Japan Rail Journeys
Sit back and enjoy being whisked from neon-lit cityscapes to the tranquil shrine-dotted countryside of Japan by bullet train. Watch breathtaking landscapes zip by your window, from the mist shrouded peak of Mt. Fuji to forests dusted in seasonal hues and framed by traditional torii gates on one of 61 rail journeys through Japan.
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APT is an Australian family-owned company whose essence began in Melbourne in the 1920s. More than 90 years on, APT offers life-enriching trips to every...more continent, and through the company’s vast industry experience, meticulous planning and unquestionable passion it's earned a place among the world’s most well-regarded travel companies. From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests. Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
Explore has been taking small groups on adventure holidays all over the world for almost 40 years. The expert team, at home and overseas, works together...more to create itineraries that leave you feeling that you’ve really explored a destination rather than just visited. You’ll see the highlights, the must-sees, of course. But you’ll also get away from the beaten track, and get a different perspective on your destination. You’ll get closer to a place, its people and cultures. Our small groups are typically 12 people – small enough to get right into the heart of your destination, but big enough to find like-minded people to share your experiences with. And the glue that holds these groups together is our local tour leaders, who are uniquely placed to add individual and spontaneous moments to each trips – moments that stay with you long after you return home. All sorts of people travel with Explore – our groups are usually a mix of solos, couples and friends. What unites them is their adventurous spirit and thirst for real travel experiences. We provide authentic small-group travel, designed by experts and led by experts, with sustainability at its heart and a common desire for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re on a cultural tour of Lebanon, cycling in Vietnam, walking in Italy or exploring Costa Rica with your family, when you’re travelling with Explore you know that you’re in good hands.
Contiki are the world leaders in travel experiences for 18-35’s. We exist to connect young travellers to the time of their lives. We believe in real experiences...more and we care about making sure these experiences contribute positively to the people and places we visit. We are focused on discovery, once-in-a-lifetime moments, human connections, and making every second of being young count. For over 55 years we’ve been perfecting the secret formula to the perfect trip - we know you’re after unique experiences, local insight and accommodation that’s more than a place to sleep. We run over 350 trips across 6 continents, each one designed to get to the beating heart of a destination, understanding the local way of life, unearthing unforgettable experiences and creating lifelong memories. Real experiences, unique accommodation, local food, the best team and awesome people all deliver Contiki’s no regrets experience.
Rail Journeys through Japan Iconic Cities and Experiences
Tokyo
Tokyo has an intricate and precise rail network which carries over 8 million passengers daily! In minutes, you'll arrive in iconic locations like Shibuya crossing, Harajuku and Meiji Shrine and Asakusa's Sensō-ji temple to name a few.
Kyoto
Travel by high-speed bullet train to arrive in Japan's ancient capital. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Listed Sites, you will step back in time as you visit the vast array of temples, gardens and traditional tea houses.
Osaka
The railway network is key in exploring Osaka. A short ride and you'll arrive at Osaka Castle, Universal Studios or the neon shopping area of Dotonbori. Local street foods are always a hit too - Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki - delicious!
Hiroshima
The Shinkansen connects you to Hiroshima, where you can visit the floating Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, or explore the Peace Memorial Park and Museum - the Genbaku Dome still standing since the atomic bombing of WWII.
Takayama
Sit back in comfort as your train winds through serene landscapes to the traditional town of Takayama. Stroll through the charming streets, savour local cuisine, and admire the historic wooden architecture of this mountain-side oasis.
Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys through Japan
Beautiful is the first thought that comes to mind as I recall our time spent in Japan. From the Japanese people to the countryside, the culture, food, gardens and everything in between. Trafalgar looked after us well, with the amazing Yama as our tour director. She worked so hard to make sure everyone needs were met. We travelled with a great bunch ...read more of people and had lots of fun along the way. A couple of the meal experiences could have been explained better but other than that no complaints. I would happily recommend this trip to anyone seeking an overall experience of what Japan can offer. Georgie was very helpful with organising the trip.
This trip was quite a pacey one. Well organised and filled with lots of interactive activities. The sushi & noodle making classes were most enjoyable together with calligraphy classes, paper making and visits to sumo exhibition, samurai & tea making exhibitions. So much to see and do. The people in Japan are very welcoming and the tour guide was very
knowledgable, ...read more friendly and welcoming.
knowledgable, ...read more friendly and welcoming.
Convenient booking online and very helpful direct contact with Georgie. Process and trip went to plan. Our guide Emi went out of her way to make everything right. Pottery visit was a highlight and wondered if similar paper and fabric craft visits would be a good addition if available. Accomodation standard was good. Really glad we had Georgie add ...read more the transfer from Narita Airport into our Tokyo hotel. Late April timing of the trip meant that the full bloom of the Cherry Blossoms were over but still some good examples were seen. Good basic view of Japan, thanks.
This was our first trip to Japan which we booked through Global Journeys and Travelmarvel. This was a trip managed by Great Train Journeys in the UK. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip with like minded travellers from the UK, Australia and US. It is perfect for 1st time travellers to Japan with an attentive English and Japanese tour guide. The overall ...read more tour was well balanced, with the right amount of time spent exploring by ourselves, good hotels and food choices. The tour covered all the main attractions of the cities included. We highly recommend Global Travel who we continue to use for our holiday bookings. They are prompt, pay attention to detail and are always proactive. We would have no hesitation in recommending Global Travel, Travelmarvel or Great Train Journeys.
