17 day Best of Japan by Rail including return international flights, accommodation, breakfast daily and more!
Please note: This is a self-guided (independent) tour
Experience Japan’s mesmerising beauty with the flexibility of doing it in your own style on this self-guided rail package!
During this 17 day Best of Japan by Rail tour package, you’ll get to experience a ride on the famous Shinkansen bullet train, explore Kanazawa‘s ancient heritage and see gassho-zukuri farmhouses in Shirakawago.
Find some traditional, local cuisine as you wander Osaka, Japan’s second largest metropolitan area, visit the stunning local deer at Nara Park, admire breath-taking temples in Kyoto, be awed by the powerhouse that is Tokyo and so much more!
Your package include return international flights, accommodation, breakfast daily and more.
See Inclusions for more.
Day 1: Australia – 
– Tokyo
Depart Australia today on your overnight flight to Tokyo.
Please note: Some flights may depart 1 day later
Day 2: Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection. Then make your own way to your hotel.
Please note: You have been provided with a 14 day JR Rail Pass. Please do not activate your rail pass this day.
Tokyo, Japan’s bustling capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neonlit skyscrapers and anime shops to cherry trees and temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding forests. The Imperial Palace sits amid sprawling public gardens. The city is famed for its vibrant food scene, and its Shibuya and Harajuku districts are the heart of its trendy teen fashion scene.
Day 3: Tokyo (B)
Today, you’ll need to activate your JR Rail Pass voucher. This can be done at any major train station at the JR Office. JR staff speak good English and make the whole process easy and understandable.
Today is free at leisure to enjoy Tokyo.
Day 4: Tokyo – 
– Nagano (B)
This morning board the Shinkansen Bullet Train for Nagano to arrive by 8:30am.
On arrival, make your own way to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 5: Nagano –– Kanazawa (B)
When ready, head back to Nagano JR station to board the bullet train to the Kanazawa. On arrival, make your way to your hotel before enjoying the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Kanazawa known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts. Kenrokuen Garden, begun in the 17th century, is celebrated for its classic landscape designs incorporating ponds and streams and home to one of Japan’s best preserved feudal gardens.
Day 6: Kanazawa – Takayama (B)
Enjoy the morning free at leisure to explore Kanazawa.
In the afternoon, take a bullet train to Takayama. Takayama is a city in Japan’s mountainous Gifu Prefecture. The narrow streets of its Sanmachi Suji historic district are lined with wooden merchants’ houses dating to the Edo Period.
Day 7: Takayama (B)
Today, enjoy the day exploring the historic city of Takayama.
Day 8: Takayama –– Nagoya (B)
Today board the bullet train to the southern city of Nagoya. On arrival, the day is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.
Nagoya developed as the castle town of the Owari, one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family during the Edo Period. Much of the city, including most of its historic buildings, were destroyed in the air raids of 1945. The Toyota Motor Corporation maintains its headquarters just outside of Nagoya.
Day 9: Nagoya – Osaka (B)
Today there is free time before boarding the bullet train for the short trip to Osaka.
Osaka is Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan’s capital city, the first one ever known.
Day 10: Osaka (B)
Today you are free to explore Osaka.
Osaka is Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan’s capital city, the first one ever known.
Day 11: Osaka – – Nara – – Kyoto (B)
After breakfast, board the Rapid Express Train from Shin-Osaka to Nara.
Upon arrival at Nara. It is a short walk to the main attractions. We recommend visiting the Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most famous temples. On your return to the station, wander back through Nara Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara’s nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city.
Board the train for Kyoto! Kyoto attracts millions of visitors every year and it’s no wonder. With over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens, who wouldn’t want to visit? You might be luck enough to spot a Geisha in the old district.
Day 12: Kyoto (B)
Today is a full day to explore Kyoto at your own pace.
Day 13: Kyoto –– Mt Fuji Area (B)
When ready, head back to Kyoto JR station to board the bullet train to the Mt Fuji region. On arrival, make your way to your traditional Japanese hotel before enjoying the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Day 14: Mt Fuji Area (B)
Today, board the bullet train towards Hakone. Tonight you are staying in the town of Mt Fuji area which gives you close access to the Mt Fuji area. On arrival into Mt Fuji area, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 15: Mt Fuji Area –– Tokyo (B)
Today make the train trip to Tokyo, Japan’s mega city! Tokyo, Japan’s bustling capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neonlit skyscrapers and anime shops to cherry trees and temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding forests. The Imperial Palace sits amid sprawling public gardens. The city is famed for its vibrant food scene, and its Shibuya and Harajuku districts are the heart of its trendy teen fashion scene.
Day 16: Tokyo – – Australia (B)
Today there is free time before transferring yourself to the airport to board your homeward flight. Tokyo is serviced by two airports, Narita and Haneda, both are accessible using your JR Rail Pass.
Day 17: Australia
Arrive home today
Please note: This is a self-guided (independent) tour
Highlights:
How to book:
Deposit Information:
Excludes: Travel insurance, Visas, Personal expenses, Anything not mentioned or “optional” in the itinerary.
Please note: This is a self-guided (independent) tour. No escorted guide is included.
Single Supplement:
$1,400 per person in addition to the twin share voucher.
Payable direct to our Travel Partner at the time of booking
Triple Share: Not available
Group Sizes: 1-2
Please note: For airport transfers you may be grouped with other travellers
Accommodation:
Tokyo: Hotel Hokke Club Asakusa or similar
Nagano: Hotel Sun Route Nagano or similar
Kanazawa: Kanazawa mystays Hotel Castle or similar
Takayama: Takyama City Four seasons or similar
Nagoya: Nagoya Ekimae Monblanc Hotel or similar
Osaka: Hotel Yutaka Wing or similar
Kyoto: Shinhankyu Hotel Kyoto or similar
My Fuji Area: Atami Yumeiroha or similar
Please note: Unlike western hotels, Japanese rooms can be small in size, only offer twin bedding or have limited in-room facilities like tea & coffee or satellite TV.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that all customers purchase Travel Insurance as soon as they make a purchase on our website. Help cover yourself for the unexpected with Webjet Travel Insurance, we highly recommend it. Click here for a quote.
Visas: Visas are not included. It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they meet the visa requirements for the country they are visiting. Webjet Exclusives is unable to provide visa advice.
For Visa assistance, please visit Webjet’s Travel Visa Service page
Any deposits paid at the time of purchase are non-refundable.
$100 spending money offer valid for any Webjet Exclusives tour or resort booking made at www.exclusives.webjet.com.au. Eligible bookings will receive a unique account application link from Webjet Exclusives via email within 72 hours of making a booking. Any HSBC Everyday Global Account applications not made via this link or if the booking is cancelled, the offer will not be fulfilled/paid. One (1) offer will be paid per booking. The offer is a 100 AUD deposit into the newly opened HSBC Everyday Global Accounts and the activated Visa Debit card. The offer may take up to 6 weeks to be fulfilled/paid. Webjet Exclusives reserves the right to withdraw this promotion at any time. The email address entered at the time of booking will be used as the primary contact. Webjet Exclusives’ standard booking terms and conditions apply. For more information go to www.hsbc.com.au/accounts/offers/everyday-global/webjet/
2019:
6 May 2019
13 May 2019
20 May 2019
27 May 2019
3 June 2019
10 June 2019
17 June 2019
24 June 2019
1 July 2019*
8 July 2019*
15 July 2019*
22 July 2019
29 July 2019
5 August 2019
12 August 2019
19 August 2019
26 August 2019
2 September 2019
9 September 2019
16 September 2019
23 September 2019*
7 October 2019*
14 October 2019*
21 October 2019*
28 October 2019
4 November 2019
11 November 2019
18 November 2019
* $600 per person surcharge applies
** $1200 per person surcharge applies
Payable direct at the time of booking
Bookings not accepted when within 45 days of departure
Surcharges may apply to some dates, please see the availability calendar for more details
Availability on Departure Dates listed in Fine Print is subject to change. True availability is shown on the availability calendar after clicking on the BOOK NOW button
Airline:
Flights:
Schedule Changes:
Flight Variations:
If you wish to modify the promotional airfare included in your Webjet Exclusives package, the following Flight Variations can be requested:
A $250 per person “breakaway” charge will apply per person plus any applicable fare and tax difference.
In order to obtain a quote for your requested variations, you must purchase your vouchers first and submit your request via the online booking form. On this form will be a section highlighted “Flight Quote Request”. You must complete the mandatory information in this section to be provided with an accurate quote.
PLEASE NOTE: No flight requests/quotes/upgrades will be actioned until your final payment has been made. After this you will be contacted in relation to your request. Payment of the breakaway fee and any applicable fare and tax difference must be paid at time of quotation in order to confirm your flights.
If choosing to deviate from the travel itinerary, please note that airport transfers will NOT be included and you must arrange any additional accommodation and transfers at your own expense. Our travel partner can assist in these additional arrangements.
Flights are booked in departure date order and we endeavour to send you this information 30 days before departure, if not sooner.
Once flights have been confirmed and ticketed, any voluntary changes made thereafter will incur a change fee plus any fare and tax difference.
Great trip! All the sites for an affordable price
We had the best time. Everything went according to plan.
Holiday was fantastic and we would have no hesitation in using Webjet again
