Japan Highlights: Karaoke & Katsu
Tokyo
Osaka
Japan Highlights: Karaoke & Katsu
Trip snapshot
7 days
6 nights
Japan
9 meals
18 guests (max)
Trip leader
High-speed trains, public transport
Twin-share / Double / Single 6 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double)
TRIP VIBE = iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader.
Remember when you spent that INCREDible week soaking up all the sushi, sake, soba and shrines Japan could throw at you? Huh, that wasn’t you. Then what are you waiting for?! This intro to Japan is all about the weird-and-wonderful in Tokyo, the ancient wonders of Kyoto, and the foodie delights of Osaka. Swipe right for a week’s worth of mind-blowing Japanese culture. You won’t regret it.
Trip itinerary
Day 1 - Tokyo (Japan)
Seven days. Three legendary cities. And all the ancient temples, glittering skyscrapers, quirky neighbourhoods and local eats you can handle. Ready to experience this jaw-dropping country properly? You’re in exactly the right place. First: say konnichiwa to your fellow explorers. Then: prepare for your first taste of Japan – we’ve got a group dinner in the traditional Asakusa district lined up. Yep, you’re really here.
Seven days. Three legendary cities. And all the ancient temples, glittering skyscrapers, quirky neighbourhoods and local eats you can handle. Ready to experience this jaw-dropping country properly? You’re in exactly the right place. First: say konnichiwa to your fellow explorers. Then: prepare for your first taste of Japan – we’ve got a group dinner in the traditional Asakusa district lined up. Yep, you’re really here.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Agora Place Tokyo Asakusa or similar
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - Tokyo
Rise and shrine! Our expert Trip Leader’s got some incred sights they wanna show us on a walking tour. First up this morning: Meiji Jingū – Tokyo’s grandest Shintō shrine. Take in all the spiritual vibes, make an offering and wander the blooming (or not) gardens. Next, we’re heading to the uber-kooky Harajuku district (aka cosplay heaven). Expect: neon tutus, rainbow-coloured wigs, bubble tea and fairy floss. We’ll also swing by the iconic Shibuya Crossing. It’s all the crazy. Then (cos we’re not done yet), we’ll see the awesome Goma Fire Ritual at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple. Tummies rumbling? Bet. Find a cosy restaurant. Grab some sushi. And level up those chopstick skills.
Rise and shrine! Our expert Trip Leader’s got some incred sights they wanna show us on a walking tour. First up this morning: Meiji Jingū – Tokyo’s grandest Shintō shrine. Take in all the spiritual vibes, make an offering and wander the blooming (or not) gardens. Next, we’re heading to the uber-kooky Harajuku district (aka cosplay heaven). Expect: neon tutus, rainbow-coloured wigs, bubble tea and fairy floss. We’ll also swing by the iconic Shibuya Crossing. It’s all the crazy. Then (cos we’re not done yet), we’ll see the awesome Goma Fire Ritual at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple. Tummies rumbling? Bet. Find a cosy restaurant. Grab some sushi. And level up those chopstick skills.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Agora Place Tokyo Asakusa or similar
Activities
- Visit the 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
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 - Tokyo
This is your day, 100% your way. But if you need some recommendations, we’ve got your back. Wander the futuristic neon-lit streets of Shibuya. Or join an optional full-day tour of Mt Fuji and Hakone. Fill your camera roll with scenes of Japan’s most ICONIC landscape. Check out the Oshino Ninja Village (as awesome as it sounds). Cruise across stunning Lake Ashi. And soak up the beauty of the serene Hakone Shrine. This is what you came for.
This is your day, 100% your way. But if you need some recommendations, we’ve got your back. Wander the futuristic neon-lit streets of Shibuya. Or join an optional full-day tour of Mt Fuji and Hakone. Fill your camera roll with scenes of Japan’s most ICONIC landscape. Check out the Oshino Ninja Village (as awesome as it sounds). Cruise across stunning Lake Ashi. And soak up the beauty of the serene Hakone Shrine. This is what you came for.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Agora Place Tokyo Asakusa or similar
Meals
- Breakfast
Your Options
- Full day tour of Mt Fuji and Hakone (with lunch): prices available locally
Day 4 - Tokyo – Kyoto
Up and at ‘em: it’s an early start to get the Shinkansen (bullet train FYI) to Kyoto. Home to over 2,000 temples and shrines this place ticks all the spiritual boxes. After lunch, we’ll visit the incredible Fushimi Inari Shrine – with plenty of time to hike to the top and explore the torii gates. Then the afternoon is yours. Tonight, dinner’s on you – and Kyoto’s got e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Want inspo? Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley are top tier foodie spots.
Up and at ‘em: it’s an early start to get the Shinkansen (bullet train FYI) to Kyoto. Home to over 2,000 temples and shrines this place ticks all the spiritual boxes. After lunch, we’ll visit the incredible Fushimi Inari Shrine – with plenty of time to hike to the top and explore the torii gates. Then the afternoon is yours. Tonight, dinner’s on you – and Kyoto’s got e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Want inspo? Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley are top tier foodie spots.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto or similar
Activities
- Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Bullet train to Kyoto
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Kyoto
Time to explore this place with our expert Trip Leader. We’ll tick off the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion before moving on to Arashiyama to visit the Tenryū-ji Temple. Grab a bite to eat then head out to explore the sprawling bamboo forest and Togetsu-kyō bridge. Then, the rest is up to you. Lose yourself, find yourself, then grab a bīru at a local watering hole.
Time to explore this place with our expert Trip Leader. We’ll tick off the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion before moving on to Arashiyama to visit the Tenryū-ji Temple. Grab a bite to eat then head out to explore the sprawling bamboo forest and Togetsu-kyō bridge. Then, the rest is up to you. Lose yourself, find yourself, then grab a bīru at a local watering hole.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto or similar
Activities
- Walking tour of Kyoto with Trip Leader (including Kinkaku-ji Temple)
- Visit the Arashiyama bamboo forest
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 - Kyoto – Osaka
Just when you thought your jeans couldn’t get any tighter – today we’re headed for Osaka: the food capital of Japan. Here, they even have a word for “scoff till you drop”: kuidaore. Down your cup of matcha – we’ve got a lunchtime food tour of Osaka’s backstreets to sink our teeth into. We’ll finish up at Kuromon Market where you’ll have the chance to try okonomiyaki (teppanyaki pancakes) and takoyaki (fried octopus balls). They’re tastier than they sound, trust us. Tummies full – the rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking. Whatever you get up to, just make sure you’re back in time for tonight’s included dinner. Thought you could come to Japan and not get involved in some K-A-R-A-OKE? Think again! Gather the gang and bust out some bangers at tonight’s included karaoke bar experience. What a way to end the trip!
Just when you thought your jeans couldn’t get any tighter – today we’re headed for Osaka: the food capital of Japan. Here, they even have a word for “scoff till you drop”: kuidaore. Down your cup of matcha – we’ve got a lunchtime food tour of Osaka’s backstreets to sink our teeth into. We’ll finish up at Kuromon Market where you’ll have the chance to try okonomiyaki (teppanyaki pancakes) and takoyaki (fried octopus balls). They’re tastier than they sound, trust us. Tummies full – the rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking. Whatever you get up to, just make sure you’re back in time for tonight’s included dinner. Thought you could come to Japan and not get involved in some K-A-R-A-OKE? Think again! Gather the gang and bust out some bangers at tonight’s included karaoke bar experience. What a way to end the trip!
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
The b namba-kuromon or similar
Activities
- Train ticket to Osaka
- Food tour of Osaka’s backstreets
- Group karaoke experience in Osaka
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7 - Osaka
Time to say sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap those Insta handles – you’re going to need them to organise next year’s reunion trip. What’s next? We've got Delve Deep trips to Southeast Asia which you can hop straight on. Just saying...
Time to say sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap those Insta handles – you’re going to need them to organise next year’s reunion trip. What’s next? We've got Delve Deep trips to Southeast Asia which you can hop straight on. Just saying...
Your Inclusions
Meals
- Breakfast
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo
Anonymous June 2025
I think it's a good idea as a first trip to Japan, our tour guide Katherine was fantastic and super nice.
It's just nice to go to restaurants and venues that we probably wouldn't get access to...
Read full reviewAnonymous April 2025
The perfect way to dip your toes into Japan and to get a taste for what the country has to offer. The tour is very solo traveller-friendly, giving you plenty of time to explore on your own but also...
Read full reviewAnonymous April 2025
Our guide Claire was amazing, even if there was an issue or delay, she kept her cool and make sure it all went smoothly. Even after the tour finished she still offered to help us if we needed it
Dermot Bl February 2025
The previous topdeck trip I went on prior to this was much better than this one, during the time we were there it felt like everything took way longer than what it needed to get from place to place...
Read full reviewAnonymous November 2024
Our tour guide Claire was amazing! Unfortunately Top deck's communication with their paying customers is terrible. At the start of the tour we were told we would have our bags onforwarded a day...
Read full reviewChristina Ma October 2024
This tour had to much “free time” we expected to be taken out for meals each day as well as walking/ travelling tours to each destination however it was a lot of free time then anything.
We also were...
Harry July 2024
Honestly I don’t think this trip was worth it, I did have a good time (most of the time) on the trip, however I did run into some major issues with topdeck.
FYI, I went on this trip with my 3 best...
Read full reviewOlivia St July 2024
The tour guide was very helpful and kind
Christopher An June 2024
This tour was well worth the money and the tour guide i had was amazing, friendly and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour company to all my friends and family, and i look forward to using...
Read full reviewAnonymous April 2024
The tour leader was amazing, really pulled through to make my group have an exciting and unforgettable experience. There were some problems on the Top Deck side but everything ended up fine in the end...
Read full reviewKeith Me April 2024
Amazing trip. Our group leader Claire was incredible! I learned so much, and had so much fun! 10/10 would recommend!
Anonymous April 2024
Trip was great would recommend. Claire was a great guide and had great recommendations. Accomodations were really good and had a great amount of free time to check out everything we wanted
Anonymous February 2024
Fantastic tour guide Katherine made it very worthwhile and went out of her way to make the experience memorable
Anonymous November 2023
Japan is an amazing country with so much to experience.
However, the tour experience from Topdeck was not what I imagined it to be.
The tour guide did their role in guiding us from location to...
Read full reviewStephanie Lo June 2023
Amazing tour guide and top spots. Only advice would be to spend a bit more time with Kyoto and Osaka.
Anonymous May 2023
Like I stated previously. This is a great trip for those wanting a quick, week long hit of the essence of Japanese culture. Would highly recommend.
Anonymous May 2023
Overall it was an amazing trip. The tour guide Katherine was very friendly and knowledgeable and went above and beyond for us. The hotels in Osaka and Tokyo weren’t great and could’ve been more...
Read full reviewAnonymous May 2023
Our travel guide Katherine absolutely made this experience, she was an absolute gem and we all adored her. Her knowledge, care and attentiveness was fantastic. The itinerary was great overall, however...
Read full reviewAnonymous May 2023
The trip was very disorganised and all over the place. There was no consistent structure or timing of everything and we were constantly given free time every day. My complaint with this is that I feel...
Read full reviewAnonymous April 2023
This trip added no value to my travel experience. Poorly planned, promised destinations on itinerary that wasn’t feasibly possible to visit. Basically paid $2K+ to meet other 20 year old.
Anonymous April 2023
I've done previous Topdeck tours and had a wonderful time so was excited and looking forward to the tour of Japan. Unfortunately the tour did not meet the hype or my expectations. Trip leader often...
Read full reviewNikolai Or December 2022
Amazing experience with an amazing tour guide!
Trusted Cu February 2019
It was very affordable for me and for other students as well who are interested in travelling.
Trusted Cu August 2018
It was a fun tour. Really was the Japan express!
Tales from Topdeckers
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FAQs
On Day 3 of your trip, you’ll be riding the Shinkansen (bullet train), where carriage space is limited. Your luggage will be transported separately from Tokyo to Kyoto, so you’ll just need to pack a small bag for that night.
The trip’s optional activities are subject to availability, and since Japan is a popular destination, it’s important to pre-book your choices. You can do this through the Your Options section of the Topdeck Travel app. Be sure to book at least two weeks before your trip starts. There’s always something exciting to do!
Hotel rooms in Japan can be a bit smaller than what you might be used to.
Gluten and fish are common in Japanese cuisine, meaning Japan can be challenging for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free travelers. But never fear! Your Trip Leader will help with suitable, alternative recommendations. For the trip’s included meals, please advise us at least 15 days before your trip of any dietary requirements – otherwise it may be more difficult to accommodate them.
The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY).
Absolutely! It’s a requirement that all Topdeckers have comprehensive travel insurance to cover the likes of cancellation, personal injury and medical expenses. You’ll be barred from travelling with us without it. It’s also super important you read the fine print of the policy you’re taking out, so you know exactly what activities you are covered for (looking at you, adrenalin junkies!) and what your excess limits are in cases of emergency – before, during and after your trip. As a rule, you should book your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip.
Obtaining the correct visas for your trip is your own responsibility. Not having correct visas could mean missing out on part (or all) of your trip. Ask your travel agent or check with the appropriate embassies before you depart, remembering that visa requirements can change at short notice.
Please note: For most countries where visas are required, it's NOT possible to obtain a visa while on the trip. Some visas take 3-4 weeks to obtain – so get on it early!
Tipping is not customary in Japan. However, if tipping is expected or advised at a given point in your trip, your Trip Leader will let you know what is appropriate. In true Topdeck style, your Crew will not ask for a tip at the end of your trip – as per our ‘No Tipping Policy’.
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