Japan Tours in November 2026

Great to use public transport. Got to learn about the people. Hotels close to rallway stations. Didn't need much private transport. Also, allowed time to explore by ourselves eg evening meals, free days

This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime. I had been wanting to visit Japan for nearly twenty years, but with my limited knowledge of Japanese language, we wanted to have a guided tour led by someone with more local experience. Our guide Giulia was an absolute rockstar, and gave us lots of interesting insight into Japanese life and culture. All of her recommendations for things to see/do and places to eat were absolutely spot on, and our trip would not have been the same without her. We loved each location we visited, from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to the quieter mountain towns. We had some unforgettable experiences, and are already looking to plan another trip to Japan. This was my favorite trip I've ever taken, and we'll be sure to direct our friends and family to this tour.

Very much enjoyed the variation of the locations - which gave a glimpse of the great variety in Japan. All the destinations were different and travelling by train connected us with the Japanese way of life.

This is a great tour with a diverse itinerary. Although it is advertised as a trip with moderate pace, be ready for a lot of walking, about 12-15,000 steps a day. You should also be ready for the ryokan experience with shared bathroom facilities. The hotels were correct, all clean, with generally small rooms that is the standard for Japan. Transferring your suitcases in advance of day trips, as suggested by Explore, is highly recommended. Japan is very clean, there are no garbage cans on the streets, and public toilets are amazingly clean and are available everywhere and are free. Credit cards are generally accepted, except for a few small restaurants. We were particularly lucky with our guide, Synjun who was super professional, very knowledgeable and kind.

Just finished the 13 day Japan tour ¯ There were so many fun and interesting activities, all whilst being immersed into the deep historic culture of Japan. Our group leader Lachie knew loads of information about everywhere we went and also got the group around Japan so well because of how organised he is. He was always on hand for questions & recommendations, and also made sure each individual person was getting the most of the trip. Such an amazing trip and such a nice, caring guy to have as our group leader! ˜¼

The itinerary was all about discovering the culture of Japan, and this trip delivered in spades. We experienced the people, the urban environment, the religion, the public transport system (of which the Japanese are justifiably proud), and much much more. Our guide Synjun Howearth was extraordinary in his knowledge, his temperament, his sensitivity to our needs, his capability, and his ability to navigate the people & circumstances, so much so that we hardly had to think for ourselves at all. There was just the right balance of activity and relaxation. All in all, a super introduction to a very different culture from our own, exactly what we expected and received. Thank you.