Japan Tours

Welcome to Dragonfly Tours Japan, where you will find enthralling holidays and tours in Japan brought to you by guides who are passionate about their country and want to share it with you.  In small groups (most of our Japan tours have a maximum of 8-10 people) and with a flexible schedule our escorted tours will show you the best of Japan whilst also giving you the freedom to explore this magical country by yourself.  We have tours throughout the year including incredible last minute Autumn tours to Japan a brilliant winter tour in Japan and fabulous tours in spring 2023

We have over 15 years’ experience in delivering incredibly enjoyable tours taking you through the best of Japan and come highly recommended from our customers – read our reviews.

Our escorted tours in Japan give you the chance to taste the freshest sushi or the potentially fatal fugu (pufferfish), pick up the latest gadget and some antique lacquer ware, soak in hot springs, see ancient temples, visit Zen gardens, explore modern cities and much more. Take in the majestic Mount Fuji on our fabulous Fuji Tour or take in our Northern Routes tour.  Read on to find out more about our selection of tours to Japan. Remember, as well as our scheduled tours, we also provide custom tours which give you flexibility over your itinerary.

The cherry blossom that paints Japan in pink every sping is the most powerful symbol in the nation’s culture. The intimate relationship between natural images and Japan’s philosophy and art is well known and records suggest that the people of Japan have held these pink blooms in high regard right back to the foundation of the country.
Taking in the futuristic high-rises of Tokyo, the ancient temples of Kyoto and the traditions, food and culture of an intriguing nation, this small group tour in the heartland of Japan is ideal for the first-time visitor or for anyone who wants to capture the essence of the country.
The Ancient Highway Tour is a relaxing trip taking in four of the most popular places in Japan. The tour starts in the neon and glitz of Tokyo which makes a neat contrast with the next stop, the somewhat more traditional old capital Kamakura.
The Takayama Festival Tour is a tour of Japan with a difference. You experience the highlights of Japan such as Tokyo and Kyoto, but at the heart of this tour is the experience of the Takayama festival, unheard of by many travellers here, and experienced by fewer.
The Crimson Leaf tour is the perfect choice for an Autumn tour of Japan. Every year when the intense heat of the summer breaks, Japan bursts into flame with autumn colours. At autumn’s peak in November, the mountains, the forests, the urban parks and avenues are ablaze with every kind of red, orange and yellow providing a stunning backdrop for your holiday.
This is a Japanese tour off the beaten track and who, like our ancestors, want to approach Japan through its historical gateway.
A fabulous Mount Fuji Tour. Mount Fuji is the symbol of Japan — its culture, its values; everything it represents. In times past, Fuji was the pivot of Japan’s ancient road connecting the cultural, spiritual and imperial centre of the country Kyoto with Tokyo, the traditional centre of commerce and political power.
The Takayama Reverse Festival Tour is based upon our Takayama Festival Tour but it heads in the opposite direction with some extra tweaks along the path. You experience the highlights of Japan such as Tokyo and Kyoto, but at the heart of this tour is the experience of the Takayama festival.
Unlike our other tours, the Northern Route Tour to Kyoto is a quick paced tour for those who want to see and experience a lot in a short period of time. We take you off the main tourist route connecting Tokyo and Kyoto making the most of the newer bullet train route running north through the rural plains and hills of Nagano.
Tailor made tours

WHO ARE WE?



Russ Hewick

Founder / Operations

Etsuko Sakai

Guide / Translator

Mayumi Sorimachi

Guide / Translator

Kaori Sakai

Guide / Translator

Midori Fujimura

Guide / Translator

Haruhi Makino

Guide / Translator


TESTIMONIALS

Jan & Graeme Hunter

This was a great trip. Loads to see. Everything went like clockwork. Hotels all good and in brilliant locations. Communication from Russ pre tour and during tour excellent. After the tour we went to Hakone ourselves. Accommodation booked through Dragonfly Tours. Russ provided a self - guided itinerary which we were not expecting as we were on our own. We could not have picked a better tour operator to show us the real Japan. We would have no hesitation in using Dragonfly tours again and would thoroughly recommend them.

Angela and Adam Pettifer

Hi Russ, here’s some soundbites for your testimonials: "I would definitely recommend Dragonfly Tours for anybody considering visiting Japan. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon and Russ arranged a semi-guided tour specifically for us with a full itinerary for ten days. It was a great set-up -Russ would spend a couple of days with us in each new city helping us orientate ourselves, while being shown every great attraction, interesting hidden little side streets, the best places to eat etc. We were then free to explore by ourselves for a couple of days before moving to the next city - and Russ was at the other end of the phone if we needed his advice. This was exactly how we wanted our honeymoon to go and Russ and his team arranged exactly that. Russ was friendly, knowledgeable company throughout, and it was great fun spending time with him. Thanks again guys, it was a blast!

Belinda and Simon Fidler

This is our second time visiting Japan with Dragonfly Tours which tells you how good they were the first time! This time we were treated to the same high quality. Russ was excellent in communicating with us while we chose the tour and tweaked it so that it was just what we wanted down to the last detail - nothing was too much trouble. We were met at the airport and given a full pack of tickets and detailed instructions so that even though we were self guided we felt confident (also knowing Russ would be at the end of the phone line if necessary helped!) And it all went super smoothly - no difficulties finding anything or catching any of the trains/buses. I can't recommend Japan highly enough and I can't recommend Dragonfly highly enough. I've no doubt there will be a third trip with Russ and the crew!

Lisa Snow

I've been hesitant in writing my review, I knew I'd never find the right words to express just how incredible and impactful this tour was. My mother has had a long time dream of visiting Japan, and I finally convinced her to take the leap and go for. After looking online it was an easy choice to book with Dragonfly, and I am so grateful we did. We booked in September of 2019 to visit for the upcoming cherry blossom festival starting in 2020 and then as everyone is aware covid happened. For 3 years Russ has kept in contact with me letting us know that once the world opened up again, to rest assured we would be on that tour. Never in my life have I met a more genuine,caring, business owner. And on top of that the tour is incredible and worth every moment. Take your leap and experience the magic that is Japan with a knowledgeable tour guide who becomes a friend. Thank you Russ for everything, and Etsuko you're incredible.


Dragonfly Tours Japan

We have a fantastic collection of tours to Japan in 2023 which deliver the ultimate experience of this fascinating country and will leave you with treasured memories of the most amazing holiday experience. Our tours in Japan have been carefully planned and refined over the last 15 years so you get to see more of the historical sites, take in more of the beautiful scenery and soak up more of the culture of some of the best cities in the world.  Browse our site to see what we have to offer.

Japan Tours with Local Guides

Our tours in Japan are undertaken with local guides who have a wealth of knowledge about living and travelling in Japan. This knowledge, experience and passion enables our guests to get more out of their visit seeing sights and experiencing the very best things that are often missed on tours to Japan that are packaged by bulk operators.

Japan Tour Experts

We only provide tours to Japan, we don’t do tours anywhere else. We have extensive knowledge in guided tours to Japan which we continually refine through traveller feedback and our local knowledge of the destinations in Japan.

Tailor Made Japan

Book a tailor made tour to Japan with Dragonfly Tours and experience this enchanting country at your own speed. Our tailor made tours are for groups of any size, for any time of year and any duration and give you flexibility and control over your itinerary. 

Safe, Secure and Full Financial Protection

You are in safe hands when you book a tour with us.  As members of the Travel Trust Association (TTA) since 2009, all monies paid are 100% secured and guaranteed in the unlikely event of failure.  This coverage is worldwide, no matter which country you are from; or where you live.  Our member number is U6165.

If you would like to find out more about our tours please get in touch and we will answer any queries you may have.  Our tours can be booked online or over the phone.