How much does it cost?

From £9,995 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $13,501 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is international airfare included?

No. This is a Ground Only tour; international flights to and from Japan are not included, and the price is quoted ex Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Which trains does the tour use?

Four named trains: the Shinkansen bullet train in Green Car (First Class), the steam-hauled Oigawa Railway along the Oi River, the Sagano Romantic Train through the Hozu River Valley, and the Resort Shirakami Joyful Train along the coast to Akita.

Yes. Railtrail Tours provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout the 18-day trip.

What hotels are used?

Named hotels change with each stop, including The Strings Hotel in Tokyo, Hotel Granvia in Hiroshima, DoubleTree by Hilton in Kyoto, Hotel Indigo Gora in Hakone (rooms feature private onsen), The Westin in Sendai, Daiwa Roynet Hotel in Aomori, and ANA Crowne Plaza in Akita.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed, in March 2027, timed to the cherry blossom season.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Japanese Springtime Spectacular (Ground Only) 2027

18-day Japan rail tour on bullet trains and heritage railways in spring

Railtrail Tours' 18-day Japanese Springtime Spectacular is a Ground Only escorted tour that starts and ends in Tokyo, timed to the cherry blossom season. Travelers arrange their own flights to Haneda Airport, where a Tour Manager meets the group for the length of the trip. The route runs south to Himeji and Hiroshima, on to Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, then north through Hakone, Niigata, Sendai, and Aomori before finishing in Akita and returning to Tokyo. Four named trains carry the group along the way: the Shinkansen bullet train in Green Car (First Class), the steam-hauled Oigawa Railway, the Sagano Romantic Train through the Hozu River Valley, and the Resort Shirakami Joyful Train along the coast. Days combine temple and castle visits, such as Himeji Castle and Todaiji Temple, with museum stops in Hiroshima and Kyoto. The operator rates the pace as Active, with a full sightseeing schedule most days. The trip suits travelers who want a guided, train-led tour of Japan rather than independent point-to-point travel.

What to know before you look closer

This is a Ground Only price; international flights to and from Japan are not included, and travelers make their own flight arrangements to Haneda Airport.
Solo travelers pay a Single Traveller Supplement of £2,345 on top of the £9,995 per person price.
Only one departure is listed, in March 2027, so date flexibility is limited.
Some days include unguided free time, such as the free day in Tokyo on Day 3 to explore independently.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Tokyo
Arrive Tokyo
After making your own flight arrangements to Japan, meet the Tour Manager at Haneda Airport and transfer to The Strings Hotel, our hotel for the next three nights. Time at leisure after check-in.
Day 2overnight: Tokyo
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
Visit the Meiji Shrine, then Harajuku to stroll the streets and shops ahead of lunch together. Time at leisure at the hotel before a special welcome dinner.
Day 3overnight: Tokyo
Tokyo SkyTree
Visit the Tokyo SkyTree observation platform for a panorama of the city, then a free day to explore the Imperial Palace Gardens, the Hokusai Museum, or Ueno Zoo.
Day 4railovernight: Hiroshima
Bullet train to Himeji and Hiroshima
Green Car (First Class) bullet train to Himeji to visit the World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle, the 'White Heron', then continue by high-speed train to Hiroshima for a two-night stay at the Hotel Granvia, with a traditional Okonomiyaki dinner.
Day 5overnight: Hiroshima
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Vintage tram charter to the A-Bomb Dome and Peace Park, then the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Lunch, then a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima for the Itsukushima Shrine and Daishoin Temple.
Day 6railovernight: Kyoto
Kyoto city tour
Rail to Kyoto for a coach tour visiting Nijo Castle and its gardens, lunch together, the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, and the Kyoto Railway Museum, before checking in to the DoubleTree by Hilton for three nights.
Day 7railovernight: Kyoto
Sagano Romantic Train and Arashiyama
Local train to Sagano Station for the Sagano Romantic Train along the Hozu River Valley, then Arashiyama's Bamboo Groves and Okochi Sanso Garden, before an evening meal at a local Italian restaurant.
Day 8railovernight: Kyoto
Nara and Osaka
Rail to Nara to walk through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple, home to the world's largest bronze statue, followed by lunch. Continue by train to Osaka for the afternoon, then return to Kyoto by bullet train.
Day 9railovernight: Hakone
Oigawa Railway to Hakone
Bullet train to Kanaya for a ride behind steam on the historic Oigawa Railway along the Oi River. Continue to Hakone and the Hotel Indigo Gora for a two-night stay, with rooms featuring private onsen.
Day 10overnight: Hakone
Owakudani and Lake Ashinoko
Coach to the volcanic Great Boiling Valley of Owakudani, then the Hakone Ropeway to Togendai to board a replica pirate ship cruising Lake Ashinoko, followed by lunch and a visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum.
Day 11railovernight: Niigata
Oshino Hakkai, Maglev Centre and Niigata
Coach to Oshino Hakkai Village with views of Mount Fuji, then the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, and the Maglev Exhibition Centre in Yamanashi to see Japan's next-generation bullet train. Lunch, then continue to Niigata and the Hotel Nikko for an overnight stay.
Day 12railovernight: Sendai
Aizu-Wakamatsu and Sendai
Local train through rural countryside to Aizu-Wakamatsu, with an Ekiben lunch box on board, to visit Tsurugajo Castle. Continue to Sendai and The Westin for a two-night stay.
Day 13overnight: Sendai
Matsushima Bay
Cruise around Matsushima Bay among pine-covered islands, visiting the Zuiganji Buddhist Temple and taking lunch together, before returning to Sendai for a free afternoon.
Day 14railovernight: Aomori
Aomori and Hirosaki
Express train to Aomori for lunch, then rail to Hirosaki for a coach tour of the Tsugaru Nebuta Village and Hirosaki Castle, before returning to Aomori and the Daiwa Roynet Hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 15railovernight: Aomori
Hakodate
Bullet train through the world's longest undersea tunnel to Hakodate for a seafood lunch, a visit to the star-shaped Fort Goryokaku with over 1,000 cherry blossoms, and a ropeway journey up Mount Hakodate, before returning to Aomori.
Day 16railovernight: Akita
Resort Shirakami Train to Akita
Board the Resort Shirakami 'Joyful Train' south along the coastline, with a bento box lunch on board, arriving in Akita for the ANA Crowne Plaza and a stroll through Senshu Park before dinner.
Day 17railovernight: Tokyo
Return to Tokyo
Bullet train south to Tokyo, returning to the Strings Hotel. Afternoon at leisure for lunch, exploring, or shopping, before a special farewell dinner.
Day 18
Depart Tokyo
Transfer to Haneda Airport for your chosen flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Green Car (First Class) bullet train to Himeji Castle, then on by high-speed train to Hiroshima.
Day 7The Sagano Romantic Train runs along the Hozu River Valley before a walk through Arashiyama's Bamboo Groves.
Day 9A ride behind steam on the historic Oigawa Railway along the Oi River.
Day 15Bullet train through the world's longest undersea tunnel to Hakodate, followed by a ropeway up Mount Hakodate.
Day 16The Resort Shirakami 'Joyful Train' runs south along the coastline to Akita, with a bento box lunch on board.

Included

17 nights bed & breakfast plus 10 lunches and 8 evening meals
All train rides, transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Tour Manager

Not included

International flights to/from Japan (Ground Only fare)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £9,995 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $13,501 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is international airfare included?: No. This is a Ground Only tour; international flights to and from Japan are not included, and the price is quoted ex Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Which trains does the tour use?: Four named trains: the Shinkansen bullet train in Green Car (First Class), the steam-hauled Oigawa Railway along the Oi River, the Sagano Romantic Train through the Hozu River Valley, and the Resort Shirakami Joyful Train along the coast to Akita.
Is it escorted?: Yes. Railtrail Tours provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout the 18-day trip.
What hotels are used?: Named hotels change with each stop, including The Strings Hotel in Tokyo, Hotel Granvia in Hiroshima, DoubleTree by Hilton in Kyoto, Hotel Indigo Gora in Hakone (rooms feature private onsen), The Westin in Sendai, Daiwa Roynet Hotel in Aomori, and ANA Crowne Plaza in Akita.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed, in March 2027, timed to the cherry blossom season.