If you’ve long dreamed of visiting Japan but are overwhelmed by travel planning, visas, hotels, and local transportation, there’s good news. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a 10-day, 9-night Japan tour package for Indian tourists. This group tour will depart from Delhi on September 6 and return on September 15. During this trip, tourists will have the opportunity to explore many of Japan’s most famous cities and tourist destinations.
**What is the price of the package?**
According to IRCTC, this package costs ₹345,999 per person on a triple-sharing basis. Twin-sharing is ₹349,999, while single occupancy is ₹473,999. Children aged 5 to 11 years have separate fares: ₹292,499 with a bed and ₹263,999 without a bed.
**What is included in the package?**
This tour package includes round-trip economy-class flights, four-star hotel accommodation, a Japanese tourist visa, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, airport transfers, air-conditioned coach excursions, travel insurance for tourists under 70 years of age, an English-speaking tour guide, and all applicable taxes. Travel will be from Delhi to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. However, flight times are subject to change depending on airline operations, which may result in slight variations in the itinerary.
**Which places will be visited?**
This tour offers a taste of both Japan’s modern technology and traditional culture. In Tokyo, visitors will visit Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise Shopping Street, Ueno Park, Odaiba, and the renowned digital art museum, TeamLab Planets. Weather permitting, the tour will also include a visit to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station; otherwise, a visit to Oshino Hakkai will be planned. Additionally, the itinerary includes the Hakone Ropeway, Owakuda Valley, a pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi, the Toyota Museum, and the SCMAGLEV Railway Museum. Tourists will also have the opportunity to ride Japan’s world-famous Shinkansen bullet train.
**Travel to other cities**
During the tour, tourists will visit historical sites in Kyoto, such as Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. In Osaka, they will experience the famous Osaka Castle and its dining experience, while in Nara, Todai-ji Temple and the free-roaming deer will be the main attractions. The tour provides information on important events in Japanese history and takes tourists to Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima Island, and Itsukushima Shrine.
**What documents are required before traveling?**
According to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), tourists’ passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of return. Additionally, to obtain a Japanese visa, tourists must submit a PAN card, financial documents (including bank account and income details), and employment documents.
**Is a group tour the right choice for everyone?**
DK Ghatani, CEO and travel consultant at Sikkim Expeditions, says that guided group tours can be very convenient for first-time visitors to Japan. Since all the details like hotels, local transportation, sightseeing, and guides are pre-arranged, language barriers and the anxiety of navigating unfamiliar terrain are largely eliminated. However, a major drawback of such tours is the fixed itinerary; tourists have less freedom to spend more time at their favorite places or explore local cafes, markets, and streets as they please. Therefore, before booking a package, be sure to check what all is included, such as flights, visas, accommodation, meals, tickets, local transportation, insurance, and taxes, and whether the price is within your budget.
Important Tips for Indian Travellers to Japan
Pack comfortable shoes, light warm clothing, a rain jacket, and a small umbrella during your trip, as the weather can change suddenly. Furthermore, it’s important to respect local Japanese culture. Speak softly on public transportation, wait in line, maintain cleanliness, and obey rules at temples and public places.