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.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Kansai region
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Kansai region
Visit Osaka Castle
Travel to Nara
Take a guided tour of Nara
Visit Todaiji Temple
Continue on to Kyoto
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
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Day 4: Kansai region
Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
Sample green tea ice cream
Explore the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
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Day 5: Kansai region • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region • Tokyo
Travel by bullet train to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, home of Mount Fuji
Enjoy Tour Director-led sightseeing of the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji
Explore the Fugaku Fuketsu wind cave and Narusawa Hyoketsu ice cave
Visit Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the reconstructed village of Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Continue on to Tokyo
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Day 6: Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Explore the serene pond, temples, and shrines of Ueno Park
Visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, Japan’s largest and oldest museum
Enjoy a sumo-style hot pot dinner
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Day 7: Tokyo
Explore Yokohama on an immersive scavenger hunt
Visit the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Explore Yokohama’s Chinatown on your own
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.
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Day 8: Tokyo
Venture near the top of the Tokyo Tower, the second tallest structure in the country
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Explore Tokyo on your own
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Tokyo • Sapporo City
Fly to Sapporo City
Take a tour of Sapporo City
With your Tour Director you will visit:
- Asahiyama Observatory
- Sapporo TV Tower
Stop for a photo at Japan's oldest clock tower
Stop for a photo at Lake Shikotsu
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Day 10: Sapporo City
Take an in-depth tour of Shikotsu-Toya National Park with a guide
Visit the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park and learn about Ainu history and culture in Japan
Visit the Nijo Seafood Market
Explore Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Oyunuma Pond, a natural hot spring
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Day 11: Sapporo City • Otaru • Tokyo
Visit a local dairy farm in Otaru
Fly back to Tokyo
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Day 12: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Kansai region
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Kansai region
Visit Osaka Castle
Travel to Nara
Take a guided tour of Nara
Visit Todaiji Temple
Continue on to Kyoto
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
-
Day 4: Kansai region
Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
Sample green tea ice cream
Explore the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
-
Day 5: Kansai region • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region • Tokyo
Travel by bullet train to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, home of Mount Fuji
Enjoy Tour Director-led sightseeing of the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji
Explore the Fugaku Fuketsu wind cave and Narusawa Hyoketsu ice cave
Visit Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the reconstructed village of Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Continue on to Tokyo
-
Day 6: Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Explore the serene pond, temples, and shrines of Ueno Park
Visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, Japan’s largest and oldest museum
Enjoy a sumo-style hot pot dinner
-
Day 7: Tokyo
Explore Yokohama on an immersive scavenger hunt
Visit the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Explore Yokohama’s Chinatown on your own
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.
-
Day 8: Tokyo
Venture near the top of the Tokyo Tower, the second tallest structure in the country
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Explore Tokyo on your own
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Tokyo • Sapporo City
Fly to Sapporo City
Take a tour of Sapporo City
With your Tour Director you will visit:
- Asahiyama Observatory
- Sapporo TV Tower
Stop for a photo at Japan's oldest clock tower
Stop for a photo at Lake Shikotsu
-
Day 10: Sapporo City
Take an in-depth tour of Shikotsu-Toya National Park with a guide
Visit the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park and learn about Ainu history and culture in Japan
Visit the Nijo Seafood Market
Explore Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Oyunuma Pond, a natural hot spring
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Day 11: Sapporo City • Otaru • Tokyo
Visit a local dairy farm in Otaru
Fly back to Tokyo
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Day 12: Depart for home
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; 1 bullet train (2 internal flights with extension)
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
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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)
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides; 3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (6 with extension); 1 walking tour
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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)
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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.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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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.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.