Best Japan tours and tour companies for 2021

1. Wendy Wu Tours

Leaving no stone unturned, Wendy Wu Tours makes sure you get the absolute most of your experience in Japan, whether it's hiking Mount Fuji, seeing the snow monkeys soaking in natural onsens or tasting sake at a brewery – all without ever skimping on creature comforts.

• Best for: Immersive, bucket list experiences
• Cost: High-end
• Our favourite itinerary: Trails of Japan mixes iconic highlights with unique experiences while taking you across central Japan, from Tokyo to Nagano, Takayama to Kyoto and across to Koyasan and Osaka over an immense two weeks.

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2. Nexus Holidays

Including flights in all its tours, Nexus Holidays’ budget-friendly holidays pack in as many city sights as possible without skimping on quality accommodation.

• Best for: Sightseers on a budget
• Cost: Mid-range
• Our favourite itinerary: Impressions of Japan is perfect if you don’t have much time. It's a 9 day itinerary that squeezes in the highlights of Japan including Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Mount Fuji and Tokyo.

3. G Adventures

Whether you're a budget backpacker or an adventurous soul, G Adventures supplies fresh, unique and personalised small group tours that pack in as many activities as possible.

• Best for: Small group tours, active tourists
• Cost: Mid-range
• Our favourite itinerary: Dust of your skis with the Sapporo Snow Festival and Japan Winter Highlights tour and explore some of the best powder this side of the nation. Then, wind down by catching the local colour and culture of the annual snow festival.

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• Topdeck
• Intrepid Travel
• Contiki

• Trafalgar
• Gate1 Travel
• Japan Deluxe Tours

Best cheap Japan tour company:

• Gate1 Travel: Choose the independent travel route to explore at your own pace while keeping costs low in the Land of the Rising Sun. Land tours start from $2,469 for 9 days.
• Intrepid: Constant deals and discounts on Asia tours make Intrepid a powerhouse for affordable Japan tours that are worth so much more. Tours start from $2,350 for 9 days.
• G Adventures: Keep your wallet happy with G Adventures' range of shoestring tours geared at the 18–30s age bracket, which have everything you need and nothing you don't to capture the highlights of the country. Tours start from $1,512 for 6 days.

Best luxury Japan tours company:

• Wendy Wu Tours: Pursuing quality and luxury, Wendy Wu Tours don't skip a beat, ensuring you're well refreshed from your hotel stay to your coach transfer, to make sure you're ready for the next exciting highlight of Japan.
• Gate 1 Travel: Escorted and partially escorted travel options mean you won't have to lift a finger to organise the picture-perfect trip with all the bells and whistles. Longer trips through China and Hong Kong are also available for those seeking to see and do more.
• Trafalgar Holidays: Kick back and relax as Trafalgar coordinates the best hotel stays, full meal options (including buffet breakfasts) and comfortable transfers from day one.

Best Japan cherry blossom tour company:

• Wendy Wu Tours: Touring Japan year-round, Wendy Wu Tours picks up the pace in April for the peak cherry blossom season with four of its bespoke tours paying special attention to catching the sakura in bloom.
• Japan Deluxe Tours: From Tokyo to Hiroshima and Osaka to Kyoto, Japan Deluxe Tours can take you there during cherry blossom season for unique experience backdropped by the dusting of pink cherry blossom hues.

Best Japan ski tours company:

• G Adventures: You won't be shortchanged on snow time with G Adventures' dedicated winter highlights tours as they take you to the peaks of the best resorts in the nation.
• Topdeck: Why give yourself a day on the slopes when you can barrel down the best over a week? Topdeck knows what you're after and has geared tours for keen ski bunnies and nothing else.
• Contiki: With three winter wonder tours under its belt, spending two weeks immersed in Japan's highlights and best snowfields with like-minded individuals is a breeze.