Highlights
🐾 Embark on a one-of-a-kind journey to visit Japan's famous animal havens: the wild rabbits of Okunoshima ("Bunny Island") and the friendly feline residents of Tashirojima ("Cat Island").
🐒 Take a well-deserved, two-night break at a hot spring resort near Yudanaka Onsen, including an excursion to the spectacular Jigokudani Onsen to watch the local snow monkeys bathe in the hot springs.
🏯 Experience the highlights of Japan from south to north, exploring the history of Hiroshima and Miyajima's floating shrine, the vibrant urban centers of Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, and the castle of Matsumoto.
✨ Travel seamlessly with 14 nights of 3- and 4-star lodging, all internal transport, four complimentary baggage transfers, and a bilingual guide—plus free days and a concierge service to truly make the trip your own.
Stops include: Hiroshima • Okunoshima • Osaka • Kyoto • Matsumoto • Yudanaka Onsen • Sendai • Ishinomaki • Tashirojima • Tokyo and points between
*TRIP BEGINS IN JAPAN On Sept. 26 at 4PM; please do not arrive later as you do need to catch a flight to Hiroshima.
Japan’s Best Spots and Lots of friendly Animals. Yeah, it’s a pretty brilliant idea.
After a hiatus, one of the trips that put PacSet on the map is back! Pawprint Pathways returns for a journey through rural hamlets, urban centers, and (of course) the habitats of some very friendly locals. We begin with Hiroshima and the famed floating shrine (and non-floating deer) of Miyajima before we hop to the “bunny island” of Okunoshima in the gorgeous Seto Inland Sea. After visiting our friends from “under the sea” at Osaka’s Kaiyukan Aquarium, we’ll travel through the mountains to Jigokudani Onsen – where the local monkeys like to hang out. We’ll take some hot spring/onsen time of our own (for two nights, because we deserve the relaxation time!) before we head to Tashirojima, the famed “cat island” off the coast to the north.
Along the way, we’ll also be visiting many of Japan’s most popular cities and destinations on a 15-day itinerary that makes this one of the most comprehensive central Japan trips we offer! We’ll see the historical sites of Kyoto and Hiroshima, explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Tokyo and Sendai, and consume tasty treats in Osaka and Matsumoto. With castles, local outings, neon-lit shopping arcades and more, there’s truly something for everyone to love, all with free days to expand your trip or customize it with the help of our team of dedicated travel professionals.
Whether you are an animal lover or just want to see the destinations that make Japan special, there’s no better way to do it than by following the Pawprints. Sign up today!
Trip itinerary
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We arrive and transfer to Hiroshima!
Lodging: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar
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Sail to Miyajima with us as we visit the famous floating shrine there, Itsukushima Shrine. Walk among the friendly (and occasionally hungry) deer that populate the area as you shop for souvenirs and other goodies, or ascend Mt. Misen for a better view! At night, if you like, join us as we go out for the city’s take on Okonomiyaki.
Lodging: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar
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After a somber visit to the Hiroshima Peace Museum and Peace Park, we’ll unwind with a trip down the Kure Line, where the views of the Seto Inland Sea and its many picturesque islands are sure to amaze. Next is Okunoshima, aka the Bunny Island! Join us for a walk around the island, or just take it easy and feed our floppy-eared friends!
Lodging: QKamura Okunoshima or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
After saying farewell to the bunnies, we move to Kansai and Osaka’s Kaiyukan! See sharks, cute otters, capybara, and all manner of fish before we stop in Osaka's hip Umeda neighborhood to shop, eat, and hit a few arcades.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
Meals: Breakfast included -
We begin our visit to Kyoto at Fushimi Inari Shrine, home to long shrine tunnels and fox folklore. Then it's off to Arashiyama to visit the famous bamboo groves, Tenryuji Zen Temple, and one of Japan’s most gorgeous historical bridges.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
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Today is a free day, so take this time to shop, explore more temples and shrines, or just relax. Your guides will be on hand the night before to help with directions and other arrangements.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
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We head inland to Matsumoto today, where we’ll explore the 400-year old Matsumoto Castle (aka the "Crow" Castle) and the city’s cute traditional crafts quarter. There’s also a frog-themed shopping arcade, and a place where you can befriend some feathery locals (if you dare). Tonight, join us for our annual trip to our favorite izakaya.
Lodging: Richmond Hotel Matsumoto or similar
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After a little time in Matsumoto in the morning, it's off to our own onsen (hot spring) where you can soak and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the Japan Alps. Our hosts have a very special dinner planned for us, so make sure you save room for that!
Lodging: Yorozuya Resort or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
We begin at the famous “monkey onsen” of Jigokudani, where wild Japanese macques bathe in the hot spring among the mountains. From there, you can explore more of the onsen area or get some more time in the bath for yourself (no, not with the monkeys… that would be weird).
Lodging: Yorozuya Resort or similar
(Breakfast and Dinner included) -
Today we head north to Sendai, Tohoku’s biggest city, where we'll snack on the local specialty of beef tongue (yep, beef tongue!), and explore the town.
Lodging: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai or similar
Meals: Breakfast included -
Breathe in one of Japan's "best 3" views in Matsushima as we sail among picturesque islands resting in the bay. After lunching and temple hopping, we continue to Ishinomaki to visit the hangouts built by locals to help the town recover from the 2011 tsunami.
Lodging: Kikuchi Ryokan or similar
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We'll cruise over to Tashirojima, where we hope the island’s feline residents will come out to say hi! Rent a bike, explore, or just picnic with the kitties before we return to Sendai for the night.
Lodging: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai or similar
Meals: Breakfast included -
After traveling all over Japan, we’ve come to the last stop – Tokyo. We will (appropriately) be leading a group to Ueno Zoo and the surrounding park to unwind after all that traveling.
Lodging: Shiba Park Hotel or similar
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Take a free day to explore any corner of the city you wish, or join the guides for a visit to one of our favorite little neighborhoods.
Lodging: Shiba Park Hotel or similar
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Depart for home and tell your friends about how awesome your trip was!
This trip includes…
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Trip Status |
CONFIRMED TO DEPART |
Deadline |
June 26, 2026 |
Minimum guest #: |
8 guests |
Fly → JP On*: |
Sept. 24 or 25, 2026 |
Starts in JP On: |
Sept. 26 (4PM), 2026 |
TRIP PACE |
Medium-active. A lot of walking on terrain of all kinds. No true "hike" but a few paths with a few flights of stairs are in your future. |
Extras |
Single Room (Hotels): +$1200 Single (All lodging): +$1700 |
*This is the date you should leave your home country.
Click for more info about:
FLIGHTS • REFUND POLICY
Click for more info about:
🛌 14 nights three and four-star accommodations, including two nights in a hot spring resort
🥢 Includes 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners
🚅 All scheduled rail, sea, and air transport within Japan.**
🧳 Baggage shipping (up to 4 complimentary luggage transfers for one suitcase per trip)
😀 Professional, bilingual guides there to help with anything you might need
🎟️ Admission to all scheduled activities
📗 Customized Trip Guidebook and Pre-Trip Orientation Materials, mailed to you before the trip so you can prepare for the journey before leaving home!
🍫 Nightly turndown service with local sweets
❤️ Complimentary concierge service: we can help plan extra stops, pre-and-post-trip extensions, and more.
🗾 Much, much more!
NOT INCLUDED:
❌ Flights to Japan from your home country
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Meals not listed above
NOTES:
HEAT STROKE: This trip travels at a time when there is an elevated risk for heat stroke.
*All initial payments are a $300 deposit. The balance for the trip is due at the deadline for the trip.
**If a guest decides to go long distances on rail during free times, extra charges may apply.