couples Japan : march 31-April 8, 2027

Into the Wild Japan is a unique chance to have a wild time in a fantastic country with other amazing couples, experience new culture, see historical cities and enjoy food and fun!

Welcome to Japan! This country is on the top of my favorite places to visit- and for many reasons. Yet- so many people never do visit! I believe it’s because Japan can be very expensive, intimidating, and still has that exotic stereotype that keeps people feeling unsure if they can travel there on their own.

Japan is a gorgeous and culturally rich destination. Yes, it can be very expensive, but We’ve created this trip with the intention of making it a trip of a lifetime while keeping it luxury feeling yet as low in cost as we could. We want us all to immerse ourselves in all things Japanese- sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences.

So- instead of wondering “Where should we go? What should we see? How can we make the most of my time there?”, let Thor and I show you how to see some of the best of what Japan has to offer in 9 days.

On this trip, we will spend time in the cities of Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, and Kanazawa. We will eat food that will blow your mind! We will see temples and shrines and gorgeous scenery, and even delve into the quirkiness and weirdness that Tokyo has to offer.

We would be honored for you to join us, so if Japan has been on your bucket list, let’s check it off now!

Please read all the way through this page for all the information.

Join us and rediscover your friendship and passions! Do you love learning about other rich cultures? Has exploring Japan and eating delicious food been on your bucket list? What about bullet trains and futuristic landscapes followed by ultra-historical experiences that will blow your mind?

Cost for Japan is $6,099 per couple for 9 nights. All lodging, all meals and excursions during the retreat are included except your flights from your home to Japan and back.

1. This retreat includes all transportation EXCEPT: You must buy your own 7 day Japan Rail Passes. This is something we will help you with beforehand- the reason it’s not included is because it must be mailed to your home and brought to Japan in exchange for an actual rail pass. This would be a bit challenging for us to do for everyone since it must go to your own home beforehand. I’ll provide exact instructions on how to do this, so please don’t do it on your own.

2. This retreat includes a few meals where you may be placed in front of adventurous foods. You don’t have to eat anything out of your comfort zone, but just be aware that food is a big part of this trip and you may encounter several foods you’ve never thought of eating before :) It is best to be a person who enjoys sushi, but not mandatory!

3. Arriving in Tokyo: You can fly into either Tokyo Airport. We can provide either exact directions on how to get to the hotel via train or I can meet you. We will make a plan beforehand!

4. Please ask if you have any questions. We’re reachable at wendy@intothewildphotocamp.com

these are the activities we have planned during the 8 days:

March 31: Arrive in Tokyo. Check into our hotel with the group starting at 3pm. We will eat together, take a walk after dinner and then rest up.

April 1: Breakfast. Today we will need to go activate our JR passes first thing. After that we will head to Asakusa with Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple district, approached via Nakamise shopping street. Then we will head across town to Meiji Jingu, which gives us a completely different mood: forested, spacious, and calm inside the city. Lunch at a favorite Hand Roll restaurant, and then we will head off to explore the Harajuku district. Free time until our food tour that begins at 5pm. After the food tour you may opt to join us for a riverwalk to see the blossoms and lights at night, or collapse into bed.

April 2: Breakfast at hotel, then join a host for a tour of the Tsukiji Market. This fish market is world-renowned for its incredible variety of fresh seafood, lively atmosphere, and some of the best street food and sushi you’ll find anywhere in the world. Following the market tour we will experience TeamLab Tokyo.  This is an indoor exhibition, immersive and super fun! If there is time and if there are cherry blossoms, we can hit up the best blossom views at Ueno park. After dark we will hit up the Shibuya Crossing and eat dinner in that area- then explore the narrow lanes and alleys of Golden Gai and Ovoid Yokocho that are hopping with nightlife. Optional: Visit the Shibuya Sky Tower observation deck.

April 3: Breakfast. Today is a day trip out of Tokyo to see Nikko! Nikko is a scenic mountain town just outside Tokyo known for its ornate shrines, forested landscapes, and waterfalls, offering a refreshing mix of culture and nature in a peaceful setting. Nikko is so charming and gorgeous. We will visit the must see shrines, walk to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, enjoy the blossoms at the Shinkyo Bridge, and return to Tokyo for dinner.

April 4: Today we leave Tokyo and head to Kyoto via bullet train. The train ride is just over 2 hours long. Upon arrival, we will drop our bags and have lunch, then head off to see the Golden Pavillion. Afterwards, we will have an optional Chopsticks making workshop, or you can have free time for you to explore the city or rest and we’ll meet up by the gorgeous, hopefully cherry blossom filled riverbanks for dinner.

April 5: An early-ish morning to check out the Arashiyama Bamboo forest, the Ōkōchi Denjirō Garden, and the Tenryu-ji temple. We will have breakfast while out, and then head over to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. You could spend hours checking out the thousands and thousands of Tori gates. However, we will move on to go check out Nishiki Market, and then enjoy a just-before-sunset walking tour of Gion and the Geisha district. Group dinner, and rest.

April 6: Breakfast. You may be feeling that day 6 tiredness today, so we will start the day with a walk on the Philsopher’s path. Following, we will go and actually forge some ninja weapons! So fun. Afterwards, visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple and enjoy some free time until dinner.

April 7: Breakfast. Today, we transfer to Kanazawa (2 hours). Kanazawa is an old samurai city, a little more calm, a walkable coastal city where preserved historic streets, exceptional food, and a slower pace create an easy, intimate experience that’s perfect for couples. Once we arrive, we will settle in and head to Kenrokuen Garden and the Higashi Chaya District. We’ll have a delicious lunch, then enjoy the Nagamachi Samurai District. We will go food-tasting at Omicho Market, followed by Sake tasting for those interested.

April 8: Back to Tokyo or beyond: Breakfast, then couples will head their own way. The couple’s trip ends here- but your JR pass still has travel time to get you back to Tokyo, should you want to end the trip and fly home from there. We are purposefully not heading to Tokyo as a group so that if wanted, some of you can continue on to other areas of Japan! Thanks for joining us, everyone!

Note: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen back to Tokyo. JR West lists Kanazawa to Tokyo at about 2 hours 28 minutes.  

A reminder: your expenses for this retreat exclude flights to and from Japan, but do include all breakfasts and lunches, and dinners. We cover lodging, activities, etc! You are responsible for buying your own 7 day Japan Rail Pass (around $325 USD). IF YOU PLAN ON EXTENDING YOUR TRIP AFTERWARDS, YOU MAY NEED A LONGER JR PASS.