InsideJapan and their team of 'Insider' tour leaders are delighted to be one of the first UK tour operators to dust off their group tour boots, as the government begins to reopen Japan's borders to tourists travelling on fully escorted tours. 

InsideJapan has announced a selection of small group tours to start from this July - including the 13-night 'Japan Unmasked'* tour (Jul 18) and the experience-packed 10-night 'HYPERJAPAN J-pop & Go!' tour (Jul 2 & 23).

Both tours head to the main sights of Tokyo, Kyoto and the laid-back city of Hiroshima but both routes are vastly different. While Japan Unmasked heads through the Japanese Alps - staying in Shukubo temple lodgings in Nagano, a traditional Ryokan guest house in the castle city of Matsumoto and a family-run Minshuku in the craft town of Takayama, HYPERJAPAN J-pop & GO! delves into the beating heart of Osaka and stays in a traditional guest house with onsen hot spring baths in Hakone national park and offers the opportunity to climb scared Mount Fuji.

InsideJapan's small group tours led by their own Japan-based 'Insider' tour leaders take people across the country using Japan's public transport system and the famous Shinkansen 'Bullet Train.' Each tour is different, with a different tour leader on hand to offer their own historical and cultural insight, translate conversations at local restaurants and introduce travellers to favourite traditional Izakaya bars as well to show the way.

InsideJapan was set up in 2000 by Co-founders, Alastair Donnelly and Simon King. Their aim was to introduce this 'otherworldly' Japan and its culture to the west, offering cultural inspiration and value for money holidays that would get people 'beneath the surface' and wanting more.

“These are not tours in their own 'tour bubble.' Far from it,” said Simon King. “Travelling with an Insider, they allow people to make the most out of their limited time in the country, unlocking cultural doors that wouldn't be open to visitors otherwise.”

'Insider' tour leader and long-term Japan-resident, Richard Farmer added, “To say that we are looking forward to showing actual people around Japan again is an understatement. We really cannot wait to help travellers get beneath the surface of this amazing country again - This is what we do best.”

Reasons to travel again…It has been a long two-and-a-half years and there are plenty of reasons to head out to Japan this summer.

Festival! Summer is the season for traditional festivals across Japan and 2022 is the first time many will have taken place in three years. There are festivals all over Japan, but Kyoto's Gion festival – one of the biggest in Japan – is due to be held through July with the 'Saki matsuri' parade usually taking place July 17th. Festivals offer traditional dress, music and dance and lots of good food and drink. 

Climbing an icon. Fuji-san is Japan's highest and most sacred peak (3,996m) with an official climbing season running from the beginning of July to the beginning of September. There is nothing quite like being on top of the Land of the Rising sun as the sunrises.

150 years of the train. 2022 marks 150 years since the first train service in Japan began from Tokyo to Yokohama. The train line revolutionised travel in Japan with the locomotive journey taking just one hour. These days a journey on the sleek Shinkansen 'Bullet Train' between the two cities will take just ten minutes. There are now an estimated 8,500 stations across Japan and travelling by train is a cultural experience in itself.

Stay traditional. Staying in a traditional ryokan guest house or minshuku is a cultural 'must' Japanese experience. Welcomed often by a kimono-wearing host, you will be shown to your room - simple decor, tatami mat floors and sliding doors. Multi-course traditional dinners are often served and there may also be hot spring baths to use. Modern ryokan have opened during the pandemic, but all abide by the 'omotenashi' code of Japanese hospitality. 

'Hadaka no Tsukiai' Naked communion. The onsen hot spring baths are another feature of Japanese culture and are way more than a bath. Hot spring towns are found across Japan and many traditional guest houses will have onsen baths or simply communal baths which may be indoors or out but each provide a place to relax and enjoy the water with views across a small garden, forests, rivers or mountains.

Mountain retreat. Japan is 70% mountainous (and has one tenth of the world's active volcano) which as well as providing some of the best skiing in the world, offers some incredible walking with a slice of culture. The Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage route close to Osaka and the lesser known Shinetsu trail and ancient trading route straddling 70km from Nagano to Niigata, offer a rural and cultural retreat from the summer city heat. 

Low Yen. Japan is considered an 'expensive' country by many, but people are often surprised after a visit. Local transport is affordable as well as clean and efficient, accommodation is often good value, comfortable and well located and food is mostly delicious, well presented and great quality for the price. Right now the yen is at a 24 year low, meaning that Japan is even better value for money. 

Food. Omotenashi hospitality and the low yen in the home of modern ramen, sushi, yakiniku, okonomiyaki, tempura and much much more, mean that tastebuds will never have a better opportunity.

InsideJapan' 10-night HYPERJAPAN J-pop & GO! Tour costs from £2,800pp (excl. international flights) and includes 10 nights' accommodation, breakfast every day, transport across Japan, full-time tour leader and a range of cultural experiences including Zazen meditation at a Kyoto temple and Tatedo sword fighting in Osaka. Depart July 2nd and 23rd.

The 13-night Japan Unmasked* tour costs from £2,610pp (excl. international flights) and includes 13 nights' accommodation, breakfast every day, transport across Japan and services of a tour leader. Departs July 18th. *Before you ask...'Japan Unmasked' is a long running favourite tour. InsideJapan has always set out to help travellers understand local culture and etiquette. The tour name is not an 'anti-mask' message but a long running favourite tour 'unmasking' the beauty and culture of the country.

A full schedule of small group tours can be found here.

InsideJapan  also provide their high-end fully escorted, Exclusive Private Journeys to suit induvial clients, interests and timeframes.

The Japan specialists are expecting more announcements around further opening of borders and easing of restrictions very soon.
www.InsideJapanTours.com