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Trip Overview
This Snapshot-style tour runs alongside our Japan Classic 10 Day & 14 Day Tours, which begin a week earlier in Tokyo. Some fellow travellers will already be on the Classic journey when you join them. Curious? Click through above to learn more about these tours.
This Snapshot-style tour runs alongside our Japan Classic 10 Day & 14 Day Tours, which begin a week earlier in Tokyo. Some fellow travellers will already be on the Classic journey when you join them. Curious? Click through above to learn more about these tours.
Deposit AU$200
Secure your spot with a deposit 60+ days before your tour
Group
Maximum group size 22 people*
Health & Safety
Standards & Protocols
Deposit AU$200
Secure your spot with a deposit 60+ days before your tour
Route
Stays
Meals
Transport
Activities
Crew
Route
Stays
Meals
Transport
Activities
Crew
From indulging in a Dotonbori food tour to experiencing a tranquil temple stay in Koyasan, this Snapshot tour offers the perfect mix of excitement, culture, and reflection. If you’re new to group travel you’ll find this tour to be the perfect introduction. It will also suit those short on time and want to get the most out of their travels. We promise to leave a lasting impression and a deeper appreciation for Japan’s rich heritage and modern charm.
Stay overnight in a working temple and eat a vegetarian dinner made of local ingredients sourced by the resident monks
Sing your heart out in a private karaoke room
Visit the Osaka Castle Garden and watch the sunset over the landmark
Taste your way through the Osaka food districts on a Food Tour
Learn of the history at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Take a bow with the famous local free roaming deer in Nara
Explore the ancient temples at Miyajima Island
Check out the famous Running Man sign while exploring the vibrant streets of Osaka
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Osaka! Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour
Settle into your accommodation at your convenience, then join the group in the early evening for your first activity. Prepare your appetites as we venture into the renowned Dotonbori area. Experience the vibrant food scene, lively people, dazzling lights, and vivid colours of Japan’s “kitchen”. You’ll wrap up the evening with some drinks and karaoke – one of the best ways to enjoy a night out in Japan!
Accommodation: Twin Share -Hotel WBF Namba Motomachi (or similar)
Activities:Dotonbori walk, Food Tour, Karaoke
Optional Extras: Extended Karaoke
Meals: Dinner
Physical Rating: Low/Medium
Day 2 - Osaka: Osaka Castle Gardens
After recovering from last night’s festivities, enjoy some free time to explore Osaka at your own pace. Check out the trendy AmericaTown, stroll through the Shinsaibashi Shopping District, relax at Spa World, or dive into the electronics wonderland of Den-Den Town. In the evening, the group will visit Osaka Castle, a stunning landmark in the heart of the city, surrounded by lush gardens. You’ll watch the sunset from here before heading to Shinsekai, Dotonbori’s charming counterpart, for dinner.
Accommodation: Twin Share -Hotel WBF Namba Motomachi (or similar)
Activities: Osaka Castle Gardens, Shinsekai Tour
Free Time Suggestions: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low/Medium
Day 3 - Nara: Nara Park & then on to Koyasan Temple Stay
You will have an early start today as the tour ventures out of the city, taking a 45-minute train ride to the picturesque city of Nara. As you leave the train station and head towards the main park, keep an eye out for the friendly locals along the way. Nara is renowned for its harmonious coexistence with deer and its historical significance as the former capital of ancient Japan. Explore the serene park and magnificent temples before returning to Osaka to collect your bags and set off for Koyasan.
After a 90-minute journey, including cable cars and a bus ride, you’ll arrive at your accommodation nestled deep in the mountains. Koyasan, a charming temple town, embodies the tourism board’s slogan: “If nature does indeed bring mankind closer to the cosmos, then Koyasan is its embodiment.” Here, you’ll have the chance to experience temple life in an authentic, working temple. Learn about the monks who devote their lives to this sacred area and explore the numerous temples and shrines scattered around. Dinner will be a special vegetarian meal, prepared with ingredients sourced by the monks from the local area.
Accommodation: Twin Tatami Mats – Hoon-In Temple (or similar)
Activities: Nara Park & Temple Stay
Free Time Suggestions: N/A
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Physical Rating: Medium
Day 4 - Hiroshima: Danjo Garan Complex Tour & Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Wake up to the sounds of nature and join the monks for morning chanting prayers. Enjoy a traditional “temple-style” breakfast prepared by the monks. Savour your final morning in this unforgettable destination. Before lunch, you’ll first head back to Osaka and then take the bullet train to Hiroshima.
After a 90-minute ride, you’ll catch a streetcar to your accommodation in the city centre. Following some downtime, everyone will walk to the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where our local guide will offer insights into the area’s remarkable history. You’ll see the Atomic Dome, ring the peace bell, and say a prayer at the eternal flame. This visit will leave a lasting impression on you.
Finally, you will visit the Hiroshima museum to learn more about the city’s tragic history before getting some food and calling it a night.
Accommodation: Twin Rooms – Hotel Kuretakesou Otemachi (or similar)
Activities: Morning Danjo Garan Complex Tour, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Guided Tour
Free Time Suggestions: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low
Day 5 - Miyajima Island: Itsukushima Shrine, Hall of 1,000 Mats
Today, you’ll take the metro to the picturesque Miyajima Island, about an hour from Hiroshima. Upon arrival, hop on a short ferry ride to the island, celebrated for its lush forests and ancient temples. Once you disembark, you’ll enjoy a stroll around the island, stopping to admire the iconic Great Torii gate, partially submerged at high tide just offshore. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the tranquillity of this island paradise at your own pace. In the evening, you will come together for one last group outing to celebrate your final day on tour.
Accommodation: Twin Rooms – Hotel Kuretakesou Otemachi (or similar)
Activities: Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Hall of 1,000 Mats
Free Time Suggestions: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Medium
Day 6 - Depart - Back to Osaka & Goodbye
And that’s a wrap on your Snapshot tour! Today you will finish up your time in the beautiful city of Hiroshima. Take one final walk around the Memorial Park, or go for a sunrise run along the river before jumping on the train back to Osaka which is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: N/A
Activities: N/A
Free Time Suggestions: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: N/A
Inclusions
Benefit from the knowledge and insights of our highly experienced tour guides. Expertly trained and prepared for every circumstance – they’ll be your new best friend and a fountain of knowledge all wrapped up in one and will stop at nothing to make your trip one you will never forget.
Enjoy a tour packed with exciting activities and comfortable accommodations. You’ll even have the unique opportunity to stay in the temple town of Koyasan. Our itinerary ensures you’ll have a fun and culturally rich time over the six days, so you can leave the planning to us. We handle all the details, so you can relax and enjoy your travels.
Stays
Jump to more details
Transport
Including bullet train, cable car, bus and more.
Meals
Crew
Learn About Our Guides
Activities
- Dotonbori walk
- Food Tour
- Karaoke
- Osaka Castle Gardens
- Shinsekai Tour
- Nara Park
- Temple Stay
- Morning Danjo Garan Complex Tour
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Guided Tour
- Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Hall of 1,000 Mats
Free Time Suggestions & Optional Activities: Extended Karaoke
Health & Safety
The safety and well-being of our guests and staff are our top priority. Here at One Life Adventures, we ensure:
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All guides are trained in First Aid, CPR, and key safety protocols.
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Guides complete ongoing Health & Safety training to uphold top safety standards.
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An on-the-ground and office support for emergencies and guest health is maintained.
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Guides carry local clinic contacts and know the medical network along each route.
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Practical advice to help you stay safe while travelling is provided.
See our Health & Safety processes and considerations
Night Stays
With our hand selected accommodation, you’ll get a sense of Japan’s past and present – from a temple stay to modern accommodation. You’ll stay in twin-share hotels and multi-share for one night – we only take our guests to places we have been to and loved ourselves.
Have you ever slept in a temple? You’ll stay in the little temple town of Koyasan, deep in the heart of the mountains. You’ll eat vegetarian Buddhist cuisine prepared by the monks and take part in their morning ritual of prayers when you wake!
Twin Hotel Rooms
Unique Temple Stay
Customer Reviews
Osaka Hiroshima Snapshot – 6 Days with One Life Adventures
From AU$1995
Check your dates and additional booking information
FAQs
Here are a few things you need to know before you experience your tour of Osaka & Hiroshima. Please reach out to one of our friendly OLA team members if you still have questions after reading our FAQs.
How does this Snapshot tour relate to your longer tours?
Our Osaka and Hiroshima Snapshot Tour is a 6-day experience that begins on the 9th day of our 10-day and 14-day tours. You’ll be joining a group of travellers who have already spent 8 days exploring Japan together up to this point. This modular design ensures a seamless travel experience, allowing you to see the best of Japan on a shorter time frame.
What fitness level is required to join this tour?
This tour requires a reasonable level of fitness due to the amount of walking involved. There will be some days where you will be walking more than 20,000 steps so please bring appropriate footwear.
How much free time will I have?
As the itinerary states, you will have a small amount of free time most days to explore as you wish.
Can I bring a suitcase on this trip & is there a luggage limit?
We recommend bringing up to 15kg on this tour, and bringing a backpack instead of a suitcase. You won’t need to carry your luggage around during daily excursions, but you will need to transport your luggage between each accommodation so we recommend packing conservatively.
The luggage limit on the Shinkansen (bullet train) is strict. Bags over 160cm (height x width x length) need a reservation and bags over 251cm will not be accepted.
I’m arriving late on day 1, will this be a problem?
To get the most out of your short tour, we recommend you to be in Osaka in the afternoon on day one. You can arrive late however, you will miss the activities on day one.
We are travelling together, can we upgrade to have a private room?
Yes, we will be staying in Twin rooms throughout this tour. Please let our team know who you’re travelling with after you’ve booked, if you’ve booked separately.
*Please note, the temple say is multi-share accommodation.
Can I book a single upgrade on this tour?
We are unfortunately not able to offer a single supplement for our Tokyo Snapshot tour, simply because it’s difficult to find a single room, almost every room is a twin so it would mean the guest would need to cover the cost of two people to be able to have a room to themselves. However, we will try and put you with another solo traveler.
Can you cater for my dietary requirements on this trip?
Due to the nature of cuisine in Japan, strict dietary requirements may be difficult to accommodate in some areas. Many of the broths/stocks which flavour much of Japanese food are not vegetarian/vegan friendly, and many meals contain either meat, fish, or egg elements. We recommend downloading the app “Happy Cow” and asking your tour guide for advice throughout the tour. You may also bring some snacks/supplements with you if necessary, but please note that Japanese customs can be very strict with medication so ensure you double check everything you bring.
I've already done a One Life Japan tour, should I book the Osaka & Hiroshima Snapshot?
This tour is essentially the final section of our fourteen-day Japan tour. If you have done our 10 Day Japan Tour then you could book this tour. Keep in mind the time in Osaka on day one will be the same as the final day of our 10-Day tour. If you have done the 14 day tour, we do not recommend booking this tour.
What time can I fly out on the last day?
For departures from Hiroshima Airport, we recommend booking flights no earlier than 11.00 am. Travel time is approximately 1,5 hours to Hiroshima Airport.
For any departures from Tokyo, we recommend booking flights no earlier than 6:00 pm.
Visas & General FAQs
For more information about your visa requirements as well as the answers to more general frequently asked questions, visit Visas & General FAQs
*Group Size Disclaimer: Our standard maximum group size is 22 people for an optimal tour experience. However, on very rare occasions, we may accept up to 24 people due to logistical considerations.
Secure your place now and pay later
Reserve your spot with a deposit when booking 60+ days out from your departure date.
Not quite ready to book yet?
Request via Whatsapp to secure your spot on the tour for the next 48 hours while you finalise plans, check flights, or chat with friends.
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Not sure where to start? Our team’s always here to help plan your trip and answer any questions along the way. Book a free call with a travel specialist. Just part of what we do - no commitments required.
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