Northern Japan Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,579 reviews)- Choose from 25 Northern Japan tours
- 14 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
Table of contents
- The best Northern Japan tour packages
- What people love about Northern Japan Tours
- Travel Northern Japan your way
- Top operators in Northern Japan
- Discover Northern Japan tours for every budget
- Northern Japan tours for every group
- Top Northern Japan travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Northern Japan
- Contact our Northern Japan travel experts
The best Northern Japan tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern Japan travel expert at TourRadar
Northern Japan unfolds from Aomori's prehistoric Sannai-Maruyama site to Hirosaki's feudal castle. Traditional ryokan stays, volcanic onsens in Noboribetsu, and Furano's colorful Tomita Farm lead to mountainous Sapporo.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Aomori, Hakodate, Noboribetsu, Asahikawa, Furano, Sapporo Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,155
20% Off- US$4,124You save $1,031
Environmental Conservation Volunteering, Cultural Immersion and Temple Stay on Sado Island
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sado is gorgeous, very lush and the perfect location if you're looking for a Japan experience off the beaten path.”
Salem, traveled in August 2022
Conservation work on Sado Island reveals northern Japan's natural treasures. From managing biotopes in Iwakubi to collecting herbs in ancient forests, the island's diverse ecosystems come alive. Chokokuji Temple provides historic lodging while guests contribute to environmental preservation and traditional farming.
Duration 8 days Destinations Sado Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator World Unite Japan KK From
20% Off- US$670
The wilderness of northern Japan stretches from Tokyo to Sapporo. UNESCO-listed Shiretoko National Park, Akan's Ainu culture, and Asahikawa's famous ramen lead to Sapporo beer tasting and Nijo Market visits.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Shiretoko National Park, Asahikawa, Sapporo Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $4,199
10% Off- US$3,779You save $419
From Shiretoko's UNESCO-listed Five Lakes to Sapporo's famous beer heritage, northern Japan beckons. Primeval Forest trails, Mt. Lo volcano, and traditional culture at Akan Yukar Lost Kamuy await. Authentic ryokan and premium hotels provide comfortable stays.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Shiretoko National Park, Asahikawa, Sapporo Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $4,799
10% Off- US$4,319You save $479
Powdery slopes await at Naeba resort in Niigata Prefecture. The tour combines Tokyo exploration, ski-in-ski-out accommodation, and 5 days of unlimited slope access.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Niigata Age Range 4 to 70 year olds Operator Tomato Travel From
10% Off- US$1,442+$438 upfront costs
What people love about Northern Japan Tours
- Environmental Conservation Volunteering, Cultural Immersion and Temple Stay on Sado Island
I have enjoyed and learned a lot in the workshops. On the other hand, the work and dedication of the staff is admirable. Finally, the participants have constituted a homogeneous group despite their different nationalities and ages. I have a great experience. Best regards.
- Environmental Conservation Volunteering, Cultural Immersion and Temple Stay on Sado Island
Fantastic experience!
- Environmental Conservation Volunteering, Cultural Immersion and Temple Stay on Sado Island
Definitely would recommend! I went to Sado Island in August of 2022, in the midst of Japan's reopening. Before I even arrived, the staff were very helpful in getting my visa set up and working with various hiccups during travel. Sado is gorgeous, very lush and the perfect location if you're looking for a Japan experience off the beaten path. Lots of opportunities to interact with the local population The accommodations at Koninji are more traditional, I was in one of the tatami rooms, but there other options too. The insect population in the area is thriving, so learn to coexist or bring a whole lot of bug repellent. Be prepared for steamy weather if you go in August! I'd suggest a two week stay as there are sometimes festivals and areas to see on the weekend that you won't get the time for in a standard week. The schedule can be affected by the weather as well, so if you miss an activity on week one, you'll probably get it in week two. Again, the staff are very personable and hardworking, putting sincere effort into creating an enjoyable experience. Happy Travels!
Travel Northern Japan your way
Select from our extensive range of 17 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Northern Japan with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided toursThe Sado Island programs really shine when it comes to authentic cultural experiences. You'll stay in historic temples like Koninji and Chokokuji, dating back to 807, where our travelers get to be part of daily temple life. What makes these trips special is how hands-on they are - you'll make bamboo toys with local kids and learn directly from the monks who live there. Our customers often tell us how much they valued helping with temple upkeep projects and joining in cultural workshops, all while living in centuries-old buildings that tell their own stories.
See all In-depth Cultural tours
Top operators in Northern Japan
Looking at the experiences on Sado Island, World Unite Japan gets mixed feedback from our travelers. While people like Lesa found their cultural programs genuinely life-changing, others pointed out real issues with basic organization and living standards that didn't quite meet expectations. On the flip side, Supera Tours really delivers in Hokkaido - their travelers regularly tell us through TourRadar how the company goes above and beyond, especially with the practical details. They've managed to nail the essentials like comfortable places to stay and quality dining spots. It's not just meeting the 5-star mark; they're actually pushing past it with attention to detail and solid planning throughout their Hokkaido routes. The contrast between these two operators gives you a good picture of what to expect in different parts of Japan. While cultural immersion can be fantastic, it's worth checking the practical details about accommodation, food and daily organization before booking - these elements can make or break your Japan experience.
- 4.5 (11,928 reviews)
- Tours
- 1 tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 8h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $644
- 4.5 (60 reviews)
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 17h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $307
- 4.5 (6 reviews)
"Pretty dreadful. Shambolic, run by children. Dreadful approach to guests with allergies. Really really poor living conditions - I knew it would be a tent but they shouldn't be full of bugs, not cleaned from the prior guests, and leaking / caving in! Any food you bring will get eaten and covered in bugs too - there's nowhere to store anything. It's all unclean. My worst experience in over two months in Japan. The volunteering is a waste of everyone's time too - you don't actually do anything remotely worthwhile for the community.
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 14 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Food & Culinary
- Response time
- 49h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $73
Discover Northern Japan tours for every budget
Our budget-friendly northern Japan programs really shine when it comes to hands-on experiences. You'll dive right into community life on Sado Island, staying in well-furnished tents or finding peace in temple lodging at Koninji. The programs get you working in historic rice paddies with local farmers, helping maintain special biotopes for the rare Crested Ibis and spending time with schoolchildren making traditional bamboo toys. We've got great culinary internships too - they mix practical Japanese language classes with proper cooking training. You'll pick up essential knife skills and learn the art of making wagashi sweets. Our travelers often tell us the best part is learning directly from locals, whether they're out gathering wild plants with herbal experts or getting hands-on experience in specialty Japanese kitchens.
The luxury tours through northern Japan blend refined experiences with amazing natural settings. Starting in Tokyo at carefully chosen hotels, you'll head north to discover Hokkaido's volcanic landscapes and cultural treasures. One day you're crafting wagashi sweets in historic Otaru, the next you're soaking in private onsen baths with views over the Aga River. You'll find yourself painting traditional Kokeshi dolls in Matsushima and creating your own Mossball Gour Lamp in Oirase. The accommodations really set these tours apart - think ryokans beside mountain streams or rooms overlooking centuries-old Shinto shrines. We arrange special experiences too, like private Taiko drumming sessions and exclusive evening shows of Shishi-odori dance while you enjoy multi-course kaiseki meals.
Northern Japan luxury tours
Northern Japan tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
22 tours in Northern JapanExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Northern Japan. We have 22 adventures that vary from 6 days to 90 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
5 tours in Northern JapanVisit Northern Japan with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Top Northern Japan travel itineraries to fit your plans
Ten days in northern Japan gives you time to really blend city life with nature. Starting from the bright lights of Tokyo's Shinjuku area, these routes work their way north hitting key cultural spots. Our travelers love how varied it gets - one day you're learning zen practices in Hiraizumi's temples, the next you're watching the sun go down over Matsushima's islands dotted with pine trees. The routes make smart use of bullet trains to cover ground, while keeping flexible time for unexpected finds in places like Aizu-Wakamatsu, where old samurai homes and local crafts tell stories of Japan's past.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Tokyo, Niigata
Two weeks opens up the full spectrum of northern Japan, covering both main islands from Tokyo right up through Hokkaido. Our guests particularly enjoy getting hands-on with traditional crafts - painting those charming Akabeko cows in Aizu, making sweet wagashi in Otaru and creating their own moss ball lamps in Oirase. The schedule flows nicely between practical workshops and natural wonders - you might catch sunrise over Unkai Terrace's cloud sea or trek Shiretoko's untouched forests. What makes these longer trips work so well is how they connect activities with culture, from examining ancient Jomon pottery to watching Ainu performances at Lake Akan.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Tokyo, Koriyama, Sendai, Matsushima, Nara, Oirase, Hirosaki, Aomori, Hakodate, Otaru, Sapporo
Demographics
Up north on Sado Island, solo travelers can join some really engaging volunteer programs our customers keep talking about. You'll sleep in comfortable tents or traditional rooms at Koninji temple, mixing with other travelers from across the globe. The conservation work puts you right in the heart of local life - there's hands-on work in rice paddies that support endangered Crested Ibis and time teaching bamboo crafts to local kids. For those interested in Japanese cuisine, our culinary internships combine proper language training with practical cooking experience in local restaurants. What our travelers really like is how the programs mix structured activities with enough free time to explore on their own.
The winter programs at Naeba and Rusutsu are perfect for young adults who want to hit the slopes. You'll find excellent powder conditions and skiing at your own pace, plus there's time between runs to check out winter festivals, try different snow activities and explore Tokyo's lively districts in the evenings. During summer months, Northern Hokkaido offers a mix of outdoor activities - you can paddle across Lake Shikotsu and discover historic towns along the way. Our Sado Island programs attract lots of younger visitors; you'll live in a centuries-old temple while making traditional crafts, helping with beach cleanups and learning practical conservation skills.
Our Hokkaido tours really hit the mark with senior travelers. The itineraries combine smooth bullet train travel with rich cultural experiences, and our customers particularly enjoy how well-paced everything is. Mornings might be spent exploring Aomori's archaeological sites and art collections, while evenings are reserved for relaxing in therapeutic onsen baths. We've made sure there's plenty of time at each location, so you can join extra activities or take things slow. The cultural elements get great feedback - like joining traditional tea ceremonies with views over Matsushima Bay or meeting local Ainu people to learn about their culture. We've chosen comfortable hotels near main sites with good restaurants nearby.
- Solo Travelers17 tours
- Couples5 tours All tours for Couples
- Seniors (50+)9 tours
Best time to visit Northern Japan
- Spring 2025
Contact our Northern Japan travel experts
Sulu
Expert in Northern Japan at TourRadar
Sulu is one of our seasoned Northern Japan Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Northern Japan tours answered!
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