- -Visit the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo
- -Walking tour of Tokyo’s Harajuku and Shibuya districts with Trip Leader
- -Experience the Goma Ritual of consecrated fire at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple
- -Bullet train to Takayama
- -Visit the morning riverside markets in Takayama
- -Visit to Hida folk village
- -Sake tasting at a local brewery
- -Visit Takayama Jinya
- -Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
- -Okonomiyaki dinner experience in Hiroshima
- -Visit the Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima
- -Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto
- -Visit the Nishiki food market in Kyoto
- -Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto
- -Visit the Arashiyama bamboo forest
- -Visit Tenryu-ji Temple and Garden
- -Orientation walk of Dotonbori Market with Trip Leader
- -Group karaoke experience in Osaka
Your dream trip starts here
Delve Deep: Japan
Trip overview
TRIP VIBE = iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader. Don’t just want to see Japan, but EXPERIENCE it? In all its ancient, futuristic, kooky, incredible glory? You’re in luck. In under two weeks, this Delve Deep trip gives you the highlights and the hidden gems. The culture and the crazy. The ultra-modern and the historic. The scenery and the cities. And all the ramen, okonomiyaki, udon, katsu, yakitori and sake your fat pants can handle (you packed those, right?). This is your insider guide. Japan is waiting.
Tales from Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Tokyo
2Down your cup of matcha cos we’ve got an INCRED day ahead of us. First up, it’s time for the Meiji Shrine to SHINE. Tokyo’s grandest Shintō shrine – take in all the spiritual vibes, make an offering and wander the blooming (or not) gardens. Important: you gotta cover that skin up when visiting this place – and any other religious site in Japan. Next, we’re heading to the quirky Harajuku district (aka cosplay heaven) with our in-the-know Trip Leader. Expect kawaii culture galore: neon tutus, rainbow-coloured wigs, bubble tea and fairy floss. We’ll also swing by the legendary Shibuya Crossing – it’s all the crazy. Then: we’re off to check out the Goma Ritual of consecrated fire at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple. Your wishes could be part of this next-level experience. And tonight? Get ready to party at an Izakaya (Japan’s equivalent of a pub). This is real culture in real time. Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo or similar
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Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Walking tour of Tokyo’s Harajuku and Shibuya districts with Trip Leader
- Experience the Goma Ritual of consecrated fire at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Tokyo
3It’s your last day in Tokyo – so, you do you. Wanna spend your day breathing in the fresh mountain air? Join a day tour of Mount Fuji and Hakone. Outta-this-world scenery. Gobsmacking beauty. A side of Japan you only see IRL. It’s giving allll the feels. This evening: quiz your Trip Leader on where to find the best ramen – and be prepared to order on a ticket machine with pictures of the dishes. It might be a lucky dip, but that’s what adventuring is all about. Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo or similar
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Full day tour of Mount Fuji and Hakone: prices available locally
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Meals
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Tokyo – Takayama
4Rise and shine – it’s an early start to get the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train FYI) to Takayama. Glue your face to the window as we zoom through the incredible Japanese Alps. Then it’s time for a taste of traditional life with a visit to Hida Folk Village. And tonight? There’s an optional Hida beef dinner with the gang on the menu – vegetarians look away now. Accommodation: Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama or similar
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Activities
- Bullet train to Takayama
- Visit to Hida folk village
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Hida beef dinner: prices available locally
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Activities
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Takayama
5Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – so we’ll kick things off by filling our bellies before visiting the bustling morning riverside markets. Tighten those Nike laces to explore Takayama Jinya – the last remaining government outpost from the time of the Samurai and Shoguns. This arvo, sample some of the good stuff at a local sake brewery. Then: time to do whatever you want. Explore. It. All. The nooks and crannies. The narrow streets. The tranquil waters. Take your trip mates along for the ride. Tonight: dinner’s on you. It’s all about that beef – if you missed out last night, now’s your chance. And it’s better than any maccas. Trust us. Accommodation: Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama or similar
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Activities
- Visit the morning riverside markets in Takayama
- Sake tasting at a local brewery
- Visit Takayama Jinya
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Takayama – Hiroshima
6Hiroshima: we’re coming for you. Grab a delish bento box to tuck into on the train. When we arrive this afternoon, we’ll make our way to the Memorial Peace Park and its museum. Here, we’ll discover the tragic events of 6 August 1945 when the world’s first nuclear bomb was dropped on the city. Later, an included group dinner's on the cards at a local okonomiyaki restaurant. Savoury teppanyaki pancakes = YUM. Get ready to show off your expert chopstick skills (or drop even more stuff down your T-shirt). Accommodation: Hotel Vista Hiroshima or similar
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Activities
- Visit the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park and Museum
- Okonomiyaki dinner experience in Hiroshima
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Activities
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Hiroshima – Miyajima – Hiroshima
7All aboard the ferry to the island of Miyajima! First up, check out the incred Itsukushima Shrine. Then, we've got the whole afternoon to explore before settling in for sunset. The floating torii gate is pretty spectacular. Back in Hiroshima: use your free time wisely. Put those super-stretchy pants to the test and do as the locals do: inhale more okonomiyaki or tuck into some local oysters with a glass of sake. When in Japan, right? Accommodation: Hotel Vista Hiroshima or similar
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Activities
- Visit the Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Hiroshima – Kyoto
8Another day of living your best life, let’s get it! Today, we’re hitting the tracks to Japan’s traditional capital, Kyoto. Home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, this place ticks all the spiritual boxes. We’ll visit the incredible Fushimi Inari Shrine – with plenty of time to hike to the top and explore the torii gates. Getting hangry? Grab some lunch before we stop by the Nishiki food market. Drool = 100% guaranteed.Then: the afternoon’s yours for exploring. Accommodation: Hotel Monterey Kyoto or similar
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Activities
- Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit the Nishiki food market
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Kyoto
9Rise n shine travel besties, it’s time to see what Kyoto’s got to offer. And we’re delving in deep with a full day of sightseeing. First up: Kinkaku-ji. Alter ego: Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Zen vibes allll day. Ready to feel like you’re in an enchanted land? Arashiyama’s gonna make your eyes sparkle. You’ve got some free time here, so make the most of it! Get lost in the bamboo forest. Cross Tokugetsukyo Bridge. See Tenryu-ji Temple and its lush garden. After breathing in fresh Japanese air and making those calves work wonders, bellies will be ready to rumbleee. Gather the gang and hit Pontocho. Atmospheric. Traditional. Bombastic-side-eye-exclusivity. This place is where REAL Kyoto foodies thrive. Accommodation: Hotel Monterey Kyoto or similar
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Activities
- Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
- Visit the Arashiyama bamboo forest
- Visit Tenryu-ji Temple and Garden
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Kyoto – Osaka
10And just when you thought your jeans couldn’t get any tighter – today we’re headed for Osaka: the foodie capital of Japan. Here, they even have a word for “scoff till you drop” – kuidaore. Wanna put it to the test? We’ve got a date with Dōtonbori Market on the agenda. Authentic street food that slaps? Sorted. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre or similar
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Activities
- Orientation walk of Dōtonbori Market with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Osaka
11Tuck into another included brekkie before heading out to do your own thing. It’s your chance to uncover the real Osaka – so make every second count. Foodie? Opt for a ramen and gyoza cooking class that’ll have you scribbling down recipes like there's no tomorrow. Culture-fiend? Hit Shitennoji Temple – one of the oldest in all of Japan. Tonight, we’ll regroup and head to a local eatery for a send-off to remember. And later? It starts with a ‘K’ and ends with an ‘E’. Nope, not kale. K-A-R-A-O-K-E time! This has been one hell of a trip. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre or similar
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Activities
- Group karaoke experience in Osaka
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Your Options
- Ramen and gyoza cooking class: prices available locally
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Activities
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Osaka
12After breakfast it’s sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun and our newfound travel fam. Swap Snapchats and start planning that next adventure.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
Your Inclusions
Activities
Accommodation
-11 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double)
Transport
High-speed trains, public transport
Your Options
FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
-Full day tour of Mount Fuji and Hakone: prices available locally
-Hida beef dinner: prices available locally
-Ramen and gyoza cooking class: prices available locally
Other information
Luggage transport
On this trip you’ll be travelling like a local – including riding the Shinkansen (aka bullet train)! Because carriage space is limited on Japanese trains, we’ll transport your luggage between Tokyo and Takayama and Takayama and Kyoto. You’ll just need to bring a small overnight bag to cover you for these nights.
Optional activities
All optional activities are subject to availability, but there’s *always* something lit to do in Japan! As it’s a popular place, you’ll need to pre-book Your Options in the Topdeck Travel app at least two weeks before your trip starts.
Hotels
FYI hotel rooms can be a lil’ smaller in Japan than your usual standard.
Views & reviews
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Asia | Delve Deep
Delve Deep: Intro to Japan
7 days / 1 country
Start: Tokyo
End: Osaka
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