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Rural and Remote Tours of Japan
The 8-member 2024 Remote Japan Tours will let you discover Japan’s hidden rituals, unspoiled spectacular scenery and delightful local people.
Japan is much more than Tokyo, Kyoto, Takayama and Hiroshima. There are so many hidden treasures and unexplored destinations. Rural travel in Japan is expected to be even more popular in 2024. Journey to the East has conducted extensive research and site visits, and is best placed to take you on a remote Japan holiday, to experience the wonderful surprises of being off the beaten path and beyond popular tourist destinations.
You will feel the warm hospitality of local people in remote and rural areas of Japan such as Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Hokuriku, the west coast of Honshu, or in Tohoku, the northern part of Honshu.
You may not find cappuccino at breakfast, a convenience store at every corner or western style hotels and western restaurants in town. However, you may meet giggling school children on a way to school, friendly farmers happy to share fresh harvest with you or devout pilgrims at a sacred mountain.
The range of themes from cherry blossoms to food and walking offer exceptional exposure to Japan’s amazingly pristine nature, rural villages and countryside scenery. They will reward you with life-long memories.
For something special and unusual one of the remote and rural tours of Japan definitely the way to go.
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
Sort by Tour Type
14 day tour
2024 Snow Spectacular Tour of Japan
This tour through Japan’s spectacular winter landscape has it all; the Sapporo Snow Festival, snow monkeys, dancing red-crested cranes, even an icebreaker ride.
Next Departure 24th Jan, 2024
15 day tour
2023 White Christmas Tour of Japan
Ever dreamt of fresh powder snow and perhaps making a snowman on Christmas Day? This tour is designed to travel Japan in the winter season experiencing a peaceful White Christmas as well as the traditional festive atmosphere towards the New Year in Japan.
Next Departure 15th Dec, 2023
14 day tour
2024 Food and Cherry Blossom Tour of Kyushu, Japan
An exceptional 14-day culinary journey across Japan’s southern island of Kyushu in spring – meet local farmers and innovative chefs, eat at Michelin restaurants and local street carts, and visit centuries-old producers of Japanese sake and premium green tea
Next Departure 24th Mar, 2024
13 day tour
2024 Cherry Blossom Tour of Northern Japan
Experience the late-blooming cherry blossoms on this spectacular journey through the rural heartland of Northern Japan in spring – discover the proud samurai heritage and unique traditions of Tohoku plus the stunning natural landscapes and old trading ports of Hokkaido
Next Departure 16th Apr, 2024
14 day tour
2024 Cherry Blossom Tour of Sea of Japan Coast
An exhilarating adventure along the spectacular Sea of Japan coast at cherry blossom time, packed full of unique immersive experiences during the trip.
Next Departure 31st Mar, 2024
13 day tour
2024 Food Tour of Hokkaido Japan
Seafood, dairy, wagyu beef, rice, fruit and vegetables, sake and whiskey, from Michelin-starred restaurants to ramen and street food, the 2024 Food Tour of Hokkaido Japan has it all! The tour also includes many personal experiences such as cooking traditional dishes with fishermen’s wives. Definitely, the Hokkaido Tour to brag about!
Next Departure 4th Jun, 2024
13 day tour
2024 Food Tour of Kyushu, Japan in Autumn
A gastronomic adventure through the island of Kyushu, fast-becoming Japan’s foodie destination for its fresh produce and culinary tradition and innovation.
Next Departure 17th Nov, 2024
12 day tour
2024 Autumn Tour of Japan’s Wild West
See some of the most remote and rugged areas of Japan in the fall. Japanese National Parks, Japan Alps including pristine Kamikochi. A tour to experience the dramatic landscapes of Japan from its tallest mountains to the deepest gorge.
Next Departure 5th Nov, 2024
8 day tour
2024 Walking Tour of Nagano & Japan Alps
This walking tour takes you to some of Japan’s most pristine and stunning remote landscapes, with the Japanese Alps high above you and at the peak of autumn too. The brilliant autumn colours will take your breath away on a variety of short walks (8-10km) through the national parks and small villages.
Next Departure 14th Oct, 2024
More about japan
Remote Japan Tours Features
The Remote Japan tours are tours that may also appear under different sections (Autumn, Food, Walking etc). These trips are listed as Remote Japan Tours because they operate predominantly in parts of Japan that are not typically visited by large numbers of tourists or offer some unusual experiences peculiar to remote parts of Japan.
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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