Christmas & New Year Tours in Japan
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10 best Christmas & New Year Japan tour packages
Compiled by
SteffJapan travel expert at TourRadar
- Christmas in Japan
- Essential Japan
- Premium Japan (11 destinations)
- Japan: Land of the Rising Sun (30 destinations)
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
- Spirit of Japan 14D/13N
- Essence of Japan: A Journey Together
- Japan Unveiled - Beyond the Surface
- Tōkaidō Touch: Japan in Style, Smartly Priced
- Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples
Duration 16 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wendy Wu Tours From $16,842
12% Off- NZ$14,802You save $2,040
Essential Japan
136 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a wonderful time on the tour. Our guides were knowledgeable, friendly, courteous, and funny.”
JAY, traveled in May
Festive illuminations light up Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing as snow-capped Mount Fuji creates stunning winter views. New Year traditions come alive at Kyoto's temples, while holiday festivities fill Osaka's Dotonbori district.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
12% Off- NZ$3,626
Ring in the New Year with traditional temple visits at Sensoji and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Experience seasonal illuminations at Tokyo Skytree, enjoy winter onsen at Susukinohara Ichinoyu, and participate in traditional New Year ceremonies at Kyoto's historic temples.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Owakudani, Fuji, Takayama, Gifu, Shirakawa-go, Hiroshima, Himeji, FushimiSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From
12% Off- NZ$10,565
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun (30 destinations)
123 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were good, the food was excellent, and the tour was exactly what I wanted.”
Elham, traveled in April
Winter magic fills Japan as illuminated Kinkaku-ji Temple and festive Nishiki Market in Kyoto welcome visitors. Traditional New Year rituals occur at shrines, while winter views unfold from Hakone ropeway. Authentic ryokans provide comfortable stays during this special time.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Fuji, Takayama, Gifu, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Himeji, Kyoto Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
12% Off- NZ$7,295
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“From the moment we arrived in Tokyo to our final train ride back, everything was so well-organized, fun, and full of incredible experiences.”
Luca, traveled in February
Winter magic unfolds at Kyoto's snow-covered Golden Pavilion and illuminated Kiyomizu-dera temple. Taste seasonal specialties in Osaka's Dotonbori, witness Tokyo's festive lights at Senso-ji, and soak in Nagano's hot springs while snow monkeys bathe nearby.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano Age Range Ages 18-59 Operator One Life Adventures From $4,240
10% Off- NZ$3,816You save $424
Spirit of Japan 14D/13N
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good tour with great guide.”
Brett, traveled in April
Duration 14 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
10% Off- NZ$7,174
Winter festivities showcase illuminated viewings of Kinkaku-ji temple and seasonal celebrations. Holiday markets buzz with activity, while New Year traditions unfold at historic shrines. Mt. Fuji creates festive views from Hakone Daikanzan.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $4,236
10% Off- NZ$3,812You save $424
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From
10% Off- NZ$2,405
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From
10% Off- NZ$7,606
Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hostels and other living arrangements were very nice, not at all like the reputation that hostels have in the rest of the world.”
Tyler, traveled in September
Traditional temple visits in Kyoto welcome the New Year, while festive shopping fills Tokyo's Harajuku. Winter illuminations brighten the nights as holiday traditions unfold in authentic Japanese accommodations.
Duration 6 days Destinations Tokyo, Takayama, Kyoto Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From $2,119
15% Off- NZ$1,801You save $318
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Japan
- Japan Express – Osaka to Tokyo
Overall, the trip was great. This tour gives you the full flavour of Japan, from the traditional beginnings to modern day Japan. Our tour guide, which they call your CEO (chief experience officer), was fantastic and part of this is that G Adventures only hires knowledgeable locals. The main caution is to just ensure you know what this trip is. It is an express trip, so you are constantly travelling. This means you need to pack light/efficient and expect to be on your feet a lot. Part of the experience of this trip is that you travel from city to city with the local transit/train system. This is definitely something to experience but it also means you're not always sitting in a comfy bus and you need to carry things with you. So this is not the trip for someone who is out of shape or has issues being on their feet for prolonged periods. Also, the experience definitely differs based on when you go. We went in Feb, which is winter. When planning what to pack, we only had the information on the website, which to be fair is meant to be promotional. However, when we met our CEO on the first day, she provided extremely valuable and practical information I wish we had prior to landing in Japan. One part of this trip is visiting the temples in Koyasan. It was extremely cold with snow. I live in Toronto Canada so am well prepared for these conditions. But the rest of Japan was not this cold so I didn't bring the winter gear that would have prepared me better. For example, you are constantly taking your shoes off at temples so imagine not wearing proper socks walking on wood in negative Celsius conditions. Could I have done more detailed research about this specific location? Perhaps, but then why am I paying to be on this tour? So if you book, see if you can get in touch with your specific CEO to see if you can get the more detailed and practical information before leaving for Japan.
- Essential Japan
I liked the tour overall. The Fuji View Hotel was my favorite accommodation, with the Japanese style room with view of the lake and excellent included beautifully presented dinner. The other accommodations all had their plusses and minuses--Candeo Hotel in Osaka, for example, is well located, but the room and bathroom were very small. The tour seemed a little more focused on old Japan, particularly temples and shrines, than modern Japan, although we did have to miss part of our modern Japan due to the typhoon Jebi, which meant we could not see the Toyota Museum in Nagoya nor walk to the Shinkansen station there. But overall it was a wonderful itinerary and the guides did a great job keeping up with the weather and keeping us safe during the typhoon but still allowing us to do things as possible. Our guide Jose was great. However, I wish we could have had a dedicated English-speaking guide with us the whole time, as when he had to translate it was usually after he spoke to the Spanish-speaking tour members and sometimes we did not quite get all of the information. This tour was advertised on an English-speaking website, and when I asked if there was an English-speaking guide I was assured there would be one. However, since there turned out to be only 2 of us who spoke English, and 15 who spoke Spanish, sometimes we did not quite get the full information, although a good effort was made. Also the Europamundo survey of the tour has so far only come to me in Spanish. So maybe they should highlight that the tours are primarily directed to Spanish-speaking tourists.
- Spirit of Japan 14D/13N
Good tour with great guide.
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in Japan
When is the best time to book a Christmas & New Year tour in Japan?
The optimal booking window for Christmas & New Year tours in Japan runs 6-8 months before departure. Hotels like the Sotetsu Fresa Inn in Osaka and Hotel Intergate Tokyo reach capacity quickly for dates between December 15 and January 5. Prices tend to rise during this festive period particularly around popular spots like Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo and Kyoto's temples. Early planning helps secure better rates and preferred accommodation choices during this peak travel season.
What special activities and events can I experience during a Christmas & New Year tour in Japan?
The holiday season in Japan brings distinctive experiences that blend modern festivities with ancient traditions. Visitors can see the lit-up Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto join hatsumode shrine visits at Senso-ji in Tokyo and take part in New Year's Eve celebrations. Tours typically include stops at Mount Fuji and local markets. A TourRadar traveler noted: "we experienced real Japanese hospitality and felt immersed in the culture trying different Japanese foods exploring markets visiting temples and historic areas." Traditional bell-ringing ceremonies at places like Zojoji Temple add to the cultural experience.
How cold is Japan during Christmas & New Year and what should I pack?
Winter weather in Japan varies by region. Tokyo maintains temperatures between 5-10°C (41-50°F) while Hokkaido often sees temperatures below freezing. For stays at properties like the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo or New Miyako Hotel in Kyoto pack warm layers including a winter coat gloves scarf and waterproof walking shoes. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We saw snow in the Japanese Alps but Tokyo was mild - pack layers and definitely bring good walking shoes as there's lots of exploring to do."
What Japanese New Year traditions will I experience on the tour?
New Year tours showcase key Japanese traditions including joya no kane (108 temple bell rings) traditional osechi ryori meals at venues like the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto and hatsumode shrine visits. Visitors can observe locals in kimono making temple visits and participate in New Year ceremonies. As one traveler shared: "experiencing real Japanese hospitality and being immersed in the culture was purely magical during this festive time."
How crowded are popular tourist sites during the Christmas and New Year period?
Tourist attractions see peak crowds between December 29 and January 3. The Tokyo Skytree Kinkaku-ji Temple and Osaka's Dotonbori area draw particularly large numbers. Tour operators like Europamundo often schedule early morning visits to help avoid the heaviest crowds. The Daiwa Roynet Hotel in Tokyo's Nishi-Shinjuku area serves as a practical base for reaching attractions during quieter hours.
What dining options are available during Christmas and New Year in Japan?
Holiday dining in Japan offers a mix of traditional and contemporary options. Hotels such as the Ochanomizu Hotel Shoryukan in Tokyo feature special Christmas buffets that combine Japanese and Western cuisine. New Year brings opportunities to try osechi ryori while food districts like Osaka's Dotonbori and Tokyo's Tsukiji Outer Market stay open with holiday specialties.
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