Experience Overview
Japan is a country where futuristic cities meet timeless traditions, and this 12-day adventure showcases both sides perfectly. Start in the vibrant streets of Kyoto and Tokyo before diving deep into Okinawa’s lesser-known islands, where ancient customs are still alive and well. Pedal through the charming village houses of Taketomi Island, soak in the serenity of Yambaru National Park with some forest bathing, and hop aboard a traditional Sabani boat to sail the stunning Ishigaki coastline. This trip is the ultimate blend of city buzz and island adventure — so, what are you waiting for?
Highlights
- Experience a traditional Sabani boat excursion on the crystal clear water and colorful reefs of Okiniawa
- Hike
- Bike and kayak through different Okinawan islands
- Explore Tokyo on a tour with your CEO and with free time.
Trip Details
Product Code: 20552
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Plane, local train, walking, private vehicle, gondola, public bus, bicycle, local metro.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Active
Supplier Code: AJKT
Starts: Kyoto, Japan
Finishes: Tokyo, Japan
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Kurama to Kibune trek & shrine visits
- Fushimi Inari Taisha hike
- Okinawa Rail Observation & Ibe-dake Forest Trail Trek
- Yasuda Sea Kayaking tour
- Sabani Boat experience
- Taketomi cycling excursion
- Mangrove kayak on Iriomote island
- Internal flights
- Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple
- Nakamise shopping street visit
- Meiji Shrine visit
- Free time in Tokyo
- All transportation to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel (11nts).
- 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
- Plane, local train, walking, private vehicle, gondola, public bus, bicycle, local metro.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6229 (CAD $519 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Kyoto
Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome briefing and an optional dinner in Kyoto.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Day 2: Kyoto
Start your Kyoto based explorations with one of the iconic hikes outside the Kyoto downtown area. Hike from Kurama village to Kibune-two villages that mark the start and endpoint of the hike. As you wind your way through the canopied forest, visit the Yuki shrine and Kurama-dera temple.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Transfer by train and subway to Kurama Station and begin your CEO-led hike. Walk between these two picturesque, quaint villages in the Kitayama Mountains and follow the stone steps up into the verdant, mist-shrouded forests. Pass through the highland and visit smaller temples and search for spring water outlets flowing down the trail. Stop along the way at the Kurama-dera Temple—located atop the mountain with stunning views of the countryside, Yuki Shrine, Maoden, ending at Kibune Shrine. The total hike time will be 2.5 hours for a total of 3.9km and a total elevation gain of 584m.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Day 3: Kyoto
The final day in Kyoto begins with the iconic visit to Fushimi Inari shrine. Walk for around 2 hours under the vibrant torii gates as you make your way along the various trails. Although this is a popular activity, it's worth it for the expansive views across Southern Kyoto.
Spend the afternoon at leisure in Kyoto.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Hike up Fushimi Inari through 10,000 stunning torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha). The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area. The hike up is about 2 hrs.Free_time - Enjoy a free afternoon in the beautiful town of Kyoto.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Day 4: Kyoto to Yanbaru National Park
Let the island hopping begin. Board a domestic flight bound for Naha airport, in Okinawa. Naha is the main gateway for travelers in and out of Okinawa. Upon arrival, hop onto a private transport and make your way north towards Yanbaru National Park. This area is not popular on the tourist route due to its more remote location, and indeed feels a bit like a hidden gem.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Free_time - Spend a free evening after arriving to Okinawa.Accommodation - Ada Garden Hotel
Day 5: Yanbaru National Park
Embark on a guided walk through part of Yambaru Forest, spotting native flora and fauna on the Ibe-dake Forest Trail Trek. After a picnic lunch, head towards to the seaside and join your local guide on a guided sea kayaking excursion to Yasuda island. After a busy day, enjoy a dinner out together.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Trek along the Ibe-dake forest path through the Special Wildlife Protection Area and learn about the history and ancient wisdom of protecting this precious forest.Activity - Kayak to the uninhabited island of Yasuda off the coast of Yanbaru. Taking about 30 minutes one way, we'll glide over pristine reef and through crystal clear water, clear enough to see the colorful coral and bright fish. Explore Yasuda island's white sand and relax on the beach, where sea turtles sometimes visit, before paddling back to the coast.Accommodation - Ada Garden Hotel
Day 6: Kunigami/Ishigaki
Another day, another island. Today, head even further south to Ishigaki island. Still part of Okinawa, Ishigaki technically sits closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan. Join your CEO and fellow travelers for a delicious dinner sampling famous Okinawan ryōri (food).
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Free_time - Spend a free evening in Ishigaki before a group dinner.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 7: Ishigaki
In the Hirakubo Peninsula in northern Ishigaki, hop aboard a Sabani, the traditional Okinawan sailboat, and cruise along the shores of the peninsula. Hop into the water to snorkel if you choose, or just admire the stunning untouched environment. These boats are hand carved in the traditional way from hollowed logs, and only hold 6 persons per boat. Enjoy this rare opportunity to enjoy a piece of Okinawan cultural heritage. During the paddle, we'll jump out of the boat for a chance to snorkel out above the coral reef.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Climb aboard a traditional wooden Sabani Boat. Local to Okinawa, we'll sail in this dugout-cedar boat and have a chance to snorkel in the blue water through colorful reefs.Activity - Jump out of the traditional Sabani boat with a snorkel mask and fins.. Glide above the tropical coral reefs and admire the colorful life below the sea. Your sabani boat guide will point out some of the amazing things you may see like puffer fish, sea stars or maybe even a sea turtle!Free_time - Spend your afternoon at leisure in the Ishigaki Port area.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 8: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
The island hopping continues as you head west again towards Iriomote island. Spend the day kayaking in a mangrove area, spotting birds and local flora you can only find in this area. After an epic day exploring the island, choose to join your CEO and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner back in Ishigaki.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Glide through the Mangrove forest waterways in a kayak and learn about the importance of these amazing trees. You'll have the chance to observe the unique wildlife that the Mare and Hinai Rivers' ecosystem supports.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 9: Taketomi Island
Just off the coast of the Ishigaki Port area is Taketomi Island, part of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Surrounded by coral reef, the island is actually constructed of coral walls and structures, creating a unique architectural look within Japan. The central Ryukyu village is the most well known feature of the island, full of red tiled roof buildings and tropical flowers. There are plenty of ways to explore Taketomi, but in true G Adventures style we opt for a bicycle to be able to zip around and see as much as possible.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Activity - Hop on a bicycle and explore Taketomi's noteworthy stops. Starting at the Yugafu-kan cultural center, we'll then bike to Nishi Pier for a perfect view of the sea, to the white sands of Kondoi Beach for a swim and a snorkel, and to the traditional village of Taketomi. This tour will bring you to experience the picturesque beaches of the island and its well preserved history.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 10: Ishigaki/Tokyo
We bid farewell to the beautiful archipelago of Okinawa and return to Japan's mainland. After breakfast, we'll catch a flight to Tokyo. Arrive to the the hotel and enjoy a free evening in Tokyo.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Accommodation - Toyoko Inn Kawasaki Ekimae Shiyakusho-dori
Day 11: Tokyo
Today you have the chance to see the biggest city in Japan on a tour with your CEO. See highlights of this amazing city like Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Asakusa neighbourhood, Nakamise shopping street and the historic Meiji Shrine. In the afternoon, spend your time in Tokyo how you'd like. Opt to visit cool neighborhoods like Akihabara or Harajuku. Or find some green space in the famous Ueno Park.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore Sensō-ji Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in the entire city. Leading up to the temple the street is lined with shops selling yummy food and great souvenirs. Activity - Visit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.Free_time - Enjoy a free afternoon in Tokyo.Accommodation - Toyoko Inn Kawasaki Ekimae Shiyakusho-dori
Day 12: Tokyo
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Similar Experiences
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Tyler - Traveled, October 2024
Tour group was fantastic. Emi the tour guide was so helpful, went above and beyond. Felt like you were with friends rather than a stranger. The hostels and other living arrangements were very nice, not at all like the reputation that hostels have in the rest of the world. Emi, the tour guide offered so many extra things to do for the group. Tea ceremonies, ninja experiences, etc. She also gave some great recommendations for places to go and things to do on your own. Two of my favorite things I did on this trip, the Kabuki theatre and the sanjusangendo temple, were her recommendations. The only thing I regret is not going on the longer tour so I could have more fun with the group. The description on the site does not do the tour justice. This tour is great for making new friends and having fun experiences in Japan.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Andreas - Traveled, September 2024
It was all we expected and really enjoyed it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/06/2024
YOLANDE - Traveled, August 2024
Itinerary was good but woul be better with an extra day or 2 to really appreciate the places especially Koyosan and Hakone. Our guide was super! Helpful and pleasant he was a source of knowledge and looked after us.Hotels were generally okay to good. The activities were interesting but perhaps have some extra pay extra such as a cooking class. Maybe explain beforehand about the luggage packing for the night and next day. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is physically fit as there is much walking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/06/2024
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