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With Rough Guides’ tailor-made Japan trips, you get the excitement of Japan without the stress of planning every train, stay, and stop yourself. Your itinerary can bring together Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Fuji, Kanazawa, Naoshima, or Hokkaido, shaped around the kind of trip you want.

Japan rewards good planning, from knowing when to visit temples to working out rail routes, food stops, onsen stays, and time in quieter neighborhoods. Our Japan-based local experts handle the details, so you can focus on sushi, street food, shrines, art, hiking, city life, or a mix of it all.

Start with one of our Japan trip ideas and shape it into a tailor-made journey with help from a local expert.

Japan trips by Rough Guides

Crafted with ❤️ by local experts

Japanese umbrella's
Crafted by Juliana

10 days

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Asian Lanterns
Crafted by Juliana

10 days

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Cherry blossoms in Japan
Crafted by Juliana

7 days

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Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Crafted by Liz

10 days

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Fushimi Inari Kyoto
Crafted by Liz

14 days

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Kurashiki, Japan
Crafted by Liz

13 days

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Cable car at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Japan © Shutterstock
Crafted by Lenny

12 days

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Hakusan Shirakawago White Road © Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Crafted by Lenny

13 days

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Himeji Castle, Japan
Crafted by Lenny

15 days

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Osaka, Japan
Crafted by Lenny

9 days

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Tokyo
Crafted by Mina

5 days

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Amami, Japan

8 days

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Yakushima, Japan

6 days

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Ogasawara Islands, Japan

6 days

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Shiretoko, Japan

6 days

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Meet our Japan travel experts

They will craft your perfect trip

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Lenny
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Things to know before your Japan trip

What does a trip to Japan look like?

A Japan trip usually starts in Tokyo, a neon-soaked city where high-tech meets tradition, before heading to Kyoto for its ancient temples and peaceful gardens. Osaka brings street food and nightlife, while Hiroshima offers moving history and leafy parks. You might soak in a hot spring near Mount Fuji or catch the snow in Hokkaido.

Looking for something quieter? Try Kanazawa’s samurai district or Naoshima’s avant-garde art museums. Every Japan itinerary is crafted around you, the big names, and the backroads.

Can I customize my Japan trip?+

How far in advance should I start planning?+

Is it more expensive to book Rough Guides tailor-made travel?+

Who are the Japan local experts?+

Our current Japan trips

Discover Japan with Japan trips designed by people who know it best, from Tokyo’s neon neighborhoods and Kyoto’s temple-lined lanes to the onsen towns of Hakone, the samurai heritage of Kanazawa, and the mountain villages of the Japanese Alps.

Every route is flexible and can be shaped around what you love, how fast you like to travel, and the kind of comfort you prefer. Start with one of our suggested itineraries or build something from scratch, and our local specialists will tailor the details into a journey that feels unmistakably yours.

Japan Essentials

Japan Essentials trip brings together the country’s must-see highlights with thoughtful pacing, local insight, and flexibility, creating a well-rounded introduction to Japan that feels personal rather than rushed.

Family adventures in Japan

Built for shared discovery, the Family adventures in Japan trip blends kid-friendly culture, hands-on activities, and relaxed pacing so every day feels fun, meaningful, and easy for the whole family.

Hiking in the Japanese Alps

For travelers who want nature and culture in balance, Japan hiking trip: the Japanese Alps pairs scenic trails, alpine panoramas, and restorative onsen stays into a tailored mountain journey.

Hokkaido Horizons

With wide open landscapes and seasonal highlights, Tailor-made Japan trip: Hokkaido Horizons is crafted around your pace, combining wildlife, hot springs, and local food with expertly planned routes across Japan’s northern island.

Splendors of Japan

The Splendors of Japan trip weaves together iconic cities, refined gardens, historic towns, and regional cuisine into a richly layered journey that captures the country’s depth and elegance.

Tokyo and beyond

Designed for first timers and return visitors alike, Japan trip: Tokyo and beyond starts in the capital and expands outward to nearby gems, mixing food, culture, and easy day trips at a pace that suits you.

Ogasawara Islands

For a rarer side of the country, Japan’s Ogasawara Islands trip takes you far from the mainland into remote subtropical nature, ocean adventures, and slow island days shaped around your interests.

Okinawa and Amami exploration

Blending island culture and coastal beauty, Japan trip: Okinawa and Amami exploration follows a relaxed rhythm of turquoise waters, local traditions, and nature experiences tailored to how you like to travel.

Secrets of Japan

The Secrets of Japan trip goes beyond the obvious, connecting you with local storytellers, hidden neighborhoods, and intimate cultural moments that most travelers never reach.

Trails of Shirakami-Sanchi

Rooted in wild nature and quiet heritage, Trails of Shirakami-Sanchi Japan trip explores ancient beech forests, remote paths, and small towns, with each day paced to your comfort and curiosity.

Japan in winter

Centered on the season’s magic, Japan winter tour combines snowy scenery, warming onsens, and curated cultural experiences, all tailored to your pace and comfort.

Yakushima forests and waterfalls

Immersive and nature-rich, the Yakushima forests and waterfalls Japan trip leads you through mossy cedar trails, misty ravines, and dramatic cascades, with flexible days shaped around your energy and interests.

Japan highlights

Highlights of Japan trip brings together the country’s most iconic cities, cultural landmarks, and local experiences, offering a well-balanced introduction to Japan’s traditions, landscapes, and everyday life.

Tokyo to Osaka tour

Travel from Tokyo’s modern energy to Osaka’s vibrant food scene on the Japan trip: Tokyo to Osaka, a journey shaped by flexible pacing, cultural depth, and meaningful local encounters.

Self-guided adventure in Japan

Designed for independent travelers, a self-guided adventure tour in Japan allows you to explore at your own rhythm while benefiting from expert planning, local insight, and carefully selected experiences.

Culinary tour across Japan

Discover regional flavors, hands-on traditions, and intimate food experiences that define the tailor-made culinary tour across Japan, crafted around your tastes and guided by local culinary specialists.