Great Rail Journeys
Jewels of Japan by Rail
14 daysfrom $6,276
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Grand Tour of Japan by Rail
Immerse yourself in the history, culture, and traditions of Japan on this two-week all-encompassing journey through the Land of the Rising Sun.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Sapporo
Arriving in Sapporo
Arrive independently in Sapporo, Hokkaido's mountainous capital; welcome meeting and first group dinner.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Sapporo
The historic port city of Otaru
Guided visit to Otaru's 19th-century canal warehouse district, the Old Aoyama Villa and the Otaru Music Box Museum; free evening back in Sapporo.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3railovernight: Hakodate
Around Uchiura Bay by rail to Hakodate
Hokuto limited express train around Uchiura Bay to Hakodate; coach sightseeing tour of Goryokaku fortress and the Motomachi district, then Mount Hakodate ropeway at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Tokyo
To Tokyo aboard the futuristic Bullet train
Early visit to the Hakodate fish market, then the Shinkansen bullet train beneath the Tsugaru Strait to Tokyo (Shinjuku), arriving mid-afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Tokyo
Uncovering the charm of Tokyo on a guided tour
Coach tour taking in Meiji-Jingu Shrine, the Shibuya crossing and the Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Hakone
A journey to lakeside Hakone in Mount Fuji's shadow
Shonan Express train from Shinjuku to Odawara, then the Hakone Ropeway cable car with views toward Mount Fuji, and a boat cruise across Lake Ashi to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Matsumoto
Mount Fuji views and on to Matsumoto
Visit the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, then travel across the mountains to Matsumoto to see Matsumoto Castle and the Nakamachi District.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8overnight: Kanazawa
Matsumoto miso factory and a scenic drive to Kanazawa
Tour a miso factory, visit Takayama Jinya and the thatched-roof village of Shirakawa, then continue to Kanazawa.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 9overnight: Kyoto
Colorful gardens and samurai history in Kanazawa
Visit Kenrokuen Garden and the Nomura House former samurai residence, free time at Omicho Market, then Shinkansen via Tsuruga to Kyoto.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10railovernight: Kyoto
Uncovering the traditions of Kyoto
Visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple, take part in a zen tea ceremony, visit the Kyoto Railway Museum, and finish in the Gion geisha district with a Gion Corner performance.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 11railovernight: Hiroshima
The serenity and wildlife of ancient Nara
Guided walking tour of Nara's Todaiji Temple (Great Buddha) and deer park, then coach to Osaka and Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 12railovernight: Hiroshima
Exploring Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
Guided tour of the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum, then train and ferry to Miyajima Island for the Itsukushima Shrine and O-Torii Gate.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 13railovernight: Fukuoka
Into the mountains of Kyushu by bullet train
Shinkansen bullet train from Hiroshima to Hakata (Fukuoka); guided tour of Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum; farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 14
Traveling home
Tour concludes after breakfast; check out and make your own way to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
- 13 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
- Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
- All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
- Breakfast each day, 4 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between all hotels
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
- Flights and Airport transfers not included
