Japan Tours & Trips 2020
Filter to find perfect
DEPARTURE DATES
Travel Style
Travel Style
Relaxed A lot of free time, with very few inclusions. Ideal for independent and/or low-key travelers and cruisers.
Full on For those looking to maximize their sight seeing time. You thrive on a packed day’s schedule from 8 am to 6pm, with some (but limited) free time. Most activities and meals included.
Mixed You will have solid amounts of both free time and structured time with some activities and meals included.
Trip Type
Trip Type
Group Tour Groups are between 25-60 people, typically ~30-40. Usually there will be many opportunities to split off and enjoy meals and excursions in smaller groups. This is the most economical way to travel, saving up to 40% versus booking the same itinerary yourself.
Small Group Tour Small groups are usually defined as between 10 and 24 travelers, often less. If you're the kind of person who enjoys more intimate experiences and personal service this is a good choice. All else being equal you will pay a premium for this style vs a larger group tour.
River Cruise These vessels are smaller than most ocean cruisers, limiting which amenties are available. Passenger counts can vary. One of the biggest advantages of a river cruise is the ability to dock at smaller ports and local villages.
Small Ship Cruise Small ship cruises usually have a max passenger count of 500. The primary purpose of these trips is to spend time off the vessel in local ports (e.g. Mediterranean) or experiencing nature (e.g Galapagos or Antarctica). Cabins can vary from budget to luxury.
Private Guided Private tours give you the undivided attention of a guide, and often involve special access to sites and unique experiences not available to larger groups. This is a great option for families, couples, and small friend groups. Expect to pay a bit more for the extra service.
Self Guided / Independent Tour A travel company plans your itinerary and arranges all the logistics including lodging, local activities, and transportantion. You have the flexibility of a solo trip while still getting the convience and time savings of expert planning. Get 90% of the benefits of a tour, without a guide.
Vacation / Holiday Package Similar to a self guided tour, this usually involves a home base, such as a hotel or resort, with packaged activities and day tours as a part of the stay.
Large Ship Cruise This is the "floating city" experience, with multiple ways to enjoy your vacation aboard the ship as much as on land. Ships are multiple floors, provide several activities, culinary, and shopping options. They often make fewer stops and have less time available for shore excursions.
Itinerary Focus
Lodging Level
Lodging Level
Camping Typically involves most nights sleeping in tents (sometimes permanent tented sites) or in rustic cabins and lodges.
Basic - 2 star You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping.
Value - 3 star Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Premium - 4 star 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Luxury - 5 star The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Price
Duration Dropdown
Countries Visited
Physical Level
Physical Level
Very Easy Minimal walking - motor vehicles available for all major parts of trip.
Easy Normal generally flat walking in urban or suburban environments.
Moderate Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Strenuous All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included.
Extreme Very challenging all day hiking and backpacking carrying significant equipment.
Travel Theme
Travelers Age
Rivers & Seas Visitied
Attractions & Cities Visited
Activities & Interests
Solo Friendly
Solo Friendly
Good for Singles Trips that specifically cater to travelers looking to meet other singles.
No Single Supplement Trips where single supplement is usually not required for solo travelers.
Supplier (Company)
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Continents Visited
Stride Gives Back Stride Gives Back This trip visits a destination impacted by climate change. When you opt in to the Travelstride Gives Back program, we will donate 10% of our net revenue to organizations that help mitigate climate change in these destinations and across the globe. Learn more
Classic Japan

- Surrounded in tranquil scenery, an overnight Buddhist temple stay in Koya-san is as peaceful and unique as it sounds. It’s the perfect place to stop and explore between Kyoto and Hiroshima.
- With three nights spent in Tokyo, you’ll cover the top sights with your small group and have free time to see at your own pace. With so much to do, you have the power to decide in Japan’s capital.
- A visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park is a sobering but important experience for understanding the tragedies of Japan’s not so distant past – do so with the local knowledge of your leader to show you the way.
- Spend a memorable night with an included dinner in a traditional Japanese ryokan in tiny Tsumago – one of the best-preserved Edo-era towns along the ancient Nakesendo Highway.
- Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra-modernity as you zip from city to town with your included 7-day Japan Rail Pass, including the Shinkansen. Travel has never been so easy!
Cultural Treasures of Japan
- Enjoy a sake tasting at a local sake brewery followed by a Hida beef dinner.
- Experience a traditional kaiseki dinner with Geisha show in Kyoto.
- Participate in a sushi-making class given by a professional sushi chef.
- Try your hand at the centuries-old art of the Japanese tea ceremony, gold leaf decorating and stenciling.
- Travel by the famous Shinkansen bullet train.
- Explore the famous Ginza district, the first Western-style shopping district in Japan where modern and history blends.
- Take in magnificent views of Mt. Fuji from the Hakone Ropeway.
- Visit multiple UNESCO sites including Shirakawa-go, Nijo Castle, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine and Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
Discover Japan
- Explore historic Imperial Palace (Tokyo)
- See the majestic Mt. Fuji
- Visit Hakone National Park
- Opportunity to see the Shirakawago (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Ancient town in Takayama
- Sightseeing in Kyoto
Classic Japan tour by train

Japan: Koya-san & Kumano Kodo Trek

- Explore Kyoto on a couple of nearby hikes for a different perspective on the life and culture in this notable city, as well as visiting some sites of natural and religious significance.
- Experience two of the main religions in Japan – Buddhism and Shintoism – by following the footsteps of ancient pilgrims on their quest for faith along the Koya-san and Kumano Kodo trails.
- Discover two of the major cultural hubs of Japan on foot, walking the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto and strolling through the Dotombori district in Osaka.
- Join in on the morning prayers and share a traditional shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) meal during an overnight temple stay in Koya-san, deep in mountainous Wakayama prefecture.
- Soak in an ancient onsen after a day of trekking in Yunomine – there's no better way in Japan to relax and rejuvenate, as well as understand local cultures, than in the natural mineral waters of a hot spring.
Cultural Treasures of Japan
- Enjoy a Hida beef dinner and sake tasting at a local sake brewery.
- Experience a traditional kaiseki dinner with Geisha show in Kyoto.
- Participate in a sushi making class given by a professional sushi chef.
- Try your hand at the centuries-old art of the Japanese tea ceremony, gold leaf decorating and stenciling.
- Travel by the famous Shinkansen bullet train.
- Explore the famous Ginza district, the first Western-style shopping district in Japan where modern and history blends.
- Take in magnificent views of Mt. Fuji from the Hakone Ropeway.
- Visit multiple UNESCO sites including Shirakawa-go, Nijo Castle, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine and Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
Tokyo with Mt. Fuji
- CITY TOUR of Tokyo
- SEE the Tokyo Tower
- VIEW Mt. Fuji
- VISIT the Sensoji Temple, the Imperial Palace Plaza and Ginza
- DIVE INTO CULTURE
Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima
- CITY TOUR of Hiroshima
- VISIT the Water Temple on Awaji Island, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima and the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island
Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima - Celebrate the ...
Tokyo with Mt. Fuji
- CITY TOUR of Tokyo
- VISIT the Sensoji Temple, the Imperial Palace Plaza and Ginza
- VIEW Mt. Fuji
- SEE the Tokyo Tower
Japan in a Week(Twin Room,Start Tokyo, End Osaka)
- Spend half a day uncovering Tokyo on a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide
- See the grand Imperial Palace and the buzzy neighbourhood of Shibuya
- See the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku & Shibuya Crossing.
- Visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple & Nakamise Street
Classic Japan
- CITY TOUR of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka
- CRUISE along the Sumida River in Tokyo and the Okawa River in Osaka
- SEE the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama
- VISIT Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji 5th Station, Gion District and Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, the bamboo groves in Arashiyama, Nara Park and Todaiji Temple in Nara, Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima, Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Tusyunoten Shrine and Umeda Sky Building in Osaka
- CONNECT WITH LOCALS
- DIVE INTO CULTURE
- LOCAL SPECIALIST
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Classic Japan with Matsue and Osaka
- CITY TOUR of Matsue, Tsuyama and Osaka
- VISIT Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi, Tusyunoten Shrine and Umeda Sky Building in Osaka
- SEE Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka
- CRUISE on Lake Shinjiko in Matsue and along the Okawa River in Osaka
Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima
- CITY TOUR of Tokyo. Kyoto. Hiroshima
- SEE the traditional Gassho-zukuri houses in Gokayama, the beautiful gardens of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa
- VIEW Mt. Fuji
- VISIT the Sensoji Temple, the Skytree Observation Tower, the Edo Tokyo Museumin Tokyo, Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sanjusangen-do Hall in Kyoto, the Water Temple on Awaji Island, Zentsuji Temple, the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima and Osaka Castle
- CONNECT WITH LOCALS
- DIVE INTO CULTURE
- LOCAL SPECIALIST
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- STAYS WITH STORIES
Hokkaido Winter Discovery

- Japan is a year round destination and winter is one of the best times of the year to to experience it. the streets are lit up at night and blanketed in snow, the markets are bustling a piping hot bowl of ramen tastes especially good when it is below zero outside!
- This is a brief but full trip that gets the most out of the northern region of hokkaido in a relatively short amount of time.
- Venture far afield to the remote lake akan and appreciate the beauty and fragility of the winter home of endangered cranes.
- Stroll along the snow covered canals of otaru and try your hand at the local art - kitakarou glass blowing.
- The winter ice and snow festivals here are world famous for its huge and elaborate sculptures. make sure you get your camera out and have your batteries charged as you will take far more photos than you expected!
- Warm up after your winter wanderings with visits to some of japan's best-known breweries and whiskey distilleries.
In order to see Travelstride Select deals you must sign in. We’ve negotiated with many of the world’s best travel companies to save you money! Get the best experiences, save up to $700 per person, and be a hero to your travel companions!
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By joining you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
With FREE membership you:
- Save up to $700 per person!*
- Access private deals and offers
- See personalized trip recommendations
- Save favorite trips
Top Japan Experiences and Attractions
Top Japan Experiences
Visiting the museum and Japanese gardens in Tokyo's Imperial Palace that exhibit traditional Japanese art and history
Seeing the shrines in Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple
Visit to Kinkaki-ji also known as the Temple of Golden Pavilion
Enjoying a Japanese tea ceremony (or chado), appreciating the unique way that green matcha tea is prepared and served
Climbing Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain
Hiking in the Yakushima forest or the Sagano bamboo forest
Paying respects at Hiroshima Peace Park and museum, a tribute to the victims of Hiroshima bombing
Seeing to Himeji Castle, built during medieval period for defense purpose
Chanting with Buddhist monks in the early hours of the morning at a Monestary in Koyasan
Soaking in a traditional onsen, sans clothes, as per the Japanese custom
Walking among the many zen temples and gardens in Kyoto
Visiting one of the may popular themed cafes, from animal to anime
Admiring the cherry blossoms of spring, an annual ritual known as hanami
Indulging in sushi and kobe beef, soba noodles, ramen and sake to your heart’s content
Wandering through Kyoto’s Gion district to see geishas in traditional kimonos
Watching a sumo match, a sport that dates back at least 2,000 years to the Edo period
Japan Trip Reviews
1,064 Japan Tour Reviews - Summary 93% Recommend
All Japan tours, river cruises, expedition cruises, and adventure trips. Find the best guided trips and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Average rating of 4.6 for all Japan trips.