japan custom tours nz

• Best of Japan
• May 2025 Spring Tours
• Autumn Colors Tour 2025
• 2025 Cherry Blossom Tours
• Japan Grand Tour
• Remote Japan
• Intro to Japan
• Tokyo Day Tours & Day Trips
• Booking Inquiry

Japan Custom Tours - 2019 Calendar

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At different times of the year our tours get fully booked.  This is particularly true with the popular cherry blossom season (March and April), and also for viewing the autumn leaves in November.  To help you plan your trip to Japan and to select dates to either join an existing tour, or reserve your own tour (either as part of a group or an exclusive/private tour) the following calendar indicates our open dates in green, fully booked in red and tour groups with available spaces in orange along with an indication of where we will be.

• What are Escorted Custom Tours?
• Future Scheduled Tours
• Feedback from our guests
• Some travel tips for a smooth journey in Japan
• Photos from our tours of Japan - what you can expect
• Booking Inquiry

Travel to Japan - Custom Tours

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• Learn about our custom tours    
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• Travelling in Japan with JCT    
• FAQ   
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• About Us    

At Japan Custom Tours we do not do other destinations, just Japan.  We deliver a personal service for our guests that is matched to their requirements.  This could be a simple tour covering the high points of Tokyo and Kyoto, or a more complex schedule taking in particular events, sights and cities.  We can lead you along the well worn paths, or off the beaten track to more rural and remote areas, depending on what you want.

By working with you we can tailor your visit to Japan so that you get more of what you want.  This includes drawing on our experience travelling extensively across the country and helping identify top activities, unique experiences and steering you away from the over-rated tourist spots that sometimes make it into guidebooks.  We work on understanding what you like and focus on the elements that will provide you with an amazing and memorable trip to Japan.

Our speciality is customized tours, putting together the necessary elements that often start with a vague plan or a list of destinations.  We organise your accommodation, transport and things to do each day according to your interests.  Operating a flexible schedule allows you to add in or substitute different things depending on the opportunities that present themselves.  The pre-planning and on-the ground personal service saves you time and money, allowing you to get more out of your vacation in Japan.

What are escorted custom tours?

Our simple philosophy is to share with our guests the aspects, sights and experiences of Japan that we love.  To achieve that, we created Japan Custom Tours to help you experience the uniqueness of the country without many of the hurdles that separate the average tourist from the rich experiences that are available.   

Either as part of a small group, or with the option to make your trip a private escorted tour, we can help you with where to go when you decide to go to Japan.  We are passionate about Japan and the experiences and opportunities that it provides.  To enable English speaking visitors to experience the country up close and personal, we keep our groups deliberately small (ten people maximum) as this allows everyone the time they want to take their time to enjoy their journey.  Because we travel with you our role is to help you get the most out of your vacation.  This includes taking care of many time consuming items, often small things, saving you time and pre-arranging activities, transport and more.  We also take time to learn what you like and are interested in, sometimes adjusting the schedule so you get to experience something special or find an elusive souvenir for you. 

The core functions that we do are:

Working with you to design a schedule that includes the things you want to do and see while in Japan.  Most of the effort for your tour is done prior to your arrival.

We organise your accommodation using our knowledge of Japanese hotels and ryokan across the country, finding properties that suit our guests, good locations and superior options based on our first-hand experience to ensure suitable locations, service and comfort.

We organise tickets for things like the Japan rail pass.  For special events or restaurant bookings we book ahead, especially for high demand events.  While we cannot guarantee tickets, we will do our best, especially for popular events. 

We travel with you, providing continuity from when you arrive in Japan until you leave.  We provide assistance to you for the duration of your trip, both during the sightseeing part of the day and often with many behind-the-scenes details to help you trip run smoothly.

Because our tours are designed for small groups, we have flexibility to add in activities or you can take a break from the planned schedule.  You can have time to explore on your own, or spend the day and evening finding out what makes Japan such a fun place to visit.  We do not leave you to fend for yourselves at the end of the day, as food and dinner options can be one of the highlights of the trip (and the occasional late nights too).

One way to illustrate our approach to Japan is to view a JCT tour through the eyes of our guests.  For one of our customised trips we were fortunate to have a keen people that made a video diary of their journey across their three week trip.  They kindly provided a copy and you can view a copy by clicking on one of the two following icons.

Benefits to you

While every group and guest is different there are some common themes that emerge that we help most people with.  Typical examples of what we do, we:

Getting from A to B.  We are skilled at managing people and their luggage on the excellent train network and because we cover a lot of the country, know how to get you (and your luggage) easily from a Tokyo rush-hour to a small mountain village with the minimum of fuss. 

We also know the best transport options to get between different sites, using taxis or trains (as the default), and less common the bus network (because we know you did not come to Japan to spend an hour waiting for a bus in Kyoto, or getting stuck in traffic in Tokyo). 

Standing in queues to purchase tickets allowing you to actually be a tourist during your trip.

Meeting you at the airport.  Transfers are an important part of our service and introducing you to how Japan works with a low stress hotel transfer after a long flight.

Finding meal options that suit you, and that can include ordering or recommending different dishes.

And providing information on different aspects of culture, history, etiquette and any other questions that you might have, both for the sights that we visit or on general.

Future Tour Dates

Not ready to plan your own action packed adventure? Have a look at the pre-prepared itineraries or the schedule of our next tours for some inspiration and ideas of how you could make the most of your time in Japan. 

Introduction to Japan

We have developed this short Japan travel package covering seven days and six nights to provide a quick introduction covering selected major sights in Tokyo and Kyoto.  The schedule allows flexibility to add additional days either side of the tour to include extra features or places that you want to explore.  We can provide this tour to suit your dates (minimum four people).

For a more detailed itinerary, please click here .

Best of Japan

For those with a bit more time to visit Japan, this two week escorted tour of Japan provides a range of highlights and experiences.  The schedule allows flexibility to include different locations, sights and activities depending on your interests or places that you want to explore.   We can provide this tour to suit your dates.

For 2025 we have two scheduled "Best of Japan Tours" with committed departure dates (extra pre and post tour days are possible. 

• Saturday 24th May to Friday 6th June .

Cherry blossom viewing - April 2025

Hanami (literally "flower see") is the Japanese word for cherry blossom viewing.  People enjoy looking at and photographing the blooms during the daytime and also the evenings, and blossom viewing outdoor picnics are held, regardless of the cold. (Hot One Cup Sake in a can is a popular drink in the evening!) Peak viewing season is typically the first week of April for places like Tokyo and Kyoto, but we take pride in finding tranquil and uncrowded spots for our guests to enjoy the blossom season across the full March and April season.  

Japan cherry blossom tours are very popular some of our cherry blossom tours sold-out several months in advance.  For 2025 we are running our "Classic" blossom tour chasing the cherry blossom across Japan and an early blossom two covering two weeks in March. 

For more information on the tours see our 2025 Sakura tours page for an indication of what you can expect for 2025.  A copy of the Spring 2024 brochure can be downloaded here .

Japan in May 

For May the weather starts to warm up and it is a nice time of the year to travel before the heat of the summer kicks in.  We have hosted several interesting custom trips during May and into June, and we often re-run tours similar to the tours we have offered during May in the past. 

Those schedules included the many of the beautiful gardens of Japan as well as an excursion to the historic areas or Kurashiki and Naoshima Island.  Other locations include the historic cultural capital Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takayama in the Japanese Alps and of course the huge modern metropolis that is Tokyo. Check our May'25 Tour page for more details.

Autumn Leaf Viewing - Nov 2025

Autumn is the second most popular season to visit Japan.  With the weather more settled and warmer than early spring, the leaf viewing season (koyo) lasts a little longer and presents more vibrant colours across the parks, hillsides and mountains. We are planning two main tours across the end of October and through November based on our experiences from previous years.  Check out our current schedule for November 2025 .

A Japan Grand Tour - longer trips

Previously we have organised an extended " Grand Tour" covering the 30 days of September and repeated a similar course the following year covering 35 days.  More recently we completed a 30-day trip across November 2022 following the re-opening of Japan after the pandemic had closed borders to tourists for two and a half years.  We have another long trip (23-days) "off the beaten path" tour planned for Oct/Nov 2024 and again in 2025. 

We design our "Grand Tours" to include an interesting mix of locations ranging from traditional experiences through to the modern, industrial Japan of today.  This allows guests to enjoy a range of famous, historic and noteworthy sights that showcase the variety and beauty of the country. 

These extensive tours allow you to experience a wide variety of what Japan has to offer.  Customisation remains an important element for these trips so discuss with us what you would like to do.  We run our Grand Tour on request (schedule permitting) and can be a good option for a couple looking to explore more of Japan.  Contact us for options.

We are offer these trips based on guest requirements.  Check our Grand Tour page for some additional details and inspiration.

Remote Japan - Off the beaten track

The concept behind the Remote Japan tours is to head to the non-touristy places, away from the crowds and to some of the less travelled parts of the country.  Our the feedback from our guests is that these experiences provide a more intimate and genuine window into the country, culture and scenic beauty.  

For a more information, please click here .

Previous Tours and Feedback

We have a sample of earlier tours and what people had to say about their experiences .  You can also check our reviews on TripAdvisor .

Send mail to [email protected] with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright 2014 Last modified: 1 July 2024

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Japan Tours

We have 0  to Japan

Japan is one of the booming areas for Australian travellers and it is not hard to see why. From buzzing metropolises, alpine mountain passes, serene temples and shrines and picture-perfect gardens, our Japan tours cover all the bases.

Perhaps escorted group travel is not your cup of sake – we have independent travel tours to all major cities in Japan, or we can create something unique from scratch for you.

Japan Tours ( 29 )

Japan Uncovered

• Fully Inclusive Touring with Guides and entrance fees
• Flights International flights and current taxes
• Physical Rating 1 i Walking, some steps and time on your feet.
• Discover historic Kyoto & Nara
• Reflect in Hiroshima & Miyajima
• Admire beautiful Mount Fuji
• See the snow monkeys
• Feel the rush of Tokyo & Osaka
• Explore Kanazawa & Takayama

Discover Japan

• Feel the rush of Tokyo
• Admire great Mount Fuji
• Be charmed by Kyoto
• Visit Buddhist Koyasan
• See ancient Nara
• Explore the Japanese Alps

Jewels of Japan

• Puzzle over Ryoanji
• Reflect in Hiroshima
• Explore relaxed Miyajima

A Week In Japan

• Stroll through vibrant Tokyo
• Discover Kyoto's temples
• Explore historic Nara
• Experience the super-fast bullet train

Japan by Rail

• Reflect in Nagasaki & Hiroshima
• Admire Kyoto's temples
• Search for the snow monkeys
• Explore bustling Tokyo
• Discover Sendai & Hakodate
• Spend time in Sapporo

Experience Japan

• Discover delightful Nara
• Visit Matsumoto & Osaka castles
• Explore Arashiyama bamboo forest
• See Kamakura's Grand Buddha
• View the impressive Mt Fuji

Off-Beat Japan

• Physical Rating 3 i Longer walking and gentle paced physical activities.
• Take a Taiko drumming class
• Walk around Mount Fuji’s base
• Stay at a traditional ryokan
• Explore sacred Koyasan
• Chant with Buddhist monks

Journey through Japan

• Discover Hokkaido's nature
• Explore vibrant Sapporo
• Spend time in Hakodate
• See Tokyo's bright lights
• Gaze at Mount Fuji
• Uncover Kyoto's past

Japan & the Scenic South

• Explore charming Fukuoka
• Discover Kumamoto
• See the impressive Mount Aso
• Admire Kyoto's past

Ancient Empires of China & Japan

• Discover historic Beijing
• See the Terracotta Warriors
• Admire Shanghai's bright lights

Best of Japan

• Ascend the slopes of Mt Fuji and take a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi
• Meet the adorable Snow Monkeys in Yudanaka
• Learn washi paper making and visit a miso house and a wasabi farm
• Wander through the thatched-roof village of Shirakawago
• Stop in amazement at the dramatic flair of the Matsumoto Castle
• Watch as water laps over the iconic Itsukushima Shrine

Essence of South Korea & Japan

• Explore bustling Seoul
• Visit historic Gyeongju
• Discover picturesque Busan

Osaka to Seoul

• Sail from Tokyo to Seoul ,Explore Kyoto's timeless temples ,Gaze on Japan's most iconic sight, magnificent Mount Fuji ,Explore the vibrant city of Seoul

Singapore to Tokyo

• Sail from Singapore to Kobe ,Explore Kyoto's timeless temples ,Watch the adorable snow monkeys bathe in their hot spring pool ,Gaze on Japan's most iconic sight, magnificent Mount Fuji ,

Christmas in Japan

• Spend Christmas in charming Kyoto,Explore the bright lights of Tokyo,Admire beautiful Mount Fuji,Relax in a rejuvenating onsen,Discover traditional Shirakawago ,Uncover Nara’s long history,

Christmas in Japan 2024

Japan by Land & Sea

• Sail from Kobe to Tokyo ,Ascend Tokyo's towering Skytree ,Explore Kyoto's culture treasures ,Watch the adorable snow monkeys bathe in their hot spring pool

China by Land, Japan by Sea

• Sail a route that starts and ends in Shanghai ,Walk on China's most iconic sight, the Great Wall ,Discover more about the mysterious Terracotta Army ,Visit the playful pandas of Chengdu

Japan Impressions

Tokyo & Mount Fuji

• Take in the peaceful serenity of the Hamarikyu Gardens
• Cruise on the Sumida River for stunning panoramic views of Tokyo
• Visit Mount Fuji, synonymous with Japan and the most iconic destination in the country

Hiroshima & Miyajima

• Peace Park and Museum
• Hiroshima Castle
• Itsukushima Shrine

Snow Monkeys Extension

• Explore the historic Zenkoji Temple
• Stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan
• Relax in hot spring baths
• Meet the famous Japanese Macaques
• Admire the quaint old town of Obuse

Sapporo & Otaru

• Explore Hokkaido Museum,
• Visit Sapporo Beer Museum
• Relax in Otaru
• Visit the Nikka Whiskey factory

Naoshima Extension

• Stroll Bikans Historical Quarter
• Spend the day in Kurashiki
• Explore art museums
• Relax on Naoshima Island

Nikko & Kamakura

• Visit Toshogu Shrine
• View Kegon Falls,
• Discover Kamakura's temples
• See the 11m tall bronze Buddha statue

Koyasan Short Stay

Tokyo Short Stay

• Visit the tranquil Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Explore quirky Harajuku
• Discover beautiful Kamakura
• See the Great Buddha at Kotokuin

Kyoto Short Stay

• Admire beautiful Kodaiji Temple
• Explore Kyoto's geisha district
• See impressive Heian Shrine
• Stroll the Philosopher's Path

Nara Short Stay

• View the eminent Todaji
• Wander beautiful Nara Park
• See lovely Kasuga Shrine
• Visit Meji-era Isuien Garden

Japan Tour Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 5253 reviews

Your Details

Thank you for your enquiry regarding one of our tours or destinations.

One of our expert Personal Travel Consultants will be in touch shortly by email or telephone to discuss your holiday requirements further.

We hope to welcome you on a tour soon, Wendy Wu Tours

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