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A 12-day Japan small-group tour from India in spring — the snow walls of the Alpine Route, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto and Nara, cherry blossoms in Sapporo, Mt Fuji and Tokyo.
Twelve days across Japan in late April and early May, timed to follow the spring north. Ride the Shinkansen to Nagano and cross the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between towering walls of snow. Visit the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go and the old merchant streets of Takayama, then continue through Nagoya to Kyoto for Kiyomizu-dera, the torii gates of Fushimi Inari, a kimono and tea ceremony experience and an evening in Gion.
Fly north to Sapporo for Hokkaido's late cherry blossom, then return to the Mt Fuji lakes and the Izu Peninsula before ending in Tokyo with Senso-ji, teamLab and the view from Shibuya Sky. A small group, an unhurried pace and a ryokan stay with onsen along the way.
Arrive in Tokyo and board the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano — your first taste of Japan's famous rail network. Main luggage travels separately by coach. The evening is at leisure.
Overnight in Nagano. Meals: Dinner.
A full-day excursion on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, crossing the Northern Japan Alps by a series of buses, cable cars and ropeways — in spring famous for its towering corridors of snow.
Overnight in Nagano. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Visit Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO-listed village of thatched gassho-style farmhouses, on the way to Takayama. In the evening, explore Takayama's old town of wooden merchant houses and sake breweries.
Overnight in Takayama. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Travel to Nagoya for a day of sightseeing in one of Japan's great historic castle cities.
Overnight in Nagoya. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Continue to Kyoto. Visit Kiyomizu-dera, the hillside temple with its great wooden stage, and walk beneath the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. In Gion, enjoy a kimono experience with a geisha.
Overnight in Kyoto. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Meet the friendly deer of Nara Park, then return to Kyoto for a traditional tea ceremony experience and a stroll through Nishiki Market, "Kyoto's kitchen". The evening is free in atmospheric Pontocho Alley.
Overnight in Kyoto. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
An early start from Kyoto to Osaka for the flight north to Sapporo on Hokkaido, where the cherry blossom arrives later in spring. Sapporo city tour and sightseeing.
Overnight in Sapporo. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
A day to enjoy Sapporo and Hokkaido's cherry blossom season.
Overnight in Sapporo. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Morning flight to Tokyo and transfer to Lake Kawaguchiko for a tour of the Mt Fuji area. Tonight's stay is at a traditional ryokan with onsen.
Overnight at Lake Kawaguchiko. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Tour the coastal Izu Peninsula, then transfer to Tokyo. The evening is free for shopping, or join an optional sumo experience.
Overnight in Tokyo. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
A Tokyo city tour: Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple in Asakusa; the immersive digital art of teamLab; and the view over the famous Shibuya Crossing from Shibuya Sky.
Overnight in Tokyo. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast.
Easy to moderate. Expect a fair amount of walking in cities, temples and stations, including stairs, at a relaxed pace. The Alpine Route is travelled by bus, cable car and ropeway with short walks at each stop. Main luggage is sent ahead on some days, so pack a small overnight bag.
Late April – early May: 15–22°C by day in Tokyo and Kyoto, cooler in Nagano, Takayama and Sapporo. Cold and snowy on the Alpine Route — warm jacket, gloves and sunglasses essential. Light rain possible.
This departure follows spring north. By late April the blossom has passed in Tokyo and Kyoto but is arriving in Hokkaido, so Sapporo is timed for cherry blossom. Bloom dates vary each year with the weather, so no one can guarantee them.
Yes. Indian citizens need a Japanese tourist visa before travel. We prepare the itinerary letter and guide you through the documents after booking. Visa fees are included.
International airfare is not included. The price includes hotels and a ryokan stay with daily breakfast, dinners, the Shinkansen and transfers, sightseeing and experiences in the itinerary, the visa fee and travel insurance up to age 69. GST (5%) and TCS are extra.
Easy to moderate, at a relaxed pace. Japan involves more walking than most tours — temples, gardens and train stations with stairs. The Alpine Route is travelled by bus, cable car and ropeway.
Between 10 and 16 travellers.
Absolutely. We can try to match you with a same-gender room-share, or you can opt for a single room at a supplement.
Yes, for travellers up to age 69. If you are 70 or older, we help you arrange separate cover.
Yes. Japanese cooking often uses fish stock, so we brief our restaurants in advance and pre-arrange dinners for vegetarians.
Let’s work out the dates and details together.