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All Japan Tours offers unlimited vacation possibilities to explore and experience an unforgettable trip to Japan. Whether you’re interested in Japanese cherry blossom tours , festival tours , autumn leaves tours or special interest tours , our Japan tour packages will bring your vacation dreams to reality. Choose tours based on style , interest , date , or season . Our Japan group tour packages are fully escorted, and we can also arrange special-interest private tours , custom group tours , and other Asia country tours to match your specific needs. | Why All Japan Tours

From Group Tours, to Custom Private Tours, to Japan Luxury Travel

Whether you're planning for a special occasion, family reunion, company event, luxury trip or an entire Japan holiday package, All Japan Tours can help you plan the perfect Japan experience. No matter what your interests are, you are always in excellent hands when you travel with All Japan Tours. Our Japan vacation packages cover all budgets from luxury to adventure and are available with or without international flights for full flexibility. Join an escorted group tour on a pre-designed itinerary, or let us create one for you. We have the firsthand know-how to take you well beyond ordinary travel.

The Best Japan Vacation Packages & Itineraries

When you consider the cost, hassle, and uncertainty of traveling on your own, you'll discover how an All Japan Tours vacation is like no other. Everything has been arranged in advance, from itinerary to hotel accommodations, so all you have to do is take in the breathtaking scenery. There is no need to worry about getting lost or finding transportation; leave the details to us and start having the time of your life. Our team works together to give you the very best Japan vacation. This includes our long-time tour guides in Japan that offer both current and historical enlightenment of its cities and towns, as well as expertise on where to find the most beautiful Japanese gardens and temples, local restaurants, and interesting shops. We understand how important it is to make your visit to Japan memorable and worthwhile, so our team both in the office and on the tours strive their best to accommodate your specific needs every step of the way. Book a Japan tour with us and start your unforgettable vacation today!

Japan Tour Packages 2024,2025 & 2026

What can we offer for your japan trip, japan escorted group tours.

The most cost-efficient and hassle-free way to travel Japan

AJT group tours are the best way to ensure that you do not miss seeing any of the highlights of Japan. We plan our group tours based on seasonal attractions with must see sites in every tour. All of our Japan group tour itineraries are researched and developed by our professional staff, all of whom have spent years working as a tour guide in Japan. We offer four different tour styles to pick from that are best suited to your interests, from train travel to luxury tours. We are confident that you will find something that is appealing and fascinating to you from our Group Tours. AJT group tour packages offer something suitable for everyone, no matter what your budget or tastes are.

Japan Private Journeys

Just you and your traveling partner

A private journey is the perfect solution for if you can't find a published departure date that you and your companion(s) agree on. Our private journeys allow you to customize the perfect itinerary for you and your companion(s). Our team will do our best to fulfill every detail and request to design your perfect tour.

Japan Custom Group Travel

You plan, with our help, where and when your group travels

Do you wish to travel with family, friends, school, church, club, or organization to Japan? We have the knowledge and experience to fulfill your wants. Let us arrange your sensational trip to Japan!

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When is The Best Time to Visit Tokyo Japan?

Japan Cherry Blossom Tours

Our Japan cherry blossom tours are our most popular tours because we highlight the top places to see sakura, the most renowned flower in the country. Experience Japanese cherry blossom festivals, a cherry blossom dance show performed by geisha, and sakura views from Mt. Fuji, to gardens in Kyoto.

Japan Autumn Leaves Tours

Our Japan autumn leaves tours give you exclusive access to beautiful gardens, temples, shrines, and famous landmarks while enjoying the colorful autumn scenery along the way. We offer Japan tours to rural parts of Japan, historical towns, World Heritage sites, and diverse shopping districts.

Japan Festival Tours

Our Japanese festival tours cover festivals from all seasons. Matsuri (festivals) can range from celebrations to honor a shrine's deity to joyful seasonal occurrences. Participate in one of the biggest festivals in Japan, the Kyoto Aoi Festival, or check out the Gion Summer Festival on one of our Japan tours.

Special Interest Tours

We offer tours for people specifically interested in anime, the pilgrimage route of Japan, visiting the most beautiful places in Japan, focusing on Japan's breathtaking flowers, seeing snow monkeys in winter, visiting the best nature spots of Hokkaido, and spending time at the art island of Naoshima.

Top 12 Attractions in Japan

Takayama Festivals

Lavenders in Hokkaido

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Snow Monkeys

Japan Winter Festivals

Awa Odori Dance Festival

Gion Summer Festival

Kyoto Aoi Festival

Shibazakura Festivals

Baby Blue Eye Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Experience the takayama spring & autumn festivals during your trip to japan, one of japan's most beautiful festivals..

Witness the beautiful Takayama Festivals in Japan, not once, but twice a year. We offer a list of Japan tour packages that allow you to experience the lavishly decorated floats, known as yatai, which feature karakuri (mechanical puppets) that dance and move impressively. Whichever season you prefer, we have a Japan tour package reserved for either Takayama Festivals.

View our Japan tours featuring Takayama Festivals

Get lost in the lovely furano flower fields surrounded with lavender flowers, and enjoy views of the spacious fields in biei..

Our Hokkaido lavender tours showcase the best spots to indulge in lavender beauty during its flowering season. Take a Japan trip to Farm Tomita in Furano, known as one of the best places in Japan to see spectacular backdrops of lavender. Our lavender tours will also take you to a small town called Biei, overlapping with picturesque hills, vast fields, and the popular Panorama Road.

View our Japan tours featuring Lavenders in Hokkaido

The tateyama kurobe alpine route is an amazing route that goes through the northern japan alps..

Visit the famous and long demanded Alpine Route in Japanese Alps. Requiring varying modes of transportation, this route takes you through mountains and valleys for some of the most scenic views in all of Japan. From high mountain peaks reflected in the surface of calm, crystal lakes to the lower elevations at the Kurobe Dam and the famous site of the snow corridor, this route is sure to be unforgettably beautiful.

View our Japan tours featuring Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Take delight in viewing elegant wisteria flowers at ashikaga flower park and kawachi fuji garden during your tour to japan..

Wisteria are dream-like flowers that hang like pink and purple chandeliers. On our Japan Wisteria Tours, you will visit places like the Kawachi Fuji Garden and Ashikaga Flower Park. The Kawachi Fuji Garden features picture-worthy flower tunnels you can walk underneath, while the Ashikaga Flower Park is significant for their "Great Wisteria", a famous tree that's over a 150 years old.

View our Japan tours featuring Wisteria

Watch japanese snow monkeys bathe in hot springs at jigokudani snow monkey park on a japan winter tour..

Our snow monkey tours will take you to the Jigokudani Yaenkoen Park, where you can see Japanese Macaque, known as "snow monkeys". Thousands of people come to see the monkeys, whom are native to northern Japan and can be recognized by their red faces and light brown-grey fur. Watching the snow monkeys bathe up close is quite an experience, so don't forget your camera!

View our Japan tours featuring Snow Monkeys

Our japan tours will take you to the best winter festivals in the country, where you can admire giant ice sculptures and unique fairgrounds..

Believe it or not, some of the best festivals that attract millions of visitors each year are located in the coldest parts of Japan. We have arranged tours to travel to the Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Asahikawa Winter Festival, and the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Experience seeing illuminated ice sculptures on one our tour packages.

View our Japan tours featuring Japan Winter Festivals

Join a tour that visits japan's largest dance festival, awa odori, and enjoy traditional music accompanied with lots of food in a lively celebration..

Attracting over 1.3 million visitors per year, Awa Odori is the largest dance festival in Japan. We have a Japan tour package showing you the best of Japan, including this famous dance festival. It is also called the "Fool's Dance", which originates from 400 years ago. Many instruments including taiko, shamisen, and flutes are accompanied with the dancers that parade through the city.

View our Japan tours featuring Awa Odori Dance Festival

Spend your japan vacation indulging in traditional japanese culture and stunning floats at the gion summer festival..

The Gion Matsuri is Kyoto’s largest annual festival and one of Japan's most famous. We have arranged Japan tour packages that include this 1100 year old celebration, which originally began as a religious ceremony dating back to 869. The main event occurs on July 17th and July 24th, where locals and visitors gather to view two extravagant procession parade floats.

View our Japan tours featuring Gion Summer Festival

Book a trip to japan that includes a taste of japanese history at the elegant and popular kyoto aoi festival..

Every May 15th, the Kyoto Aoi Festival features a large parade of over 500 people dressed in Heian Period (794-1185) styled clothing to illustrate a graceful procession. We provide several tours that highlight one of Kyoto's most celebrated festivals. The Kyoto Aoi Matsuri takes you back to the 10th century, where traditional makeup and impressive costumes can be appreciated.

View our Japan tours featuring Kyoto Aoi Festival

Admire thousands of ground cherry blossoms at the fuji shibazakura festival & takinoue koen park shibazakura festival during your japan tour..

Known as the ground cherry blossoms, our Shibazakura Festival tours will take you to attractions that are blanketed with vivid shibazakura. See the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, featuring over 800,000 spectacular moss phlox with the great Mt. Fuji in the background. Also visit Takinoue Koen Park, noteworthy for its hillside covered with 100,000 square meters of shibazakura.

View our Japan tours featuring Shibazakura Festivals

Take your japan tour to the majestic flower gardens at hitachi seaside park, widely known for its hillside of 4.5 million baby blue eye flowers..

Scientifically known as Nemophila, the largest collection of baby blue eye flowers can be seen at the Hitachi Seaside Park. There are over 4.5 million baby blue eyes blooming from mid-April to mid-May, referred as "Nemophila Harmony" during its annual bloom. The Hitachi Seaside Park features vast, gorgeous flower gardens of tulips, poppies, roses, kochia, and more.

View our Japan tours featuring Baby Blue Eye Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Join the fiery celebration at tohoku's 3 great summer festivals during your japan trip..

Be keen on Tohoku's Three Great Summer Festivals all in one Japan tour package. These summer festivals known as Aomori Nebuta, Akita Kanto, and Sendai Tanabata are lively experiences you don't want to miss. Enjoy magnificent views of lantern-lit floats, high-spirited dancing, music performances, kanto skills, firework displays, thousands of colorful streamers, and more.

View our Japan tours featuring Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Top 12 places to visit in japan.

1. Hokkaido

Enjoy a tour to japan in hokkaido, renowned for its flower fields and attractions unique to every season..

Hokkaido, Japan has a distinctive change of seasons that only adds to its beauty. The island is renowned for its lavender fields in the summer and winter festivals that attract millions of visitors every year. Our Japan tours to Hokkaido will take you to the flower fields in Furano, the atmospheric Otaru Canal, Hokkaido's biggest entertainment district in Susukino, and to Shiraoi to learn about the Ainu people of Hokkaido. A Japan trip to Hokkaido means trying various fresh foods at the famous Nijo Market, strolling through the heart of Sapporo in Odori Park, and stopping by Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort in Noboribetsu. Hokkaido is proud to have its four distinct seasonal differences that include a number of events and acitivities each unique to the season. There is no other place like Hokkaido to enjoy your Japan vacation to the fullest.

Make your way to the Tohoku region to see the great Towada Lake, visit the prominent Zeuiganji Zen temple, and see one of Japan's three most scenic views during your Japan tour.

Tohoku is known for its great summer festivals, picturesque landscapes, and its long history of samurai. Predominantly mountainous, this region offers broad areas of natural surroundings. A Japan tour to Tohoku involves visiting must-see sites among its six prefectures. Tour to one of Japan's three most scenic views at Matsushina, Tohoku's famous Zuiganji Zen temple, and the lovely Towada Lake. Numerous castles and samurai homes reside in Tohoku, making it an appropriate place to visit and appreciate history. Tohoku is also a suitable backup option when cherry blossom viewing, since the blossoming period takes place a few weeks later than in Kyoto or Tokyo. We offer several tours to see the best of Tohoku in one Japan trip.

Dive into the fascinating world of Tokyo, where you will visit ancient landmarks and electrifying towns during your tour to Japan.

Populated by over 36 million people, Tokyo is the worlds largest city. It is a metropolis that offers a mixture of both futuristic and traditional qualities. We offer tours to Tokyo that take you to destinations such as the Meiji Shrine, the Tokyo Tower, and the Imperial Palace. Indulge in Japanese history at the interesting Edo-Tokyo Musuem. We have Japan tour packages that will also take you to a popular tourist attraction called Odaiba, a man made island that serves as a shopping and entertainment district. Admire Tokyo's oldest temple built in 645, the colorful Sensoji Temple, also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple. Find yourself in the lively and colorful Shibuya, renowned for endless dining, shopping, and clubbing. Its trademark is a large intersection featured in a number of films and photos. A Japan trip is not complete without traveling to Japans most distinguished city.

Travel to an active volcano in Hakone and ride the scenic Hakone Ropeway on one of our Japan tour packages.

Located in the Kanagawa Prefecture, the town of Hakone is mostly a mountainous region part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Hakone is a famed holiday resort renowned for its variety of popular hot springs. On our Japan tours, you can enjoy a stunning view of Mt. Fuji in Hakone and its natural beauty. Our tours will also take you to Owakudani, a volcano with active steam vents, hot river valleys, and scenic trails. Enjoy a ride on the Hakone Ropeway, where you can view the active volcano zone and excellent views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. Hakone is a popular destination in Japan for travelers looking to enjoy their tour outside of Tokyo. Since Hakone is in the Kanagawa Prefecture, our Japan tour packages will also include the must-see sites in this region.

5. Mt. Fuji

Check out astonishing views of mt. fuji and all of its natural surroundings when you book a tour to japan..

Take a tour to the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji, an active volcano standing at 12,380 feet (3,776 meters). Mt. Fuji is not only famous for its majestic cone shape and impressive aura, but also being the subject for distinguished paintings, photos, and literature. It is recognized as an international famous symbol of Japan. Impressive views can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. On the other hand, cloudy days often block visibility of Mt. Fuji, so those who get to experience the clear view of the mountain are considered fortunate. Our Japan tour packages will take you to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, the halfway point on the climb to Mt. Fuji. It is accessible almost any time of the year and is well developed. This is a popular sightseeing spot for thoroughly admiring the grand and awe-inspiring view of Mt. Fuji and its surroundings.

6. Takayama

Add a traditional touch to your japan tour by visiting rural destinations in takayama and its authentic, historical buildings..

Celebrate at one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals here in Takayama, the Takayama Festivals, held in both spring and autumn. Since Takayama is located in the Japanese Alps, it is preferred among travelers wishing to add a rural destination to their visit to Japan. Takayama has been referred as "Little Kyoto", due to its preserved historical structures and traditional atmosphere. It is also popularly known as Hida-Takayama to refrain from confusion with other places called Takayama. We offer Japan tours to Old Town, where you can view entire streets and structures dating back to the Edo Period (1600-1868). Continue your Japan trip to the Matsumoto Castle, also called "Crow Castle" due to its black exterior. Here you can admire a prime example of original Japanese wooden architecture. Take delight in sightseeing in Takayama on your Japan vacation.

7. Kanazawa

Tour to kanazawa if you wish to see one of japan's three great gardens and a well-preserved samurai district during your trip to japan..

Capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, the eminent city of Kanazawa is known for its preserved Edo districts and other historical attractions. Since the construction of the Kanazawa Castle during the rule of powerful feudal lord Maeda Toshiie, the city has prospered with many cultural achievements. Visit one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, the Kenrokuen Garden, during your tour to Japan. Its name translates to "Garden of the Six Sublimities", qualities that make up the perfect garden according to Chinese landscape theory. Here you can find Japan's oldest fountain and the two meter tall Kotojitoro Lantern, an icon of Kanazawa and Kenrokuen. Some of our tour packages even travel to Kanazawa's Samurai District. Upon arrival, you will catch sight of well-preserved buildings and the former living quarters of samurai. Tour to Japan to enjoy these attractions unique to Kanazawa.

Say hello to authentic Japanese culture by visiting Japan's most popular temples and shrines, beautiful parks and gardens, and the best summer festivals during a tour to Kyoto.

Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and ravishing gardens. The city served as Japan's capital and was the residence of the Imperial family during 794 to 1868. During your tour to Kyoto, you will get to participate in sake tasting at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Musuem, visit the famous tunnel of scarlet torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, see the iconic Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion), and stroll through the city of geisha in Gion. Continue your trip to the former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Nijo Castle, check out the noteworthy Kiyomizu Temple and its impressive wooden stage, and see what a traditional Zen garden looks like at the Tenryuji Temple. Experience three of Kyoto's world-famous festivals, including the Aoi-matsuri Festival, the Gion-matsuri Festival, and the Jidai-matsuri Festival. Tour to Kyoto for an unforgettable Japan experience.

Experience visiting the world's largest wooden building and Japan's biggest bronze statue of Buddha when you travel to Japan.

Located less than one hour away from Kyoto and Osaka, the city of Nara is one of Japan's most rewarding destinations. Nara is Japan's first permanent capital, and is second to Kyoto as a cultural legacy with eight Unesco World Heritage Sites. Under the rule of the Imperial family and aristocrats, many temples and shrines were built here, as well as the development of temple towns. Our tours include seeing one of Japan's most significant temples, the Todaiji Temple, home to the famous Daibutsu (Big Buddha). The temple's main hall (Daibutsuden) is the world's largest wooden building, which is where you can also find the giant bronze statue of Buddha. Your trip to Japan will also give you the opportunity to visit the popular Deer Park nearby the temple, filled with over 1,000 deer you can greet and feed. Choose one of our Japan tour packages to experience Nara's historic treasures.

10. Hiroshima

Travel to the peace memorial park for an awakening experience about war and world peace, as well as the famed "floating" torri gate on the beautiful miyajima island, only in hiroshima..

Hiroshima is located in the Chugoku Region, a major city that is home to over a million residents. After the first atomic bomb dropped, there were predictions that the city would be uninhabitable. However, great endeavors were taken to rebuild Hiroshima and the speculations were proved wrong. During your Japan tour, you can visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), a must-see exhibition and eye opening experience. You can visit these landmarks of world history at Peace Memorial Park, located in the center of the city. Our Japan tour packages also take you to Itsukushima-jinja, a Shinto shrine located on Miyajima Island. It is famous for its "floating" torii gate and is inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site and one of Japan's three most scenic places. Don't miss out on a remarkable tour to Hiroshima.

11. Shikoku

Journey to shikoku during your japan vacation for a tour full of remarkable sites and impressive coastal views, such as the incredibly scenic drive along the great seto bridge and the shimanami kaido toll road..

Shikoku is home to the Shikoku pilgrimage route, which includes 88 temples and other sacred sites. Shikoku offers many historic locations, breathtaking spots in nature, and traditional festivals. Here on your tour to Japan, you can enjoy scenic views from the Great Seto Bridge and the Shimanami Kaido, passing six small islands to get to Shikoku. Shimanami Kaido is renowned for its beautiful drive along its picturesque toll road. Take a pleasant stroll through Shikoku Mura Village and experience an awe-inspiring masterpiece of Japanese landscape at Ritsurin Park, featuring ponds, pavilions, and a Mt. Shuin backdrop. Shikoku may be the smallest main island of Japan, but offers many spectacular attractions to experience.

Explore Kyushu during your tour to Japan, where you'll wander through an abandoned island known as Gunkanjima, and visit the site of legend where the Shinto Sun Goddess hid herself in a cave.

Kyushu is the third largest main island of Japan and offers significant landmarks, natural beauty, and vibrant cities. Our Japan tour packages will take you to the best things to see and do in Kyushu. Take a trip to Gunkanjima, translating to "battleship island", a small and abandoned coal mine with the highest recorded population density in the world. You will also visit Glover Garden, an open-air exhibit featuring mansions of former Western residents in Nagasaki. Tour to Takachiho, a town pervaded with Japanese mythology. There you can visit the supposed site of legend of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, where she hid in a cave distraught from her brother's cruel pranks, causing other gods and goddesses to attempt to lure her out. Takachiho is a "power spot" profound with spiritual energy and religious importance. Nearby, you can see a cascading waterfall at the Takachiho Gorge.

Though it is possible to do a cherry blossom trip on your own, if you want to see multiple sites and get more out of the trip, I’d suggest a tour. It is much easier to navigate in these rural areas that off the English speaking tourist path when……

Testimonials

My husband, Daniel Levine and myself (Cherilyn Brunetti) just returned from our tour which started in Osaka on July 3 and ended in Tokyo on July 8. It was our first trip to Japan and we had a wonderful experience. I credit our tour guide, Bil……

Japan Cherry Blossom Guide

Cherry blossoms in Japan have been a major attraction for tourists. The most common question people ask is “when is the cherry blossom season?” It is an easy yet difficult answer because it depends on the area we are talking about.

Japan Autumn Leaves Guide

Autumn leaves in Japan are almost as popular as the cherry blossom season. Kōyō is the Japanese word for autumn leaves. Kōyō and momiji (maple leaves) use the same kanji and has been that way since the Heian Period.

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Japan Trips & Tour Packages

Beautiful landscapes? Check. Cultural experiences? Check. Tastebud-tingling food? Check. Our Japan tours have it all.

There’s a certain allure to Japan – a place where eastern tradition and western modernity collide among otherworldly scenery that’ll take your breath away and refuse to give it back. Add mouthwatering cuisine, a fascinating history, and a multifaceted culture into the mix and it's easy to understand how Japan continues to captivate travelers. From enjoying a sake tasting at a local brewery and soaking in a steaming hot onsen to marveling at World Heritage-listed temples thousands of years old, our tours in Japan promise the ultimate adventure: one you’ll continue to think about long after you return home. 

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Japan at a glance

Capital city.

Tokyo (population approximately 37 million)

Approximately 123.1 million

(GMT+09:00) Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)

Learn more about Japan

Culture and customs.

Japan is a multifaceted country made up of many different cultures, rituals, and traditions influenced by Confucianism (introduced in AD285), Buddhism (introduced in AD552), and Shintoism (Japan’s ritualistic native religion). The rise of technology and international trendsetting has also played a part in the culture of Japan today as the younger generation embraces fashion-forwardness, online personas, and high-tech gadgets.

This is in direct contrast to the Confucian-influenced, old-school Japanese culture that the older generations still live by, with a larger emphasis on modesty, respect, and discipline. This can sometimes cause conflict between the two demographics, however, there are still some traditions that are considered sacred regardless of age – tea ceremonies, bowing, kendo, geisha, and sumo.

Visit ancient temples and walk history-laden pilgrim routes on a 8 day Koya-san & Kumano Trek.

History and government

Japan has had an interesting past with its ancient history, pre-modern history, and 20th-century history, all influencing the country we all know and love today.

Ancient history

While there is evidence the archipelago has been occupied by humans for around 35,000 years, what we know now as ‘Japan’ began to take shape about 1700 years ago as disparate tribes started to unify.

Pre-modern history

Over the centuries, Japan has alternated between feudal, empirical, religious, and government rule, with each period birthing different styles of art, architecture, and spirituality. Buddhism and Confucianism, introduced in 552 BC and AD 285, respectively, both proved massively influential on the class structures and governance of pre-modern Japan. You can still visit and stay in many Buddhist temples in Japan today.

20th century

It’s difficult to discuss the emergence of modern Japan without talking about WWII. During the war, the Empire of Japan used aggressive military tactics in an attempt to expand its reach and control in Asia and elsewhere. In response, the US Army instigated a strategic bombing campaign that included the notorious use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The result of these attacks was mass human and structural devastation.

These bombings, along with depleted armed forces and the looming threat of invasion from the Soviet Union, led the Empire of Japan to surrender unconditionally to the Allies in September 1945.

The ‘Empire of Japan’ became ‘Japan’ as part of the extensive terms of surrender, and the nation faced the prospect of rebuilding and reinventing itself in the second half of the 20th century.    

Reflect on the historic and sobering sites of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while on an 24 day Ultimate Japan tour.

After WWII, Japan found its feet operating as a free-market economy based around the manufacture and export of automobiles and electronics, experiencing particularly rapid growth between 1960 and the late 1980s. The late 20th century saw the country emerge as an economic superpower, and with that came the flourishing of several cultural sectors, such as the arts and cuisine. 

Experience Japan's historic sites on a 13 day Land of the Rising Sun tour.

Top places to visit in Japan

One minute you’re walking through a former black-market quarter, the next, you’re paying your respects at a 1400-year-old temple. Eclectic Tokyo is an essential part of any visit to Japan. Wander through the streets of Tokyo on our 12 day Classic Japan tour.

If you’ve ever eaten at a sushi train restaurant, you’ve got the underrated city of Osaka to thank! The motto in this city is 'kuidaore', which roughly translates as ‘eat until you drop’ . You can consider that a (friendly) order. Experience Osaka on our 12 day Japan Family Holiday.

The home of temples, palaces, and the Gion district (where geisha live and work), Kyoto is also where you’ll find the famed Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Spot Geisha in Kyoto on our 9 day Japan Express tour.

4. Kanazawa

A great place to see a slice of old Japan, with classic sculpted gardens, a restored Old Town, and well-preserved architecture from a variety of eras. Explore Kanazawa on our 11 day Cycle Japan tour or on our 10 day Essential Japan adventure.

5. Hiroshima

Most travelers visit Hiroshima to see the Peace Memorial Park, constructed around the hypocentre of the atomic bomb that destroyed the city in 1945. Follow this up with nearby Miyajima, a tranquil island where tame deer roam the streets. 

6. Yudanaka

This quaint resort town is best experienced in the winter, when snow coats the normally evergreen trees and Japanese macaques come down from the mountains to bathe and groom each other in the steaming natural hot springs of Jigokudani (Hell Valley).

Geography and environment

Japan is an archipelago of more than 6000 islands located in the Pacific Ocean in Asia . The main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. Lying on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is prone to destructive earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. The most famous volcano, Mount Fuji , is also Japan's highest peak and only 100km from Tokyo.

Japan has plenty of forested, mountainous terrain that is unsuitable for agriculture and development, so much of the population lives in the coastal cities. This has led Japan to become one of the most densely populated countries in the world and the majority of its inhabitants are used to living in very small spaces, with a heavy reliance on public transport.

Although life is fast-paced and crowded in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, rural areas typically feature low-density, traditional housing and a slower pace of life surrounded by greenery such as lush forests and plenty of moss-covered boulders. 

Traverse mountains, cycle coastlines, and meander through forests on a 12 day Japan: Hike, Bike and Kayak tour.

Shopping in Japan is fun but expensive, so be sure to have a budget for souvenirs planned in advance! In cities like Tokyo, there are loads of quirky stores and funky galleries showcasing the works of independent fashion designers and gadget creators. From the outlandish to the kitsch, you're guaranteed to find loads of colorful clothing and edgy art that you won't be able to find elsewhere. 

If you’re planning to bring back leaf tea or any other perishable or edible items, it's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand, in particular, have strict quarantine laws.

What to buy

• Kimonos This quintessential Japanese souvenir looks great hung on the wall as an interesting decorative piece. If you plan on wearing one, make sure you do so respectfully and learn the correct way to fold the garment.
• Paper lanterns, kites and fans Japanese paper goods make great, relatively inexpensive souvenirs. Choose from high-quality, traditionally-made kites or delicate rice paper lanterns.
• Electronics Shops in Japan are bursting with the latest tech gadgets. Just be sure to check that they are compatible for use at home.
• Fashion Have fun with the amazing diversity of popular street culture fashion available in Japan. Vibrant, brash and sometimes bizarre – find something that no one back at home will be wearing.
• Anime and manga paraphernalia Another inexpensive gift option, even for people who can’t read Japanese. Pick up a book, magazine, t-shirt or print from one of Japan’s many anime and manga stores.

Festivals and events

If you want an adventure with a point of difference, consider planning your travels to coincide with these popular festive events in Japan. 

Sapporo Winter Festival

Held every February since 1950, this festival features hundreds of statues and ice sculptures, snow slides and mazes, regional food and artistic performances. Winter in Japan is truly amazing, and the Sapporo Winter Festival is a magical way to celebrate.

Hadaka Matsuri

Head to Okayama to watch thousands of men wearing nothing but loincloths vie to touch the chosen 'naked man'. It may look like a bizarre male-bonding exercise but it's actually a historic cleansing ritual dating back thousands of years. Dates change yearly.

Fuji Rock Festival

Held annually in the stunning surroundings of the Naeba Ski Resort, this outdoor music festival is huge and draws in big-name acts and local bands Thousands of music lovers flock to Naeba for three days of camping, music and partying in the summer months. 

Read more about festivals in Japan

Further reading

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Japan adventure, check out these books:

• The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – Haruki Murakami
• Sembazuru – Yasunari Kawabata
• Moshi Moshi – Banana Yoshimoto
• Goodnight Punpun – Inio Asano
• Okinawa Notes – Kenzaburo Oe
•  A History of Japan – George Sansom
• Embracing Defeat – John W Dower

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Japan travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?

Under current restrictions, a visa is required to enter Japan as a tourist. We recommend you apply for your visa no later than one month before your departure date. Please contact your local consulate or embassy for more information.

This page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 15 June, 2023 

Is tipping customary in Japan?

Tipping isn't customary in Japan and is not expected – in fact, it will sometimes be considered impolite. Some inns or ryokans may leave a small envelope in your room where a small gratuity can be left for housekeeping staff.

What is the internet access like in Japan?

Internet access is excellent in Japan, with one of the most developed high-speed internet networks in the world. Internet cafes and wi-fi hotspots are easily found in most cities and major towns.

Can I use my cell while in Japan?

Cell phone coverage is excellent in Japan but be aware that talking loudly on your phone in public places (like in train carriages) is frowned upon. You will be expected to hide your mouth behind your hand if you must take a call in public. If you want to use your cell phone, ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive (but be aware of the fees this may incur).

What are the toilets like in Japan?

In Japan, toilets range from high-tech bidets to standard western-style flushable toilets to squat toilets, which are still common outside the city. Sometimes you may need to pay for toilet paper, which can usually be purchased from a vending machine nearby.

What will it cost for a...?

Japan's unit of currency is the yen:

• Bento box = YEN 550
• Bowl of ramen = YEN 650-1,200
• Can of beer = YEN 250
• Coffee = YEN 100-600
• Convenience store snack = YEN 200-500

Can I drink the water in Japan?

Drinking water from taps in Japan is considered safe. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water. Major cities often have water fountains in train stations.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Japan?

Major credit cards are accepted by some stores; however, Japan is still very much a cash culture and as such, some places may not accept credit cards. Ensure you carry enough cash to cover purchases.

What is ATM access like in Japan?

ATMs are common in Japan but unfortunately many of them don't accept foreign-issued cards. However, you can access cash from non-Japanese bank accounts via the Cirrus and Maestro systems at all post office ATMs around the country, as well as ATMs at 7-Eleven convenience stores.

What public holidays are celebrated in Japan?

• 1 Jan: New Year's Day
• *Coming of Age Day
• 11 Feb: National Foundation Day
• 23 Feb: Emperor's Birthday
• *20 Mar: Vernal/Spring Equinox Day
• 29 Apr: Showa Day
• 3 May: Constitution Day
• 4 May: Greenery Day
• 5 May: Children's Day
• *Jul: Marine Day, also known as Sea or Ocean Day
• 11 Aug: Mountain Day
• *Sep: Respect-for-the-Aged Day
• *23 Sep: Autumnal Equinox Day
• *Oct: Health and Sports Day
• 3 Nov: Culture Day
• 23 Nov: Labour Thanksgiving Day

* Please note, Japan public holidays may vary.

When is the best time to travel to Japan?

There’s never a bad time to travel to Japan but the months that see the most travelers are March, April, and May as the weather is mild and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The warm weather (with low humidity levels) of September, October, and November are also suitable months to visit Japan – you’ll even be treated to landscapes colored with oranges, reds, and browns for autumn. While winter can be cold, this is the best time for snow activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snow festivals. On the other hand, the summer months see high humidity levels that can leave some travelers uncomfortable.

What is the weather like in Japan?

• Spring (March to May): temperatures range from 50 to 68°F, with conditions getting sunnier and clearer towards the end of the season.
• Summer (June to August): temperatures range from 70 to 90°F depending on where you are. It’s warmer in the south than in the north. You can expect some rain in June, and it can get quite humid towards the end of the season.
• Fall (September to November): temperatures range from 45 to 68°F. The humidity starts to calm down in September, but days stay warm until October. Nights can be chilly.  
• Winter (December to February): break out the coats, temperatures during winter range from 32 to 59°F. The mountains and the north experience snowfall .

How safe is Japan?

Japan is generally safe and is rated among the safest countries in the world. Reports of crime such as theft are very low and travelers are often stunned by the fact that locals leave belongings unaccompanied in cafes and bars (though we certainly don’t recommend it!). 

Is Japan safe for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

LGBTQIA+ travelers shouldn’t have any issues visiting Japan with violence, outright hostility or overt discrimination extremely rare. However, Japan’s older generation still holds conservative values when it comes to LGBTQIA+ sexuality and non-binary gender expression, especially those that live in regional areas.

Same-sex relationships are considered legal in some districts (such as Tokyo); however, same-sex marriage hasn’t been legalized yet. Public displays of affection are often frowned upon, regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation so keep that in mind when you’re out in public. 

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

Is Japan accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

The needs of travelers with mobility issues, including wheelchair users, are considered in the infrastructure in major cities. Train stations have lifts (elevators), wide turnstiles and (for the most part) raised platforms so that wheelchair users can glide onto the train without being assisted.  Sidewalks in Japanese cities are sometimes sloped towards the road, which can make traveling a straight line difficult for wheelchair users or people with vision impairment.

It is common practice in Japan to remove shoes when entering a home. Wheelchair users should carry something to wipe down their wheels in respect of this custom. Apply the same logic for other mobility aids such as canes.

Ryokans and other traditional accommodation can be difficult to navigate for people with limited mobility, but accessible hotel options are plentiful in the major cities.

Travelers with vision impairment may find the tactile yellow strips that guide the way to various places in train stations helpful, though please note that there is no barrier between the train tracks and platforms.

If you have a battery-operated hearing aid, it’s a good idea to bring extra batteries or familiarise yourself with the Japanese equivalent of the batteries it takes.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

What should I wear in Japan?

Summer months can be incredibly hot and sticky, so loose, lightweight and breathable clothing is essential.

Spring and autumn can be crisp and cold, so you might want to pack thermal layers in addition to your coat and boots. 

Outside of Hokkaido and the mountains, the winter temperatures in Japan are manageable as long as you have regular cold-weather clothes like a good coat, pair of gloves, a winter hat and a scarf. 

The style of dress common for women in Japan may be a little more covered up than you are used to, particularly outside the major cities.

Packing comfortable trousers is essential as you may find yourself sitting cross-legged on the floor during your stay. 

What are some common phrases/words I should learn before my trip to Japan?

Having a basic understanding of the language and culture of the country you're visiting can go a long way when it comes to, not only communicating efficiently but your overall trip experience as well. Some common phrases you need to learn are: 

• 'hello' - Konnichiwa
• 'good morning' - Ohayō 
• 'thank you' - Arigatou Gozaimasu
• 'please' - Onegaishimasu

What religions do they practice in Japan?

There are two dominant religions in Japan - Shinto and Buddhism. The majority of Japanese people practice both simultaneously, however, there is a small number of the population that practise other religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam. 

What are the best places to visit in Japan?

From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the peaceful nature of the Japanese Alps, there are plenty of bucket-list destinations to include on your itinerary of Japan. We know it's hard to see everything but here are a few of our favourite places to visit in Japan: 

What are the best things to see in Japan?

Japan isn't short of spectacular attractions to wander through and fascinating historical landmarks to marvel at but it's pretty hard to do it all on your trip to Japan. So you don't miss the things you simply have to see, we've put together a short list of parks, temples, and monuments worth visiting. Happy exploring! 

• Hiroshima Peace Park 
• Cherry blossom trees
• Osaka Castle
• Himeji Castle

What should I eat in Japan?

Food lovers, including  vegetarians and vegans , will be more than satisfied with the variety and quality of Japanese cuisine. With a focus on fresh, seasonal produce that is prepared meticulously and presented beautifully, dining in Japan is a memorable experience.

What drinks should I try in Japan?

From craft beer to sake, Japan has plenty of tasty liquids to keep you hydrated throughout your travels.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

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The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

What is it like traveling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re about to embark on your first trip, traveling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organizing amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), traveling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Does my Intrepid trip include airfare?

While our Intrepid trips include many modes of transport, from tuk-tuks to overland vehicles, bullet trains and feluccas, airfare to and from your home country is not included in your tour package.

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Japan Tour and Vacation Packages for 2024/2025 (Customizable and Private)

Japan is a perfect destination for both family trips and couples throughout the year. With its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and various attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy in every season. Asia Highlights offers a wide range of private Japan vacation packages at the most competitive rates, ensuring a time-efficient and worry-free vacation for you and your loved ones.

Popular Japan Vacation Packages

The following itineraries have been designed to cover the highlights of Japan's unique culture. The most popular duration for a first tour of Japan is 9-12 days, allowing sufficient time to appreciate Japan's most illustrious cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

• 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour

11-Day Traditional Japan Tour

• 12-Day Classic Japan Tour

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Japan Family Vacation Packages

The following itineraries have been designed to cover the highlights of Japan's unique culture, featuring child-friendly interactions. A duration of around 2 weeks allows for sufficient time to appreciate the country's most illustrious destinations at a relaxed pace.

8-Day Essential Japan Family Trip with Disneyland

10-day family artistic escape in japan, 12-day authentic japan family adventure tour with acg, 2 week japan cherry blossom tour.

• 2-Week Japan Private Family Vacation

17-Day Japan Summer Family Vacation

Japan cherry blossom mini-group tours for 2025.

Immerse yourself in the splendor of Japan's cherry blossom season with our well-designed itineraries. Embark on a captivating one-to-two-week journey through iconic destinations like Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka. Enjoy an excellent-value experience with small groups of up to seven travelers or personalize your adventure with a private tour.

* As Japan's landscapes transform into a pastel paradise with the arrival of cherry blossoms each spring, we invite you to embark on an unforgettable journey through this enchanting spectacle. To fully immerse yourself in this captivating season, we recommend securing your cherry blossom tour before the year's end. Due to the overwhelming demand, guides and transportation often reach full capacity by January, making it challenging to book tours late in winter. We helpfully encourage you to seize the opportunity to book early and experience the beauty of Japan's cherry blossom wonderland.

7-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Tour 2025

10-day japan cherry blossom tour 2025, japan tour packages by theme.

The following itineraries have been designed to cover most highlights of Japan's unique culture. The best duration for a first tour of Japan is 9-11 days, allowing sufficient time to appreciate the country's most illustrious cities, Tokyo and Kyoto, Kanazawa and Osaka.

10-Day Japan Highlights and Cherry Blossom Tour

8-day hokkaido summer vacation — nature & traditions, 9-day best of japan's winter – hokkaido private tour, 5-day tokyo high-life experience, 8-day west japan mountain & sea highlights tour, 5-day tokyo highlights tour, more japan tours.

The itineraries presented below are derived from the actual preferences and prior tours of our esteemed customers, provided as an example of what we can do. We encourage you to share your travel ideas and aspirations with us as this collaboration will greatly assist us in meticulously crafting the most suitable Japan itinerary for you, tailored to your specific interests and desires.

12-Day Tokyo, Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara Tour

18-day tokyo, hakone, nagoya, kyoto, hiroshima and osaka tour, 21-day japan grand journey, more asia tours including japan, 16-day japan and china discovery tour, 16-day south korea and japan cultural adventure tour, 19-day japan, china, singapore and bali tour, tour packages for other asian countries, inquire now. your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day., how would you travel.

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Top Latest FAQ about Tours of Japan

1. what is the best time to visit japan.

The best time to visit Japan depends on your preferences and what you want to experience. Here we have listed some factors to consider:

Japan has four distinct seasons, and each season offers different weather conditions and attractions.

• Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally mild and pleasant, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
• Summer (June to August) can be hot and humid, but it's a great time to enjoy beaches and summer festivals.
• Winter (December to February) can be cold and snowy, but it's a good time for winter sports and hot springs.
• Japan is a popular tourist destination, and some attractions can be crowded, especially during peak travel seasons. If you want to avoid crowds, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons (April to May and September to November).

Events and Festivals

• Japan has many cultural events and festivals throughout the year, such as the cherry blossom season in spring, the Gion Festival in Kyoto in July, and the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter. If you want to experience a specific event or festival, plan your trip accordingly.

Check more about Best Times to Visit Japan >>>

2. How much does it cost for Japan tour?

Japan is known for its high consumption level and can be expensive, especially during peak travel seasons. However, there are options for different budgets, and it's possible to find affordable accommodations, food, and transportation.

The cost of a Japan tour can vary widely depending on several factors, including the duration of the tour, the level of luxury, the time of year, and the specific activities and attractions included.

As a rough estimate, a 10-day Japan tour with mid-range accommodations, transportation, and guided tours could cost around USD 3,000 to 5,000 per person, excluding airfare. Luxury tours with high-end accommodations can cost significantly more.

View more at How Much Is a Trip to Japan >>>

3. Are Japan guided tour worth it?

Japan guided tours can be worth it, especially for Westerners who may face language barriers and cultural differences. Here are some potential advantages to consider:

• Convenience : Guided tours often take care of transportation, accommodation, and admission tickets, which can save time and hassle.
• Local expertise : Local guides can provide valuable insights into Japanese culture, history, and customs that you may not learn on your own.
• Language support : Guides can assist with translation and communication, which can be especially helpful for travelers who don't speak Japanese.
• Educational value : Japan guided tours can be educational, especially for families with children, as guides can provide historical and cultural context to the attractions and activities.
• Safety : Having a guide can help ensure that you stay safe and avoid potential scams or dangers.
• Peace of mind : Traveling to a foreign country can be stressful, but having a guide can provide peace of mind and reduce anxiety.

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• Celebrate milestones with style!
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9 Days Deep Japan - True Experience | Small Group Travel

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Tour Descriptions

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Tour Departure and Prices 1) Price per person.    2) Airfare is not included.  

Tour Includes

• - Travel Insurance
• - Optional Excursions

Travel Highlights

Important information, maximum group size.

The maximum number of participants will not exceed 26 people during your Japan tour. Your group may be joined with other tour groups during the tour. Please note that your bus and tour guide may be changed if other groups join the tour.

Single Supplement

Single travelers are required to pay a single supplement in order to guarantee single room accommodation.

We request one suitcase, one carry-on bag, and an overnight bag per person. The tote bag we provide can be used to hold any small merchandise/souvenirs purchased during your tour. When you check out, bring your luggage to the lobby and the bus driver will assist in loading it onto the bus. When you arrive at the next hotel, the bus driver will unload your luggage for you to bring to your room. Please note: The maximum weight of a checked in bag is typically 20 Kilograms or 44 Pounds. You will be traveling with your luggage except during the bullet train ride (if applicable).

Accommodation

All hotel rooms come with a full bathroom and room amenities free of charge unless stated otherwise.

Transportation

All motor coaches come equipped with air-conditioning, plenty of space, comfortable seats, and Wi-Fi.

International Flights

All of our tours begin in either Tokyo or Osaka/Kyoto. When beginning or ending a tour in Tokyo, please book flights to or from Narita International Airport or Haneda International Airport. For tours beginning or ending in Osaka/Kyoto, please book flights to or from Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport. We recommend you do not book your flights until the tour status changes from Book Now to Guaranteed Departure . You can also contact us if you would like for Japan Deluxe Tour's to arrange your flights.

Fitness & Shoes

Traveling and visiting sights in Japan includes a good amount of walking. To fully enjoy the tour, please be prepared to keep up with the pace of the group, climb stairs with no difficulty, and wear comfortable shoes for all day use.

Guests with tattoos may not be able to use the hot-springs or onsens while in Japan. We apologize if you are unable to enjoy this experience during your stay.

Cherry Blossom Viewing

We cannot guarantee cherry blossoms will be in full bloom for viewing during this tour. Please refer to our Cherry Blossom Forecast page for updates and information about Sakura Cherry Blossoms and when they are expected to bloom in select cities.

Meals & Dietary Requirements

Please notify us before your tour starts if you have any dietary restrictions or requirements we should be aware about. Japan Deluxe Tours can provide Vegetarian meals for guests, and we will do our best to cater to any serious allergies or dietary restrictions. We will not be able to substitute or change meals after your tour begins.

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Your Japan Vacation

Japan vacation packages in 2024 deliver you to a land of discovery, a land of contrasts where serene gardens with wooden temples sit in bustling futuristic cities. Take the stress out of your travels and book a Japan vacation package with airfare included, so you can arrive at your hotel ready for adventures ahead. Ski trip packages in Japan take you to beautiful mountain resorts with fantastic beginner slopes and legendary deep powder snow for hard-core snow riders. For a first-time trip, little beats a Japan travel tour package taking in the greats: Tokyo , Osaka , and Kyoto . This is one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations for an unforgettable vacation.

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Japan vacation.

No matter how much you think you know about Japan, nothing can prepare you for the moment when you step out into the buzzing, neon-lit streets of downtown Tokyo for the first time.

Japan Hotel + Flights

Japanese accommodations are an experience in themselves. Browse through our 34,261 hotels (starting at $47 a night) and you’ll see what we mean. For the price-conscious traveler, consider bundling your flights and hotels together with our Japan Vacation Packages. You can also add a rental car and experiences to your package. With the savings you make you can throw a guided tour of the Imperial Palace into the mix.

Your Japan Vacation Itinerary

Day 1-3: Most travelers to Japan touch down at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport). Settle into your hotel before checking out the best sights that this famous city has to offer, such as Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and the Tokyo Skytree.

Day 4-5: Take the futuristic Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. Japan’s third biggest city, this place lures travelers with its vibrant food scene and attractions such as Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.

Day 6-7: Hop back on the train and head to Kyoto, Japan’s spiritual heart. Spend your days exploring its serene temples, shrines and gardens.

Japan Information

Cherry blossom season is one of the most popular times to visit Japan. The country explodes into color each year between late April and early May.

You could easily spend your entire trip in the country’s dizzying capital, so why not take a look at our Tokyo Vacation Packages ?

Top Vacation Destinations in Japan

Embrace local culture with Kyoto vacation packages

Kyoto is one of the cultural capitals of Japan, where you'll be able to immerse yourself into a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the city as a whole isn't a heritage site, its extensive collection of temples, shrines, palaces, and gardens is. When you visit them, you'll almost feel as if you're stepping back into the past, considering how well-preserved and still in use many of them are.

Discover the mountain with a Fuji vacation

Fuji is a massive mountain in Honshu that reaches up to 4132 yards. When you visit, you'll find quite a few fun things to do, including hikes and even some climbing available. Of course, you'll find plenty of surrounding towns and villages as well that make it easy to relax and take in the sheer beauty of this massive towering natural feature.

Taste wonders with Osaka vacation packages

The city of Osaka has a lot to offer, but it's best known for its gastronomic offerings. The food available here comes in many different forms, with influences from all over the world. Whether you're looking for snacks or full-on meals, you'll never have to look far. Plus, the local chefs are always happy to talk about what goes into their takoyaki or okonomiyaki or whatever else they're preparing.

Explore the capital with Tokyo vacation packages

Tokyo is an impressive city and capital with an immense array of things to see and do. The inner city is densely packed with some streets used more often by pedestrians than cars. When you're there, you'll find restaurants, museums, arcades, coffee shops, and just about anything else you can imagine. Still, local parks and temples can be impressive if you want something a bit more serene.

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Frequently asked questions, discover the most popular places to visit in japan, tokyo disneyland®.

Ride roller coasters and watch theatrical shows as you witness the magic of Disney come to life at this family-friendly amusement park and resort.

Universal Studios Japan

Watch theatrical shows, meet lovable mascots and go on exhilarating rides at this extensive movie-focused theme park.

Tokyo DisneySea®

Discover the secrets of the oceans in this magical theme park, where Disney’s sea-dwelling characters will take you on a journey to the world below the waves.

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Our Japan tours weave both ancient and present day by land and sea as you discover a country steeped in traditions dating back thousands of years but also in a continual state of rapid flux, with fads, fashions, and technologies that are everchanging.

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Welcome to Japan

Discover the revered traditions and serene beauty that infuse life here… from the heart of Japan on Honshu Island … to the multiple night stays in the modern city of Tokyo and magical Kyoto… experience the "Japanese Alps" where the mountains reach 9,000 + feet… and dine Japanese style sans yukatas... to a background of musical entertainment. You will return home with an in-depth cultural portrait of this fascinating island nation.  

Tokyo, japan, kyoto, japan, japan's geisha culture, the mysteries of japan's geisha traditions.

Kyoto is considered the birthplace of Japan's geisha culture, with the historic Gion district at its heart. To become a geiko, the preferred term for geisha, women must spend years in training as a maiko, perfecting lessons in traditional dance, musical instruments, flower arranging, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, painting and the art of conversation. Seeing them perform is an exclusive privilege and a highlight of your visit to Japan. Learn more about their elite world as our insider expert leads you through the back streets of the city's geisha districts, sharing stories along the way.

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Futuristic luxury in tokyo's heart.

High above the city, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is a five-star luxury hotel with views to take your breath away. Exuding crisp, contemporary style, this city-center gem prides itself on its excellent technology... a renowned spa featuring a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments and therapies... seven innovative restaurants (three of which are Michelin-starred) offering a variety of cuisines... several lounges and bars.... and impeccable service.

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"Japan is one of the most captivating places on earth, where you can go from Tokyo's flashy streets to the snowy peak of Mount Fuji or a traditional ryokan in a day."

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Admire the snow-capped Mount Fuji

See the towering peak of Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan and a UNESCO-listed site. We’ll take you up to the 5th station of Mount Fuji, a spectacular vantage point at 7,545 feet, before taking a ride on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway with views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi.

Take a high-speed bullet train to Kyoto

Board the high-speed bullet train to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and the ancient epicentre of Japanese culture. After whizzing through the country, you’ll meet the locals at a traditional ryokan and learn about traditional Japanese customs, then explore the Gion District and glittering Kinkakuji Temple, the symbol of Kyoto.

Experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony

We’ll introduce you to a professional Tea Master who has spent many years learning the craft of the tea ceremony. You’ll learn about the history of Japanese tea making, and watch how the matcha is prepared with a bamboo whisk. You’ll even have a go at making (and tasting) your own tea.

Admire Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory

The Floating Garden Observatory is an open-air viewing platform, stretching between the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building. We’ll take you to the top of the 567-foot buildings for panoramic views over Osaka, including the city’s dazzling rivers, bridges and soaring skyscrapers.

Wander through Ameyoko Street Market

With nearly 200 shops selling everything from fresh fish and spices to clothing and bags, you can spend hours roaming through Ameyoko Street Market. Located in Tokyo along the Yamanote Line tracks, it was once a black market selling American goods and sweets after WWII, when sugar was hard to find.

Our top 5 things to do in Japan

Our Japan tours take you from the dizzying heights of Mount Fuji and the bustle of the Ameyoko Market, to the tranquility of a Japanese tea ceremony.

Tokyo National Museum

The largest and oldest museum in Japan, Tokyo National Museum holds one of the world’s best collections of art and archaeological artefacts from Asia. There are over 110,000 items, including 87 National Treasures of Japan, and you can find everything from art along the Silk Road to medieval Japanese art.

Kotokuin Temple

Located in the city of Kamakuru, the Kotokuin Temple is a Japanese Buddhist temple of the Jodo sect. It’s home to the ‘Great Buddha’ or ‘Daibutsu’, a 37-foot bronze statue of Amida Buddha, constructed in 1252. The towering statue is a National Treasure and one of the most iconic sights in Japan.

Sensoji Buddhist Temple

One of the most famous temples in Japan, the Sensoji Buddhist Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. It was originally built in 628 but was rebuilt after being destroyed in WWII. Today, you’ll find a beautiful five-storey pagoda, woven with incense and crimson eaves.

Best museums in Japan

A Japan tour package with Trafalgar takes you through the country’s top museums, from one of the world’s best collections of Asian art, to the ornate temples of Tokyo.

Although sushi is now a popular dish around the world, you’ve never really tried it until you’ve eaten the best in Japan. Our Local Specialists will help you navigate the endless varieties of this iconic dish, from raw vegetables to fresh fish wrapped in rice and seaweed.

Hida beef comes from a Japanese breed of black-haired cattle raised in the fresh air and pure water of Gifu Prefecture. Hailed as the best beef in Japan, we’ll take you to the top restaurants to try one of the beautifully tender and marbled Hida beef steaks.

A beloved dish found all over the country, ramen is a delicious Japanese noodle soup. Each region has a different variation and it usually involves a tasty pork or chicken broth, seasoned with plenty of rich flavors like miso, soy sauce and spring onions.

Best food in Japan

A Japan group tour with Trafalgar will have you indulging in the country’s fantastic cuisine, from fresh sushi to piping hot ramen.

What to pack for Japan

Adaptor plug

In Japan, the standard voltage is 100 V and the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard frequency is 50 / 60 Hz.

Comfortable sandals

Japanese culture requires you to take off your shoes when entering traditional restaurants, temples and ryokans. Bring a comfortable pair of sandals so you can easily slip them off all day.

Japanese phrasebook

Learning a few Japanese phrases will help you connect with the friendly Japanese locals, and offers the chance for some rewarding interactions.

Most shops and restaurants in Japan primarily accept cash, so it’s best to come prepared with some Japanese yen for your trip.

Versatile clothing

Japan’s weather ranges hot and humid to freezing cold, with mild springs in between. Pack versatile layers to be prepared for all conditions on your Japan holiday.

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Japan Small Group Tours

Uncover new and exciting adventures in Japan by taking part in our small group tours. Go sightseeing at your own pace surrounded by travellers like you. Provided by top tour operators & travel companies, our small group tours in Japan will offer you the perfect balance between spending time on your own and group activities. View all  small group tours  and all small group travel agencies .

149 Japan small group tours with 2,044 reviews

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• Train & Rail
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Japan Express: Osaka to Tokyo

Very friendly, knowledgeable tour guides. Very comfortable bus.

Japan One Life Adventures - 10 Days

Great experience and jam packed with cultural things to do

Epic Japan: Speed Trains & Street Food

Tour was great in many respects - some of the accommodation, for example, was excellent, and the use of the bullet trains was a fab experience. As others have said, there was perhaps too much free time - at times, I felt unprepared. Having said this, our great guide, Akiko, would often help us work out what to do/where to visit.

• Food & Culinary

Japan Real Food Adventure

Some more time in Osaka and visiting Koyasan at a less busier time would be good. The visit to the tea farm was great! Special Thanks to our guide, Morry the magician. He led us to some places that weren't included in the included activities.

Japan Highlights

Loved seeing Japan. Very busy itinerary - 55 miles walked in 8 days but really enjoyable.

Hidden Tokyo Experience

An excellent tour for people who want to learn how to travel Tokyo and Japan in general comfortably alone and on a budget! Also check their own website for hotter deals.

Premium Japan

We had an amazing holiday. Japan was all we had hoped for. The group worked so well, we all got on and became good friends. Shingo, our guide was totally great. He was so pleasant and helpful. His English not brilliant but he did a great job. We felt maybe a little more information on places and sights might have been good. He was constantly helping us all and looking after us. He made great suggestions for meals and always checked up on us all, even when we split into smaller groups for the evening. He went way beyond what he could have done and made everyone feel safe and well looked after. He even helped booking all our onward travel and ensured we were all ok on the day. Wonderful man!! The hotels were nice, if a little small with almost no storage in most of them! Breakfasts were generally very good. We saw and did so much. In fact, we felt sometimes it was a little too much to fit into each day, and either missed some things out or were too rushed, missing stopping and looking at leisure at things and shops etc. Shingo was so patient, even when we caused him to run a little late! Due to distances covered we spent a lot of time travelling which was an interesting experience. Just meant time at destinations was a little short. As Most of us were older we all felt very tired at the end of each day and struggled especially when we had to carry back packs whilst waiting to be reunited with luggage. Dont know what the answer is, if extra days added, then expense goes up. If itinerary cut back, then Interesting sights missed out! Overall, a truly great trip. We enjoyed it all!

Premium Highlights of Japan

Japan Discovered (No. 1 Best Selling Tour)

The tour gives a great introduction to Japan, visiting virtually all the major destinations with the exception of Osaka The group size was small and I'm glad to say we all got on extremely well together. Our tour guide Toshi was simply superb and a big thanks to him for chaperoning us from each location and organising logistics for us all.

Iconic Japan National Geographic Journeys

The tour was well organized, and provided great insight into Japanese culture and history

• Festival & Events

7 Days Customized Best Japan Tour, Private & Daily Departure

The first day did not involve any touring. I was met at the airport, directed to a private car and taken to hotel. Probably about 40 minutes total time. Day 2,3,4,5 and 6 were good with the guides doing a very good job. Competent and friendly ladies. There did seem to be a heavy focus on Temples, Shrines and castles but that’s ok because I was a first timer to Japan and the experience was positive. The hotels selected for us were excellent. Day 7 did not have any involvement at all by the tour company. So, really this is only a 5 day tour with a ride to your hotel on the first day. I consider this to be false advertising. IT WAS NOT A SEVEN day tour.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

10 Days Private Tailor-Made Japan Trip, Daily Departure

The tour was great! We liked the tour guides, though one was delayed because of a train accident. Their English was generally good, and one took us "off tour" to show us some of the hidden gems in her community; we liked that especially.

• Local Living

Best of Japan - 8 days

A good tour. I understand that using public transport is part of the experience but on occasion I think it would have been more efficient to use a coach

A Classic 11 Day Japan Holiday

12-Day Japan Family Adventure through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Beyond

Great trip Our guide, Juno was amazing. The weather was super hot but he managed to keep us comfortable as we moved very quickly on public transport from site to site. Juno always had good well-priced meal suggestions and was super organized and cheerful. The hotels were very good or better. The hotel in Tokyo was noisy because it was near a hospital. A lightweight suitcase, with excellent wheels would be my suggestion for luggage versus a duffle bag Hiroshima was the most moving part of the trip Hakone was the most fun and I wish we could have stayed a bit longer. We stayed a few extra days to go to Disneyland, and I would recommend staying near Disney property versus downtown Tokyo. We could’ve used a midday break and then return to the park for the evening fireworks but it was super hot and we pooped out before closing.

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Reviews of Small Group tours to Japan

The guide was the best

This tour was excellent, six out of five stars! Very well organised, itinerary included everything with good amount of free time. Hostels booked were excellent and very clean.

Japan was so fun! A looooooot of free time so do you researches about what to do and visit in every city. Would have love more ''organised'' activities (like a dinner every night with the group,...). Compared to other G Adventures tour I did in the past, I felt that this group was less stick together since there was only a few group activities.

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24 Places to Go in Japan in 2024

December 26, 2023 by Robert Schrader Leave a Comment

Walking through Shinsekai in Osaka a few weeks ago, I passed by one of the district’s famous billiken images. I tripped over it, actually—I wouldn’t have noticed it otherwise.

It was smaller than all the others, and much more awkwardly placed—I wouldn’t have tripped over it otherwise. It was standing just outside a dimly-lit sushi counter, one with a much healthier queue than you would expect for somewhere with such yellow windows, let alone so far off the main drag. 

Just before I started walking again, I saw a message inscribed around the base of the statue: “The god of things as they ought to be.” I’ll use this later , I laughed as I scrawled it down in my notebook.

Certainly, and at least in terms of traveling to Japan, 2023 was as close to the way “things out to be” as thing have been in many years. 2023 was the first full year without covid-related entry restrictions since 2019. Exploring the country felt more or less as it had during the pre-pandemic years, especially as the summer cooled into autumn and now early winter.

The world, for its part, has gotten the message, with inbound tourism figures having completely rebounded. As a result, many of the places I’m about to recommend you visit in 2024 are off-the-beaten-path, whether that means they take place in less popular seasons, or in parts of the country where foreign travelers tend not to venture.

Of course, no matter where you go in Japan next year, it’ll be an experience unlike any other. Dare I say, 2024 will be the best year—ever—to visit Japan?

Where to Go in Japan in 2024

1. sapporo snow festival.

Allow me to be clear: The annual Snow Festival itself isn’t the only reason to visit Sapporo during winter. Whether because of warming oden shops or treasure-filled subterranean shopping malls, the city becomes its truest self when the weather is coldest, to say nothing of the fact that it’s a gateway to the rest of Hokkaido . 

When to Visit: The Sapporo Snow Festival takes place February 4-11 every year. You still have time to book a 2024 trip!

READ MORE: Sapporo’s Snowiest Spectacle

2. Satsuma Peninsula

The bad news? I didn’t see a single tree bearing Lilliputian satsuma mandarins during my entire time on the Satsuma Peninsula , in Kagoshima prefecture on Kyushu island. The good news? From thermal sand baths, to charming Samurai villages, to sprawling tea fields, I didn’t miss the pop of citrus taste for even a moment.

When to Visit: The weather is glorious during the “shoulder” travel period between late October and early November.

READ MORE: Kagoshima Starts Here

3. Motonosumi Inari Shrine

Love the idea of visiting Kyoto ‘s Fushimi Inari Shrine , but hate the idea of pushing your way through crowds to get the perfect selfie? Headed instead to Motonosumi Inari Taisha in Yamaguchi prefecture, where an added bonus is that the haunting gates are right on the sea.

When to Visit: Motonosumi Inari is beautiful all year round, though the sea breeze can be bitterly cold during the winter between about December and March.

READ MORE: Farewell to the Fox Spirit

4. Matsusaka

Kobe is the most famous place in Japan for wa-gyu beef, but it’s not the only one. Instead, board a train southward from Nagoya and get off at Matsusaka Station . In addition to a spate of underrated beef restaurants, you can get lost in the haunting quiet Matsusaka Merchant District , or take in a panorama from the Matsusaka Castle Ruins .

When to Visit: Matsusaka makes for a great cherry blossom destination, with full bloom usually around April 1. It’s relatively unknown, even among Japanese, so it almost never gets crowded.

READ MORE: Musings on Matsusaka

5. Horyu-ji

Horyu-ji is one of the most historically significant structures in Nara prefecture, which is saying something, given that the city is famous primarily for historically significant structures. Even if you don’t know the backstory of this 7th-century temple, the sheer scale of it will amaze you.

When to Visit: Since you’re likely to visit Nara city anywhere, simply plan on stopping at Horyu-ji Station (located along the JR Yamatoji Line , which connects Nara and Osaka ) along your way. It’s beautiful 365 days per year.

READ MORE: Nara Starts Here

6. Ouchi-juku

Over a decade on from the Great East Japan Earthquake, Fukushima is a word that still evokes negative feelings in most foreigners—don’t be one of them. Ouchi-juku village makes a great intro to the prefecture. A single stroll amid its picturesque farm houses will ensure your first trip to Fukushima-ken is not your last.

When to Visit: The inland portions of Fukushima prefecture (which also include the city of Aizu-wakamatsu ) are at their most gorgeous in early November, when the region’s autumn colors reach their peak.

READ MORE: The Real Danger of Visiting Fukushikma

7. Kenroku-en Garden

Kenroku-en , the jewel of Kanazawa city in Japan’s Hokuriku region, is my personal favorite of Japan’s “three great gardens.” While you’ll of course want to explore the rest of what Kanazawa has to offer when you’re here, trust me when I saw that the garden alone is worth the visit, if you happen to be on the fence.

When to Visit: A landscape garden designed to spotlight Japan’s seasons, Kenroku-en is a place you’ll ideally visit at least once during all four of them.

READ MORE: How Many Days Do You Need in Kanazawa?

8. Akan-Mashu National Park

The only thing more miraculous than the fact that the red-crested crane ( tancho ) has been brought back from near extinction? The fact that dozens of the birds come to the same park every morning, making them a reliable tourist attractions. Birds notwithstanding, the trio of lakes— Akan , Mashu , Kussharo —that dots this vast wilderness in rural Hokkaido makes the journey more than worth it.

When to Visit: While winter is the best and most picturesque time of year to photograph the tancho , I’m also partial to the beautiful autumn season in eastern-central Hokkaido.

READ MORE: Hokkaido’s Wild East

9. Okinawa (Main island)

Most travelers are under the impression that Okinawa is a single island, rather than an archipelago, so congratulations if you weren’t among them. Indeed, while I love explore the former Ryukyu Kingdom  as a region, the main island (and Naha City ) is my favorite place to start. Get lost in Shikina-en garden, eat taco rice along Kokusai-dori , watch the sun rise over Naminoue Shrine , or take day trips to Ie and Tokashiki islands.

When to Visit: I love visiting Okinawa in summer time, although the later in summer you go (so, after September) the higher propensity there is for typhoons.

READ MORE: Is Okinawa Worth Visiting?

10. Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet

Cherry blossoms are Japan’s most famous spring flowers, but they’re not the only ones—far from it. While you can only see four (at max) of these at the Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet near Toyama , the beauty of the Japanese Alps rising behind the scene will make you feel like you’ve hit nature’s jackspot.

When to Visit: The cherry blossoms here usually reach full bloom sometime during the first week of April.

READ MORE: The Truth About Toyama

11. Himeji Castle

Arguably most beautiful (and certainly, the most-visited) of Japan’s 12 original castles, Himeji Castle is also by far the most mainstream entry on this list of places to visit in Japan in 2024. However, because of both its beauty and scale, as well as how easy it is to visit on a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka , I think it’s worth contending with any crowd to see.

When to Visit: While Himeji Castle is traditionally a place people go during sakura season, I’ve recently found it to be beautiful and charming during the autumn (around December 1).

READ MORE: Is Himeji Castle Worth Visiting?

12. Nagasaki

Nagasaki isn’t having a moment, but it should be. In addition to the fact that a Shinkansen route there just opened up, Nagasaki is objectively one of Japan’s most beautiful cities. Ascend Mt. Inasa to see its skyline glittering around Nagasaki Bay , or instead explore its world heritage at ground level, be that Dutch-colonial Dejima district, one of Japan’s most impressive Chinatowns or a one-legged shrine that half-survived a nuclear blast.

When to Visit: Nagasaki is blessed with great weather all year round, so timing is not really important.

READ MORE: Nagasaki Starts Here

13. Nachi Taisha Shrine

If you have time, I’d like to recommend you spend 3-5 days hiking the Kumano Kodo , which for my money is Japan’s most fulfilling pilgrimage route. If you don’t, then at a bare minimum make your way to Nachi-Katsuura Station , where a short bus ride will take you to Nachi Taisha shrine. Sometimes also known as Japan’s “waterfall pagoda,” this place is one of my favorite scenic views in the entire country.

When to Visit: Although the cherry blossoms here are beautiful, I love the pureness of seeing the shrine surrounded by the bright green of summer.

READ MORE: How to See Japan’s Waterfall Pagoda

14. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

In recent years, I’ve made a point of attending as many of Japan’s famous summer festivals as I can. While I haven’t yet been to all of them, I can say that my favorite was the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri , which takes place in Aomori , the northernmost city of Japan’s main Honshu island and one of the anchors of the increasingly popular Tohoku region.

When to Visit: The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri takes place between August 2-7 every year. If you can’t come during this time, the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE is open the entire rest of the year.

READ MORE: Tohoku’s Marvelous Matsuri

15. Senjojiki Cirque Hiking Route

My Swiss best friend sometimes chides me for the fact that Japan has its own “Alps,” given how much less spectacular they are (in her opinion) compared to Switzerland’s. One place that always shuts her up when I send pictures of it? The Senjojiki Cirque hiking route, in Nagano prefecture near the city of Matsumoto . 

When to Visit: While the main viewpoint here is a canvas for all of Japan’s seasons, a hike here is especially refreshing in July and August, when low-lying areas of Japan are scorching-hot.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Japan Hiking Guide

16. Obuchi Sasaba Tea Plantation

The only thing better than a verdant tea field, in my opinion, is one of with Mt. Fuji rising above it. Thankfully, if you visit Obuchi Sasaba tea plantation in Shizuoka prefecture just south of the mountain, you can see both at the same time. Pair this with a visit to the flower fields just south of Higashitagano-ura Station , where you can see Shinkansen trains racing past the mountain.

When to Visit: I like visiting in April or May, when the tea plants are brighter than they are in winter, but when Fujisan still has an impressive snow cap.

READ MORE: Shizuoka Starts Here

17. Urui River

Want to see sakura (rather than tea fields) framing Mt. Fuji, but don’t want to deal with the complication of getting to Fuji Five Lakes , the later blooming time or the insane crowds? Instead make your way to the Urui River , a tributary near Shin-Fuji Station (which is served by Shinkansen ), where a gentle waterway flanked by cherry blossom trees flows southward from the famous mountain.

When to Visit: Full bloom here takes place within a week of when it occurs in Tokyo, so usually just before or just after April 1.

READ MORE: Where to See Mt. Fuji

18. Setouchi Region

Although it’s increasingly referred to as a single region, Setouchi (which, as its name suggests, surrounds Japan’s Seto Inland Sea ) is many destinations in one. From cities like Hiroshima , Okayama , Matsuyama and Takayama , to experiences like the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, to standalone destinations like the “floating” Itsukushima Shrine and ancient Dogo Onsen , Setouchi will take you many trips to explore.

When to Visit: Plan your trip to Setouchi based on the destinations you will visit. Cities tend to be at their most beautiful in late March or early December (amid sakura and autumn colors); natural activities tend to be better in “shoulder” months like May and November. You can enjoy delicious okonomiyaki and udon noodles all year round!

READ MORE: The Best Setouchi Base

19. Gujo-hachiman

In Gujo-hachiman , nothing is what it seems. A great illustration of this is the town’s hilltop castle, which far from being an authentic medieval outpost is actually Japan’s oldest such reconstruction. Another way to experience this? After strolling along Igawa Lane (a drainage ditch so clean that koi swim in it), make your way to Iwasaki Sample Village , which makes fake, plastic food for restaurants all over Japan.

When to Visit: With four very well-defined seasons on account of its high elevation, Gujo (to which locals often shorten its name) is gorgeous 365 days per year.

READ MORE: The Secret of Gujo-hachiman

20. Hakodate

I’ve been singing the praises of Hokkaido ‘s southernmost city for years—2024 bears nothing new, in that regard. Located just across the Tsugaru Strait from Japan’s main island of Honshu , and on an isthmus between two bays, Hakodate blends culture, cuisine and heritage sprawled over of Japan’s most unforgettable cityscapes.

When to Visit: Come in late April to see the hundreds of cherry trees planted within star-shaped Goryokaku Fort color the whole thing pink. For my money, it’s Hokkaido’s best hanami spot, especially when seen from above atop Goryokaku Tower . 

READ MORE: Hakodate Starts Here

21. Kyotango (Kyoto by the Sea)

Who says a visit to Kyoto has to be marred by crowds and cliché Instagram photos? Instead, board an early morning train and make your way toward the Sea of Japan , where another world awaits. Ascend the Amanohashidate viewpoint, sit down in town for fresh-caught crab sashimi or experience the charm of Ine Fishing Village .

When to Visit: Like Kyoto itself, Kyotango has favorable weather year-round, but it’s especially beautiful amid winter snow, spring cherry blossoms or autumn’s colors—when the city itself is often swamped with tourists.

READ MORE: Kyoto’s Stunning Seaside

22. Mt. Aso

While Mt. Aso ‘s silhouette—it’s a bowl-shaped caldera—isn’t nearly as iconic as Mt. Fuji’ s, it’s also way larger (meaning there are more things to do there—hiking is only the beginning) and much less crowded than its more famous cousin. Pair a day or two here with nights in the cities of Kumamoto and Beppu , which sit just to the west and east of Aso-san , respectively.

When to Visit: I love the Aso area in May, when the green of spring is bright and new, and when there’s a high chance of being able to see a “sea of clouds” from Daikanbo Observatory .

READ MORE: Is Mt. Aso Worth Visiting?

23. Sado Island

Niigata is one of Japan’s most underrated prefectures, full-stop, whether you tour sake breweries in Shibata , or visit an imperial city surrounded by sand dunes in Niigata City . In my opinion, however, it’s just offshore on Sado Island that that Niigata-ken casts its most dramatic spell on visitors, whether you watch an outdoor Noh performance or simply step into a sea-swept landscape.

When to Visit: I love visiting in June, when a carpet of golden daylilies covers the western coast of the island.

READ MORE: Sado Starts Here

24. Zao Onsen Snow Monsters

Let’s end this list where we start it: Amid a magical, wintry landscape. To be sure, the hunched-over evergreen trees that take on a monstrous experience once covered in feet of snow are not the only reason to visit Yamagata prefecture’s most charming mountain onsen town during winter. However, they do add a sense of place that’s hard to get most other places in Japan.

When to Visit: It usually takes until late January or early February for the “monsters” to accumulate enough snow to take on their abominable form.

READ MORE: King of the Snow Monsters

Hire Me to Plan Your 2024 Trip

The only thing better than visiting Japan in 2024 is visiting one (or more—or all) of the places I’ve listed here. The only thing better than that? Exploring Japan with the confidence of an expert! When you hire me to plan your 2024 trip to Japan, this—and a whole lot more—is what you get. Join the 100+ travelers I advised in 2023 and book your personalized Japan trip today !

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7 Best things to do in Japan in 2024

A s a travel enthusiast starts planning a 2024 travel itinerary, Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, ticks all the boxes. It is the ultimate travel destination thanks to its historic streets of Kyoto, savoring delicious street food in Osaka, exploring the religious shrines, or staying at the ryokans . From the age-old cherry fields to the peaceful country roads, this place is a feast for the senses.

Springtime being this place's truly magical venture, Japan comes alive with color and energy, and visitors are feasted on a lot of enjoyable destinations to explore. Its rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty offers an array of adventures for every travel enthusiast.

Disclaimer: This is purely the writer's opinion, and might have missed some favorite destinations.

The top activities to experience in Japan in 2024

Whether the avid traveler is a history buff, a food enthusiast, or a nature lover, Japan is the perfect place for their visit in 2024.

Ahead, Team Sportskeeda has thoughtfully created a list of the seven best things to do in Japan in 2024 and make the most of their visit.

• Explore Kinkaku-ji at Kyoto
• Enjoy Hanami in Tokyo
• Feed the deer at Nara
• Learn about the city's history at Hiroshima
• River cruise at Osaka
• Ski at Hokkaido
• Sun-bask on the shorelines of Okinawa

1) Explore Kinkaku-ji at Kyoto

Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan , is a must-visit spring destination for avid travelers. Considering that the best time to travel is in late March to early April, this holiday and sightseeing place is well-known for its cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Sight-seers should not miss the spectacular Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and the traditional Gion District. For lodging, one should consider staying at a classic ryokan to experience the hospitality at its best. Kansai International Airport, the nearest airport, can be easily commuted to thanks to local transportation.

Once in Kyoto, one should also make sure to try out the local cuisines, like kaiseki (a multicourse feast) and various matcha confectionaries. Noted diners like Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley also rule the culinary delight list.

2) Enjoy Hanami in Tokyo

Be it the onset of autumn or spring, the metropolis of Tokyo, Japan, is always bustling with a unique blend of modernity and ritual. Including Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine, this metropolis' main attractions are decorated with cherry blossoms, catering to a panoramic view.

Once in Tokyo, tourists can enjoy activities like hanami (flower viewing) picnics in Ueno Park and boat or yacht cruises along the Sumida River. For an unforgettable stay, visitors can select a hotel in the vibrant Shibuya or Shinjuku districts and indulge in a wide variety of delectable local cuisines, like sushi tempura and ramen at Tsukiji Outer Market, and the food stalls at Ameyoko Market.

Read more: 6 Best European countries to visit in Summer 2024

3) Feed the deer at Nara

Nara, well-known for its friendly deer and ancient religious shrines, it is always the perfect time for any travel enthusiast to visit this charming destination.

Visitors can engage in activities like feeding deer and exploring the picturesque Isuien Garden at Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple, the main attractions they shouldn't miss. Once here, a holiday enthusiast can stay at cozy homestays or ryokans for an authentic lodging experience. There are also sample local delicacies, like Kakinoha sushi and persimmon leaf sushi, at the best diners in the Nara-machi district.

4) Learn about the city's history at Hiroshima

Hiroshima, a Japan metropolis with a resilient spirit and a profound history, is best visited in early April. From the local Hiroshima Airport, courtesy of its travel-friendly communication, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Shukkeien Garden are the main places of interest that offer serene beauty. Here, tourists can engage in activities like visiting the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to learn about the city's history.

One can also plan their stay at comfortable hotels and savor local cuisines like okonomiyaki and oysters from the best diners like Okonomimura and Mitaki-en.

5) River cruise at Osaka

Considered one of the most vibrant cities, Osaka is famed for its lively environment and mouthwatering delicacies. The best time to visit is late March or early April. Once landing at the Kansai International Airport, a vacationer can enjoy their holiday by visiting the main attractions, like Osaka Castle and Dotonbori.

Thanks to its panoramic view, travelers can enjoy local activities like exploring the bustling Kuromon Ichiba Market and river cruising along the Okawa River. Planning a 2 to 3-day trip to Osaka, a vacationer can book their stay at downtown's trendy hotels and indulge in local cuisines like takoyaki , okonomiyaki , and kushikatsu at street food stalls, and best-eating joints like Mizuno and Kani Doraku.

Read more: 6 Best treks in the world

6) Ski at Hokkaido

Hokkaido, the northernmost island, is a must-see spring holiday destination in Japan, courtesy of its spectacular natural attractions. When hiring local transportation or pre-paid cabs from New Chitose Airport, the best time to visit is late April or early May. During this time, tourists can enjoy the main attractions, such as the vast fields of Shikisai-no-Oka and the majestic beauty of Shikisai Hill.

They can engage in activities like exploring Biei's charming beauty, skiing, Onsen (hot springs), enjoying a relaxing soak in the famous Noboribetsu hot springs, or staying at comfortable ryokans or motels with stunning mountain views. They can also savor these gastronomical delights in local delicacies like fresh seafood , spicy ramen, and tasty dairy products at the best diners like Ramen Yokocho and Nijo Market.

7) Sun-bask on the shorelines of Okinawa

Off-boarding at the Naha airport, Okinawa's gorgeous shorelines and rich history welcome avid travelers, making it an excellent destination year-round for all travel enthusiasts visiting Japan. Once here, travelers can explore the lively marine life at the Churaumi Aquarium and the Ryukyu culture of historical Shuri Castle.

They can rest and recoup at beachfront resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, or Halekulani, Okinawa, to experience the true essence of Okinawa, Japan. Visitors can also spoil their tastebuds with the local flavors of sample Okinawan soba, agu pork , goya champuru, and rafute pork.

Read more: 6 best Spring destinations in the world to take a family vacation

These are the seven best things to do in Japan in 2024 that promise an array of unforgettable experiences for travel enthusiasts. So, avid travelers can start backpacking to enjoy their adventure-packed holiday.

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Grand Sumo Tournament July 2024 Nagoya - Japan Forum

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I booked six tickets through Arumachi, Inc. on Get Your Guide for the Grand Sumo Tournament for July 2024. There are no reviews for the posting which makes me cautious. Has anyone used Arumachi, Inc.for a tour? Anyone have a suggestion for another tour company for the Grand Sumo tournament in July? Prefer to have an English guide with us to help us understand. Thanks.

3 replies to this topic

There is a good primer on the Sumo Association web site at

https://www.sumo.or.jp/pdf/en/sumo_introduction2014.pdf

While someone knowledgeable about sumo can cover many finer points and details, you can enjoy the sumo without a guide. JTB used to do a ticket/tour bundle - not sure if they still do that, but you already have tickets. Of course, you would need an extra ticket in the same spot for a guide to be useful (that's what I do).

If the people next to me have a guide and they constantly talk, it'll be so annoying! Just saying..

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Watch CBS News

How to watch the 2024 Masters Tournament: Livestream options, full schedule, more

By Meredith Gordon

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 7:18 AM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Day 3 of the 2024 Masters  is here, live from Augusta National Golf Club. Bryson DeChambeau started and finished Day 2 on top of the leaderboard , but 2022 Masters winner Scottie Scheffler  remains close behind -- on par with the level of play he's shown thus far this season.

The Masters Tournament is never predictable. Weather has already made its mark on the 2024 tournament, leaving some players to play over 20 holes on the last day of competition. What is predictable about the Masters is that each day brings surprises and epic play, delivering memorable moments that will be talked about for years to come. On Day 2, golf great Tiger Woods  became the tournament's all-time leader in consecutive cuts, having made the cut 24 consecutive times now. And the tournament is only just halfway through.

Approximately 40,000 people will watch the 2024 Masters live at Augusta, while the rest of us will watch from home (the best view, if we do say so ourselves). Keep reading below for the full Masters schedule , plus how and when to watch even if you don't have cable.

Note: CBS Essentials, CBS and Paramount+ are all subsidiaries of Paramount. CBS is one of the broadcast homes of the 2024 Masters Tournament.

When is the 2024 Masters?

The 2024 Masters will take place over four days from Thursday, April 11, 2024, through Sunday, April 14, 2024.

What networks will air the 2024 Masters 

TV coverage of the 2024 Masters will be split between ESPN and CBS.  

• Round 1 and Round 2 coverage, April 11- 12: ESPN
• Round 2 and Round 3 coverage, April 13- 14: CBS 

Full 2024 Masters Tournament schedule

Below is the full TV schedule for the 2024 Masters Tournament.

2024 Masters Round 1: Thursday, April 11, 2024

Below is the schedule for the 2024 Masters Round 1 on Thursday, April 11. All times Eastern.

 Round 1 start time:  8:30 a.m.

• Honorary Starters -- 8:15-8:30 a.m. (Masters.com)
• Masters on the Range: 8:30-10:30 a.m. (CBS Sports Network,  Paramount+ )
• Featured Groups -- 9:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Amen Corner -- 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Holes 15 & 16 -- 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Holes 4, 5 & 6 -- 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Masters.com)

TV coverage:  3-7:30 p.m. on ESPN TV simulcast live stream:  3-7:30 p.m. on Masters.com Post-round highlights:  11:35-11:50 p.m. on CBS,  Paramount+

2024 Masters Round 2: Friday, April 12, 2024

Below is the schedule for the 2024 Masters Round 2 on Friday, April 12. All times Eastern.

Round 2 start time:  8:30 a.m.

• Masters on the Range: 8:30-10:30 a.m. (CBS Sports Network,  Paramount+
• Holes 4, 5 & 6 -- 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Masters.com)

2024 Masters Round 3: Saturday, April 13, 2024

Below is the schedule for the 2024 Masters Round 3 on Saturday, April 13. All times Eastern.

Round 3 start time:  10 a.m.

• Masters on the Range: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CBS Sports Network,  Paramount+ )
• Featured Groups -- 10:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Amen Corner -- 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Holes 15 & 16 -- 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Holes 4, 5 & 6 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Masters.com)

TV coverage:  3-7 p.m. on CBS TV simulcast live stream:  3-7 p.m. on CBSSports.com~,  Paramount+ , CBS Sports app~ ~TV provider or Paramount+ with Showtime login required Round 3 encore:  8 p.m. to Midnight on CBS Sports Network

2024 Masters Round 4: Sunday, April 14, 2024

Below is the schedule for the 2024 Masters Round 4 on Sunday, April 14. All times Eastern.

Round 4 start time:  10 a.m.

• Masters on the Range: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Holes 4, 5 & 6 -- 10:55 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Masters.com)

TV coverage:  2-7 p.m. on CBS TV simulcast live stream:  2-7 p.m. on CBSSports.com~,  Paramount+ , CBS Sports app~ ~TV provider or Paramount+ with Showtime login required Round 4 encore:  8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on CBS Sports Network

How to watch the 2024 Masters without cable

If your cable subscription doesn't include ESPN and CBS, or you don't have a cable subscription at all, you can live stream Round 1 and Round 2 on ESPN+ and Round 3 and Round 4 on Paramount + with Showtime -- or on one of the live TV streaming platforms featured below. 

*Note, you won't be able to stream CBS' 2024 Masters coverage on Paramount + with a Paramount + Essential tier. You'll need to subscribe to the Paramount + with Showtime tier to watch the 2024 Masters live. Both tiers are available for free with a seven-day free trial.

Watch the 2024 Masters free with Fubo

If you're new to streaming sports, you should know about  Fubo . Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to every Masters 2024 round airing on network and cable TV, plus your local TV affiliates, hundreds of cable TV channels and 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage. Another great reason to love Fubo is its lookback feature, which lets you watch sporting events up to 72 hours after they air live. 

Start watching PGA golf on Fubo and also get access to network-aired NFL, NBA and MLB games by starting a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. After your free trial, Fubo starts at $80 per month for the Pro tier, which includes over 190 channels.

What you'll get with Fubo Pro Tier:

• There are no contracts with Fubo -- you can cancel at any time.
• The Pro tier includes 195 channels, so there's something for everyone to watch. 
• Fubo includes most of the channels you'll need to watch college and pro sports, including CBS.
• In addition to PGA golf, Fubo offers NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. 
• You can watch Fubo on up to 10 screens at once.
• Stream on your TV, phone and mobile devices.

Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle : Watch the 2024 Masters 

You can watch all rounds of the 2024 Masters with the  Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle . The bundle features 95 channels, including CBS and ESPN, and local network affiliates, including NBC and ABC. It also includes  the ESPN+ streaming service , which will also stream coverage of Round 1 and Round 2 of this tournament. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch the 2024 Masters, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle .

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It's priced at $77.

Save $40 on Sling TV: Stream Masters 2024 Round 1 and Round 2

If you don't have cable TV that includes ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream Round 1 and Round 2 of the 2024 Masters is through a  subscription to Sling TV .  To watch ESPN-aired Masters rounds, you'll need a subscription to the Orange tier. The streamer also offers access to your local network affiliate's live feed (excluding CBS) and also includes the NFL Network and ESPN with its Orange + Blue tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording today's championship game.

The Orange tier is normally $40 per month, but right now Sling TV has an offer for new subscribers. You can save $40 when you prepay $120 for four months of the Sling TV Orange tier. The Sling's Orange + Blue tier costs $60 per month. Sling TV is also offering 50% off the first month of any subscription tier. Offers may vary.

Note: Because Sling TV doesn't carry CBS, you won't be able to watch CBS-aired programming like Round 3 and Round 4 of this year's Masters Tournament and next year's NFL games on CBS. If you're looking for one live TV streaming platform to watch all your favorite sports, we suggest a subscription to  Hulu + Live TV.  

Top features of Sling TV Orange tier:

• There are 32 channels to watch in total, including ESPN, TNT and TBS.
• You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games next season at the lowest price.
• All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Masters 2024 Round 1 and Round 2: ESPN+

ESPN+ is ESPN's subscription streaming platform, which offers exclusive live events, original studio shows and top-tier series that aren't accessible on the ESPN networks. ESPN+ subscribers may purchase UFC PPV events and access the platform's vast archive of on-demand content, including the entire 30 For 30 catalog, game replays and select ESPN films. 

ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows, a vast library of on-demand content, including the entire 30 For 30 series and more. An ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month, or save 15% when you pay annually ($110). 

It is important to note that ESPN+ does not include access to the ESPN network. It is a separate sports-centric service, with separate sports programming.

Here's a sampling of what's available on ESPN+ :

• Exclusive fantasy sports tools and content from some of the sports world's most respected voices in sports.  
• Every Fight Night UFC event UFC PPV event (PPV events are subject to an additional charge).
• Soccer including EFL Championship, US Open Cup and Bundesliga.
• College sports  including the Ivy League, Big Sky Conference and Atlantic A10 Conference.
• MLB and the World Series.
• Top-tier tennis including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
• The PGA Tour and the Masters.

How to watch the 2024 Masters Tournament Round 3 and Round 4: Paramount + with Showtime

Paramount + is the streaming platform of CBS/Paramount, which airs CBS-aired TV shows and sporting events (on the Paramount + with Showtime tier). Watch Round 3 and Round 4 of the 2024 Masters for free with the Paramount + with Showtime seven-day free trial. After your free trial expires, you'll pay $11.99 per month. 

In addition to PGA golf, you can watch CBS-aired NFL games live, hit TV shows like "Survivor" and "Blue Bloods" and college football next season.

What you need to know about a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription:

• Paramount+ with Showtime includes everything in the Paramount+ Essential tier, plus added benefits.
• You'll see no ads, except those that appear in live CBS-aired programming (such as  the 2024 Super Bowl ).
• You get access to Showtime original content and movies, plus a live feed of your local CBS affiliate.
• You'll be able to download shows to your mobile device so you can watch offline.

Stream 2024 Masters Round 3 and Round 4: Paramount + with Showtime free on Amazon Prime Video

Paramount+ content, including the 2024 Masters Round 3 and Round 4, is available to stream on  Amazon Prime  via a Paramount+ on Prime Video add-on subscription. Prime Video also carries some of the best sports documentaries, including "Kelce," which chronicles former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce's last season in the league.

Amazon is offering a seven-day free trial of  Paramount+ with Showtime . Tap the button below to start your trial and start streaming now for free. After the free trial period ends, a subscription to the Paramount+ with Showtime tier is $11.99 per month.

Watch Masters 2024 Round 3 and Round 4 with a digital HDTV antenna

You can also watch network-aired Masters rounds on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here's the kicker: There's no monthly charge.

For anyone living in a partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a  digital TV antenna  may not pick up a good signal -- or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch PGA golf without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.

This amplified digital antenna with a 50-mile range can receive hundreds of HDTV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV and top-tier sound.

2024 Masters Round 3: Tiger Woods tee time

Tiger Woods has become the Masters all-time leader in consecutive made cuts as he pushes into the weekend. The 48-year-old golfer tees off in Round 3 at 12:45 p..m. ET.  

• The Masters

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Help! Japan Airlines Downgraded Us From First Class and Skimped on the Refund.

A couple is bumped from ultraluxury to semi-luxury on a trans-Pacific flight and receives what they feel is only a pittance in compensation.

By Seth Kugel

Dear Tripped Up,

Last year, my husband and I splurged on round-trip first-class tickets on Japan Airlines from San Francisco to Tokyo for $13,474 each. We reserved them in February for an October flight through American Express Travel. On the same day, I also bought business class tickets for a couple who was traveling with us at $8,429 apiece. In September, Amex notified me that we had been downgraded to business class for the return flight. JAL’s conditions state that we would receive “the difference between the normal fare amount of original class of service and for the normal fare of lower class of service.” To me that means that since the difference between our first class seats and our friends’ business seats was $5,045 each, we should be refunded about half of that — around $2,522 per person — for the second leg. But we got only $941 each. I contested this with Amex Travel, but they rejected our claim. Can you help? Teri, San Francisco

I’ve been collecting stories from readers about downgrade disappointments recently, so I looked not only into yours but also stories from four other travelers — three of whom believe they were stiffed by British Airways and another by Avianca.

All three airlines I contacted delayed, obfuscated or otherwise dillydallied before getting me answers, but let’s start with your travel agent, American Express.

“We worked with the card member and merchant to the best of our ability to resolve the issue,” wrote Emily Vicker, a spokeswoman for Amex, in an emailed statement. “Card members wishing to pursue additional compensation requests need to do so directly with the airline.”

As you said to me, you did not follow up with Japan Airlines because an online link that Amex sent you led to a form that said it was only for those travelers who had booked with JAL directly; others should deal with their travel agent. Gary Leff, the writer behind the travel site View from the Wing , told me you should have ignored that. “Follow all avenues to advocate on behalf of yourself,” he said.

Could Amex have done more? It’s impossible to tell, and Japan Airlines, responding only to my third email, said that it “has verified that the amount applied was accurate and was based on the difference of the First Class fare originally purchased and the applicable Business Class fare with the same fare conditions as the original ticket for the sector involved.”

But that is just a restatement of the company’s terms and conditions . So I wrote back with a spruced-up version of your argument. Your original first class seats cost $13,474 round trip, so although the two legs may have varied somewhat in price, I simplified and said for each way, each ticket would cost $6,737. JAL refunded you $941 for each ticket, which means they consider the value of the business class seats you ended up in, on the return, to be $5,796.

But your friends’ business class seats were just $4,214 each. And every business class fare I can find for flights from Tokyo to San Francisco on the JAL site in recent days (except for last minute fares) is well under $5,000. Could they explain their calculations?

I did not hear back.

So I turned to Mr. Leff. He noted that simply knowing what another business class seat cost on the same flight does not mean that if you had bought four seats on that day rather than two, the third and fourth seat would have been the same price — airline pricing algorithms are notoriously complex and opaque. And there is no way to know if the leg back from Tokyo (the one you were downgraded for) was actually cheaper than the leg there, as your Amex invoice doesn’t give a breakdown.

But Mr. Leff still took your side, mostly. The $941 refund “strikes me as unreasonable,” he said, “especially given the not ironclad but very persuasive evidence of tickets bought on the same flight on the same day.”

Anyone who finds themselves in such a situation must realize, unfortunately, that it’s impossible to know exactly what their refund should be. “I don’t think there’s an organization beside the airline itself that has the data,” said Anton Radchenko, chief executive of AirAdvisor , a company that assists fliers in receiving compensation from airlines. But he added that in most cases, airlines do offer fair compensation.

Then he told me something I didn’t know — that flights starting in Britain or those operated by British carriers have set rates for downgrades depending on the length of the flight: a 30 percent refund if under 1,500 kilometers (around 932 miles), 50 percent between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and 75 percent for longer flights. The European Union and Canada have similar rules.

Alas, such fixed reimbursement rates only work if you can get the airlines to refund you in the first place. All three British Airways customers faced, instead, a wall of customer service nonsense.

A British Airways spokeswoman, Catherine Wilson, apologized for the delays and said the airline aimed “to process refund requests as quickly as possible.” But even after my intervention, only two of the three got refunds — and for less than British regulations seem to demand.

In late 2021, Mark from San Diego and his wife were flying home on British Airways premium economy from Split, Croatia, via London and Dallas, but missed a connection. They were rebooked in economy on Virgin Atlantic and tried for two years to get reimbursed when finally, in December 2023, they were told they had agreed to the downgrade, which he denies. (It shouldn’t matter anyway, both Mr. Leff and Mr. Radchenko said.)

They finally received $746 from British Airways earlier this week. But the full cost of their original round-trip itinerary (two tickets from San Diego to Ljubljana, Slovenia, and back from Croatia) was $5,821, and it is unlikely that their refund could account for 75 percent of a premium economy trans-Atlantic flight. British Airways confirmed they calculated the difference in fare rather than using the parameters laid out by the British government and offered no explanation to me as to why.

A year later, Cynthia and her partner had a very similar situation, missing a British Airways premium economy connection in London on their way home to Los Angeles, ending up in economy. They had booked through a travel agent, who tried unsuccessfully to get a refund. Then Cynthia ran into a brick wall when she tried herself. She has still not received a refund.

In the third British Airways case, David of Carmel, N.Y., and his wife were booked to fly first class from London to New York when their flight was canceled. On their rebooked flight, they were downgraded to the equivalent of business class. Their initial request for a refund was rejected by someone who almost comically misread their complaint, responding that they were not entitled to compensation because their flight had arrived with only “18 minutes delay.” Subsequent calls to customer services led nowhere. And even after I got in touch with the airline, another representative wrote the couple with the coup d’absurdité: They were not entitled to a refund because “based on our research, your final flight was in First Class, hence there is no downgrade refund due for your booking.” (I can attest that their boarding passes say otherwise.)

British Airways did finally send the couple a refund, of $1,036, this past Saturday. But their original fare for first class (plus a short hop from Amsterdam to London on the return) was just under $10,000 for both, which presumably means the return flights from London to New York cost a total of close to $5,000. Again, British Airways said it calculated the difference in fares rather than the appropriate percentage of the original fare. I have advised David to look at Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance on rejected claims.

The case with Avianca ended on a more positive note. Alan, of Riverside, Calif., and his wife were booked on a business class flight from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires via Bogotá this past February. But Avianca replaced that direct first leg, to Bogotá, with two legs — Los Angeles to San Salvador, El Salvador, and then on to Bogotá, with a three-hour layover. For these new flights, the couple was placed in economy, with no business-class lounge access, no free meals and no word about compensation.

Rolando Damas, Avianca’s sales director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, explained in a statement that the airline suspended that direct Los Angeles-to-Bogotá flight in January and had offered most passengers either a full refund or compensation for the downgrade. But it had trouble communicating with a few passengers, including some who had booked through a third party, as was the case with Alan.

The airline has now offered Alan and his wife $580 each, and they have accepted.

Most of the time, airlines do refund fare differences promptly and accurately, but clearly there are holes in the system. If the airlines stymie any future refund requests, I suggest contacting a company like AirAdvisor or registering a complaint with the appropriate federal agency, like U.S. Department of Transportation . This process can be slow but often prods the airlines into action, said Mr. Leff. However, if the airline has done something as specifically absurd as reject your downgrade refund because your flight arrived almost on time, send me a copy so I can add it to my collection.

If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of Avianca’s sales director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. He is Rolando Damas, not Lamas.

How we handle corrections

Seth Kugel is the columnist for “ Tripped Up ,” an advice column that helps readers navigate the often confusing world of travel. More about Seth Kugel

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