FAQ

First of all, we only do tours of Japan. We know where to go, what to see, and how to travel, so you don’t have to worry about food, hotels, restaurants, or transportation. With us by your side, all you have to do is get to Japan, and we take care of the rest!

You travel with us in small groups, so you can enjoy family-run, local restaurants and a flexible itinerary and daily schedule.

Watch our video to learn more about how our tours are different.

In our experience, the most memorable things people talk about is visiting the small towns and seeing everyday life in Japan.

We design our tours so you not only visit the major sites, but also experience everyday life by dining at locally owned restaurants, walking neighborhood streets, and riding the unbelievably clean trains and subways. We travel in a very small group, not on a coach bus!

If you are open-minded, flexible, have a genuine interest in learning about Japanese culture, and really want to experience Japan, then this is the tour for you!

Watch our video to learn more about how our tours are different.

We know you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. That is why we keep our groups so small. We limit each tour to only 8 participants. This allows us to have more flexibility, personalized attention, and the ability to customize tours to match the preferences of the group.

It is your choice to stay with the group as much or as little as you like. You are free to go out on your own at anytime.

We (Becki and Shawn) lead all the tours. We will personally meet you at the airport, show you around Japan, and share our extensive first-hand knowledge of the country and its culture ​based on our 20+ years of living, working, and traveling in Japan.

We generally do not hire tour guides, unless requested or when we feel they can provide a better explanation of an area. However, our guests tend to prefer our relaxed approach to seeing the sites rather than having information overload.

Japan is a walking country, so bring a good pair of shoes and be ready to do a lot walking! On average, we walk around 5 to 6 miles each day, at a reasonable pace. There may also be inclines and stairs on some days.

The price includes all accommodations, land transportation, entrance fees for the listed attractions, and breakfast each morning.

Included Meals: Breakfast each morning, plus…

• 8-day Intro to Japan Tour: 2-3 included dinners
• 10-day Highlights of Japan Tour: 3-4 included dinners
• 12-day Explore Japan Tour: 3-4 included dinners
• 15-day Discover Japan Tour: 4-5 included dinners

The price does not include airfare to and from Japan, travel insurance, or meals other than those specified in the itinerary.

We recommend budgeting $60 per person per day for meals, entertainment, and souvenir shopping.

The hotels are modern with western amenities, 3-star or better. The rooms may be smaller than in your country, but they are clean, quiet, and comfortable. All hotel rooms include private bathroom. All double occupancy rooms have two beds and a private bath. Single occupancy rooms may have one or two beds and a private bath.

The traditional Japanese ryokan has tatami flooring, futon beds (on the floor), and a private bath.

The Buddhist temple lodging is similar to a traditional Japanese ryokan, but does not have a private bath.

The modern Japanese ryokan has tatami flooring, two beds (off the floor), and a private bath.

We recommend bringing one suitcase per person plus one carry-on bag, which can be used as a day pack or overnight bag.

We do not go sightseeing with suitcases. We travel with luggage to the next hotel and then store all the bags at the hotel before going sightseeing. Because we travel on trains with luggage, it is best if you can lift your suitcase over your head to fit in the overhead storage.

If you would rather not travel with luggage, you can opt for a baggage delivery service. The service is approximately 2,000 yen per suitcase and your bags will arrive the next day.

Tours to Japan are in high demand, so it is best to book your tour as soon as possible. There is limited availability and we offer spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours typically close 60 days before the starting date.

Most of our participants are from the United States. Because we are American, it is easy for us to relate to other Americans and explain Japanese culture compared to our culture.

We do accept bookings from other countries, but you must be open-minded, flexible, and easy-going. Our tours are very personal and we want to make sure it is a good fit for you and the group.

Yes! We’d love to show you and your family, friends, or co-workers around Japan. All of our tours are available as private tours. Contact us for details.

Yes, you can! In addition to fully escorted small group tours, we also offer Japan Travel Planning Services. We can setup a one-on-one consultation and help you plan an itinerary around your interests and budget.

We meet all tour members at Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). If you prefer to fly into a different airport, please contact us and we can discuss it in further detail.

If you are ready to join a tour, please fill out and submit the online Registration Form. After registering, we can hold your place on the tour for 7 days without any commitment.