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Back Roads of Japan
Wander off the beaten path away from Japan's big cities and popular sites with this 11-day tour that takes you to destinations that are often overlooked. Visit the treasured castle of Matsumoto and learn about samurai culture, explore the quaint city of Hagi by bicycle, and settle in at a community homestay to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Of course, there's time before and after to explore Tokyo and Kyoto, making this trip a well-rounded glimpse into Japan's past and present.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Grading: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Merchandising: Planeterra Project
Trip Type: Small Group
Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.
Age requirements: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Check Your Visa Requirements
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
Back Roads of Japan - Itinerary
DAY 1
Tokyo
Arrive to your start hotel before 4:00 pm and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting in the evening around 6:00 pm. There are no activities planned today until your evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel En Michi:
Hotel En Michi
Back Roads of Japan - Itinerary
DAY 1
Tokyo
Arrive to your start hotel before 4:00 pm and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting in the evening around 6:00 pm. There are no activities planned today until your evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel En Michi:
Hotel En Michi
What’s Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay, Hagi
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson, Mihomisumi
- Modern Tokyo walking tour
- Zenkoji Temple visit (Nagano)
- Jigokudani Monkey Park visit (Nagano)
- Matsumoto Castle visit
- Hagi Community Homestay welcome ceremony
- Hagi cycling tour
- Tottori sand dunes visit
- Tottori fish market visit
- Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine visit
- Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days)
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
- Hotels (8 nts), Homestay (2 nts, multi-share).
- 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
- Bus, bullet train, local train, bicycle, subway, walking.
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Back Roads of Japan Departure Dates
All Years
| Start | Ending | Availability | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Mar 21 2026 | Tue, Mar 31 2026 | Open (9) | $3,861.75 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Sat, Jun 06 2026 | Tue, Jun 16 2026 | Open (5) | $3,842.07 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Sat, Jul 11 2026 | Tue, Jul 21 2026 | Open (15) | $4,166.1 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Sat, Oct 17 2026 | Tue, Oct 27 2026 | Open (11) | $4,400.1 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Sat, Nov 07 2026 | Tue, Nov 17 2026 | Open (3) | $3,824.1 USD (price includes taxes and fees) |
More from Back Roads of Japan
USEFUL INFO
What's Included
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay, Hagi
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson, Mihomisumi. Modern Tokyo walking tour. Zenkoji Temple visit (Nagano). Jigokudani Monkey Park visit (Nagano). Matsumoto Castle visit. Hagi Community Homestay welcome ceremony. Hagi cycling tour. Tottori sand dunes visit. Tottori fish market visit. Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine visit. Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Spot snow monkeys in Nagano, Explore a 16th-century samurai castle, Cycle through the rural town of Hagi, Experience a homestay in a traditional Japanese community.
Is there a disclaimer I should read before booking this trip?
Is there a disclaimer I should read before booking this trip?
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Is there an itinerary Disclaimer?
Is there an itinerary Disclaimer?
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Are there Itinerary notes?
Are there Itinerary notes?
Luggage size restriction – Effective from May 2020 onwards
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.
We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.
