The Best Japan Guided Tour Packages For 2022/23

Is Japan on your bucket list? Or maybe you’ve been before but would love to see more. A great way to see Japan is with a guided tour package. This allows you to experience a side to this beautiful country that you might not otherwise see.

From those perfect for first-time visitors wanting to experience classic locations, to detailed itineraries for wildlife spotting and wild hiking, these are some of the top guided tours to book now for an exciting return to Japan.

Classic Japan

Showcasing the best of Japan’s cultural and natural attractions, this small group package tour begins in Tokyo and takes tourists by land and water to some of the country’s must-see sights.

Taking place across the mainland of Honshu, the all-inclusive tour moves from Tokyo to one of Japan’s most popular national parks and the famous Mt. Fuji, before heading to Osaka for its renowned street food experience. Following these bucket list stop-offs, step into Kyoto, ‘The City of Ten Thousand Temples’, wander authentic Japanese farming towns in Gifu, and hike the Kamikochi national park. Inside Japan Tours’ Classic Japan departs on the 20th of August and selected dates in September. Price from £4140pp for 13 nights.

Japan by rail

Experience Bullet trains and three of Japan’s mainlands on an all-encompassing journey across the country. Starting in Fukuoka, this tour makes use of Japan’s world-class, high-speed trains to access iconic locations such as Matsushima Bay, Mount Fuji and Tokyo.

Along the way, travellers will be able to delve into cultural experiences, from tea ceremonies and fan painting to temple touring. A truly iconic package tour of Japan! Wendy Wu’s Japan by Rail tour departs in October 2022 and March and October 2023. Price from £9090pp fully inclusive.

Northern Wildlife Tour

Remaining as one of Japan’s least explored landscapes, set off on an exciting tour of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, for rare wildlife encounters, untamed forest hikes and lake adventures. Travelling by boat, foot, canoe and road, become immersed in East Hokkaido with expert nature guides leading across the varied terrains and flora and fauna.

Embark on an after-dark brown bear walk, hike the Shiretoko five lakes and Mt. Io, and explore the Kushiro River in a canoe. Lucky visitors may spot native Ezo red foxes, white-tailed eagles and red-crowned cranes. Wondertrunk’s Northern Wildlife Tour offers this 4-day tour with dates on request. Price from £2150pp.

Kumano Kodo Highlights

Walk the ancient pilgrimage considered the heart of Japanese spirituality, and experience the tradition of nature worship with this highlight tour of Kumano Kodo. Being one of only two pilgrimages in the world registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kumano Kodo is a renowned 70km pilgrimage full of Shinto and Buddhism history and culture, as well as healing scenery.

Set out on some of the most famous and important sections of the route over the length of the tour, with shrine visits, a Kumano river boat tour and stays at traditional Ryokans with hot spring baths. Samurai Tour’s Kumano Kodo highlights tour offers this 7-day tour with dates departing 2nd October and March and October 2023. Prices from £2,087.48pp.

Japan and the Scenic South

Get to know Japan’s lesser-known, subtropical island of Kyushu and coastal spots of Japan’s mainland on this cultural Southern Japan tour. Renowned for its active volcanoes, natural hot springs and some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, Kyushu introduces tourists to Japan’s vast landscapes. From bustling Fukuoka and the country’s largest castle in Kumamoto to volcanic Mt Aso and famous onsens in Beppo. Moving on from Kyushu, the guided tour explores a mix of iconic national treasures and hidden gems.

Take a short trip off of Hiroshima to a Holy island in the Seto Inland Sea, visit a Sake brewery to learn all about the Japanese spirit, and pass Mount Fuji on your way to Tokyo.  Wendy Wu’s Japan & the Scenic South tour departs on the 7th of October and April and October 2023. Prices from £5540pp fully inclusive.