Pre or Post Cruise Tours & Shore Excursions
Private Journeys
Custom Group Travel
Have you already booked a cruise to Japan? Let All Japan Tours assist you in planning your shore excursions or day tours. Whether you are interested in joining a Japan tour before boarding your cruise or afterwards, we can provide tour guides at nearly every port in Japan to help you navigate through the country’s must-see sites. Join a pre/post cruise tour for a fulfilling trip to Japan by both land and sea. Listed below are some of the most popular ports of Japan with shore excursion ideas.
Akita: A vibrant city noted for its thriving art and museum scene, as well as producing some of the country’s best sake. Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Shirakami-Sanchi mountain range. Points of interest include Lake Tazawa, the Kakunodate Samurai District, the Akita City Folklore Museum, and the Mt. Kanpuzan Observatory.
Beppu: An exotic hot springs town that is best known for its “Hells of Beppu”, which are a collection of nine onsen (hot spring) attractions. Steamy, therapeutic waters and spas encompass this legendary town, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and lush foliage. Points of interests are Jigokumeguri, Yufuin Onsen, Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park, and the Usa Jingu Shrine.
Hakodate: A long-established producer for Japan’s finest raw fish, it was the first port in Japan to open to Westerners in 1859. Visitors can still view the town’s cobblestone streets and Western-style, early 20th century homes. Excursion suggestions include Mt. Hakodate, the Morning Market, Goryokaku Pentagonal Fort, Onuma Quasi-National Park, and the Red Brick Warehouses.
Hiroshima: Site of one of the infamous atomic bombings during WWII, a monument city and home to a National Treasure. Visitors can spend time at the city’s Peace Memorial Park, or its serene Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s three most scenic sites. Points of interest are the Hiroshina Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkein Garden.
Kagoshima: Best known for its active volcano, Mt. Sakurajima, which has erupted 30 times in its recorded history. Kagoshima also holds rich Japanese history during the feudal era. It is located at the top of a peninsula which features unique, geothermal sand baths. Excursion suggestions include Chiran, Ibusuki, Sakura Jima, Lake Ikeda, and Senganen (Iso Garden).
Kanazawa: Most popular for being the location of one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens, the Kenrokuen Garden. The city also holds a rich arts & crafts scene and well-preserved samurai and geisha residences. It remains one of the most important cities of its prefecture. Recommended shore excursions are the Kenrokuen Garden, Higashichaya Machi, 21st Century Museum, Shirakawago & Gokayama, and Nagamachi Samurai House Row.
Kobe: A cosmopolitan port city and gateway to the cultural center of Kyoto. It is the origin of the famed Kobe beef and is considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities. Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, but has since been rebuilt with few signs of the tragic event. Port excursion ideas are Arima Onsen, Mt. Rokko, Sake Brewery Museum, Kitano, and Shin-Kobe Ropeway.
Kushiro: A major fishing port overlooking the Pacific Ocean in northern Japan. This coastal city offers a variety of restaurants, boutiques, and plenty of natural scenery. It is the most populous city in eastern Hokkaido. Points of interest include the Crane Nature Park, Washo Fish Market, Cape Aikappu, the Kushiro Marshland, and Hokuto Observatory.
Maizuru: One of the main port cities of the Kyoto Prefecture. It was once an important port during the Russo-Japanese War, and today it serves as a center for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Maizuru is also known for its rich nature and scenic locations. Sightseeing spots include the Fukuoka Castle and Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park. Other attractions are located nearby in Kyoto, such as the Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji Temple.
Miyazaki: Located on the south-eastern side of the Kyushu Island, Miyazaki is known for having one of the warmest climates of Japan’s main islands. It is home to various resorts and beaches, making it a beautiful destination for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Points of interest include the Obi Castle Ruins, Aoshima Island, Shochu Brewery, and Udo Shrine.
Nagasaki: To many travelers, Nagasaki is known as the location for the second nuclear bomb attack during WWII. For this reason, visitors from all over the world come to visit the Nagasaki Peace Park to commemorate this tragic event. On a lighter note, Nagasaki offers stunning views and is often nicknamed the “San Francisco of Japan”. Points of interest are the Glover Garden, Oura Catholic Church, Gunkanjima, Mount Inasa, and Dejima.
Okinawa: Japan’s southernmost prefecture, an island chain with subtropical climates. Okinawa is for having some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs, large number of marine life, and spectacular snorkeling/scuba diving spots. Its three main islands are Okinawa Island, Miyako Island, and the Yaeyama Islands. Shore excursion ideas include Shurijo Castle, Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Museum & Peace Park, Shikinaen Gardens, and Churaumi Aquarium.
Osaka: The second largest metropolis of Japan after Tokyo. It was once the capital city of Japan and has greatly shaped Japan’s society with its cultural influences. Visitors will find many historical monuments, nightlife attractions, and more. Excursion ideas include the Osaka Castle, Universal Studios, Minami (Namba), Shitennoji Temple, and Museum of History.
Otaru: A small nostalgic canal town that once served as a major trading and fishing port in Hokkaido. It is known for its beautifully preserved buildings that have been converted from warehouses to boutiques and restaurants. Many visitors are drawn to its historical architecture and pleasant scenery. Top attractions are the Otaru Canal, Nikka Whisky Distillery, Otaru Snow Light Path, Herring Mansion, and Sakaimachi Street.
Shimizu: Famous for being one of Japan’s most scenic ports. Located in the Shizuoka area, the port is rooted in Edo Period history and importance. Shimizu is also known for its outstanding views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. Shore excursions are S-Pulse Dream Plaza, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sunpu Castle Park, Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, and Miho no Matsubara.
Tokushima: Located on the Shikoku Island, best known for its annual Awa Odori dance festival. This prefecture abounds with natural wonders, surrounded by its beloved Mt. Bizan, as well the remote Iya Valley and its vine bridges. Tokushima is a go-to area for outdoor adventures. Points of interest include the Ryozen-ji Temple, Naruto Whirlpools, Otsuka Museum of Art, Tairyu-ji Temple, and Mt. Bizan.
Tokyo (Yokohama): Located at the center of Tokyo Bay, the port of Yokohama welcomes numerous cruise ships and offers an array of attractions. Shopping and tourist destinations are a short walk away, and easy transportation access to the greater Tokyo area is also available. Top attractions include the Sankeien Garden, Minato Mirai, Tokyo Tower, Sensoji Temple, and Imperial Palace.
When you contact us through e-mail or phone, we will discuss the type of trip and services you're interested in. There are many things to consider when planning your trip to Japan, such as your travel date, length of stay, destination cities, points of interest, and budget. Based on this information, we will create an initial “sketch” itinerary that includes an outline of recommended travel routes, destinations, accommodations, transportation type, and services we can provide.
Many of our clients select one of our existing Group Tour itineraries and adjust it according to their interests, budget, and other modifications. We also have clients that have their own ideas about their intentions and plans, or even a specific itinerary in mind. However you envision your tour to Japan, you can depend on us to provide first-rate service and exceptional pricing. A minimum of 15 travelers is recommended to get the best rates. (Although we can accommodate smaller parties at higher rates).
Our Japan Custom Group Travel Inquiry Form is designed to give us a clear picture of your interests and preferences, so that we can create the ideal vacation for you. If one of our itinerary is the ideal base plan for you, please mention so in your inquiry. We will customize the plan so that the plan will meet your specific needs and desires.
5.0 stars based on 28 REVIEWS
5/29/2023 - 6/9/2023 / 2023-05-29
I hired All Japan Tours to organize the art tour which I curated. We worked on it for two years as this was a complicated trip with a lot of different locations, strict schedule, private viewing, and everything had to be on the highest level of hotels and food. The job that Kiyoshi and his team have done is exceptional. It was so well organized that everything was on time. They are flexible, detail oriented, and lovely to work with.
Ms. Ohad
5/21/2023 - 5/30/2023 / 2023-05-21
If you want one of the best tours of your life go with All Japan Tours and ask for Miss Kim. We went for our honeymoon and Miss Kim made it unforgettable. We experienced more than we could have imagined and she was exceptionally helpful and informative. Japan is the most beautiful place we have seen in our lives, and when we got home we missed both the country and Miss Kim. Thank you for all that you have done. We hope to come back again! You really made our honeymoon memorable.
Mr. DiSano and Ms. Urquiza
5/11/2023 - 5/24/2023 / 2023-05-11
The guide and bus driver were exceptional.
Ms. Cipres
5/11/2023 - 5/24/2023 / 2023-05-11
Everything about the tour was amazing! Our guide Miharu was a very big part of making the tour so fantastic. Her knowledge, guidance, assistance, storytelling, friendliness -- I can go on and on, and especially her humor and comedic skills had us all laughing and wanting more. She never failed to have an answer to our questions. Driver Harada-san was also so accommodating and pleasant to have as our driver -- he had the softest hands! I loved all the "hand on" activities - doing bonsai, woodcarving, making kamaboko, making tatami, dancing. It was also so special that Miharu was able to have the beautiful Japanese singer fly in just to entertain us on the bus. That was so special and I'm sure something that is not done for all tours.
Ms. Kawaguchi
5/11/2023 - 5/24/2023 / 2023-05-11
Our tour was carefully curated to meet the diverse interests of our group. We had a group of family and friends, many who have traveled to Japan together several times before with a different company. AJT was by far superior in the sites and experiences they provided. The local tour guide was informative and funny and took the extra steps to make sure our tour would be memorable. We will definitely use AJT for our next trip. Thank you
Mr. Takasugi
5/11/2023 - 5/24/2023 / 2023-05-11
It was a fabulous tour! Kiyoshi and Jeanne Sakamoto did an excellent job of planning a great itinerary and activities. It was very well thought out and proceeded smoothly. The activities were all fun and every place we went was expecting us. I especially enjoyed the luxury Hotel Matsushima Taikanso and the beautiful ocean view room. Hotel Family Sado Aikawa was also lovely. it was so nice to have oceanfront rooms. Enough cannot be said about our amazing tour guide Miharu. She was always prompt, well-prepared and organized, and she filled us with information about the history, culture and personal stories with visual material, and all in a very entertaining manner. She kept us laughing throughout the tour. In addition, Miharu was kind, thoughtful, considerate, caring, flexible, joyful and looked out for everyone. She even provided us with delicious snack and water bottles on the bus. She seemed to sense the needs of our tour group and paced our tour accordingly. She truly made the tour to be the very BEST. Our bus driver Mr. Harada was also the best. We felt very confident in his safe and excellent driving. He was also very kind and friendly, always with a smile on his face. He was very accomodating as well, making extra stops to meet rest stop or shopping needs. Miharusan and Haradasan both went out of their way to make this an incredible and memorable tour. Kiyoshi was also very helpful and answered all my trip/airline related questions. We also appreciated all the information of the places we were going to prior to the trip. Thank you very much All Japan Tours. Thank you Miharu, Mr. Harada and Kiyoshi
Ms. Shibata
3/11/2023 - 3/20/2023 / 2023-03-30
Our tour guide Barbara was very informative and made sure we learned about the history of the sites we visited. She was flexible when there were changes in plans and was able to find us when we got separated on the train lines. She made sure we got good pictures together!
Ms. Liem
2/1/2023 - 2/5/2023 / 2023-02-21
First of all, the guide was very knowledgeable & helpful. The driver was professional, and we felt safe all the way. You designed the route carefully and also considered our needs and interests. Mr. Katsume was always there to answer my questions and responded promptly while we were planning the trip. I will definitely consider using the company next year to explore Japan!
Ms. Sigmund
10/8/2019-10/19/2019 / October 31
There were 9 of us in this custom tour to visit Osaka, Kyoto,Kobe, Hiroshima, Hakone, and Tokyo. I cannot say enough about Mr. Kiyoshi Katsume of All Japan Tours who helped us put together our tour and was so patient and prompt in his responses to our numerous changes and questions in putting together our tour. Our tour guides in the cities were EXCELLENT, Very knowledgeable and patient with us. They worked overtime to be with us and help us... all with a smile. We loved the Marriott Hotel in Osaka and the Prince Hotels in Tokyo was older but so centrally located near Shin-Osaka station. Our breakfasts were included. We loved the Marriott Shin-Osaka buffet! We loved our bento cooking class in Kyoto where we learned to make chicken, Musubis, japanese egg, nishime. We loved Hiroshima and Meiji Shrine.
Mrs. Liane Sloan & Friends from Hawaii
9/4/2019-9/10/2019 / September 16
It was nice experience to on local train . My all tour guide was so wonderful and knowledgeable. Thank you so much
Patel Group from California
6/3/2019-6/16/2019 / June 24, 2019
What made this tour awesome for us was definitely our tour guide, Ai Orikane. Also our driver, Tanaka-san was especially friendly, extremely helpful and flexible. Ai was very flexible and resourceful, making our suddenly cancelled visit to Puroland into a happy day by giving us alternative things to do that we enjoyed. She is a very professional, friendly and intelligent guide, who definitely made our trip wonderful. We couldn't have imagined having any other tour guide with us. We would definitely recommend AJT and especially Ai as the tour guide to anyone we know who will be travelling to Japan and needs a tour and/or guide.
Mrs Trewin from Canada
5/18/2019-6/2/2019 / June 3, 2019
Kim was a terrific tour leader! She was so pleasant ....always smiling and trying to accommodate us. Nagi our first driver in Kyushu was also excellent. He always greeted us and made eye contact. He also kept the bus so clean. Loved the variety of places we visited ...sake factory, crane park, ice cream making, flower fields, oldest temple, etc. The meals were delicious, but could have used a little more variety. Too many kaiseki meals in a row. Would have loved more street food, ramen, udon for instance.
Ms Sonoda
5/18/2019-6/2/2019 / June 4, 2019
Our guide Kim was nothing short of fantastic. She was one of the most pleasant and knowledgable people I have ever met. Please tell her how much we appreciate her.
Mr & Mrs Glaser
5/18/2019-6/2/2019 / June 10, 2019
Excellent guide and top quality hotels, transportation and food.
Ms Murakami
3/28/2019-4/11/2019 / April 17, 2019
with so many dietary restriction in our group, you have managed to do wonderful job except for confusion on 2nd and 3rd day. Best driver and guide we had who went out of their way to make us comfortable. Mr Kioshi Katsume was always available and answered all questions throughout the booking process. This was my 56th country but never received such a good service before.
Patel Group from USA
3/27/2019-4/24/2019 / April 30, 2019
Every aspect was fantastic and our guide Kimi was outstanding.
Tour That Teach from Australia
3/10/2019 - 3/20/2019 / March 22, 2019
It was a great introduction to Japan for a group who had no familiarity with the area.
Cortes Family from Canada
2/3/2019 - 2/11/2019 / 2019-02-03
Our Private Land Tour surpassed a regular land tour. We were able to work very well with the tour planner / guide and our driver to make adjustment throughout the whole travel from the planning stages to the time during our trip in Japan.
Hawaii Group
2/2/2018 / February 12, 2019
Great tour guide and fully informed
Mr. Stefanos Sevastou's Group
1/13/2019 - 11/17/2019 / January 22, 2019
Second time with Alljapan. Excellent service. Very helpful. Absolutely flawless travel. Thank you.
Susan from New Jersey
10/19/2018 - 10/27/2018 / November 19, 2018
The All Japan Tour for the Kaneda tour was a "Magical
Tour"! Your preparation and organization or this tour
was superb! The most impressive part of my trip was
the portrait of an amazing people and culture revealed
to us by Miharu who explained what we would see -
took us to see it - then cemented those observations
after the sightings. IT felt like a true Geisha explaining
what we seeing and giving us an understanding as to
why we were seeing this. For example the explanation
that sky scrapers near the Imperial Palace lacked
Windows on the top floor to peer into the emperor's
living quarters.
I felt I saw a side of Japan and Japanese culture that
98% of visitors to Japan never are privy to. I have a
huge respect for the way Japanese people conduct and
respect their life and other human life.
Thank you for this "Magical" tour!
P.S. 1. We did great at the Kawagoe festival and back
to Tokyo. 2. I only got about 2200 pictures to remember
this tour- Including 1 of Fujiyama.
Leonard & Betsy from California
10/19/2018 - 10/27/2018 / November 19, 2018
We were all extremely satisfied with our itinerary,
meals, and hotels. I had been to Japan many times
and had seen most of the sights; but, found that every
day, I experienced something new and amazing. Our
guide, Miharu was extremely organized, informative,
and hysterical! She made the time between
destinations, which were sometimes more than 2
hours, go by so quickly. Our driver, Mr. Nakano was
excellent. He and Miharu coordinated transfers
perfectly. As an example, finding our way back from
the Kawagoe Festival to the hotel could have been very
exhausting and confusing. However, they thought of an
alternative plan and we found the coach waiting for us
as soon as we exited the train station. Amazing!
Many of us are tea lovers so we especially enjoyed our
visit to the Uji tea farm. It was beautiful and we found
the tea farmer's guided tour to be very informative.
We all agreed that the lunch we had in Uji was our
favorite. Our meal was presented in a bento box with
drawers filled with incredibly beautiful delicacies.
I will highly recommend AJT to all our friends and will
certainly consider having you assist us with future
travels to Japan.
Adele from California
10/19/2018 - 10/27/2018 / November 19, 2018
My husband and I had an amazing time; it was the best
escorted tour we have ever taken. There was a lot of
attention to detail and we were very well taken care of.
We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and driver
than Miharu and Mr. Nakano. The hotels were
excellent, the meals were amazing and the tours were
well chosen. It was my fourth trip to Japan and my
husband’s first time and we are ready to go back.
Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful trip
for us. We hope to be contacting you again in the near
future for another memorable trip.
William & Carol from California
10/21/2017-11/3/2017 / November 7th, 2017
Just returned from the amazing trip of Japan.
The trip was great, without any glitches.
Tour guide was Mr Ito was very good and driver
Yamado was good.
Most hotels were good.
Kyoto hotel had A C issues.
Most important Japan was amazingly beautiful.
People were nice, places were memorable.
In spite of two Typhoons, weather was fine for
most parts.
Thank you for arranging this trip.
Jay from Florida
2/10/2016 - 2/20/2016 / March 28th, 2016
Aloha,
I just want to tell you what a delight
Kim Kida is and how she made our trip
recently the best ever. She is always
happy, courteous, sensitive and aware
of her guests needs, while keeping on
schedule and helping everyone to keep
to the schedule as well. She is very
knowledgeable and if she doesn’t know
the answer to a question, she
researches it until she finds the
answer.
She goes above and beyond and we will
be recommending her and All Japan Tours
to everyone we meet. Fantastic trip
thanks to her!!!
Donald & Frances from Hawaii
9/20/2014 - 9/27/2014 / October 13th, 2014
I would like to express my thanks on
behalf of the Yamanaka Family Trip to
Japan. Everything was planned out
perfectly.
The points of interest during our stay
was just right. My father-in-law
seemed to have been satisfied,
especially riding the Shinkansen.
Our personal tour escort Yuka from
Shinshu Travel was very knowledgable
and spoke English well. During our
short time with her, we seemed to have
bonded with her. She even made last
minute changes to our meals cause we
had some that did not eat seafood.
Having a member in a wheel chair took a
little effort but Yuka and our driver
Fukumoto-san took extra care and
patience making sure we were all
comfortable.
This was most probably the first and
last trip for our father and mother.
But for us, the younger generation, we
will most likely go to Japan again.
The experience with your tour and the
ground people handling in Japan (Yuka &
Fukumoto-san) made us want to go again.
Once again, thank you for your patience
too in creating this personal tour for
our family.
Gail from Hawaii
7/20/2014 - 8/3/2014 / August 6th, 2014
I just wanted to let you know that my husband, Thom, and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Japan that you organized. Everything was great. We had no problems getting around and the tour guides were wonderful. They were very organized and friendly. The hotels were also very nice and convenient. The trek up Mt. Fugi was a bit harder than we expected but we persevered and made it. The guides were helpful and patient. We truly enjoyed the Japanese cultural experience and would definitely recommend your tour company. Thanks so much,
Thom & Pam from Georgia
7/8/2014 - 7/20/2014 / July 25th, 2014
On behalf of Purple Dragon, I would like to thank you for a wonderful and memorable trip to Japan. It was such a beautiful, lovely, inspiring trip thanks to you and our wonderful tour guide, Miharu San who we came to love as a friend. Because our trip was so memorable, we plan on returning within the next year. Japan is a beautiful country with a rich culture we admire. We would also like to express our humble gratitude for arranging the trip to the Dai Nippon Botuko Kai for our martial arts group, and we ask that our thanks be extended to the Botudo Kai for allowing us to train in their prestigious dojo as it was greatly appreciated and will be a treasured memory no one will ever forgot. Thank you again, and we look forward to traveling to Japan again in the future.
Elizabeth from Florida