WALKING TOUR
Japan occupies a unique place in many Westerners' minds. On the one hand, it is familiar. We've seen it in dozens of movies, and Japanese consumer products have been part of our everyday lives for decades. On the other hand, Japan is exotic and foreign. On this tour, we'll try to reconcile these two perspectives and experience what this amazing island nation has to offer!
Travel in Japan has also been presumed expensive since the 1980's. We've all heard crazy stories about $800 hotel rooms and $25 hamburgers. While this may have been true at one time, things have changed so much that today Japan is no more expensive than Canada. In fact, hotels are cheaper in Tokyo than Vancouver, and beer costs less in Kyoto than Toronto!
This Best of JAPAN tour is meant as an introduction to this beautiful country. It doesn't purport to be comprehensive, as a truly exhaustive tour of Japan would take many weeks. Instead, we will sample the best this country has to offer using their incredible bullet train network and just three conveniently located hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima.
So, if you've always wanted to see Japan like that, we hope you will join us!
PLEASE NOTE: Rotary Best of JAPAN will operate immediately prior to the Rotary International Convention in Taipei in June 2026. As such, the presumption is those on this tour will continue to Taipei with us, and possibly onto Borneo after the RI convention.
THIS IS AN ACTIVE TOUR: This tour includes a lot of walking most days, and there's really no way to avoid this while still keeping up with the group. As such, unfortunately it is not suitable for those who cannot walk 10,000 steps (about 6 km) and climb many stairs.
TOUR DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$6,880
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$2,440
DEPARTS TORONTO: Sat May 30, 2026
BEGINS IN TOKYO: Sun May 31, 2026
ENDS IN OSAKA: Fri Jun 12, 2026
TYPE: Active Sightseeing
HOTELS: 4 star & 3.5 star
GROUP: Max 18 guests (13 Remaining)
DURATION: 13 days (12 hotel nights)
Rotary Tour Team
Rotary Tours are a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Haliburton. Ursula Devolin (President 2021/22) chairs the club's Rotary Tours Committee, while her husband Barry (TravelMaven) designs and operates the tours.
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 0 (Sat May 30) Depart Toronto
Trans-Pacific flights are not included in this Land Package; however, TravelMaven is happy to assist clients in booking their international tickets. Fortunately, there are typically direct flights available from Toronto Pearson International Airport to both of Tokyo’s major airports (Narita and Haneda) most days. Please note that Haneda is located much closer to central Tokyo, making arrival easier.
DAY 1 (Sun May 31) Arrive in Tokyo
Depending on flight arrival times, Barry may organize a relaxed orientation walk around the hotel’s neighborhood. This optional stroll is a great way to stretch your legs after the journey and get familiar with the local surroundings, including nearby shops, restaurants, and transit options. This will help guests get their bearings and feel more comfortable exploring on their own in the days ahead.
Japanese women in traditional kimonos
DAY 2 (Mon Jun 1) Imperial Palace; Ginza District (B,D)
We'll begin the day with breakfast and a short meeting to discuss the tour. Afterwards, we'll walk a few blocks to one of Japan's most significant landmarks, the Imperial Palace, for a guided tour. Afterwards, we'll stop along the way for lunch before returning to the hotel for a couple of hours before walking to nearby Ginza to check out Tokyo's version of Fifth Avenue in New York.
DAY 3 (Tue Jun 2) Tokyo Sightseeing Tour (B)
Today, we’ll set out to explore many of Tokyo’s top attractions on a guided city tour. The exact route and stops will be finalized closer to the departure date. After a full day of sightseeing, guests will have a free evening to unwind, enjoy dinner at their leisure, or venture out to further explore Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods, shops, and nightlife at their own pace.
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
DAY 4 (Wed Jun 3) FREE DAY in Tokyo or optional day trip to Mount Fuji or Nikko (B,D)
On this day, guests are free to choose their own activities. Options include a day trip to the Mount Fuji region for breathtaking views, or a visit to Nikko to explore its beautiful historic temples (Barry will help arrange these excursions, though they are not included in the package). For those who prefer to stay in Tokyo, Barry will be happy to make suggestions. We'll end the day with a Group Dinner near our hotel.
DAY 5 (Thu Jun 4) Train to Kyoto (B)
After checking out, we will take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, hopefully getting a good view of Mount Fuji before arriving in time to check in to our next hotel. Afterward, Barry will lead the group on a leisurely walk through Kyoto. The walk will include a visit to the famous Gion District, known for its beautifully preserved wooden buildings, traditional teahouses, and geisha culture.
Mount Fuji
DAY 6 (Fri Jun 5) Royal Palace, Nijo Castle, Gion District (B,L)
We’ll begin our day with a guided tour of the Kyoto Royal Palace, once the residence of Japan’s emperors, where we’ll learn about its historical significance and elegant traditional architecture. We’ll also visit nearby Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ornate interiors and "nightingale floors." In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk through Kyoto’s famous Gion District (aka the geisha district).
DAY 7 (Sat Jun 6) Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Osaka Minami District (B)
After an early breakfast, we’ll take the train to Fushimi to visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousands of red torii gates. After some time to explore and return to Kyoto, guests will have a free afternoon to relax or sightsee on their own. Later in the day, we’ll head to Osaka to explore the lively Minami District, known for its bright lights, street food, and energetic atmosphere.
Atomic Peace Park, Hiroshima
DAY 8 (Sun Jun 7) Nara Park; Todaiji Temple (B)
We’ll spend the day in Nara, Japan’s former capital. Our visit includes the impressive Todaiji Temple, which houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, and a walk through scenic Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming, friendly deer. After soaking in the sights and atmosphere, we’ll return to our hotel in the mid-afternoon. Guests will then have a free evening to explore Kyoto.
DAY 9 (Mon Jun 8) Sagano Train; Bamboo Forest (B)
Today, we'll visit several of Kyoto’s top sights. We’ll start with a ride on the scenic Sagano Romantic Train, followed by a walk through the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Then, we’ll visit the iconic Kinkakuji Temple, known for its golden exterior and peaceful gardens. After a full day of exploring, guests will have a free evening to relax or continue discovering Kyoto.
Gion District, Kyoto
DAY 10 (Tue Jun 9) Kyoto to Hiroshima; Himeji Castle (B,L)
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll board a train headed to Hiroshima. Along the way, we’ll stop for a few hours in the city of Himeji to visit the spectacular Himeji Castle. After exploring the castle grounds and surrounding area, we’ll continue our journey to Hiroshima, arriving later in the day to check in at our hotel and settle in for the evening.
DAY 11 (Wed Jun 10) Itsukushima Jinja & Island (B)
On this relaxed day, we’ll take a scenic ferry ride across the bay to Itsukushima Island, also known as Miyajima, famous for its iconic “floating” torii gate and beautiful surroundings. We’ll visit the historic Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and walking paths. After touring the main sights together, guests are free to stay and explore at their own pace before returning to the hotel.
Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima
DAY 12 (Thu Jun 11) Hiroshima Peace Museum, Farewell Dinner (B,D)
After breakfast, we will go to this city's most famous (or infamous) attraction, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This somber place tells the story of what happened on and after August 6, 1945. For many western visitors, the Japanese recollection of this event is jarringly different from our perspective. After some free time in the afternoon, we will convene for our Farewell to Japan dinner.
DAY 13 (Fri Jun 12) Depart Japan (B)
Our flight to Taipei is scheduled to depart Hiroshima Airport around 11:00 in the morning. This marks the end of our Japanese adventure, and we sincerely thank you for choosing to travel with TravelMaven. Upon arrival in Taipei, we’ll transfer to our centrally located hotel in the heart of the city, with time to settle in and relax.
Nara Park