Small Group Journey

From AU$12,999*
per person, twin share

11 Nights
Starts in Tokyo on the 9 November 2026
Ends in Osaka on the 20 November 2026

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan’s most iconic flavours and cultural traditions. Experience the grace of geisha culture through an elegant performance and indulge in Japan’s finest cuisine, from bustling markets to refined dining spaces. Discover UNESCO‑listed treasures, explore beautifully preserved historic districts and immerse yourself in spiritual practices shaped over centuries. Stay in a boutique onsen hotel, enjoy a private tea ceremony in a hidden temple and marvel at the cultural masterpieces that define Japan’s enduring charm during this incredible 12-day experience.

Highlights:
  • Discover the seasonal flavours of Tokyo, Kanazawa and Osaka on curated food tours
  • Head to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its traditional gassho‑zukuri farmhouses and breathtaking mountain scenery
  • Learn to prepare authentic Japanese cuisine by crafting fresh ramen noodles in Tokyo and delicate sushi rolls in Kyoto
  • Visit one of Takayama’s oldest sake breweries and sample premium sake crafted onsite
  • Enjoy the rare opportunity to experience Kyoto’s world-renowned hospitality, in a graceful evening of food and dance, in the company of a geisha
  • Join monks in their morning prayer on Mt. Shig and participate in a calming zazen meditation
Travelflex payment options available to eligible Lifestyle Gold, Platinum and 100 Club Owners

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Package Pricing

Payment options: ^The use of part payment using your vacation credits is available with the Travel Flex benefit, currently available to Owners who are Lifestyle Gold and above.
 
From Price From Travelflex Price
Price Per Person, Twin Share AU$12,999* AU$11,709* + 30,000^ credits
Solo AU$15,728* AU$14,228* + 30,000^ credits
.
Bookings are subject to availability. Valid for sale until 1 August 2026 unless sold out prior.  ^Travelflex payment options conditions apply.

Itinerary & Inclusions

  • 11 nights hotel accommodation
  • Visit Wada House, Takayama Jinya, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todaiji Temple
  • Admission to Nijo Castle, Osaka Castle, Okawa River Cruise, Tokyo National Museum and Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum
  • Guided walking tours of Nishiki Market in Kyoto and Dotonbori in Osaka
  • Guided food tours in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama and Osaka
  • Jiro-style ramen masterclass in Tokyo
  • Bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa
  • Private sake brewery tour in Takayama
  • Sushi masterclass in Kyoto
  • Tea ceremony in private tea room in Kyoto
  • Dinner and dance performance, accompanied by a geisha
  • 11 nights hotel accommodation
  • Meals as specified
  • Services of an experienced Tour Leader and local driver/guides
  • Travel by premium air-conditioned coach
  • Return private transfer from Tokyo and to Osaka airports
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Transfers as specified in the itinerary
  • Hosted by a local interpretive guide
  • Small Group Travel – maximum 16 guests
Itinerary

DAY 1: TOKYO (D)
You’ll be met on the arrival at Tokyo Airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Groove Shinjuku

DAY 2: TOKYO (BL)
After breakfast, walk through Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Outer Market, an eclectic mix of traditional shops and top-quality sushi eateries. Continue on to Asakusa, the city’s oldest geisha district, offering a deeper glimpse into old Tokyo. Following lunch, take a short walk to Kappabashi, known as the Kitchenware Town, where dozens of specialty stores for handcrafted knives, Japanese tableware, and food replicas surround the area. Continue on to the Ueno district for Tokyo National Museum, home to the best collections of art and archaeological artifacts. Last stop is in Ueno’s Ameyokocho, a former post‑war black market now transformed into a bustling shopping street lined with food stalls, a perfect spot to sample local snacks and soak up the lively atmosphere. Overnight: Hotel Groove Shinjuku

DAY 3: TOKYO (BLD)
Embark on a culinary journey into the world of Jiro-style ramen, one of Japan’s most popular dishes. Led by skilled English-speaking instructors, you will begin by kneading and shaping thick wheat noodles from flour, before preparing a rich, aromatic garlic-infused broth and slow-cooking succulent chashu pork slices. Once prepared, sit down to savour the fruits of your labour in a hearty, generously topped bowl, and leave equipped with the skills and confidence to recreate this iconic Japanese dish at home. Transfer back to your hotel and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. As night falls, join your guide to wander through the Tokyo’s old town streets, savouring a curated journey of flavours from fresh seafood to warm, sweet taiyaki – a delicious way to end the day. Overnight: Hotel Groove Shinjuku

DAY 4: TOKYO – KANAZAWA (BLD)
Today, board Japan’s world famous bullet train to Kanazawa, a former castle town that flourished as a hub of art, culture, and craftsmanship during the Edo period. Visit Kenroku-en Garden and stroll through the Higashi Chaya District, the most famous of Kanazawa’s historic geisha neighbourhoods. Later, venture into the atmospheric back alleys of the Korinbo District for a refined food tour. Discover the best of local produce and seafood, found only along this remarkable stretch of coast. Afterwards, choose to continue exploring the city on your own or head back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest.
Overnight: Kanazawa Tokyu

DAY 5: KANAZAWA – SHIRAKAWA-GO – TAKAYAMA (BLD)
Journey to Shirakawa-go village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its beautifully preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Explore Wada House, the largest farmhouse in the Ogimachi Village and an extraordinary structure crafted entirely with ropes and wooden joinery. Enjoy lunch before continuing to Takayama for a private tour of one of the city’s oldest sake breweries, where you’ll discover traditional techniques and sample premium sake brewed on-site. Tonight, enjoy a kaiseki (multicourse) dinner and unwind in the natural mountain setting of your onsen (hot springs) hotel. Overnight: Ryu Resort and Spa

DAY 6: TAKAYAMA – NAGOYA – KYOTO (BD)
Begin your morning with a guided walking tour around Takayama, where alpine architecture and traditional houses can be found at every turn. Stop at local shops to sample regional delicacies and pay a visit to Takayama Jinya, where you can glimpse into the region’s political past. This evening as dinner unfolds, you will be joined by a geisha who will bring grace to the evening, through traditional dance and engaging conversation – perfectly capturing Kyoto’s timeless artistry. Overnight: Hotel Higashiyama Tokyu

DAY 7: KYOTO (BL)
Start the day with a tea ceremony held in a private tea room within one of Kyoto’s hidden temples. Continue to Nijo Castle, renowned for its exquisite painted walls and “chirping nightingale” floors that squeak under the feet of intruders. After lunch, visit the iconic Heian Jingu Shinto Shrine built in 1895 to honour Kyoto’s 1,100 years as Japan’s imperial capital. Overnight: Hotel Higashiyama Tokyu

DAY 8: KYOTO (BL)
Begin your next culinary journey at Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s kitchen” that has fed the city for over 400 years. Wander through its vibrant arcades, watching vendors prepare traditional food and sample delicacies. After exploring the market’s treasures, head to a traditional restaurant and dive into the art of sushi-making. Prepare miso soup from scratch and craft beautiful maki rolls wrapped in crisp nori seaweed. Next, head to Sanjusangendo and take in the breathtaking Buddhist temple housing 1,001 life-sized golden statues within the world’s longest wooden hall. Finish your day at the iconic Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine, famous for its endless tunnels of vermilion torii gates winding up the mountainside. Overnight: Hotel Higashiyama Tokyu

DAY 9: KYOTO – NARA (BLD)
Spend today sightseeing in Nara, one of the ancient capitals of Japan. Begin your visit at Todaiji Temple, home to the awe-inspiring Great Buddha. Afterwards, take a scenic walk through Nara Park, where the deer roam freely. After lunch, continue on to Kasuga Taisha, the most celebrated Shinto shrine in Nara, renowned for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns. Transfer to the southern part of Nara and spend the night at a boutique hotel that blends the peaceful, spiritual ambience of temple life with modern comforts – offering a rare opportunity to stay within sacred temple grounds. For dinner, enjoy shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist cuisine designed on the ‘principle of five’ where meals include a balance of five colours, five flavours and five cooking methods. Overnight: WAQOO Horyu-ji

DAY 10: NARA – OSAKA (BD)
Depart Nara and journey to a local Buddhist temple on Mt. Shigi, where you’ll be welcomed with sencha (green tea) and wagashi (sweets) in the temple’s tranquil surroundings. Join the monks for their morning praying service, then explore the temple lodgings and gardens, before settling into a zazen meditation session. Afterwards, continue on to Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital by private coach. Stroll through Shinsekai and gaze up at Tsutenkaku Tower, an emblem of the postwar revival. Visit Isshinji Temple and Japan’s tallest skyscraper, Abe no Harukas. Take in the aweinspiring city panoramic views, 300 metres above Osaka. This evening, visit a traditional izakaya (Japanese bar) for authentic pub grub, followed by a culinary wander through the bustling Osaka Ekimae buildings and stop by the historic Ohatsu Tenjin Shine. After three delicious food stops sure to satisfy your taste buds, head back to the hotel or continue exploring the city. Overnight: Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel

DAY 11: OSAKA (BD)
This morning, visit iconic Osaka Castle before enjoying a scenic cruise along Okawa River, with views of Nakanoshima Park and the red-bricked Mint Museum. Immerse yourself in the lively energy of Dotonbori’s bustling streets, then visit the Kamigata Ukiyo‑e Museum, home to the world’s only permanent collection of Kamigatastyle woodblock prints. Conclude your stroll in Hozenji Yokocho, an area with narrow alleys lined with many traditional restaurants and bars, to gather with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. Overnight: Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel

DAY 12: OSAKA (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Japan and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Accommodation/rooms detailed in this itinerary are subject to seasonal availability. If a property is unavailable, a comparable standard of accommodation will be provided.

Important Information

 

 

  • Bookings subject to availability.
  • Prices are per person twin share, in Australian Dollars.
  • Pricing corrects as of 10 March 2026 and may fluctuate due to changes in availability, surcharges, fees or taxes and currency fluctuation.
  • Standard Travel Club Terms and Conditions apply.
  • This tour is offered and managed by Viva Holidays and their terms and conditions apply.
  • Prices are subject to change and can be withdrawn or varied without notice. Price changes may occur by reason of matters outside our control which increase the cost of a Product or Service, including, but not limited to the introduction of fuel surcharges, changes to taxes or fees. All arrangements are subject to availability, cancellation, or modification due to inclement weather, late running of services or other unforeseen circumstances. A minimum nonrefundable deposit equivalent to 20% of the tour cost is payable within 7 days of confirmation of your booking and cancellation prior to final payment will result in your deposit being forfeited. Final payment of your holiday cost is required at least 100 days prior to departure, there will be no refund for bookings cancelled less than 91 days prior to travel. The travel services provided by these suppliers are subject to the conditions imposed by the suppliers and their liability may be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, and agreements. A minimum of 10 passengers is required for this tour to operate on a group basis with a tour leader. Information required at time of booking – full name, including title, initial and surname as per ID, any information relating to dietary/mobility/medical requirements and mobile contact number.  Ultimate Journeys is a brand of Viva Holidays.
  • Cancellation and change fees apply. Bookings are non-transferable.
  • Travel insurance is not included in the package. Please ensure you have valid Travel Insurance, or request a quotation.

Travel Flex ^ guidelines

These offers are provided by Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific Pty Ltd ACN 090 083 613 (Developer) via the TravelFlex benefit as part of Lifestyle by Wyndham membership and are subject to availability at time of booking.  TravelFlex is available to all Lifestyle Gold members and above.
You can use up to maximum number of credits as listed below of your Lifestyle Qualified credits toward TravelFlex:
60,000 credits  for Gold, 90,000 credits  for Platinum, 150,000 credits for 100 Club.
It is a limited offer which can only be used once before the expiry date.Lifestyle Platinum and 100 Club members can make up to two transactions per promotion period (provided the total amount of exchanged credits does not exceed the above cap)
Your credits must have a minimum of 6 months / 180 days validity for use with TravelFlex
You must provide a Housekeeping Token for the first 19,999 credits and for each additional 10,000 Lifestyle Qualified Credits exchanged for Travel Flex
If you do not have enough allocated tokens per above, a fee of AU$139 is payable per 10,000 credits (or part thereof) exchanged
If you prefer to use less credits and more cash, we can adjust the pricing accordingly