The Cooler Side of Japan: Alps, Ancient Trails & Luxury Onsen

Recommended by 97% of travelers

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Tokyo-Takayama-Kyoto-Osaka

The Cooler Side of Japan: Alps, Ancient Trails & Luxury Onsen

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10 Days 9 Nights

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Max People: 26 pax

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All hotels included

This group tour operates from 10 guests. Options operate from 8 guests.

At least one reachable phone number is required for each participating group.

If you would like to book more than one optional tours, please contact us.

Cancellation Conditions：Free cancellation ≥ 14 days; 30% charge for 7–13 days; 50% charge for 3–6 days; 100% charge ≤ 3 days.

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary Details

Important Information

Overview

【Early Bird Special】Save $200 — Now $2,699 !!

(Regular Price $2,899, offer ends May 31st)

Skip the typical tourist route and discover a deeper side of Japan.
This 10-day small-group journey takes you from Tokyo to Osaka through the Japanese Alps, historic post towns, and cultural capitals — combining iconic highlights with places most travelers never reach.

✔ Walk the ancient Nakasendo Trail (Magome → Tsumago)
✔ Visit UNESCO Shirakawa-go village
✔ Stay in a traditional onsen hotel (hot spring experience)
✔ Explore Kyoto, Nara & Osaka with expert guidance
✔ Travel stress-free with private transport & English-speaking guide

From Tokyo’s modern energy to the peaceful mountains of the Japanese Alps,
from samurai-era castles to Kyoto’s timeless temples — every day brings a new perspective of Japan.
Optional experiences like Mt. Fuji and Mt. Koya allow you to personalize your journey.

Perfect for first-time visitors who want more than just sightseeing.

✔ Small group experience
✔ Carefully designed route
✔ No planning stress — just enjoy Japan

Secure your spot now — limited availability for Summer 2026！

Our highlights are

Key highlights

Comfortable charter coach with professional guide – Enjoy a seamless journey with dedicated transportation and an experienced guide throughout the tour.

Optional Mt. Fuji experience – Choose to explore Japan's most iconic mountain or enjoy free time in Tokyo.

Japanese Alps & historic towns – Visit Matsumoto Castle, Takayama, and the UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go village.

Cultural highlights & Heritage experience – Immerse in rich culture in Kyoto and glorious heritage in Nara.

Optional gourmet and culture experience – Enhance your journey with unique add-ons such as Kobe beef dinner or Mt. Koya day trip.

What's Included

English-speaking guide

Charter coach

Accommodation (Breakfast included)

Admissions of listed sightseeing places

Day 3 Dinner at Onsen hotel

Day 5 Dinner in Kyoto

Any unspecified meals

Any personal expenses, insurance, or tips

Itinerary Details

Day 1　08.18

Arrive in Tokyo

SHIBUYA EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU or similar

【Optional ①】 Airport Transfer In- $45/person

Arrive in Tokyo, transfer to Tokyo hotel on your own. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city independently.

【Option】Airport transfer service is not included in this package and is available for additional purchase, $45/person

Hotel: SHIBUYA EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU, 1-12-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043, TEL: 81-3-5457-0109

Day 2　08.19

【Option Mount Fuji Day trip】 or Tokyo Free time

SHIBUYA EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU or similar

【Optional ②】 Mt. Fuji Day tour - $160/person

Join the optional Mount Fuji Day Tour ($160/person) or enjoy your free day in Tokyo

<em>08:00</em> Depart from Tokyo hotel, heading to Lake Ashi (approx. 1.5 hours)

08:00 Depart from Tokyo hotel, heading to Lake Ashi (approx. 1.5 hours)

<em>09:30-10:30</em> Board Lake Ashi Pirate Cruise for the best shot of Mt. Fuji

09:30-10:30 Board Lake Ashi Pirate Cruise for the best shot of Mt. Fuji

<em>11:00-12:00</em> Enjoy【lunch】at the lakeshore along with the beautiful Mt. Fuji view

11:00-12:00 Enjoy【lunch】at the lakeshore along with the beautiful Mt. Fuji view

<em>12:30-15:30</em> Take Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani for its unique volcanic view

12:30-15:30 Take Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani for its unique volcanic view

<em>15:30-17:00</em> Drive back to Tokyo (approx. 1.5 hours)

15:30-17:00 Drive back to Tokyo (approx. 1.5 hours)

Hotel: SHIBUYA EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU, 1-12-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043, TEL: 81-3-5457-0109

【Option Mount Fuji Day trip】 or Tokyo Free time

Day 3　08.20

Matsumoto & Onsen Experience

Takayama Green Hotel or similar

English guide

Kaiseki dinner at hotel

<em>07:30</em> Depart from Tokyo hotel, heading to Matsumoto (approx. 3.5 hours)

07:30 Depart from Tokyo hotel, heading to Matsumoto (approx. 3.5 hours)

<em>11:00-12:30</em> Visit Matsumoto Castle famous for its white-black appearance

11:00-12:30 Visit Matsumoto Castle famous for its white-black appearance

<em>12:30-14:00</em> Enjoy lunch time and free time in Nawate shopping street

12:30-14:00 Enjoy lunch time and free time in Nawate shopping street

<em>14:30-17:00</em> Drive to Takayama, check-in at local onsen hotel and enjoy Kaiseki dinner featuring the local Hida beef

14:30-17:00 Drive to Takayama, check-in at local onsen hotel and enjoy Kaiseki dinner featuring the local Hida beef

Hotel: Takayama Green Hotel, 2-180 Nishinoisshikimachi, Takayama Gifu 506-0031, TEL: 81-577-33-5500

Day 4　08.21

Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Takayama Green Hotel or similar

English guide

<em>08:00</em> Depart from Takayama hotel, enjoy the morning as a local

08:00 Depart from Takayama hotel, enjoy the morning as a local

<em>08:00-09:30</em> Stroll through Miyakawa morning market, try local snacks and browse local handcraft

08:00-09:30 Stroll through Miyakawa morning market, try local snacks and browse local handcraft

<em>09:30-12:00</em> Walk around Takayama old town and immerse in the time-slip atmosphere

09:30-12:00 Walk around Takayama old town and immerse in the time-slip atmosphere

<em>12:00-13:00</em> Drive to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour)

12:00-13:00 Drive to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour)

<em>13:00-16:00</em> Immerse yourself in the fairy-tale like Shirakawa-go, being amazed by the intelligence from old times

13:00-16:00 Immerse yourself in the fairy-tale like Shirakawa-go, being amazed by the intelligence from old times

<em>16:00-17:00</em> Back to Takayama hotel (approx. 1 hour)

16:00-17:00 Back to Takayama hotel (approx. 1 hour)

Hotel: Takayama Green Hotel, 2-180 Nishinoisshikimachi, Takayama Gifu 506-0031, TEL: 81-577-33-5500

Day 5　08.22

Alps Route, way to Kyoto

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar

English guide

<em>08:00</em> Depart from Takayama hotel, heading to Magome-juku (approx. 2.5 hours)

08:00 Depart from Takayama hotel, heading to Magome-juku (approx. 2.5 hours)

<em>10:30-12:30</em> Stroll through the old town streets and learn about the old Alps route history; 【Lunch】 on your own

10:30-12:30 Stroll through the old town streets and learn about the old Alps route history; 【Lunch】 on your own

<em>12:30-13:00</em> Transfer to Tsumago-juku (approx. 30min)

12:30-13:00 Transfer to Tsumago-juku (approx. 30min)

<em>13:00-14:00</em> Walk around Tsumago-juku, another important stop on Alps route

13:00-14:00 Walk around Tsumago-juku, another important stop on Alps route

<em>14:00-18:00</em> Drive to Kyoto (approx. 4 hours)

14:00-18:00 Drive to Kyoto (approx. 4 hours)

<em>18:00-19:30</em> Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then check-in at the hotel

18:00-19:30 Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then check-in at the hotel

Hotel: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo, 17, Nishikujo-Inmachi Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8412, TEL: 81-75-661-7111

Day 6　08.23

Kyoto Heritage & Culture

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar

English guide

【Option ③】River Bed Dinner - $70/person

<em>09:00</em> Depart from Kyoto hotel, starting the Kyoto day tour

09:00 Depart from Kyoto hotel, starting the Kyoto day tour

<em>09:30-11:00</em> Visit the glowing Kinkaku-ji, as one of the UNESCO listed World Cultural Heritage Site

09:30-11:00 Visit the glowing Kinkaku-ji, as one of the UNESCO listed World Cultural Heritage Site

<em>11:00-14:00</em> Visit Arashiyama Area; walk through the bamboo path or try local snacks along the street

11:00-14:00 Visit Arashiyama Area; walk through the bamboo path or try local snacks along the street

<em>14:00-16:30</em> Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha; you must have seen the picture of its representative Thousands Torii

14:00-16:30 Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha; you must have seen the picture of its representative Thousands Torii

<em>17:30-19:00</em> Join the 【Option】River Bed (Kawadoko) Dinner or back to the hotel enjoying the night ($70/person)

17:30-19:00 Join the 【Option】River Bed (Kawadoko) Dinner or back to the hotel enjoying the night ($70/person)

Hotel: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo, 17, Nishikujo-Inmachi Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8412, TEL: 81-75-661-7111

Day 7　08.24

Heritage Nara

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar

English guide

【Option ④】Kobe Beef Dinner - $99/person

<em>09:00</em> Depart from Kyoto hotel, heading to Nara (approx. 1 hour)

09:00 Depart from Kyoto hotel, heading to Nara (approx. 1 hour)

<em>10:00-13:00</em> Visit Todai-ji learning about the Nara glorious history; get close with Nara deer by feeding them deer snack

10:00-13:00 Visit Todai-ji learning about the Nara glorious history; get close with Nara deer by feeding them deer snack

<em>13:00-14:00</em> Drive to Osaka and enjoy free afternonn shopping time in Osaka

13:00-14:00 Drive to Osaka and enjoy free afternonn shopping time in Osaka

<em>18:00-19:30</em>【Option】Kobe beef set menu ($99/person) at local restaurant or enjoy the night on your own

18:00-19:30【Option】Kobe beef set menu ($99/person) at local restaurant or enjoy the night on your own

Hotel: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka, 6-1-55, Uehommachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0001, TEL: 81-6-6733-1111

Day 8　08.25

Osaka Free time

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar

Enjoy your free day in Osaka! We recommend you either visit Universal Studio Japan or shop around Shinsabashi or Umeda

Hotel: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka, 6-1-55, Uehommachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0001, TEL: 81-6-6733-1111

Day 9　08.26

【Option Mount Koya Day trip】 or Osaka Free time

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar

【Option ⑤】Mount Koya Day tour or Free Day - $190/person

Join the optional Mount Koya Day Tour ($190/person) or enjoy your free day in Osaka

<em>08:00</em> Depart from Osaka hotel, heading to Mount Koya (approx. 2 hours)

08:00 Depart from Osaka hotel, heading to Mount Koya (approx. 2 hours)

<em>10:00-11:00</em> Stroll through Okunoin, admire Japan's largest and most mystical cemetery

10:00-11:00 Stroll through Okunoin, admire Japan's largest and most mystical cemetery

<em>11:00-12:00</em> 【Lunch】Shojin Ryori Lunch at local restaurant (A Zen vegan culinary)

11:00-12:00 【Lunch】Shojin Ryori Lunch at local restaurant (A Zen vegan culinary)

<em>12:00-14:30</em> Visit Danjo Garan, the temple complex of brilliant vermilion architecture

12:00-14:30 Visit Danjo Garan, the temple complex of brilliant vermilion architecture

<em>14:30-15:30</em> Sutra copying experience; a centuries-old way to calm the mind and focus the spirit

14:30-15:30 Sutra copying experience; a centuries-old way to calm the mind and focus the spirit

<em>15:30-18:30</em> Back to Osaka (approx. 3 hours)

15:30-18:30 Back to Osaka (approx. 3 hours)

Hotel: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka, 6-1-55, Uehommachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0001, TEL: 81-6-6733-1111

【Option Mount Koya Day trip】 or Osaka Free time

Day 10　08.27

Back Home Day

Public transportation to the airport on your own

Enjoy breakfast at hotel, and make the way to the airport on your own for your return flight

Important Information

Infants under 2 years old not requiring a bed stay free of charge. Only onsen facility fees apply. Meals are not included; guests are advised to bring their own or purchase separately.

Prices listed are per person based on double occupancy, surcharge will apply for solo travelers. Please select Single Supplement

Please be ready 10 minutes before pickup time. The vehicle cannot wait for late arrivals.

Traffic on weekends/holidays may affect timing. The itinerary order and stay time may be adjusted for safety and road conditions.

Child safety seat: required for children aged 6 and under (please bring your own or contact us for assistance).

Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase your own insurance in advance.

If the group does not meet minimum participants, the tour may be cancelled.

Kobe Beef Tasting Menu

Discover Japan golden route from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and also include the popular Takayama & Shirakawa-go. Infusion of both classics and popularity.

Go to order

The Cooler Side of Japan: Alps, Ancient Trails & Luxury Onsen

Price:

$2,699.00 $2,899.00

/ Person

Kobe Beef Tasting Menu

Discover Japan golden route from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and also include the popular Takayama & Shirakawa-go. Infusion of both classics and popularity.

Go to order

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FAQs

Q1. Are all tours guided by an English-speaking guide?

A: Not all.
At Japan Local Journeys, some tours are guided by professional English-speaking guides, while others are operated as driver-only private transfers.

Our driver-only tours are designed for travelers who prefer privacy and flexibility — you’ll have a private car and driver, while our operation team provides real-time English assistance via WhatsApp.
Please check each product page to see whether an English-speaking guide is included.

Q2. What is a “driver-only private tour”?

Q3. Can the driver speak English?

Q4. Can I add an English-speaking guide to a driver-only tour?

Q5. What type of travelers choose driver-only tours?

The Cooler Side of Japan: Alps, Ancient Trails & Luxury Onsen

Overview

【Early Bird Special】Save $200 — Now $2,699 !!

(Regular Price $2,899, offer ends May 31st)

Our highlights are

Itinerary Details

Important Information

Reviews

Customer Reviews

Popular Departures

Popular Products

FAQs