Uncover the very best of Japan on our exclusive self-guided tour. The Golden Triangle is made up of the three cities Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto. Discover a blend of past & future in Tokyo, the gastronomy of Osaka & tradition in Kyoto.
The Golden Triangle is the area of central Japan, linked by the three main cities, Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto, our exclusive self-guided tour allows you to explore them all in depth. In each city, you will be met by local guides giving you a feel for the culture & way of life, as you explore together before you have free days to pursue your own passions in these fascinating cities.
A self-guided trip in a country as different as Japan might seem slightly daunting, but this is by far the best way to explore. To discover what makes Japan tick, you have to ride the city trains, talk to the ultra-friendly locals, and explore different parks, temples, pachinko bars and hedgehog cafes (yes really!) Your city tours not only showcase beautiful parts of these cities but teach you how to get around, how to order food and live a little Japanese.
Start off in the wildly vibrant city of Tokyo, here there are more people than you can imagine, but strangely, it never feels any busier than any other big city. Your guided tour will take you around the temples & unique shops of Asakusa, but on your free days, you can explore the Imperial Palace, Sky Tower, futuristic Akihabara, or enjoy crossing the street at the famous Shibuya crossing.
Then you are off on a couple of trips by bullet train, or Shinkansen as it is known in Japan. You will first zoom over to the gastronomic capital of Japan, Osaka. Here, your local guide will show you the ancient & modern sides of this thriving city, but in your free time, we recommend just eating! Famous for its Takoyaki (deep-fried balls of octopus) and Kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and veggie skewers), there is so much to eat here it can be overpowering. There is a whole subway station mall dedicated to Pork Katsu! This is how much the Osakans love their food!
Your final corner of the Golden Triangle is the sublime Kyoto, whose ancient beauty is pretty much unparalleled anywhere in the world, combining old-world perfection with modern-day sensibilities. An incredible end to a trip you will never forget.
Experience the incredible culture of this welcoming country as you travel around under your own steam.
Your local guides will take you out and showcase the finest parts of ancient Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto (twice!) on these fascinating, insightful city tours.
We have sourced the very best accommodation in Japan's great cities to ensure you are central, close to rail stations and bathed in complete comfort every night.
Japanese buffet breakfasts are legendary! You can choose breakfast that you are comfortable with, or you can go for some interesting local options, sometimes even including ice cream!
We provide your memorable trip on the bullet train by providing you with a Shinkansen Ticket from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka in Ordinary Reserved Class
Travelling around the different locations has been made simple by providing you with an incredible IC card. Pre-loaded with ¥5,000, it enables you to travel throughout Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka on the rail networks.