Japan

Follow the same incredible route as Intrepid's Essential Japan tour — Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka — but do it entirely on your own terms. Japan is one of the most solo-travel-friendly countries in the world: trains run like clockwork, signage is bilingual, and budget accommodation is excellent. You'll visit the same temples, shrines, gardens and neighbourhoods, book the same style of workshops and day trips independently via GetYourGuide or direct, and use the same bullet trains and local buses. The result? A nearly identical experience for a fraction of the price. Costs below are approximate per-person estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£690

This self-launched version of Exodus Adventure Travels' popular Highlights of Japan tour covers the same iconic route from Tokyo to Osaka — hitting Nikko, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and more — at a fraction of the cost. Japan's world-class public transport network (JR Pass, Shinkansen, local metro) makes it one of the easiest countries in the world to navigate independently. Swap a tour leader for a 7-day JR Pass, book budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels, and use GetYourGuide or direct booking for any guided experiences you want. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,150

Experience the best of Japan independently — from the neon chaos of Tokyo to the zen stillness of Koyasan's mountain temples — at a fraction of the group tour price. This self-launched 14-day itinerary follows the same iconic route as Gap360's Journey Through Japan, hitting every highlight: sushi masterclasses at Tsukiji, Kyoto's geisha district, a Kendo dojo, Arashiyama's bamboo forest, and Hiroshima's moving Peace Memorial. All transport is by Japan's world-class public rail network (including the Shinkansen bullet train), accommodation is in a mix of budget hostels, guesthouses and genuine temple stays bookable direct, and activities are self-bookable via GetYourGuide, Klook or direct reservation. All costs are approximate estimates per person based on 2025/26 backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,155

Experience the full sweep of Japan — from ancient Kyoto temples and samurai districts to futuristic Tokyo — entirely on your own terms. This self-launched version of Exodus's popular Ancient & Modern Japan tour follows the same Honshu route (Kyoto → Nara → Hiroshima → Kobe → Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go → Takayama → Matsumoto → Kawaguchiko → Tokyo), using Japan's world-class public transport, budget hotel chains, and self-bookable activities. A 7-day JR Pass covers most of the intercity travel, keeping costs low while unlocking the full iconic bullet train experience. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,450

Experience the very best of Japan independently — from Tokyo's neon-lit streets and Nagano's snow monkeys to Kyoto's ancient temples and Hiroshima's moving history — all without the group tour price tag. This self-launched itinerary follows the same route as Gap360's Ultimate Japan tour, swapping the group leader for your own curiosity and saving you over £1,600 in the process. Japan is one of the world's most solo-travel-friendly countries: trains run on time, signage is bilingual, and hostels are outstanding. All activities are bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct reservation. Costs below are approximate per-person estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,445

Follow the same incredible route as Intrepid's Essential Japan tour — Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka — but do it entirely on your own terms. Japan is one of the most solo-travel-friendly countries in the world: trains run like clockwork, signage is bilingual, and budget accommodation is excellent. You'll visit the same temples, shrines, gardens and neighbourhoods, book the same style of workshops and day trips independently via GetYourGuide or direct, and use the same bullet trains and local buses. The result? A nearly identical experience for a fraction of the price. Costs below are approximate per-person estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£690

Paddle the volcanic coastline of the Izu Peninsula, spot wild Japanese macaques at Hagachizaki Bay, and hike a sacred section of the Mt. Fuji pilgrimage trail — all without the guided group price tag. This self-launched version swaps the operator's all-inclusive package for a mix of self-booked sea kayak day tours, Japan Rail passes, and handpicked ryokans you book direct. You still get the futons, the onsens, the fresh-off-the-boat kinmedai, and the Fuji sunrise — you just won't be paying for someone else's margins. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£875

Experience the best of Japan independently — from the electric streets of Tokyo to the ancient temples of Kyoto — at a fraction of the group tour price. This self-launched itinerary follows the same iconic route as G Adventures' National Geographic Journeys version, swapping premium group accommodation for quality hostels and guesthouses, and using Japan's world-class public rail network to get between cities. Expect bullet trains, sushi-making classes you can book direct, Hiroshima's Peace Park, Miyajima's floating torii gate, and Fushimi Inari's tunnel of gates — all on your own schedule. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,150

Experience the best of South Korea and Japan independently — from Seoul's buzzing streets and Jeonju's ancient hanok villages to Jeju's volcanic coastlines, Kyoto's torii gates, a ryokan night under Mount Fuji, and Tokyo's electric energy. This self-launched version follows the same route as G Adventures' classic group tour, swapping guided group travel for local trains, budget guesthouses, and self-bookable experiences at a fraction of the price.

Travel Crew

~£1,075