Japan Group Tour

• Stay in a quirky pod hostel in Tokyo
• Explore the neon madness of Akihabara
• Challenge your mates in arcades & claw machines
• Visit Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji
• Cross the famous Shibuya Crossing
• Wander the wild fashion streets of Harajuku
• Discover the peaceful Meiji Shrine
• Izakaya dinner in Tokyo’s lively Piss Alley
• Bar-hop in the tiny bars of Golden Gai
• Chase Mt. Fuji views in the countryside
• Ride the bullet train to Takayama
• Explore the traditional mountain town, Takayama
• Sip on locally brewed sake
• Street food tasting at Kyoto’s Nishiki Market
• Night tour through Gion, home of Kyoto’s geisha
• Dinner in Kyoto’s lantern-lit Pontocho alley
• Sip matcha in a traditional tea ceremony
• Enjoy free time to explore Kyoto
• Wander through Arashiyama’s bamboo forest
• Spot red-faced Japanese macaques in the forest
• Walk the endless red gates at Fushimi Inari
• Get hands-on at a sushi-making class
• Feed the bowing deer in Nara
• Visit the iconic Osaka Castle
• Feast on takoyaki & okonomiyaki in Dotonbori
• Experience Osaka’s electric nightlife

Do I need a visa?

For most travellers, Japan is pretty straightforward when it comes to entry. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for short-term stays, usually up to 90 days. However, rules can vary depending on your passport, so it’s important to double-check the latest entry requirements before you travel. It’s your responsibility to make sure everything is in order so your arrival into Japan is smooth and stress-free.
* It’s important you do check your own visa eligibility as we are not visa experts and the information above is general in nature. We’ve also put together an ‘Unofficial’ Visa Guide for Asia & Australia.

What vaccinations do I need?

Similar to visas, we are not medical professionals and would hate to give you false or misleading information. We recommend you book an appointment with your doctor or local pharmacy to discuss your travel plans and what precautions you need to be aware of. They will provide up-to-date official guidance and will no doubt have your vaccination and immunisation history on file. All destinations and areas we travel to are generally low risk but best to be on the safe side. Click here for a useful resource provided by the UK NHS website.

Is travel insurance compulsory?

Travel insurance is an essential stage of your trip preparation. It’s not only a smart idea to get covered but it will also give your loved ones peace of mind. We actually require all customers to show proof of coverage at the beginning of the tour. We’ll need to see your name, area of cover and dates that the insurance is valid. It’s a good idea to get this sorted ASAP to ensure you’re covered for all eventualities.

Will I receive a packing list?

You sure will, once your trip is confirmed you’ll receive a confirmation email with a bunch of useful information including an ‘Arrival Guide’. Within this guide, you’ll find a packing list, safety and cultural information and some useful tips to prepare for your trip.

Should I bring a suitcase or backpack?

We highly recommend bringing a backpack for your trip to Japan. It’s much easier to get around, especially since we mostly travel by train, where storage is limited. Suitcases can be bulky and tough to manage on platforms and in busy stations. Go for something you’re comfortable carrying, especially up stairs and over short distances. It’s also important to bring a small day bag, something that can hold enough for an overnight trip or those travel essentials.

Is there a limit to my luggage weight?

Yes, keep it light and simple! Aim to pack between 10-20kg max. We use a courier service to send your main luggage between Tokyo to Kyoto and the max weight for this service is 20kg, so anything heavier can’t be sent. Also, keep in mind that Japan’s weather can vary a lot depending on the season, so pack accordingly. Between Nov - Mar, it can get chilly and even snow - so make sure to bring a few warm layers.

Are there laundry services on tour?

At most of the accommodations we stay in, you can do your own laundry using their self-service machines. That said, we always suggest bringing enough underwear and essentials to last the full trip. Your Group Leader will let you know the best times to do your laundry during the trip.

Do I need to bring a towel?

At all the hotels we stay there will be towels provided to be used for showering and freshening up. We suggest buying a microfibre towel or large sarong as they are small and dry fast. Always handy to have as a backup, just in case.

How much spending money do I need?

Once you've booked your flights, paid off your trip and sorted some solid travel insurance, you'll be all set for that Japan adventure. We suggest bringing no less than £450/$550 but this should be the bare minimum. Some people can spend less but the average will be looking at around £500-600/$600-700 to cover shopping, drinks, extra meals and anything else you fancy treating yourself to. Maybe even a ticket to Universal Studios if that’s your thing.

What's the best way to manage my money?

We always recommend having a few different options when managing your money while on the road. Having your everyday bank/ATM card with you as a backup is always a good idea, but we strongly suggest signing up for a travel/currency card. Most of these cards can be managed through an easy easy-to-use app. There are ATMs throughout the trip and we suggest grabbing some local currency when you arrive at the airport.

Will there be a Whatsapp group?

There sure will be, 2 weeks before the trip you’ll receive a final email with some useful information to help with your arrival. This includes a link to a private Whatsapp group for the tour date that you’ll be travelling on. It’s a great place to get chatting with the rest of the people on the tour and also your Group Leader. If you’ve not already, click this link and join the ‘Feel Free Family’ Facebook Group. The FB community is the ideal place to discuss how things work with past and future travellers. Add yourself to the group and make a post asking who else has booked or thinking about booking the same date as you.

When should I arrive on Day 1?

We suggest aiming to arrive during the middle of the 1st day, it’s not essential but it will give you time to freshen up before we head out for dinner and drinks. You’ll be grateful for that little extra time to relax, soak up some afternoon sun or just go for a wander and explore the local area.

Can I arrive a day or 2 early?

Absolutely! We actually recommend arriving a day or 2 early to give you more time to recharge and enjoy a bit of ‘me time’ before the tour begins. There might be experiences on your bucket list that we don’t include on the trip, this is the perfect time to fit them in.

Will I get an airport pickup?

Unlike some of our other trips, in Japan you’ll make your own way to the first accommodation. But don’t worry, it’s easy. Your welcome email will include simple, step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the airport and jump on Japan’s super straightforward public transport 🙌🏼

Which airport should I fly into?

The trip starts in Tokyo, so you’ll want to fly into either Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). Narita is more common for international flights, but both work great. You’ll finish in Osaka, with Kansai (KIX) being the main international airport.

What's the plan for Day 1?

The first day is the ‘Arrival Day’, there isn’t a huge amount planned. It’s the perfect day to relax or go for an explore and get your bearings. In the evening it’s time to meet your new travel family as we’ll be taking you all out to one of our favourite spots for dinner and chilled drinks.

What time does the tour finish?

All our tours finish on the morning of the final day, this will give you plenty of time to get back to the airport ready for that flight home or onto your next destination.

What happens after my tour?

It really depends from group to group… sometimes we’ll have a whole bunch of people hanging out once the tour has finished, travelling for days, weeks or even months together. But in others you’ll have many people going separate ways. As the trip unfolds you’ll soon learn about each other's travel plans and share ideas for what adventures lie ahead. The hardest part is saying your goodbyes and giving your last big hugs to the people who are leaving straight after the trip finishes.

Can I get help with return airport transfers?

You sure can, our Group Leaders are available throughout the trip to chat about your onward travel plans. They will be there to offer help and assistance when it comes to booking flights, taxis, buses, trains and ferries. It’s always a good idea to get your flights booked before you arrive including any internal flights for after your tour.

When should I book my return flight?

We always suggest booking your return flight a bit later on the final day. This will give you plenty of time to get back to the airport and also enough time to really say your goodbyes. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is approximately 1 hour by train from the hotel in Osaka. If you’re flying out of Tokyo, you can take the bullet train back from Osaka - the journey takes around 4 hours. In that case, we recommend booking a flight no earlier than 4:00pm on the final day.

Can I stay extra longer and extend my trip?

You sure can, we don’t offer the option to extend your stay but our awesome Group Leaders are eager to help and support your onward travel plans. You’ll no doubt get ideas from other group members as the trip unfolds so best to just keep those ideas to yourself until you meet the group.

Do I get help with onward travel?

Whether you’re on a short break from work or a slightly longer backpacking adventure, our Group Leaders will help with everything from return airport transfers to giving you a bunch of ideas for the rest of your time in Asia and beyond.

Is there Wifi on tour?

Almost all the places we stay on tour have free WIFI allowing you to stay connected with friends and family back home. There are certain places we visit that don’t but we will always give you a heads up in advance so that you can prepare and let your loved ones know at home you may be unreachable.

Can I travel solo/come alone?

Absolutely! Our trips are built for solo travellers and believe us… sharing new experiences with a group of new friends is one of the best things you can do. A large majority of the people that travel with us are 1st time travellers doing it alone so don’t worry, you’ll never be alone with us.

What’s the average age of people on these trips?

Our trips are super popular with most travellers in their 20s and 30s—we aim to keep the vibe more like travelling with a bunch of mates and less like a school trip (no thanks!). Whether you’re on a break from work, between studies, or just escaping the cold, you’ll be surrounded by people at a similar stage, all looking for the same kind of adventure.

How big are the group sizes?

We keep our group sizes small with an average of 12-16 people per group so that everyone gets to know each other and experience things at a pace that is enjoyable for all.

What’s included in the price?

We’ve got you covered with all the big-ticket stuff—your accommodation, transport, activities, and a handful of meals are all included. You’ll also enjoy loads of local experiences and a few surprise stops along the way. This trip doesn’t include an airport pickup on arrival, and every trip is led by one of our awesome Group Leaders, with local guides jumping in too. The only things you’ll need to sort yourself are your flights, transfers, travel insurance, and spending money.

What should I expect from the included meals?

You should expect almost all your breakfasts to be included to allow us to get the best out of each day. You’ll also get a few lunches on day trips and the odd dinner. We try and find a good balance between including meals and giving you the flexibility to eat what you fancy.

Do you cater for specific dietary/allergy requirements?

We make every effort to prepare for all dietary requirements and will do our best to support you during mealtime. Please provide clear information during the booking form and chat with your Group Leader during the first few days.

What’s not included?

You’ll just need to sort your international flights, transfers, travel insurance, visas and spending money 🙌🏼

Do we stay in hostels or hotels?

The accommodation on our trips is something we do better than anyone else and our tours definitely wouldn’t be the same without the awesome places we stay. It will be a mix of twin-share hotels and multi-share dorms that have been handpicked to give you the perfect balance of comfort, security and convenience. We really do love where we stay and so do all our happy travellers 😍

Who will I share a room with?

All solo travellers will pair up with other travellers of the same sex in the twin-share… girls with girls & guys with guys. The multi-share dorms we will do our best to keep the same gender but sometimes it will be mixed. If you are travelling with a friend, let us know, and we can put you together… same if you are travelling as a couple, we will arrange a double room where possible.

Can I combine more than 1 trip together?

It’s very common for our travellers to combine 2 or more of our trips together. We’ve actually built our group schedule to allow you to do just that. You can often finish 1 trip on the same day another trip is just starting. After all, flight tickets are not cheap, you might as well maximise your experience if you have the time!

How do I book?

Booking your trip couldn’t be easier, find a trip that takes your fancy, pick a date, reserve your spot with a deposit and get that flight booked…

We always recommend reserving your spot before booking your flight. When our trips are full… unfortunately they are FULL 😬 Check out our ’How it Works’ page for more information on booking your trip!!

This all seems too good to be true, how do I know it’s legit?

This is a question we recently added to our FAQs as we hear it time and time again so we wanted to give you all a few ways to verify who we are;

• We are a UK registered company No.10549017
• Read our reviews on Facebook, Google & Trustpilot
• Join our Facebook Group ‘Feel Free Family’
• Follow our journey on Instagram