How much does it cost?

From £5,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $7,833 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The tour includes Standard Class rail travel on the Hokuto Limited Express, four Shinkansen bullet trains, and a regional train to Kyoto, as well as all coach and ferry travel.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish, and most days include guided tours with English-speaking guides.

What is the single supplement?

Single rooms cost from GBP 6,899 versus GBP 5,499 for double occupancy; confirm the exact amount for your chosen hotels.

When does the tour operate?

Departures run in March, April, May, September, and October, with dates in 2026 and 2027. Check Great Rail Journeys for current availability.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included every day. Four dinners are provided at local restaurants; lunch and most other dinners are independent.

What is not included?

Travel insurance and cancellation protection are not included; most lunches and dinners are independent, as are drinks and personal expenses.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Japan by Rail

Japan north to south: Sapporo to Fukuoka by bullet train, 16 days

Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted tour across Japan, departing London Heathrow and returning there after traversing three islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu. The journey runs north to south from Sapporo to Fukuoka, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. You will ride four Shinkansen bullet trains at speeds up to 186 mph, visit Mount Fuji from Hakone's cable car, cruise Lake Ashi, explore Kyoto's temples and gardens, participate in a zen tea ceremony, witness Hiroshima's Peace Memorial sites, and walk past Miyajima's O-Torii Gate. Most days combine guided tours of cities and cultural landmarks with free time to explore independently. You stay in 4 and 5-star hotels, receive breakfast daily and four dinners, and have all rail, coach, and ferry transport arranged. The pace is balanced, with two-night stays in larger cities and single nights in smaller destinations, making it well suited to repeat rail travellers seeking guided comfort and cultural immersion.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £300 since 4 Jul, to £5,799.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Single supplement from GBP 6,899 is substantially above half the standard rate; confirm the exact charge for your room type when booking.
The tour includes four dinners; most other meals are independent, so budget accordingly for lunch and dinner on free evenings.
Group size reaches up to 40 travellers, which may affect the pace of some guided walks in busy sites like Kyoto temples.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In flight
Overnight flight to Hokkaido
Meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow, we board our flight to Japan.
Day 2overnight: Sapporo
Arriving in Sapporo
After a night and morning of travel we arrive in Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido, and transfer to our hotel for two nights. After a welcome meeting and drink, we head out for our first dinner together.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3overnight: Sapporo
The historic port city of Otaru
With our English-speaking guide, we explore Otaru's preserved 19th-century canal area, the Old Aoyama Villa and the Otaru Music Box Museum, before returning to Sapporo for a free evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4railovernight: Hakodate
Around Uchiura Bay by rail to Hakodate
The Hokuto limited express takes us around Uchiura Bay to Hakodate, where a coach tour takes in the star-shaped Goryokaku fortress and the Motomachi district, followed by a ropeway ascent of Mount Hakodate and dinner at a local beer hall. Note: on the 26th April and 3rd May departures, the group stays at the Hotel & Spa Century Marina Hakodate.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Tokyo
To Tokyo aboard the futuristic Bullet train
An early visit to the Hakodate fish market, then our first Shinkansen bullet train journey, covering 513 miles beneath the Tsugaru Strait to Tokyo in a little over four hours. Our hotel is in lively Shinjuku, with a free evening to explore.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6overnight: Tokyo
Uncovering the charm of Tokyo on a guided tour
A coach tour taking in the Meiji-Jingu shrine, the Shibuya crossing, and the 7th-century Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa. The rest of the day is free to explore independently.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7railovernight: Hakone
A journey to lakeside Hakone in Mount Fuji's shadow
We board the Shonan Express to Odawara, then the Hakone Ropeway cable car with possible views of Mount Fuji, followed by a pirate boat cruise across Lake Ashi to our lakeside hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8overnight: Matsumoto
Spectacular Mount Fuji views and on to Matsumoto
A visit to the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre for views of the volcano, then on to Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto Castle, the 'Crow Castle', and the Nakamachi District.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9overnight: Kanazawa
Matsumoto miso factory and a scenic drive to Kanazawa
A tour of a miso factory, then along the Mitsuboshi Kaidou road to Takayama Jinya and the preserved village of Shirakawa with its gassho-zukuri houses, before arriving in Kanazawa. Note: on the 22nd and 29th March departures, the group stays at the ANA Crown Plaza Hotel Kanazawa.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10railovernight: Kyoto
Colourful gardens and samurai history in Kanazawa
A visit to Kenrokuen garden and the Nomura House former samurai residence, with free time at Omicho market, before boarding the Shinkansen to Tsuruga and a regional train on to Kyoto.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11railovernight: Kyoto
Uncovering the traditions of captivating Kyoto
A visit to the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji temple, followed by a zen tea ceremony, the Kyoto Railway Museum, and a performance at the Gion Corner Theatre in the historic Gion neighbourhood. Note: on the 22nd & 29th March and 5th & 12th April departures, the group stays at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12railovernight: Hiroshima
The serenity and wildlife of ancient Nara
A guided walking tour of Nara's Todaiji Temple, home to the Great Buddha, and the deer park, before travelling via Osaka by coach and bullet train to Hiroshima.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13railovernight: Hiroshima
Exploring Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
A tour of the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum, followed by a train and ferry crossing to Miyajima for a walking tour including Itsukushima Shrine and the O-Torii Gate.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14railovernight: Fukuoka
By bullet train into the mountains of Kyushu
A bullet train from Hiroshima to Hakata on Kyushu, crossing the Hayatomonoseto Strait, followed by a guided tour of the Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum, then a Western-style farewell dinner. Note: on the 19th April departure, the group stays at the Miyako Hotel Hakata.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15overnight: In flight
Fukuoka and homeward bound
Free time to explore Fukuoka independently, including the Kushida Shrine and Ohori Park, before travelling to the airport for an overnight flight back to London.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16
Arriving in London
Landing back in the United Kingdom this morning, your journey comes to a close and you are free to continue your onward travels home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Travel by Hokuto Limited Express train from Sapporo, skirting Uchiura Bay to Hakodate, then ascend Mount Hakodate by ropeway cable car at sunset.
Day 5Board the Shinkansen bullet train from Hakodate to Tokyo, travelling 513 miles in just over four hours beneath the Tsugaru Strait.
Day 7Ride the Hakone Ropeway cable car with views of Mount Fuji, then cruise across Lake Ashi on a pirate boat to the hotel.
Day 11Participate in an authentic zen tea ceremony in Kyoto, then attend a performance at Gion Corner Theatre in the historic Gion neighbourhood.
Day 13Travel by train and ferry to Miyajima Island to walk past the O-Torii Gate and explore Itsukushima Shrine.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
13 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
Standard Class rail travel
All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Sapporo, Fukuoka to London Heathrow
Breakfast each day, 4 dinners
Group luggage transfers between Sapporo to Hakone, Kyoto to Hakata (1 item per person)
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £5,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $7,833 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The tour includes Standard Class rail travel on the Hokuto Limited Express, four Shinkansen bullet trains, and a regional train to Kyoto, as well as all coach and ferry travel.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish, and most days include guided tours with English-speaking guides.
What is the single supplement?: Single rooms cost from GBP 6,899 versus GBP 5,499 for double occupancy; confirm the exact amount for your chosen hotels.
When does the tour operate?: Departures run in March, April, May, September, and October, with dates in 2026 and 2027. Check Great Rail Journeys for current availability.
What meals are included?: Breakfast is included every day. Four dinners are provided at local restaurants; lunch and most other dinners are independent.
What is not included?: Travel insurance and cancellation protection are not included; most lunches and dinners are independent, as are drinks and personal expenses.