Honshu Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(8,460 reviews)- Choose from 450+ Honshu tours
- 6,800+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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Table of contents
- The best Honshu tour packages
- What people love about Honshu Tours
- Travel Honshu your way
- Best tour companies for Honshu tours
- Popular Honshu Cruise Ships
- Discover Honshu tours for every budget
- Honshu tours for every type of group
- Top Honshu travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Honshu
- Contact our Honshu travel experts
- What our customers ask about Honshu Tours & Trips
The best Honshu tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaHonshu travel expert at TourRadar
Highlights of Japan - 7 Days
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour is good. I like it and would use the same guide again.”
Somkuan, traveled in November
Cultural riches span from Tokyo's Sensoji Temple to Osaka Castle. The Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre, bullet trains racing at 320kph, and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion showcase Japan's diversity. Local culture thrives in Dotonbori district and Arashiyama's bamboo groves.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Fuji, Hamamatsu, Osaka, Kyoto Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Tomato Travel From
- NZ$2,258+$215 upfront costs
Japan Golden Route with Hiroshima 2025
31 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was an enjoyable experience, with abundant food and a well-planned itinerary that covered the main cities and sights.”
JAYNE, traveled in May
Ten enriching days link Osaka to Tokyo, featuring UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion. Mount Fuji's silhouette and Tokyo's modern cityscape create lasting impressions.
Duration 10 days Destinations Osaka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Tokyo Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Operator Tomato Travel From
- NZ$3,956+$646 upfront costs
9 Day Independent Japan
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I really appreciated the inter-city travel and accommodation being sorted.”
Shane, traveled in July
Japan's cultural treasures shine from Tokyo's Meiji Shrine to Osaka's vibrant streets. Mountain vistas of Hakone lead to Kyoto's historic temples, including the magnificent Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Vio Travel From
- NZ$2,724
A Classic 11 Day Japan Holiday
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was great in general and gave us a rich sense of Japan and its history.”
MaryBeth, traveled in March
Honshu's treasures range from Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine to Osaka's Shinsekai district. Takayama's morning markets, Shirakawa-go's traditional houses, and Kyoto's Golden Temple tell Japan's story. Four-star accommodations and strategic train connections enhance the trip.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $7,364
22% Off- NZ$5,744You save $1,620
Japan Classic 14 Day - One Life Adventures
839 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour packs in so much. I just wish it was longer so I had more time to soak it all up.”
Zoe, traveled in May
Modern Tokyo districts contrast with Kyoto's ancient temples across Japan's main island. Mount Fuji views grace Hakone, while Takayama's traditional markets and Osaka's vibrant food scene delight visitors. Accommodations range from pod hotels to mountain temples.
Duration 14 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Koya-san, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator One Life Adventures From $5,159
10% Off- NZ$4,643You save $516
What people love about Honshu Tours
Loved every minute of the tour. We did the golden route tour including Hiroshima. Went in Cherry Blossom season and saw plenty of Cherry Blossom and got to see Mt Fuji. Our guide and driver Kita SAN were both excellent and went out of their way to show us extra spots with great viewing platforms Could highly recommend it
Highlights of Japan - 7 Days
- Japan Golden Route with Hiroshima 2025
Amazing tour for my first time in Japan! Our tour group was amazing and our guide was perfect and so helpful!
- 9 Day Independent Japan
Wonderful trip to Japan lots of things to know. The overall tour schedule was good.
Travel Honshu your way
The Kumano Kodo trails blend spiritual paths with real physical challenge as you trek Japan's sacred mountains. Our hikers love how the journey builds up naturally - you'll start with easier walks through Kyoto's old quarters before heading into the Kii Peninsula's deep forests. These UNESCO Heritage paths link three major shrines, and you'll stay in temples along the way with chances to rest in local hot springs. Many guests tell us the morning prayers with Buddhist monks at Koyasan really add something special, especially when combined with hikes past ancient stone markers on the Choishi Michi trail. While some trail sections get quite steep, our travelers say the riverside boat rides, quiet bamboo forests and rich cultural elements make the effort totally worth it.
Explore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Honshu. We have 13 adventures that vary from 8 days to 14 days. With the greatest number of departures in March, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Explore a wide diversity of train & rail tours through Honshu. We have 29 adventures that vary from 8 days to 21 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Japan's food scene comes alive through market visits, cooking sessions and local dining spots. Our tours hit all the right notes - you'll learn sushi preparation in Tokyo, cook vegetarian temple food with Buddhist hosts and pick up proper tempura techniques from experts. The variety keeps things interesting: sake tastings, traditional tea ceremonies in Kyoto and street food exploration in Osaka's lively Dotonbori area. Each day brings something different - perhaps starting at a morning fish market, making your own soba noodles for lunch and finishing with an elaborate kaiseki dinner. What our guests really value is getting into family-run restaurants and learning about seasonal ingredients from people who work with them every day.
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Best tour companies for Honshu tours
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Popular Honshu Cruise Ships
Discover Honshu tours for every budget
Our budget-friendly routes through Honshu give you lots to experience without breaking the bank. The most popular 13-day option lets you try your hand at making sushi near Tsukiji market and takes you up to Mount Fuji's fifth station. Our travelers really like how we mix scheduled activities with free time to wander. There's also a practical 10-day route that uses efficient public transport to connect Tokyo, Kyoto and also Osaka. You'll stay in clean hostels and traditional ryokans in good locations, with many guests telling us they got more than they expected for what they paid.
The premium tours open doors to special cultural moments and refined places to stay. On our signature 12-day luxury journey, you'll join geisha for tea ceremonies in Kyoto's Gion district and practice meditation with Buddhist monks. The accommodations include upscale ryokans and 4-5 star hotels, many with rooms looking out to mountains or gardens. Another excellent 14-day premium route includes something truly special - staying at a 1000-year-old Buddhist temple in Koyasan where you can join the morning prayers. We keep these groups small at 10-12 people and include high-end dining like multi-course kaiseki meals from master chefs.
Honshu budget tours- Honshu luxury tours
Honshu tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
334 tours in HonshuOur group tours are perfect if you like sharing travel moments with others. The popular 10-day route brings 16-20 travelers together for fun activities like making sushi as a group and hitting karaoke spots in Osaka. On the 14-day option, we balance guided activities with free time, so smaller groups naturally form based on what people want to do. Our travelers often tell us how morning temple visits and evening food tours helped them make real friends. The guides are great at managing the group flow while keeping everyone on track for trains and cultural experiences.
Small Group
203 tours in HonshuThese small-group tours across Honshu blend cultural experiences with smart planning, keeping groups between 16-20 travelers which works perfectly for bonding over late-night yakitori and shared temple stays. Our guides earn consistent praise for helping travelers navigate everything from complex transit systems to ancient temple customs, with early morning starts to experience popular sites like Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama before the crowds arrive. What makes these journeys special is the mix of hands-on activities - from sushi-making near Tsukiji, to kendo lessons with samurai families and quiet meditation sessions alongside Buddhist monks in Koyasan. The schedule balances structured activities with open periods, letting smaller groups naturally split up based on what interests them most. While some tours dive deep into cultural practices through private ceremonies and cooking classes, others combine urban discoveries with peaceful countryside cycling. The small group size opens doors to authentic moments - joining morning chants with monks, sleeping in centuries-old temples, and exploring Kanazawa's preserved geisha districts with guides who understand these traditions deeply. Our travelers often tell us how traveling in smaller numbers lets them connect more meaningfully with local life, whether through family restaurants, traditional craft workshops or peaceful moments in Japan's ancient temples.
Private / Personalized
133 tours in HonshuEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private Honshu tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 133 itineraries to choose from.
Top Honshu travel itineraries to fit your plans
The weeklong Honshu tours pack in Japan's essential experiences without feeling rushed. You'll start in Tokyo's buzzing neighborhoods before heading to quieter spots like Takayama, where premium Hida beef and local sake await. Most groups head up to Mount Fuji's 5th station for proper mountain views and take a peaceful ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. The bullet trains between cities are quick and comfortable - our travelers often tell us these train rides became unexpected highlights. You'll get hands-on with Japanese culture too, whether you're making sushi with local chefs, trying gold leaf art in Kanazawa's workshops or exploring Kyoto's temples and shrines.
These popular 10-day Honshu tours weave together modern city life and deep cultural connections in Japan. Our travelers tell us they love how the routes combine interactive workshops, like making sushi near Tsukiji market, with meaningful cultural moments such as learning kendo from actual samurai family descendants. Starting in Tokyo, you'll dive into Harajuku and Akihabara scenes before taking high-speed trains to places like Kyoto, where early visits to Fushimi Inari let you experience those vermillion gates in peaceful morning light. The journey includes a night at a temple in Takayama, sleeping traditionally on tatami mats and tasting locally-produced sake. Moving through Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima's water-surrounded torii gate, your evenings might find you joining traditional tea ceremonies in Kyoto's historic Gion district or wandering through Osaka's lively Dotonbori food streets. What makes these tours work so well is the smart mix of guided activities and independent exploration time, letting travelers discover their own hidden corners while having expert guidance for cultural contexts and transportation. With group sizes kept to 16-20 travelers, people naturally form friendships over shared moments, from dawn temple visits, morning market walks and also evening karaoke outings.
Two weeks lets you see how deep Japan's culture really goes. Our travelers tell us they love discovering places others miss - like joining monks for morning chants in Koyasan, learning traditional sword arts from samurai families or exploring Kanazawa's old geisha quarters. You'll have time for both famous sites and local connections, from making udon noodles in Takamatsu to joining tea ceremonies in Kyoto and walking through dense bamboo groves. The pace stays relaxed with free days to explore solo. Temple stays often become trip highlights, with nights on tatami mats and mornings marked by temple bells. It's ideal for travelers wanting to understand Japan properly, mixing cultural immersion with comfort and real local experiences.
Demographics
Our 10-14 day small group trips through Honshu help solo travelers find their footing and make quick friends. It starts in Tokyo where you'll pick up useful Japanese phrases before heading out with your group. The social side really shines - our travelers bond over yakitori dinners, share temple stay experiences in Takayama and belt out tunes during Osaka karaoke nights. You'll have guided support when you need it, especially with transit systems and local customs, plus plenty of time to explore on your own terms.
Couples find their perfect mix of romance and culture on our 11-12 day Japan tours. We've found special spots that set the mood - private mountain-view onsens, quiet walks through Kyoto's lantern-lit Gion district and peaceful moments at traditional ryokans. The early morning temple visits let you experience sacred spaces before the crowds arrive, while evening food tours take you through lively markets and also cozy izakayas where locals gather.
Our 9-14 day routes hit just the right notes for young adults wanting both modern and traditional Japan. You'll get guided visits to major sites plus free time to discover places like Harajuku and Dotonbori on your own. The hands-on experiences stand out - learning ancient kendo moves from samurai descendants, making sushi with local chefs and finding hidden food gems in Osaka's back streets. You'll sleep everywhere from hip hostels to historic temples, keeping a good pace without wearing yourself out.
Seniors appreciate our thoughtfully paced 15-day cultural journeys through Japan's key sites. The rail connections between cities are smooth and efficient, giving you proper time to take in each place. Our older travelers particularly connect with the cultural depth - learning traditional arts in Kyoto, taking time to reflect at Hiroshima Peace Park and wandering the carefully tended gardens of Kanazawa. We've picked comfortable, well-located hotels and made it easy to skip more active parts while still getting genuine Japanese experiences.
Taking the kids to Japan works really well with our 9-15 day Honshu tours that mix learning and fun. Kids get their hands messy in Tokyo sushi-making classes and light up when feeding the friendly deer in Nara Park. The Lake Yamanaka area is a family favorite - parents tell us their children love spotting swans and taking boat rides with Mount Fuji in view. The tech-loving kids get excited about robots and anime in Akihabara, while the Toyota Museum's interactive exhibits keep everyone engaged. We've built in quality family time between activities and handled all the hotel bookings and transport connections to make things easy.
- Solo Travelers406 tours
- Couples129 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)25 tours
- Seniors (50+)98 tours
Best time to visit Honshu
- Summer 2025
Summer brings warmth to Honshu, but our tours keep a thoughtful pace that works with the season. We schedule temple visits in the early morning, plan indoor activities during peak sun hours and save cultural experiences for late afternoon. The sushi-making classes near Tsukiji market are a particular highlight, giving you a cool indoor space to learn from local masters while developing authentic skills. Traditional ryokan stays let you experience seasonal festivals and catch the firework shows that brighten summer nights across Japan. The journey often winds through Takayama's morning markets, Kanazawa's craft workshops and numerous air-conditioned cultural sites, creating a comfortable way to explore Japanese traditions. Our travelers tell us they appreciate having both structured activities and open periods, especially when it means joining local summer festivals or finding peaceful spots in bamboo groves. For those seeking movement, the Noto Peninsula offers breezy coastal cycling routes, while cultural enthusiasts enjoy tea ceremonies and temple visits scheduled during cooler hours. Even with summer temperatures, our guests consistently share that well-timed activities and regular stops in air-conditioned spaces, traditional buildings and also museums make exploring Japan's main island a pleasure throughout the season.
- 203 tours
- 300 tours
- popular 310 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall in Japan means following the changing colors as they sweep from north to south. Our main 15-day autumn tour starts in Tokyo, catching the peak colors in Nikko National Park and later in Kyoto's temple gardens. Photography enthusiasts love the timing of our temple visits when the maple leaves are at their most colorful. The mountain tours really come into their own during autumn, mixing nights in traditional ryokans with forest walks in the Japanese Alps. You'll get to try seasonal specialties like matsutake mushrooms and fresh fish from the Sea of Japan, and also join in some local autumn festivals along the way. Four tour companies stand out for Japan trips, each with their own style and strengths. One Life Adventures gets lots of positive feedback from our travelers, particularly for their 14-day Japan Classic tour - guides Adam and Jack know their stuff and people feel they get solid value for what they pay. DragonTrip comes in at a lower price point and covers quite a bit of ground, but some of our customers mention the schedules can feel rushed and they wish there were more healthy food choices along the way. Intrepid Travel does a nice job offering different tour types for various budgets and travel preferences. Their guides Juno and Shawna consistently get mentioned in reviews for making the trips run smoothly and sharing deep local knowledge. For those wanting a more intimate experience, Unique Japan Tours keeps their groups smaller. Their local guides Betty and Kieko really shine when it comes to sharing cultural insights and taking care of all the little details that make a trip special. What's interesting is that across all these companies, travelers keep mentioning how clean and efficient Japan is, and how having a guide helped them understand Japanese culture in ways they couldn't have managed on their own. The guides help decode cultural nuances, navigate the transit systems and also explain the meaning behind temple rituals and local customs.
- 351 tours
- popular 372 tours
- 355 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The winter tours in Honshu really show off Japan's quieter side. You can watch snow monkeys relaxing in steaming hot springs at Jigokudani Onsen, which our travelers say is particularly good during December and January. Up in the mountains at Koyasan, you'll stay in temples and wake to morning prayers carried on the crisp winter air. It's a special time to see places like Kyoto's Golden Pavilion with a fresh coat of snow, and you won't have to deal with peak season crowds. The clear winter skies make for excellent Mount Fuji views from Hakone, and there's nothing better than warming up in an onsen after exploring the sights.
- 259 tours
- 220 tours
- popular 275 tours
- Spring 2026
Cherry blossom season from late March through April brings our busiest tours, and you'll want to book about 6 months ahead for the popular 14-day routes through Kyoto's temple gardens. We've got tours that blend traditional experiences like tea ceremonies and walks through geisha districts with seasonal festivities. Many of our travelers tell us their favorite memories come from joining local families for hanami picnics in the parks. The spring routes often include boat rides on Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji as your backdrop, and you can walk through Arashiyama's bamboo grove just as the new shoots start pushing up through the soil.
- popular 336 tours
- 307 tours
- 300 tours
Contact our Honshu travel experts
Kate
Expert in Honshu at TourRadar
Kate is one of our seasoned Honshu Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Honshu tours answered!
- Choose from 471+ Honshu tours
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Call us
+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Honshu Tours & Trips
How do I get around between cities on Honshu?
The bullet trains are your best friend here you'll zip between major cities at speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour which means you can cover something like 400 kilometers from Hakone to Hiroshima in just two and a half hours. If you're planning to explore multiple cities grab a Japan Rail Pass it's really cost-effective but here's a tip: regional passes like the JR West All Area Pass might actually save you more if you're focusing on specific areas. For getting to those charming smaller towns and rural spots local trains and buses are your budget-friendly go-to options.
What cultural experiences can I try and where should I go for them?
You've got to try a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto's historic Gion district or Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya and if you're feeling adventurous rent a kimono to really get into the spirit. Want to get hands-on? Learn calligraphy from actual masters in their workshops or try making wagashi those beautiful Japanese sweets in Kanazawa. For the full Japanese experience stay at a ryokan where you'll sleep on futons in tatami rooms wear a comfy yukata and soak in an onsen. The Yunomineso in Tanabe is fantastic for this they've got amazing traditional rooms and proper onsen facilities.
What natural areas can I visit outside the cities and how do I get there?
You'll love Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park with its dramatic volcanic landscapes and incredible Mount Fuji views just hop on the Romance Car from Tokyo to get there. Want to see something really special? Head to Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano where you can watch snow monkeys lounging in hot springs take an express train and private bus from Matsumoto. The Kumano Kodo is another must-see it's this amazing UNESCO World Heritage network of pilgrimage trails through mountains and forests on the Kii Peninsula. The popular trail from Hosshinmon to Hongu Taisha shrine is particularly beautiful and you can get there by train and bus.
Where can I go to avoid the tourist crowds and why do people love these spots?
You should check out Takayama it's this perfectly preserved Edo-period town in the Japanese Alps with amazing traditional inns and sake breweries One Life Adventures runs this great tour where you can stay in a temple and try local sake and Hida beef. Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture is another hidden gem with these incredible 250-year-old gassho-zukuri farmhouses it's UNESCO listed but still feels really authentic. Then there's Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast it's got this stunning garden called Kenrokuen and these fascinating samurai and geisha districts that feel frozen in time.
What local foods should I try and where's the best place to find them?
You've got to try Hida beef in Takayama it's incredibly tender with amazing marbling hit up the morning market or local restaurants. Okonomiyaki is another must-try and it's fascinating how it varies between cities Hiroshima does this layered version while Osaka mixes everything together check out Okonomiyaki Village in Hiroshima to watch the masters at work. For seafood lovers head to Kanazawa's Omicho Market where you can get amazing Kano crabs and sweet prawns. And if you're into noodles go to Kagawa Prefecture for Sanuki udon you can even learn to make them yourself at the Takamatsu Udon School.