Japan Tours in March 2027

My husband and I joined the Simply Japan tour from 22 February to 7 March led by the excellent Zilola Kozimova and ably supported by Raoul and Matt. We were with a great group. Zilola is so knowledgable and expert and able to share this easily. She's also well organised. We saw a lot on the guided parts of the tour but also felt we had enough time to explore on our own. Zilola was also excellent at suggesting great lunch spots and all were so good in offering extra activities to ensure we got the most from our visit such as the light show in Kenrokuen Gardens, a Shabu-Shabu meal, a walk round the geisha district at night (we saw a geisha walking along one of the lanes) and the fun Karaoke! I loved the food and my vegetarian husband managed with a little bit of flexibility. So many highlights but a few include: Skytree, Tokyo; Matsumoto Castle; Kenrokuen Gardens; morning prayers at Zenkoji temple; Snow Monkeys; Miyajima Island; tea ceremony; train journeys and scenery and learning about the history and current day Japan. This was a memorable trip. Tips: We took folding rucksacks for the overnights when our luggage was being forwarded. All the hotels had washing machines (coins/credit card and powder included) or laundry service. The Yen coin holders (from Amazon) were brilliant. Lots of signs in English at the stations and on the trains. More use of credit cards than we expected.

Our tour of Japan was outstanding from start to finish, but what truly elevated the experience was the incredible skill of our tour leaders Zi, Raoul and Matt. Japan’s train stations are famously busy and complex, yet they guided our group through them with remarkable ease and confidence. Watching them manage our group through major stations—where thousands of commuters move with impressive speed—was like observing a perfectly choreographed routine. They anticipated every connection, positioned us exactly where we needed to be on the platform, and ensured everyone boarded the correct carriage without the slightest sense of stress or confusion. What could easily have been an overwhelming experience instead became a fascinating part of the journey. Their calm organisation meant we never felt rushed, even when changing trains quickly. Luggage, tickets, platform changes—everything was handled seamlessly. They balanced efficiency with patience, always making sure no one felt left behind while still keeping the group moving smoothly. Because of their expertise, we were able to experience Japan’s world-class rail system as locals do, rather than as nervous tourists trying to decipher signs and schedules. It added an authentic dimension to the trip and allowed us to appreciate just how extraordinary the country’s transport network really is. Beyond the logistics, the leaders were warm, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about Japan. Their insight enriched every destination we visited, but it was their mastery of the rail system that truly stood out. Navigating Japan’s busiest stations with a group could have been daunting—thanks to them, it felt effortless. I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone considering Japan. The professionalism and expertise of the tour leaders turned what could have been challenging moments into some of the most impressive highlights of the trip.

I had amazing trip, well organised lovely group of people and our leader Zilola Kozimona made it even more special, she went above and beyond to made sure we had a lovely time.

OMG trip of a lifetime!! I need to go back 😩 Some much culture, food and good vibes. This trip hits all the places that a first time Japan trip should and takes you all the way down to Hiroshima! Absolutely love

The Classic Japan tour was an excellent tour for first time visitors to Japan. Exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka plus having free time to either rest or explore on one's own made the tour exceptional.

This was a trip of a lifetime. I've wanted to travel to Japan for years; I love the culture and have many interests that stem from it, including martial arts & religion, and Yoko, our guide, made this a trip I'll cherish forever. I couldn't have asked for a better guide into Japan and its culture and people, and the included experiences were fun, the sites wondrous to see, and the variety of experiences--from inner city Tokyo, to rural Edo-era Tsumago, to small cities Kanazawa & Hiroshima, to the mix of it all that is Kyoto--was perfectly arranged. I just loved it.