Small Group 2025 Garden and Art Tours, Japan.
Enjoy a touch of luxury and award-winning Japanese gardens with personalized service and unforgettable adventures led by expert guides in a small group.
These Japanese garden tour itineraries will take you to a selection of some exceptional and ‘secret’ gardens that are often only accessible because our small group sizes of just 8 guests. The Japanese garden tours also introduce you to some stunning examples of Japanese art, both traditional and modern as well as Japanese garden art. Even the architecture of a number of the gallery buildings included in the tours are worth a visit in their own right too!
Guests on the Garden tours of Japan comment on the delightful all-round experiences of Japan that create lifetime memories for them. Their deep and lasting impression of the Japanese culture is part and parcel of engaging first-hand with Japanese artisans, talking to the chef who made your exquisitely prepared food and enjoying the magnificent gardens and art. Visiting many of Japan’s iconic sights rounds out your exceptional trip to Japan.
Tour Type
Signature
Our Signature tours offer the most comprehensive cultural exposure.
Discovery
Our Discovery tours provide up-and-close encounters with traditional life and natural landscapes into the more remote regions of Japan.
Comfort
With a focus on comfort and ease, our Comfort tours deliver an authentic experience with a few extra creature comforts to make for a more relaxed and supported trip.
Seasons
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Garden & Art Tours Features
2025 Season Japan Garden Tours
The itineraries of the Garden and Art Tours of Japan (Signature) which depart in May and October are selected to match pleasant warm weather. These tours are often been praised for the variety and undocumented little surprises.
The sister Garden and Art Spectacular Tour of Japan (Comfort) which depart in November include a more luxurious accommodation level and more private transport in the cities. These tours have an itinerary to target them more for the Fall colours. That extraordinary extra splash, from Japanese Autumn colours, makes even the best gardens in Japan seem twice as good.
There is a super treat on these Japanese Autumn Garden and Art tours is a visit to the small art island of Teshima in addition to Naoshima art island in the group often known as “The Japanese art islands”.
Why travel with us
At Journey to the East we are committed to providing authentic and most memorable experiences in Japan – for both Small Group Tours and custom-built Private Tours. Whether it is your first visit or you have been several times to Japan, you will always find something new and have special experiences with Journey to the East. Our travel style is chosen to immerse you in the culture and landscape of the country and expose you to a rich variety of unique experiences.
We do this by taking you beyond the tourist hotspots to explore the lesser-known parts of Japan. Our tours are designed to strike the right balance between the classic highlights and local secrets, the urban and the rural, the historic and the contemporary, and in doing so, reveal the true heart of Japan.
With Journey to the East, you will have fun and be safe on your deeply rewarding journey through this endlessly fascinating country!
We are specialists that just handle tours within one country, Japan. Whether you are from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand or beyond we meet you at the airport upon arrival into Japan and ensure a smooth and stress-free time in a foreign land.
Accommodation styles
Ryokans
Ryokans is a Japanese style accommodation, mostly consists of Japanese style rooms with tatami matt floor and futon bedding, and private ensuite. Some ryokans have a western style room with beds. A Japanese style room always has a low table and flat cushions to sit on, but the room may or may not have chairs. Most ryokans have an additional large public bath for guests and includes kaiseki style dinner. Breakfast can be Japanese style (rice, miso soup, fish etc.) or western style buffet.
Western Style Hotels
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Minshuku
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Shukubo (temple lodging)
The vast majority have Japanese style rooms and shared bathroom although there are limited number of temples with a western bedroom with ensuite. The stay at shukubo includes Buddhist vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Dinners are served early, around 5pm. They are run by monks, and facility and services are basic. Guests can attend morning service in the main hall.
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