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InsideJapan Virtual Tours
Join us in Japan
Travel to Japan is off limits, for now. But while we’ve sadly been deprived of the opportunity to visit in person, our Insider tour leaders have come up with a genius way to share Japan’s sights, sounds and stories without the need for a plane ticket: virtual tours!
Brimming with cultural knowledge and local insight, their mission is to fill you in on the history, trivia and quirks of each location, while giving you a first-person insight into what Japan looks like without the crowds.
Join our team of Insiders; brimming with cultural knowledge and local insight, their mission is to fill you in on the history, trivia and quirks of Japan.
Because even closed borders can't stop us sharing what we love about Japan with as many people as possible.
Our virtual tour library...
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Japan in bloom: Cherry blossom tour
7 Insiders, 7 locations, and 7 different views of cherry blossom season...
Join our expert Insiders as they chase the fleeting springtime flowers around Japan, ticking off some of their all-time favourite hanami (blossom viewing) spots along the way.
From Kyoto to Kamakura to Himeji Castle (and plenty of places in between), the team will delve into the stories and traditions surrounding Japan’s most famous blooms.
It's ambitious. It's insightful. It’s 25-minutes of nature and culture straight to your home – with a pastel pink, flowery backdrop.
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TOKYO old and new:
A walk through one of the world's most exciting cities.
A guided tour through Tokyo’s samurai history, some of the city’s serene gardens, and the neon lights and quirky pop culture of Shibuya and Harajuku.
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Up next: Virtually Inside Kamakura
While we continue to wait patiently for Japan to open its borders to international visitors, why not sign up for our final virtual tour of the year? Join Insiders Brett, Rob and Chantel on Wednesday December 8th in coastal Kamakura – a treasure trove of shrines and temples (and the home of the famous Giant Buddha).
Date of tour: Wednesday December 8th
Tour start time: 5pm Pacific US/ 8pm Eastern (10am JST)
Tour finish time: 6:30pm Pacific US/ 9:30pm Eastern (11:30am JST)
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Virtually Inside Mount Koya
Monks, mausoleums and momiji explained...
Join Insiders Richard and Robert for the journey up spiritual Mount Koya – a location that's home to its very own sect of Shingon Buddhism. You'll get a guided tour of the monks’ settlement and the atmospheric Okunoin mausoleum. Then, it’s over to a traditional shukubo to find out what really happens on a Buddhist temple stay.
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Kyoto
Maiko, sakura and a sunny Kyoto stroll...
Join Richard Farmer on a stroll from Higashiyama to Gion during peak cherry blossom season – with a rare glimpse of a maiko.
"I absolutely loved this tour. A wonderfully engaging commentary with lots of humour interspersed with the detailed and varied historical and cultural information. Looking forward to the next tour!"
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Tokyo
Thunder gate, Tokyo tales and a golden... 'tadpole'?
Follow our Insiders through one of Tokyo's oldest entertainment districts, Asakusa – an area that's best known for the Sensoji temple and the impressive 'Thunder Gate'.
"Thank you so much for an amazing tour, I enjoyed your knowledge and information and it captured Askusa perfectly."
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Nara
Shrines, temples and sacred deer...
Accompany our Insider (and resident Buddhism expert) Richard as he walks through Nara Park and the grounds of the magnificent Todaiji Temple.
“Impressive presentation, friendly but knowledgeable and such evident enthusiasm for the location and its features. I particularly enjoyed hearing more about the religions, the Japanese attitude and the special occasions when shrines are visited.”
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Osaka
Neon streets, manji and ‘eating till you drop’...
Join Robert Kodama on a tour of one of Osaka’s exciting neon-lit districts, which are renowned for fabulous food and fun. Delve into the backstreets and find out what makes this place tick!
“Robert is an outstanding presenter. If we go to Osaka we would like to have him as a guide.”
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