Japan: Backtracking the Golden Route
Experience rich culture, historic landmarks, and breathtaking natural beauty while backtracking Japan’s Golden Route, an immersive journey that includes the country’s must-see cities and sights.
From the centuries-old spirit of Kyoto to the legendary Mount Fuji to the modern metropolis of Tokyo, this adventure is a beautiful collection of the many shining gems of Japan.
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Tour Director at the airport
-
Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto
Travel to Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit the Gold Pavilion
Visit Kiyomizu Temple
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
-
Day 4: Kyoto
Visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum
Enjoy free time in Kyoto
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Osaka
Discover the truth of the Japanese saying “dress into ruin in Kyoto, eat into ruin in Osaka” on this excursion to Osaka. Taste the flavors of Osaka in Dōtonbori, an area best known for it’s to-die-for street food scene. Then relax and see the other beauties of Osaka on your river cruise through the heart of the city.Sample traditional Kyoto snacks with your Tour Director
Enjoy an evening reflection on the banks of the Kamo River
-
Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama
Travel to Takayama
Enjoy a Zen meditation experience
-
Day 6: Takayama • Kanazawa
Visit the Takayama morning market
Travel to Kanazawa
Visit the Minkaen Outdoor Museum
-
Day 7: Kanazawa
Visit Kanazawa Castle
Explore Kenroku-en Garden
Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity
-
Day 8: Tokyo
Travel to Tokyo via bullet train
Visit the Meiji Shrine
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing your favorite songs with friends in a karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams, or just clap along with friends as you unwind and have a wonderful, relaxing evening. -
Day 9: Depart for home
Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
Take a guided tour of Akihabara
Participate in a scavenger hunt
Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
Add 3 more days
-
Day 10: Tokyo • Nagasaki
Travel to Nagasaki
Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum
Reflect on your travels and learn how to fold a paper crane
-
Day 11: Nagasaki
Take a guided tour of Nagasaki
Visit Glover Garden and Peace Park
Visit Dejima Museum
-
Day 12: Depart for home
Fly to Tokyo
Participate in a calligraphy activity
Take a walking tour of Shibuya, a center for youth fashion and culture
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Tour Director at the airport
-
Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto
Travel to Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit the Gold Pavilion
Visit Kiyomizu Temple
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
-
Day 4: Kyoto
Visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum
Enjoy free time in Kyoto
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Osaka
Discover the truth of the Japanese saying “dress into ruin in Kyoto, eat into ruin in Osaka” on this excursion to Osaka. Taste the flavors of Osaka in Dōtonbori, an area best known for it’s to-die-for street food scene. Then relax and see the other beauties of Osaka on your river cruise through the heart of the city.Sample traditional Kyoto snacks with your Tour Director
Enjoy an evening reflection on the banks of the Kamo River
-
Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama
Travel to Takayama
Enjoy a Zen meditation experience
-
Day 6: Takayama • Kanazawa
Visit the Takayama morning market
Travel to Kanazawa
Visit the Minkaen Outdoor Museum
-
Day 7: Kanazawa
Visit Kanazawa Castle
Explore Kenroku-en Garden
Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity
-
Day 8: Tokyo
Travel to Tokyo via bullet train
Visit the Meiji Shrine
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing your favorite songs with friends in a karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams, or just clap along with friends as you unwind and have a wonderful, relaxing evening. -
Day 9: Depart for home
Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
Take a guided tour of Akihabara
Participate in a scavenger hunt
Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
Add 3 more days
-
Day 10: Tokyo • Nagasaki
Travel to Nagasaki
Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum
Reflect on your travels and learn how to fold a paper crane
-
Day 11: Nagasaki
Take a guided tour of Nagasaki
Visit Glover Garden and Peace Park
Visit Dejima Museum
-
Day 12: Depart for home
Fly to Tokyo
Participate in a calligraphy activity
Take a walking tour of Shibuya, a center for youth fashion and culture
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
-
Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; 1 bullet train (2 internal flights with extension)
-
Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
-
Regional-style meals
Dinner on arrival day; breakfast and dinner on Days 3-8 (and 9-11 with extension); breakfast on departure day (lunch on Day 10 with extension)
-
Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides; 3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (6 with extension); 1 walking tour
-
Entrances
Osaka Castle; Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Kiyomizudera Temple; Golden Pavilion; Fugaku wind cave; Narusawa ice cave; Lake Saiko and Iyashi no Sato Nenba; Meiji Shinto Shrine; Tokyo National Museum Asakusa Kannon Temple; sumo-style hot pot; Immersive Scavenger Hunt; Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum; Hamarikyu Gardens; Tokyo Tower; (with extension: Asahiyama Observatory; Sapporo TV Tower; Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park; Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Oyunuma Pond; dairy farm)
-
Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
-
Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
-
Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
-
24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
-
Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.