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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Jewels of Japan by Rail

Escorted 14-day Japan rail tour Tokyo to Osaka, Shinkansen bullet trains included

Illustration of Jewels of Japan by Rail

Great Rail Journeys' Jewels of Japan by Rail is a 14-day escorted tour departing from London Heathrow and returning from Osaka. A UK Tour Manager accompanies your group of up to 40 travelers throughout. The itinerary begins in Tokyo with guided tours of temples and busy districts, then moves to Hakone where you take the Hakone Ropeway cable car and cruise Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji. You travel through the scenic Kiso Valley, visit Japan's historic castles in Matsumoto and Himeji, and experience the renowned Shinkansen bullet trains en route to Hiroshima and Kyoto. Along the way you participate in a zen tea ceremony, taste miso at a factory, visit a traditional sake brewery, and explore the sacred temples and deer park of Nara. The tour concludes in Osaka. All guided excursions, rail travel, flights, breakfast daily, and four dinners are included. Hotels are 4 and 5-star properties in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (GBP 6,799) is substantially higher than half the double price; confirm current single-room availability before booking
  • Group size reaches up to 40 people; if you prefer smaller groups, ask Great Rail Journeys about their typical group composition on this tour
  • Flights and rail are included in the from-price; cancellation and travel insurance are not

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    Overnight flight to Tokyo

    Your tour of Japan begins at London Heathrow where you are greeted by the Tour Manager before boarding a flight to Tokyo with our group.

  2. Day 2overnight: Tokyo

    Arrival in the world's biggest metropolis

    Touch down in Tokyo and transfer to a four-star hotel in the popular Shinjuku district. Optional visit to the observatory deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Welcome drink and dinner at the hotel's restaurant on the 45th floor.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Tokyo

    Exploring Tokyo with an expert guide

    Coach tour of Tokyo visiting Harajuku's Meiji-Jingu shrine, the famous Shibuya crossing, and Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa. Afternoon free to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hakone

    A spectacular journey to lakeside Hakone

    Board the Shonan Express from Shinjuku to Odawara, then ride the Hakone Ropeway cable car with views of Mount Fuji. Cruise across Lake Ashi to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Matsumoto

    Iconic views of Mount Fuji, Japan's national emblem

    Coach to Mount Fuji Fifth Station (weather permitting) for views of Fuji and surrounding countryside. Visit the World Heritage Centre. Afternoon at Oishi Park beside Lake Kawaguchi. Evening in the alpine town of Matsumoto.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Nagoya

    Miso tasting and Matsumoto's historic 'black castle'

    Guided tour of a miso factory with tasting. Visit Matsumoto Castle ('Crow Castle'), Japan's oldest castle. Journey through the scenic Kiso Valley stopping at traditional towns of Tsumago and Magome. Arrive in Nagoya.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Hiroshima

    Himeji Castle and the bullet train to Hiroshima

    Train to Himeji to visit the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle and Koko-en garden. Free time over lunch. First Shinkansen bullet train experience to Hiroshima. Free evening to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Hiroshima

    Serene Miyajima and its sacred temples

    Travel by local train and boat to Miyajima (Itsukushima). Walking tour including Itsukushima Shrine and the iconic Great Torii Gate. Free time over lunch. Return to Hiroshima. Evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: Kyoto

    Discovering Hiroshima's poignant sites

    Tour of the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. Afternoon bullet train to Kyoto. Walking tour of the Gion district. Performance at Gion Corner Theatre. Japanese dinner in Ponto-cho Alley.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Kyoto

    The charming traditions of Kyoto

    Half-day tour visiting Sagano Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion). Zen tea ceremony. Visit Nishiki market with free time for lunch. Afternoon free to explore Kyoto independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Kyoto

    Exploring Nara, Japan's first capital

    Walking tour of Nara including Todaji Temple with the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) and the famous deer park. Stop at a traditional sake brewery on the way back to Kyoto. Evening at leisure in Kyoto.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Osaka

    A Japanese tea ceremony and Osaka's floating garden

    Authentic Japanese tea ceremony before leaving Kyoto. Guided tour of Osaka including the Floating Garden Observatory at the Umeda Sky Building and the Dotonbori district. Check in to four-star hotel. Dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: In flight

    Homeward bound

    Day at leisure in Osaka until mid-afternoon transfer to the airport. Optional visits to Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi shopping street or Amerika-Mura neighbourhood. Depart for London via Hong Kong.

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14

    Arrival in London

    Arrive back in London. Bid farewell to the Tour Manager and travelling group.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Ride the Hakone Ropeway cable car with views of Mount Fuji and cruise across Lake Ashi to the hotel
  • Day 7First Shinkansen bullet train experience from Himeji to Hiroshima, traveling at up to 186 mph
  • Day 8Walking tour of Miyajima island includes the Great Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine
  • Day 9Afternoon bullet train to Kyoto followed by a performance at Gion Corner Theatre and Japanese dinner in Ponto-cho Alley
  • Day 10Visit the Sagano Bamboo Forest and participate in a zen tea ceremony in Kyoto

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 11 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda via Hong Kong
  • Return flights from Osaka to London Heathrow via Hong Kong
  • Flights from London Heathrow usually depart in the morning
  • Breakfast each day
  • 4 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Tokyo to Hakone, Nagoya to Kyoto
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price includes all rail travel (Shinkansen bullet trains, local trains, and the Hakone Ropeway cable car), flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo and return from Osaka, coach and ferry transfers, and 11 nights' hotel accommodation.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. A UK Tour Manager leads the group from the start in London through the return home. All guided tours and excursions are included.
What trains are used on this tour?
The tour includes the Shinkansen bullet train from Nagoya to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Kyoto (Standard Class), the Shonan Express from Shinjuku to Odawara, a local train from Hiroshima to Miyajima, and the Hakone Ropeway cable car. Ferry and boat journeys are also included.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast is included each day. Dinner is included on days 2, 4, 9, and 12. Other meals are at your own expense or free time.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers seven departures across 2026 and 2027: September 2026, October 2026, March 2027, April 2027, May 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes walking tours of Tokyo, Nara, Kyoto's Gion district, and Miyajima island. You will also handle luggage at stations and hotels. A visit to Mount Fuji Fifth Station is weather-dependent.

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