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Self-guided cities & Shirakawa-go by rail

Japan in 11 Days, 8 Nights in Destination

From

$5,389

$3,499

/person

-35%

Hannah, Travel Expert

Hannah
Travel crafter

Take a self-guided 9-day journey through Japan, using your included Japan Rail Pass to explore avant-garde Tokyo, serene Kyoto, picturesque Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, plus dynamic Osaka.

Trip Highlights

  1. map-pin-check-icon
    Kanazawa
  2. map-pin-check-icon
    Kyoto
  3. map-pin-check-icon
    Osaka
  4. map-pin-check-icon
    Tokyo

Included

  1. All flights

  2. Accommodation

  3. Some transfers

  4. Activities

Availability

  1. Departures available until December 2025

  2. Available Group tours

  3. Solo travelers from + $390

  4. WHAT'S THIS?

Categories available

  1. charm included

  2. superior from + $800

  3. WHAT'S THIS?

Book with an expert:

1 778 807 9750

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Exoticca is a member of ASTA

Itinerary

Touch down in Tokyo ready to explore Japan independently with your included Japan Rail Pass! Travel to Kanazawa and check out one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Spend the day in Shirakawa-go and discover the historic architecture from this region. Head next to culinary capital Osaka before seeing Kyoto’s cultural sights. End your adventure in Tokyo before returning home.

1st Day: Canada - Night on board

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Arrival at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Tokyo. Night on board.*

*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

2nd Day: Tokyo

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Arrive in Tokyo, a dazzling metropolis rich in history and tradition. You will be met at the airport by our representative who will talk you through your itinerary, deliver your travel documents, provide helpful information and recommendations for your free time and assist you with your self-transfer to the hotel. You will be able to start using your 48h Tokyo Subway Pass to cover part of your transfer to the hotel. Once settled at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to start discovering this exciting city of contrasts and its delicious cuisine. We recommend heading to one of the many food markets where you can sample lots of different dishes at bargain prices! Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

247 Reviews

See our full selection

3rd Day: Tokyo

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Enjoy a day free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure. You could use the 48h Tokyo Subway Pass and get to know the shopping district of Akihabara, known for its anime culture and camera bargains, or Shibuya, where you can see its iconic crosswalk and eclectic restaurants. You can also join our optional bus tour* to see all the city’s most important sights at once! After a fun day, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Tokyo.

*Tokyo full-day bus tour: Self-transfer to the famous 'Love' statue in Shinjuku to meet at 7:50 AM. Drive past Harajuku shopping district and stop to visit the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine. See the Imperial Palace area among other highlights before stopping in the historic neighborhood of Asakusa, home to the Senso-ji Temple Kaminari-mon Gate and the Nakamise shopping avenue. Enjoy a Matcha tasting experience and a Japanese lunch at a local Izakaya restaurant and climb the Tokyo Skytree tower, from which you will admire the infinite Tokyo skyline. In the afternoon, board a river cruise that will take you through Tokyo Bay to Odaiba island and end the tour back at Shinjuku.

Warning: Please leave your hotel with time and plan your self-transfer ahead. The bus will leave at 8AM with no exceptions.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

247 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

Optional
Full day Tokyo city tour

Light

See more

4th Day: Tokyo - Kanazawa

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Using your Japan Rail Pass*, travel to Kanazawa, a historical jewel of a city and home to some of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens. Once settled and checked in, you can take advantadge of your Kanazawa 1-day Bus Pass to start exploring the city. We recommend visiting the famous Omicho market, also known as Kanazawa's "kitchen", where you can find a wide variety of fresh seafood, local produce, and specialty foods and which has been in operation for 280 years. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

*This is the first day you will use your JR Pass in your itinerary. You will need to activate it at a JR office of Tokyo station before using it for the first time. The Pass allows you to book any JR train or bullet train free of charge (except for Mizuho and Nozomi trains and except for Superior class seats). You will be able to choose the train departure time or combination on that day that best suits you but be aware that there might exist different train combinations (direct, changing trains once, changing trains twice, etc) depending on your departure time, which can affect the entire trip duration. 

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Tokyo station and from Kanazawa station to your hotel. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa ... or similar
tripadvisor rating

462 Reviews

See our full selection

5th Day: Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Kanazawa

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Embark on a captivating full-day adventure in Kanazawa, starting from the historic Higashi Chaya District known for its traditional geisha culture. Delight in a hands-on gold leaf workshop and savor the unique experience of gold leaf ice cream. Your journey will then take you to the enchanting village of Shirakawa-Go, famous for its picturesque Gassho-style houses that resemble hands joined in prayer. Continue to Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens, where you can marvel at the beauty of all four seasons. Throughout the day, immerse yourself in Japanese culture by participating in additional crafting activities and creating traditional sweets (Wagashi) or painting Daruma dolls, depending on the schedule. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa ... or similar
tripadvisor rating

462 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Full day tour of Kanazawa and the Shirakawa-go village

Moderate

See more

6th Day: Kanazawa - Osaka

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Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Osaka, the gastronomic capital of Japan. 

After checking in at your hotel, you can start self-exploring the city with your Osaka Metro + City Bus card. You will also have an admission ticket for the Osaka Castle, where you have the chance to learn about the history of one of Japan's most famous landmarks. You can use your transportation card to discover the vibrant culinary scene of Osaka, where we highly recommend exploring the bustling alleys of Dotombori and Shinsekai. Overnight stay in Osaka. 

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Kanazawa station and from Osaka station to your hotel. Estimated train journey Kanazawa-Osaka: 2-3h. (There are no direct trains Kanazawa-Osaka. You will need to do a transfer at Tsuruga station). 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Agora Place Osaka Namba or similar
tripadvisor rating

255 Reviews

See our full selection

7th Day: Osaka - Kyoto

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Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Kyoto, the historic and cultural capital of Japan. 

After checking in, the rest of the day is at your leisure. We recommend exploring the emblematic neighborhood of Gion, known for its traditional architecture and admired geishas. Its narrow alleys and wooden houses create a unique atmosphere at dusk that makes you feel like travelling back in time! Overnight stay in Kyoto.

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Osaka station and from Kyoto station to your hotel. Estimated train journey Osaka-Kyoto: 30min.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by... or similar
tripadvisor rating

20 Reviews

See our full selection

8th Day: Kyoto

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Today you are free to explore Kyoto as you wish. Be sure to take advantage of your 1-Day subway and bus pass that grants you access to public transportation all over the city! To get the most out of your sightseeing day, you can join our optional ecursion to Nara and Uji* with temple visits and an included matcha experience! Overnight stay in Kyoto.

*Nara & Uji day trip with matcha experience: Depart by bus from Kyoto station towards Nara. Stop first at the Todaiji temple, whose Great Buddha Hall is the largest wooden building in the world. Next, visit Nara Park and meet the local deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods. Head to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a celebrated shrine with 3,000 stone lanterns. Enjoy an included Japanese lunch before continuing on to the city of Uji. Stop at the famous Byodo-in Temple, which is depicted on the 10-yen coin. End with a matcha making experience unique to this region and a drive by the Uji river. Return to Kyoto station for your overnight stay.

Important note: This activity does not operate on Saturdays. The tour departs from Kyoto station. You will receive the exact location once in-destination. Make sure to self-transfer with plenty of time to meet at 7:50 AM. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by... or similar
tripadvisor rating

20 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

Optional
Nara & Uji day trip with matcha experience

Light

See more

9th Day: Kyoto - Tokyo

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Today, bid farewell to Kyoto as you board a bullet train back to Tokyo using your Japan Rail Pass.

Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to discover this vast metropolis using your 48h Tokyo Subway Pass. We suggest exploring the futuristic Odaiba island or the teamLab museum before indulging in some delicious ramen around Shinjuku. 

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Kyoto station and from Tokyo station to your hotel. Estimated train journey Tokyo-Kyoto 2.30-3h. 

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
The B Akasaka Mitsuke or similar
tripadvisor rating

247 Reviews

See our full selection

10th Day: Tokyo - Night on board

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Sadly it's time to say goodbye to the Land of the Rising Sun. On this day transfer to either Haneda or Narita airports using your Tokyo Subway Pass or your JR Pass depending on the transfer*. Night on board.

*Some rail companies or routes might not be covered by these passes. Please check beforehand online or with the station staff. 

11th Day: Canada

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Arrive in Canada and end your unforgettable Japanese adventure.

Select a day to go to next step

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October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
January 2025

Categories Available:

charm

From $3,499

Selected

  • Accommodation in Charm category hotels
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superior

From $4,299

  • Accommodation in Superior category hotels.

Accommodation: 8 Nights

Included activities

Included

Japan Welcome pack

Included activity for day 2

Welcome pack including Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival, individual SIM Card/s to stay connected at all times and Tokyo Subway Pass.

Physical rating:

Light

Included

Full day tour of Kanazawa and the Shirakawa-go village

Included activity for day 5 in Kanazawa

Start in the picturesque village of Shirakawa-go and visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens. Explore Kanazawa's historic Higashi Chaya District with a gold leaf workshop and a tasting of gold leaf ice cream.

Duration 09:00h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

Physical rating:

Moderate

This activity does not operate on Tuesdays. The tour starts from Kanazawa station. You will need to self-transfer between your hotel and the meeting point.

more information

Available Activities

Activities are subject to availability. The price for each optional activity will be shown in the next step of the booking process.
Optional

Full day Tokyo city tour

Suggested activity for day 3 in Tokyo

Visit Tokyo highlights as Meiji Shrine and the Asakusa area. Enjoy a matcha tasting experience and a Japanese lunch before climbing Skytree tower to see a panoramic view. Finish with a cruise to Odaiba island.

Duration 09:00h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

Physical rating:

Light

Please note that you must be on time at the meeting point in front of Shinjuku's "Love" statue. Plan in advance your self-transfer and how to find the right exit from Shinjuku station.

more information
Optional

Nara & Uji day trip with matcha experience

Suggested activity for day 8 in Nara

Take the bus to Nara, stopping at the Todaiji temple, Nara Park, and the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Enjoy an included lunch before heading to the city of Uji. Stop at the famous Byodo-in Temple, and end with a matcha making experience unique to this region.

Duration 08:30h Approx. Pick up time: 08:00

Physical rating:

Light

This activity does not operate on Saturdays. The tour departs from Kyoto station. You will receive the exact location once in-destination. Make sure to self-transfer with plenty of time to meet at 7:50 AM.

more information

The price includes

  • Departures from main Canadian departure airports.
  • International flights: Canada - Tokyo, Tokyo - Canada.
  • 7-day Japan Rail Pass.*
    more information
  • 8 nights accommodation in Charm category hotels.
    See hotels included
  • 2 Tokyo Subway Pass of 48h each, Kanazawa 1-Day bus pass, Kyoto Bus/Subway 1-Day Pass, Osaka Metro + City bus 1-Day Pass.
  • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
    See itinerary
  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
  • Japanese SIM Card (One card / passenger, only internet - up to 3GB).
  • Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival.**
    more information

Not included

Meals, airport transfers and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

This tour doesn’t include a guide on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of each passenger to self-transfer between hotels and meeting points for activities/excursions and between hotels and JR train stations. 

The Japan Rail pass does NOT cover the NOZOMI or MIZUHO class bullet trains. On some train journeys you will need to transfer trains to get to your destination. 

A number of Japanese cities impose an accommodation tax, which must be paid directly to the hotel. It usually ranges between 100-200 JPY / day. 

The Shirakawa included tour and the optional excursions in Tokyo and Kyoto include a guide, while the visit to Osaka is completely independent.

<<The physical Japan Rail Pass is sent to each clients' home before their trip>>

Please send an email to customersuccess@exoticca.com with the full Address where you want to receive the JR Pass. 

*We recommend activating your Japan Rail Pass on day 3 of your trip, before taking the train Tokyo - Kanazawa. The Pass can be used during 7 days, which will cover your train journeys between Tokyo-Kanazawa, Kanazawa-Osaka, Osaka-Kyoto and Kyoto-Tokyo. To activate the Pass, please visit any JR Office at a major JR train station and request the activation (the Pass can't be activated at minor stations such as metro or non-JR train lines). The Pass allows you to use any JR train or bullet train.

The JR Pass does not come with fixed train schedules, so it is the customer’s responsibility to choose their train combination and train departure time. We recommend departing in the morning to have more train options to choose from and to avoid arriving to the next city too late. 

Baggage allowance on the trains is the same as the international flight allowance - there is no weight restriction. 


**Airport Meet & Greet: An agent will be waiting for you at the Arrivals hall of the airport, where they will deliver all necessary documents for this trip (transportation tickets, Sim card, activities information and meeting points, etc). They will talk you through your itinerary, provide helpful information and recommendations for your free time and assist you with your self-transfer to the hotel

Whenever the Meet & Greet service can't be arranged or you can't find them at the arrival hall (due to flight delay, arrival terminal sudden change, etc), the travel documents will be sent to your hotel. 

For those passengers who book a trip without international flights through Exoticca, you will need to share your flight details with us with at least 30 days before arrival to Japan if you want to enjoy the M&G service.

  • Entry requirements

    Valid passport with at least six months validity.

  • Visa

    No visa is required.

  • Currency

    Japanese Yen.

  • Language

    Japanese.

  • Electricity

    110 V. Adapter required.

  • Health

    There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from the US and Canada.

  • Time zone

    UTC + 08:00 or UTC + 09:00.

  • Other useful information

    You are not expected to leave a tip.

  • Tourist Office website

    https://us.jnto.go.jp/

Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

This is a semi-escorted tour, during which only some of the booked activities are carried out with a local English-speaking guide. There is no 24-hour guide on site.

If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +1 778 807 9750 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

Pay in installments

Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.

Pay the rest in installments depending on your departure date

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