Japan group tours from Laurus Travel are your best bets for unforgettable Japan experiences.
As a leading Japan tour company in North America, Laurus Travel provides Japan group tours to a discerning clientele with a reputation that is the envy of its peers. Whether you are looking for a small-group Japan tour or a luxury holiday package, you can find it here at Laurus Travel.
Our Japan group tours are competitively priced, but what truly sets us apart from the competition is our our exceptional service. A Japan group tour with Laurus Travel is unlike any other; it is an inspiring and fun-filled learning experience delivered by a team of caring, competent and knowledgeable professionals, from start to finish.
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From: Christine and Richard K—— <——sr@icloud.com> Thank you to Laurus Travel, and our wonderful tour leader, Katie, for an amazing journey on the “Best of Japan (14 day) tour! We, a recently retired middle-aged couple, took this tour in mid-May of 2025. We found the itinerary to be an excellent blend of fascinating places and sites! The tour itinerary was also a good mix of guided tours by the tour leader and also some flexible free time (for example, a free day in Kyoto and free time on some afternoons and most evenings). The hotel accommodations were always very comfortable and some were exceptional! In our opinion, the meals were a good variety that included wonderfully presented traditional Japanese dishes and buffets with some Western choices. There was a good balance between meals included and meals that were not. One of us went on this tour being a person who does not particularly enjoy any kind of fish, cooked or raw. However; with a mindset that Japan would be the best place to try sushi and sashimi, she not only tried everything, but found that she greatly enjoyed most of the Japanese traditional meals! We both definitely came away with a greater appreciation of the care and art put into the making of a traditional Japanese meal! One of the many highlights of the trip was the exquisite meal and extraordinary Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performance! We found the tour included a variety of transportation methods including taxi, local subway, local trains, bullet trains, walking, and tour buses. Overall, this tour by Laurus Travel was well-organized, included a splendid variety of sites in amazing destinations and we enjoyed it very much! We would highly recommend Laurus Travel to anyone who desires a high quality small group tour of Japan! Christine and Richard K Read more testimonials like this |
Best Japan Group Tours – Recommended Itinerary
Essential Japan (12 days)
Tokyo – Mt. Fuji – Hakone – Kanazawa – Takayama – Shirakawa-go – Kyoto – Nara – Osaka
Join us on this exquisite small group tour through the heart of Japan, where ancient traditions gracefully dance alongside the vibrant rhythm of modernity. In dynamic Tokyo and Osaka, neon lights and bustling energy of urban life pulse with the beat of contemporary Japan. As we wander through the poetic streets of Kyoto, where cherry blossoms and autumn leaves whisper tales of ancient elegance, we find ourselves embraced by the essence of a bygone era. In the ancient capital of Nara, sacred deer roam freely. Chances are, until now, you haven’t heard much about the romantic city of Kanazawa and the mountain town called Takayama. Now is the time to go find out why they are becoming so popular among overseas visitors.
Important Features
- Small group size (average 15, maximum 20).
- Expert tour leader and local guide(s).
- Premium hotels.
- High-quality local and Western cuisines.
- No shopping stops.
- Sushi making lesson.
- Kaiseki dinner featuring geisha dancer (maiko) performance.
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1/Mon: Departing Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Tue: Arrival in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo!
Please make your way to the hotel on your own. Detailed up-to-date information on how to get to the hotel will be provided in the final update two weeks before departure. Private transfer can be arranged on request.
Day 3/Wed: Tokyo (B/L/D)
Tokyo, literally meaning “eastern capital” and officially named Tokyo Metropolis, is one of the most populous mega-cities in the world with a population of 14 million. Formerly known as Edo, the city has been the de facto seat of the Japanese government since 1603 when shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu chose the city for his headquarters. The shogun (general) was a hereditary commander ceremoniously appointed by the emperor but held real power over the country during the shogunate period between 1192 and 1867. Edo was renamed Tokyo after Emperor Meiji moved his seat from Kyoto in 1868 when the last shogun was forced to return power to the imperial court. The city covers an area of 2,187 square kilometres following the merger in 1943 of the city of Tokyo and Tokyo Prefecture.
Japan Group Tours – Best Time to Visit Japan
Japan is a destination with each season offering something special, but for a comfortable and culturally rich trip, spring and autumn are most recommended.
In that sense, the best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to April) or autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasantly mild, and the natural scenery is most vibrant with cherry blossoms or autumn foliage, respectively. Both seasons offer unique traditional events, fewer crowds (especially in autumn), and comfortable travel conditions.
Public Holidays to Avoid
The Golden Week (first week of May), Obon (mid-August), and Lunar New Year, when domestic tourism surges, are the public holidays to avoid if you can. When you review departures of our Japan group tours, you’d notice that we don’t have any scheduled trips straddling those public holidays.
