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Japan
“The team’s in-depth knowledge of Japan was second to none, as was their professionalism & attention to detail.”
Jill Shaw -
Discover Japanese craftmanship at its finest on this fascinating tour of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu where you visit master artisans of pottery, textile, woodcraft, papermaking and sword making
Next Departure 14th Apr, 2025
An ultimate off-the-beaten-track tour of Japan in spring to view spectacular cherry blossoms along the Sea of Japan coast, packed full of unique immersive experiences, accommodation and food.
Next Departure 3rd Apr, 2025
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Japan Tour Specialists
Unparalleled knowledge and network in Japan to deliver truly unique guided tours of Japan
Each 2023/24 Japan tour offers the discerning traveller much more than just travelling through Japan as a tourist. You will discover the hidden gems that reveal the true heart of Japan. By striking a balance between classic highlights and local secrets, urban and rural, historic and contemporary you will have a fun, safe, and deeply rewarding holiday in this endlessly fascinating country!
What makes Journey to the East tours unique?
Off-the-Beaten-Path Itineraries
Japan specialists who know Japan like back of their hands. You will experience the real Japan as our itineraries are crafted by our Japan specialists.
Peace of Mind
Member of AFTA and hold both ATAS and CATO accreditation. Recognised by JNTO. Running for over 11 years.
Value for Money
Discover the ultimate value in our Japan tours, with an outstanding guest feedback rating of 4.9 out of 5. Every dollar you spend goes straight towards your unforgettable tour experience. Say goodbye to intermediaries.
Security
A wholly owned subsidiary in Japan to deliver your tour to the standard of quality we set, and our guests are in the hands of Journey to the East from start to finish (not passed on to third party operators).
Sustainability
Offering small group sizes reduces the impact on local resources. We also support local businesses with environmental initiatives.
Boutique Accommodation,
Restaurants & Activities
Experience small locally owned accommodation, restaurants and activities. These are not well known to the mass tourists.
You have two Japan tours option available
Enjoy a more intimate and personalized journey through Japan
Enjoy a more intimate and personalised journey through Japan with our extra small group tour format.
- Travel with like-minded travellers, which is more fun
- Small group size of 6-10 people enables visits sites often off-limits to larger groups
- Flexibility to add to the tours for travellers’ specific interests
- Proven itineraries that have been carefully designed to capture the Japanese magic
- Supported by expert guides throughout for ease of travel and security
- Great value for money with most meals and activities included.
Perfect for: individuals and couples
Want something tailor-made for you?
Enjoy a tailor-made tour of Japan that we create from the ground-up.
- Completely customisable and extremely popular
- Everything is your choice, from the length of your stay in Japan, to accommodation type and activities
- Decide what time of year you want to travel
- Incorporate special needs and wishes for your Japan trip
- We also offer sample Japan travel itineraries as a starting point, which you can modify it to suit your needs
- Create your personal holiday to Japan to suit your budget.
Perfect for: families, friends, clubs, or corporate groups
Our experience with Journey to the East is that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or do another trip with them or recommend them to people with similar interests to us.
5/5
Trip date: June 2023
Stuart Christie
New Zealand
Journey to the East has put a huge amount of research into providing a true ‘holiday of a lifetime’ experience with no stone unturned to ensure their clients dreams are fulfilled. A 11 out 10.
5/5
Trip date: June 2023
Peter Canham
New Zealand
For anyone interested in seeing and experiencing the best of Japan, Journeys to the East is the go-to tour company, with the most wonderful guides, great planning and organisation, and the best all-round, guaranteed fabulous experiences!
5/5
Trip date: April 2023
John Bates
Australia
This is our second trip with Journey to the East and we can’t recommend them highly enough . The guides and the attention to detail were fantastic.
5/5
Trip date: April 2023
Alan Meads
Australia
If you want to really see the real Japan you can’t do better that to travel with Journeys to the East.
5/5
Trip date: April 2023
Sandra Parker
Australia
Journey to the East excelled again. This was our second trip with them and we couldn’t speak highly enough of them. Their attention to detail is second to none. We’ll be back for a third time!
5/5
Trip date: April 2023
Jill Shaw
Australia
Journeys to the East provides exceptional experience, local guides and all the attention to detail you would need to have a fantastic holiday in Japan.
5/5
Trip date: March 2023
Robyn Kennedy
Australia
Without hesitation I would thoroughly recommend JttE to anyone considering Japan. They have near all-inclusive tours and great itineraries. To those wanting a feel for Japan I would recommend the Signature tours as you get to travel like the locals and great but not 5 star hotels.
5/5
Trip date: March 2023
Colin Thorburn
Australia
We have traveled to Japan with Journey to the East on two occasions, Autumn Leaves and Cherry Blossom & Food tours.
Their itineraries, accommodations and guides attention to detail ensured an absolutely fabulous holiday each time.
5/5
Trip date: March 2023
Reginald Toohey
Australia
This is my third tour with Journey to the East. In 2023 I will take my fourth tour as they have all been excellent.
5/5
Trip date: October 2022
Bill Mackay
Australia
The tour exceeded our expectation and will be remembered for the best tour of our lives.
5/5
Trip date: November 2022
Ian Woodroffe
UK
I highly recommend touring with JttE. From the first contact they were quick to respond and helpful. They provided a spectacular tour, covering all aspects so efficiently. They arranged my extra accommodation and transport and ensured I not only had all tickets needed but had clear instructions to make it all so easy and stress free.
5/5
Trip date: January 2023
Sheryl Collins
New Zealand
Thank you for the impeccable standard of customer service you and the whole team provided to us, from my initial enquiry to our last day. If you are considering a trip to Japan – Journey to the East should be your 1st consideration, you won’t be disappointed.
5/5
Trip date: December 2022
Anna Frank
Australia
This tour changed our perceptions of what group tours can offer. The quality of accommodation, tour guides, food and the overall itinerary were professional and individualised. I cannot praise enough, the professionalism of the tour guides who managed to navigate our small group around Japan.
5/5
Trip date: December 2022
Deborah Armour
Australia
I would be very happy to recommend Journey to the East Tour company to anyone wanting a small group tour with superb variety in art, gardens, food and Japanese experiences. Terrific trip.
4/5
Trip date: October 2022
Bronwyn Chapman
New Zealand
JTTE were very helpful and informative throughout the booking process. The tour itself was great and covered a wide variety of art venues and gardens and the local guides were all very helpful, informative and pleasant. It was also nice to travel in a smaller group. I would happily recommend JTTE to anyone thinking of travelling to Japan.
5/5
Trip date: November 2022
Catherine Morris
UK
What a phenomenal tour of the northern Japan countryside,
where we enjoyed exceptional food and meeting the local
people who are passionate about what they do. We got a true
flavor of country living and the farm-to-table foods of the
area. Thank you, JttE!!!!
5/5
Trip date: September 2022
Teresa & Curt Flory
USA
This is the 3rd tour I have taken with Journey to the East. The itineraries have all been well thought out so you end up with a much better appreciation of Japan after each tour.
5/5
Trip date: October 2022
William Mackay
Australia
The team at Journey to the East pulled off the impossible in arranging a short notice trip to the very best of Japan for me and my family this summer. They dealt with the logistics and bureaucracy very quickly (less than a month) and their paperwork enabled us to get visas and start the trip on our preferred date with no fuss. Their guides were a joy to work with and were all knowledgeable, and extremely well organised, as well as charming the whole (demanding and diverse) family group. Thank you for making this a memorable summer.
5/5
Trip date: September 2022
Catriona Syed
UK
I was a little concerned about the cost but having experienced the superb arrangements and organisation I would say that this trip was very good value for the money. In a lifetime of travelling this would be by far the best organised experience overall.
5/5
Trip date: 2019