Small Group Tours to Japan | InsideJapan Tours US

Browse our Japan group tours

From Hokkaido to Kyushu via Tokyo, Kyoto and many places besides, our Japan tours will get you beneath the surface of Japan

There is an awful lot to see and do in Japan and so whereas some companies might have just one or two Japan tours to choose from, we have a full range. So whether you are a first time visitor wanting to tick off the must-sees, or you've lost count of how many times you've toured Japan, we have something for you.

Contact us and we'd be delighted to talk you through all the options.

Choosing your perfect tour

With so many tours to choose from, we appreciate it may be a little tricky to decide. Here are some helpful pointers:

1/ Pick from our four styles of tour: All-inclusive, Superior, Classic and Essential.
Broadly speaking our styles reflect grade of accommodation and inclusions with Superior featuring high-quality accommodation, specialist private guides in all locations and world-class dining; Essential on the other hand features clean, comfortable well located hotels and inns but is fairly basic and tour inclusions are more minimal.

2/ How long have you got?
We know not everyone can take three weeks off work or away from home so we have group tours from 7 nights to 14 nights in length. But you can always add a tailormade extension if you'd like to stay longer. Many clients choose this option.

3/ Solo traveller?
Our Classic and Superior tours have guaranteed single rooms with a mandatory single supplement. For our Essential tours, a single room is available for no extra charge at Western-style hotels, but you will need to share with a member of the same sex in the Japanese-style inns.

4/ What are your interests?
Some tours visit the famous sights, whilst others cover special interest areas. For example, our Winter Highlights Japan tour is ideal for keen birdwatchers (and anyone who likes snow!) whilst A Northern Soul visits the off-the-beaten-track Tohoku area.

Click here for our 2015 / 2016 Group Tour Calendar

We know there is lot to investigate so why not give us a call or contact us and one of the team will be delighted to help you choose.

Tours by date Small Group Tours styles explained

Small Group Tour IJT Essential

Japan Unmasked

Tokyo
Nagano
Matsumoto
Takayama
Kanazawa
Hiroshima
Kurashiki
Kyoto
Tokyo

Japan Unmasked is a tour with modest accommodation and minimal inclusions, giving you the freedom to choose where you spend your time and money - whether you see yourself slurping on a quick bowl of noodles or splurging on sushi.

13 Nights: from US$4303

Trip Code: JU

Departure Months:

FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT Essential

Tokaido Trail

Tokyo
Hakone
Lake Biwa
Kyoto
Tokyo

Tokaido Trail proves that you can cover the classic �golden route� sights of Japan without breaking the bank or missing out on unforgettable cultural experiences, and is the perfect building block with which to plan a longer trip.

9 Nights: from US$3328

Trip Code: TT

Departure Months:

MAR
APR
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

Classic Japan

Tokyo
Hakone
Osaka
Kyoto
Takayama
Japan Alps
Tokyo

Imagine basking in a hot spring bath at the foot of Mount Fuji, drinking tea with an apprentice geisha in Kyoto or experiencing the quieter side of Tokyo with a stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens. This tour collects the best of Japan's classic cultural and natural locations.

13 Nights: from US$6292

Trip Code: CJ

Departure Months:

MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT All-Inclusive

All-In Japan

Tokyo
Hiroshima
Kyoto
Awara Onsen
Kanazawa
Tokyo

With all meals, local transport, and luggage handling included there's nothing for you to do on All-In Japan but sit back and enjoy. Covering Japan's classic destinations with a few unusual twists, this trip is full of cultural experiences to give you a stress-free introduction to Japan.

12 Nights: from US$7774

Trip Code: AIJ

Departure Months:

MAR
APR
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

A Northern Soul

Tokyo
Nikko
Hiraizumi
Naruko Onsen
Kesennuma
Sendai
Niigata
Sado Island
Tokyo

The northern reaches of Japan's main island hold some of the country's most beguiling attractions: rugged national parks, mountaintop temple communities, and enchanting hot spring villages. A Northern Soul introduces some of these hidden delights, revealing a side of Japan rarely seen by outsiders.

14 Nights: from US$7332

Trip Code: ANS

Departure Months:

MAY
JUN
AUG
SEPT
OCT

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

Hidden Japan

Kyoto
Mount Koya
Tokushima
Takamatsu
Kotohira
Matsuyama
Hiroshima
Kyoto

Are you looking for more depth of cultural insight, with experiences that take you away from the tourist trail? This tour gives you both, liberating you from the pressure of ticking off destinations or visiting �must-see� locations and steering you instead towards the road less travelled.

12 Nights: from US$5993

Trip Code: HJ

Departure Months:

MAR
APR
MAY
JUL
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT Superior

Majestic Japan

Tokyo
Kanazawa
Kyoto
Kinosaki Onsen
Hiroshima
Hakone
Tokyo

With a range of high-end accommodations, superb included meals and your tour leader on hand to make sure everything runs like clockwork, this is the perfect introduction to a fascinating culture often considered impenetrable by the outside world.

14 Nights: from US$9490

Trip Code: MJ

Departure Months:

MAR
APR
MAY
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

HYPERJAPAN's J-Pop & Go!

Tokyo
Hakone
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Osaka
Tokyo

From day-glo caf�s, video game arcades and kawaii street fashions to ancient temples, exquisite gardens and spectacular natural scenery; J-Pop & Go! is the perfect mixture of kitschy pop culture and traditional Japan.

10 Nights: from US$4303

Trip Code: HYP0002JPOP

Departure Months:

Small Group Tour IJT Essential

Must-see Japan

Tokyo
Hakone
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Osaka
Tokyo

Enjoy five of Japan's must-see destinations, offering a mix of old and new, vibrant city life and quieter rural stops, flexibility to do your own thing, and lots of bang for your buck.

10 Nights: from US$3874

Trip Code: MSJ

Departure Months:

FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUL
SEPT
OCT
NOV

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

Winter Highlights

Tokyo
Tsurui
Lake Kussharo
Abashiri
Sapporo
Hakodate
Kyoto
Kanazawa
Tokyo

From incredible snowy landscapes and rare birds in Hokkaido to traditional gardens and cultural treasures on Honshu; this tour demonstrates the myriad attractions of the winter season on Japan's two largest islands.

14 Nights: from US$8385

Trip Code: WH

Departure Months:

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

Autumn Elegance

Tokyo
Matsumoto
Takayama
Kanazawa
Kyoto
Hakone
Tokyo

Cherry blossom may hog the headlines, but the vivid colours of autumn are arguably an even more attractive backdrop to this classic tour of Japan. Autumn Elegance makes the most of the charms of fall as it whisks you from mega-cities to alpine craft towns, mountain hot spring resorts and beyond.

13 Nights: from US$6968

Trip Code: AE

Departure Months:

Small Group Tour IJT Classic

Spring Elegance

Tokyo
Matsumoto
Takayama
Kanazawa
Kyoto
Hakone
Tokyo

Spring is when Japan casts off its winter blanket and really lets its hair down. Every park is packed with revellers gathered to view the cherry blossom, festivals are underway across the country and nearly everyone embraces the party-like atmosphere � this really is a wonderful time to travel.

13 Nights: from US$7020

Trip Code: SE