Due to Japan’s cutting-edge, formidable rail network, the world-famous Shinkansen (colloquially known in English as the bullet train) allows for hyper-efficient travel in the utmost speed and comfort, perfect for self guided touring. 

Now although self guided touring seems pretty self-explanatory… there’s more to it than meets the eye. Giving you the independence and freedom to discover the joys of travelling in Japan like a local, self guided touring allows you to set your own pace, adapt your daily plans as you go and decide each day what you'd like to see and do. Importantly however, you do not lose the security, organisation, and assistance of a guided tour. The best of both worlds.

Trailfinders take care of arranging all your accommodation, rail travel and pre-bookable local transport. You will receive meeting instructions for any guided excursions, directions on how to reach your hotels (including maps and addresses in Japanese as well as English), train stations and any key attractions highlighted on your tour. You will also receive a pocket Wifi router, this fantastic device creates a wireless hotspot connecting up to five devices, offering easy access to our free SelfGuide app while on the go.

For more details see our guide to Self Guided Touring in Japan.

Stepping off a bus to visit a serene Japanese village adorned with peaceful zen gardens as you clatter a suitcase up a cobbled street, is not the ideal scenario for any sightseeing. To avoid the inconvenience and humiliation of this potential cacophony, within Japan’s infrastructure is the facility of luggage forwarding. This highly efficient and reasonably priced service means you can easily send your bags from one hotel to another within 24 hours. This enables you to travel with just a small overnight bag and start sightseeing straight away upon arrival at your destination!

Welcome to Tokyo! One of the most exciting cities in the world. Upon arrival in this vibrant, neon-lit metropolis, you will be greeted by our local representative at the airport. They will provide your welcome pack, complete with train tickets and excursion vouchers, all of which will be clearly labelled. You will then be assisted with your transfer to your hotel by train or shuttle bus, ensuring a smooth and seamless start to your stay.

Due to the sheer size of Tokyo, we would always recommend a guided tour for your first full day of sightseeing. This not only helps you to visit the must-see sights in an efficient manner but also helps you to get to grips with the vast Tokyo subway.

Start your day by visiting the city’s most famous shrine, Meiji Jingu before walking to the sophisticated area of Omotesando, commonly referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysées. From Omotesando, take the metro to Ginza. The area is Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping, dining, and entertainment district.

Next to Ginza lies the Imperial Palace, the main residence of Japan’s Emperor. Afterwards enjoy the contrast between the modern and ancient sides of Tokyo as a short subway ride will take you to Asakusa, part of Tokyo’s ‘Shitamachi’ or ‘old town’.

Finish your day with a river cruise down the Sumida River to Hamarikyu Gardens, this stunning former private garden is an oasis surrounded by a sea of skyscrapers.

Today enjoy a day at leisure to utilise your SelfGuide app. Why not start your day by visiting the famous Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district. Then, head to the trendy Harajuku neighbourhood to see the unique fashion and street art. Or why not sample some exquisite Japanese cuisine on a Tokyo street food tour?

An early start today as you leave Tokyo behind and make the journey to Hakone by train. Famed for beautiful views of Mt Fuji and glistening lakes, the serene Hakone national park serves as wonderful contrast to the neon-drenched streets of Tokyo. 

On arrival take a ride on the world’s second longest cable car up to Mount Owakudani, passing over sulphurous fumes and hot springs. Here you’ll also have the chance to try a hardboiled egg which has been cooked in the sulphuric hot springs, legend has it eating one of these will add seven years to your life! 

Later, embark on a replica pirate ship which will sweep you across Lake Ashinoko before spending the evening at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese accommodation). Relax in a kimono, whilst dining on a delicious Japanese style multi-course meal and relax in the onsen (hot spring bath) before you bed down for the night.

Travel to Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, and home to over 2,000 temples and shrines! This afternoon learn about Japanese culture at a tea ceremony in a ‘Machiya’ - a beautifully restored wooden townhouse. In the evening why not visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine just as the sun starts to set. Famous for its thousands of red torii gates, and the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it offers stunning views of the city.

Today explore the former imperial capital with a knowledgeable local guide, utilising Kyoto’s comprehensive bus system to visit some of the city’s historic monuments. Start the day with a visit to the ornamental Nijo Castle and its stunning surrounding gardens, built as the residence of the military government that once ruled Japan. Continue on to Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. Originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun, after his death it became a Buddhist Temple at his request, and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. The final stop of the morning is Ryoan-ji Zen, the site of Japan’s most famous rock garden. 

At a convenient breaking point, your guide will select a restaurant for lunch - usually at a popular venue that has some local flavour. If there is a specific type of food/cuisine that you fancy, do share this with your guide and they will try their best to take you to a suitable restaurant.

After lunch, visit Kiyomizudera Temple which affords impressive views over the city.

Finish off the day with a stroll through the atmospheric Higashiyama district, whose busy streets are filled with quaint shops selling souvenirs including Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets and pickles.

This morning why not make the short trip by train to Nara, one of Japan’s former capitals. In the 8th Century Nara was Japan’s capital and a centre of Japanese culture and civilisation. Many of the original wooden buildings built in those long-distant days still remain today.

Most of the sights are located around popular Nara Park, known locally as ‘Deer Park’ due to the large population of tame deer living there. Other attractions include Todai-ji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building and Kasuga-taisha, Nara’s most celebrated Shinto shrine. The afternoon will be free for you to explore before returning to Kyoto.

Travel to Hiroshima, en route make a brief stop at Himeji. Home to one of the most magnificent castles in Japan, Himeji is one of the few that has maintained its original structure since the early 17th Century.

First stop today should be the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in central Hiroshima which is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 1945 bombing. Stroll through the park and discover the many moving memorials, monuments and statues before heading into the museum itself. 

Later, take the short ferry ride to Miyajima Island. Famous for its floating torii gate, given this name due to the appearance of it floating during high tide. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th Century and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Miyajima is relatively small so you can explore its many shrines and temples on foot or you could hire a bike. There is also the opportunity to take the cable car or hike up to the top of Mount Misen for sweeping views of the island and surrounding Inland Sea.

Travel to Osaka, the third largest city in Japan and known for its food and nightlife. Visit the Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks, and the Dotonbori district, which is full of restaurants and shops. Given Osaka’s motto is ‘eat till you drop’, there is no better place to experience the flamboyant and colourful world of Japan’s street food and nightlife scene than on a food tour. Explore the foodie area of Tenma, sampling popular dishes including delectable Wagyu beef, lip-smacking tempura and crispy menchi katsu patties. A selection of sake and Japanese wine to sample is also included.

Today is free for you to continue your sightseeing or do some shopping in Osaka before transferring by train or shuttle bus to the airport for your onward flight.