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
Uncover the best of Japan on a budget, on this 13-day Essentials tour. Staying in a mixture of hostels and guesthouses, you'll take in the sights of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and much more. Visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and cross the Shibuya Crossing. Hike to the giant bronze Buddha of Kotoku-in in Kamakura, take a dip in an onsen bath in Hakone and cycle the streets of Kyoto. Enjoy a relaxing meditation session, pay your respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and see the iconic red torii gate of Miyajima.
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
Discover some of the best landmarks and cultural gems on this 23-day adventure through Japan. Ride the scenic Hakone ropeway, wander through the Hida Folk Village in Takayama and learn about the sobering past of Hiroshima. See the floating Torri gate of Miyajima Island, veer off the veer off the main island of Honshu to the naturally beautiful southwest and walk through art-laden castles. Spend a night in a tranquil homestay in Usuki, relax in the steam of Beppu’s onsen and soak up the peace in the caldera of Mt Aso in a traditional Japanese inn surrounded by rice terraces. See the Peace Park in Nagasaki, indulge in traditional dishes and try local sake along the way.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Takamatsu
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Usuki, Beppu, Nikko, Mount Aso, Nagasaki, Hakone, Takayama, Hiroshima
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
Loved it all. The usual mix of guided tours and free time, with excellent hotels and a good crowd on the bus. Of course in any country there is so much to see and one tour cannot see it all but this was certainly a great effort at experiencing as much as possible within my time and budget constraints.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
10-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayam
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayama, Kanazawa, Shizuoka, Iga, Osaka
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
8% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Discover Japan’s cultural treasures and modern marvels on this 12-day adventure from Tokyo to Osaka. Visit historic temples in Asakusa and Kamakura, take in the iconic Shibuya Crossing, and enjoy views of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi. Ride the bullet train to Kyoto to see the Golden Pavilion and explore the Geisha district of Gion. Continue to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Park and take a ferry to Miyajima Island with its famed floating torii gate.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto
Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi
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
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
China: fantastic trip, saw the sites, are good food, learned, Howard was top notch, pace and transport was perfect and all well-timed
Japan: Hidemi was great but there was too much trudging in the rail / metro system. Koyasan and Hakone were not worth it in my opinion for the amount of work it took to get there.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Beijing, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto
Beijing, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Hakone, Xi'an, Suzhou, Shanghai, Osaka, Kōyasan
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