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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Japan by Rail

Fourteen-day escorted rail journey from Hokkaido to Kyushu through Japan.

Illustration of Grand Tour of Japan by Rail

Vacations By Rail's Grand Tour of Japan is a 14-day escorted journey from Sapporo in Hokkaido to Fukuoka in Kyushu, traveling by Shinkansen bullet train, local rail, coach, and ferry. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, leading guided tours at twelve destinations that span Japan's regions: the historic port of Otaru, Tokyo's blend of ancient temples and modern streets, the mountain town of Matsumoto, the temples and gardens of Kyoto, the sacred deer park of Nara, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial sites, and the shrines of Kyushu. Days alternate between guided group activities (tea ceremonies in Kyoto, visits to miso factories and samurai residences, walks through temple complexes) and free time in each city. The pace is relaxed, with most cities offering two-night stays, and hotel accommodation is consistently 4 or 5-star. Breakfast is provided daily, along with four group dinners. This tour suits first-time rail travellers eager to see Japan's full breadth, history enthusiasts drawn to temples and World War II sites, and couples seeking cultural immersion with the comfort of guided travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; you arrange your own transportation to and from Sapporo and Fukuoka.
  • The tour requires good mobility: Mobility Rating 3 covers daily guided walking tours, stairs, cable cars, and multiple excursions per day.
  • Four dinners are included; most other meals are not, so plan budget for lunch and additional dinners.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Sapporo

    Arriving in Sapporo

    Arrive independently in Sapporo, Hokkaido's mountainous capital; welcome meeting and first group dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Day 14

    Traveling home

    Tour concludes after breakfast; check out and make your own way to the airport.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Hokuto Limited Express train curves around Uchiura Bay to Hakodate, followed by Mount Hakodate ropeway at sunset.
  • Day 4Shinkansen bullet train departs beneath the Tsugaru Strait en route to Tokyo, arriving mid-afternoon at Shinjuku.
  • Day 6Hakone Ropeway cable car ascends with views toward Mount Fuji, then a boat cruise crosses Lake Ashi to the hotel.
  • Day 10Day in Kyoto includes visit to Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple, a zen tea ceremony, and a Gion Corner performance in the geisha district.
  • Day 12Train and ferry journey to Miyajima Island to see the Itsukushima Shrine and its O-Torii Gate.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes Standard Class rail travel on the Hokuto Limited Express, multiple Shinkansen bullet trains, the Shonan Express, and local rail networks, plus coach and ferry travel.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish, plus guided tours and excursions at each destination.
What is included in the price?
13 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels, all rail, coach, cruise, and ferry travel, breakfasts each day, four dinners, group luggage transfers, and all guided tours and excursions.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, most lunches and dinners, cancellation and travel insurance, and visas.
When does the tour run?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in the available information; contact Vacations By Rail for the current schedule.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 3, which includes guided walking tours (such as Nara's temple and deer park), daily excursions on foot through cities and districts, and use of stairs and cable cars.

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