piece together a great meal for under 500 Yen.

The staff will heat up the meals for you in the microwaves so you are ready to go quick and easy. It’s also a good spot for breakfast pastries and cakes which range from 100 Yen each.

Accommodation types:

The accommodation on the tour ranged from Hostels, to traditional Ryokans and a Pod Hotel. We upgraded to the private double room option(apart from the 1 night in the Pod Hotel). We thought the accommodation was such a high standard, everything was super clean, comfortable and very well looked after. All of the accommodations had a variety of amenities, especially in the bathrooms including moisturiser for your face and body, face cleansing lotion, make up remover, hair spray, razors, tooth brushes and much more. The sheer amount of products you could use was something that we were not used to. Many places offer slippers and some offered Pajamas. Some of the hostels offered breakfast and most had vending machines where you could get snacks including beer! The locations of the hostels were unparalleled, simply fantastic.

Getting around Japan

IC Card – The IC Card (Pasmo) was something that we used on a daily basis and it can be used all over Japan. We used it for the trains, buses and it can even be used in the vending machines at the stations and in town. We were given one of these at the beginning of the trip and took it everywhere with us as we used it several times on a daily basis. It saves you having to pay cash for each journey making it a super convenient thing to have. All travel is included on The Dragon Trip tour so you hardly even need to think about it.

JR Rail Pass – We used the JR Rail Pass to go on the longer train journeys like the bullet train. But it can also be used for the above land trains all over Japan. It just depends on the train route you are wanting to take as the lines are owned by different companies. The good thing is that they are signposted in English so you can tell if it will be a JR Rail Pass journey or not.

Our Guide – as fantastic as it was having an IC Card and JR Rail Pass, I would say a majority of the trip being so amazing was that we had our guide Chipa showing us around the country. Normally I am the one making the decisions and planning the trip so directions would fall on me. I cannot tell you enough how amazing and stress free it felt to just have to follow our guide. It allowed me to take in the surroundings without having my face buried in a map, I didn’t have to get stressed out trying to figure out where I needed to stand in order to get on the train ( and the correct train). I kid you not at the end of the trip we did get on the wrong train, luckily it didn’t leave the station before we realised. All because Chipa our guide was not with us anymore. There are a lot of English signs in Japan which was more than I had expected but I have to say, if you want to make the most out of your time in Japan where you can see as much as possible AND enjoy it at the same time so you don’t feel stressed and exhausted then I recommend having a tour guide.

Suitability for Vegetarians, Vegans or Gluten Free

We had a couple of vegetarians and Gluten Free travellers on the tour which gave me an insight into how easy it is to get this type of food in Japan. You will find that many places offer vegetarian options, however the Vegan diet is a very new concept in Japan and you will find most places won’t cater for this. If you happen to be Gluten intolerant then you will find even fewer options. Since almost everything contains Soy which contains gluten it is hard to remove it. One meal type that did seem easy to cater for GF travellers was Okonomiyaki. If you can find a place that serves this then it can be made to suit your needs.

Why go on a Group Tour

We absolutely loved our experience with The Dragon Trip . As experienced travellers who book independent travel 90% of the time we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed being a part of a group trip. The friends we made on the tour, the stress free travel days, the included activities and more. Having the ability to upgrade our room to a private double made it more comfortable for us travelling as a couple. We were one of three couples on the trip so didn’t feel out of place. Given that Japan is so culturally different, we felt this was the perfect opportunity to go on a group trip so that we could make the most of the country.

If you want to book your own trip with The Dragon Trip you can use my unique code:everthewanderer/TDT19 and get a 10% discount

Don’t forget to save for later – Pin to Pinterest

Thank you to The Dragon Trip for hosting us on the Japan Tour. The trip was sponsored, and as always all opinions are our own. We only ever recommend experiences that we absolutely love.

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Rachel Hughes

Hey there! I'm Rachel Hughes aka Ever The Wanderer. I am a Digital Media Creator and long term travel expert. I help people realise their worth and what they can achieve.

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