Japan by Rail: Cities, Culture and Landscapes

15 January 2026

Japan rewards travellers who enjoy movement, culture and contrasts. This twelve night journey links Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Hiroshima, Kyoto and the Fuji Five Lakes by bullet train, ferry and local transport, giving a genuine sense of how the country works day to day. Guided touring with G-Adventures adds context in the right places, while free time lets you explore neighbourhoods, food and museums at your own pace. With Etihad flights from Dublin and a 14 day Japan Rail Pass included, it is a smooth and well structured introduction to Japan’s highlights.

Japan by Rail: Cities, Culture and Landscapes

Tokyo

Arrive into Tokyo and meet your small group and CEO guide for an evening welcome. The first full morning is used to activate your Japan Rail Pass before boarding the bullet train to Kanazawa. Tokyo’s role at the start and end of the journey gives you two different perspectives on the city: the first focused on orientation and movement, and the second on using free time well. At the end of the trip, you have a full day to revisit favourite districts, explore museums or take in views from the Tokyo Skytree before flying home.

Kanazawa

Your first destination by rail is Kanazawa, once one of Japan’s wealthiest castle towns. Time here focuses on geisha culture, traditional architecture and Edo-period history. Guided visits include the Higashi Chaya district, where wooden teahouses line narrow streets, and Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s most highly regarded landscape gardens. A walk through the old samurai district shows another layer of the city’s past, while free time lets you explore markets, museums or dinner spots at your own pace.

Takayama

Continue inland by high-speed train to Takayama, set against forested hills and known for its preserved old town and sake breweries. A visit to the Hida no Sato folk village adds cultural depth, with thatched farmhouses, tools and rural buildings relocated from across the region to show how life once worked in Japan’s interior. Free time allows for slow exploration, bike hire or a visit to nearby hot springs, giving Takayama a quieter rhythm in contrast to the cities.

Hiroshima and Miyajima

A longer bullet train ride brings you south to Hiroshima. A guided visit to the Peace Park and Museum provides difficult but essential context, moving from memorials to the preserved Atomic Dome along tree lined paths. The following day focuses on nearby Miyajima Island, reached by ferry. Here you can see the floating torii gate, visit shrines and temples or hike to viewpoints above the island. Local food stalls, deer and coastal scenery give Miyajima a distinct feel, rounding out this part of the journey before heading north again.

Kyoto

Travel onward to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and home to some of Japan’s most recognisable cultural sites. Visits include Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), and Nijo Castle with its gardens and historic interiors. Free time lets you explore Gion, browse craft shops or visit Zen gardens and temples such as Ryoan-ji or Nanzen-ji. Kyoto acts as the cultural centre of the trip, rich in history but easy to navigate with the guidance and flexibility built into the itinerary.

Fuji Five Lakes Region

Leave the city behind and travel to Kawaguchiko for one night in the foothills of Mount Fuji. Optional walks around Lake Kawaguchi provide views of the surrounding landscape, and if the weather allows, the snow capped summit of Fuji. An evening onsen visit and traditional kaiseki dinner bring a slower, restorative finish before returning to Tokyo.

Included in this Itinerary

Return flights from Dublin with Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi including 25kg checked luggage per person, small group guided touring with CEO throughout, 14 day Japan Rail Pass, internal travel by bullet train, ferry, subway, tram and local train, 12 nights’ accommodation across hotels and traditional inns, and included experiences such as: Higashi Chaya District visit, Kenroku-en Garden, Nagamachi Samurai District, Hida no Sato Folk Village, Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, Miyajima Island excursion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and Lake Kawaguchiko walk, Kaiseki dinner and onsen visit. Based on 2 passengers sharing. Flights depart 18 April 2026. Price is correct at the time of posting 15 January 2026. Offers are subject to change.

Price from €6,400 per person

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