Top Trips For Discovering A City Inside Out

Book your way into the backdoor of a city – discover the heart of a place as only the locals can show you.

The streets of every city hold secrets that only the locals are wise to. Vibrant neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the skyscrapers and hole-in-the-wall local haunts overshadowed by corporate chains give you a more intimate offering of the city’s history, culture, and everyday life. Even if you know a city like the back of your hand, there’s always more to explore beneath the surface. These top trips for discovering a city inside out will give you a deep dive into the world’s coolest cities.

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Springtime on a street in the historic Higashiyama distirct of Kyoto during sunset with cherry blossoms

Japan by Train: The Grand Tour

Each year, millions of tourists visit Japan for a glimpse of its mountain-dotted landscapes and tucked-away onsens. To catch all of the region’s highlights, however, your best bet is following an expert-curated itinerary. On our Japan Rail Trip, you’ll see the deer on Miyajima Island, for example, which – according to folklore – are considered sacred messengers from the gods. You’ll also experience the city lights of Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo, watching sumo wrestlers train and learning how to make sushi in the capital. Not to mention many an hour spent in neon-lit karaoke bars.

From US$4119

Next available from 28th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Osaka, Japan

ENDS AT

Tokyo, Japan

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Gethin Morgan, Nick Dauk, Emma Gibbins and Grace Beard contributed to this article.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.