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Japan Adventure

4.7(12739 reviews)
Japan
13 days
Operated by Partner

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Aug 2026, and closing very soon.

$4,399

$495
deposit now
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

From the neon lights of buzzing Tokyo to ancient temples on snowy mountain tops, Japan is a feast for the senses and INTRO is the most amazing way to experience it! You’ll walk the streets of one of the world’s busiest and most futuristic cities, watch monkeys bathe in hot springs, roll your own sushi, visit ancient shrines and castles, get taught to wield a sword by a Samurai master, stay overnight with monks in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple, experience incredible and unique accommodation and much more! With an awesome group leader from the moment you arrive at the hotel, an instant group of friends and help with all your onward travel. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

Trip itinerary

As a rough idea, this is the daily schedule you can expect:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 1
1 day

Arrive in Tokyo – Welcome to Tokyo! Once you arrive and check in at the hostel you’ll then have plenty of time to recover from your flight and relax before you meet everyone in your group.

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Day 2
1 day

Tokyo & Nightlife – First up is a visit to the Senso-ji Temple; Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, before heading over to the Meiji Shrine. Next up we discover colourful Harajuku as well as the iconic Shibuya Crossing (the world’s busiest intersection!) Later we’ll experience some of Japan’s quirky restaurants and hilariously tiny bars in Shinjuku. (B)

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Day 3
1 day

Sushi Class & Arcades - Today we’ll discover the organised mayhem of the Tsukiji Fish Market, once one of the largest operating fish markets! Afterwards, a sushi master will teach you the art of rolling your own fresh sushi. This evening we’ll head for the bright lights of Akihabara. From classic arcade games to the insanity of Japanese photo booths, you’ll soon learn why they call this ‘Electric City’. (B, L)

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Day 4
1 day

Nagano & Sake Tasting – Today we board our first ‘Shinkansen’, the famous bullet train and rocket through the Japanese countryside at over 200mph! Once in Nagano we’ll get a chance to taste locally brewed sake. Our home tonight is a traditional style Japanese accommodation located in the heart of the mountain village. (B)

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Day 5
1 day

Snow Monkeys – Today, we head into the mountains to see the famous snow monkeys. These Japanese Macaques play among the trees in summer, whilst in winter you’ll catch these guys bathing in natural hot springs to escape the cold. We’ll then explore the lakes and forests of the Shiga Kogen National Park, a beautiful site year round. (B)

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Day 6
1 day

Nagano To Hakone – Today we’ll shoot off again by bullet train to the stunning Hakone, a spot famous in Japan for it’s jaw dropping views of Mount Fuji. (B)

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Day 7
1 day

Exploring Hakone – We’ll spend the morning exploring the stunning region of Hakone by pirate ship and cable car, where on a clear day you’ll have unrivalled views of Mount Fuji. Next up is Osaka, where we’ll head out to the vibrant Dotonbori canal region for dinner and then party in the crazy neon nightlife. (B, D)

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Day 8
1 day

Osaka Castle – Spend the morning relaxing or exploring Osaka’s awesome shopping. Later we’ll visit the incredible Osaka Castle, first built over 400 years ago. Here we’ll learn about Japanese history and Japan’s ancient warriors, the Samurai. (B)

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Day 9
1 day

Buddhist Temple Stay – We head back to the mountains today for a once in a lifetime experience – staying overnight in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple in the fascinating town of Koyasan. Here we’ll be taught meditation by the monks, served their traditional cuisine and have a guided night-time stroll through Japan’s largest cemetery. (B, D)

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Day 10
1 day

Koyasan & Kyoto – Today we wake up early for an unforgettable experience – watching the Buddhist monks perform their morning prayer service and fire ceremony. We will be served breakfast by the monks before travelling to our last destination, Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital. When we arrive there’ll be time to chill in our awesome accommodation before heading out for dinner and drinks. (B)

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Day 11
1 day

Bamboo Forest & Golden Pavillion – Make sure your phone’s charged today! First up is the Instagram famous Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, perfect for shots surrounded by the towering bamboo. We then head to the beautiful Golden Pavilion, a temple covered entirely in gold, before visiting Gion, the famous home of Japan’s beautiful and mysterious Geishas. (B)

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Day 12
1 day

Fushimi-Inari & Samurai Experience – Today the endless bright Torii gates of Fushimi- Inari await us! One of Japan’s most iconic shrines will blow you away as we explore the winding trails of the ancient mountain. In the afternoon, we will be taught how to wield a traditional sword by a sensei descended from the Samurai. Experience the finesse of these weapons as you channel your inner warrior and slice through rolled bamboo. (B, D)

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Day 13
1 day

Depart Kyoto or Continue Your Travels – Your amazing 13 day adventure comes to an end. You can either check out and make your way back home, stay on longer in Kyoto or continue your travels in Japan. (B) Return to Tokyo options available.

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What's Included

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What's Included
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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, around 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 100,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and loved by a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Absolutely! For most of our trips, we can help arrange for you and your friends to be together - so you can live, work, play, and explore the world side by side. But that’s not all! You can also earn extra travel funds just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. It’s super simple, and you’ll find all the details about our referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you’ve joined. Flying solo? No worries. We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with other Global Travellers heading to the same region through Social. Just like any social platform, you’ll be able to chat, share, and meet others doing similar trips - so you’re never really travelling alone.

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. Full credit terms available on our website. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and Booking Conditions, our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

Why travellers choose Global Work & Travel

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We're the experts, Book with confidence

With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Experiences worth travelling for

Discover iconic sights and experience each destination the way locals do, going beyond the surface to find the real character of every place you visit.

Always-on Global support when you need it

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

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