Japan Small Group Tours
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10 best Japan small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaJapan travel expert at TourRadar
- 8D Splendid Japan Small Group (max 15)(3 star hotels)
- Imperial Capitals of Japan Small Group Tour
- Imperial Capitals of Japan & Hiroshima Small Group Tour
- 9 Day Independent Japan
- Highlights of Japan
- Japan In Depth - Footsteps of the Shogun
- Luxury Japan Family Tour with Daily Start, No Group
- Custom Japan Autumn Tours with Daily Start, No Group
- Geluxe: Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinoku Coastal Trail
- Japan Share a Trip
Duration 8 days Destinations Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nagano, Mount Fuji, Tokyo Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Stunning Tours From $4,498
50% Off- US$2,249You save $2,249
Small group travel through Japan's imperial capitals ensures personalized attention at sites like Asakusa Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. The limited size allows for authentic experiences, including private tea ceremonies and peaceful walks through Arashiyama's Bamboo Forest.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Kyoto Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator Firebird Tours From
50% Off- US$3,391
The small group format guarantees personalized attention at sites like Fushimi Inari Shrine's torii gates and Sanjusangendo Temple's 1001 Kannon statues. Private guides provide in-depth cultural insights at each location, with comfortable transportation between cities.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Private Operator Firebird Tours From
50% Off- US$4,272
9 Day Independent Japan
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful trip to Japan lots of things to know. The overall tour schedule was good.”
Brian, traveled in September
Personalized attention highlights guided tours through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Small groups enhance cultural experiences during the Panoramic Tokyo Day Tour and Kyoto Temple excursion. Perfect for cultural immersion with 50+ reviews and dedicated local guides.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range up to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Vio Travel From
50% Off- US$1,649
Highlights of Japan
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Well organised from start to finish. The guide was knowledgable and helpful.”
Karen, traveled in May
A close-knit group of 16-18 travelers, averaging 52 years old, delves into Japanese culture. The small size allows special access to traditional tea ceremonies in Kyoto and meaningful interactions with local guides at Nijo Castle's nightingale floors.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Himeji, Hiroshima Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Explore! From $4,290
16% Off- US$3,590You save $700
Japan In Depth - Footsteps of the Shogun
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Loved the hour or so spent in the tea house in Kyoto. Tour guide had put the event into context beforehand.”
Nicholas, traveled in September
Groups limited to 16 people gain special access to tea farming families and geisha encounters. A private coach transports guests through rural regions to traditional ryokan stays. Average age 74, suited for cultural immersion.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Sasebo, Hirado, Fukuoka Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Explore! From $6,230
7% Off- US$5,820You save $410
Luxury Japan Family Tour with Daily Start, No Group
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I was very happy with all the accommodations/hotels. Tour guides and transportation was great!”
Manjit, traveled in June
Your private tour ensures individual attention at every stop, from Meiji Shrine to Fushimi Inari. English-speaking guides customize pace and experience, perfect for capturing family photos at Senso-ji Temple and enjoying VIP seats at Gion Corner Theater's geisha show.
Duration 6 days Destinations Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 4 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Agate Travel From
7% Off- US$6,229
Local guides lead your private party through Tokyo's hidden gems. Personalized tours through Kabukicho's neon streets and Meiji Shrine's peaceful grounds, with flexibility to adjust pace and interests at each location.
Duration 5 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 4 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Agate Travel From
7% Off- US$3,289
Groups limited to 12-15 travelers access locations like Kurama village's hidden temples and Fudai's preserved traditions. The intimate setting enables personal interactions with local craftsmen during cherry bark workshops and private sake brewery tours in Akita prefecture.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kyoto, Tokyo Age Range up to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $7,799
30% Off- US$5,459You save $2,339
The tour welcomes small private groups with personalized English-speaking guides. A private driver takes you to Mt. Fuji and Hakone, while expert local guides lead you through Kyoto's temples and Nara's deer park with flexible itinerary options.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Age Range up to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Vio Travel From
30% Off- US$2,299
Reviews of Small Group tours to Japan
- Luxury Japan Family Tour with Daily Start, No Group
I was very happy with all the accommodations/hotels. Unfortunately our first hotel in Tokyo was asking for us to pay for our accommodation because they didn’t have a payment from your tour company. This process took about an hour and a half before we were allowed access to our room. We had just arrived from a long travel day involving about 24 hours and were extremely tired. It was not a good first impression at all. Our guide had to contact someone so we could stay at the hotel. Also, no one at tour radar or our main contact person in Japan reached out to check in to see if we were doing okay or needed anything. I was hoping for better service. Tour guides and transportation was great! I especially liked our tour guide in Tokyo and the two in Kyoto.
- Customized Japan Family Trip with Daily Start, No Group
The company has good customer service- they respond quickly. Thanks Emily for all the work you’ve put into the tour. The tour was just as planned with good tour guides and well planned itineraries. Having All the transportation planned was great! I would certainly do this again.
- Best Japan Family Tours with Daily Start, No Group
Excellent customer service. Very efficient and responsive. Guides were informative. Thank you. I’ll be using your travel again. Highly recommend.
What our customers ask about Japan Small Group Tours
What is the typical group size for small group tours in Japan?
Small group tours in Japan keep numbers between 6-15 travelers creating a more personal way to see places like Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji Temple and Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple. The size makes it easier to navigate busy spots like the Tsukiji Fish Market and Tokyo Metro. These tours often include stays at distinctive places like the Myoryuji Ninja Temple in Kanazawa or the ANA Crowne Plaza in Hiroshima. As one TourRadar traveler notes "The small group feel was awesome."
What is the ideal duration for a small group tour in Japan?
The sweet spot for Japan small group tours falls between 10-14 days giving enough time to see major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto plus off-the-beaten-path spots like Takayama and Kanazawa. G Adventures runs an 11-day Japan tour that TourRadar travelers often describe as "the perfect length to experience both highlights and hidden gems."
What is the typical price difference between small and large group tours in Japan?
Expect to pay 20-30% more for small group tours in Japan with daily rates from USD 200-500 based on where you stay and what's included. Large group tours typically cost around USD 200 per day while small group experiences average USD 300-400. One TourRadar traveler shares: "The higher price was worth it for the intimate experience and ability to stay in unique accommodations like the Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda."
What types of cultural experiences are possible with small group tours in Japan?
Small groups can join private tea ceremonies in Kyoto's Gion district take cooking classes in local homes and visit smaller temples that larger groups can't access. The size works well for places like Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa or activities at Mount Koya temples. A TourRadar reviewer notes: "Our small group size allowed us to have dinner with a maiko in Kyoto and visit a local family's home for a cooking class - experiences impossible with larger groups."
What kind of accommodation options are available for small group tours in Japan?
These tours blend stays at modern spots like Park Hotel Kyoto with nights in traditional ryokans in Hakone and unique temple lodgings in Takayama. TourRadar travelers often mention that smaller groups can "stay in traditional accommodations that larger groups couldn't access."
How does dining work on small group tours in Japan?
The schedule typically mixes group meals with free time to explore on your own. Groups can fit into local restaurants that don't have space for bigger tours as noted by TourRadar travelers. You might have a kaiseki dinner at places like the Ooike Hotel near Mount Fuji or explore Osaka's Dotonbori street food scene with a local guide.
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