Japan Express

Transport

• Public Bus, Metro, Train, Bullet Train

Accommodation

• Multishare Pod Hostel (2 nights), Basic Hotel (6 nights)

Included activities

• Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
• Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
• Tokyo - Metro day pass
• Tokyo - Harajuku street
• Hiroshima - Peace Museum
• Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
• Hiroshima - Leader-led orientation walk
• Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
• Hiroshima - Momiji manju making
• Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
• Kyoto - Public bus day pass
• Kyoto - Gion District walk
• Osaka - Dotombori District walking tour

Optional activities

• Tokyo - Disneyland or Disney Sea (from) - JPY7900
• Tokyo - Gotokuji Cat Temple - Free
• Tokyo - A Tour Through Tokyo's Kitchen (with World's Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure - JPY12535
• Tokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure - JPY17000
• Tokyo - Sensoji Temple - Free
• Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
• Tokyo - Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Free
• Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
• Tokyo - Karaoke - JPY2000
• Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise - JPY1000
• Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
• Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
• Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
• Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
• Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - JPY500
• Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
• Kyoto - Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace - JPY1300
• Kyoto - Ryōan-ji - JPY600
• Kyoto - Tō-ji (grounds free) - JPY800

• This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has plenty of free time where your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in and public transport to those activities.
• Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
• In some destinations, you may stay in multi-share accommodation, like a hostel or a minshuku (a Japanese-style inn). You’ll be able to experience pod hostels or the tradition of sleeping on futon mattresses on the floor, but the facilities will be shared. Travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to the single gender floor arrangement for the stay in hostels.
• Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sq m). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.

Multishare Pod Hostel (2 nights), Basic Hotel (6 nights)

RYOKANS & MINSHUKUS
Japanese-style accommodation - ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation - this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning. Some of such properties will only give 1 key for each room so you can leave the key at the reception so that you and your roommate won't have to conform to the same schedule when you are out exploring.

AVAILABILITY
The recent huge increase in tourism to Japan has put a lot of pressure on accommodation. On occasion, we may need to change accommodation from what is listed in the itinerary in order to operate your departure with minimal changes.

ONSENS
We like to encourage travellers to visit traditional Japanese 'onsens' while in the country as it is a quintessential local experience. In public onsens this means bathing naked with others of the same gender. While the experience can feel strange at first for some, most of our groups end up enjoying this activity. There is very specific etiquette for visiting onsens - your leader can give you some tips and instructions. Please be aware that travellers with tattoos may not be permitted to enter public onsens. Private onsens may also be available - talk to your leader for more information. See our guide to onsens here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/japan-onsen-guide/

Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa
2-25-1 Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo JAPAN

Description
Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa is located in the heart of Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district, just a short walk from the famous Senso-ji Temple. It’s conveniently close to Asakusa Station, with easy access to multiple subway lines, making it simple to explore other popular areas like Ueno, Akihabara, and Ginza. The hotel offers a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern convenience, with attractions such as the Sumida River nearby, ideal for sightseeing and local exploration.

Instructions
Japan has a very efficient public transport service and there are many ways to get from the two airports in the Tokyo region (Narita Airport or Haneda Airport) to your hotel. Narita is located approx. 65 km from Tokyo and taxi fares are expensive given the distance (around JPY25,000). Haneda Airport is closer to central Tokyo and a taxi fare will cost around JPY6,000-10,000.

Public Transport
If you prefer to make your own way to the hotel from Narita, there are various connections either by express train or limousine bus to Tokyo Station or Ueno Station and then by local train, subway or taxi to Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa, which is located in Asakusa near Ueno. The airport information desks can provide helpful advice too. The most direct way is by the Keisei Skyliner express to Keisei Ueno Station (approx. JPY2,600 and 45 mins) and then by subway or taxi. The Narita Express will take you into Tokyo Station (approx. JPY3,000 and 50 mins) and you will then need to change to the local Yamanote line, subway or taxi. If you're travelling from Haneda Airport, the most direct option is the Keikyu Line Airport Limited Express (approx. JPY700 and 45 mins) and then subway or taxi.

If you're having any problems finding the hotel, ring the hotel directly (you can use one of Japan's green public phones with coins of JPY10 or JPY100).

• We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
• It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

Planning your next adventure is thrilling! While we hope for smooth travels, preparing for the unexpected is always smart. We highly recommend getting travel insurance when you book. Whether it's a medical emergency, a flight cancellation, a delayed suitcase, or an unforeseen event, ensure you're covered. For more info and advice, please visit: www.twac.com.au/travel-insurance or talk to your TWAC travel consultant.

Although you should read all of the terms and conditions, the following is a summary of the most important:

• Our travel package is non-refundable, however you will receive a travel credit to be applied to our travel services.
• You, as our client, agree to check all documentation immediately for errors. Travel With A Cause (TWAC) does not take responsibility for incorrect dates or names supplied.
• Prices, including, in some cases, of confirmed bookings, may be subject to change. ​
• Some confirmed bookings are non-refundable if cancelled by you and it is your responsibility to check if this applies.
• We will be entitled to retain our service fees even if a booking is cancelled or does not proceed for any reason which is not our fault.
• It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of all information relevant to your travel plans, including but not limited to visa requirements and health precautions.
• There may be some additional fees or other incentives from Suppliers.
• We are not liable for the recent updates of any published Supplier content including websites and brochures

CANCELLATION POLICY
Tour packages are non-refundable. If your tour package is affected by Covid-19 related travel restrictions and you are unable to travel, you will receive either a free date change (credit that is specific to your original package and purchase value) or an open credit less any non-recoverable supplier fees to the value of your original purchase for use on any other tour or package available via the TWAC website.
 
Please note: Date change credits are subject to availability and not guaranteed until confirmed by TWAC, not the tour operator you are due to stay with.
 
We recommend you consider purchasing travel insurance with Covid-19 protection. The standard cancellation policy will apply if you cannot travel because you have tested positive for Covid-19.
 
Please note: All additional charges are payable in AUD (unless otherwise stated).