• Osaka
  • Ise-Shima
  • Yoshino
  • Nara
  • Kyoto
  • DURATION

    8 days / 7 nights

  • TOUR TYPE
    Small-group tourMax 10 people
  • TRANSPORTATION

    Limited Express + Local Train + Private Coach + Ferry

  • PRICE(Per Person)
    From $7,045 AUD

Overview

Discover the beauty of Kansai region with Kintetsu railway

This is a premium opportunity to experience some of Japan’s best sightseeing limited express trains; Blue Symphony, Aoniyoshi, Shimakaze, & Kintetsu Ise-Shima Liner, all of them operated by Kintetsu Railway.

Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Osaka, and you will continue on to explore all of the must-see sights in Kansai. From the World Heritage sites of ancient Kyoto and Nara, to the natural beauty of Ise-Shima and the fantastic local food scene including a Michelin Star dinner while enjoying the premium railway experience.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our fully-escorted tour.

  • Fully-escorted by our local English-speaking tour escort
  • Attention provided to guests individually with groups being no larger than 10
  • Rail journey with unique limited express trains, perfect for train lovers
  • Carefully selected 4 Star & 5 Star accommodations
  • Hassle free – no need to carry heavy luggage!
  • Exquisite dinner experience in a Michelin star restaurant that served the world leaders at the 2016 G7 Summit.

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Highlights


Itinerary

© President Chibo
DAY 1Osaka

A welcome in true Osaka style

  • Meals: Dinner
  • Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Welcome to Osaka, the second-largest city in Japan!

Your tour escort will greet you at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka*.
The welcome dinner in the evening features ‘Okonomiyaki’ – Osaka’s favourite dish, as well as seafood and steak in Teppanyaki style.
Watch the chefs prepare your order on the grill right in front of you!

*Please arrive at the hotel by 6 pm.
*Alternatively, you can also meet up with the tour escort to assist you with getting to the hotel if you are arriving at Osaka-Itami airport between 9 am to 11 am.


DAY 2Osaka > Dotonbori > Osaka

Let’s explore Osaka

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Let’s begin with our journey exploring Osaka. After breakfast, our guide will take you to Osaka Castle, one of the most famous landmarks in Osaka. With golden ornaments and a green copper roof, its majestic appearance is an iconic part of the Osaka skyline. Enjoy the spectacular view from the castle tower before visiting the on-site museum. You’ll learn why Osaka Castle has played such an important role in Japan’s history through its engaging historical displays.
We will then take you to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most iconic areas. Dotonbori is an energetic, chaotic blur of neon lights, people, and outrageously oversized shop signs with food, food and more food! Please enjoy Osaka street food such as takoyaki (octopus balls) and kushi katsu (deep-fried skewers) as you like.
After the stroll, let’s make our way to Abeno Harukas, 300 metres high above Osaka, Japan’s tallest skyscraper. Take in the stunning 360° panoramic views over Osaka from the Observation Deck in the evening.

© Mie Photo Library
DAY 3Osaka > Ise-Shima

Express train journey to Ise

  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Stay: Shima Kanko Hotel (Comfort Twin)

Pack an overnight bag for an Ise-Shima trip! Sit back and enjoy the comfort of Kintetsu Ise-Shima Liner while viewing the stunning landscapes along the way. Stepping off the train in Ise-Shima, you will explore the Okage Yokocho district, with its traditional Japanese townscapes offering lots to see and eat! After a visit to the sacred Ise Grand Shrine, indulge yourself at a Michelin star French restaurant for dinner at the hotel, the host of 2016 G7 summit with impeccable hospitality.

© 志摩マリンレジャー
DAY 4Ise-Shima > Osaka

Discover Ise-Shima

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Wake up to a spectacular view of Ago Bay. Enjoy a 50-minute, fully immersive sightseeing cruise with a short stop-over at a pearl factory, before heading to a scenic drive to visit the Ama hut, where professional skin-divers live and dive for a living. On arrival, the Ama women will serve you a fresh seafood barbecue. During your visit, you have the unique opportunity of speaking to the Ama women and getting to know their stories. At the Mikimoto Pearl Island, you will get to witness the Ama’s diving performance and lean all about pearl products.
Travel back to Osaka in comfort by Shimakaze, a sightseeing limited express with deluxe seatings, extra-large windows, and a café car.

DAY 5Osaka > Yoshino > Osaka

Natural wonders of Yoshino

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Today you will board the luxurious limited express train, Blue Symphony and enjoy a supreme railway experience all the way to Yoshino. Take a bus up to visit Kinpusenji Temple, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. and the second largest wooden structure in Japan.
After enjoying Yoshino’s local dishes for lunch, discover the spectacular views in the area with plenty of photogenic spots.
Returning to Osaka, spend time at your leisure.

DAY 6Osaka > Nara > Kyoto

Ancient Nara

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Stay: Westin Miyako Kyoto (Deluxe Twin / Deluxe King)

Hassle-free luggage transfer from Osaka to Kyoto!

After checking out of the hotel, we will head to Nara by Aoniyoshi. The city is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple that houses a 15-meter tall bronze Buddha and has the one of the world’s largest wooden buildings, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine with a calm forest path lined with stone lanterns. Take a lovely stroll among many deer in Nara Park.
On arrival at Kyoto by train, check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of your day exploring the streets or relaxing at the hotel. Complimentary shuttle-bus service from the hotel to downtown Kyoto is also available.

DAY 7Kyoto

Kyoto’s highlights

  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Stay: Westin Miyako Kyoto (Deluxe Twin / Deluxe King)

A private coach will take you on a sightseeing tour through Kyoto’s most iconic sights.
We will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites: Kinkakuji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, as well as Fushimi Inari Taisha with its iconic thousands of vermilliion torii gates across the narrow pathway to the mountain top.
Also, in Arashiyama, hop on a rickshaw and glide through stunning bamboo forests and the picture perfect “Moon crossing” bridge with your friendly driver-guide.
At the last dinner, spend the evening at an elegant restaurant surrounded by beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens and enjoy a Kaiseki meal. And as a truly rare experience, be entertained over dinner by a maiko – a geisha apprentice – with a performance featuring games and music.

© The Westin Miyako Kyoto
DAY 8Kyoto

Last day of the tour – See you again!

  • Meals: Breakfast

The tour concludes after the final breakfast.
Enjoy reminiscing and making plans on what to explore next time!


Accommodation

© Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka
Osaka

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka

Premium Twin / Premium King

Directly connected to Uehonmachi train station, Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels provides a hassle-free travel experience. Quality contemporary room has all the essentials for a comfortable stay.

© Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic
Ise-Shima

Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic

Comfort Twin

Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic, also operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels, was the venue for G7 Summit in 2016. Its stunning view overlooking beautiful Ago Bay and impeccable hospitality is beyond description. Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service.

© The Westin Miyako Kyoto
Kyoto

The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Deluxe Twin / Deluxe King

Founded in 1890, Westin Miyako Kyoto is renowned for its tradition and high-quality hospitality. They offer complimentary shuttle-bus service to downtown Kyoto. The nearby subway station is just a 3-minute walk away. It is also operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels.

Inclusions

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • Meals: Daily breakfast, 3 x lunches, 3 x dinners
  • English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
  • Transportation: Kintetsu limited express trains, local train, chartered coach, ferry tickets, private taxi between the dinner restaurant and hotel on Day 7 and Kintetsu Rail Pass
  • All admission tickets as per the itinerary
  • Luggage transfer from Osaka to Kyoto on Day 6

Exclusions

  • Flights
  • Transfers outside the tour itinerary
  • Hotel incidental charges
  • Drinks during meals (Exception: Soft drinks and alcoholic beverage are included on the Day 1 dinner and Day 7 dinner.)
  • Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, shopping
  • Entrance fees to museums, temples and other attractions or places of personal interests not detailed in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa not included if required (note: Visa to enter Japan is not required for Australian citizens for trips less than 90 days)

Dates & Prices

Group Booking Discounts Available

Share the fun, save the cost.
Travel in a group and get 8% off per person on selected Japan tours!

Learn more

For 2023 departure

Start Date – End Date

15 December – 22 December

(TOUR CODE: YAA15123S)

Standard Price

A$7,045

per person
in a twin-share room

Available Offer

Availability

Booking closed

For 2024 departure

Start Date – End Date

12 January – 19 January

(TOUR CODE: YAA12014S)

Standard Price

A$7,045

per person
in a twin-share room

Available Offer

Availability

Booking closed

Start Date – End Date

16 February – 23 February

(TOUR CODE: YAA16024S)

Standard Price

A$7,045

per person
in a twin-share room

Available Offer

Availability

Booking closed

Start Date – End Date

22 March – 29 March

(TOUR CODE: YAA22034S)

Standard Price

A$7,045

per person
in a twin-share room

Available Offer

Availability

Booking closed

Group size: Min 6 people / Max 10 people

*Please contact us for our solo traveller rates and triple-share rates.

*This tour is for travellers aged 15 years old and up.

*This tour is designed by utilising the Kintetsu Rail Pass, which is available for “Temporary visitor” foreign travellers entering Japan for sightseeing purposes. Japanese passport holders are not eligible to use this pass and require an additional fee.

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Important Information

  • Please kindly note that, due to COVID-19, the schedule is subject to change.
  • There will be a moderate amount of walking during the tour.
  • Travel restrictions are constantly changing. Please check the latest travel advice before you book and before you travel.

Terms & Conditions

Why book Japan tours with us?

Small groups, BIG Experiences

From sushi-making class to watching sumo wrestlers in action, a small group tour gives you access to experiences you might not otherwise see in Japan. All Kintetsu Japan tours are limited to just 20 people, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.

Japan tours by Japan experts

We know Japan! As a Japanese company, each one of our carefully curated itineraries taps into our team’s vast local knowledge and network of partners. We know where to go, where to stay and everything in between.

Great peace of mind abroad

Go beyond the major sights and immerse yourself in the unique culture – all while our expert staff show you the way! Travel abroad can be overwhelming, but with everything taken care of, the only thing you need to decide is when to go!

About Kintetsu

In Australia

Kintetsu International Express (Oceania) is an ATAS accredited travel agent in Australia, a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. In Australia, we specialise in arranging Corporate and Group Travel for businesses, schools, religious groups and cultural organisations. We have Travel Centres in Sydney serving our Australian customers and offices in Cairns, Gold Coast and Auckland handling Japanese inbound tours. We are also an authorised travel agent to sell Japan Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass in Australia

In Japan and Worldwide

Kintetsu International belongs to the travel arm of the Kintetsu Group, a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate which operates a major Japanese rail system, bus & freight forwarding companies, department stores, restaurants & hotel chains. We have more than 150 offices in Japan and more than 40 overseas offices worldwide. Utilising our global network, we guide our customers to every location around the globe with quality and dependable services.