Steeped in centuries of tradition and full of culinary prowess, Japan is awash with sights to see and histories to uncover. From Kyoto to Tokyo, spend 11 days exploring the heart of Japan, with memories of the Edo era, sobering warfare sites, lush natural landscapes and eclectic neighbourhoods to discover. Be tempted by tempura, savour your sushi and sip some sochu as you discover the endless variety and diversity of Japan with your small group, all headed by a local leader who knows all of the best places to go. What’s stopping you embarking on a cultural escapade to the home of geisha, torii, sake and nori?
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Koya, Hirosh
Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Koya, Hiroshima, Tsumago, Matsumoto
One of Japan’s greatest attractions is its blend of the modern and the traditional. On this 12-day trip, you’ll veer off the main island of Honshu and travel to the less-touristed southwest. Discover revived art on the island of Naoshima, wander the castle in Matsuyama and spend a night in a tranquil homestay in the village of Usuki. Steam away your worries in the onsens in Beppu and be treated to a night in the volcanic Mt Aso, staying right in the middle of a caldera in a traditional Japanese inn surrounded by rice terraces. Remind yourself of the sobering history of Nagasaki and end it all back where it began – in thriving Osaka. This adventure is the ultimate combination of modern art, bullet trains, countryside villages, traditional inns, delicious feasts and onsens, surrounded by impressive views of rice terraces, volcano craters and grasslands. If you’re looking for a new side of Japan – head to the south!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The Japan Unrivalled trip was an amazing blend of hitting all the touristy hotspots, finding out of the way gems, learning all about the amazing history, and eating amazing food! Ikimasho!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Koya
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Koya, Hakone, Takayama, Hiroshima
Say kon'nichiwa to the land of sushi, samurai & sake! In a country where the ancient and the modern collide in truly mesmerising style, you’ll make your way from Osaka to Tokyo, taking in temples, teppanyaki, geishas and gardens, plus miniature deer along the way.
Our guide, Karique, was extremely knowledgeable and an expert in steering the group through crowded rail stations without losing his cool or any members of the group. He also led us to some very unique restaurants, giving us a real introduction to the flavours of Japan.
The tour itself was full on and pretty comprehensive, providing a good introduction to many aspects of this amazing country.
Train tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Miyajima, Kyoto, M
Tokyo, Osaka, Miyajima, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Jigokudani, Kanazawa, Hiroshima
There's no destination quite like Japan, and there's no better way to see it than by bike. Get off the beaten path, cycling from the historic village of Shirakawa-go to the Sea of Japan and Toyama Bay. Explore the hidden gem of Sado Island on two wheels. Along the way we see one of the finest Japanese gardens in Kanazawa, rest your head in a traditional ryokan, sample excellent local seafood and soak in coastal scenery. Finally, hop on a bullet train to explore the neon-clad, beating heart of Japan, Tokyo.
Sado Island - Discover breathtaking landscapes, rugged coastal beauty, rich culture and historical significance
Kyoto and Tokyo - Get lost amongst the bustle and vibrancy of Japan's two biggest cities, teeming with cultural hot spots and ancient sites
Delicious local food - Refuel with tasty Japanese cuisine from street food in the city, to authentic local meals in the countryside
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Sado Island, Kanaz
Kyoto, Tokyo, Sado Island, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Toyama
I thoroughly enjoyed the Highlights of Japan trip as it basically picked up from my 2020 Japan tour which was cancelled half way through due to Covid. The tour gives a good insight into Japan and is perfect to get ideas for a longer trip to Japan for places to revisit and see in more depth as there is so much to see. The trip was a good pace and our guide, David Lam, was excellent and really went out of his way to ensure everyone in the group enjoyed the tour, thanks David for enhancing my trip to Japan.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I liked the itinerary very much. Our tour guide Jose was very knowledgeable about the sites we visited. I was not informed beforehand that this was a English and Spanish mixed language tour, Joses English was good but sometimes hard to understand. I also did not know that we would be having people added to our tour almost every day and some leaving almost every day. I enjoy tours more when you have a change to get to know who you are traveling with and with a mix of English and Spanish it felt like I was on my own and traveling with strangers.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Okayama, Matsuyama, Kobe, Mount Koya
Experience the goodness of Japan with this tour, which takes you through some of the country's most iconic destinations. Begin in the vibrant city of Tokyo and visit famous landmarks in Japan like the Tokyo Zojoji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, and Sumo Stadium. Also, get a chance to experience the bustling nightlife in Tokyo. Next, we will visit Kawaguchiko, located at the base of Mt. Fuji, where you'll take a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko to enjoy the best views of Mt. Fuji. Continue your travel to Kyoto, a historic city known for its temples and shrines. Next, visit beautiful Osaka, the food capital of Japan. From Osaka, we will go to Okayama and visit the famous Korakuen Garden, one of the three great gardens of Japan. Continue to Hiroshima, where you can go to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the atomic bombing in 1945, visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, located on Miyajima Island, and explore the beautiful Hiroshima Castle and its surrounding park. Next, take a ferry to Matsuyama, located on the island of Shikoku, where you visit Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan's few remaining original castles, and relax in Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs and the inspiration for the famous Studio Ghibli film, Spirited Away. Finally, head to Kobe, where you'll explore the bustling port city, visit the iconic Kobe Port Tower, try some of the famous Kobe beef at a local restaurant, and visit the Nunobiki Herb Garden, which offers stunning views of the city and has a large variety of herbs and flowers. Return to Osaka where this comprehensive Japan tour comes to an end. Fly back home as you bid goodbye to this wonderful country.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Kawaguchiko
Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Kawaguchiko , Kyoto, Okayama, Hiroshima, Matsuyama
The tour was wonderful. Karique was an excellent tour guide. He was knowledgeable and interesting, and looked after our group well.
The food was great, and varied, which made a huge difference. The accommodation was great, especially the stay at Yunomineso. The hot spring was a highlight of the trip.
It might be a while before I go again, but I'll definitely look at Explore when I do.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Kii Katsuura, Mats
Tokyo, Osaka, Kii Katsuura, Matsumoto, Nagiso, Kyoto, Nara, Kii Peninsula, Kumano Kodo
If you are ready to see some of the most famous sites and fascinating cities in East Asia, this 7-day tour of Japan will take you on the trip of a lifetime! Your journey will begin in Tokyo, the Japanese capital and an extraordinary city that is known for its diverse districts, legendary entertainment scene, and delicious cuisine. Learn about the manga and anime culture in the Akihabara district, bask in the beauty of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda, and see how the legendary sites of Asakusa were rebuilt after WWII. From there you will drive to Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, with an en-route stop in Arakurayama Sengen Park, where you will see some of the most incredible views of Mount Fuji in the country. Take some time to stroll around Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Five Fuji Lakes, before you see the Shiraito Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. Visit the Toyota Museum in Nagoya, the fourth largest city in the country, before you travel to Kyoto, one of the only major cities in Japan that escaped the bombings of WWII. Visit Fushimi Inari, a magnificent Shinto shrine, and make your way through the Bamboo Forest before your tour of Japan comes to an end!
Embark on a cultural (and physical) workout with this 12-day active adventure across Japan. You’ll soak up some ancient history, see religious sites and explore the best of Japan’s nature on foot, boat and bike. Beginning in Tokyo, hike through post towns dotted along the Nakasendo Way, cycle and kayak on the Seto Inland Sea along the Shimanami Kaido and stop by historic Kyoto for an optional soak in a traditional bathhouse. Then, tackle the mother of all pilgrimages on a section of the historic Kumano Kodo. With the opportunity to explore diverse neighbourhoods, eat as much ramen as you can stomach and experience local hospitality along the way, this active adventure makes for a great taste of diverse Japan.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Kumano Kodo, Ise S
Tokyo, Osaka, Kumano Kodo, Ise Shima, Narai, Magome, Kyoto, Koguchi, Kii Katsuura
If you want to experience a few (of the many) highlights of Japan, all while staying in comfortable accommodation with like-minded travellers, this Premium adventure from Tokyo to Kyoto is a must! You’ll spend nine days exploring world-class shopping neighbourhoods, geisha districts, hole-in-the-wall eateries, ancient temples and markets with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. Learn about the history of samurai from a family of contemporary ninjas, try to find snow monkeys bathing in hot springs on the mountain in Yamanouchi, wander through a designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Arashiyama and Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden in Kanazawa and follow the trail at a sacred shrine in Kyoto.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Terrific tour....
We stopped at choice locations..
David Solanes was our guide and he was amazing, taking considerable care of everyones questions be they related to the tour events, free time or other aspects of the country, culture and travel. He provided excellent contextual overviews and made the experience for everyone fun and most enjoyable. He was great at getting everyone moving through the events without a lot of waiting on others... truly passionate about the tour stops and ensuring all had a great time.
The hotels and locations were convenient and generally quite good.
