Tour Type
International Tours
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
May 13, 2027 – 17 Days
Vancouver Island
May 12, 2027 – 18 Days
BC Interior
May 12, 2027 – 18 Days
Activity Level 3
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
Ancient traditions, modern wonders & iconic sights
Experience Japan with all your senses on this unforgettable journey from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the timeless temples of Kyoto and the peaceful landscapes of Hiroshima. You will stand atop Tokyo Skytree for sweeping views across the world’s largest city, ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train, walk beneath the iconic torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, and visit the moving Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Along the way, immersive cultural experiences bring Japan’s traditions to life through tea ceremonies, geisha entertainment, traditional crafts, and regional cuisine. This tour is designed for travellers who enjoy being active and engaged. Many days include extended sightseeing on foot, stairs, and full days of exploration, rewarding you with a deeper connection to Japan’s rich history, culture, and daily life. With expert local guides and unforgettable experiences throughout, this is Japan at its most authentic and inspiring.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Meals
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35 meals
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34 meals
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33 meals
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Transportation
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Accommodation
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Guides & Gratuities
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Wells Gray tour director throughout tour
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Tour Highlights (Included)
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TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Fares per Person |
|---|---|
$21,930$23,520 |
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$22,080$23,670 |
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$21,725$23,185 |
- Please add 0.3% GST.
- There is an additional cost to join this tour from Nanaimo or Comox.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
High Activity: You are an active traveller who wants to explore wherever you go. You don’t mind a mix of full days, early morning starts, and some late nights. You can walk up to 4 km without difficulty which may be over uneven ground and you can stand for prolonged periods during walking tours. You can climb three flights of stairs easily and unassisted and can handle your own luggage in airports or at hotels where luggage handling may not be available.
This tour is not appropriate for people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility assistance devices. Walking poles are fine. The coaches and bullet trains cannot carry a scooter. Additionally, this tour is not appropriate for those who have cognitive impairments such as memory loss or confusion, difficulty expressing thoughts, repeating questions, or getting lost. The tour director, Japanese guides and drivers have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour. In extreme situations, you may be required to leave the tour and travel home at your own expense; travel insurance will probably not cover you.
Please note: Prior to accepting your booking, you will be required to sign a declaration that you are capable of travelling on an Activity Level 3 tour
Tour Size
This tour is limited to 25 participants; making it a more intimate travel experience.
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EXPERIENCE JAPAN WITH WELLS GRAY TOURS: Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku which together comprise about 97% of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's 10th largest population with over 126 million people. Honshu's Greater Tokyo Area includes the capital city of Tokyo and is the largest metropolitan area in the world with about 38 million residents. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin" and this is why it is sometimes called the "Land of the Rising Sun". Archaeological research indicates that people lived in Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. The first written mention of Japan is in Chinese history texts from the 1st century AD. Influence from other nations followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. From the 12th century until 1868, Japan was ruled by successive feudal military dictatorships (shogunates) in the name of the Emperor. In 1868, the Empire of Japan was proclaimed with the Emperor as a divine symbol of the nation. Since adopting its revised constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected legislature called the Diet. A major economic power, Japan has the world's third-largest economy and is also the world's fourthlargest exporter and importer. Although Japan has officially renounced its right to declare war, it maintains a modern military with the fifth largest military budget, used for self-defence and peacekeeping roles. Japan has the second lowest homicide rate in the world, after Singapore. Japanese women have the second highest life expectancy in the world. This tour explores highlights of Honshu, starting with two days in bustling Tokyo. Then we travel to Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, and fly home from Osaka. We thrill to the advanced technology of the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train during three trips.
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Documentation: A passport is required and must be valid until you return to Canada on May 29, 2027. A Visa is not required
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Currency & Expenses: The currency in Japan is the yen and, as of June 2026, a Canadian dollar is worth about 115 yen. You should order yen from your bank 2-3 weeks before departure, or plan to use ATMs. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. All Japan breakfasts and many lunches and dinners are included. Costs for meals and attractions you choose yourself are generally higher than in Canada.
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Gratuities: have been included for all Japanese guides and drivers. Tipping is not customary, expected, or necessary for meals you buy on your own; Japanese service culture is based on omotenashi (hospitality), meaning exceptional service is already included in the price.
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Flight seating: We are unable to take requests for window or aisle seating on the planes in any class. The airline will not accept them, as group seating is assigned as a block. If this is important to you, we suggest you take the “No Flight” option with a fare reduction of $2,200 and book your own flight which allows seat selection. See our Terms and Conditions for more information on the “No Flight” option.
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Flight upgrades: Please enquire about current prices for upgrades on the flights from Vancouver to Tokyo and return from Osaka. Premium economy and business class may be available.
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Flight delays or cancellations: In the event flights are delayed or cancelled by airlines due to weather or other reasons, there may be additional costs to you. Wells Gray Tours will not pay for hotel rooms and meals during the delay. Most travel insurance policies cover expenses incurred for flight delays.
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Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. Japanese restaurants have different culinary standards and may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
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Rooms for singles: are often a different style or smaller size than twin rooms. Many hotels also limit the number of single rooms allocated to a group, so please book early if you prefer to travel single.
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Triples: are not available on this tour.
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Vaccinations: You may need a vaccination. Please visit a travel clinic two or three months before departure. Bring this itinerary and your personal vaccination record for advice.
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Payments: A deposit of $1,000 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due January 19, 2027. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms and Conditions, Activity Level 3 Declaration, and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.
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Cancellation Policy: Up to December 18, 2026, the cancellation charge is $200 per person. From December 19, 2026 to January 19, 2027, the cancellation charge is $500 per person. From January 20 to February 19, the cancellation charge is 60% of the tour fare. After February 19, there is no refund.
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Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes, currency exchange rates, or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
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Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for medical, cancellation, interruption, and luggage. Please do not travel outside Canada without medical insurance as a minimum
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Photo Credits: Adobe Stock (Tokyo Skyline), Pixabay (Kenrokuen Garden, Kinkakuji Temple), and tour director Pat (Wells Gray Travellers on Miyajima Island 2024).
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Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 325 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until January 19, 2027.
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Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842