Japan by Rail

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1-2 • UK - Fukuoka

  Fly overnight to the charming city of Fukuoka.

• Day 3 • Nagisaki

  Travel by rail to Nagasaki where you’ll stroll through Glover Garden and the Atomic Bomb Museum.

• Day 3 • Port Macquarie - Dorrigo National Park - Coffs Harbour

  This morning, you’ll visit the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, where you’ll meet the volunteers who work there and learn about how this organisation provides care and treatment for koalas needing rehabilitation. Then, drive to Bellingen, where you might like to grab lunch and enjoy some free time. Continue to Dorrigo National Park via the gorgeous Waterfall Way, known for its lush, sub-tropical rainforest – the last piece of the ancient subcontinent Gondwanaland. Few places on Earth contain so many plants and animals relatively unchanged from their ancestors. Pop into the Rainforest Centre in the park, take a stroll along the skywalk or explore the rainforest with your group.

• Day 4-5 •Hiroshima - Miyajima

  Board the bullet train to Hiroshima and take the ferry to Miyajima Island. Enjoy a momiji manju cooking class before returning to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

• Day 6 • Himeji Castle - Osaka

  Admire magnificent Himeji Castle before travelling by train to Osaka.

• Day 7 • Osaka - Nara

  Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Osaka and dine in the Dontonburi District. Later, journey to Nara to explore Todaiji Temple and meet the deer of Nara Park.

• Day 8-9 • Kyoto

  Explore Kyoto’s temples, try your hand at Japanese fan painting and take part in a traditional tea ceremony. Visit the famous geisha district and stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest.

• Day 10 • Kanazawa

  Explore Kenrokuen, one of the ‘Three Great Gardens’, and visit the Nomura Samurai House.

• Day 11-12 • Shirakawago - Takayama

  On route to Shirakawago, stop at Inami for a sake cup making experience. Continue to UNESCO-listed Shirakawago and spend time exploring Takayama for a glimpse of rural Japan.

• Day 13-14 • Nagano - Matsumoto Castle

  Drive through the Japanese Alps to Nagano where you’ll see the snow monkeys bathing in hot springs. The next day, visit the 16th-century Matsumoto Castle and head to a miso house to learn about this famous Japanese seasoning.

• Day 15 • Mount Fuji

  Ascend 2,400 metres to Fuji’s 5th station. Enjoy a peaceful cruise on Lake Ashi and ride the Komagatake Ropeway for magnificent views of Mount Fuji.

• Day 16-17 • Tokyo

  Spend two days soaking up Tokyo’s main sights, including Sensoji Temple and Shibuya Crossing, and enjoy a sushi making class. End with a dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.

• Day 18 • Sendai

  Take the bullet train to Sendai to visit the Nikka Whisky Factory and enjoy a scenic cruise on Matsumoto Bay.

• Day 19 • Hakodate

  Ride the bullet train to Hakodate and visit the star shaped fortress, Goryokaku Tower, before riding the ropeway to see the city from above.

• Day 20-21 • Sapporo - UK

  Your final bullet train takes you to Sapporo where you’ll visit the Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoy a farewell dinner. The next day you’ll fly home to the UK.