Japan

Golden Leaves & Timeless Traditions

14 Days

Departs November 7, 2026
Book by May 29, 2026 and save $400 per person
27 Meals
CT Rating 3.5/5 - Challenging

Experience Japan's Autumn Season

Japan is a multifaceted gem, where neon-lit cities meet tranquil alpine villages, timeless countryside, and well-preserved relics of its imperial and feudal past. Join us when autumn colours are vibrant, painting the landscape with a golden glow. We'll also step back in time in Takayama’s Old Town, and immerse ourselves in the timeless traditions of a ryokan, enjoying tatami mats, futons, and onsen baths. 

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Alternate Departure: April 10, 2026

Tour Highlights

  • Experience Japan during the beautiful fall season, enjoying vibrant autumn colours while avoiding the peak season crowds
  • Step into the past at the mountain village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Enjoy a relaxing night in a traditional Ryokan (inn)
  • Visit one of Japan’s largest and most famous gardens, Kenroku-en, the “Garden of Six Qualities”
  • Enjoy a tea ceremony in Kyoto
  • Tour Hiroshima and nearby Miyajima island
  • Visit Himeji Castle, Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, and Nara plus other UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Discover the mountainous interior of Japan where life seems unchanged from centuries past
  • Enjoy Japan’s extensive and very efficient rail system, including bullet train rides
  • Visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) in Kyoto

Inclusive Features

  • Return economy group airfare from Canada to Narita (Tokyo)
  • 12 nights in first-class hotels as indicated or similar, including 1 night in a traditional ryokan, a Japanese country inn
  • 27 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 12 Breakfasts, L - 7 Lunches, D - 8 Dinners) featuring traditional Japanese dishes
  • Transfers and intercity transportation by private coach and rail service, as indicated
  • Services of your journey leader plus our professional Japanese tour guide
  • All surcharges, taxes, and fees for included services
  • Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value with purchase of group airfare

Itinerary

Overview
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Have any questions?

Contact Sharon at sbahadur [at] craigtravel.com or call
1-800-387-8890
Book early and save

Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars Per Person

Land Only* (Join / Leave at hotel)
$11,045
Toronto
$13,345
Ottawa / Montreal
$13,525
Halifax / St John’s
$13,595
Winnipeg / Regina / Saskatoon
$13,095
Victoria / Vancouver
$12,845
Calgary / Edmonton
$12,995
Single Supplement
$2,595

Payment and Booking Terms

Final payment is due July 30, 2025

Deposit is $900 per person.

Land-only price is based on joining at the hotel in Tokyo and leaving at the hotel in Kyoto and excludes flights and airport transfers. Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Air inclusive prices are estimated and subject to confirmation before final payment. Refer to inclusive features for details. 

Tour price is based on sharing a twin room at hotels and on a minimum of 20 members, based on rates, taxes and fees effective May 2025 and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control. Group to be escorted from Canada with a minimum of 20 group members.

Special Note: Your main luggage will not be accessible for several nights on this journey. It will be required that you bring a small overnight bag for clothing and personal items during these stays. Please be aware that porter services are limited at some locations. Full details will be provided in the final travel documentation. 

Insurance is NOT INCLUDED but is highly recommended. Premiums are calculated based on the individual’s age, destination (country), trip length, and trip booking window – please contact our staff to receive a quote. Your coverage starts on the effective date of your confirmation of coverage. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Refer to the enrollment form for terms and conditions.

CT Rating

3.5/5 - CHALLENGING
This journey is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of all that is Japanese. It will feature an overnight stay in a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn), sleeping and eating in tatami-matted rooms, as well as a variety of different meals featuring traditional Japanese cuisine. By its nature, this journey involves a lot of walking, with some long walks and numerous visits involving many steps. To fully enjoy this journey, members should be fully mobile with no walking limitations and be in good physical health.

Do you have any questions about this journey?

Journey Leader

Profile picture for user Cathy Semler
Cathy Semler
-

retired as a high school principal after devoting 35 years to the teaching profession. She is a seasoned traveller who loves the opportunity to learn from new adventures. Her travels have taken her to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, India, Costa Rica, Ireland, and various destinations throughout Europe. She enjoys visiting iconic cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, and London, as well as hiking in the mountains and cruising to different countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Check out some of our frequently asked questions before booking your journey.

What are Craig Journeys all about?

Our goal is to offer meaningful authentic experiences that inspire a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit. Through immersive sightseeing and engaging interactions with local people and cultural sites, we strive to foster a greater appreciation of our global community.

We go to great lengths to ensure the physical comfort of our members, providing excellent accommodations, delicious cuisine, comfortable transportation, and more. At the same time, we encourage them to embrace and engage with local customs.

Why should I book with Craig Travel?

All of our tours are carefully planned to provide a comfortable pace, quality accommodations, in-depth sightseeing, and fully inclusive pricing. We encourage you to compare our offerings with other tours available. Check to see exactly what is included and what extras you may be required to pay.

What do you mean by 'Fully Inclusive' pricing?

Almost all Craig Tours and Cruises include all prepaid costs, encompassing airfare and related taxes, hotel accommodations and/or cruise expenses with taxes and service fees, most meals as described for each departure, sightseeing with entrance fees, gratuities for included services (such as guides, drivers, hotel staff, porters), and even airport transfers. For those residing in southern Ontario, we provide transfers between your home and the airport in most areas, while other passengers receive a special credit or an overnight stay at an airport hotel, depending on the circumstances.

Not included in the published prices are personal services and items such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, and beverages with meals or otherwise (according to local customs; for example, beverages like water, tea, and coffee are typically not included in Europe except during breakfast). Shore excursions on ocean cruises are not included unless specified.

While taxes and fees are included in our prices, they always remain subject to change. Consequently, we may need to collect supplements to cover tax and fee increases that cannot be absorbed.