Most women join our adventures on their own without knowing anyone else in the group, although friends are always welcome to travel together.

Before departure, we create a WhatsApp group to help everyone get to know one another, coordinate travel plans, and discuss training and preparation.

Tipping

Tipping is a meaningful way to recognize great service while travelling. Although it may not be customary in your home country, it is an established part of the tourism industry in many destinations and is greatly appreciated by those who help make your trip memorable.

When tipping, avoid using coins or notes that are damaged, dirty or in very small denominations.

Tipping Kitty

On Day 1, your Intrepid local guide may suggest a group tipping kitty. Each traveller contributes an equal amount, which is used to tip drivers, local guides, hotel staff and other service providers throughout the trip.

Participation is optional, and you may manage your own tipping if you prefer.

Your leader will keep a record of the money collected and distributed, which can be reviewed at any time. Any remaining funds will be returned to the group at the end of the trip.

The tipping kitty does not include tips for your local guide or for optional activity providers.

Tipping your group leader or local representative

If you feel your Intrepid local guide has provided outstanding service, you may choose to tip them separately at the end of the trip.

As a guideline, Intrepid recommends USD $5–$10 per person, per day—or the equivalent in the local currency. The amount is entirely your choice and should reflect your experience and the level of service provided.

It is a Sole Sister tradition for our host to collect tips for the local guide from participants and present them as a group on the final day.

Intrepid travel experiences offer a chance to explore beyond the typical attractions, allowing you to discover hidden gems you might otherwise overlook.

Your local guide will recommend the best restaurants and sights on this adventure.

It's also comforting to know that all trip participants will be like-minded women close to your age. This commonality means you will likely share many interests and may form lasting friendships.

It's also wonderful to know you can stay in touch after your adventure through the Sole Sister Rambler community.

Intrepid and their local guides collaborate with local restaurants and hotels to ensure that travelers enjoy delicious meals showcasing regional cuisines.

Not all meals are included in the trip price, providing maximum flexibility in choosing where, what, and with whom to eat. This arrangement also allows for various budgeting options.

Most nights, the group will dine at a restaurant the guide recommends.

Japanese cuisine commonly contains gluten and seafood. Soy sauce is widely used for flavouring, while dashi—a fish-based stock—is the foundation of many dishes, including some that appear vegetarian.

We strongly recommend that vegetarians, vegans and travellers with coeliac disease research their options before travelling. Your local guide will help whenever possible, but some included meals—particularly those served at ryokans—are fixed in advance and cannot be adapted for different dietary needs.

If you have a food allergy, your guide will share the ingredients in each dish to the best of their knowledge. However, it remains your responsibility to ensure you do not eat anything that may cause an allergic reaction.

We'll start our journey in Tokyo and end in Kyoto.

You will be accompanied by a local Intrepid tour leader and a Sole Sister Ramblers host.

The local tour leader’s role is to ensure a hassle-free adventure while introducing you to excellent restaurants, sharing insights about the local culture, and acting as a translator when needed. This guide is also responsible for your safety and will serve as an experienced liaison if you encounter any problems.

Intrepid local leaders do more than just show you the destination; they help you connect with the soul of the place. You can expect them to have a broad understanding of the locations visited, including their historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

The Sole Sister host promote a welcoming reminding us that . . . everywhere is within Rambling distance with Sole Sisters."

Accommodations are two twin beds with double occupancy in local guest houses and small local hotels.

Ramblers can also purchase a single occupancy add-on. If you pay for a single occupancy, you will have a single room throughout.

All rooms will have en-suite bathrooms and all essential amenities.

Japan's high-speed trains (Shinkansen) have different luggage rules than many travelers are used to.

Instead of measuring just the height of your suitcase, Japan measures the total size by adding together the length + width + height of your suitcase, including the wheels and handles.

For example:

• Height: 70 cm
• Width: 45 cm
• Depth: 30 cm

70 + 45 + 30 = 145 cm

In this example, the suitcase measures 145 cm, so it is well within the allowed size.

If the total measurement of your suitcase is 159 cm (63 inches) or less, you can bring it on the train without making any special arrangements. This is the maximum size we recommend for this trip.

If your suitcase measures 160–250 cm (63–98 inches), you can still bring it on the train, but you may need to reserve oversized luggage space in advance. Some train routes also charge an additional fee. Because these spaces are limited and trains can be very busy, oversized luggage can make travel more complicated.

Suitcases larger than 250 cm (98 inches) are not permitted on Shinkansen trains. If your luggage exceeds this limit, you will need to use Japan's luggage forwarding service to have it transported separately to your next destination. Additional charges will apply.

As a general guide, most medium-sized suitcases are under the 159 cm limit, while many extra-large suitcases require an oversized luggage reservation.

Japanese trains have limited luggage storage, and a smaller suitcase makes it much easier to board trains, navigate busy stations, and move comfortably between hotels.

You must be able to carry and manage your own luggage through airports and between hotel lobbies and your room.

A small number of hotels may not have an elevator, so you may need to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs.

Intrepid partners with locally owned hotels that showcase the character of each destination whenever possible.

These hotels are sometimes located in historic neighbourhoods with narrow streets.

Occasionally, a van may not be able to stop directly in front of the hotel, which means you may need to carry or wheel your luggage a short distance.

If this is not physically possible for you to transport your luggage up stairs or short distances, please notify your Intrepid booking agent in advance and remind your local guide when the trip begins so they can help find a solution.

Our recommendation is to pack as lightly as possible.

There are no arrival or departure transfers for this adventure. The group will meet in Tokyo, Japan on the day the trip begins.

Tokyo has two main international airports: Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). Haneda is closer to the city center, making it the more convenient option for quick access to central Tokyo. Narita is farther out but well connected by express trains and buses.

You can ask Intrepid to help you plan travel and chat about options in the dedicated trip WhatsApp Group.

When you book, Intrepid will ask for a deposit. If you cancel your spot, that deposit can be applied to any future Intrepid trip. The final balance is due 70 days before departure.

You’ll receive access to your own personal Intrepid portal, where you can log in anytime and make payments toward your balance whenever it suits you before the final due date.

Intrepid will also send a payment link, but if you prefer to pay directly through an in-person agent, you’re welcome to choose that option instead.

Intrepid Travel is focused on balancing purpose with profit. In 2018, they formalized this commitment by becoming a certified B Corporation.

Certified B Corporations prioritize their employees, strive for a more inclusive supply chain, and elevate corporate social responsibility. This certification signifies their dedication to creating benefits for everyone.

Intrepid's official pledge is to utilize travel as a force for good in the world.

The following is not included in the price: international flights, required visas, services not mentioned in the itinerary, late check-out at hotels, meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks with included lunches and dinners, tips for leaders, guide and driver, expenditure of personal nature, personal insurance and optional activities.

When you book, Intrepid will ask for a deposit and the final balance will be due 70 days before departure.

You will have access to a personal Intrepid portal, which you can log in to and pay money off when you feel like it before the final balance is due.

Intrepid will send a payment link, but if you prefer to pay directly to them via an in-person agent, you can choose to do that instead.

All travellers are required to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses while travelling with Intrepid, including emergency medical treatment and emergency repatriation—getting you home if medically necessary.

This is the minimum coverage required to join the trip.Trip cancellation insurance is not mandatory, but Intrepid recommends it.

Whether you purchase it is entirely up to you. Intrepid also recommends choosing a policy that covers trip interruption or curtailment, lost or delayed baggage, and personal liability.

Before the trip begins, your Intrepid tour leader will ask to see proof of your insurance policy and your insurer’s 24-hour emergency assistance number.

The only coverage they are required to confirm is emergency medical coverage.

To travel internationally, you will need a valid passport. Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months, so be sure to check its expiry date before your trip.

Intrepid will need your passport information to prepare for your journey, so the details on your booking must match your passport exactly. Please ensure that you provide accurate information.

We also recommend that you carry a copy of the photo page of your passport while traveling and leave an additional copy at home with family or friends.

You are responsible for checking and addressing visa requirements from your country of origin.

Intrepid will share the specific cancellation terms when you book your trip, as these can vary slightly depending on the adventure.

In most cases, a $400 deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 70–90 days before departure.

If something comes up and you need to cancel before making your final payment, that $400 deposit can usually be applied toward another Intrepid adventure — so it doesn’t have to go to waste.

Once full payment has been made, trips are generally non-refundable.

Intrepid is committed to ensuring that all its trips are safe for everyone involved, including travelers, local leaders, and the communities they visit.

Their health and safety policies align with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.

Each itinerary undergoes a thorough risk assessment and audit, and both leaders and suppliers complete extensive health and safety training.