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
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, feast on monjayaki and teppanyaki on a dinner cruise in Tokyo, 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
Take your tastebuds on an 11-day culinary journey through Japan’s most delicious hotspots, relishing the flavours of the land of the rising sun. Uncover the secrets of sushi in Tokyo, pick local produce with an expert in Kanazawa, feast on plant-based monastic cuisine in Koya-san, meet local farmers in Uji and go on a food crawl in Osaka. Take part in cooking classes, cooking demonstrations and market visits, feasting on local delights along the way. From temples to tempura, shrines to sashimi, seafood markets to sake breweries, you’ll join a local leader on a food-focused adventure that has all the best Japanese ingredients.
Food tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Visit and explore historical Hiroshima on the super-fast Shinkansen bullet train on this short but sweet 3-day tour that leaves from and returns to Osaka.
Walkthrough Hiroshima's Memorial Peace Park with its sprawling, reflective grounds; see the Atomic Bomb Dome, originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall; and visit the beautiful island of Miyajima to see the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine.
Accommodation, train transport, and full-day guided tour all included. Please see the itinerary and what's included sections for more information on this excellent tour!
Japan in a week was incredible! The tour and the people were a blast and created memories ill cherish for the rest of my life! Tokyo and Kyoto were amazing, the Nara Deer park add on is well worth the money and day!
I do wish we spent a little more time in Osaka however
From world-class sushi to legendary geisha, enthralling Japan is the perfect destination to discover by bicycle. Our cycling adventure gives you a slowed down, up close look of this fascinating country and allows ample opportunity to meet locals and glimpse the unique culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. From the temples, shrines and geisha of Kyoto to the frenetic but exhilarating chaos of Tokyo, and the beautiful mountain serenity of the Gifu Prefecture countryside in between, this cycling adventure has it all.
Bicycle toursBeach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
14-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa, N
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa, Noto Peninsula, Wajima, Suzu, Wakura Onsen
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Stray off the tourist trail with an eight-day hiking adventure on some of the great ancient pilgrim routes in Japan. The Koya-san and Kumano Kodo treks take you deep through the wilderness and into the mountainous landscapes of Honshu, as you gain insight into the strong connection with past and present pilgrims. Along the way, stop by peaceful temples and monasteries, soak in traditional onsen and discover the cultural hubs of Kyoto and Osaka. This small-group adventure will give you both a physical and cultural workout around the best of enchanting Japan.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Richshaw tour in the Kyoto area Higashiyama.
With over 1200 years of history and thousands of temples and shrines, Kyoto is one of the most famous sightseeing destinations in Japan. Beautiful nature in and around the city contrasts the old streets giving a true feel and introduction to Japanese culture. In other words, this is a fantastic city for a fantastic rickshaw tour.
The area of Higashiyama has many scenes representative of Japanese culture including Geisha dancers in the Gion district and large temples. This is the place to experience the Kyoto of your imagination.
Our rickshaw goes around the Higashiyama area, introducing histories of the town, buildings, shops, restaurants and the other fun facts. Drivers take many memorial photos on the way with your cameras and phones, too.
30 minute course
Leave from the main rickshaw parking lot at Ichinen-zaka of Kodaiji-temple.
See the beautiful landscape of the town as you travel over the traditional stone-paved roads. Make your way to the highlight of the course with an amazing view of the five-storied Pagoda.
70 minutes course
This course is recommended which we can introduce the Gion area mainly. Our rickshaws tour around the Maiko town which is called “Hanamachi”. You can enjoy feeling a real culture of the Gion area.
90 minutes course
The rickshaw starts at the center of Higashiyama, mainly goes around the Gion area including a brief walk in the temple gardens like Kenninji-temple, or you can choose the other routes like running through the Higashiyama area from the South to the North. You can arrange your course as you would like to.
120 minutes course
In this course, you can enjoy the most of the places of our recommend including Gion, and some temples in good atmosphere. Please ask for your route arrangement in detail.
This Rickshaw tour will take place in Asakusa, one of the oldest towns in Tokyo, that has flourished since the founding of the Sensoji-temple in 628 AD. The temple is located at the center of the town and is surrounded by many traditional downtown streets and areas. Our rickshaws mainly travel around the surrounding downtown areas and give an introduction to the history of the town, buildings, shops, and restaurants as well as other fun facts. Our driver will take many photos along the way so be sure to bring your camera!
The meeting point is in front of the main gate of the temple – Kaminarimon, with a big red lantern. After that we move to the rickshaw boarding lane to start your journey. Ebisuya Rickshaw goes, mainly, the back streets of the town which is not well known, off the beaten-track, but really attractive old down town areas which still remain the old life-style atmosphere of Asakusa local people.
30 minutes course
This is the high light course of the down town area of Asakusa. The tour goes seeing around the temple such as “Rokku” old entertainment area with some Izakaya-Bar street, and shopping area for some traditional crafts or many Kimono shopps etc. We can come back to the departure point or drop-off at the temple is also available.
60 minutes
This is very popular course seeing around most of the recommendable places from busy places such as “Rokku” and Hanayashiki amusement park, to the quiet places like Geisha area or Matsuchiyama, the oldest temple in this area.
90 minutes
In this course you can see those places written above, plus you can practice a pray in the famous shrine for happy encounters with the Gods of happy fortune cats. On the way back you can enjoy a great view of Tokyo Sky Tree at the riverside of Sumidagawa.
120 minutes
If you would like to complete all attractions of this town, no doubt choosing this course will leave you fully satisfied with Asakusa town tour.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan, where timeless traditions meet breathtaking landscapes. Your adventure begins in Tokyo, a vibrant metropolis where ancient culture and modern life coexist. Explore the peaceful grounds of the Meiji Jingu Shrine, stroll through the lively Tsukiji Fish Market, and admire the historic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temple. Next, escape the city to witness the majestic beauty of Mount Fuji. Enjoy a tranquil boat ride on Lake Kawaguchi, soar above the scenery on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, and visit the serene Arakurayama Sengen Park and traditional Oshino Hakkai Village. Unwind for the night in Hakone, known for its relaxing hot springs and scenic views. Continue to the charming town of Takayama, where you'll explore the vibrant Morning Market and the historic Kusakabe Folk Museum, showcasing traditional architecture and craftsmanship. From there, travel to the storybook village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its iconic thatched-roof houses at the Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum before arriving in Kanazawa. In Kyoto, immerse yourself in Japan’s cultural heart. Wander through the enchanting bamboo groves of Arashiyama, marvel at the golden splendor of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and climb the iconic paths lined with vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Before your journey ends, stop in Osaka to visit the magnificent Osaka Castle, a symbol of Japan’s feudal history. As your tour concludes, depart from Osaka with a heart full of unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Japan’s cultural and natural wonders.
Melissa was our guide for the Best of Shibuya Food Tour. We hit some out of the way places and tried different types of Japanese foods...Sushi, Ramen, Yaki, Wings and dessert. By the end of the evening Melissa was like an old friend. Thanks for a great tour!!!
Food toursWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Grab the kids and head to the place where spiritual tradition meets modern tech – Japan of course! Start in Tokyo, where you’ll explore the Harajuku district, kawaii culture and ancient shrines. Learn how to play the Taiko drums and soak up the neon lights before heading to the countryside. Enjoy a farmstay experience in Kawane to get a breath of fresh air and tuck into a farm-to-table feast with your gracious hosts. Wander through temples and markets as you immerse yourself in the culture and tradition of Kyoto. End it all in Osaka, where you’ll take a sushi-making class and toast to a trip well-travelled!
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
