Japan is on everyone’s bucket list, but that doesn’t mean you need to wait for a travel buddy to book that ticket. This 11-day Solo-ish adventure makes exploring Japan on your own effortless, giving you just the right mix of time with your expert CEO and fellow travellers, along with plenty of freedom to explore solo. Spend the night at a Japanese temple with your travel mates, diving deep into this beautifully unique way of life. And, because no trip to Japan is complete without a stay at a traditional ryokan, you’ll overnight in Fukui — a gem off the beaten path, famed for its knife-making heritage. Your CEO will guide you to the must-sees of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, and we’re pretty sure you’ll be planning your next visit long before you say “sayonara.”
Travel Style
Solo-ish Adventures
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Dinner Party: Dinner Party, Tokyo
We Day: Tokyo Highlights Tour: Temples, Shrines & Neon Signs, Tokyo
Your Local Living Moment: Zenkō-ji Temple, Nagano
G Day: Senso ji Temple and Asakusa Neighbourhood, Tokyo
Your Local Living Moment: Ryokan Stay, Fukui
Me Day: Kyoto Me Day, Kyoto. Shared Arrival transfer. Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Visit Shibuya crossing. Explore Asakusa with your CEO. Visit Snow Monkey Park. Explore Matsumoto Castle. Tour Takefu Knife Village. Visit Hiroshima Peace Park. Visit Miyajima Island. Explore Gion with your CEO. All transport to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Japanese cooking class, Visit Shibuya crossing, Explore Asakusa with your CEO, Overnight at a Japanese Temple, Explore Matsumoto Castle, Tour Takefu Knife Village, Overnight at a Japanese Ryokan, Visit Hiroshima Peace Park, Visit Miyajima Island, Explore Gion with your CEO
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Bullet train, local train, private vehicle, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (8nts), Temple stay (1nt multi-share), Ryokan stay (1nt).
Itinerary
Dinner Party: Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Meet your included arrival transfer at the airport to head to the hotel where you'll meet your other Solo-ish travellers and CEO for a welcome briefing. Then head off with your new travel mates for a dinner party in Tokyo! Together you'll cook some of Japan's most popular dishes like Japanese egg omelet, onigiri, teriyaki and seasonable vegetables. After working together to make the meal, have a seat next to another Solo-ish friend and enjoy the delicious Japanese food! Make sure to arrive no later than 2:00 pm to make it to your welcome briefing and then head to your local cooking class.
We Day: Tokyo
Experience the most fascinating sides of Tokyo with your amazing CEO as your guide. Walk through some of the most important neighborhoods in Tokyo like Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. Pop in and out of shops along Takeshita Street in Harajuku, and visit Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya. Your CEO will teach you temizu, a way to symbolically purify your body and spirit before entering. Inside, learn how to read your Omikuji, a local fortune. Don't worry if your fortune is bad, your CEO will teach you how to tie it up and leave it behind!
G Day: Tokyo
Start today off with a special surprise that is sure to bring you luck this trip! Then take a local train to Asakusa, one of Tokyo's more famous neighborhoods. On a tour with your CEO, visit the amazing Senso ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Then spend some free time in Asakusa, soaking in this cultural gem. Opt to explore Nakamise shopping street, try some intense matcha ice cream or sit down at a cute mochi cafe. Feel free to ask your CEO for recommendations. After some exploration, take the bullet train to Nagano and check into your Temple stay for the night.
Nagano
Rise with the sun this morning and join the monks for their morning prayer ritual in Zenkō-ji temple. You'll have the special opportunity to hear their chanting in the main temple hall. We'll have breakfast in the Shukubo temple before heading off to Yudanaka where we can see the Japanese Macaques bathing in the hot springs. Then head back to Nagano for the night.
Nagano
Visit one of Japan's grandest castles in the country, Matsumoto Castle. Built in the 1500's, this six story tower still maintains its original wood and stone work. Walk along the moat and over the many bridges. Then enjoy a free afternoon to explore Nagano.
Fukui
After breakfast this morning, catch the bullet train to the town of Fukui. After arrival, visit the Eiheiji Temple, tucked deep in the mountains. A visit to this picturesque temple in the forest will help you start your day off on a peaceful foot. Then take a tour of Takefu Knife Village and watch as the steel-smith's wield knives with this 700 year old tradition. In the afternoon, arrive to your ryokan stay, a traditional Japanese Inn, where you'll sleep on traditional tatami mats and have a chance to soak in the onsen.
Kyoto
Travel to the historic city of Kyoto by bullet train this morning. Opt to join your CEO for lunch in the Nishiki Fish Market before your afternoon adventures. Then join your CEO as they lead you on a tour of the famous Gion district. Walk through the streets that Geishas walk through daily and visit the Yasaka Shrine together.
Me Day: Kyoto
On your Me Day, spend it exactly how you want! If you're looking for some alone time, today is your day to do some solo adventures. Opt to hike Fushimi Inari Shrine or visit the Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple. If you'd rather spend the day with your CEO & fellow solo-ish travellers, opt to join your CEO for a zen garden visit, followed by a tour of Arashiyama Bamboo forest and Togetsukyo Bridge.
Kyoto/Hiroshima
Another bullet train ride brings us to Hiroshima this morning. Arrive in the late morning, head to the hotel, then spend some free time for lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a park that was built on a field created by the explosion of the nuclear bomb. After some time there, enjoy a free evening in Hiroshima.
Hiroshima
Today we'll visit Miyajima, "Shrine Island." After taking a local train and a ferry ride to the arrive, we'll visit the beautiful Istukushima Shrine. This coastal shrine is almost 1500 years old. Spend some time admiring this historic structure before enjoying free time on the island. In the afternoon, take the ferry and local train back to Hiroshima. Opt to join your CEO for a farewell dinner over some local okonomiyaki.
Osaka
Ride one last bullet train with your CEO & fellow solo-ish travellers to Shin Osaka station. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish travellers as your tour ends upon arrival at the airport. You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends! For those continuing travels in Japan, your CEO will help you find the correct train in Shin Osaka Station. If you're headed to the airport, your CEO will accompany you from Shin Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX).
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
