Japan Tours & Trip Packages

Japan Tours & Trips

101 Japan trips. Tours from 22 tour companies. 1,118 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

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101 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

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Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of glorious Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
  • Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra modernity of Japan’s bullet trains as you zip from place to place.
  • Explore traditional Japanese culture in Edo-period Takayama and visit a folk village, tour a 600-year-old market and a enjoy a sake brewery tasting.
13 days$420 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Cycling in Japan
By Exodus Travels
premier
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star

Highlights

  • Cycle rural roads through peaceful Japanese countryside
  • Discover temples, Zen gardens and geisha districts in Kyoto
  • Ride the tranquil Fukui coast by the Sea of Japan
14 days$750 / day

Generous cancellation

Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Through the Heart of Japan: Tokyo to Fukuoka Cruise - Premium Adventure
By Exodus Travels
premier
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Create traditional Arita-yaki pottery at Atelier Yume
  • Experience Awa (Fool’s Dance), a traditional dance with origins some 400 years’ old at Tokujima
  • View the iconic red torii gate of the Itsukujima shinto shrine ‘floating’ in the Seto Inland Sea
15 days$772 / day

Generous cancellation

Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Ultimate Japan
By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of the iconic Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
  • Stay in a countryside homestay, taking you off the beaten track to experience classic Japanese hospitality. Feast on home-cooked meals over conversations with your welcoming hosts and learn about rural life in Japan. 
  • Spend three nights in Kyoto, and craft your own experience in this ancient capital with loads of free time and the help of your expert local leader.
24 days$463 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Affordable Japan 8 Days
By SITA World Tours
none
Why we love them
Their experienced team of international specialists crafts journeys combining authentic experience with high standards of comfort.
4.7/5 Excellent
27 reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

See all the different sides of Japan metropolitan glamour, inspiring spiritual beauty and natural grandeur in 8 exciting days. From bustling, sophisticated Tokyo, to the foot of Mount Fuji, to the castles of Nagoya and finally to the serene and fascinating city of Kyoto, you’ll have the opportunity to savor the essence of Japan’s enduring allure.

9 days$704 / day
Trip details
Private Guided
Quick view
Cultural Treasures of Japan  - 2024
By Collette
premier
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Enjoy a sake tasting at a local sake brewery followed by a Hida beef dinner.
  • Participate in a sushi-making class.
  • Experience a traditional kaiseki dinner.
14 days$400 / day
Trip details
Group Tour
Quick view

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Japan Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,118  Reviews
See all Japan tour reviews
Excellent
207
Great
83
Average
9
Disappointing
3
Terrible
5
E

Emma

Oct 2015

Written on

Extremely well organised, great mixture between organised

Extremely well organised, great mixture between organised and free time. Great travelling by train

J

John

Oct 2015

Written on

The format of the trip enabled two

The format of the trip enabled two significant factors to coincide to make the entire experience overwhelmingly positive. 1. Our trip guide - Yuri Awanohara, made th...

F

Fenella

Oct 2015

Written on

Great introduction to the country. Variety of

Great introduction to the country. Variety of activities and all well planned by guide Yuri

P

Paul

Sep 2015

Written on

well organised we appreciated not going to the

well organised we appreciated not going to the expensive, flashy and touristy restaurants, which gave us a good varied eating experience good mix of organised and ...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Truly a magical tour. It will make you want to return .....soon !

If ever you wanted proof that cycling is a great way to get to know a country then this is it. And what a country. So different in every respect to the UK. The ups...

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Japan Tour Selection Trips

  • There are a few main attractions that are seasonal, so planning around on of these might be a good way to help build your trip. The cherry blossom viewings can be from late March through April; climbing Mount Fuji is best in the summer months; and Sapporo Ice Festival and skiing is prime for January/February.
  • On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the top of the Tokyo Tower, so plan to go on a clear day.
  • Japan has many traditions, such as taking off your shoes in certain places, and especially when visiting temples, so be sure to be respectful and even do some research or ask your hotel concierge what you should know before going.
  • Be sure to stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese-style inn) at least one night. It really fulfills the Japanese experience with the tatami mat flooring, rice-paper sliding doors, and sleeping on futons.

Additional details

Japan is a fascinating country - with something for everyone. It is popular among history buffs eager to learn about the ancient samurai culture, foodies who love sampling unique culinary items, and outdoorsy travelers looking to ski in some of the most pristine mountains in the world.

The Japanese culture is complex but friendly - their customs are important to them; politeness and timeliness are heavily valued traits. Traveling with a tour can help ease some of the stress that might come with navigating the Japanese culture and language.

When is the cherry blossom season in Japan?

Cherry blossom season in Japan is in early April on the mainland. This is one of the most popular times of year to travel to Japan, with hundreds of thousands of people visiting to see the bright pink and red cherry blossoms.

The season is relatively short, especially if you stay in the major towns and cities. And locals as well get very exciting about seeing the cherry blossoms - a flower commonly depicted in Japanese imagery throughout the centuries. So definitely expect some unavoidable crowds if you plan to visit Japan for the cherry blossom season.

Is Japan Expensive?

How much does it cost to take a tour of Japan? Is Japan more expensive than other Asian countries or Europe? While, yes, a vacation in Japan isn’t cheap, it is not prohibitively expensive, either. And what’s more, the experiences and memories you make on your Japan tour are undoubtedly worth every penny you have saved. 

There are countless ways to save money during your guided tour of Japan, from living off curry bowls and sushi train restaurants, to using public transportation. To ensure lower airfare and tour prices overall, look for trips during the off season, from November to March and during the summer months, from June to September. March to May and September to November will always be the most expensive. 

For the most economies of scale, travel to Japan with a tour operator. They’re expert in the destination and have all the right connections to ensure the best value for accommodations, transportation, sightseeing fees, food and more. Plus, they’ll have your back in an unfamiliar country, where the language and customs are very different from home.

Your tour operator will be key in parsing out just what you want to see, based on your interests, whether that’s city or countryside, and doing it in an educated, value-added way based on their years of experience. Consider mixing and matching your trip to include both small-group travel in Japan with some independent travel once you’ve gotten your legs under you. 

Be flexible about planning your Japan tour and you’ll find that the pieces will fall into place in terms of budget. There are enough choices about accommodations, activities and transportation to run the gamut from shoestring budget to top-end luxury. One thing remains constant: A trip to Japan is completely worth it.

Weather in Japan

When should you travel to Japan for the best weather? There is something appealing about all of Japan’s four seasons, so this answer depends on just what you’re hoping to do during your Japan guided tour.

In general, for the most mild weather conditions, spring and autumn are the best time to visit Japan, though summer and winter have their benefits as well. 

Let’s start with the two most popular times to visit Japan: spring and summer. Springtime in Japan is considered March through May, when it’s warm, but not too hot. There is very little rain at this time. The plum trees start flowering early, followed by the famous cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom season extends into April and includes Golden Week at the end of the month, a period of four national holidays within one week. If your escorted Japan tour will include Golden Week, we suggest making your reservations well ahead of time, as this is one of Japan's busiest holiday seasons. 

October and November are the best autumn months to visit Japan, past the oppressive heat of the summer and the typhoon season along the coasts of Okinawa, Kyushu and Shikoku. The flowering trees of summer have given way to equally impressive autumn shades in the north and at higher elevations. 

Don’t shy away from traveling to Japan in the winter, between December and February. The country transforms into a magical snow-covered wonderland, with world-class skiing opportunities, snow festivals and delightful hot springs soaks. It’s not as cold in Okinawa as in other regions of Japan, so if you prefer the mild side of cold, center your tour there. 

Winter in Japan includes the busy travel season of New Year’s, which can be very popular and thus requires advance planning. Opt, instead, for February when the tourist crowds are smaller. February is a great month for snow sports in Japan, when Northern Japan and the Sea of Japan coast receive a lot of snow.

Look for winter tours that include seeing the drift ice off Hokkaido and the snow-covered houses and trees of Shirakawago. Keep in mind that the days are relatively short during the winter months and where there is not pretty snowfall, the landscape is fairly barren. 

Finally, the least popular time to visit Japan is in the summer, from June to August, when heavy rainfalls are practically guaranteed. The temperatures and the humidity is sky-high. If you are traveling to Japan in the summer, we suggest looking for tours that include the northern region of Hokkaido or the mountains of Tohoku or Chubu. Hokkaido is less affected by the rainfall, so it remains a popular outdoor activity destination throughout the summer.

Where to Ski in Japan

There are several ski resort destinations in Japan, covering a wide range of “traditional” ski lodges to resorts to smaller mom and pops.

There are two main regions for skiing in Japan, both of which hosted the Winter Olympics. Hokkaido, which hosted in 1972 offers a more “westernized” feel” when it comes to the ski resorts and ski culture.

The other main region for skiing in Japan is Nagano, which hosted the winter olympics in 1998. Here you can expect a more traditional Japanese approach in the ski villages and lodges - many accommodations are offered in Japanese inns called “ryokans”. This would be the place to go to an Onsen for the truly unique experience of bathing in a warm outdoor pool as the snow falls.

When is the Ski Season in Japan?

Skiers around the world get very excited about skiing in Japan for the powdery snow. The best month for Japan’s renowned powder conditions is January. Expect pretty heavy crowds of enthusiastic skiers eager to experience some of best powder skiing in the world.

The Japanese ski season is shorter than in the United States, plan to visit between December and late February / early march for the best snow.

Choosing a Tour in Japan

With so many great options out there in the Japan small-group tour arena, you may be asking, “How do I pick the best Japan tour for me?” Consider these questions as you do your research:

What do I want to get from my Japan experience?

Get in touch with your inner explorer and determine what is most important to you. Cherry blossoms? Hiking? Skiing? Shrines and temples? Shopping and food? Then look for small-group guided Japan tours with these filters to see what best matches your interests. 

How many days do I want to travel in Japan?

To maximize your experience and get the most out of your trip, we suggest a 10- to 14-day Japan guided tour. If you have a full two weeks, you’ll have time to adjust to the time zone, explore the greater Tokyo area and then branch out from there to different landscapes and historical and cultural centers.

How are you traveling?

Are you looking for a completely guided, escorted tour of Japan or would you like to have some independent travel days in your itinerary? With a country with a significant language barrier, such as Japan, it can be beneficial to travel with a small group.

The professional and expert planning and support throughout the trip will save you time and money and help you get the most from your time in the country. Your Japan guide will know the best times to visit attractions to avoid large crowds, can help with the language, knows how to navigate transportation and has insight to share about the local culture and traditions.

Of course, if you are interested in doing the research and planning much of the trip yourself, there are excellent tour operators that work in this way, providing a backbone for your Japan trip, and being there as behind-the-scenes support in case you need it.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 101 trips to Japan and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.