This tour is ideal for travellers who want the perfect balance between expertly guided experiences and the freedom to explore selected cities at their own pace. It combines Japan's iconic cultural highlights with immersive local experiences and regular leisure time, making it particularly suited to those who prefer a slower pace. Discover key destinations including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima, alongside natural highlights such as Mount Fuji, Iya Gorge and Nikko, while enjoying the flexibility to uncover your own favourite neighbourhoods, cafés and hidden gems.
Our Japan Explorer tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Explore historic Edo-period streets in Kurashiki
Visit one of Japan’s oldest onsen Dogo Onsen
Enjoy a scenic boat cruise on IYA Gorge
Free time to enjoy streets of Kyoto.
Experience the perfect display of Japanese culture as you witness the preparation and performance involved in the 'Way of Tea', a traditional tea ceremony.
Fly overnight to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka! Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to start soaking up the local culture.
Head to the old capital of Nara, visit Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha of Nara and the bowing deer’s who are the messengers of the Japanese gods. Proceed back to Osaka for lunch and take an Osaka central walking cultural tour to glimpse the lifestyle of the Osaka people.
Enjoy a relaxing day at leisure in the dynamic city of Osaka. Whether you choose to revisit favourite sights from your cultural walking tour or venture out to discover new corners of the city, there is plenty to see and experience. From bustling shopping districts to historic landmarks and delicious local cuisine.
Begin the day with a tasting of the world-renowned Kikumasamune sake. Then journey to Himeji to enjoy a delicious local lunch before visiting the iconic Himeji Castle, Japan's finest surviving feudal castle. Continue to the picturesque city of Kurashiki, where you'll wander through beautifully preserved samurai and merchant quarters dating back to the Edo period. End the day with a relaxing dinner at your hotel in Takamatsu.
Experience the beauty of Ritsurin Garden, a masterpiece perfected over 185 years, featuring six tranquil ponds set against a stunning mountain backdrop. Journey into the remote Iya Gorge to admire its dramatic scenery, cross the iconic vine bridge, and enjoy a scenic boat cruise through the gorge. Then unwind at historic Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts, before continuing to Matsuyama for an overnight stay.
Begin your day with a visit to Iwaya Temple, one of the sacred temples on the renowned Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Continue to Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan's twelve original surviving castles, where you can admire its rich history and panoramic views. Next, travel along the spectacular Shimanami Kaido, a scenic route spanning the Seto Inland Sea. Enjoy a refreshing open-sea boat cruise while taking in the breathtaking coastal scenery before continuing your journey to Hiroshima.
Start the day with a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, gaining insight into Japan’s perspective on this significant chapter of history. After lunch in central Hiroshima, continue to the sacred island of Miyajima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its iconic giant torii gate, which appears to float gracefully on the water.
Travel to Kyoto aboard Japan’s famous bullet train and enjoy a traditional hotpot lunch upon arrival. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Japan’s ancient capital with a tea ceremony at a traditional tea house, followed by a visit to the iconic Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Later, enjoy free time exploring the historic streets of Gion, where you may catch a glimpse of a maiko or geisha amidst the district’s timeless charm.
Enjoy a day at leisure in Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, with time to explore its serene temples, tranquil gardens, and historic neighbourhoods at your own pace. Alternatively, take advantage of Kyoto’s close proximity to Osaka and set out on an independent day trip for shopping and city exploration.
Continue your Kyoto journey with visits to Tenryu-ji Temple and the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where soaring bamboo creates a serene natural sanctuary. Proceed to Ryoan-ji Temple, famed for its Zen rock garden, before visiting the magnificent Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a UNESCO World Heritage Site shimmering in gold. Enjoy a local Kyoto-style lunch before boarding the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train and continuing to the Mt Fuji region for your next stage of discovery.
Explore the eastern side of Mount Fuji with a visit to the serene springs of Oshino Hakkai. Depending on conditions, either ascend to the 5th Station of Mount Fuji for panoramic alpine views, or travel to Iyashi no Sato Nenba to experience a beautifully restored traditional village set against the mountain backdrop. Continue to a striking kimono display museum before proceeding to Tokyo for the next stage of your journey.
Based in the Nikko Sanzan, the sacred three mountains of Nikko, visit the ornate mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Enjoy a local yuba-based lunch before continuing to “Little Edo,” the historic town of Kanuma or surrounding Edo-style district, where beautifully preserved warehouse streets and traditional festival floats evoke Japan’s rich heritage.
Enjoy an immersive sumo experience, including a morning training session if available, or an alternative sumo demonstration. Later, visit the iconic Shibuya Crossing, where you can take in the energy of one of the world’s busiest intersections. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Tokyo at your own pace. Conclude the day with a dinner cruise.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, arriving home the same or following day.
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and exclusive benefits including a single room throughout your tour, complimentary return airport transfers (within 50km radius of major Australian airports) and a cocktail on arrival at your destination. Travellers from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne also receive a complimentary Australian airport lounge pass for use prior to departure.
I always treat my tour groups like a family, making sure that everyone is happy throughout the tour. I am very passionate about Japanese history. If anyone is interested in learning about Samurai or the Meiji Restoration, you'll have to come to Japan and ask me!
A special thank you to Yoko our National Escort, whose friendly, professional and organised approach to the holiday made sure everything ran smoothly and made the trip to Japan so memorable.Mr Degville
It is great being able to explore my own country with different people who can offer a different perspective. I ensure my groups experience our culture as much as possible, because travel isn't just about the things that you see, it's also about the things you do.
Our National Escort Takako Kaneko made the holiday. She was excellent, informative, hardworking and had obviously researched information for us.Mr Mcintosh
I love sharing the culture of my country with visitors, that's why I become a tour guide! From noodles and sake to classical gardens and temples, learning about our culture is surely the best way to understand more about Japan as a whole.
Our National Escort Michiyo 'made' this holiday with her charm, knowledge, lots of interesting details and her send of humour.Mrs Brownridge
It's such a pleasure to introduce Japan to people from all over the world and explore its culture, history and traditions, as well as its unique cuisine. Along with this, I enjoy taking care of each and every member of the tour group, which is why I love being a tour guide.
Michiyo was fantastic and went out of her way to make it a memorable experience. We would absolutely use Wendy Wu Tours again.
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All of our tours offer a single room supplement, which means you’ll have a room to yourself throughout your chosen tour. Continue the check-out process for the applicable supplement.
On most tours, you can choose our 'Happy to Share' option, which may enable you to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance.
If you are booking on a Dedicated Solo departure, a single room is already included in the price and there are no additional single supplements to pay.
With our flight inclusive option, we'll do the planning for you and meet you on arrival.
We include airport pickup upon arrival at your destination and drop off at the end of your tour (on the scheduled tour arrival and departure days) and when booking pre or post tour accommodation with us.
We partner with established and reputable airlines for your international flights.
We can assist with upgrading your seat to premium or business class for an additional cost.
Our team will work with you to choose your ideal routing and if we make changes to your tour itinerary that impact flights, we’ll rebook them for you.
Our On-Tour Support Team is available to provide advice about how to handle flight changes.
