How to see the best of Japan on a guided escorted tour

Destination experts plan the touring itinerary

While many first-time (and return) visitors want to focus on the most popular destinations in Japan, our destination experts bring years of experience and expertise to create an itinerary that helps you explore more widely, discovering Japan in greater depth, all in the knowledge that the itinerary has been tested to run seamlessly.

As well as the key highlights, particularly Tokyo and Kyoto, you’ll travel to less visited corners of the country, with our expert teams giving you the option to enjoy some Japanese traditions and cultural activities first-hand as part of your escorted tour. On the Essence of Japan tour, for example, there’s the opportunity to stay in a Japanese ryokan for one night, sleeping on a futon in a tatami mat room, wearing traditional yukata robes and slippers, and trying authentic fine dining with a kaiseki dinner, along with a soak in an onsen.

Our destination experts even hand-pick the right rooms in the right hotels, such as bedrooms with a view of Mount Fuji at the Fujisan Hotel in Mishima, rather than standard rooms. And you can even pick your departure to tie in with one of the country’s festivals, such as the Grand Sumo tournament in Tokyo in spring, the Gion Festival in Kyoto in July, and the Takayama Matsuri Festival in spring and autumn.

Your transport around Japan is all taken care of

Japan is famous for its sleek and speedy bullet trains, and a journey on one is a memorable part of any visit to Japan. Rather than having to navigate the different tickets, booking seats and even working out what’s valid for the different trains, our expert-designed itineraries take all the guesswork out of your stay, so you need simply turn up to be whisked around the country in comfort.

Our Essence of Japan and Grand Tour of Japan trips both include three bullet train journeys, with a separate luggage delivery service by van, so your suitcase will make its own way to your destination, letting you relax and enjoy the trip, rather than worrying about lugging heavy bags through stations.

With some of our longer tours visiting multiple destinations – the Grand Tour of Japan takes in around 16 different locations – all other forms of transport around the country are also taken care of, so you needn’t spend your time considering the practicalities of getting from A to B, ensuring you can fit as much as possible into your holiday time.

Many of our trips also enable you to take direct flights from the UK to Japan, rather than having to stop en route, and even your journey to the airport (and back home) is seamless, thanks to our nationwide return shared chauffeur service.

Bullet train

You don’t need to worry about the language barrier

Learning a few words of Japanese will always be appreciated and come in handy as you explore this fascinating country, but there’s little chance of most travellers becoming fluent before setting off. So having a native speaker accompanying you can make all the difference, as they can help remove any language barriers to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Tour guides can help create a memorable holiday

From the intricacies of traditional tea ceremonies to the way castles, temples and palaces have been constructed, our expert tour guides are a mine of information. And having someone on hand to explain the details, along with stories, legends and background as you explore, ensures that you’ll return home with a deeper understanding of the destination and some unforgettable memories.

Our escorted tours have a UK-based tour manager and a Japanese guide accompanying you from start to finish, so you’ll have someone on hand to bridge any cultural gaps, as well as making the most of your guide’s local expertise and insider knowledge.

Your Japan tour in financially protected

A holiday in Japan is an unforgettable experience, but it certainly isn’t the cheapest destination to visit. So it’s all the more important to know that your trip is protected against any financial risks. And as an ATOL-licenced and ABTA-regulated company, Titan Travel’s escorted tours offer you the highest level of protection so your money is secure, unlike many independent trips.

No unexpected costs

Booking an escorted tour to Japan can be one of the most cost-effective ways to see the country, with tour operators like Titan having access to group discounts, which means you could be paying cheaper rates than if you booked as an individual.

All our trip inclusions are listed so you’re able to see at a glance what’s covered in the tour price, such as the number of meals and excursions, along with flights and accommodation, and what you’ll need to budget for at the destination. Unlike other destinations, tipping is not expected in Japan, so you won’t need to consider that hidden cost during your tour.

Make life-long friends

Joining an escorted tour of Japan also provides you with a ready-made group of travel companions, who are equally intrigued by this wonderful country. Our Japan tours have a maximum of 30 people in a group, so you’re not limited to a handful of people to chat to but without being lost in a huge crowd either.

Ideal for sociable travellers, there are plenty of opportunities to get chatting as you explore together, and plenty of like-minded fellow travellers who might become new friends.

Touring is a great way to see Japan as a solo traveller

While Japan is an extremely safe country with few of the risks faced by solo travellers elsewhere, joining an escorted tour is still a fantastic option if you’re exploring alone, with a chance to share your experiences with a group of fellow travellers, as well as some chances to enjoy your own company. Single travellers can join any of our escorted tours, but you’ll also find special solo departures on several of our Japan tours, where everyone in the group will be joining alone, so you can guarantee you won’t be the only single person amid groups of friends and couples.

Discover our range of escorted tours to Japan