You've done Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Now go deeper.
Introducing the new 13 Day Japan in Depth and four regional Discovery tours - slow, immersive journeys through Japan's lesser-known heart, designed for travellers who want more than the highlights.
The Golden Route is a great first chapter - but it isn't the whole book. Beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Japan opens up: historic post towns, lake regions, alpine villages, onsen escapes and regional food traditions most travellers never reach.
Our new Japan series is built around going deeper. One flagship tour at the heart, four regional journeys around it, and a pace that lets you arrive at and experience each place instead of just passing through.
The Flagship
Tsumago
Daio Wasabi Farm
Korakuen Garden
Thirteen days, seven bases, and a deliberately unhurried route through Japan's lesser-known heart. Wander Edo-era post towns on the Nakasendō trail. Meet pearl-diving ama on the Ise-Shima coast. Visit a working wasabi farm in the Japanese Alps. Discover regional food traditions and local cultures that most travellers never reach.
With a small group, dedicated tour leader and a thoughtfully paced itinerary, this is Japan you arrive at, not just pass through.
Pair Japan in Depth with one of four regional journeys - from northern rail adventures and southern onsen towns to Edo-era island heritage and subtropical escapes. Travel as a standalone tour or pair with the flagship.
Glide north on the Shinkansen.
Hokkaido's preserved canal towns, Hakodate's cinematic night views, the pine-clad islands of Matsushima Bay. Eight days of scenic rail and coastal landscapes, small group (max 20), a dedicated tour leader handling every detail.
Explore Northern Japan →Skip the queues and head south.
Volcanic landscapes, steaming onsen towns, traditional ryokan stays and the mountain mist of Yufuin - paired with Hakata's vibrant street food. The Japan locals quietly recommend.
Explore Kyushu →Most travellers fly straight over Shikoku. Don't.
From the 1,000-year-old Dogo Onsen to Edo-era streets, hilltop castles and quiet coastal towns. Then a drive across the Shimanami Kaido, where bridges stretch between islands over the Seto Inland Sea.
Explore Ehime →Trade temples for turquoise.
Just two hours south of Osaka, Okinawa feels like a different country - coral reefs, red-tiled villages, hibiscus-lined streets and a distinct Ryukyuan culture. Laid-back days, island time, Japan's earliest cherry blossoms.
Explore Okinawa →Four regions, four very different trips. Tell us how you like to travel and we'll match you to the Discovery tour that fits - whether that's coastal rail in the north, onsen towns in the south, Edo-era heritage in Shikoku, or Okinawa's island time.
Find Your Japan →Join us at Inspiring HQ on Wednesday 27 May for an exclusive first look at our new Japan touring range. Drop in between 11am and 3pm, explore the itineraries, and speak with our travel experts about your next trip.
Register Your AttendanceCan't make it? Register anyway and we'll send you a recap with the new itineraries.
Stories from the road, primers for the journey, and reads to fill the months between booking and boarding.
A first-hand account of the small moments that make travel with us different.
Inside the Japanese Alps base on the Japan in Depth itinerary - wasabi farms, samurai roads and snowy peaks.
Coral reefs, Ryukyuan culture and a side of Japan that feels like its own country.
Inside Kyushu's hot-spring heartland - the steaming hells of Beppu, the mountain mist of Yufuin, and onsen culture at its source.
From temple gardens to alpine valleys - where to chase Japan's most photogenic season.
A month-by-month guide to weather, crowds and what's worth chasing - cherry blossoms, autumn colour and quieter shoulder seasons.
Real reviews from past Inspiring Vacations Japan guests.
The tour was wonderful and we saw a lot of different places and enjoyed many cultural experiences along the journey.
The tour was an excellent family trip. The perfect mix of culture, history, tourism, and hidden gems. A once-in-a-lifetime trip!
Amazing guide who really made this tour a success. Knowledgeable. Gracious, very patient and funny. Put everyone at ease and really made our tour a fantastic adventure.
The things that come up after the first trip is behind you.
Three ways to take the next step.
Explore the full itinerary, departures and inclusions for the new flagship tour.
See the TripHave specific questions? Speak with one of our Japan-trained team - no obligation.
Book a 15-min CallNot sure which tour fits? Two minutes, and we'll match you to the trip that suits how you travel.
Find Your Japan