So after a long hiatus, which includes getting a new job and a 2 week tour of Europe (not with ABD), I thought it would be fun to price out Disney's newest trip, Japan! I remember when they were announced, and I experienced some sticker shock despite not planning to go. But apparently that feeling wasn't mutual, because all but two trips between now and the end of 2019 have sold out. Not surprising considering how popular visiting Japan is. Anyway, enough with that, here's the breakdown. I listed both the initial price and current price, which is quite a large gap because this trip is almost full.
ABD Japan
June 30 - July 10, 2019
$9,499 - $10,699 pp x2 = $18,998-$21,398 for 2 people, 1 room
Hotels:
All hotels assume 1 Queen/King or 2 doubles, whichever is cheaper, and double occupancy.
Hyatt Regency, Kyoto, King Bed Room for 4 nights = $1,115
Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, Twin Room incl. breakfast for 2 nights = $372
Hilton Odawara Resort, Twin room for 1 night = $262
The Peninsula Tokyo, King Bed Room for 3 nights = $1,698
Hotel Total = $3,447
Transportation:
Bus from Osaka Airport to Kyoto Train + Taxi to Hotel: $50
Unlimited Kyoto Subway and Bus Pass: $62
Bullet Train to Hiroshima: $395
Transportation in Hiroshima and to Miyajima Island: $17
Train Tickets to Nara and Takayama: $189
Takayama Taxis: $50
Train from Takayama to Hilton Odawara: $321
Taxi in Odawara: $100
Tickets to Kamakura and Tokyo: $32
Subway and Taxis in Tokyo: $200
Transfer to Tokyo Airport: $50
Transportation Total = $1,466
Meals (all prices are for 2):
Day 1
Lunch on your own
Dinner at the Hotel: $117
Day 2
Breakfast at hotel: $63
Lunch at Yoshiya Restaurant: $50
Dinner at The Sodoh: $110
Day 3
Breakfast at hotel: $63
Lunch on your own
Dinner at Okonomiyaki: $30
Day 4
Breakfast at hotel: $63
Bento Box Lunch
Dinner on your own
Day 5
Breakfast at hotel: $63
Lunch on your own
Dinner at hotel: $80
Day 6:
Breakfast at hotel: $60
Lunch at Irori: $30
Dinner at Suzuya: $60
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel: $60
Lunch on your own
Dinner on your own
Day 8
Breakfast at hotel: $60
Lunch in Kamakura: $50
Dinner at Gonpachi: $90
Day 9
Breakfast at hotel: $55
Lunch at sushi class
Dinner on your own
Day 10
Breakfast at hotel: $55
Lunch on your own
Dinner at Happo-En: $162
Day 11
Breakfast at hotel: $55
Total for all meals = $1,376
Activities:
Day 1
On your own
Day 2
Kyoto rickshaw and walking tour: $157
Pure Water Temple tour: $8
Day 3
Shinto Shrine and Buddhist Temple Tour: $9
Hiroshima Peace Park: $4
Hiroshima WWII Museum: $4
Day 4
Temple Visit: $9
Taiko Drum Lessons: $108
Bento Box Class and Lunch: $140
Food Tour: $74
Hozen-ji Temple: Free
Day 5
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Free
Mochi Class: $102
Sumo Museum and Demonstration: $95
Day 6
Shirakawa-go tour: $120
Bike Ride: $20
Onsen: $20
Day 7
Takayama Food Tour: $90
Calligraphy Class: $27
Day 8
Hakone Open Air Museum: $29
Cup Noodles Muiseum: $9
Tokyo Walking Tour: Free, $10 Tip
Day 9
Hamarikyu Gardens and Tea Ceremony: $120
Sumida River Cruise: $14
Senso-ji Temple: Free
Asakusa Walking Tour: Free, $10 tip
Sushi Class and Lunch: $97
Day 10
Meiji Jingu Shrine and Kagura Ceremony: $90
Takeshita Street: Free
Day 11
Departure
Total for all activities = $1,366
Summary:
Hotels: $3,447
Transportation: $1,466
Meals: $1,376
Activities: $1,366
Grand Total: $7,655
Price Difference: $11,343 from minimum price
Things you get with ABD that you can't on your own:
2 Guides familiar with the area acting as your personal concierge
Luggage service at all hotels and the airport
Private transportation that does not involve driving yourself or public transit (minus the bullet train)
Several private meals at the restaurants mentioned above
Separate activities for children
Dinner at Happo-En is not normally open for individuals, only groups. You can visit the gardens on your own
So I believe this is the largest gap between doing it on your own and going yourself I've seen so far. I would guess some of that is because the trip is new, they don't have to worry as much about competitive pricing. Transportation is also very expensive in Japan. Most highways are toll roads, and a 4 hour drive could cost upwards of $80 for just a regular sedan. Disney did actually choose reasonably priced hotels for the first 3 cities, so the lodging bill for 10 nights is not as high as I thought it would be. This trip also includes a TON of guided activities and not too much time on your own. While most of the temples and museums only require a small admission charge, having your own tour group does greatly enhance the experience.
Now with that being said, would I go on this trip? At this price, that is a definite no. In my last post, I talked about how China was one of the more worth it trips because of things like the internal flights and language barrier. While I don't find flying particularly challenging, it does take up a lot of time and energy. The Japan trip replaces all those flights with trains (or motorcoaches if you use ABD), and Japan has probably the smoothest running train system in the world. Even in the countryside, the train map and ticket machines are easy to navigate if you speak English. In addition to transportation, Japan in general is just easier and more familiar for most western travelers without experience in Asia. While shrines in Japan are beautiful, I'm not sure all the activities ABD does are what I would be most interested in. I would probably stay for 5 days in Osaka, a week in Tokyo, and maybe 3 days in Sendai or Yamagata. I think that staying mostly south of Tokyo, you end up missing many of the older, more historical small towns in Japan. That being said, this trip still gives you an amazing 10 day overview of the country, and if it's in your budget I'm sure it would be an amazing trip.
If you're interested in seeing Tokyo
Disneyland, it is available as an add-on to this trip. That included transfer from the Peninsula hotel to the resort, your hotel stay, park tickets, extra fastpasses, a dining plan, and transfers from the parks to the airport on your last day. If you just happen to be in Tokyo and not planning on staying on property, the parks can be easily accessed using the subway system.
Let me know your thoughts on this very expensive but popular trip!
(In an unrelated note, I think ABD's next new destination should be the Ukraine. Not a lot of people outside of Eastern Europe really know about it, but it's one of the most interesting places I've ever been.)