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Wendy Wu Tours · Classic Group Tour

Japan by Rail

21-day guided tour across three Japanese islands, mostly by bullet train

Illustration of Japan by Rail

Wendy Wu Tours operates a 21-day guided journey from Fukuoka in southern Kyushu to Sapporo in Hokkaido, covering all three main Japanese islands by bullet train, limited express services, and coach. The trip balances famous destinations with regional towns and cultural experiences. Days 2 through 5 explore Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Miyajima, moving through Himeji and into Osaka and Kyoto for temple visits, tea ceremonies, and fan painting. The middle section ventures into the Japanese Alps and the Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage village before heading to Mount Fuji and Tokyo for sightseeing and a Tokyo Bay dinner cruise. The final days travel north by bullet train to Sendai and Matsushima, then to Hakodate and Sapporo, including an Ainu Museum visit. English-speaking guides lead all activities, and hotels range from 4-star properties to solid regional accommodations. This tour suits first-time rail travellers who want the structure of a group, couples seeking a long immersion in Japanese culture, and those interested in food traditions, history, and Buddhist temples.

What to know before you look closer

  • International flights are not included; the from-price is land-only.
  • The trip ends in Sapporo on Day 20 with an overnight stay; Day 21 is the airport transfer with no activities listed.
  • Group size can reach 28 people.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly overnight to Fukuoka

    Fly overnight to Fukuoka, the gateway to the island of Kyushu.

  2. Day 2overnight: Fukuoka

    Arrive Fukuoka

    Depending on time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Fukuoka

    Visit Nagasaki

    Travel on the limited express train to Nagasaki; visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden. Return to Fukuoka by train.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hiroshima

    Miyajima Island

    Board the bullet train to Hiroshima, then ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine. Return to Hiroshima.

  5. Day 5overnight: Hiroshima

    Hiroshima Highlights

    Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, ascend Orizuru Tower, and stroll through Shukkei-en Garden.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Osaka

    Admire Himeji Castle

    Depart Hiroshima by bullet train, stopping at Himeji to visit Himeji Castle and Koko-en Gardens. Continue to Osaka.

  7. Day 7overnight: Osaka

    Osaka & Nara Day Trip

    Visit the Umeda Sky Building, then Nara for its bowing sika deer and the Todaiji Temple's Daibutsu. Ink making and calligraphy class before returning to Osaka.

  8. Day 8overnight: Kyoto

    Kyoto's Temples

    Travel by road to Kyoto; stroll the Arashiyama bamboo forest, visit Ryoan-ji Temple's zen garden and the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji.

  9. Day 9overnight: Kyoto

    Tea Ceremony & Fan Painting

    Visit Kiyomizu-dera temple, enjoy a tea ceremony and a Zen meditation demonstration, try fan painting, and explore Gion.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kanazawa

    Explore Kanazawa

    Take the limited express train to Kanazawa; visit Kenrokuen garden, the Nomura Samurai House and Kunani Pottery Factory.

  11. Day 11overnight: Takayama

    Shirakawago Village

    Travel by road to Takayama, stopping for a sake cup making experience and tasting, and visiting the UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go Village.

  12. Day 12overnight: Takayama

    Discover Takayama

    Browse Miyagawa market, the Takayama Floats Museum and Takayama Jinya; afternoon at leisure.

  13. Day 13overnight: Matsumoto

    Search for Snow Monkeys

    Drive through the Japanese Alps to Matsumoto and Nagano, then Yudanaka and Jigokudani Yaen-Koen to search for Japanese macaques (snow monkeys). Return to Matsumoto.

  14. Day 14overnight: Suwa

    Matsumoto Castle

    Visit Matsumoto Castle ('Crow Castle'), a miso house, and the former post town of Narai-juku before continuing to Suwa.

  15. Day 15overnight: Tokyo

    Mount Fuji

    Travel to the Mount Fuji region; visit the 5th Station* and Oishi Park on Lake Kawaguchiko for views of Mount Fuji.

  16. Day 16overnight: Tokyo

    Tour Tokyo

    Stroll Hamarikyu Gardens, a sushi making class, Senso-ji temple, Nakamise shopping street, and drive by the Imperial Palace Plaza.

  17. Day 17overnight: Tokyo

    Even more Tokyo

    Ascend the Tokyo Metropolitan Building's observation deck, pass by Shibuya Crossing, and a relaxing dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.

  18. Day 18railovernight: Sendai

    Sip Whisky in Sendai

    Board the bullet train to Sendai; transfer to Matsushima for a cruise on Matsushima Bay, then visit the Nikka Whisky factory.

  19. Day 19railovernight: Hakodate

    Explore Hakodate

    Board the bullet train to Hakodate on Hokkaido; visit Goryokaku Tower and ascend Mt Hakodate for evening views.

  20. Day 20railovernight: Sapporo

    Sapporo Sightseeing

    Board the express train to Shiraoi to visit the Ainu Museum, then coach to Sapporo for a farewell dinner.

  21. Day 21

    Depart Sapporo

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Travel by limited express train to Nagasaki, visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden, then return to Fukuoka by train.
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the bullet train to Hiroshima, then ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine.
  • Day 6Day 6: Stop at Himeji to tour Himeji Castle and its adjacent gardens while travelling by bullet train to Osaka.
  • Day 13Day 13: Drive through the Japanese Alps to Yudanaka to search for Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen.
  • Day 18Day 18: Board the bullet train to Sendai, then cruise Matsushima Bay and visit the Nikka Whisky factory.

Included

  • Meals as stated (refer to itinerary)
  • Domestic transportation
  • Touring with English-speaking guides & entrance fees
  • All accommodation

Not included

  • International flights (land only price)
  • Visa
  • Early check-in and late check-out (available at additional cost)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes all domestic transportation by bullet train (Shinkansen), limited express trains, ferry, and coach. International flights are booked separately.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is a guided group tour led by English-speaking guides throughout the 21 days. Entrance fees are included.
Which trains does the tour use?
Wendy Wu Tours uses the bullet train (Shinkansen) for major routes between Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka, Honshu, Sendai, and Hakodate. Limited express trains connect Fukuoka to Nagasaki and the Osaka/Kyoto area to Kanazawa. An express train goes from Hakodate to Shiraoi.
What types of hotels are used?
Hotels are a mix of 4-star and comfortable regional properties. Examples include Rihga Royal Osaka, Rihga Gran Kyoto (2 nights each), and Hakodate Kokusai Hotel. Most stops are 1 to 2 nights.
How much walking is involved?
The physical level is rated 1: walking, some steps and time on your feet. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
What is included in the price?
All accommodation, meals as stated in the itinerary, domestic transportation, touring with English-speaking guides, and entrance fees are included. International flights, visa, and early check-in or late check-out are not included.

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