Finally Planning That Dream Trip to Japan? Here Are 4 Tour Groups to Get You Started

The country is once again open to travelers—with some limits.

Thefantasticnews first : After being under strict lockdown since 2020 — include a stint host the 2021summer Olympics — Japan is once again candid to visitor hailing from 99 strange countries , including the US . But , of class , there ’s a stipulation . Leisure visitant must be in the accompaniment of a tour radical license by Japan . If you visualise yourself wandering solo among the cerise blossoms , supply to your own whims , you ’ll have to hold off a bit longer — you’ll only be allowed in if you ’re chaperoned .

But all is not fall back . If you ’ve never been to Japan — the country that bring usforest bathing , crying therapy , red-hot spring onsens ( somesake - spiked ) and an incrediblepenis festival , plus the usual suspects of Mount Fuji , Sapporo , Okinawa , and Hiroshima — a tour grouping is likely the estimable path to be innovate anyway . They ’ll show you the means of the land , the good hole - in - the - wall spots to stuff your expression ( ramen ! Sushi ! Onigiri ! All of it ! ) , and the most picturesque locations , while grounding it all in the country ’s storied history . If you book shortly and visit Kyoto in July , you ’ll be just in clip for theGion Matsurifestival , one of the biggest , oldest , and most popular festivals in the country , so a hitch grouping could help you navigate that as well ( not to mention provide accommodation , which by now would be impossible to get ) .

For our part , visitor from land with the “ blue designation ” are wait to be on to the full escorted tours and buy a tourist visa . Travel insurance must be secured that covers COVID-19 treatments , and you must also present a negative COVID trial taken within 72 hours of your departure . No vaccination or quarantine is required , but masks are .

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Then , all you have to do is sit down back , unwind , and get ready for the frenetic , beautiful , ancient , and futuristic landscape painting that look . Here are some guided tour options to get your groundwork in the door .

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For the food lovers:Intrepid Travel

Intrepid travel offers go ranging from a quick seven days to theUltimate Japan Tourspanning 24 days , hold you from Osaka to Yakushima to Iya Valley . But what we ’re interested in here is The Japan Real Food Adventure , where you taste your room through the Land of the Rising Sun . You ’ll take preparation class and chatter Pisces the Fishes grocery , tour sake breweries and dine on regional cuisines . Just make certain you arrive with a sumo - sized appetite .

For the adventurers:G Adventures Japan

One great way to get to roll in the hay a country is to explore its “ road less aim . ” On the G AdventuresBack Roads of Japantour , you ’ll stray away from the traditional tourer internet site while also getting a bit active . On the schedule ? Rafting and bicycling on some daytime and hanging with Japanese Snow Monkeys at the Jigokudani Monkey Park on others .

For the seasoned trekker:Country Walker Japan

Country Walkers specialize in walking and hiking spell , for those that would rather discover Japan on foot . On theirKyoto , Nara & the Kumano Kodopackage , you ’ll also be immersed in story , tackling part of the Kumano Kodo route , an ancient Nipponese pilgrimage trail once traversed by emperor moth . It film you through sunlit woodland and gem temples and — because you ’ll have earned it — steaming spring - fed onsen baths .

For the young guns:Contiki Tours

Contiki caters to travelers maturate 18 to 35 , with spirited offering to match . TheirJapan Unrivaledtrip covers 12 days and hit all the major players , including Tokyo , Hiroshima , Kyoto , and Osaka . You ’ll break out ancient synagogue , take a cable system motorcar ride with views of Mount Fuji , catch some Z’s in a Buddhist Edgar Guest theatre , and visit tike castles . And , hey , maybe you ’ll even make some friends along the way .