Japan Tours

If you’re unfamiliar with the country, guided trips to Japan are the best way to get the most out of your holiday. At Exodus we offer a selection of guided group trips to Japan, from cycling and walking tours to culture trips, so that you can explore the country with like-minded travellers. All of our group tours consist of between eight and 16 people and are led by local experts who’ll give you a deeper understanding of the country’s history and culture as well as steering you to off-the-radar places away from the crowds.

Japan is a fascinating country of contrasts that fuses ancient temples and shrines with contemporary megacities and futuristic skyscrapers. Our Japan tours take you on unforgettable journeys where you’ll discover its ancient traditions and modern culture.

Our Ancient and Modern Japan tour introduces you to the most epic sights such as Kyoto’s famous temples, the vibrant city of Tokyo and the medieval village of Tsumago. Alternatively, explore the land of the Samurai by bike or trek along the ancient pilgrimage route, the Kumano Kodo.

You can discover many of Japan’s highlights in eight days but, if you prefer something more comprehensive that lets you delve deeper into the country, we offer 14-day Japan trips with immersive itineraries. While one day you may be discovering the traditional way of life at a local village, on the next you could be riding on a high-speed bullet train.

Japan is a colourful smorgasbord filled with cultural and visual delights, from buzzing cities and striking, modern architecture to traditional temples and natural wonders. Trips to Japan are all about getting the right balance and sampling a little of everything. While it’s almost impossible to mention all the best places, we’ve selected just a few of our favourites:

Japanese Alps – an impressive series of mountains home to the tallest and most dramatic peaks found on the island of Honshu.

Kyoto – formerly the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a beautiful city known for its imperial palaces, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and the geisha district at Gion.

Tokyo – Japan’s vibrant capital blends traditional temples with ultramodern skyscrapers and offers a unique experience of history and culture. In spring, you can also witness the dazzling display of the Sakura cherry blossom throughout the city’s green spaces.

Nikki – Providing tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Nikko lies in the North Kanto region and is famous for its unspoilt natural beauty, with sprawling forests, waterfalls and glossy lake making up the picturesque backdrop.

The prices for the Japan tours that you’ll see on this page exclude flights but that doesn’t mean that flights aren’t an option. Simply include flights on the page of your chosen tour to see how adding flights will influence the total price of your trip.

If you do choose to book your flight through us, we’d recommend that you travel together with the other members of your group. This is because the flight includes transfers to accommodation for the whole group.

We offer both guided and self-guided group trips to Japan so that you can experience this beautiful country on your own terms.

If you opt for a cultural holiday in Japan, you’ll be guided by one of our experts throughout your visit. Our cycling holidays in Japan are guided and come with full bicycle support throughout your trip. And for walking holidays in Japan, you have the choice between being part of a guided group or walking along a number of incredible trails by yourselves.

Altogether, the durations of our trips to Japan range from 8-14 days, letting you choose the most suitable options depending on how fully you want to immerse yourself in the splendour of this unique country.

We’re happy to offer a range of Japan tours with costs ranging from £3,199 to £6,099, helping you to discover the beauty of Japan regardless of your price point.

The Japan tour with the lowest cost is the Highlights of Japan tour, designed to show you some of Japan’s most iconic cities and sites in an eight-day trip. And Japan’s Kumano Kodo tour has the highest cost, being a trip through one of Japan’s most remote and rewarding pilgrimage routes and lasting 14 days.

Adding flights to your tour will increase the costs that you see listed on this page, in exchange for a more comprehensive and hassle-free experience.

The climate in Japan is generally temperate, meaning that it’s rarely extremely hot or extremely cold. Japan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Spring: Pleasant temperatures and sunshine, lasting from March to May.

Summer: Hot and humid, during the period of June to August.

Autumn: Mild temperatures and cool breezes, from September to November.

Winter: Clear blue skies and potential snowfall, starting in December and ending in February.

In terms of weather, the best time to visit Japan is when it’s most mild – that is, during Spring (March to May) or Autumn (September to November). But weather isn’t the only thing that you should take into account.

Each of Japan’s seasons brings its own unique experiences, so you’ll find a trip here rewarding no matter when you travel. All the same, though, you should pick the one that most excites you.

You could go in spring, when one of nature’s greatest phenomena takes place. The sakura, or cherry blossom, is spectacular, and many holidays are timed to celebrate the beautiful blush of delicate pink blossom that coats the country.

In summer, the Japanese Alps are at their best and walkers can head out on two feet to follow ancient trails rich with history.

Less well-known is the autumnal koyo, or autumn leaves – a stupendous burst of colour across the forests.

Trips to Japan timed to catch these incredible displays are guaranteed to make you reach for your camera, to capture the memories forever.

Japanese culture is relatively conservative. This quality translates into most Japanese people having modest sense of fashion on the whole, most often using muted colours and neutral tones.

You’ll need to imitate this style if you want to fit in with the local people. Pay special attention to how well-maintained you look and avoid wearing revealing clothing – especially when visiting temples, shrines or other traditional sites.

From a comfort perspective, you’ll need to use layers to account for sudden changes in weather throughout the year. And ensure that you take into account the seasonal weather when planning your clothing for your trip.