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Spring brings cherry blossoms and mild temperatures. Autumn is known for crisp air and colorful foliage. Summer and winter offer festivals, mountain scenery, and hot spring experiences.
High-speed Shinkansen bullet trains and regional rail lines connect major cities and scenic regions efficiently, allowing travelers to see more without long drives.
Bring your appetite and sense of adventure. UNESCO recognizes washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Expect artfully prepared dishes featuring rice, fish, vegetables, and carefully prepared broths.
Tour Manager
Yoshiko lives in Japan and guides our tours. One of her favorite moments on our Cultural Treasures of Japan journey is the visit to the Senso-ji Buddhist temple because it was a monk in that temple who gave her her name. Her poignant story dates back to 1923. Sharing her home with you isn't just her job — it's her passion.
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Learn MoreFrom handpicked hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences to thoughtfully integrated free time, our on-the-ground team in Japan crafts journeys they'd want to take themselves.
Travelers always tell us that Tour Managers make the journey. It's like traveling with a friend who's got the inside scoop. They live in the destination and share hidden gems that only the locals know.
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You should include the Chopstick making - we did I on our own & it was fun - liked the Gold leaf Box making experience! Liked the Meditation & Tea with the Minks . Our Tour Guide Tasksuko was excellent !
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One of our top 3 trips ever and we've traveled the World.
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The entire tour was wonderful. Both tour managers were excellent and enjoyed their guidance and commentary while on tour. All the sites and experiences in both countries were exciting and interesting. The accommodations were all very good locations, had great service, and the morning buffets were wonderful. We have gone on several Collette tours and each one has been great, well planned out and executed without any problems.
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Yoko was fantastic she went above and beyond in making the trip a memorable one!! Highly recommend you give her a raise. the korean tour guide was average. Nice but needs a little more fun.
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Not just one; tea ceremony, cooking class, gold leaf class and seeing places we wouldn't have on our own. Knowledgeable and accommodating tour manager (Saiko) and not worrying about transportation to and from places. Great group of people, too!
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Ana was the best tour guide we’ve ever experienced. Her positivity, energy, organization, and knowledge were exceptional. Hard to pick a favorite place. That beautiful park, the big fish market, the Hiroshima peace memorial, and the sky rope way ride stand out. Also loved the young girl who performed at our dinner.
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The cooking classes were fantastic and really enjoyed going to the Japanese shrines. Very well rounded tour. Korea DMZ was up close and personal tour that I will never forget. loves the Korean markets and subway systems.
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Great tour. Knowledgeable guide. Good itinerary. Lovely hotels. Only downside was separate beds in hotels and hard pillows
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I had a wonderful time in all my experiences.
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Great tour! Collette makes travel so easy. I loved every single stop on the Cultural Treasures of Japan tour, from Tokyo to Kanazawa to Kyoto and everything in between. It’s wonderful to explore a new country and have Collette handle all the logistics. This is my third tour with Collette and I look forward to booking the next adventure.
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Wonderful trip. Great Itinerary. Best tour leader.
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I’ve done over a dozen tours with Collette and this one was my favorite for many reasons: The hotels were super clean and modern; more included meals and right balance of free time. The tour manager was very informative and sent us helpful information two weeks prior to departure. Visits and stories from Hiroshima bomb survivor and North Korean defector will stay with forever. Finally, I feel Collette’s small group tour offers better experiences and value.
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What a trip! it was fantastic. Kelly Bolton our tour manager is a wealth of knowledge and very personable. Always available for answers to our questions. In my bucket list had seeing Mt Fuji san and Hiroshima and my wishes came true. hotels were superb especially the ones with onsen but Tokyo Daiba it was just perfect cause for us Tokyo was too overwhelming and being in Daiba we were close to metro, malls, restaurants. It was like a very relaxed stay in Tokyo which if we would have stayed like downtown it would be too much. Breakfasts were superb and got to try all the local foods as well. All the adventures like the tea ceremony, sushi’s class, etching and the o gold leaf were so much fun to include the women’s group in Kyoto. that was a treat. Oh and the last night dinner with the geisha and asking questions was amazingly informative
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The entire tour ran smoothly. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable and extremely helpful when my travel partner had a serious medical issue. My most memorable experience was decorating with gold leaf. I also really enjoyed The Hido beef dinner and the Peace Park in Hiroshima. Unfortunately,the museum there was way too crowded to enjoy.
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Shizu our tour guide was funny & very knowlegeablle. and also very helpful in a medical emergency which i had (not due to me ( not related to tour) There were 29 in our group from all over and not one sour puss in the group. This tour was way over any expectation I had. I saw everything I wanted and more. The special tours , the beautiful & immaculate country the gracious people the food the wonderful perfect places to stay the ce-cen but our tour guide Shizu made this trip for me she is truly special **************
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The tour and the tour guide were excellent. Japan was covered nicely! The interactive functions were well planned and very interesting. The site we visited were magnificent. I will definitely recommend this tour!
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The tour & tour guide were excellent. It’s covered Japan beautifully. I loved the interactive functions.
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Great experiences throughout the trip.
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Japan is a culinary delight. Everywhere we ate was fantastic. The tour manager was probably the most important element of the trip as she was able to both instruct and immerse us in Japanese customs and culture which made a huge difference in our experience. Japan is truly a place to visit several times; we plan to be back.
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An enjoyable and educational trip back to Japan (our family was there when my father was in the army; late '40s, early '50s). Evidently, amazing changes. A wonderful blend of the old and new Japan, from visiting a 400 year old castle to riding a modern bullet train. My favorite experience was being able to see Mt. Fuji on a beautiful, clear day with just enough clouds to make for a great photo.
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Immerse yourself in the ancient and modern cultures of Japan, as it slowly draws you into its eclectic culture and charm.
View 14-Day Itinerary
Encounter Japan’s rich cultural heritage from Tokyo to Kyoto and the energy of Seoul in South Korea.
View 16-Day ItineraryThe first step in planning a trip to Japan with Collette is finding the right tour for your interests. Collette’s Japan tours handle the logistics from start to finish, including hotels, transportation within Japan, sightseeing, and cultural experiences. You get the expertise of a Tour Manager who understands local customs and can help you navigate language barriers, transportation system, and other things that can feel complex, especially if this is your first trip to Japan.
Japan is a year-round destination, but spring and fall are especially popular for their mild weather and seasonal beauty. Spring (March–April) is cherry blossom season, while fall (October–November) brings cooler temperatures and vibrant autumn foliage. Collette also operates tours in summer, when festivals are in full swing, and has winter departures that offer fewer crowds and seasonal traditions.
First-time visitors benefit from included transportation, guided sightseeing in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, and built-in support throughout the journey. Collette’s Japan tours are thoughtfully paced and led by knowledgeable Tour Managers who help bridge cultural differences, explain customs, and navigate daily logistics. This allows you to focus on experiencing Japan rather than figuring it out.
Travelers should expect a moderate amount of walking on Collette’s Japan tours, particularly in cities, historic districts, and temple complexes. Japan’s urban areas often involve walking between nearby sites and using public transportation, which may include stairs. That said, tours are designed with regular breaks, and your Tour Manager helps set a comfortable pace for the group. Detailed activity levels are outlined in each tour description so travelers can choose what suits them best.
Yes. Transportation during the tour is included and is a major benefit of traveling with Collette in Japan. This typically includes private travel as well as iconic experiences like Japan’s high-speed rail. Having transportation arranged removes the stress of navigating ticket systems and transfers, especially in busy cities.
Collette’s Japan tours balance planned activities with free time so travelers can explore on their own. After morning tours or scheduled experiences, you’ll often have afternoons or evenings free to shop, dine independently, or revisit favorite areas. Your Tour Manager can offer suggestions during free time, but how you spend it is entirely up to you.
Collette selects well-located, comfortable hotels that reflect local standards. In Japan, this means modern hotels with efficient design and convenient locations. Some tours include unique accommodations that are highlighted in the itinerary so you know what to expect.
Japan is a popular choice for solo travelers, and Collette welcomes people traveling on their own. Group travel offers built-in companionship, shared meals, and the reassurance of traveling with others, while still allowing for personal space and independence.
Japanese cuisine is a highlight for many travelers, and Collette tours include a mix of group meals and independent dining opportunities. Included meals introduce regional specialties, while free time allows you to explore local restaurants at your own pace. Dietary needs should be communicated in advance. Your Tour Manager can help explain menus and dining customs along the way.
Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, department stores, and larger restaurants, with MasterCard and Visa preferred, but cash in local currency is still used, especially at smaller shops and local eateries. Collette’s Tour Managers provide practical guidance on handling money in Japan, including when to carry cash and how to use ATMs.
Understanding cultural norms can greatly enhance a visit to Japan. Collette Tour Managers explain everyday etiquette — such as customs at temples, appropriate behavior on public transportation, and dining manners — so travelers feel confident and respectful. These insights are shared naturally throughout the tour, helping travelers engage more meaningfully with the culture.
Traveling independently in Japan can be rewarding, but it often requires significant planning and navigation. A guided tour with Collette simplifies the planning and logistics by including transportation, hotels, sightseeing, and local expertise, while still leaving room for personal discovery. For many travelers, a guided Japan tour is a less stressful way to explore the country.
Discover the heart of Japan’s urban landscapes and natural wonders, from Tokyo’s electric energy to Kyoto’s Zen serenity.
View 12-Day Itinerary
