Unique Private Tours in Asia

Culinary Capitals of Asia

Tokyo and Kyoto, such remarkable contrasts between the ancient capital and the futuristic icon. This custom Japan tour explores both, handpicking the destinations and experiences that best symbolize the contrasts. In Kyoto you wander through Zen gardens, hear monks chanting in World Heritage temples, discover the ancient tradition of tea ceremonies, and learn the secrets of Kaiseki cuisine. Beneath Tokyo's forest of neon you uncover vibrant subcultures, mesmeric modern design, the art of sushi and the contemporary allure of a rapidly changing art scene. These experiences are just the start as this one-week tour journeys through all the hidden sites that make these two capitals so special.

Start with four nights in Kyoto, then take the bullet train towards three nights in Tokyo. But that's just our suggestion for this tour. All our luxury Japan tours are completely tailored to your interests and can also include other ancient and modern attractions.

Family Indochina

Japan doesn't hibernate through the winter. Falling snow accentuates the country's dramatic natural beauty, while plummeting temperatures lead to some extraordinary experiences. Huddle with the monks on Mount Koya, admire hundreds of astonishing ice sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival, then find Japanese snow monkeys bathing in natural thermal baths. Nights are spent beneath the stars, your muscles warmed by the soothing, steaming waters of outdoor onsen spas. You take a journey through the glaciers on an ice breaker cruise, travel into tradition in Japan's World Heritage villages, and follow the wintery footsteps of the Geishas.

Away from the unique winter wonderland, this Japan luxury tour also enables you to explore the world-famous sites without the crowds. You'll have temples all to yourself and find a country in its most relaxed state. All our Japan tours are fully tailored to your interests and specifications, with unique experiences dependent on when you travel. Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary.

Hidden Japan – Off the Beaten Track Luxury Tour

Japan has always done things a little differently. But it's sometimes a challenge to see this uniqueness, as famous names like Geisha and Samurai have become major tourist attractions. This exclusive private tour explores the most unique of Japan's customs and cultures, immersing you in a world that's as strange as it is sublime. Explore Islands of Art, get lost with cats, try the forest bathing practice of shinrin-yoku, forage for ingredients then help prepare a traditional kaiseki multi-course dinner. Meet the locals as you get guided around an art gallery by the creative director, spend an afternoon with an award-winning chef, and drink tea with a master of calligraphy. Taking you completely off the beaten track, this iconic tour unravels the pure authenticity of Japan.

All our Japan tours are fully tailored to your interests and specifications. We know hundreds of unique experiences that can help you uncover the depths of the country. Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary.

Spiritual Japan

A Zen garden hidden from the world, an ancient sanctuary that's blossomed without pause for many centuries. A lost temple in Kyoto, where the red robes of monks contrasts the elegant sloping roof of history. A castle from the time of the Samurai, imbued with legendary tales. Few countries have a heritage that can rival Japan's, where there's something wonderfully evocative about every piece of culture. This handcrafted two-week tour celebrates this heritage, exploring a wide range of national treasures. Kyoto is the centerpiece and we know some outstanding guides, narrators on 17 World Heritage Sites and more than 2000 temples and shrines. But this famous city is just the start as this unique Japan luxury tour explores the breadth of Japan's tradition.

Walks guided by monks and nuns, nights spent in historic temples, drinking tea with Geishas...our private Japan tours do more than just reveal the sights: they immerse you in tradition. All our Japan tours are fully tailored to your interests and specifications. Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary.

Sakura — Cherry Blossoms March & April, 2019

Spring ushers in Japan's most enchanting colors, a thousand red and pink nuances filling the avenues and parks. Cherry Blossom season is the most popular time to visit Japan and the phenomenon stretches from bustling cities to remote villages. Visit from late March to early May to witness the transformation, when adorable landscapes emanate delicate beauty and alluring serenity. We've intimately followed the bloom for over two decades and this tour connects a huge array of sites, from world-famous spaces to parks tucked away in forgotten villages. Cherry blossom provides the focus on this handcrafted tour, something to sit and admire each afternoon. You'll also discover Japan's iconic and unknown destinations, each day of exploration taking you deeper into a country that always surprises.

The cherry blossom doesn't bloom in a single city or region of Japan. This is a country-wide sensation and this cherry blossom tour can be intimately customized to your wishes and preferences. We like to keep you away from the major crowds that can impact on the enchantment of the colors. Like all our luxury Japan tours, we'll handcraft an itinerary just for you. Contact us to receive your full and personalized itinerary.

Japan Family Travel

Oh how Japan loves to inspire, the exoticism of its culture exciting those of every age. This two-week Japan family tour provides something for everyone, along with shared adventures into the idiosyncrasy of Japan. Visit Manga cartoon stores and meet those who paint the comics. During our Japan family tours, a master artisan shows you how to make a Japanese sword while a Samurai and Geisha reveal all about their culture. Spend a day at signature theme parks and relaxed evenings in traditional ryokans, sleeping on tatami mats and resting in onsen spas. Including cycling tours, bullet trains, meetings with monks and Japan's anime mecca, this private tour creates lasting memories from the most unique of countries.

Of all our Japan tours, it's trips with families that offer the greatest room for customization. There's so much that can be individualized; just let us know what you and the rest of your family are interested in. Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary for your Japan Family Tour.

Japan Art Encounter

Japan is defined by an unshakable self-possession and obsession with quality. It's pursuit for perfection is found in presentation, nature, aesthetics and the subtleties of all things. This unique tour explores one of the most vigorous traditional and contemporary arts culture in the world, highest forms of traditional and contemporary crafts, along with the architecture that has defined a nation over the centuries. Explore the hallowed I.M Pei Miho museum, Mori museum, and Naoshima "Art Island" while meeting with artists and craftsman working in a variety of mediums, gain an insider's perspective on Japanese culture, and be immersed in the immense varieties and rituals of cuisine, from the serenity of a tea ceremony to famous sushi bars.

Customize this tour takes you far off the beaten track, to incorporate a pottery festival, ceramic and porcelain towns, and more. It's completely customizable and can explore any of your niche interests. Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary that responds to your preferences.

Miyajima & Shikoku Islands

The giant Torii Gate seems to float on the sea, standing majestic besides Itsukushima Shrine on World Heritage Miyajima Island. It's a remarkable insight into tradition, complemented by a tea ceremony and an elaborate cha-kaiseki dinner at your ryokan. This unusual island is the starting point for this tour through Japanese highlights that cover al corners of the spectrum: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Heian Jingu Shinto Shrine, Tentyuji Temple, Nishiki Market, Asakusa and Akihabara. Spread over nine days, this luxury Japan tour goes in search of the different icons that define Japan.

It's not quite a best of tour, more a celebration of the country's most unique treasures, connecting everything from cuisine to culture to colorful neighborhoods. All our Japan tours are fully tailored to your interests and specifications, so the highlights on this tour are just a suggestion. Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary.

Classic Japan: Past to the Present

Japan doesn't have a single defining image. The icons come from across the centuries and this exclusive tour go in search of them. Sleeping on tatami mats in charming ryokans, deep in the mountains. Meeting Buddhist monks and finding temples hidden amongst bamboo forest. Getting lost in the flashing lights of the futuristic cities and the wooden lanes of heritage towns. During 12 days of luxury Japan travel you're yxploring the legacy of the Edo Period, speeding around on the Shinkansen, and uncovering regional gastronomy.

All the experiences on this tour feel completely different from the last. But they are not completely distinct. Over these 12 days you explore how the Japan of today is intrinsically energized by historical traditions and customs. And like all our Japan tours, the itinerary can be fully tailored to your interests, incorporating all the icons you want to explore.

• Japan's immense capital Tokyo creates an incredible feast of contrasting experiences. Distinctive neighborhoods can be explored each day, from the flashing lights of Akihabara to the painted faces in Harajuku and the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. You're never just sightseeing here; you're jumping into one of the world's most original cities.
• No visit to Japan is complete without immersion into the immense variations and rituals of Japanese cuisine, from a serene tea ceremony to famous sushi bars, 12-course kaiseki cuisine to Kobe beef. We've been pioneering Japan Iron Chef tours for many years now.
• Perfectly preserved and wonderfully serene, Kyoto is the cultural heartbeat of Japan. There are 17 World Heritage Sites and over 2000 temples and shrines. But more than that, there's a spellbinding Buddhist undercurrent that makes the city a place to not only find architecture, but to get lost in the prevailing atmosphere.
• Ancient treasures fill the massive Kyushu National Museum, just one of the attractions in the city of Fukuoka, a place that has always provided an immersion into local culture.
• The Japanese tea ceremony is a tradition steeped in Zen Buddhism, reflected in slow and graceful movements. It's not just about taste; the study of tea ceremonies can last a whole lifetime and there's so much for all the senses to admire.
• Seasonal changes turn Japan into nature's canvas. Cherry blossoms are the highlight of spring, a captivating bloom blanketing whole cities in two weeks of surreal color. But don't discount the palate of color produced in fall, when profound reds and oranges briefly fill the trees before the leaves cover the pathways.
• In Mount Koya you can delve into Japan's deep Buddhist spirituality, the most formative influence on Japanese history and culture. Included in the potential experiences are tranquil cemetery walks with local nuns and sleeping in a temple.
• Kanazawa combines so many of Japan's famous names and is a great place to go behind the scenes of folk art. Among the attractions are well-preserved samurai and geisha districts.
• Hiroshima is warm and welcoming, a city that's forever etched in world history yet completely different to what you would expect.

Contact us to receive a full and personalized itinerary.

Japan's Pottery Trail

• In rural Japan, taking a bath isn't simply about getting clean. The traditional onsen experience is a complete ceremony, with naturally heated water filling outdoor pools as jagged peaks and pine forests provide the backdrop.
• Explore the highest forms of traditional arts and architecture, meeting with artists and craftsmen who have helped to define Japanese style.
• Onta pottery is one of the Living Treasures of Japan and is celebrated throughout a series of festivals in mountain villages around Hita. Compare it with Karatsu pottery, a great souvenir for continuing the tea ceremonies at home.
• Find a different side to Tokyo by spending a morning in the exquisite Miejo Shrine, with its beautiful Japanese iris garden enveloping you in tranquility.
• Nestled onto forested mountain slopes, the World Heritage villages of Shirawaka-go and Gokayama are two of Japan's best examples of old-world village life. Inaccessible for many centuries and naturally preserved, they're an idyllic getaway from the country's modern rhythm.
• In the far north of the country, the island of Hokkaido transforms into a white wonderful during winter. This island of national parks is home to both exhilarating ski slopes and languid cross-country trails, while the capital city Sapporo hosts an annual ice sculpture festival early in February.
• In the far southwest of the country, the subtropical island of Okinawa provides white sand escapism, with swaying palms and jungle-clad retreats found behind the postcard-perfect beaches. It feels as much like Hawaii as it does Japan.
• It's hard to imagine luxury Japan travel without a stop in Kyoto. Not far away, the 8^th-century city of Nara isn't as well known on the worldwide stage. But it's home Japan's largest collection of national treasures, including the largest wooden building on the planet.

Japanese Pop Culture: Cosplay, Manga, Robots

Our Japan family trips come in many flavors. Every aspect is unique and every day provides something different to explore. How about the legacies of the feudal system and the samurai warriors, colorful Harajuku girls, futuristic robots then world-famous animation? Or maybe make a visit to a private sumo stable where children can learn the ancient art, a Kyoto studio where children can train to be a ninja, or family cycling along the beautiful, remote northern coast where few travelers ever venture? Every moment is tailored to make the most from the country's originality.

With few exceptions, Japan is the most fascinating of all Asia's destinations for children. Japan with kids doesn't involve a standard itinerary with a few tailored activities thrown in. Instead, a Japan family vacation truly immerses you and your children in the cultures that most fascinate. Experience the finest of family tour of Japan with Indochina Travel.

Hiking Tokyo to Kyoto on the Tokaido Trail

The Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train thunders between Tokyo and Kyoto at 285km (177 miles) per hour in a little over two hours, hardly affording time to contemplate its much older namesake. This significantly more leisurely journey over eight days connects the best remaining sections of the Tokaido taking us through towns and along paths seemingly forgotten since the days when the it was the major transport artery through Japan.

Walk Japan’s exploration of the Tokaido, the greatest of Japan’s ancient highways, is a tour through the heartland of Japan between three of its greatest cities; Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto. It is also a journey through the very core of Japan’s history, culture and society to the present day. The old road played such a pivotal a role in the development of their nation that every Japanese person knows of it. The name Tokaido, literally the Eastern Sea Road, resonates so strongly with them that the name has been used for the modern highways and trains that superseded it including the world’s first bullet train. Almost all Japanese will ride the super-fast Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train or drive speedily along the Tokaido Kosoku toll road sometime in their lives. However, few now make their way at a more sedate pace along the Tokaido, which still retains relics and fascinating insights into travel and daily life in old Japan.

The Tokaido Trail tour follows the most interesting and enjoyable parts of the old highway at an easy walking pace at distances between 10-14km (6.2-8.7 miles) each day. Main baggage is sent on every morning so that we need only take what is needed for each day’s walking in small backpacks. 

Also consdier other spectacular options for outdoor exploration in Japan, including Haikkado, Shikoku, and Okinawa.

Urban & Rural Luxury Escape in Japan

Japan has been redefining luxury for some time now. The classic definition is still cogent, experienced in a range of eye-catching five-star hotels and decadent restaurants. Japan can definitely be a state of extravagance, whenever you wish it to be.

Yet luxury is also in the experience here. Fine dining may be in a lavish city restaurant. It could easily mean sitting on the floor of a kaiseki restaurant, a waitress in kimono dress setting down 12 intricately designed dishes. Fabulous city hotels can be combined with small guesthouses hidden in the mountains, with onsen spas relieving the muscles after a day exploring. Luxury comes from the immersion in culture and the unending opportunity to go off the beaten track.

Make a stopover in Naoshima, the world's only Art Island staying at the exclusive Benesse House. Revive at the Gora Kadan in Kyoto, Japan's most sumptuous ryokan. Learn the art of calligraphy, spend a morning with monks, wander through thick bamboo forests, and experience the serene beauty of a Kyoto temple that prefers to forgo fame. Luxury can come from expertly guided tours of Tokyo's designer fashion scene, exploring a conceptual mash-up of styles and shows that follow a beat of their own. Or it can come from a day spent with Japan's animation directors, a beautiful Kabuki theater performance, or a tranquil moment of a monk hitting the gong in a Shinto shrine.

We like to explore the complete spectrum of Japan's definitions of luxury, from the classic Western ideals to the unique experiences that showcase a hidden side to the country. In this way, our luxury Japan vacations are all about going off the beaten track and finding the real Japan.

Iron Chef Japan

Nowhere is the mantra “food is culture” better celebrated than in Japan. But while ubiquitous Japanese cuisine has crossed the world – sushi, tempura, ramen – regional specialities can only be discovered when you're in the country. So journey into Japan's complex culinary tradition, opening all your senses to the gastronomic search for perfection. Food is an integral part of all our luxury Japan tours. Each day presents an opportunity to explore, an invite into a destination's particular cuisine. We provide you with personalized dining recommendations, book tables for Japan's ultimate culinary experiences, and take you further into a complex world of subtle tastes and dreamy aesthetics.

Tokyo brings sushi, tempura and soba, along with more Michelin stars than Paris and New York combined. Try nazezushi, a traditional form of fermented sushi. Encounter kyo-kaiseki, 11 seasonal courses in old-world Kyoto. Dine on hot pot-style sukiyaki and shabu shabu, sample Buddhist shojin ryori, then finish it off with a savory egg custard (chawanmushi). Guides show you where and chefs show you how as the best of culinary Japan is revealed.

Insider's Japan

The Japanese experience is found in the details. This is a country that rewards the explorer, a country that takes you far beyond notions of point and shoot the camera. There's a story behind each of the legends and luxury Japan travel centers on the experiential experience.

You can stroll past geishas in Gion; or you can spend an hour chatting with them, learning about their history and culture. Samurai warriors have such an eye-catching name; at old castles you can explore the dignity and design behind what it means to be samurai. Japanese tea ceremonies aren't just a one-off; they can become part of the daily rhythm and a chance to uncover regional specialities. The country's art scene has always innovated and on our luxury Japan tours you can tour galleries with creative directors, meet groundbreaking artists, and discuss architecture with those that plan it. That's similar with local crafts, our insider tours helping you go beyond the pretty facades.

Whether it's classic or contemporary Japan, this insider's perspective emphasizes the unique treasures and cultural traditions of each destination. Children and youn adults will appreciate our custom Japan family trips which will focus on their interests. With our escorted Japan tours we help you uncover all the special details, finding the stories that are found behind the iconic names.