The Golden Route
Ladies Onlyabout this trip
July 27, 2023 – August 3, 2023
Ladies Only | Capacity: total 8 spots (4 spots left!)
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A classic Japan trip, perfect for Japan first-timers. We offer this tour for both mixed and ladies-only groups. This current trip is ladies-only!
*This tour starts in Tokyo, and ends in Kyoto*
Highlights:
- Exlore the world’s most populous and ever-fascinating megacity Tokyo, where the possibilities are unlimited.
- Discover the most stunning temples, shrines and castles – all with a unique backstory – throughout your travel in Japan
- Stroll through the temples and shrines in the center city of Japan in medieval age.
- Snack on street foods, try real matcha, and indulge in Japanese (but halal!) cuisine.
- View the dramatic Mt. Fuji from different viewpoints
- Deepdive into Japan’s history while walking through Japan’s ancient city, Kyoto.
Of course there’s more – check the timeline tab for more details.
Current tours:
Currently, this tour is offered on the following dates:
Dates: July 27, 2023 – August 3, 2023 (7 days, 8 nights)
Rates: €2499 per person based on a twin share room (flights to and from Japan are not included). Depening on availability, for single rooms there will be an extra cost of €500 per person, for double rooms there will be an extra cost of €300 per person. Book by 28 February 2023 for a 10% early-bird discount!
How to book:
You can reserve your spot for this tour by filling in the form under the tab “book”. Upon filling this form you will be asked to pay 25 percent of the total trip cost as a deposit to confirm your participation in this tour.
Upon timely cancellation you will be refunded the amount paid, minus the €200 non-refundable booking cost (this is included in the trip rate). Please see the FAQ tab for more information regarding our cancellation policy.
Please check the below list of what is and what is not included for this trip.
Included:
- Handpicked larger-than-usual-Japan-standards hotels that offer enough room for prayers
- A Dutch/English/Japanese/Turkish speaking tour guide
- Meet & greet pick- and drop-off at the airport or train station
- Entrance fees to sites and activities as mentioned
- 6x meals
- Listed workshops
- Shinkansen cost
- Local transportation costs for itinerary-planned activities
- 24/7 assistance before, during and after your trip
- Japan survival kit guide
Not included:
- International airfares (unless otherwise specified)
- Domestic flights (if applicable)
- Travel/health insurance
- Visa expenses and application
- Personal expenses (such as telephone bills, wifi, laundry bills, souvenirs etc.)
- Meals and snacks that are not included in the itinerary
- Baggage handling and luggage forwarding (unless otherwise specified)
Day 1 – Welcome to Japan
Welcome to Japan – you must be exhausted after your long flight!
No worries, we’ll check you in into your hotel so you can freshen up and get some quick sleep.
We may visit the stunning Hamarikyu Gardens depending on your time of arrival, and head out for a welcome dinner together.
At night, if you’re still up for it, we’ll explore Tokyo Station, but brace yourself – as its never-ending shopping wonderland will have you get lost over and over again.
Tokyo Camii, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku
Let’s start off the day with a quick breakfast, then head out for Shibuya Sky, where you can enjoy a panoramic view from the highest point in Shibuya at approximately 230 meters and 47 stories above the ground! Afterwards we’ll head for Tokyo Camii to pray our Friday prayers and to enjoy the stunning architecture of the mosque.
Let’s again head to Shibuya to walk through one of the world’s busiest crossings – it can get overwhelming – and to head out for lunch (perhaps time to try some of the popular Japanese fluffy pancakes)?
We’ll explore Meiji Jingu, after which you’re free to shop around in Harajuku’s famous Takeshita Dori and Shinjuku district.
Owakudani, Mt. Fuji
Today we’ll get up early on as we’re heading out to see the dramatic Mt. Fuji!
On our way we’ll stop at Owakudani Volcanic Village, to observe the intense volcanic activity from up close.
Don’t forget to snack on some eggs before we hop into our car to continue our journey to Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nemba Village, an ancient healing village where Mt. Fuji features as a stunning backdrop. After a relaxing stroll, we’ll pay a visit to the Chureito Pagoda, where you’ll walk up the endless stairs to capture the picture-perfect view of Mt. Fuji.
Kamakura
Get ready, as we’ll spend a day in in the former capital of Japan, Kamakura!
The historical Kamakura is home to countless Buddhist temples and zen gardens. You’ll hop from temple to temple, garden to garden, try some *real* green tea, and shop in the old Komachi shopping street.
Asakusa, Ueno Park
Today we’ll explore the Asakusa district in Tokyo in the morning, particularly known for Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple Senso-ji. With lots of souvenir and snack shops, you’ll want to spend a couple of hours strolling through its Nakamise (shops).
After lunch, you’ll have free time to explore Tokyo. Whether that’s a visit to Ueno Park, Akihabara, an interactive museum, the cutest cat cafe, or just lots of shopping – you’ll have some time to explore Tokyo to your own liking!
In the evening we’ll hop onto the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, where new adventures await us.
Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Gion Shopping
Good morning! We’ll wake up early to travel to the marvelous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest of Kyoto while the morning air is still fresh. We’ll stroll through the forest and park, along the Katsura river (where you may want to hop onto a boat if available!), and head to Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the head temple of Zen Buddhism. We’ll explore the temple from within, and are able to stroll through its garden, which has survived the centuries in its original form.
In the afternoon we’ll head to the famous Golden Pavilion, a unique sight only home to Kyoto.
Before the night falls, we’ll head to Kiyomizu-dera, the Geisha district that’s known for its charming, historic atmosphere.
Osaka, Universal Studios Japan, Katsuo-ji, Osaka Castle
What happens in Osaka, stays in Osaka. We’ll explore Osaka Castle’s grounds, after which we’ll head straight to Universal Studios Japan for a delightful afternoon!
At night, we’ll get together at night to shop till we drop, and enjoy dinner in the bustling heart of Osaka ‘Dotonbori‘ before heading back to Kyoto.
Nara Deer Park, Fushimi Inari Shrine
In the morning we’ll head out to Nara Deer Park, where there are over 1200 free-roaming deer (shika in Japanese) for you to interact with. As these deer as so used to the presence of humans, they’re very friendly and will even bow if you bow to them first. You’ll have the option of visiting the Todaiji Temple, said to be the world’s largest wooden building, or the Man’you Botanical Garden, before we head to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famous for its countless red Torii gates.
As this is our last day together, you can continue your Japan adventure from Kyoto – whether that’s home or a longer trip in Japan. Of course we’ll aid in planning a smooth transition to your next destination.
(please note that the entrance to the Todaiji Temple or Man’you Botanical Garden is optional, and not included in the trip rate)
Q: I am a solo traveller, can I join this trip?
Q: Is it possible to take this tour as part of a longer, individual journey?
Of course! In case of a longer, individual journey, we might not be able to pick you up or drop you off at the airport, and will ask you to meet the group at the hotel or a designated meeting point instead.
Q: Will I have to share rooms?
For all our tours goes that we will arrange twin rooms with private bathrooms when staying in hotels. With more unique accommodations, such as castle, ryokan or kominka stays, single rooms or private bathrooms are not always available. You might have to share the room and other facilities with other guests of the same gender. For all-welcome (mixed) tour groups goes that all accommodations have either private rooms/bathrooms, or are only shared with the same gender.
If you wish to stay in a single room throughout your stay, we can arrange a single room for you at hotels for an extra cost (please see the “overview” tab), depending on availability. For unique accommodations we might not be able to arrange single rooms for you.
If you are travelling with your spouse, we might be able to arrange double rooms depending on availability. If double rooms are not available, we will arrange twin rooms instead.
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?
Depending on your nationality and country of residence, you may be required to apply for a visa to enter Japan. Tulu Tours does not offer nor aid in acquiring a visa, so please check with your official government website for the requirements.
Q: How big is the group size?
As we focus on quality and memories, we keep our group at a maximum of eight guests (unless otherwise specified). The minimum number of guests is three. If you’re planning on traveling with a larger group or wish to create your own itinerary, please refer to our tailored tour page.
Q: Are there any age restrictions for this tour?
The minimum age requirement for all omakase group tours is 20 years. Please opt for a tailored tour when traveling with younger companions. While we do not have a maximum age limit, please do understand that these tours require guests to be in good health and very active. If, according to our tour leaders, you are not in good enough health to participate in some of the listed activities, you may not be able to join that activity for the day.
Q: I am not Muslim, can I still join a Tulu Tour?
Of course! While Tulu Tours offers curated tours that suit a Muslim traveller’s lifestyle, being Muslim is not a requisite. Even if you are not Muslim, we would still love to travel with you!
Please note that Tulu Tours does not suggest or book any sightseeing spots or restaurants that are not in line with a halal lifestyle, such as bars, izakaya, clubs, breweries and others. If you wish to visit such a spot, we can plan your day around these activities, where the booking or planning of such a spot falls onto you (this only goes for tailored tours, not Omakase (fixed) group tours).
Tulu Tours will continue to make time for prayers during the day as well, so please keep in mind that there will be short breaks from time to time.
Q: How does payment work?
Upon filling in the booking form (see the “book”) you will be asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost per person in order to confirm your participation. Payment can currently be made in Euro only (bank transfer, iDeal or credit card). Please contact us if you need more information or help regarding payment options.
The remaining balance payment (75% of the total trip cost) will have to be completed 45 days before the start date of the trip. If you fail to pay in time, we might have to cancel your participation, which will be regarded as cancellation by the customer.
We can work with payment in installments, please let us know in case you’d like to pay in installments.
Please refer to “What happens in case of cancellation?” for more details regarding our cancellation policy.
Q: What happens in case of cancellation?
In case the guest is responsible for cancelling the trip, refunds will be as follows:
- More than 90 days before tour starting date: you will be refunded 100% of the total trip cost, minus the non-refundable booking cost of €200.
- 60 to 89 days before tour starting date: you will be refunded 90% of the total trip cost, minus the non-refundable booking cost of €200.
- 30 to 59 days before tour starting date: you will be refunded 75% of the total trip cost, minus the non-refundable booking cost of €200.
- 15 to 29 days before tour starting date: you will be refunded 50% of the total trip cost, minus the non-refundable booking cost of €200.
- 8 to 14 days before tour starting date: you will be refunded 25% of the total trip cost, minus the non-refundable booking cost of €200.
- up to 7 days before tour starting date: there will be no refund.
Please note that in case flight tickets are booked, the cancellation cost of flight tickets will not be refunded either. If flights cannot be cancelled anymore, the flight will not be refunded.
In case of a cancellation due to Tulu Tours (when booked through Tulu Tours directly), your trip will be fully refunded, including the administration cost of €200.
Tulu Tours is not responsible for costs associated with flights tickets in case of cancellations.
Kindly do not book your international flight arrangements until after you have spoken with a Tulu Tours representative if you’re booking a tour with us, and after receiving confirmation.
Please note that filling in the below form does not confirm your participation in the tour.
Participation is only confirmed after Tulu Tours has acknowledged receipt of payment.
Tulu Tours will contact you within 48 hours after filling in this form with further details.