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4.32 (165 reviews)
45
Group Tours
5
Private Tours
2
City Explorer
When do you want to go?
2026
I'm flexible
Passengers
Adults (18+)
Children (0 - 17)
Every Japan temple journey begins in Tokyo, where the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa draws visitors to its historic Buddhist halls and stalls. The city sits at the start of most routes, with Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing and the Tokyo National Museum. Tokyo to Kamakura is 50 km by train. Free time allows exploration of Tsukiji Outer Market and the Tokyo Skytree observation deck.
A Mount Fuji Japan tour typically includes Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi, where ryokan stays offer onsen bathing and views across the water to the peak. The route sits between Tokyo and Kyoto, with pirate-ship cruises on Lake Ashi and the lakeside Hakone Shrine torii gate. Hakone to Kyoto is around 375 km by express train. Cloud cover can obscure Mount Fuji, especially in summer months.
Temples in Japan reach their fullest expression in Kyoto. UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle stands alongside Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Sanjusangen-do Temple's thousand statues and Fushimi Inari Shrine's vermilion torii gates. The city anchors the middle of most routes. Tea ceremony classes and Japanese calligraphy sessions fill the itinerary. Kyoto to Hiroshima is 365 km and takes 1 hour 40 minutes by shinkansen.
Longer trips finish at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, where exhibits document the 1945 atomic bombing in confronting detail. The route includes Miyajima island and its lakeside torii gate, reached by ferry from the mainland. Eleven to fourteen-day tours add Osaka's Dotonbori district and Himeji Castle. The content at the museum is moving and requires emotional readiness.
Eight-day trips focus on Tokyo temples and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion, while 11-12 day tours add Hiroshima and sumo encounters. Longer itineraries reach Naoshima art island, Koyasan temples and Takayama's sake breweries. The table sets every Japan cultural tour side by side for comparison.
From €2,705
1 tourAn 8 day Japan tour covers Tokyo's Sensoji Temple, Kamakura's Big Buddha, Hakone onsen and Kyoto's Nijo Castle. The itinerary allows time for ryokan stays near Lake Kawaguchi, visits to Kinkakuji Temple and Sanjusangen-do's thousand statues, and free time in Harajuku. Shorter trips focus on the Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto corridor without extending to Hiroshima or Osaka. Most eight-day routes finish in Kyoto, with optional add-ons to reach Tokyo for departures.
From €2,875
12 toursEleven to twelve-day trips add Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Miyajima island, Japanese calligraphy classes and sumo encounters with Chanko-Nabe dinners. Tokyo temples such as Sensoji remain on the route, joined by tea ceremonies in Kyoto, Osaka's Dotonbori district and Himeji Castle. The extra days enable deeper cultural immersion, with matcha lessons at tea houses and overnight stays in ryokan near Mount Fuji. Tours finish in Osaka or Hiroshima, covering the full cultural corridor from Tokyo to western Japan.
From €1,975
14 toursThirteen to fourteen-day tours reach Naoshima art island, Koyasan Buddhist temples, Takayama's sake breweries and Shirakawa-go's thatched-roof villages. The extended itinerary moves beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima to explore Matsuyama and Takamatsu. Trips include overnight stays in Buddhist temples on Mount Koya. Morning prayers with monks and visits to Ritsurin Gardens feature on these routes. Naoshima's outdoor art installations round out the cultural experience, with routes finishing in Kyoto or Hiroshima.
Japan cultural tours tend to fall into three groups based on duration and coverage. Essential trips hit Tokyo, Kyoto and ryokan stays in eight days. In-depth journeys add Hiroshima, calligraphy and sumo encounters in 11-12 days. Hidden-corner routes explore Naoshima art island and Koyasan Buddhist temples over 13-14 days.
8 days
Short breaks
These trips cover Sensoji Temple, Kamakura's Big Buddha, Hakone onsen and Kyoto's Nijo Castle. Eight days allow time for ryokan stays and Mount Fuji views.
Sleep on futons in ryokan, bathe in natural hot springs and wear yukata near Lake Kawaguchi.
Mount Fuji views depend on cloud cover; the peak is often hidden in summer months.
Tokyo to Kamakura is 50 km and takes around 1 hour by train; Hakone to Kyoto is 375 km by express train.
11 to 12 days
The core loop
These tours add Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Miyajima island, Japanese calligraphy classes and sumo encounters. The extra days enable tea ceremonies and Osaka's Dotonbori district.
Join a Chanko-Nabe dinner with sumo wrestlers and learn the art of matcha in Kyoto tea houses.
Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Museum covers the 1945 atomic bombing; the content is moving and confronting.
Kyoto to Hiroshima is 365 km and takes 1 hour 40 minutes by shinkansen bullet train.
13 to 14 days
Beyond the trail
These trips reach Naoshima art island, Koyasan Buddhist temples, Takayama's sake breweries and Shirakawa-go's thatched-roof villages. Thirteen to fourteen days allow deeper exploration beyond the main trail.
Stay overnight in a Buddhist temple on Mount Koya, join morning prayers and visit shrines among ancient cedars.
Naoshima's art installations are outdoors; weather can limit photography and visibility of some pieces.
Tokyo to Takayama is about 450 km and takes approximately 5 hours by train via Nagoya.
4.32 (165 reviews)
I travelled with my 19 year old daughter, and both of us absolutely loved this tour and our ever-patient guide, Toshi. Highlights included seeing Mount Fuji on a cloudless day and staying at the Japanese Ryokan. We loved the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and Kyoto and the beautiful town of Takayama.
ElizabethMiyajima, Big Buddha Kamakura and 10000 gates at Inari Kyoto (not on the official itinerary)
MARKFrom the moment I arrived through the airport security and was meet by a lady, whoms name has slipped my memory my sincere apologies. Everyone and every adventure was absolutely amazing our guide Tosshi was brilliant I feel in love completely with the people and the culture every day gave way new
PeterWe moved around on public transport as the locals do. The Japanese experience at Lake Kawaguchi is the most memorable part of the tour for us. Toshi our guide was perfect - he was so organised and very knowledgable, able to describe traditional culture and talk about living in Japan today.
ShelleyOur guide Koira was beautiful and so easy to get along with. We had a fantastic group bar one arrogant man. I loved the Big Buddha and I loved the 1000 buddha temple. Bullet train was great and I loved Kyoto. Hotels were fabulous.
JennyI loved the Meiji Shrine and Nijo Castle; and I also loved Mt Fuji. The ryokan that we stayed at in Mt Fuji was so authentic. The dinner and breakfast were the most authentic foods we had the entire time. I wish we could've stayed one more night in Kyoto.
TanyaOur guide (Masa) was excellent! Takayama, Mt. Fuji and Hiroshima were great. Kyoto and Tokyo were good. Our group was great.
BecWe had a fabulous trip and enjoyed the food, Japanese culture, people and the transport system. Toshie our guide was excellent and kept us under control.Most of the accommodation was just right.
JoelGroup tours accommodate 6 to 18 travellers with fully or partially guided itineraries. Large coach tours carry up to 65 passengers and are partially guided. Both styles visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone, with group sizes and guiding levels varying by trip.
From €1,465 · 45 tours
Small-group camaraderie
Groups of 6 to 18 travellers share ryokan stays, temple visits and tea ceremonies. Fully guided trips cover Sensoji Temple, Kinkakuji and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum with expert commentary throughout.
Expert guiding throughout
Fully guided tours provide context at Nijo Castle and Miyajima island. Partially guided trips offer free time in Tokyo and Kyoto for exploring Tsukiji Market and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Moderate physical demands
Most days involve approximately 5 km of walking through temple grounds, bamboo forests and city districts. Minimum age requirements start at 6 years on some trips, 15 years on others.
Not ideal for solo flexibility
Group tours follow fixed itineraries with set departure dates. Free time in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone allows personal exploration, but the route and daily schedule remain unchanged for all travellers.
From €745 · 5 tours
Lower cost per day
Large coach tours carry up to 65 passengers, spreading costs across the group. The 8-day route covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagano and Mount Fuji at a lower price point.
Partially guided itineraries
Guiding covers key sites including Meiji Shrine, Zojoji Temple, Tokyo Skytree and selected stops in Kyoto and Nikko. Free time allows independent visits to temples, markets and onsen in between guided sessions.
Easy physical level
Coach transport reduces walking demands compared to group tours. No minimum age applies, making these trips accessible to families with younger children exploring Tokyo temples and Mount Fuji together.
Not ideal for intimate exploration
Groups of up to 65 limit interaction with guides and reduce flexibility at temples and shrines. Travellers may join or depart at various points, changing group composition during the tour.
Japan cultural tours run year-round, with spring and autumn drawing the largest numbers of travellers. Cherry blossom season (late March to early May) and autumn foliage (October to November) define the peak months. Scenic tours of Japan in 2025 fill quickly during these periods. Summer monsoon rains arrive in June and July.
Temperatures range from 2-10°C (36-50°F) in winter to 26-32°C (79-90°F) in summer across the main cultural corridor. Kyoto and Hiroshima stay warmer than Tokyo in winter. Coastal areas near lesser-known destinations such as Naoshima see milder conditions year-round.
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Eight days cover Tokyo temples, Hakone onsen and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion without extending to Hiroshima. Eleven to twelve days add Miyajima island, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and sumo encounters with Chanko-Nabe dinners. A samurai tour of Japan typically falls within the 11-12 day range, allowing time for Nijo Castle and tea ceremonies. Thirteen to fourteen days reach Koyasan Buddhist temples and Takayama's sake breweries. Free time in Tokyo and Kyoto suits independent exploration on all routes.
Large coach tours carrying up to 65 passengers cover Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagano and Mount Fuji over eight days with partial guiding. Small-group tours accommodate 6 to 18 travellers, with fully guided itineraries and ryokan stays with onsen bathing. Longer trips reaching Hiroshima cost more than compact eight-day routes. Spring cherry blossom season and autumn foliage months command higher rates than winter and summer. Accommodation standard, guiding level and group size drive the differences.
Ryokan stays near Lake Kawaguchi combine natural hot springs, sleeping on futons and wearing yukata with views of Mount Fuji. Kyoto's Sanjusangen-do Temple with its 1000 life-like statues provides depth beyond Tokyo's Sensoji Temple. Tea ceremony classes teach the art of matcha in traditional tea houses. Japanese calligraphy sessions add hands-on cultural learning. Longer tours include sumo encounters with Chanko-Nabe dinners. Each Japanese temple visit builds a layered picture of history and devotion.
Eight-day trips focus on Tokyo temples, Hakone onsen and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion, delivering the core cultural circuit. Fully guided group tours provide expert commentary at Meiji Shrine, Nijo Castle and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Partially guided trips offer free time for independent exploration while covering key sites with local guides. Most tours involve moderate walking of approximately 5 km per day. Traditional Japanese temple experiences such as Sanjusangen-do's thousand statues suit travellers seeking immersion without requiring prior knowledge.
Late March to early May brings cherry blossoms to Tokyo temples and Kyoto gardens. October and November deliver autumn foliage at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Both periods offer comfortable walking temperatures and lower rainfall than summer. December to February provides crisp, clear days and quieter temple visits at Kinkakuji and Sanjusangen-do. Summer heat and monsoon rains in June and July make touring more demanding. Spring and autumn fill quickly; winter offers fewer crowds and better onsen experiences in ryokan near Lake Kawaguchi.
Group tours accommodate 6 to 18 travellers and run as fully or partially guided itineraries. Fully guided trips provide expert commentary at Tokyo temples, Kyoto's Nijo Castle and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Partially guided tours cover key sites with local guides, leaving free time for independent exploration. Large coach tours carry up to 65 passengers over eight days with partial guiding. Group sizes and guiding levels vary by trip. All trips are run with trusted local partners who manage ryokan stays and temple visits.
Accommodation in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and other route cities is included, along with ryokan stays featuring natural hot springs and futon bedding. Temple entrance fees cover Sensoji Temple, Kinkakuji, Sanjusangen-do and Nijo Castle on most itineraries. Fully guided trips include expert commentary throughout. Train travel by shinkansen bullet train connects Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Tea ceremony classes, Japanese calligraphy sessions and sumo encounters with Chanko-Nabe dinners feature on longer trips. Flights to and from Japan are excluded.
Land of the Samurai covers Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Himeji, Miyajima, Hiroshima and Osaka over 12 days. The fully guided route includes Sensoji Temple, Kamakura's Big Buddha, Sanjusangen-do's thousand statues, Kinkakuji Temple and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Japan Uncovered runs 11 days with a similar corridor. Both trips are run with trusted local partners and accommodate groups of 16 to 18 travellers. Routes reaching Takayama's sake breweries and Koyasan Buddhist temples extend beyond the main Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima cultural corridor into rural Japan over 13 to 14 days.
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