Tokyo to Osaka: Neon-lit Cities & Tranquil Countryside

This seven-night escorted tour by G Adventures covers a thoughtful route through Japan’s cities and countryside. Starting in Tokyo, there’s a free morning before visiting Meiji Shrine and Harajuku, followed by a bullet train ride to Kanazawa with its preserved Edo-period streets and Kenroku-en Garden. The journey continues past the floating torii gate on Miyajima Island, a striking sight where the shrine gate appears to rise from the sea.

Hiroshima offers time to visit the Peace Park and Museum, a sobering stop often marked by quiet reflection. The tour then heads to Osaka, known for its street food and the energetic Dotonbori area. The rural highlight is a night spent in a farmhouse with local hosts, revealing a side of Japan less touched by tourism. Packing light and walking steadily are essential, as the well-regarded public transport and busy stations reward those prepared to carry their own luggage.

The group dynamic is intimate, limited to around a dozen travellers with a Chief Experience Officer to guide logistics and local insights. Meals are mostly flexible, allowing sampling of regional dishes at will rather than set group menus, which suits travellers keen to tailor their own eating adventures.

These are the places the trip visits, in order. G Adventures publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.