Specialty Tours

Specialty Tours

These are small, escorted group tours that enable our guests to travel as “temporary Japanese” and to experience a true cultural immersion into Japanese traditions and hospitality. Our groups are small (maximum of 8 to 16 tour members depending on the itinerary) allowing us to stay in centrally-located, family-run lodging, use public transportation and eat in smaller, intimate restaurants that are off-limits to large groups.

We prefer to use traditional, Japanese style ryokans and smaller hotels that blend into the neighborhood rather than staying at large tourist hotels. We carefully select ryokans and hotels in the middle of the sights and culture rather than convenient to transportation hubs. (All of the ryokans and hotels we use, with the exception of the Buddhist temple on Koya-san have en-suite bathrooms with western-style toilets.)

We use only public transportation for these tours. We use the same trains, subways, buses, taxis and ferries that millions of Japanese use every day. By traveling this way, you will get much closer to the people and culture you traveled thousands of miles to discover. You won’t view Japan through a tour bus window on a whirlwind bus tour. And no trip to Japan is complete without at least one ride on the fast and convenient Shinkansens (bullet trains).

Since all of your group transportation costs, admission fees, all breakfasts, half of your lunches and dinners, tips and more are included, there are no hidden costs. And with our included tour cancellation/interruption protection coverage, your travel investment is protected giving you peace of mind.

These packages feature:

• Small groups (maximum of 8 to 16 tour members depending on the itinerary) with a friendly atmosphere
• Well-rounded and creative itineraries
• Experienced guides and tour leaders
• Centrally-located, family-run lodging
• Public transportation
• Well-balanced cultural activities
• Guaranteed prices with no hidden costs

If the fun, friendliness and flexibility of small, escorted group travel appeals to you, join us!