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    Explore our summer Small Group Tours in Japan

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    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

    Click to view a calendar listing all 2025 and 2026 Japan tour departures

    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.

    Download your brochure today

    Explore our latest brochure for Japan holiday inspiration

    • Download a copy
    Tours by date Small Group Tours styles explained

    Filter Results by Small Group Tour Style:

    • Filter by style
      • All styles
      • IJT Essential
      • IJT Classic
      • IJT All-Inclusive
      • IJT Superior
      • About IJT Styles

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      • Price
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    Japan Unmasked

    Small Group TourIJT Essential

    Japan Unmasked

    • Tokyo
    • Nagano
    • Matsumoto
    • Takayama
    • Kanazawa
    • Kyoto
    • Hiroshima
    • Kurashiki
    • Tokyo

    Our Insiders describe Japan Unmasked as a bit like an introductory sampling platter of all Japanese culture – experiencing the best that Japan has to offer, including those places you may not have heard of. So you can explore those in-between places where so much of Japanese life happens.

    13 Nights: from AU$7130

    Trip Code: JU

    Departure Months:

    • FEB
    • MAR
    • APR
    • MAY
    • JUN
    • JUL
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    Tokaido Trail

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$4736

    Trip Code: TT

    Departure Months:

    • MAR
    • APR
    • MAY
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    Classic Japan

    Small Group TourIJT Classic

    Classic Japan

    • Tokyo
    • Hakone
    • Osaka
    • Kyoto
    • Takayama
    • Japan Alps
    • Tokyo

    Classic Japan combines the famous cultural sights of Japan with the staggering natural beauty of its mountainous region. You'll visit the “golden route”: Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone, but also spend four days in the beautiful Japan Alps – including Kamikochi National Park, a place we think is a contender for one of the most stunning on Earth.

    13 Nights: from AU$10595

    Trip Code: CJ

    Departure Months:

    • APR
    • MAY
    • JUN
    • JUL
    • AUG
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    All-In Japan

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$13661

    Trip Code: AIJ

    Departure Months:

    • MAR
    • APR
    • MAY
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    A Northern Soul

    Small Group TourIJT Classic

    A Northern Soul

    • Tokyo
    • Nikko
    • Hiraizumi
    • Naruko Onsen
    • Kesennuma
    • Sendai
    • Niigata
    • Sado Island
    • Tokyo

    A Northern Soul takes you away from the well-worn tourist route and into Japan's northern landscapes and communities. If you've got a sense of adventure and a desire to get deeper into everyday Japanese culture, this is your tour.  

    14 Nights: from AU$10952

    Trip Code: ANS

    Departure Months:

    • MAY
    • JUN
    • SEPT
    • OCT

    Read more >
    Hidden Japan

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$10448

    Trip Code: HJ

    Departure Months:

    • MAR
    • APR
    • MAY
    • JUN
    • AUG
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    Majestic Japan

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$15803

    Trip Code: MJ

    Departure Months:

    • MAR
    • APR
    • MAY
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    Must-see Japan

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$5324

    Trip Code: MSJ

    Departure Months:

    • JAN
    • FEB
    • MAR
    • APR
    • MAY
    • JUN
    • JUL
    • SEPT
    • OCT
    • NOV
    • DEC

    Read more >
    Winter Highlights

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$11519

    Trip Code: WH

    Departure Months:

    • JAN
    • FEB

    Read more >
    Autumn Elegance

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$10038

    Trip Code: AE

    Departure Months:

    • OCT
    • NOV

    Read more >
    Spring Elegance

    Small Group TourIJT 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 AU$11907

    Trip Code: SE

    Departure Months:

    • MAR
    • APR

    Read more >

    Small Group Tour Styles

    We have divided our range of Small Group Tours into five categories to help you select the most suitable tour for you.

    IJT Essential

    Flexible, fast-paced tours. Just the basics included, keeping the cost down so you can choose how much you spend

    Style Facts

    • 3-star accommodation
    • En suite rooms in Western-style hotels, shared bathroom facilities in Japanese-style inns
    • Shared shuttle bus transfer from airport to hotel on arrival and airport limousine bus transfer on departure
    • Breakfast every day plus one or two evening meals
    • Entrance fees not included
    • Carry your own luggage
    • Solo travellers: 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

    IJT Classic

    Mid-range tours that cover Japan’s classic sights or interest-specific itineraries (e.g. hiking, cultural activities, specific regions)

    Style Facts

    • 3.5-star accommodation
    • En suite rooms in all locations (except at some unique traditional accommodation)
    • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
    • Breakfast every day plus some lunches & dinners
    • Selected entrance fees included
    • Selected luggage forwarding included
    • Solo travellers: a single room is available throughout on payment of a mandatory supplement

    IJT All-Inclusive

    Explore Japan’s classic sights and lesser-known spots secure in the knowledge that every cost is included – from your lunch to your luggage handling.

    Style Facts

    • Local professional guides & experts in key destinations (in addition to your tour leader)
    • 4-star accommodation
    • En-suite rooms in all locations
    • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
    • All transport between destinations (mainly by private coach but with at least one bullet train journey)
    • All meals and some drinks included
    • A mix of sightseeing and hands-on activities
    • Evening entertainment at several destinations
    • All entrance fees included
    • Luggage handling between all destinations
    • Guaranteed maximum of 16 travellers
    • Solo travellers: a single room is available throughout on payment of a mandatory supplement

    IJT Superior

    High-quality accommodation, several meals & entrance fees included, in-depth cultural immersion

    Style Facts

    • Local professional guides in key destinations (in addition to your tour leader)
    • Some private minibus transfers where beneficial
    • 4 to 5-star accommodation
    • En suite rooms in all locations
    • Private airport transfers
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners
    • Most entrance fees included
    • Selected luggage forwarding included
    • Solo travellers: a single room is available throughout on payment of a mandatory supplement

    Contact us

    • GB Inside Japan UK office

      + 44 117 244 3380
    • US Inside Japan US office

      + 1 303 952 0379
    • AUS Inside Japan Australia office

      + 61 7 3186 8800
    • JAP Inside Japan - Japan office

      + 81 52 253 6068

    ABTA: Travel with confidence ASTA: American Society of Travel Agents Click for the Business Review of Inside Japan Tours, a Japan Specialist Tour Operator in Boulder CO ATOL: Air Travel Organisers Licensing ATAS AFTA AITO: Association of Independent Tour Operators ABTOT: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust JATA logo ACTA logo

    Download a brochure or enquire today

    If you'd like any help or want to know more about Japan, feel free to either enquire today, give our Japan travel experts a call, or why not download our beautiful Japan brochure.

    Download a brochure Make an enquiry
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