One of Japan’s greatest attractions is its blend of the modern and the traditional. On this 12-day trip, you’ll veer off the main island of Honshu and travel to the less-touristed southwest. Discover revived art on the island of Naoshima, wander the castle in Matsuyama and spend a night in a tranquil homestay in the village of Usuki. Steam away your worries in the onsens in Beppu and be treated to a night in the volcanic Mt Aso, staying right in the middle of a caldera in a traditional Japanese inn surrounded by rice terraces. Remind yourself of the sobering history of Nagasaki and end it all back where it began – in thriving Osaka. This adventure is the ultimate combination of modern art, bullet trains, countryside villages, traditional inns, delicious feasts and onsens, surrounded by impressive views of rice terraces, volcano craters and grasslands. If you’re looking for a new side of Japan – head to the south!
Take your tastebuds on an 11-day culinary journey through Japan’s most delicious hotspots, relishing the flavours of the land of the rising sun. Uncover the secrets of sushi in Tokyo, pick local produce with an expert in Kanazawa, feast on plant-based monastic cuisine in Koya-san, meet local farmers in Uji and go on a food crawl in Osaka. Take part in cooking classes, cooking demonstrations and market visits, feasting on local delights along the way. From temples to tempura, shrines to sashimi, seafood markets to sake breweries, you’ll join a local leader on a food-focused adventure that has all the best Japanese ingredients.
I liked the itinerary very much. Our tour guide Jose was very knowledgeable about the sites we visited. I was not informed beforehand that this was a English and Spanish mixed language tour, Joses English was good but sometimes hard to understand. I also did not know that we would be having people added to our tour almost every day and some leaving almost every day. I enjoy tours more when you have a change to get to know who you are traveling with and with a mix of English and Spanish it felt like I was on my own and traveling with strangers.
The size of the group was great.. not too many. We found that 3 of the 4 hotels were good. The problem was the sites to see were so far from the parked buses and the weather was just too hot/humid. There should have been a little more downtime to relax and shop/explore. I thought the guides were good, especially Rey from Kyoto-Osaka. He spoke great English and was very informative.
It was nice to be in group with mixed origins. The itinerary was chalked out nicely. Pick ups and drop offs were punctual. Almost all guides were good, some excellent and a few so so. And Japan as such is a courteous country ??
The availability of Gluten free food should not be left to guides as it’s too late . If Europamundo takes initiatives snd inform all their vendors/hotels, the availability of GF meals and breaks
Fast will be more appropriate. Europamundo should not take Gluten allergy lightly as it’s too late serves customers from Europe, UK, Australia etc
Guides:
Special mention about your guides is important. Asoaka was very cordial, helping and courteous guide.
Ken was extraordinary. It is important for agency to know about Ken, he is full of praise ??other tourist can take benefit of Kens expertise and please pass it on to him as he himself should know feel that we tourist do appreciate GOLD.
Yes Ken is a GOLD guide, an asset to Europamundo, took care of whole of our group, explained things so well and in a very interesting way. We had a particular problem of Gluten allergy, but Ken’s proactive approach to provide Vandana Gluten free meals till we were with him was amazing. Asoaka also helped with the GF meals., and walked extra miles to help us.
The way both Asoaka and more so Ken helped their co-guides on a bilingual tour was amazing. We never felt that they ignored the English speaking tourists and we could see and appreciate that they covered in Spanish the deficiencies of their co-guides in a very polite and nice way.
I know it would be asking too much snd almost impossible, but we do feel that we get such guides always.
Thank you so much
Atul and Vandana
Tour guides were very punctual. The Geisha tour was not too clear as how the passengers were going to return to hotel. The Holiday Inn gave us 3 rooms in different floors which made it difficult to have access to each other since room keys are accessible only to designated floor.
Both David and Pablo were incredible guides. They both had extensive knowledge of the places we went to and they also allowed us to explore by ourselves and gave us time to take photos. Very impressive that they can speak english, spanish and japanese. Both our guides had a great sense of humour and knew how to keep the tour group entertained.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan, where timeless traditions meet breathtaking landscapes. Your adventure begins in Tokyo, a vibrant metropolis where ancient culture and modern life coexist. Explore the peaceful grounds of the Meiji Jingu Shrine, stroll through the lively Tsukiji Fish Market, and admire the historic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temple. Next, escape the city to witness the majestic beauty of Mount Fuji. Enjoy a tranquil boat ride on Lake Kawaguchi, soar above the scenery on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, and visit the serene Arakurayama Sengen Park and traditional Oshino Hakkai Village. Unwind for the night in Hakone, known for its relaxing hot springs and scenic views. Continue to the charming town of Takayama, where you'll explore the vibrant Morning Market and the historic Kusakabe Folk Museum, showcasing traditional architecture and craftsmanship. From there, travel to the storybook village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its iconic thatched-roof houses at the Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum before arriving in Kanazawa. In Kyoto, immerse yourself in Japan’s cultural heart. Wander through the enchanting bamboo groves of Arashiyama, marvel at the golden splendor of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and climb the iconic paths lined with vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Before your journey ends, stop in Osaka to visit the magnificent Osaka Castle, a symbol of Japan’s feudal history. As your tour concludes, depart from Osaka with a heart full of unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Japan’s cultural and natural wonders.
Tokyo and Kyoto headline the "Japan’s Landscapes" tour, a 14-day city sightseeing package that uniquely includes Ha Giang in Vietnam. Tailored for seniors, this easy activity trip ensures all travel, accommodations, and meals are sorted, allowing you to enjoy each stop without stress. The distinguishing feature is its cross-cultural twist, blending Japan’s top sites with a taste of Vietnamese scenery, perfect for those eager to broaden their horizons.