Geography Trip to Japan

Overview

About this trip

Japan's geography shapes everything about it. A shimaguni — island nation — of four major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) plus thousands of smaller ones including Okinawa, set apart from the Asian mainland by the Sea of Japan, it packs a country roughly the size of California with volcanoes, megacities and bullet-train corridors.

This nine-day journey traverses the main island by Shinkansen: Tokyo's urban geography and bay, sacred Mount Fuji, the temples and gardens of Kyoto, Himeji Castle, and Hiroshima — a study in cities, landscape and resilience.

Day by day

The itinerary

Trip highlights

Mount Fuji Fieldwork
Shinkansen Bullet Train
Hiroshima Peace Memorials
Kyoto Temples And Gardens
Himeji Castle
Tokyo Bay Cruise
Meiji Shrine And Asakusa
Tokyo Transport Networks

Day 1 of 9Tokyo
Arrival in Tokyo
First hours in Japan's capital, with free time to begin exploring the city and an evening meal at a traditional Japanese restaurant.
- Dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurantEvening introduction to Japanese cuisine
- Free time to explore the cityOwn-time first look at Tokyo
Learning focus: Urban Geography · Cultural Awareness
Meals included: Dinner
On arrival at Tokyo International Airport you'll be greeted by your driver and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start discovering the city, with dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurant in the evening.
Day 2 of 9Tokyo
Exploring Tokyo
A full sweep of the capital by open-top bus or rail pass, reading Tokyo's districts, density and transport networks at street level.
- Tokyo Big Bus TourFull-day sightseeing loop across the capitalAlternative to a Tokyo Trains pass
- Tokyo Trains passFlexible independent exploration by railAlternative to the bus tour
- Dinner at a local restaurantEvening meal in a Tokyo restaurant
Learning focus: Urban Geography · Transport Networks · Settlement Studies
Meals included: Dinner
- The day runs either as a Big Bus Tour or with a Tokyo Trains pass.
Tokyo full-day tour
A full-day Tokyo Big Bus Tour — or a Tokyo Trains pass for flexible exploration of this incredible city. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3 of 9Tokyo
Shrines, Temples & Tokyo Bay
Two of Tokyo's most revered sacred sites give way to a waterborne view of the skyline as the city lights come on.
- Meiji ShrineForested Shinto shrine at the heart of the city
- Asakusa TempleTokyo's celebrated historic Buddhist temple
- Tokyo Bay cruiseSkyline views of Odaiba, Skytree and Tokyo Tower
Learning focus: Urban Geography · Cultural Landscapes · Settlement Change
Shrines, temples & Tokyo Bay
Visit the Meiji Shrine and Asakusa Temple, then take a Tokyo Bay cruise — views of Odaiba, Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower from the water, experiencing Tokyo's nightlife as the city lights up.
Day 4 of 9Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
Japan's most revered volcano anchors a full day in the field, a stratovolcano and sacred peak counted among the Three Holy Mountains.
- Mount FujiFull-day excursion to Japan's sacred volcanic peak
- Dinner at a local restaurantEvening meal in a local restaurant
Learning focus: Volcanology · Physical Geography · Tectonic Hazards · Cultural Geography
Meals included: Dinner
A full-day excursion to Mount Fuji, one of Japan's “Three Holy Mountains” alongside Mount Tate and Mount Haku. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 of 9Kyoto
Bullet Train to Kyoto
The Tokaido corridor unfolds at 300km/h on the Shinkansen, trading Tokyo's density for Kyoto's older grain and a free afternoon to settle in.
- Shinkansen bullet train to KyotoAround 3.5 hours on Japan's high-speed rail network
- Free time in KyotoAfternoon at leisure to explore the city before dinner
Learning focus: Urban Geography · Transport Networks
Tokyo → Kyoto by Shinkansen
Check out and transfer to Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train (around 3.5 hours). On arrival, a driver takes you to your hotel; the remainder of the day is free to explore before dinner.
Day 6 of 9Kyoto
Kyoto's Temples & Gardens
Zen landscapes and gilded architecture across a city of more than 1,600 temples, from Nanzen-ji's sprawling grounds to the Golden Pavilion.
- Nanzen-jiSprawling Zen temple complex and gardens
- Kinkaku-ji, the Golden PavilionIconic gold-leaf pavilion above its reflecting pond
Learning focus: Cultural Geography · Urban Heritage · Tourism
Meals included: Dinner
Kyoto's temples & gardens
Explore Kyoto's more than 1,600 temples — highlights include the sprawling Zen paradise of Nanzen-ji in Northern Higashiyama and the iconic Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Dinner near your hotel.
Day 7 of 9Hiroshima
Himeji Castle to Hiroshima
Japan's finest surviving samurai castle rises white above Himeji, then a bullet train south to Hiroshima and an evening to explore.
- Himeji CastleGreat surviving samurai castle, iconic white keep
- Shinkansen to HiroshimaHigh-speed bullet train journey west
- Free time in HiroshimaIndependent exploration of the local area
Learning focus: Urban Geography · Historical Landscapes · Transport Networks
Meals included: Dinner
Himeji → Hiroshima
Visit the great samurai castle at Himeji before continuing to Hiroshima by Shinkansen. Check in and enjoy free time for local exploration, with dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 8 of 9Hiroshima
Hiroshima: Memory and Recovery
Memorials and museums trace the events of 1945 and the extraordinary rebuilding that followed, set against a confident, thriving modern city.
- Hiroshima memorialsSites commemorating the atomic bombing of the city
- Hiroshima museumsExhibitions on wartime events and their aftermath
- Exploring the modern citySeeing Hiroshima's post-war recovery and urban regeneration
- Dinner at a local restaurantEvening meal in Hiroshima
Learning focus: Urban Regeneration · Modern History · Human Geography · Settlement Change
Meals included: Dinner
Hiroshima
A full day exploring Hiroshima — its memorials, museums and remarkable modern city — understanding the events of World War II and the city's story of recovery. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9 of 9Tokyo
Return via Tokyo
A final morning in Hiroshima gives way to a bullet-train run east, closing the trip with dinner in Tokyo before the flight home.
- Further exploration of HiroshimaFinal morning revisiting the city
- Shinkansen to TokyoAfternoon high-speed rail journey east
- Dinner in TokyoFinal meal before the airport transfer
Learning focus: Urban Geography · Transport Networks
Meals included: Breakfast · Dinner
After breakfast and further exploration of Hiroshima, return to Tokyo by Shinkansen in the afternoon. Dinner in Tokyo before transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Speak to our team

Every itinerary can be tailored to your dates, group size, budget and learning objectives. We come back to you within 24 hours.

Call +971 4 420 6965

Email info@premiumchoicetravel.com

What's included

Everything in the price

✓Return economy flights
✓Return airport / hotel transfers
✓8 nights' accommodation in a 3-star hotel
✓Daily breakfast and dinner
✓Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guide
✓All entrance fees
✓All internal transfers
✓Shinkansen bullet-train tickets
✓Comprehensive group travel insurance
✓All taxes included

Booking terms & conditions

Upon confirmation of the booking, a 25% deposit is non-refundable.
Passport copies of all passengers are required within 10 days of confirming the booking.
Cancellation 90–61 days before departure: 50% of the total cost is charged.
Cancellation 60–31 days before departure: 75% of the total cost is charged.
Cancellation 30–1 day before departure: no refund is given.
Visa refusal or no appointment available: 25% non-refundable from the date of confirmation; 90–61 days 50%, 60–31 days 75%, 30–1 day 100% non-refundable.
If passenger numbers are reduced, rates are subject to revision.

Cultural awareness

Customs & norms in Japan

A little cultural fluency goes a long way — these are the habits your hosts will notice and appreciate.

Bowing is the standard greeting; a small nod from visitors is appreciated.
Keep quiet on trains — phone calls are not made on public transport.
Shoes come off in homes, temples and some restaurants; eating while walking is avoided.

Geography