Japan luxury small group tour, 15 days

Planet

Overtourism is a rising issue in Japan, negatively impacting infrastructure, local businesses, neighbourhood character. For visitors, this means longer queues, overcrowded attractions, and overall, a less authentic or satisfying travel experience. That’s why when we travel to Kyoto, a tourist hostpot, we deliberately steer clear of the spots that have become less enjoyable to visit due to increased crowds, exploring some of the lesser-known (but no less impactful) Daigo-ji, Sanjusangendo and Tofuku-ji with its dry landscape Zen rock garden.

Alongside cultural highlights in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Kanazawa, the itinerary offers opportunities to connect with Japan’s natural beauty in places such as the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and the hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen.

Where possible this tour makes use of Japan’s public transport, including the renowned bullet train. This significantly lowers carbon emissions during the journey, when compared with travelling by private bus or coach throughout. This approach means the group can cover long distances across the country – making the most of your time in Japan that is both sustainable and respectful of Japan’s environment.

People

We hate the idea of travelling in a ‘tour bus bubble’, talking only to fellow travellers and not interacting with the communities we pass through. On Majestic Japan, we travel by public transport. Hopping on the Hiroshima trams and the Tokyo subway and sitting next to commuters on the bullet train gives us plenty of opportunity to experience every day life, as it is truly lived.

By travelling with expert local guides in cities such as Kanazawa and Kyoto, your journey directly supports employment opportunities within the tourism sector, preserving local knowledge, traditions, and skills, shared by those who know them best.

The group meets with the artisans and craftspeople on the Kyotango Peninsula, visits Kanazawa workshops, and meets with a maiko (trainee geisha). These visits and meetings support the continuation of local traditions, some endangered by younger residents moving to bigger cities for university and employment. Crucially, the way you visit ensures that income remains within the communities you visit.