With its hyper-modern cities and sprawling countryside, Japan is a country that can easily provoke sensory overload in its visitors – which is why coming here as part of an escorted tour can be an appealing choice.
(Photo: Trafalgar.com)
There are many major sights of interest throughout the country, from the neon streets of Tokyo to the peaceful forested mountains inland. For most travellers, getting around Japan can initially be as perplexing as it is captivating, and fully escorted tours offer a great solution, letting your trip’s expert travel director take care of all the logistics so you can focus on the experiencing of it all. Here are five of the best escorted tours of Japan currently available.
Splendours of Japan (9 days)
This tour will see you and your group travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, visiting a total of six cities over 9 immersive days. Highlights include trekking to Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine via an eye-catching path lined with hundreds of orange torii gates that snake through the forest up into the mountains above the city; indulging in a delicious kaiseki lunch at a traditional ryokan; and seeing the traditional Gassho-zukuri houses in Gokayama and the beautiful gardens of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa. The tour involves substantial amounts of walking on some days and so may only be suitable for those with high stamina. From $4,391 per person.
Wonders of Japan (11 days)
(Photo: TourRadar.com)
Allowing plenty of time to delve into the Japan that lies on both the eastern and western sides of Osaka, the Wonders of Japan tour leans towards the spiritual, traditional and historical sides of the country. Visit the major Zen temples of Kyoto, and pet live, tame deer around the eighth-century Todaiji Buddhist temple at Nara. Towards the end of the tour, a trip is made to Shikoku Island, where visits to Matsuyama’s castle and to an onsen bath house can be enjoyed. From $3,379 per person.
Classic Japan (11 days)
Spanning four iconic cities, including two former capitals this your epic 11-day journey transports you through Japan’s distinctive blend of old and new. Featuring soul-stirring visits to a mix of ancient centres and modern cities, you’ll gain unique insights into this enchanting country. Among the stop-offs will be Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji 5th Station, Gion District and Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, the bamboo groves in Arashiyama, Todaiji Temple in Nara, and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. There’ll also be a chance to see Tokyo from the water during a scenic cruise along the Sumida River. From $6,276 per person.
Majestic Japan (11 days)
(Photo: InsightVacations.com)
Experience the majesty and mystery of Japan during this 11-day guided tour that takes in a total of 8 cities. Along the way, you’ll be captivated by the beauty and traditions of Japan as you travel to Kyoto to bask in the serenity surrounding the iconic Golden Pavilion, marvel at the Giouji Temple set amid a moss-covered forest, and feast on a traditional Kyo-Kaiseki lunch as you watch an apprentice geisha perform alongside you. Other highlights include discovering the river valley of the Oirase Gorge and walking along its crystal-clear waters while admiring the surrounding amber leaves. The activity levels of this tour is high, so good fitness is required. From $8,420 per person.
Ultimate Japan (24 days)
When time and money are no object and you wish to have everything taken care of whilst seeing as much of Japan as possible, the 24-day Ultimate Japan tour is a great option. While taking in many of the highlights experienced on the other tours from Tokyo, Ultimate Japan heads all the way west to Nagasaki to visit the important historical sites from the atom bomb to the remnants of the Edo-period trading town, which was once the only port open to westerners in all of Japan. Of the tour’s many other highlights is a stay in the forests of Takayama and a trip the remote Yakushima Island. From $9,652 per person.