Legend of Japan - 12 Day Trip
About Trip
Bright nights and city lights! Japan is calling! Say Konnichiwa to 12 legendary, life-changing, mind-blowing culture-rich days ahead. Marvel at world-famous temples and neon streets in Tokyo, get your taste buds tingling as you slice and dice in sushi-making classes and watch your jaw drop as we walk Osaka's famous castle walls. Master the ancient art of Samurai by dressing in traditional robes and perfecting your swordsmanship before seeing what goes bump in the night with a spooky night cemetery walk in Koyasan. Walk through the magical emerald bamboo forest in Kyoto and sip Japan’s famous spirit Sake from a local brewery. From pirate ship sailing to stunning Mount Fuji views, visits to picturesque Kinkaku-Ji golden temple and famous Senso-Ji. You’ll be saying Arigato Tru for the best 12 days of your life. Hey, we told you it was legendary!
Travel Style
We’ve perfected the balance between culture, adventure, beaches and parties. A high level of inclusions at a low cost. Think of a Ferrari for the price of a Ford. Highlights, hotspots & hidden gems are crafted into each itinerary with our own TruExclusives. We stay in a variety of different accommodations such as hotels, hostels, homestays, beach huts & even boats. Maximum adventure, minimum hassle.
What's Included
Your Trip Planner
Legend of Japan
12 Days
tokyo - tokyo
Map
Bucket List
Itinerary
welcome to tokyo!
The legend of Japan - It’s in the name and where better to start our adventure than Tokyo! Tokyo is the largest metropolitan in the world and home to the most top-rated restaurants in Japan, so it's time to explore! Check-in at the hostel, chillax, and in the evening, we'll meet up with your new TruFam to see this stunning city by night. We'll head to Shibuya; neon lights are shining, and the city is buzzing and alive so let's head out. Shibuya is known for its quirky bars and wild party scene, so be sure to pack your dancing shoes, your favourite shit shirt and a positive attitude. It's going to be a night to remember!
explore tokyo, senso-ji temple & sipping sake!
Rise and shine, we're off exploring Tokyo! Picture this, jaw-dropping architecture, rich history and life-changing experiences. Where are you? We head to the world-famous Senso-Ji temple, Tokyo's oldest temple and a mirage of jaw-dropping bright red architecture surrounds us. Get that pen out; you're putting ticks on that bucket list! We’ll be travelling via train for the majority of our sightseeing so grab your maps and get to know the local area. Have you ever been anywhere cooler than Japan? We'll answer for you...Absolutely not! We'll explore Akihabara, the electric town, a perfect visit for anime lovers. We'll also go for a Sake tasting experience too! If that doesn't tickle your fancy, take a walk around town, and devour some delicious street food like takoyaki or yakisoba. They're 10/10 a must try btw. Then we head back and get ready for a night on the town TruFam Japan style.
tokyo exploring & shrine visit
In the morning we’ll pack up our bags and get ready for tomorrow's travel day! We'll also do some more exploring of Tokyo and discover some hidden spots. We'll even tick off Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken, a visit to Meiji Shrine is a must-visit in Tokyo and dates back over 100 years ago. Grab your photos, and marvel at this beautiful place and its incredible height as we take a walk through our magical surroundings. We'll then head over to the beautiful Yoyogi Park & Explore Harajuku, the famous shopping neighbourhood. In the evening, we'll head out for dinner and drinks and see where the buzzing nightlife takes us! Tomorrow morning, we're travelling at the speed of light. You know the world-famous bullet train? That's right we don't do average.
osaka castle & vibrant neon street!
Today we're bidding farewell to Tokyo. It's been insaaaaane, but it's time to head to our next destination. Osaka! We catch the bullet train; we spend the morning zooming through the scenic views, updating our Instagram feed and playing snap with the TruFam. The bullet train is an experience in itself so sit back and enjoy! We've got a big few days ahead! We arrive in Osaka and head to Osaka Castle, originally completed in 1586 as a display of power and grandeur by the samurai warlord and ruler of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi; Osaka Castle is the most famous attraction in Osaka and spans over 15 acres. So it's a big day out, and the pictures are postcard-worthy. Next up, we explore Neon Street. Fluorescent pinks, yellows and neon greens surround us. Sparkling lights, bustling streets and huge 3D signs, we're in Dotonbori, to be precise! We take a walking tour and explore this sensational city and learn the story behind it. In the evening, we hit the town! We hope you're hungry as we try out some delicious street food before sipping every colourful cocktail insight. Pass us a blue lagoon!
sushi making and sightseeing!
Rise and shine! Spend the morning exploring Osaka before you try your hand at sushi making... It's harder than you think! We'll be getting creative in the kitchen this morning and, of course, every good chef must taste their work, so lunch will be a selection of our best dishes. We'll then spend the evening checking out all the sights before heading for some delicious dinner!
cemetery tours & staying in a traditional japanese temple!
Grab a coffee; we're heading to Koyasan! We'll take a local train, a cable train and a bus to get to our next stop. Our accommodation for tonight? A traditional Japanese temple. You know how we do. We said this trip would be legendary. All food is included, so indulge yourself courtesy of yours Tru-ly, the food here is all vegetarian but trust us it’s lovely. Whilst staying at the temple, get ready to be immersed in the local culture & the temple’s rules for a Tru authentic experience. We head out to explore the local temples before sitting down for a traditional dinner together as TruFam. In the evening, we're taking a walking tour of the oldest cemetery in Japan. Read that again. The. Oldest. Cemetery. In. Japan. Grab the hand of your new BFF and get ready to learn the stories and history of the cemetery. Dw, it's more peaceful than scary!
kyoto time!
Did you sleep ok? Course you did; last night wasn't that spooky! Today we're picking up the heat... No, seriously, we're kickstarting today with a truly unforgettable experience! Enjoy the morning ritual ceremony of the monks of Koyasan and if you fancy, you have to go to Goma taki; a ritual that involves writing down your wishes on wooden plates and placing them into the fire. This is believed to burn away their excess wishes and desires to achieve a simple, appreciative life. The fire is thought to destroy negative energies and purify the mind, body and spirit. We're then heading to our next stop, Kyoto! Before we head off, we have a traditional breakfast and learn more about this beautiful culture. In the late morning, we head to the bustling town of Kyoto! Home to the world-famous Gion - the Geisha district! Filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), Gion is a fairytale destination. We walk the beautiful, vibrant streets before heading for a traditional tea ceremony in the afternoon. We walk along the Kamagowa River in the evening, sip beer, and watch the sun gown down on another extraordinary day.
kinkaku-ji golden temple & the famous bamboo forest!
Wake and let’s go! First stop, Kinkaku-Ji Golden Temple! No, you're not dreaming; this magnificent two-story temple is covered in gold leaf. Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant wealthy circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's time and today stands as a zen temple; with its glistening gold features, travellers come from all over the world to see it. We spend the morning absorbing our serene surroundings. Whilst we're talking of Zen... We're heading to the most peaceful, jaw-dropping paradise of emerald-green beauty. Did you guess it? It's Arashiyama Bamboo forest! We walk the tranquil, worldly walkway through the soaring bamboo grove. No picture can do it justice, but hey, you can try, plus we guarantee you 50+ likes on the gram with these views. The afternoon is free for us to explore, so we see where the day takes us and get a feel for the night's plan! May we suggest visiting Nara or renting a bike and exploring the backstreets of Kyoto? It’s up to you TruFam!
samurai experience
If you thought yesterday was epic, wait till you experience TODAY. Temples & Samurai. That's what we're talking about! We're diving deep into the Tru Japan as we head to Kyoto's famous temple of orange gates - Fushimi-Inari. You may not have heard of it, but you've definitely seen it. Renowned for its thousands of orange torii gates, Fushimi-Inari is incredible to behold, so we take a walk around! Afterwards, we head to the main event. Perhaps, the coolest experience yet? We're taking a Samurai class! We're going in full Samurai mode, that's right, we're getting dressed up. Robes and everything! Enjoy a demonstration from the warriors before practising the basics and learning a variety of moves with the sword! It's just like slicing and dicing Sushi you learnt earlier... Sort of?
marvel at mount fuji!
Rise and shine, TruTravellers, we hope you dreamt of slicing, dicing and living your best Samurai warrior life after yesterday's adventure, either that or you're feeling ok after too much sake last night. Today we are up bright and early as we are off to Hakone. Once we arrive, we're hoping for views on views on views. Keep your fingers crossed for a clear day as we take the ropeway cable cart to find panoramic views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. When we get to Lake Ashi it's time to grab your eye patch and parrot as we're off to board and explore a pirate ship. Hopefully, we'll get a glimpse of the amazing Mount Fuji we are manifesting incredible weather!
travel back to tokyo!
Yesterday was a jam-packed day so today we're taking it easy. We'll grab some breakfast before making our way back to Tokyo for some more exploring and a final group evening together!
chilled checkout
All good things must come to an end and today’s the last day of our legendary trip, so have a chilled morning before checkout. Your travel ninja is on hand for any onward travel plans you may have and if you're still looking to explore and sightsee this incredible country. It's been an experience, a Tru-ly unforgettable one. You're a part of the TruFam now, which means you're TruFam for life, so it's not goodbye. It’s see you later. MATA NE! That's Japanese for Later btw!
WHERE WE STAY
Reviews
FAQs
WHERE DOES THE TRIP START & FINISH?
The trip starts and finishes in Tokyo
WHICH AIRPORT DO I NEED TO FLY INTO?
You can fly into either Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT.)
How do I get to the hostel?
There are many options as Japan’s public transport is frequent. You can jump on a bus from the airport, take the monorail or jump in a taxi! The hostel is around 40 minutes from Haneda airport and 1 hour 15 minutes from Narita Airport.
WHAT IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO THE END DESTINATION?
The closest airport to the end destination is Haneda International Airport (HND).
WHAT KIND OF ACCOMMODATION IS INCLUDED ON THIS TRIP?
The accommodation on this trip is shared dorms except for Koyasan where we stay in a traditional temple and rooms can accommodate up to 4 people.
How much is a night’s accommodation at our start hostel?
If you would like to book a pre-night please contact our sales team on info@trutravels.com
Are there many solo travellers?
Yes, lots of people come on our trips as solo travellers, it's a great way to meet new people and you’ll never feel alone from the moment you arrive as you will instantly be travelling with an awesome group of likeminded people.
How much spending money do you recommend?
Everyone spends differently so it’s hard for us to give an exact amount but we recommend £70+ per day. All your activities, transport and accommodation is covered by us so you just need to worry about your food, drink and shopping! Please note we can not be held responsible if you start popping bottles of champagne on the first night and run out of money.
Bring some cash to use for the first few days. You will also need cash if you are travelling to the start accommodation by train. There are plenty of ATMs all over Japan where you can withdraw money as you go so you don’t have to carry huge sums of cash around. The main currency used is Japan is the Yen (¥.) Make sure to let your bank know that you will be travelling abroad and to check for any international charges for using your card.
What is the currency?
The currency is ¥ Japanese Yen.
Bring some cash to use for the first few days. You will also need cash if you are travelling to the start accommodation by train. There are plenty of ATMs all over Japan where you can withdraw money as you go so you don’t have to carry huge sums of cash around. The main currency used is Japan is the Yen (¥.) Make sure to let your bank know that you will be travelling abroad and to check for any international charges for using your card.
Is my money protected?
Yes! You’re protected. TruTravels is both ABTA and ATOL registered meaning your money is safe. We’re offering free date changes or to keep your deposit on file for as and when you’re ready to travel, 2 months, 2 years or even 20!
Most of the people that join us on tour are 18-thirtysomethings! We have no strict upper age limit on our tours but all of our tours are specifically designed for those of this age group which is worth noting when browsing through our website.
Yes! Let us know when you are booking your trip about any requirements you might have we can plan ahead and make sure this doesn’t affect your trip!
Yes, the majority of our travellers will be travelling on their own! Roughly 65% of our TruTravellers come solo! We have designed our trips specifically with solo travellers in mind, so you can be assured you’ll meet lots of others travelling alone like yourself along the way. This of course doesn’t mean our trips are only for solo travellers, but it does mean that you don’t need to worry you’ll be surrounded by a group that already knows each other.