Essential Japan

• Return international flights with Qantas Airways or one of our oneworld® partners (economy class ex SYD/*MEL/*BNE/*ADL/*PER

• 10 nights 4-star hotel accommodation

• Enjoy daily breakfast

• Local English-speaking guides
• Airline taxes and surcharges

• Transportation by A/C private vehicles

Depart for Tokyo, Japan. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your accommodation in Yokohama.

Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be available to depart the day before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documents, issued 4-6 weeks before departure.

Overnight: Shin Yokohama Prince or similar

Meals included: In-Flight

This morning you will visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 metres, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara's Todaiji Temple.

Next, head to the Shizuoka Prefecture, which produces about 40% of Japan's tea. The Makinohara tea plantation is the largest in the area, accounting for around 20% of the country's tea production. At Gurinpia in Makinohara, explore its vast tea gardens and learn how the tea is picked and processed into a final product.

Afterwards, depart for Hamamatsu where you'll spend the night.

Overnight: Okura Act City Hotel Hamamatsu or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, depart Hamamatsu for Kyoto.

Upon arrival, enjoy some time at leisure to explore Japan's ancient capital, or take the opportunity to join an optional city tour (not included).

At approximately 16:30 you will board a high speed train from Kyoto Station to Osaka.

Optional Tour: Kyoto City Tour - 5,000 JPY
The tour includes a stop at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.

Continue with a visit to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen temple in northern Kyoto which has gold leaf covered floors on the top two levels.

On the last stop of the tour, witness a Kimono Fashion Show where beautiful women wearing varieties of kimono and obi (sash) appear on stage with Japanese music.

Overnight: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a day to yourself in Osaka to explore this historic city at your own pace or take the opportunity to join an optional tour to Hiroshima (not included).

Optional Tour: Hiroshima Day Tour - 50,000 JPY
This morning transfer to Shin-Osaka train station, where your bullet train awaits. Climb aboard and marvel at the train’s incredible velocity during a two-hour ride to Hiroshima.

On arrival, continue the journey to Miyajimaguchi by coach or train then board a boat travelling to the majestic Miyajima Island, otherwise known as Itsukushima, or Divine Island: a landmass hailed as one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes.

Disembark and discover the natural and cultural treasures of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island for 45 minutes with your guide. See the shimmering Itsukushima Shrine, then revitalise with a delicious lunch in a local eatery (not included).

Re-board the boat and cruise back to Hiroshima to reflect on the history of the region. Take a moment of contemplation at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a historical site close to where the atomic bomb exploded. See exhibitions that articulate the destruction the bomb caused and marvel at the city’s regenerative recovery.

Finally, board a bus to the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), a skeletal structure that miraculously survived the 1945 attack.

Return to the train station for the exhilarating return journey to Osaka on the bullet train, where the tour concludes.

Overnight: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy another day to yourself in Osaka to explore this amazing city.

Overnight: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning visit the famous landmark Osaka Castle Garden. Surrounded by greenery, the garden commands a beautiful view of the castle tower and the stone wall of a moat.

Then enjoy some free time in Shinsaibashi, the premier shopping area in Osaka.

Next, drive to the nearby city of Nara and enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour. Visit Nara Park, home to hundreds of free-roaming deer - you can feed them deer senbei (crackers), which can be purchased at stalls throughout the park for ¥150 JPY a pack.

Later, depart for Gifu where you'll spend the night.

Overnight: Mercure Hida Takayama or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is a fun day to visit the countryside of Japan and see how local people live.

Drive to Nagiso Town and visit Tsumago-juku, the first preserved old town in Japan which retains the authentic appearance of a typical historic post town. The local people still live their day-to-day lives in this town while continuing to maintain the old Edo period townscape so it can be passed down to future generations.

Afterwards, visit Narai-juku, the largest post town in Kisoji, spanning about one kilometre in length. There are many shops along the street including soba restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and inns. Narai-juku was the wealthiest post town of the Kiso Valley, often referred to as “Narai of a thousand houses”.

Overnight: Hotel Buena Vista or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning drive to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station. Located 2300 metres above sea level, it offers a vantage point from which to view the surrounding lakes (weather permitting) as well as shrines, torii gates and souvenir shops.

Afterwards continue to Lake Ashi in nearby Hakone National Park to admire the scenery as you enjoy a short cruise across the lake. The waters are overlooked by surrounding mountains, including Mt Fuji and Mt Komagatake.

Arrive in Tokyo this evening where you will check into the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a day to yourself to explore the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo or take part in an optional sightseeing tour of the city (not included).

Optional Tour: Tokyo Sightseeing Tour - 9,500 JPY
First you will visit Tsukiji Outer Market, where you can encounter many kinds of traditional Japanese cuisine.

Next, head to the stunning Meiji Shrine - a Shinto religious site that was dedicated to the Imperial Family in 1926. Walk among the serene gardens that surround the shrine as you learn about its importance from your guide.

Lastly enjoy sweeping views of this vast city from the observation deck of the famous Tokyo Tower, one of the city's biggest landmarks (entry included).

Overnight: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy another day to yourself to further explore Tokyo.

Overnight: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Australia.

Meals included: Breakfast

After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation, directing you to an online Passenger Information Form. You must complete the Passenger Information Form within 72 hours of purchase.
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this Travel Offer, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions and the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information. 
Please note: All countries and territories have different entry requirements in relation to vaccinations, quarantine/isolation periods and travel restrictions. Due to the evolving nature, we would ask all of our customers to monitor, meet and adhere to the specific requirements of their intended destination(s) in the lead-up to and immediately before travel, as well as any requirements post-travel upon their return. 
 

Qantas Tours packages are non-refundable. If your Qantas Tour package is affected by Covid-19 related travel restrictions and you are unable to travel, you will receive either a free date change (credit that is specific to your original package and purchase value) or an open credit less any non-recoverable supplier fees to the value of your original purchase for use on any other Qantas Tour or package available via the TripADeal website. 
Please note: Date change credits are subject to availability and not guaranteed until confirmed by TripADeal, not the tour operator you are due to stay with.
We recommend you consider purchasing travel insurance with Covid-19 protection. The standard cancellation policy will apply if you cannot travel because you have tested positive for Covid-19.
Please note: All additional charges are payable in AUD (unless otherwise stated). 

This travel offer is valid for travel on selected dates until the 2nd November 2023.
This travel offer is priced per person based on a twin share. 
 
Single Traveller Supplement
For solo travellers, a mandatory single supplement of $1500 applies. 
 
Departure Dates
2023
May: 25
June: 8
August: 17
October: 19, 22
November: 2
 
2024
March: 4, 12, *19
Please note: See checkout for live dates and availability.
 
Surcharges
Please note: 
• dates/months with a * incur a Cherry Blossom high season surcharge of $600 per person.
 
Departure Cities
Sydney, *Melbourne, *Brisbane, *Adelaide* or *Perth
 
Departure City Surcharges
*Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide: $200 per person
*Perth: $400 per person

Full-Service Airline(s) Used
• Cabin class: Economy Class
• Airlines: Qantas Airways, Japan Airlines or one of our oneworld® or codeshare partners (subject to availability).
Please note: Qantas Tours cannot accommodate one-way flights. Travellers must take all included flights within the package, and any flights intentionally forfeited will result in later flights being subject to cancellation. 
 
Arrive Early in Tokyo, Japan
$300 per person, subject to availability
Please note:
• This fee does not include extra nights' accommodation, meals or airport transfers.
• Arrivals before your selected departure date can only be booked up to one month before check-out. Should you wish to arrive earlier, please contact Qantas Tours to request availability. *Additional costs may apply.
• No flight booking changes or cancellations are permitted after air tickets have been issued.
• Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• Blackout dates apply to flights departing between the below date ranges:
15th April 2023 - 15th May 2023
15th June 2023 - 10th August 2023
10th September 2023 - 10th October 2023
 
Stay Behind in Tokyo, Japan
$300 per person, subject to availability
Please note:
• This fee does not include extra nights' accommodation, meals or airport transfers.
• A stay behind can only be booked up to one month after your package end date upon check-out. Should you wish to stay later, please contact Qantas Tours to request availability. *Additional costs may apply.
• No flight booking changes or cancellations are permitted after air tickets have been issued.
• Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• Blackout dates apply to flights departing between the below date ranges:
15th June 2023 - 10th August 2023
10th September 2023 - 10th October 2023
20th November 2023 - 31st December 2023
 
Stopover Packages
Not available
 
Flight Class Upgrades
• Business Class (international sector only): For pricing, please refer to the payment cart upon checkout.
Please note: 
• All Business Class upgrades are subject to availability (if we are not able to fulfil your request the upgrade cost will be refunded).
• On any upgrade purchase, short-haul flights and domestic flight sectors are not guaranteed in a Business cabin; subject to aircraft configuration.

4-Star Properties:
• Yokohama: Shin Yokohama Prince or similar
• Hamamatsu: Okura Act City Hotel Hamamatsu or similar
• Osaka: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar
• Gifu: Mercure Hida Takayama or similar
• Matsumoto/Suwa: Hotel Buena Vista or similar
• Tokyo: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar
Please note: Accommodation/rooms offered are based on a lead-in room type and are subject to availability based on seasonality. In the instance a property is not available, a similar standard of accommodation will be provided. Properties will be confirmed and included in your travel pack, which you will receive 4-6 weeks before travel.
 
Extra Nights
Not available at check-out. 
Please note: If you are interested in booking additional nights of accommodation pre or post-tour, please wait until you receive your travel documentation approximately 4-6 weeks before departure for the confirmed list of hotels. If booking your own additional accommodation directly with the hotel, please be aware that you may be required to change rooms at the start/end of your tour. 
 
Maximum Room Capacity
2 people
 
Child Policy
• No child discounts. The full price applies to all children travelling with their parents.
• Valid for children 8 years old and over.
Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors are allowed.
 
Bedding Configuration
Twin or Double bedding (subject to availability).

Minimum group size 10, maximum group size 18 per vehicle.
 
Optional Tours/Activities
Day 3: Kyoto City Tour – 5,000 JPY
Day 4: Hiroshima Day Tour – 50,000 JPY
Day 9: Tokyo Sightseeing Tour – 9,500 JPY
Please note:
• Prices are based per person, are subject to availability, time permitting and weather conditions, and are payable directly to the tour operator in the currency specified. 
 
Private Touring
Love the tour but fancy a private guide, driver and vehicle? This tour can run exclusively with a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 18 for a $900 supplement per person (a single supplement price can be found under ‘Offer Essentials’.
Important notes:
• Private tour guide (not applicable on free days with no included activities)
• All transfers and land transportation is on a private basis
• Optional tours are on a private basis

• Visa fees and requirements 
• Domestic transfers and flights not stated in the deal offer
• Meals/beverages not stated in the deal offer
• Optional gratuities/tipping 
• Optional activities/tours 
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance

ACCOMMODATION TERMINOLOGY USE 
4-Star
A 4-star property is comfortable, well-appointed and provides a good quality of service and level of comfort. Amenities such as restaurants, luggage handling etc are limited per property. Guest rooms are stylishly decorated and include a range of enhanced amenities. Properties in the 4-star category usually require public transport, taxi or rideshare to the centre of town.
 
TOUR GUIDE VS. TOUR LEADER
Tour Guide
Often locals with intimate knowledge of an area, its culture, and history. Their role entails providing commentary, routing the tour, and seeing that people have a good time. They are a licensed, qualified expert who supplies specific information on the history, art, architecture and culture of the city/village/attraction where they are guiding the tour. The guide meets the group at the required place and leaves it at the end of the tour; they do not travel with the group. 
 
Tour Leader
An experienced person tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of tours, as well as providing practical support to passengers throughout the whole trip. Their role primarily includes assisting with accommodation, transportation between locations, and communication with tour guides at each stop. A tour leader may provide general guidance around a city or village and offer information on the place visited on the bus. However, they are not required to have specific art, architecture, or historical knowledge. They are not allowed to provide a guided tour or commentary of a city/village/attraction once there and, if caught doing so, can be fined. 
Please note: Tour leaders/guides are not a standard inclusion in all travel offers. Tour leaders/guides will only be made available when required to enhance the experience of the destination featured. 
 
CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Summer: June to August 
Japanese summer begins in June and it becomes hot and humid from July onward. Summer is when many interesting festivals and other events are held all over the country.
Recommended clothing: Light clothes (cardigans and similar are handy, since indoors are mostly air-conditioned).
 
Autumn: September to November
Autumn brings freshness with a light breeze and cool temperatures after the hot and humid summer. The Autumn colours are very beautiful across the country. 
Recommended clothing: Light jackets, sweaters and other similar kinds of tops.
 
Spring: March to May
With mild weather and sunny days, spring is one of the best times to visit Japan. With temperatures and moods thawing, spring sees Tokyo at its prettiest.
Cherry blossoms are the obvious draw, but the season's other flowers, festivals, foodstuffs and events are equally compelling reasons to start planning your trip.
 
Winter: December - February
Winter in Japan is a lot cooler but not too cold for travelling, with an average of 10/12 ° C.
 
FLIGHTS
Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points
We do not arrange seat selection for you. It is important to highlight that some Airlines do not allow pre-selected seats. We strongly suggest you contact the Airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.
 
Passport Validity
Customers must provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or no later than 45 days before the departure date. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the booking. Customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred in this instance.
 
ACCOMMODATION TERMINOLOGY USE
Premium
A Premium property is comfortable, well-appointed and provides a good quality of service and level of comfort.
Restaurants, luggage handling, fitness and recreation facilities are available.
Guest rooms are more stylishly decorated than standard accommodation and include a range of enhanced amenities.
Properties in the Premium category will likely be central to the main shopping and entertainment area. However, they may still require public transport, taxi or rideshare to the centre at your expense.
 
COACH TOUR
Meals
10 meals in total are included in the package. For meals not included, the tour leader (when available) will offer assistance with reservations, suggestions and directions to local restaurants. It is your responsibility to notify Qantas Tours of any dietary requests/requirements.
Please note: We will do our best to meet your requests/requirements; however, we cannot guarantee that we will always be able to.
 
Luggage
You will be responsible for all your personal belongings whilst on tour. You must carry your own luggage from the vehicle to the hotel room and back to the vehicle. The driver will assist with the uploading and offloading of bags from the vehicle.
 
OTHER
Mobility
If you would love to travel with Qantas Tours and require wheelchair access please contact our friendly sales and service team to inquire on your behalf.
 
Fitness Level Required
An easy level of fitness will be required. 
Easy is described as light walking on well-maintained surfaces, occasional climbing of stairs and the ability to get on and off vehicles without assistance and stand for a minimum of 30 mins in hot/humid conditions.
Please note: If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel.
 
Gratuities/Tipping
Land
Gratuities (tips) are not included for the services of the tour leader (when available) and driver throughout the tour. The recommended tip is $8-$10 AUD per person per day. This covers the guide/leader and the driver and will be collected on tour. 
Please note: Tipping for services provided is always a matter of personal discretion; however, please be aware that many locals consider tipping part of their normal remuneration, and they may approach you for payment; there's no need to be intimidated by the request.
 
Sightseeing
Please note: If entrance to a site is affected by changes in operating hours or public holiday closures, your itinerary, where possible, may be adjusted, or a similar activity will be offered in its place (subject to availability).
 
Shopping
Shopping overseas can be a daunting and confusing experience, especially when there is a language barrier. Please be very cautious when foreign currencies and prices are involved. If paying by credit card, please pay close attention to the amount you are being charged and keep all your receipts. 
Do not make any purchases you are not comfortable with or feel pressured into. If you are uncertain or need assistance with the language barrier, please seek assistance from your Tour Guide/Leader.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding shopping for further information.

A tourist visa is not required for Australian or New Zealand citizens visiting Japan for stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities.
Important: Visa rules may have changed since Covid-19. 
Some countries and airlines may require you to obtain an additional visa before arrival. Please check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Please note: Passengers who are not Australian citizens must also check with the respective consulate or visa agency to determine what their visa requirements are and what personal identification is required.
It is also important to note that some areas of employment, such as journalism, government authorities and charity organisations, may have additional restrictions in applying for visas. This may, in turn, affect the type of application required.

Voluntary Changes
This includes booking changes requested by you, including but not limited to those changes requiring an airline ticket or a Purchase Confirmation reissue.
• Changes - $100.00 per booking and any additional charges applied by the airline/cruise company/accommodation/other travel providers.
 
Name Changes Due To Passenger Error
• If the incorrect name has been provided, charges of $100.00 per booking and any additional charges applied by the airline/cruise company/accommodation/other travel providers.
 
Supplier Fees
In the event the Qantas Tour you have purchased is unable to proceed, and/or a travel Supplier is unable to fulfil the Qantas Tour due to external circumstances (Limitation of Liability e.g. a Force Majeure event), there may be a fee or amount of money that is withheld by our Suppliers and is unrecoverable. This may be due to non-refundable airline tickets, cancellation penalties with cruise cabins or unrecoverable payments with our land/accommodation partners. If refunds are not available from Suppliers, we will endeavour to obtain a travel credit on the best terms available and communicate these outcomes to you. In the event we are unable to obtain a refund or travel service credit, or part thereof, this cost is passed on to the customer as a Supplier Fee.