HEART OF JAPAN
IMMERSIVE 8-DAY JAPAN ITINERARY
Trip Style: Explore
tEMPLES, HOTSPRINGS, NATURE AND CULTURE IN KYOTO, NARA, BEPPU AND OSAKA
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STARTING AT $6995 per person
Fully planned & booked 8-day Japan itinerary
Blend of train and private transit
Minimum of 4 people
Trip Highlights
Ferry to Beppu and soak in its hot springs
Visit ancient shrines & temples in Kyoto, Nara & Osaka
Visit a Japanese tea farm & enjoy a traditional tea tasting
Experience a Buddhist temple stay & Goma fire ritual with local monks
Indulge in seasonal cuisine & regional specialties
Do you want to experience Japan in a uniquely culture-centered way? This 8-day Japan itinerary takes you into the heart of Japan with a focus on culture, cuisine and spiritual traditions. Starting in Kyoto, see the iconic red torii gates of the Fushimi Inari shrine and wander the cobblestone streets where Kodaiji Temple and Yasaka Shrine hearken historical eras. Go deeper into the Arashiyama and Sagano areas with a visit to 8,000 Buddhist statues, visit a 500-year old matcha tea house and stroll through a hidden bamboo. Continue by ferry to the famed hot spring town of Beppu where you’ll learn to cook a special onsen meal before resting in your traditional ryokan accommodations. Enjoy a farm day where you’ll meet local characters preserving seasonal agricultural traditions and visit a tea farm and enjoy a tasting. Our journey will culminate with a Buddhist temple stay where you have the chance to participate in sunrise meditation and breakfast with the monks. Finally, we’ll visit make our way to Osaka for fantastic farewell in a city renowned for its cuisine.
Select Japan Custom Dates spring, summer or fall! Starting at $6995 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
why this trip?
TESTIMONIALS
TRIP INCLUsions
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7 nights total stay
5 nights boutique 3-star hotel (private room & bath, Western-style beds)
1 night ferry (private room & toilet)
1 night Buddhist temple stay (private room with Japanese tatami mats, share bathroom)
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Airport to hotel arrival/departure logistical assistance (cost of transfer not included)
JR Rail Pass and IC Card for all internal transfers included in itinerary by train, bus and light rail
Overnight ferry Osaka → Beppu
Private vehicle for Day 5 farm visits
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Kyoto guided tour with optional visits to Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Yasaka Shrine and Fushimi Inari Taisha (with option to do the 4-hour hike)
Guided visit & entry to Adashino Nenbutsuji and Gioji temples
Guided tour of Nara and admission to Todaiji Temple
Beppu hot springs visit with admission to Umi and Onishi Bozu
Onsen (hot springs) lunch experience in Kannawa
Local countryside lunch experience
Tea farm visit and traditional tea tasting
Buddhist temple experience with overnight stay and morning meditation
Visit and entry to Himeji Castle
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Daily traditional Japanese breakfast + 4 dinners + 2 lunches
Assistance to find the best local spots + make reservations (often required) for ramen, soba, sushi, etc.
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Local community partner visit + donation to their organization
Dedicated local Japanese guide
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
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Additional nights in Kyoto (front end), Osaka (back end), or Tokyo (either)
Day 2 Geisha performance in Kyoto
Food tours in Osaka (Day 8) and Tokyo (before/after the base trip)
Transportation assistance to/from Tokyo
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International airfare
Airport transfer costs (assistance with arrangements provided)
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guides, and drivers
Alcohol or other drinks, unless specified
Required travel insurance
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STARTING AT $6995 per person, double occupancy
+$595 “my own room” option
High season surcharge of approximately $250 per person during spring cherry season and summer season. Surcharge assessed on booking.
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All add-on prices on request
Additional nights in Kyoto (front end) or Osaka (back end)
Nights in Tokyo (before/after base trip)
Food tour in Osaka (Day 8) or Tokyo (before/after base trip)
Mt. Fuji day trip add-on (from Tokyo)
FAQs
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There are two main airports close to Kyoto: Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka and Itami Domestic Airport (ITM) in Osaka, and Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO). If you fly internationally directly in and out of Japan, you can book roundtrip in and out of Kansai Airport (KIX). If you’re planning some time in Tokyo or elsewhere beforehand, you can take either the train from Tokyo Station to Kyoto (about 3 hours) or a domestic flight. Once you arrive, you can take a train or Airport Limousine from the airport or train station to your hotel. We will assist with the best options.
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You can take a train from Osaka Station to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for your departing flight. The train ride takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. Plan to depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to your flight departure.
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Visitors from the US, Canada and Europe are automatically granted a visitor visa upon arrival in Japan for stays up to 90 days.
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The first train on day 6 is typically 3.5 hours long. It can be up to 5 hours which we will try avoid the longer total duration train ride. Most of the train rides from Beppu to Himeji have change overs with approximately 10-15 mins between train rides and a great opportunity to stretch your legs.
The 2nd train ride from Himeji to Gyokuzoin on Mt. Shigi is approximately 3-4 hours with 3 changeovers, so there will be several times you will switch trains and be able to stretch your legs.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
