13-day Budget Japan Tour
13-day Budget Japan Tour
13-day Budget Japan Tour
13 Days Starting and ending in Tokyo
Visiting: Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Hiroshima, Itsukushima, Osaka
Tour operator:
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 18
Age range:
18-60
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Every day on our epic 2 week budget Japan tour you’ll see a different side to this fascinating country. The daily contrast makes travelling here completely unique and – if done the right way – very ‘doable’ on a budget. Travel with us through major regions, top destinations, epic sites and off-the-beaten-track to discover countless hidden gems. Pack in all of Japan’s highlights in to two weeks at an affordable price. Travel by high speed bullet train, sleep in dorm rooms in hostels, sing your heart out at karaoke bars, stock up on sushi and sake, visit Tokyo’s quirky cafes and immerse yourself in Japanese culture. This is a trip for the young and the young at heart to really get under the skin of Japan.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Day
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hostel
On the first day of your budget Japan tour, you will meet your Adventure Leader in the lobby of the Tokyo hostel in the morning, and drop off your luggage, have a briefing, discuss the itinerary and get to know your fellow travellers.
After your briefing you will head to the Asakusa District and visit the Sensō-Ji temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.
At lunchtime, you will feast on the freshest sashimi you’ve ever eaten! This will take place at Tokyo’s iconic Tsukiji Outer Market, where you’ll also be amazed by the variety of fish on offer and catch a glimpse of the famous blue-fin tuna. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry, your Adventure Leader will let you know where you can grab a bite to eat.
After lunch, you will soak up incredible views from the top of Metropolitan Government Building and then take part in some optional activities – either experience one of Japan’s national obsessions (baseball, at a local batting cage) or kick back and relax with a drink or bathe with the locals at a nearby bathhouse.
Day 2 : Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hostel
In the morning, you’ll discover the Japanese art of sushi-making with an unforgettable lesson from a sushi chef, and then sample your creations for lunch!
Later, you will visit Akihabara, Japan’s ‘electric town’ and hub of Anime, which is also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48. You will find venues specialising in manga and games such as the Tokyo Anime Center. Here, you can take part in an optional ‘Made in Tokyo’ experience at one of the Akihabara’s maid cafes.
If you’re up for something fun and different, you’ll also have the option to bring your favourite video game to life with Street Kart! This activity allows you to choose a costume such as Mario or Luigi and race down the streets of Tokyo! (Please note: to participate, you must secure an international drivers permit valid in Japan before the start of the trip).
In the evening, you can head to Golden Gai and experience Japanese nightlife!
Day 3 : Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hostel
Start the morning with a trip to the unmissable Tokyo Imperial Palace – an abundance of gardens and galleries, with guided tours and castle ruins. Surrounding the home of the Emperor, the grounds are perfectly maintained and are a top attraction for visitors to the capital. Here, you’ll learn more about why Japan’s Imperial Family is so unique.
It’s another afternoon of traditional-modern contrast in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. Your first stop will be Harajuku, which is Tokyo’s fashion district, you will encounter punks, goths, technicolour hair – anything goes in Harajuku. Take in the industrial vibes and if you want, grab some hair dye and get involved!
After this, you will make your way to Shibuya to visit the Meiji Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.
Then, you’ll head to the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and iconic landmark, Shibuya Crossing. This is where you will find the Hachiko Statue. After, why not stop by the Cat Café MoCHA to make some furry friends while enjoying a cup of tea and slice of cake?
If you want to experience some more nightlife, you can explore the streets of Roppongi. If not, you can have a relaxing evening at the hostel.
Day 4 : Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hostel
First thing in the morning, you will head to Ryōgoku to discover Tokyo’s fascinating history at Edo-Tokyo Museum.
In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to learn the ancient art of Samurai and have a chance to see a live sword demonstration in Tokyo’s Samurai Museum. The Samurai Museum not only exhibits samurai swords, armor and guns, but also allows visitors to join in by trying on samurai outfits and having a go at the sport themselves!
Day 5 : Kamakura
Location: Kamakura, Tokyo
Accommodation: Hostel
Off to a new destination: Kamakura! After brunch in Tokyo, it’s time to say goodbye to the modern capital and hop on a train to Japan’s medieval center. Kamakura is a seaside Japanese city south of Tokyo. As the political centre of medieval Japan, today, Kamakura is a resort town with many Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines.
Upon arrival you have the option to rent a surfboard and head to the beach, as the hostel is moments away from the coast, or you can make the most of this opportunity to sunbathe. There are beachside bars where you can relax, enjoy a drink, and watch the sunset later on.
Later on, you will explore some of the town’s many ancient shrines, and then hike over to Kotoku-in Temple to marvel at the Great Buddha statue, which stands at nearly 45ft tall, even after a tsunami, and is made of solid bronze! Afterwards, you will travel to Enoshima, a small offshore island where you can spend some time exploring the temples or you can kick back in one of the many beach front bars and watch the sun go down.
Day 6 : Hakone
Location: Hakone
Say goodbye to Kamakura as you hop on a series of trains and buses to Hakone station. When you arrive you will hike along the Old Tokaido and enjoy lunch near Moto-Hakone. Hakone used to be a checkpoint to control traffic along the Tokaido, the highway which linked Tokyo with Kyoto during the feudal Edo Period. Today, a passage of the old Tokaido is located along the shore of Lake Ashi.
Later, you will climb aboard a sightseeing cruise with a twist – it’s a pirate ship! From the deck of this ship, you’ll cross the Lake Ashi’s clear blue waters and, on a cloudless day, get an unforgettable view of the famous Mount Fuji.
You’ll take the Hakone Ropeway for a great cable car journey that drops you at Owakudani, an active volcanic zone where you can try black eggs – a local delicacy coloured by the sulphuric water they’re boiled in.
Spend the evening soaking in the sulphuric water of a traditional Japanese outdoor bath, called an ‘Onsen’. (Please note: those with tattoos may not be able to enter an ‘onsen’ in Japan as tattoos are associated with gang culture)
Change into your kimono after a long hot bath ready to learn about the art of Japanese rice wine during a Sake tasting session! You’ll listen to an introduction about how sake is made, the different varieties and top it off with tasting opportunities to truly understand the art.
Day 7 : Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hostel
Next, you’re off to Kyoto via bullet train. You’ll zoom across the country, covering around 273 miles in two hours, leaving plenty of time to experience Kyoto later in the day and evening.
In the afternoon, wander the hillside streets to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which leads into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
In the evening you will have the option to attend a live geisha performance, which also features a tea ceremony, puppet show, traditional music and more. For something quintessentially Kyoto, you can also wander through Pontocho alley, full of lanterns and intimate wood-panelled restaurants – quietly sip on sake and look out for geishas wandering past!
Day 8 : Kyoto
Location: Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Accommodation: Hostel
You’ll start the day with a two-hour boat trip down the Hozugawa River. In a traditional wooden raft, driven by guides, you’ll cruise through rocky ravines and experience the rush of rapids as you meander through the Arashiyama Hills. Later, you’ll head across to the Arashiyama Monkey Park. It’s a tough climb up, but at the top, you can feed monkeys or simply enjoy the panorama of Kyoto below.
After, you’ll visit the Tenryu-Ji Temple, one of the most important Zen temples. With this, you’ll walk around the temple’s gardens, that were designed in the 14th century and are a real show-stopper. Finally, you’ll hike through Arashiyama’s famous Bamboo Forest.
End the afternoon with a Japanese calligraphy lesson lesson from a master.
In the evening, let your hair down and enjoy some Japanese karaoke with the rest of your group!
Day 9 : Kyoto - Free Day
Location: Kyoto
Take a breather and relax your vocal cords after the previous night’s exertions – you have a free day to enjoy!
If you feel you have the energy, we would suggest taking a look at the majestic temples that adorn the Philosopher’s path. Alternatively, you could check out the International Manga Museum.
Day 10 : Travel To Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima, Kyoto
Accommodation: Hostel
Today you will cycle around Kyoto like a local! First, you’ll ride over to a Zen temple where you can discover your inner peace with meditation led by a Buddhist monk.
Continuing your Kyoto adventure, admire an iconic image of Kyoto: The Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-Ji. Walk around the mirror pond and prepare to be mesmerised by the shimmering golden reflection of the pavilion on the water.
After lunch, jump on your bike and cycle around to the Imperial Palace, before bidding farewell to this magical city. In the afternoon, you’ll take another bullet train and venture further west for Hiroshima.
Day 11 : Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima, Itsukushima
Accommodation: Hostel
Hiroshima, a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island, was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. Here, you will find out how this city came to suffer the consequences of the world’s first atomic bomb, but you will also learn that Hiroshima is now the standard bearer for a peaceful and nuclear-free world.
After a train ride and a short ferry trip to Miyajima Island, you’ll reach the Itsukushima shrine. To avoid angering the gods on the island, the main temple buildings were built on stilts on the shores of the island. Just offshore, you will see an enormous torii gate standing in the sea. At low tide, you can walk across the sand to take a closer look.
Make your way back to the hostel and enjoy a free evening to relax.
Day 12 : Osaka
Location: Osaka
Accommodation: Hostel
Today, another bullet train will take you to Osaka – you’ll arrive in time for lunch in the Shinsaibashi area.
After enjoying your typically Japanese lunch of yakitori, ramen, sushi or whatever takes your fancy, it’s a short subway ride to the Osaka Castle. The castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks as it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century. Take a stroll around the castle that rises above the moat, and don’t forget to check out the 9-level dungeon.
Time for a free afternoon! You can choose to explore more of Osaka on your own, have the ultimate Japanese shopping experience in Shinsaibashi or have a rest.
Your evening you will start the night off by playing off to become The Dragon Trip Arcade Challenge Champion, or eat, drink, game and enjoy the endless Dotonbori and Namba night scenes.
Tonight, you will sleep at a capsule hotel – small, private and quintessentially Japanese.
Day 13 : Departure Day
Location: Tokyo, Osaka
Say goodbye to your fellow Dragons over brunch in Osaka before catching your final bullet train back to Tokyo – where you’ll arrive at 4.30pm.
What's Included
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Accommodation
including hostels, guesthouses, capsule hostels & 1 night in a traditional Ryokan
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
including a 7-day Japan Rail pass
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Fully Guided
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for included activities
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
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Local Taxes
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Train Tickets
Including a 7-day rail pass
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Included activities. such as
Sushi-making class (Tokyo), Cycling city tour (Kyoto), Daisen-in Temple: Meditation class(Kyoto) etc.
What's Not Included
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Country Entry Visas
They’re are available upon arrival for over 60 countries including the UK, US, Canada Australia and EU countries.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Detailed information will be provided pre-departure
Optional Extras
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Calligraphy Class
Learn about the history of the Japanese art of calligraphy whilst mastering how to write your name. This short class allows you to take home an authentic, personalised souvenir for you to hang on your wall.
Check out our Q&As
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes.
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Company Instant Book
Yes, if you book at least 60 days before
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No, most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Japan.
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Do I need any special vaccinations for Japan?
No vaccinations are required to enter Japan. Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
All entrance fees for included activities are included in the tour price.
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What travel insurance do I need to join the tour?
We require all our customers to have backpackers travel insurance when coming on the trip. We recommend purchasing a travel insurance that offers ‘Bad Weather or Natural Disaster Coverage’. Please bring details of your travel insurance along with you. In the event of an accident, we may need to contact your insurance company on your behalf, so we will need the insurance company’s name and phone n
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What currencies are required for this tour?
JPY.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes, The Dragon Trip in an international travel company and we have trippers from all over the world.
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I’m a vegetarian/have allergies – will I be able to get the right food?
Yes! With so many food choices, Japan can meet the needs of individuals with special dietary needs or requests. Just tell your Adventure Leader and they can help you find something suitable. You will probably discover a new dish that you love!
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, these can be booked on request (with extra charge).
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No, this is a backpacking tour for young adults.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes, more details will be provided pre-departure.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to book your own international flights.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low -
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, they are locals who speak fluent English and have guided our trips with experience.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, but details will be provided before tour starts.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Japan. If you do need a visa for any reason, do let us know. You may have to pay additional fees for your Japan Rail Pass.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
We recommend to have one small luggage for our tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Majority of our clients are solo travellers and our prices are based on sharing in dorm style rooms. We do offer single room upgrades for those who do not wish to share a room.
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Can you guarantee same-sex dorm rooms?
We always strive to ensure the highest level of comfort and convenience for our valued clients during their travels with us. However, for our tours in Asia, we cannot guarantee same-sex dorm rooms in the hostels we use, particularly during high season, such as the cherry blossom season in Japan. Please rest assured that we do our utmost to accommodate our clients' preferences wherever possible. However, the availability of same-sex dorm rooms ultimately depends on the policies of the hostels we work with. In some cases, different genders may be allocated to the same room due to limited availability.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Please speak to our sales team as soon as possible to see how we can help.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All our accommodation is check regularly to make sure it's a safe and clean environment.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
We are not perfect but we aim to be, that is why year on year we aim to increase the proportion of local businesses we work with as well as reduce the average carbon footprint of all of our group tour adventures. We do this by measuring our performance and making small but positive changes to how we operate.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive a booking pack with all the pick up times, accommodation and activities included.
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Who should I contact in the event of an emergency on tour?
Depending upon where you are travelling, the following emergency contact numbers are available for The Dragon Trip: China: +86 21 2206 4018 Japan: +81 50 1742 2696 South Korea (can only be used in Korea): 00308 491 0186 Singapore: +65 3158 0233 Southeast Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka: +84 284 458 1410
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Dragon Trip has been trading since March 2011
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, although you will have to make your own way to where the group is heading to out of your own expense.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are aimed at fun, out-going and open minded individuals. We typically get people aged between 18 to 55 travelling on our trips. Feel free to contact us to see the ages of the people who are booked already. Some of our trips have an upper age limit because of the pace of the tour, style of accommodation and the average age of the group - please do not be offended if we check your age and perhaps recommend a different itinerary. Our premium trips are suitable for most.
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Terms and Conditions