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 April 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

John White

I booked this tour because it included all the main points I wanted to visit on my first trip to Japan (Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Kyoto & Hiroshima) at a very reasonable price, despite arranging our own flights (Emirates from Birmingham UK good timing and great value) My wife and I arrived in Tokyo a couple of days early so that we could adjust to the time difference and Russ (Tour company owner) was happy to arranged the pickup and transfer to the hotel he uses in Tokyo, Also fortunate that we arrived just before city lock-down due to Hurricane Hagibis. We were safe in our hotel and to Russ’s credit still ran the tour, on time and with the excellent guide Yukiko, despite being the only ones to turn up, and promptly rearranging our second hotel near Mt Fuji to avoid the storm damage area. We enjoyed every minute of the tour to this fascinating, colourful and interesting country, we were so impressed with the polite kind and helpful people, every where clean tidy and well organised and the rail journeys are on another level, as was the food, sights and sounds even the Onsen (don’t be bashful and give it a try) the gardens and castles so pristine. I am an addicted world traveller of five decades and I wouldn't hesitate in saying this is one of the best places and finest tour operators I have experienced in that time.

Marcel Colman & Julie Butcher

The Crimson Leaf Tour attained everything and more that was promised. The organisation was seamless from airport arrival to the last hugs of an emotional farewell. Our guide, Katy, was unbelievable in ushering our small group past crowds, through subways and other barriers to be at the front of the queue at any particular site, at the right train carriage, in the scheduled bus or taxi. Everything was so easy but more than that, our guide was extremely informative and knowledgeable tinged with a delightful sense of humour, we miss her still. Each day was planned and explained the previous day. Private diversions to particular areas of interest were accommodated with explicit travel guidance, no one ever went missing. Even prior to arriving, we received in the mail a compact book of information and helpful guidance that addressed matters that made this tour stressless. In summary, a superb 5+ star experience as was the accommodation.

Mark & Marichu

This is a 5-star tour for many reasons, but especially for the value, service and variety. Public transport is frequent, ultra reliable and problem-free, thanks to Hikari our tour guide. We were provided with transport passes to cover all of our journeys, including a 2-week JR bullet train pass, current value £455 per person. All our accommodation was close to transport hubs, clean and comfortable and with no skimping, with prices varying from £120-£220 for a twin room. Hikari was indefatigable and made sure that, if we wanted, we missed nothing. With hindsight, we would have given the Teenager Street in Tokyo a miss; a bit too hectic for us late at night, negotiating the crowds, after a full day of activities. Hikari always went the extra mile for us, even sourcing a Godzilla toy that we wanted to buy for a grandchild. The itinerary was well-balanced. From the poignant visit to Hiroshima, the imposing Himeji Castle with its beautiful gardens, various shrines and temples, a night with the monks, a cemetery walk (spooky at night), our intimate private tea ceremony to a performance by anachronistic rocker-billies jiving the afternoon away. Thank you Russ for the inexpensive tour and thank you for not subjecting us to any tourist trap pressure sales sites that often mar tours operated by other companies.

Mark and Alison Arthurson

Our 12 days in Japan were organised so well. From the time we arrived to the time we left, everything was in place thanks to Russ and his Dragonfly team. Great accommodation, informative tours, cultural appreciation and awareness, reliability and bonus friendship - it was a trip we will always fondly remember. Japan is a safe and beautiful country to visit - a fascinating blend of modern and ancient ways. Thanks Russ, for your attention to detail and extra help whenever it was needed.


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.