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Japan history & culture

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

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Overview

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Continent

Asia

Days

10 days

Nights

9 nights

Group Size

12 people

Activity

Easy

Interest

History & Culture

Highlights

  • Take in Japan’s breathtaking natural scenery, from stunning waterfalls to sprawling rice paddies.
  • Meet the highly-skilled metalworking artisans of Tsubame-Sanjo and watch them create their trademark intricate tools and cutlery.
  • Stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan and bathe in its hot springs.
  • Visit the remote Sado Island which preserves many cultural traditions.
  • Immerse yourself in Niigata’s Geisha culture and experience a very special live performance.
  • Dive into the world of sumo wrestling and enjoy lunch with a former sumo champion.
  • Enjoy a Sado Milk ice cream made by one of the 10 specially certified dairy farmers on the island.
Japan 10 days 9 nights

Explore a different side of Japan.

Day 1

Welcome to Tokyo!

Welcome to Japan!
Welcome to Japan!

Day 2

Flavors of Nikko

Toshogu Shrine, Nikko.
Toshogu Shrine, Nikko.

Day 3

Waterfalls, Lakes & Hot Springs

Relaxing Ryokan stay.
Relaxing Ryokan stay.

Day 4

Niigata Artisans & Geisha

Niigata geishas.
Niigata geishas.

Day 5

Ghostly Villages & Tub Boat Adventures

Sado Island Noh performance.
Sado Island Noh performance.

Day 6

Taiko Drums and Gold Mines

Sado's famed taiko drummers.
Sado's famed taiko drummers.

Day 7

From Niigata to Nara

Farewell to Sado Island.
Farewell to Sado Island.

Day 8

Exploring Nara: Sumo Wrestlers & Temples

Nara Park deer.
Nara Park deer.

Day 9

Best of Japan: Bamboo, Zen & Kimonos

Syojin Ryori lunch.
Syojin Ryori lunch.

Day 10

Sayonara!

Japan - Onward to more adventures!
Japan - Onward to more adventures!

What is included?


What is not included?


Upcoming departures

4 available dates
  • Apr 13–Apr 22, 2025
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  • May 18–May 27, 2025
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  • Sep 21–Sep 30, 2025
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  • Nov 2–Nov 11, 2025
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Additional info

Pricing & Trip Deposit

Deposit to book your trip: $250 USD.

Balance due 90 days prior to departure.

The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.

Traveling Solo?

Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $1,950 USD.

Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. 

If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.

Activity Level

Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to three miles each day, mainly on flat and even surfaces, as well as occasional stairs.

Arrival & Departure

 You should plan to arrive by 4 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 10. Tokyo International Airport (HND) connects to a range of flight hubs in Asia and Europe. The best flight connections to Tokyo are offered by Japan Airlines and American Airlines.

*Airport transfers are only provided on the scheduled arrival tour dates, or if pre trip arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura.  Departure transfers are not included in the trip price. 

Luggage Restrictions

We will be taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) in our itinerary, which has luggage size restrictions. Only luggage up to 160cm  (L+W+H) will be permitted on the train. Larger suitcases can be shipped from our Tokyo hotel to your next accommodation if necessary, however it’s important to keep this in mind when packing for your trip. 

Accommodations

One night will be in a Japanese-style room in a traditional ryokan with on-site onsen, where bedding is a comfortable futon mattress on the floor.

Have more questions?

Check out the Essential Trip Information for this trip or our general FAQs.

Any questions about this trip? Don't hesitate to reach out

  • "We got to see more of the REAL Japan and faced much smaller crowds."

    Dave - Ontario, Canada

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