Tour Code: 28JPN1
Tour Manager: Martin Dale-Hench
Tour Leader: Martin Dale-Hench & Chikako Tamaki
Group Size: 9
Activity level: Moderate

Come visit this Far Eastern island, where tradition meets technology to create one of the world’s most unique nations. Zigzag around the metropolitan area of Tokyo to taste its savory cuisine and immerse yourself in the nightlife of Shibuya and Shinjuku. Head west to Kanazawa and Kyoto, where over a thousand years of history and culture reside. Continue on to Hiroshima to contemplate the horrors of war, and to eat the city’s soul food: okonomiyaki. Finish basking in a hot spring in the mountains of Hida.

Tuesday, April 18
Arrive in Tokyo in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel via JR trains. Rest, dine, and recover from jet lag. Orientation meeting and welcome dinner. Stay in Tokyo for 3 nights. 

Wednesday, April 19
Start your morning by visiting Tokyo’s largest temple, Senso-ji. Visit a Deaf-owned ramen shop, Yoshi. Visit the glitzy Ginza boulevard. 

Thursday, April 20
Meet the famous loyal dog Hachiko in Shibuya and cross the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. Check out the bustle at Shinjuku, the busiest train station in the world. Have dinner at a Deaf-owned restaurant, Fusao, near Shinjuku. 

Friday, April 21
Take the shinkansen to Odawara, and then switch to a train to Hakone-Yumoto. Stay at a traditional Japanese inn, called a ryokan, and experience a Japanese-style dinner. Bathe in a hot springs. Stay in Hakone for 2 nights. 

Saturday, April 22
Go on a full-day tour around the mountains of Hakone, seeing the sulphur fumes of Owakudani, perhaps eat their black eggs! Wonder at the mind-bending art of Hakone Open-Air Museum. Marvel at the grandeur of Mt. Fuji by Lake Ashi, weather permitting.

Sunday, April 23
Shinkansen to Hiroshima. After lunch, visit the Peace Memorial Building and learn how much the locals suffered during and after the A-bomb. Chow down the famous Okonomiyaki, the soul food of Hiroshima. Stay in Hiroshima for 2 nights. 

Monday, April 24
Take the morning ferry to see the scenic Miyajima Island, known as the Island of Gods. See the iconic giant red torii “floating” on the lake during low and high tides. Take your time to amble around the island to discover many treasures hiding. 

Tuesday, April 25
Take a shinkansen train straight to Kyoto. Go to Arashiyama to experience the mystique of a bamboo forest. Learn about the Japanese version of dragons by visiting the giant dragon mural in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji. Become in peace by watching the serene landscape around Tenryu-ji. Stay in Kyoto for 3 nights. 

Wednesday, April 26
Take the train straight to Nara, about 50 km south of Kyoto. Bow to the deer, which are free to roam around the Nara Park, and some of them will bow back. Be in awe of the giant and magnificent Buddha Statue in Todaiji. Use the afternoon time off to buy artisan gifts or visit more stunning temples. 

Thursday, April 27
Get up early in the morning to see the thousand red torii in Fushimi before the morning tourist rush. Then go to Higashiyama to see the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple. Rent a kimono and walk through cobblestoned streets. Do some shopping in the area.

Friday, April 28
Take the shinkansen to Kanazawa. Allow the wonders of one of Japan’s top gardens, Kenrokuen, to calm your soul. Amble through the streets of Higashi-Chaya district and ponder what it was like living in Japan under the shogunate 200 years ago. Stay in Kanazawa for 2 nights. 

Saturday, April 29
Board on early morning train to mountainous Hida region to Shirakawago, a beautiful folk village, to see unique wooden houses built to withhold the harsh winters. Go back to Kanazawa to do some independent sightseeing and shopping.

Sunday, April 30
Check out the fish market at Omicho. Take the shinkansen back to Tokyo. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Stay in Tokyo for 1 night. 

Monday, May 1
Return flight home.

Updated 06/03/2026

Martin Dale-Hench has been a resident of Japan since 2013, and he currently splits his time between Washington DC and Tokyo as he pursues a PhD degree in Linguistics at Gallaudet University. He is originally from Michigan, but he has been struck with wanderlust since he was a child and travels all around the world constantly. He enjoys learning languages, reading history, meeting new people, and learning trivia. He currently works as a Certified Deaf Interpreter and a translator of ASL, JSL, Japanese, and English. 

• 13 nights in 3-star and 4-star accommodations.

• 15 meals: Breakfast (13), Dinner (2)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• Dress up in kimono in Kyoto is optional. Day rental is approximately $30 per person.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins and ends in Tokyo, Japan.

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants.

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits/payments may be required.

• Significant walking expected during the tour. Moderate physical fitness is required. All participants will be expected to be able to carry their own luggage.

• Hands on Travel recommends that you purchase a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: martin@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.