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Rail and Land Tour

Culture and Art of Japan

2025

Land Tour

Culture & Art of Japan

Culture and Art of Japan

Experience the diverse culture and art of Japan on an in-depth 17-day journey from Tokyo to Fukuoka. Savour a full day admiring incredible art on Naoshima Island, visit the iconic Himeji Castle, enjoy a private dinner with a maiko or geisha, and take part in a sushi-making class.

17 day Land Tour

Itinerary

Tokyo to Fukuoka

17 days / 16 night Land Tour

Day 1

Arrive Tokyo

Day 2

Tokyo

Freedom of Choice

Day 3

Tokyo

Signature Experience

Day 4

Tokyo, Hakone

Day 5

Hakone, Matsumoto, Takayama

Signature Experience

Day 6

Takayama

Signature Experience

Day 7

Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa

Freedom of Choice

Day 8

Kanazawa, Tsuruga, Kyoto

Signature Experience

Day 9

Kyoto

Day 10

Kyoto

Signature Experience

Day 11

Kyoto, Nara, Kyoto

Signature Experience

Day 12

Kyoto, Himeji, Okayama

Signature Experience

Day 13

Okayama, Naoshima Island, Okayama

Signature Experience

Day 14

Okayama, Hiroshima

Day 15

Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima

Freedom of Choice

Day 16

Hiroshima, Fukuoka

Day 17

Depart Fukuoka

Rail
Coach/Vehicle

Trip Inclusions

Discover the inclusions provided on your all-inclusive tour, ensuring a stress-free journey where every detail is taken care of.

Experiences in 15 destinations
Inclusions - Freedom of Choice inclusions in six locations

Freedom of Choice inclusions in six locations 

Luxury dining – a total of 33 meals
Take part in a sushi-making class and learn to prepare different types of sushi before enjoying your homemade delights for lunch
Enjoy a Sarubobo-making workshop, learning how to make the traditional red dolls and discover why these amulets are believed to bring good luck
Relish a gold leaf-making experience, decorating a small lacquer plate with this fragile and precious fine-layered gold
Delve into traditional Japanese culture with a special tea ceremony and kimono-wearing experience
Savour a special night of entertainment with a private dinner and drinks alongside a maiko or geisha

Tour Highlights

These exclusive or unique events are designed to deepen your experience, taking you on an inspiring journey beneath the surface of local history, culture and traditions. What's more, these once-in-a-lifetime moments are often not available to a regular traveller. The following experiences are just a taste of what we have prepared especially for you.

a japanese woman shows the tea ceremony during a public demonstration

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Delve into traditional Japanese culture with a special tea ceremony experience. Learn all about tea varieties and the importance and process of serving tea to guests in Japan.

Full-Day Naoshima Island Tour

Commonly known as Art Island, Naoshima Island is peppered with elegant galleries, outdoor art pieces and museum spaces. Spend a full day exploring the sights and immersing yourself in the island's art and culture.

Japanese Maiko or geisha in red kimono coifed hair brooch with patterns of red and white plum blossoms
Traditional ramen with jerked pork or chicken.  With udon or ramen noodles. Served in classic bowls. Gyoza dumplings and mushrooms in the background.  Natural wooden background.

Dinner with a Maiko or Geisha

A special night of private entertainment with a maiko or geisha awaits. Enjoy a wonderful dinner and drinks and have the chance to learn more about the geisha and their daily life, all accompanied by music played on a shamisen, a traditional stringed instrument.

Hand holding a Sarubobo doll in a shop. Japanese amulet in the town of Takayama in Gifu, Japan.

Sarubobo-Making Experience

Enjoy a Sarubobo-making experience. An amulet particularly common in Takayama and the nearby Hida region, Sarubobo are red dolls with no facial features. Learn how to make the dolls and perhaps find some good luck yourself.

soba,cut
Asian noodles with chicken, vegetables in bowl, rustic wooden background. Soba noodles, teriyaki sauce chicken, edamame beans, sesame, chopsticks. Closeup. Asian style dinner. Chinese/Japanese noodles

Soba Noodle Cooking Lesson

Try your hand at creating some traditional cuisine today with a soba buckwheat noodle cooking lesson and savour your creations for lunch.

Trip Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your cruise. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.

APT Asia Tours - Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Notes

  • Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change 

  • Prices include airport transfers and gratuities 

  • Double beds are limited within hotels in Japan and are on a request basis

  • An overnight bag will be required to be packed for days 4, 7, 12, 13 and 15 

  • Cherry Blossom season in Japan usually lasts from late March to May, however due to changeable weather, blooms cannot be guaranteed, even during spring months 

  • Extend Your Journey - Why not begin your holiday in South Korea? Explore the wonders of Japan's closest neighbour before traversing Japan on the Cultural Wonders of Japan and South Korea trip. Refer Tour Code: JAS26 

  • Some hotels provide shower over bath only

  • Prices are for land/rail only. International Flights are not included unless specified 

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