The group will leave Delhi on September 6 and return on September 15. Along with sightseeing across multiple Japanese cities, the package brings together flights, accommodation, meals, visa charges, transfers and guided tours under one booking.

What are the Costs?

The package starts at Rs 3,45,999 per person for triple-sharing accommodation. The price for twin sharing is Rs 3,49,999, while travellers choosing single occupancy will pay Rs 4,73,999.

Children between five and 11 years of age travelling with their families are charged Rs 2,92,499 when an additional bed is provided. The price comes down to Rs 2,63,999 when no bed is required.

Standalone Japan holiday packages from India covering a similar seven-to-10-day period generally cost between Rs 1.7 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh. However, these packages often do not include visa processing, guided sightseeing and the end-to-end arrangements offered under the IRCTC tour, accounting for much of the difference in price.

Itsukushima Shrine near Hiroshima. Photo: Unsplash

Flights, Hotels, Meals, and Other Inclusions

The IRCTC package includes return economy-class flights, accommodation in four-star hotels and Japan tourist visa charges. Travellers will also receive breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, along with airport transfers and sightseeing in air-conditioned coaches.

An English-speaking tour guide will accompany the group. The package also includes travel insurance for passengers below 70 years of age and applicable taxes.

The group is expected to travel with All Nippon Airways (ANA). Flight NH838 is scheduled to leave Delhi at 6 pm on September 6 and arrive at Tokyo's Haneda Airport at 5:55 am on September 7.

For the return journey, flight NH837 is scheduled to depart Haneda at 11:10 am on September 15 and reach Delhi at 4:30 pm the same day. IRCTC has clarified that the flight timings are indicative and could change because of airline operational requirements. Any such change could also have an impact on the sightseeing schedule.

From Tokyo and Mount Fuji to Kyoto and Hiroshima

The tour begins with two nights in Tokyo, with sightseeing that includes Asakusa Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Ueno Park, Odaiba and TeamLab Planets, the digital art museum. The itinerary also includes a weather-dependent visit to the Fifth Station of Mount Fuji. If weather conditions do not permit the stop, the group will instead visit Oshino Hakkai.

The journey then continues to Hakone, where travellers will see the Owakudani Valley, take the Hakone Ropeway and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi aboard the Hakone Pirate Ship.

Mount Fuji. Photo: Unsplash

The itinerary also takes the group to Hamamatsu and Nagoya, where it includes visits to the Toyota Museum and the SCMAGLEV Railway Museum. Travellers will later experience Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet train, travelling from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station.

In Kyoto, the sightseeing programme features the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha. The Osaka portion includes Osaka Castle as well as an opportunity to experience the city's food culture.

The tour continues to Nara, where travellers will visit Nara Deer Park, known for its free-roaming deer, and Todai-ji Temple. The final part of the journey takes place in Hiroshima, with visits to Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima Island and Itsukushima Shrine.

Documents Needed for Japan Visa

Travellers joining the IRCTC tour must have a passport that remains valid for at least six months from the date of their return. Applicants will also need to submit the documents required for Japan's visa process, including a PAN card and financial and employment-related documents.

September falls between Japan’s cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage, which typically draw the largest number of tourists to the country. This means visitors can explore the country’s popular attractions in a quieter and more relaxed setting.