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Wendy Wu Tours · Classic Cruise & Tour

Japan by Rail & Sea

Japan by rail and cruise ship, 22 days from Osaka to Tokyo

Illustration of Japan by Rail & Sea

Wendy Wu Tours' Japan by Rail and Sea spans 22 days, beginning in Osaka and concluding in Tokyo. The first nine days combine city exploration with four bullet train journeys. After arrival in Kyoto, you visit temples and gardens including the Golden Pavilion and Zen Garden, then travel by Shinkansen through Hiroshima (with a ferry excursion to Miyajima Island), Okayama, Nagoya and Tokyo, seeing castles, shrines and war memorials with guides. On day nine, you board the Celebrity Millennium cruise ship for a 12-night voyage calling at ports in Japan and South Korea, including Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Shimizu (near Mount Fuji). All meals, guides, entrance fees and transportation are included. This itinerary suits travellers seeking a structured mix of cultural immersion and cruise relaxation, with a reasonable level of walking and stair climbing required.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip spans two countries but the South Korea element is limited to a single port stop at Busan; the focus remains Japan.
  • Accommodation options are not listed separately by city or tier; confirm your specific hotels with Wendy Wu Tours before booking.
  • Mount Fuji viewing from Shimizu on day 19 is weather dependent.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly to Osaka

    Fly overnight to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka.

  2. Day 2overnight: Kyoto

    Arrive in Kyoto

    On arrival, transferred to your hotel in Kyoto, where the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kyoto

    Explore Kyoto

    Visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Ryoan-ji's Zen Garden, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Togetsukyo Bridge.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hiroshima

    Bullet train to Hiroshima

    Climb the slopes of Fushimi Inari Shrine, then a bullet train to Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.

  5. Day 5overnight: Hiroshima

    Visit Miyajima Island

    Ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Nagoya

    Travel to Nagoya

    Bullet train to Okayama to visit Kibitsu Shrine, Okayama Castle and Korakuen garden. Continue by bullet train to Nagoya.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Tokyo

    Explore Nagoya

    Visit Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa Garden, walk Osu Shopping Street and Noritake Garden. Board a bullet train to Tokyo.

  8. Day 8overnight: Tokyo

    Discover Tokyo

    Visit Senso-ji and Nakamise Shopping Street, ascend the Tokyo Skytree, a sushi making class, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shibuya Crossing.

  9. Day 9overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Board the Celebrity Millennium

    Transferred to Yokohama cruise terminal to board the Celebrity Millennium.

  10. Day 10overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    A day at sea cruising along South Korea's coastline.

  11. Day 11overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Kyoto (Osaka)

    Arrive in Osaka, the closest port to Kyoto.

  12. Day 12overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Kyoto (Osaka)

    A second day at port in Osaka.

  13. Day 13overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Kochi

    Port at Kochi, with a UNESCO Global Geopark coastline.

  14. Day 14overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    Relax onboard the Celebrity Millennium.

  15. Day 15overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Busan

    Port at the South Korean city of Busan.

  16. Day 16overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Nagasaki

    Back to Japan, porting at Nagasaki.

  17. Day 17overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Kagoshima

    Arrive at Kagoshima, watched over by the active Sakurajima volcano.

  18. Day 18overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    Make the most of the ship's facilities.

  19. Day 19overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Mt Fuji (Shimizu)

    Port at Shimizu, ideally located for viewing Mount Fuji (weather dependent).

  20. Day 20overnight: Celebrity Millennium (cruise)

    Cruise - Tokyo

    Arrive back in Yokohama; free to enjoy a final day on the cruise ship or explore Tokyo.

  21. Day 21overnight: Tokyo

    Disembark the Celebrity Millennium

    Transferred to your hotel in Tokyo; farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

  22. Day 22

    Depart Tokyo

    Transferred to the airport for your international flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3In Kyoto, walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and Ryoan-ji's Zen Garden.
  • Day 4A bullet train carries you from the slopes of Fushimi Inari Shrine to Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.
  • Day 5Ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima Island to see the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
  • Day 8In Tokyo, climb the Tokyo Skytree, attend a sushi-making class, visit Senso-ji and Meiji Jingu Shrine, and cross through Shibuya Crossing.
  • Day 17The cruise ports at Kagoshima, watched over by the active Sakurajima volcano.

Included

  • 4* accommodation
  • 12 night cruise with Celebrity Millennium
  • Domestic transportation
  • Touring with guides and entrance fees
  • All meals

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes four bullet train (Shinkansen) journeys: Kyoto to Hiroshima, Hiroshima to Okayama, Okayama to Nagoya, and Nagoya to Tokyo. All other transport, including the 12-night cruise, is also included.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. Guides and entrance fees are included throughout the land portion, and Wendy Wu Tours arranges all transfers and group activities.
What is included in the price?
The price covers 4-star accommodation, a 12-night cruise on Celebrity Millennium, all domestic transportation, guided tours with entrance fees, and all meals.
How many days and nights is the tour?
The tour is 22 days and 21 nights, with nine days on land and 12 nights on the cruise ship.
What is the group size?
The maximum group size is 28 people.
What is the physical fitness requirement?
The tour is rated Physical Rating 1, requiring walking, some steps and time on your feet. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

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