Japan: Backtracking the Golden Route
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Group Leader: Olivia Ruff
Requested Return Date: 6/18/2025
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
Experience rich culture, historic landmarks, and breathtaking natural beauty while backtracking Japan’s Golden Route, an immersive journey that includes the country’s must-see cities and sights.
From the centuries-old spirit of Kyoto to the legendary Mount Fuji to the modern metropolis of Tokyo, this adventure is a beautiful collection of the many shining gems of Japan.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto
Travel to Nara
Visit the Cupnoodles Museum
Take a guided tour of Nara
Visit Todaiji Temple
Continue on to Kyoto
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
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Day 4: Kyoto
Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit Kiyomizu Temple
Sample green tea ice cream
Explore the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
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Day 5: Kyoto • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region • Tokyo
Travel by bullet train to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, home of Mount Fuji
Take an in-depth tour of Mount Fuji
Stop at the Mount Fuji 5th Station, the halfway point of the Yoshida Trail
Visit Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the reconstructed village of Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Continue on to Tokyo
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Day 6: Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Explore the Imperial Palace Plaza
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Enjoy a sumo-style hot pot dinner
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Day 7: Tokyo
Enjoy time to explore on your ownExplore Tokyo on your own
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Day 8: Tokyo
Visit the Hamarikyu Japanese Gardens to stroll among Japanese greenery and seawater ponds
Venture near the top of the Tokyo Tower, the second tallest structure in the country
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.
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Day 9: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto
Travel to Nara
Visit the Cupnoodles Museum
Take a guided tour of Nara
Visit Todaiji Temple
Continue on to Kyoto
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
-
Day 4: Kyoto
Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit Kiyomizu Temple
Sample green tea ice cream
Explore the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
-
Day 5: Kyoto • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region • Tokyo
Travel by bullet train to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, home of Mount Fuji
Take an in-depth tour of Mount Fuji
Stop at the Mount Fuji 5th Station, the halfway point of the Yoshida Trail
Visit Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the reconstructed village of Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Continue on to Tokyo
-
Day 6: Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Explore the Imperial Palace Plaza
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Enjoy a sumo-style hot pot dinner
-
Day 7: Tokyo
Enjoy time to explore on your ownExplore Tokyo on your own
-
Day 8: Tokyo
Visit the Hamarikyu Japanese Gardens to stroll among Japanese greenery and seawater ponds
Venture near the top of the Tokyo Tower, the second tallest structure in the country
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.
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Day 9: Depart for home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?
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See your tour come to life
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; 1 bullet train (2 internal flights with extension)
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Dinner on arrival day; breakfast and dinner on Days 3-8 (and 9-11 with extension); breakfast on departure day (lunch on Day 10 with extension)
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides; 3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (6 with extension); 1 walking tour
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Entrances
CupNoodles Museum; Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Kiyomizudera Temple; Golden Pavilion; Mount Fuji 5th Station; Lake Saiko and Iyashi no Sato Nenba; Meiji Shinto Shrine; Asakusa Kannon Temple; sumo-style hot pot; Hamarikyu Gardens; Tokyo Tower (with extension: Asahiyama Observatory; Sapporo TV Tower; Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park; Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Oyunuma Pond; dairy farm visit)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Have questions about this tour? Give us a call at 800-665-5364
