Price based on tours starting:

• 21 August 2027
• 4 September 2027
• 4 December 2027

Extra charges apply for:

• 16 October 2027 ($600pp)
• 6 November 2027 ($600pp)

Japan Travel Seasons
Japan is a fascinating destination year-round, with each season bringing its own distinctive scenery, traditions and cultural experiences.

Spring (March – May)
Spring is one of Japan’s most celebrated seasons, with mild temperatures and the arrival of the famous cherry blossoms. Parks, temple grounds and city streets are transformed by delicate pink and white blooms, creating beautiful scenery from Tokyo to Kyoto. Spring is also an ideal time for sightseeing, with comfortable temperatures and gardens bursting into colour.

Summer (June – August)
Summer brings long daylight hours, vibrant festivals and lush green landscapes across Japan. Mountain regions such as Hakone are particularly scenic, while cities buzz with energy and seasonal celebrations. Although temperatures can be warm, summer is a wonderful time to experience Japan’s lively atmosphere and seasonal traditions.

Autumn (September – November)
Autumn is widely regarded as one of the best times to visit Japan. Crisp air and comfortable temperatures coincide with spectacular displays of red, orange and golden foliage in gardens, temples and mountain landscapes. Destinations such as Kyoto, Hakone and Kanazawa are especially beautiful during the autumn colour season.

Winter (December – February)
Winter offers clear skies, crisp temperatures and a peaceful atmosphere throughout much of Japan. Snow often blankets the country’s mountain regions and traditional villages, creating postcard-perfect scenery. Winter is also an excellent time to enjoy seasonal cuisine, fewer crowds at popular attractions and some of the clearest views of Mount Fuji.

Please note: Cherry blossom blooms and autumn foliage are natural seasonal events. Their timing, duration and intensity vary each year depending on weather and climate conditions and therefore cannot be guaranteed.

Price based on departing from Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Extra charges apply for:

• Brisbane ($200pp)
• Adelaide ($400pp)

Itinerary
Our multi-stop Japan tour is carefully designed to give a real insight into the highlights, culture, and beauty of each region. Each day will be different, with a combination of travel days, sightseeing and free time to explore or take a breather as you wish.

Pace and Fitness
This is a moderately paced tour with a mix of sightseeing, scenic drives, and train journeys on high-speed trains. There may be some early starts, late finishes and travel days between destinations. You’ll typically spend one to two nights in each location, allowing you to experience a variety of sightseeing opportunities.

A moderate level of fitness is required. You must be able to move about unassisted, including boarding and disembarking vehicles and trains, navigating stairs and walking for extended periods over a variety of surfaces, including uneven pathways and gentle inclines. In Japan coaches may not always be able to stop directly outside hotels or attractions, so short walks with and without your luggage may be required. This tour is not suitable for travellers requiring wheelchairs, mobility scooters or specialised assistance.

For advice on whether this trip is suitable for you, you must disclose any physical ailments at the time of booking.

Transfers
Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour only. Transfers are not included if you make your own arrangements to arrive before the tour starts or extend your stay after it ends. Please note that transfers may operate at set times and may be provided on a shared or private basis using either private vehicles or public transport.

Small Group Experience
A small group tour offers a good balance of connection and comfort. This holiday will proceed with a minimum group size of approximately 15 people and a maximum group size of approximately 24 people. If the tour does not operate due to minimum numbers, you will be offered a refund or an alternative date.

Tipping
In Japan, tipping is not part of everyday culture. However, within the travel industry it is a common way to show appreciation for the service provided by your tour leader and driver. While tipping is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. A suggested amount is the equivalent of AUD $5 per person, per day.

Refer to Important Info for further details.

Tokyo – Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Ariake or similar Star Rating
Kanazawa – Hyatt Centric Kanazawa or similar
Kyoto – Good Nature Hotel Kyoto or similar
Hiroshima – Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate or similar
Osaka – Hilton Osaka or similar

Accommodation note:
Each hotel on this tour has been carefully selected to suit the size and needs of the group. Accommodation is rated 4 to 5-star according to local standards. The hotel names listed are indicative of the standard of accommodation to expect. Actual hotels may differ, and a final hotel list will be provided with your final travel documentation no later than 30 days prior to departure.

A single supplement from $3,200 per person is payable in addition to the twin share price for solo occupancy. Single rooms can sometimes be smaller than twin/double rooms in Japan.

Exclusions
Meals not stated, beverages, optional tours, travel insurance (strongly recommended), personal expenses, tipping and anything not explicitly specified are at your own expense.

Payment
A first deposit from $499 per person is required to secure your booking. A second deposit (partial payment) is due 10 months before departure – the amount to be advised at the time of booking. The final balance will be due 5 months before departure. Full payment is due at the time of booking for departures within 5 months.

Solo Occupancy
A single supplement from $3,200 per person is payable in addition to the twin-share price for solo occupancy. Single rooms may be smaller than twin rooms in Japan.

Triple Share
Triple share is not available.

Child Policy
This tour is best enjoyed by adult travellers and is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. Children 12 years and above are subject to the adult price and must be accompanied by an adult.

Price
Surcharges may apply for select travel periods and departure cities. Prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to availability, change, cancellation or withdrawal without notice. All prices are in Australian dollars per person twin share unless stated otherwise.

Change & Cancellation Fees
Changes for any reason will incur a fee of $110 per person per change in addition to any travel service provider fees. Cancellation for any reason will incur a fee of $550 per person in addition to any travel service provider fees. Travel service provider fees for the tour and air components of the package are dependent on the date of the change or cancellation as follows:

• 0-29 days before departure 100% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 30-60 days before departure 65% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 61-99 days before departure 50% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 100-180 days before departure 30% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 181+ days before departure 10% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply

Airfares are generally non-refundable but any refundable ticket taxes will be returned. Full details of the change and cancellation fees is outlined in the Terms & Conditions available on our website.

Deviation
Any request to deviate from the original dates or routing, including early arrival and stay behind, is subject to a flight deviation fee from $150 per person plus applicable airfare and tax difference. Packaged tour extensions are not subject to the deviation fee (applicable airfare and tax difference may still apply) if booked according to the original advertised dates and routing.

Breakaway
Guests must remain with the tour group at all times and may only leave the group if prior written approval has been obtained before departure or directly from the Tour Guide while in-destination.

Any guest who leaves the group without such approval will forfeit ongoing travel arrangements, including hotel accommodation and transportation. Aside from scheduled free time listed in the itinerary, all guests are required to stay with the group for the full duration of the tour unless previously arranged and approved.

In cases where it becomes necessary to leave the group unexpectedly, the local tour guide must be notified immediately.

Passport
For international travel, each customer must provide a copy of the passport photo. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that all names are full names, exactly matched to the passport, with six months’ validity beyond trip completion. The customer is liable for all fees due to incorrect names, invalid passport information, and expired passports.

Visa Requirement
A visa is generally not required for Australian passport holders visiting Japan for the purpose of short-term tourism; however, this policy is subject to change without notice. Passengers who are not travelling on an Australian passport must check with their respective consulate or visa agency to determine what their visa requirements are and what personal identification is required. Visa requirements for each origin and destination country are the responsibility of the customer to check and obtain (if required) with the local consulate or embassy. The customer is liable for all visa application costs and fees due to the failure to obtain the required travel documents.

For the latest information on entry requirements, visa types, or any changes to the visa waiver program, please refer to Smartraveller or the Australian consulate websites for Japan: Smartraveller/Japan

Health
It is the responsibility of the customer to check and comply with the health, vaccination, COVID-19, and immigration requirements of each origin and destination country, and health requirements imposed by air, tour, cruise, and accommodation providers. Vaccinations, testing, and quarantine costs are the responsibility of the customer. Comprehensive travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is strongly recommended.

Tipping
In Japan, tipping is not part of everyday culture. However, within the travel industry it is a common way to show appreciation for the service provided by your tour leader and driver. While tipping is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. A suggested amount is the equivalent of AUD $5 per person, per day.

Baggage
Each person is entitled to a strict maximum of one bag not exceeding 20kg on tour, superseding any other baggage allowance. Excess baggage is not permitted. You are strongly encouraged to pack lightly. An additional light day bag or backpack is permitted on the coach. Due to high-speed train baggage restrictions, you may be required to pack a separate light bag or backpack containing essentials and your luggage will be transferred. Porterage is not included, and you are required to carry your own bags. Luggage and personal effects are at your own risk, and we hold no liability for lost or damaged belongings.

Bullet Train Transportation
All train transportation featured in the itinerary is based on Ordinary (Standard) Reserved Seats. Due to factors outside our control, such as operational changes, last-minute track maintenance or unfavourable weather conditions, train travel may be substituted with an alternative means of transport to maintain the continuity of the itinerary while prioritising the safety of all guests.

The rail journey from Kanazawa to Kyoto includes a bullet train from Kanazawa to Tsuruga, where you will change trains to the Limited Express Thunderbird for the onward journey to Kyoto.

Your large suitcase will be transferred separately by luggage transfer and will not travel aboard the bullet train. You should therefore pack a separate light bag or backpack containing essentials for this journey.

Meals
Breakfasts offered by the accommodation providers are typically buffet style, with limited vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options. For meals not included, you will be taken to places with options where possible or suggested dining options nearby.

Please notify us at the time of booking of any special dietary requirements or allergies. While we will endeavour to pass on any dietary requirements advised at the time of booking, we cannot guarantee that accommodation providers, restaurants, or other suppliers will be able to accommodate all requests. Alternative meals, specially prepared dishes, or substitute breakfast options may not be available.

You are required to reconfirm dietary requests with your Tour Guide whilst on tour.

Accommodation
Hotel rooms in Japan are generally smaller than Western standards. All hotel rooms will feature either a twin room (two single beds) or a double room (one queen bed). All bedding requests cannot be guaranteed however all special requests should be made known at time of booking. Rooms are lead-in or run-of-house unless stated otherwise. All hotel rooms will be requested as non-smoking, however, please be aware that some hotels offer smoking rooms and smoking floors.

Hotel names listed are indicative and may change; final hotels will be confirmed in your travel documents. All hotel ratings are local or self-rated 4 to 5-stars. Standard check-in is usually from 3:00 pm, and check-out by 10:00 am, though times may vary by property.

International Flights
International flights are based on economy class with a full-service carrier including China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines or similar (subject to availability).

The outbound flight may depart one day prior to Day 1 shown on the itinerary. The inbound flight may arrive one day after the final day shown on the itinerary. Flights are booked approximately 8 to 10 months prior to departure. The flights included in your package are based on a specific predetermined airfare allowance. Should there be a significant increase in airfares, fuel levies, taxes, or government fees at the time of booking flights, an airfare supplement may be imposed. The flights team will discuss options with you prior to ticketing should this situation arise or offer you an upgrade amount if you wish to fly with a premium carrier instead. Flights may not operate daily or directly to your destination. Non-attendance of any flight sectors will result in the automatic cancellation of all onward flights by the airline.

Fuel
In the unlikely event of a significant increase in fuel costs levied by third-party air, land, and cruise transportation operators before travel, a fuel supplement may be passed on to the customer.

Itinerary
The operating schedule and itinerary may be impacted without notice by adverse weather, seasonal factors, closures, local conditions, COVID-19, or other factors beyond our control, including force majeure. If attractions are not available due to reasons beyond our control, such as closures or adverse weather, alternatives will be provided where possible. The itinerary and its order, sightseeing, and transportation may be adjusted as deemed appropriate by the operator for optimum safety, enjoyment, and operation. Any reference to ‘optional’, ‘not included’, or ‘exclusions/excluded’ means at your own expense.

Documentation
Final documentation will be emailed within 30 days prior to departure. For packages consisting of multiple tours or countries, documentation will be emailed individually within 30 days prior to departure of each respective tour.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. Ask our holiday experts for great coverage options.

Force Majeure
Force majeure means any natural disaster, accident, fire, act of God, act of war, terrorism, legally binding judgment, injunction, action of a court or other relevant authority, emergency, unplanned repairs, maintenance, strike, industrial dispute, work ban, blockade or picketing, travel ban, pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease, or other event beyond our reasonable direct or indirect control. In the case of force majeure or other extraordinary events that prevent safe travel, the supplier reserves the right to adjust, postpone, or cancel the trip.