Japan In-Depth 16-Day Tour by SKR Reisen

Tokyo’s shrine paths and crowded crossings are only the start of this 16-day Japan tour. You’ll travel south to Hiroshima by Shinkansen, visit Miyajima’s famous red torii gate, then continue through castle towns, Kyoto temples, Nara and the mountain sanctuary of Koya-san.

I like the balance between guided visits and a little room to choose your own way: Tokyo and Kyoto each have a free day. I also like the small group of up to 12 and the overnight in a temple hostel, which gives the trip a change of pace from city hotels.

The main consideration is the pace. You change bases several times, and some long transfers may be by coach rather than public transport. The tour is conducted in German, and optional excursions and some travel costs can add to the advertised price.

At a glance: what this Japan tour offers

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• Tokyo’s big contrasts: Visit Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Ginza with a guide.
• A Mount Fuji stop: See Lake Motosuko and Oishi Park beside Lake Fujikawaguchiko, with a bento lunch included.
• The Shinkansen south: Ride the bullet train from Mishima to Hiroshima, then stop at Himeji Castle on the way to Kyoto.
• Kyoto and Nara together: Tour Kyoto’s temples, take part in a tea ceremony, and see the Great Buddha at Todaiji in Nara.
• A night at Koya-san: Sleep in traditional temple accommodation with tatami mats and futons, a memorable contrast to the city stays.
• A German-speaking guide: The group is capped at 12 and the trip is aimed at adults, with light physical activity.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo

Tokyo: shrine calm, city views and a free day

You arrive in Tokyo on Day 2 and make your own way to the first hotel by public transport or taxi. That first day is deliberately open, which is useful after a long flight. Keep your plans modest: eat nearby, adjust to the time zone and learn the route from your hotel to a station.

The guided city tour begins at Meiji Shrine, set in a broad wooded precinct and dedicated to Emperor Meiji. It offers a quiet introduction to Shinto practice before the city’s scale takes over. From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, you get a high view across the capital; visibility depends on the day, but the vantage point helps make sense of the city’s size.

At Sensoji in Asakusa, you’ll meet a more historic side of Tokyo, then finish in Ginza, where sleek shops and modern streets make a sharp contrast. The tour’s strength is this quick range of settings, though a guided overview can only skim a city this large.

Day 4 is yours, or you can book the optional excursion to Nikko. Its UNESCO-listed shrine and temple district includes Toshogu, known for its elaborate woodcarving, and Taiyuin Temple. The excursion has a minimum participant requirement, so confirm availability when you book. If you stay in Tokyo, use the free day for a neighborhood or interest the guided route did not cover.

Mount Fuji: lake views and a bento lunch

On Day 5, you leave Tokyo for Mishima, stopping at Lake Motosuko for views of Mount Fuji and at Oishi Park on Lake Fujikawaguchiko. The mountain is famously weather-dependent, so treat the views as a possibility, not a guarantee. Oishi Park gives you another chance to look toward Fuji, with gardens and a lakeside setting.

Lunch is a traditional bento at the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center. In the afternoon, you may be able to visit Oshino, an optional stop that must be arranged on site. You then continue to Mishima for the night.

This day is a welcome change from city sightseeing, but it also introduces a practical point: the route uses a transfer vehicle. The tour blends public transport with coach travel, so don’t assume every long journey will be by train just because the itinerary includes the Shinkansen.

Hiroshima and Miyajima: history, food and a famous gate

From Mishima, you travel south to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen. It’s a fast, comfortable way to cover a long distance and a memorable look at Japan’s rail network. The train journey is included in the tour, as is second-class Shinkansen travel on the specified route.

Hiroshima’s Peace Park and museum bring the city’s wartime history into focus. Give this visit the time and attention it deserves. It is a sober part of the trip, and its emotional weight is different from the more celebratory temple and castle visits elsewhere.

The next stop is Miyajima, reached by train and ferry. Itsukushima Shrine’s red torii gate is especially striking at high tide, when it appears to stand in the water. Tide conditions change, so the exact view depends on timing. You return to Hiroshima for the night, rather than staying on the island.

Hiroshima is also the place to try okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake cooked on a hot iron plate. The tour points you toward this local specialty, but check your trip documents to see which meals are included. The listed meal plan includes daily breakfast, one picnic lunch and two dinners.

Himeji and Kyoto: castle walls, gardens and tea

On the way from Hiroshima to Kyoto, you stop at Himeji Castle, the white-plastered fortress often called White Heron Castle. Its UNESCO status reflects its cultural importance, and the visit breaks up the journey between two major cities. You then settle in Kyoto for four nights, the longest stay of the tour.

Kyoto’s guided day includes Ryoanji’s Zen garden, Kinkaku Temple, better known as the Golden Pavilion, and Sanjusangendo, a temple noted for its Buddhist tradition. A tea ceremony is also part of the day. These stops show several sides of Kyoto’s religious and cultural life, though the schedule packs a lot into one outing.

Day 10 is free, with an optional excursion to Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nijo Castle. Fushimi Inari is known for its long corridors of shrine gates, while Nijo Castle offers a view of the courtly world of the Tokugawa shogunate. If these are priorities, check the optional trip’s price and minimum number before departure. The published information gives differing prices for this excursion, so ask SKR Reisen to confirm the amount in your final quote.

On Day 11, you take the train to Nara to see Todaiji Temple and its immense bronze Daibutsu, then walk on to Kasuga Shrine. Back in Kyoto, the day includes Nishiki Market and a stroll through Gion, where traditional wooden machiya houses remain part of the district’s character. It is a full day, with several distinct stops; comfortable walking shoes will help.

Koya-san and Nachi: a quieter turn south

After four Kyoto nights, you head to Koya-san, a sacred mountain area with historic religious buildings. You spend one night in a traditional temple hostel. The room has tatami mats and futons, a private toilet and a shared bathroom. This is not a standard hotel stay, and that is the point: it offers a different setting and routine from the cities.

The next day takes you farther south to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Waterfall, which drops 133 metres. The waterfall was historically an object of worship, so the visit connects the area’s natural features with its spiritual traditions. A coach then carries you to Shingu, where dinner at a local izakaya features regional fish dishes.

This section is one of the trip’s most distinctive shifts, but it also brings longer transfers and less time in each place. A past April departure included coach journeys of four to six hours on some travel days, and the tour’s day-to-day organization can vary. If you prefer a slower trip or want to make spontaneous changes, this pace may feel restrictive.

Osaka: a final city visit before flying home

From Shingu, you travel to Osaka by public transport and take an afternoon city tour. The route is described as a mix of modern high-rises, historic temples and shrines, and shopping streets. You have one night in Osaka before taking public transport to Kansai International Airport the next morning.

That final night is practical rather than leisurely. If you want more time in Osaka, plan to extend your stay independently, if your flight arrangements allow. The tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka, with international flights from Frankfurt listed as included, subject to availability and possible surcharges. Direct flights are not guaranteed, and flight times are usually confirmed closer to departure.

Price, group size and what the cost covers

The advertised starting price is $6,721, with the final amount subject to current flight prices and booking conditions. Economy flights from Frankfurt to Tokyo and back from Osaka are included in the stated package, but a surcharge may apply. The tour also includes 12 nights in double rooms and one night in temple accommodation, daily breakfast, one picnic lunch, two dinners, entrance and national park fees, and separate baggage transport on Days 6 to 8 and 12 to 14.

The price also covers a German-speaking local guide, public transport on the route and second-class Shinkansen travel on Days 6 and 8. Separate baggage transport matters on those travel days: you can travel without carrying your main bag through every transfer, though you should still pack a day bag with essentials.

Optional costs include the Nikko and Kyoto excursions, a Rail&Fly ticket, insurance, tips and personal spending. The supplied prices for some extras differ, so confirm current figures before booking rather than relying on an older amount. No travel insurance is included.

For a 16-day trip with flights, guided sightseeing, transport, hotel stays, a special temple night and several major entrance visits, the cost can make sense if you value a planned route and a guide. It is less compelling if you want independent travel, more free days or full control over where you eat and how long you linger.

The tour is listed as low intensity, but expect regular walking, stairs at historic sites and several changes of accommodation. The group size is stated as two to 12, with the departure guaranteed from six people. It is German-language, for ages 18 and older, with exceptions for minors accompanied by adults.

Who should book Japan In-Depth?

I’d consider this tour if you want a broad first visit to Japan without having to manage every train connection and hotel change yourself. It covers Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji, Kyoto, Nara, Koya-san, Nachi and Osaka, with enough guided context to help each stop make sense.

It is best for someone comfortable with early starts, a full schedule and some long transfers. The small group and two free days are real advantages, but the trip is not a slow retreat. If you want more independent time, a different pace or a fully rail-based route, compare alternatives before paying.

FAQ

Is airfare included in the tour price?

Economy flights from Frankfurt to Tokyo and from Osaka’s Kansai Airport to Frankfurt are listed as included, subject to availability. A flight surcharge may apply, and direct flights are not guaranteed.

How many people are in the group?

The tour information gives a group size of two to 12 people and says departures are guaranteed from six participants.

What language does the guide speak?

The tour is guided in German by a local guide.

How many free days are included?

Day 4 in Tokyo and Day 10 in Kyoto are free for independent exploring. Optional excursions are offered on both days.

What accommodation is provided at Koya-san?

You spend one night in traditional temple accommodation with tatami mats, futons, a private toilet and a shared bathroom.

Are meals and travel insurance included?

Daily breakfast, one picnic lunch and two dinners are included. Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.