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ToursAsiaJapanKyoto

Kyoto Small Group Tours & Trips

183 Kyoto trips. Tours from 61 tour companies. 538 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

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Small Group Tour
Essence of Japan 2022
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Essence of Japan 2022

By Tauck
none
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Inspirational
  • innovative and intriguing
  • Japan is a favorite destination with Tauck travelers... where gilded temples and glittering skyscrapers reign over streets steeped in history and tradition.Discover the revered customs and unique sense of beauty that infuse life here... On the main island of Honshu
  • from Tokyo to the hot springs resort town of Hakone and on through the 'Japanese Alps' to Kanazawa and the cultural treasure trove of Kyoto
  • visit a private home for a tea ceremony and Origami... explore castles
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
13 days From$11,690
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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Essence of Japan 2021
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Essence of Japan 2021

By Tauck
none
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Inspirational
  • innovative and intriguing
  • Japan is a favorite destination with Tauck travelers... where gilded temples and glittering skyscrapers reign over streets steeped in history and tradition.Discover the revered customs and unique sense of beauty that infuse life here... On the main island of Honshu
  • from Tokyo to the hot springs resort town of Hakone and on through the “Japanese Alps” to Kanazawa and the cultural treasure trove of Kyoto
  • visit a private home for a tea ceremony and Origami... explore castles
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
13 days From$10,990
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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Japan Biking
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Japan Biking

By Butterfield & Robinson
none
4.9/5 Excellent
74 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Kanazawa, Kyoto, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Visit the Asaichi
  • Drive through the awakening streets of Nanao to the island of Noto
  • Ride back in time through sleepy fishing villages and past lush forests
  • Explore the beautiful gardens of Kanazawa
  • Experience fabulous Bike ride through the winding mountains before exploring an amazing Buddhist temple.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Butterfield and Robinson just planned and executed a great, great trip for us to the Amalfi coast. All the services and hotels were wonderful and the guides were great fun and and well informed. Many nice surprises along the way and an itinerary we would have had trouble putting together on our own was effortless. All guides were well trained the transportation and drivers were polite and on time. The recommended hotels were amazing. We loved every minute of our vacation."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
8 days From$9,495
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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All Kyoto, expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Kyoto

Backroads of Japan
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Backroads of Japan

By World Expeditions
preferred
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Tokyo, Tsumago

Highlights

  • Wander the bustling streets of Tokyo, Japan's capital city
  • Behold the iconic, perfectly formed Mt Fuji and its glistening five lakes
  • Hike through postal towns & forest trails on the Nakasendo Way
  • Be enthralled by the world class attractions of Kyoto, incl the geisha district and The Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji
  • Savour Japanese delicacies with many included meals
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave the tour. The emergency contact people in Vietnam were very helpful with finding me accommodations after I left the tour. I am still waiting on a letter from World Expeditions supporting my travel insurance claim."

Trip dates & details
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15 days From$4,960
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Visions of Japan with Hiroshima & Osaka
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Visions of Japan with Hiroshima & Osaka

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Mount Fuji, Nara, Osaka, Shirakawa, Takayama, Tokyo

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
15 days From$8,669
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Visions of Japan
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Visions of Japan

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Kanazawa, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Mount Fuji, Nara, Shirakawa, Takayama, Tokyo

Highlights

  • TOKYO City sightseeing; visit the Meiji Shrine
  • Imperial Palace
  • Asakusa Kannon Temple
  • Nakamise shopping arcade
  • Tokyo Skytree; calligraphy class; kimono fitting; [LF] traditional tea ceremony; night walking tour; welcome dinner KAMAKURA See the Great Buddha MOUNT FUJI AREA Cruise on Lake Ashi; cable-car ride to view Mount Fuji MOUNT FUJI AREA–KYOTO Travel by high-speed bullet train KYOTO City sightseeing; visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
11 days From$5,769
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Visions of Japan with Hiroshima
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Visions of Japan with Hiroshima

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Mount Fuji, Nara, Osaka, Shirakawa, Takayama, Tokyo

Highlights

  • TOKYO City sightseeing; visit the Meiji Shrine
  • Imperial Palace
  • Asakusa Kannon Temple
  • Nakamise shopping arcade
  • Tokyo Skytree; calligraphy class; kimono fitting; [LF] traditional tea ceremony; night walking tour; welcome dinner KAMAKURA See the Great Buddha MOUNT FUJI AREA Cruise on Lake Ashi; cable-car ride to view Mount Fuji MOUNT FUJI AREA–KYOTO Travel by high-speed bullet train KYOTO City sightseeing; visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
13 days From$6,799
More
Visions of Japan with Osaka
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Visions of Japan with Osaka

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Kanazawa, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Mount Fuji, Nara, Osaka, Shirakawa, Takayama, Tokyo

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
13 days From$6,859
More
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Kyoto Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
538  Reviews
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Excellent
105
Great
11
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
1
T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

We had an amazing introduction to Japan! We thoroughly enjoyed all the places we visited and had a varied itinerary. Our guide, Doni, was helpful and informative an...

Tour:  Simply Japan

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

Fast paced trip covering most highlights with exception of Mount Fu...

Tour:  Simply Japan

D

David

Apr 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

Dean our guide was outstanding, doing everything he could to ensure we had the best experience possible. He was passionate about Japan, took time to learn and explai...

Tour:  Simply Japan

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

Simply Japan was my first tour with Explore. I was nervous about going with a group but I had a great time. We were very lucky to have Karique as our leader. He has ...

Tour:  Simply Japan

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