Japan Family Friendly Tours & Trip Packages

Japan Family Friendly Tours & Trips

289 Japan trips. Tours from 108 tour companies. 740 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

14 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
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Family Friendly
Japan Family Holiday
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arashiyama, Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Japan is an exhilarating and unique destination that also happens to be incredibly safe, which makes it a great fit for families travelling with kids of any age.
  • Let Tokyo dazzle the whole family. Feast on market-fresh sushi, try your hand at calligraphy and cook your own okonomiyaki on a cruise around Tokyo Bay.
  • Ride the Hakone ropeway then relax in the soothing waters of an onsen. These hot-spring baths are the perfect antidote to a couple of days of walking around Tokyo.
  • From the tiny stalls in the back streets of Tokyo to the Nishiki-Koji Market, your leader will help you and your family navigate Japan’s dizzying cuisine and find something for everyone.
  • Learn about an important chapter of Japan’s history at the Hiroshima Peace Park, followed by a visit to the relaxing island of Miyajima where deer roam the streets.

Themes

Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Traditional Tokyo
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
Their accessibility specialists have traveled with their own disabilities so they have a deep understanding of how to accommodate different needs.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Tokyo

Highlights

  • Tokyo is an astounding mix of rich history and modern convenience.
  • Visit Imperial Palace
  • Enjoy Tokyo Bus Tour
  • Visit Harajuku Street
  • Visit Tokyo Disneyland, a 115-acre theme park

Themes

Accessible & Limited Mobility, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Mexico with Tarita for my family. I use a wheelchair and have two small children, and Tarita was a wealth of knowledge about which resorts would be both accessible AND kid friendly, which was awesome. Access was at the top of her list and she handled all the details. Really happy that I found her!"

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Japan Family Tour: Shrines & Nakasendo Trail
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By Odynovo
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They are able to handcraft custom trip plans in over 70 different destinations worldwide.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Hakone, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Mt. Fuji, Nagoya, Nagoya City Science Museum, Nakasendo Trail, Narai, Nijo Castle, Osaka, SCMAGLEV Railway Park, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, Tsumago

Highlights

  • Get lost in the ancient shrines and temples in Tokyo.
  • Take in the breathtaking panoramic vistas of Mount Fuji in Hakone.
  • Explore the ancient post-towns along the Nakasendo trails.
  • Enjoy Kyoto's rich culture by visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine and experiencing a traditional tea ceremony.
  • Participate in a fun-filled cooking class with your children in Osaka.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I cannot say enough good things about Odynovo, both on the coordination end (we worked with Laura Li, who was fantastic!) to the on-site people (shout out to our airport contact in Cairo Hassan, our skilled driver Ahmed, our fun Cairo guide Mai, and our knowledgable Aswan/Luxor guide Hazem - BEST crew EVER!!!) who make your trip a seamless, safe, exciting, educational, and all-around transformative life highlight. This experience was seriously a bucket-list one for my husband and me, and I can NOT emphasize enough how important the Odynovo team was to making Egypt an infinitely easier context to navigate. If you've watched travel vloggers and social media influencers attempt to navigate Egypt on their own and complain about a negative experience, fear not - if you go with Odynovo, every. single. thing. will be taken care of. There is NOTHING to worry about, and the experience was entirely positive. The people, the food, the culture, the historical sites and stories - with Odynovo taking care of all the logistical details, these are the only things you need to focus on. I am full of gratitude for the experience I had in Egypt, and I credit Odynovo for it. I will absolutely use them in the future for other destinations, and I urge you to do the same. I know my Egypt experience would not have been nearly the same had I not gone with Odynovo. Check out our adventure here: https://youtu.be/vMlAmVk7vBY Also, a passionate recommendation from my experience: DEFINITELY make the trip to Abu Simbel!! It was a major highlight (we went in a private car that left Aswan around 9am since we'd flown in from Cairo that morning). We stopped at the High Dam first, so by the time we arrived at Abu Simbel, the tour busses were on their way back to Aswan, and we had the whole of the site almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. Do it. Stay the night in Abu Simbel if you can in order to avoid the crowds. It was amazing. ✨"

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Japan Highlights Family Holiday
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Start your trip by diving into Japanese culture with a fun and immersive Taiko drumming workshop in Tokyo. End your trip in Osaka with a super fun sushi-making experience (the perfect skill to bring home from your trip to Japan).
  • Step into the world of youth subculture and quirky fashion in Harajuku – the centre of Tokyo’s pop culture, known for its colourful street art, vintage clothes shops and hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants.
  • Travel past Mt Fuji via bullet train and settle into rural Japanese life at a local farm stay, where you can help harvest tea and prepare a home-cooked, farm-to-table feast for dinner with your hosts.
  • Immerse yourself in the history and tradition of Kyoto among shrines, geishas and temples before a food tasting tour of the markets where the sesame ice-cream is sure to be a hit with the kids!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Themes

Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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2-Week Japan Private Family Vacation
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By China Highlights
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Kyoto, Nagoya, Nara, Osaka, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Wash your hands in the Meiji Shrine and connect with Japanese traditions.
  • Experience the rich heritage of Japan by visiting various UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the country.
  • Dive headfirst into the pulsating center of Tokyo's youth culture.
  • See the panorama of Tokyo city from the tallest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world.
  • Unleash your culinary creativity in a ramen-making experience for the whole family in Tokyo.
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I've just returned from my trip to China, a week ago. I've seen many-many interesting places of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. But most of all i liked my 2-days trip to Longshen villages with my guide Frank from chinahighlights. The day before our trip has started, in Guilin, Frank met me in hotel and told about our journey. Next 2 days we visited traditional ancient chinese villages (the biggest from them are Ping'an and Dazhai), walking around them, saw the rice-terraces landscape (it was really unbelievable). Also we had a hiking between villages, and stayed at night at ZhongLiu village. I haven't seen any tourists in this village, even chinese tourists. It was fantastic cause we've seen real chinese life of local people, including, for example, planting vegetables, collecting tea). Very quiet, fresh air, natural food. Yes, in this village almost no shops, no souvenirs, but you dont need them. All around you a hundred times better. I advice all, who wants to see real chinese life, visit this place, especially this village, stay at night there. Thanks very much to my guide Frank and chinahighlights for this trip!"

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11-Day Classic Japan Tour
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By China Highlights
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Enjoy steaming matcha on a small island in the lake at Hamarikyu Garden.
  • Gain insights into the Japanese enthusiasm for food at a local home.
  • Meander around the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama.
  • Explore Shirakawa-go with its renowned 'praying hands' houses and learn about architectural details.
  • Enjoy the breathtaking views in Kenroku-en garden, one of the top three gardens in Japan.
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I've just returned from my trip to China, a week ago. I've seen many-many interesting places of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. But most of all i liked my 2-days trip to Longshen villages with my guide Frank from chinahighlights. The day before our trip has started, in Guilin, Frank met me in hotel and told about our journey. Next 2 days we visited traditional ancient chinese villages (the biggest from them are Ping'an and Dazhai), walking around them, saw the rice-terraces landscape (it was really unbelievable). Also we had a hiking between villages, and stayed at night at ZhongLiu village. I haven't seen any tourists in this village, even chinese tourists. It was fantastic cause we've seen real chinese life of local people, including, for example, planting vegetables, collecting tea). Very quiet, fresh air, natural food. Yes, in this village almost no shops, no souvenirs, but you dont need them. All around you a hundred times better. I advice all, who wants to see real chinese life, visit this place, especially this village, stay at night there. Thanks very much to my guide Frank and chinahighlights for this trip!"

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Generous cancellation

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10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Spring 2024 Mini-Group Tour
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By China Highlights
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Enjoy a worry-free guided hanami('viewing flowers in bloom') during the cherry blossom season.
  • Lose yourself in the rich history and various temples.
  • Witness the Fuji Five Lakes during the cherry blossom season.
  • Learn sushi making from a local family in Tokyo.
  • Experience the fastest train on the world-famous Shinkansen lines.
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Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I've just returned from my trip to China, a week ago. I've seen many-many interesting places of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. But most of all i liked my 2-days trip to Longshen villages with my guide Frank from chinahighlights. The day before our trip has started, in Guilin, Frank met me in hotel and told about our journey. Next 2 days we visited traditional ancient chinese villages (the biggest from them are Ping'an and Dazhai), walking around them, saw the rice-terraces landscape (it was really unbelievable). Also we had a hiking between villages, and stayed at night at ZhongLiu village. I haven't seen any tourists in this village, even chinese tourists. It was fantastic cause we've seen real chinese life of local people, including, for example, planting vegetables, collecting tea). Very quiet, fresh air, natural food. Yes, in this village almost no shops, no souvenirs, but you dont need them. All around you a hundred times better. I advice all, who wants to see real chinese life, visit this place, especially this village, stay at night there. Thanks very much to my guide Frank and chinahighlights for this trip!"

Trip dates & details
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Generous cancellation

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Walking Western Japan: Mountain Paths and Hidden Temples
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • I enjoy getting my heart going on my bike or on trails
  • Nothing beats the thrill of taking on a rewarding climb or ride on varied terrain with inclines
  • Let’s keep moving — occasional stops only, please

Themes

Birding, Culinary & Wine, Cycling & Biking, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Golf

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Historical Japan from Osaka to Tokyo
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
By Odynovo
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They are able to handcraft custom trip plans in over 70 different destinations worldwide.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, Tokyo Tower

Highlights

  • Overnight in Miyajima Island with a chance to see Itsukushima Shrine in the evening
  • Explore Kyoto's highlights including the Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • Discover the charm of Hakone at your own pace with Hakone Free Pass
  • Experience artistic tea ceremony in Tokyo's teahouse

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I cannot say enough good things about Odynovo, both on the coordination end (we worked with Laura Li, who was fantastic!) to the on-site people (shout out to our airport contact in Cairo Hassan, our skilled driver Ahmed, our fun Cairo guide Mai, and our knowledgable Aswan/Luxor guide Hazem - BEST crew EVER!!!) who make your trip a seamless, safe, exciting, educational, and all-around transformative life highlight. This experience was seriously a bucket-list one for my husband and me, and I can NOT emphasize enough how important the Odynovo team was to making Egypt an infinitely easier context to navigate. If you've watched travel vloggers and social media influencers attempt to navigate Egypt on their own and complain about a negative experience, fear not - if you go with Odynovo, every. single. thing. will be taken care of. There is NOTHING to worry about, and the experience was entirely positive. The people, the food, the culture, the historical sites and stories - with Odynovo taking care of all the logistical details, these are the only things you need to focus on. I am full of gratitude for the experience I had in Egypt, and I credit Odynovo for it. I will absolutely use them in the future for other destinations, and I urge you to do the same. I know my Egypt experience would not have been nearly the same had I not gone with Odynovo. Check out our adventure here: https://youtu.be/vMlAmVk7vBY Also, a passionate recommendation from my experience: DEFINITELY make the trip to Abu Simbel!! It was a major highlight (we went in a private car that left Aswan around 9am since we'd flown in from Cairo that morning). We stopped at the High Dam first, so by the time we arrived at Abu Simbel, the tour busses were on their way back to Aswan, and we had the whole of the site almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. Do it. Stay the night in Abu Simbel if you can in order to avoid the crowds. It was amazing. ✨"

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Highlights of Japan
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Discover the iconic cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka
  • Enjoy the natural beauty and Unesco sites of Nikko
  • Experience cherry blossom season or beautiful autumn colours
  • Take the high-speed Shinkansen bullet train
  • Taste a variety of Japanese cuisine

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Takayama, Tokyo

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.
  • Visit the Peace Park for moving insight into the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, then cruise to peaceful Miyajima Island where wild deer roam the streets.
  • Finish your tour with three nights in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and home to literally thousands of temples, the Gion District where Geisha entertain the wealthy elite and renowned Kyoto sushi.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Spirit of Japan 14D/13N
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By Bamba
preferred
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Discover the iconic culture of Japan Enjoy walking tours in the great Japanese cities Explore the shrines and temples of Kyoto

What travelers are saying

"We had an amazing experience in South Korea thanks to Bamba. The itinerary was well-planned, the transportation was comfortable, and the tours were unforgettable. We would definitely book with them again!"

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Essential Japan with Rural Shirakawa-go
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By Odynovo
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They are able to handcraft custom trip plans in over 70 different destinations worldwide.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Hakone, Kyoto, Meiji Shrine, Shirakawa, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Visit Tokyo's major attractions like Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple
  • Discover the charm of Hakone on a join-in bus tour
  • Admire the traditional village of Shirakawa-go filled with gassho-zukuri farmhouses
  • Explore Kyoto's highlights including the Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari Shrine

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"I cannot say enough good things about Odynovo, both on the coordination end (we worked with Laura Li, who was fantastic!) to the on-site people (shout out to our airport contact in Cairo Hassan, our skilled driver Ahmed, our fun Cairo guide Mai, and our knowledgable Aswan/Luxor guide Hazem - BEST crew EVER!!!) who make your trip a seamless, safe, exciting, educational, and all-around transformative life highlight. This experience was seriously a bucket-list one for my husband and me, and I can NOT emphasize enough how important the Odynovo team was to making Egypt an infinitely easier context to navigate. If you've watched travel vloggers and social media influencers attempt to navigate Egypt on their own and complain about a negative experience, fear not - if you go with Odynovo, every. single. thing. will be taken care of. There is NOTHING to worry about, and the experience was entirely positive. The people, the food, the culture, the historical sites and stories - with Odynovo taking care of all the logistical details, these are the only things you need to focus on. I am full of gratitude for the experience I had in Egypt, and I credit Odynovo for it. I will absolutely use them in the future for other destinations, and I urge you to do the same. I know my Egypt experience would not have been nearly the same had I not gone with Odynovo. Check out our adventure here: https://youtu.be/vMlAmVk7vBY Also, a passionate recommendation from my experience: DEFINITELY make the trip to Abu Simbel!! It was a major highlight (we went in a private car that left Aswan around 9am since we'd flown in from Cairo that morning). We stopped at the High Dam first, so by the time we arrived at Abu Simbel, the tour busses were on their way back to Aswan, and we had the whole of the site almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. Do it. Stay the night in Abu Simbel if you can in order to avoid the crowds. It was amazing. ✨"

Trip dates & details
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14 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Family Friendly

Japan Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
740  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

Cycling in Japan

This is a great holiday for those who enjoy cycling in great scenery and want to learn a bit about Japanese culture and the Japanese way of life en route. It of...

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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.

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