Southern Japan Tours & Trips
Did you know that Southern Japan is different from Tokyo? Kyoto's temples are stunning, Osaka's street food is delicious, Hiroshima's history hits hard, and the art islands in the Seto Inland Sea are unique. These trips balance ancient traditions with modernity, hot springs with bullet trains, gardens with cities. Southern Japan feels slightly less frantic than Tokyo - still Japan but at a gentler pace.
- Choose from 150+ Southern Japan tours
- 1,100+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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Our guide Ayako and driver Ho-San were the absolute best! The trip as a whole was informative and easy. Everything was planned very well and it made our trip very easy. The only reason for 4/5 starts is the location of some of the hotels. 4 of the nights were at hotels that were somewhat off the beaten path and made dinner or evening activities difficult. If you enjoy relaxing at the hotel after a day of touring, you would be fine. We prefer to clean up and hit the town. I would have liked locations closer to the city center.
Japan Golden Route with HiroshimaTour was excellently arranged. Europamundo took care of us very well. We enjoyed our trip.
Contrasts of JapanSaw a lot! First time I had 4 guides on a bus tour. Ken was our favorite guide. He knows the history of Japan. It wasn't just "there's that". He told us so much!!
Contrasts of Japan end Tokyo
Traveler Photos & Videos from Southern Japan tours
- Best of Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima 6 Days

- Japan Plus 11-Day Culture Tour: Golden Route & Beyond

- Japan Discovery

- 13-Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Beyond

- Contrasts of Japan end Tokyo

- Explore Japan: Tokyo Tower, Red Toriis & Samurais

- Japan Essentials 13 Day - One Life Adventures

- Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima end Tokyo GO

- Capitals of Japan end Kyoto

- Japan Adventure: Kyushu & Shikoku

- Contrasts of Japan

- 8 Days Best Of Japan Family Small Group (Max 15)(4 Star Hotels)

- Japan Golden Route with Hiroshima

- Ultimate Japan-2025

Table of contents
- The best Southern Japan tour packages
- Travel Southern Japan your way
- Best tour companies for Southern Japan tours
- Popular Southern Japan Cruise Ships
- Discover Southern Japan tours for every budget
- Southern Japan tours for every type of group
- Top Southern Japan travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Southern Japan
- Contact our Southern Japan travel experts
The best Southern Japan tour packages
Compiled by

MelissaSouthern Japan travel expert at TourRadar
Japan Golden Route with Hiroshima
“Great tour, covering key cities and highlights. Good hotels, lovely food and a great guide.”
margaret, traveled in April
Southern Japan beckons, leading from Osaka through Hiroshima's Peace Memorial to Kyoto's historic districts. The UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle and Mount Fuji's majesty await before ending in Tokyo's metropolitan landscape.
Duration 10 days Destinations Osaka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Kurashiki, Nara, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Mount Fuji, OshinoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Tomato Travel From
- US$2,796+$212 upfront costs
Contrasts of Japan
“It was EXCELLANT from the start of the booking to the end of the trip. The organisation and the execution was very good.”
shakthi, traveled in April
Southern Japan's finest sites stretch from Osaka's Dotonbori to Hiroshima's Peace Memorial. Tour Himeji Castle, wander Kurashiki's historic streets, and visit the sacred Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Iyashinosato ancient japanese village, Nagoya, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Fushimi, Nara, OsakaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- US$2,889
Contrasts of Japan end Tokyo
“Great suggestions for after hours and shopping options. Tour was but fast due to multiple places to cover in short time.”
Riddhi, traveled in December
Southern Japan's treasures range from Osaka's Dotonbori district to Hiroshima's Itsukushima Shrine. Marvel at Himeji Castle, Korakuen Garden, and historic Kurashiki. Tour includes selected hotels, local meals, and expert guided tours.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Mount Fuji, Iyashinosato ancient japanese village, Nagoya, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Nara, Osaka, HimejiSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- US$3,431
Japan Highlights by Bullet Train: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka | 4 Star
“they even arranged complimentary okonomiyaki for us as a goodwill gesture, which was honestly very thoughtful”
Amelia, traveled in March
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $3,299
12% Off- US$2,903
Duration 9 days Destinations Osaka, Koya-san, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Kyoto, Hakone, Tokyo Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $4,279
25% Off- US$3,209
8 Days Best Of Japan Family Small Group (Max 15)(4 Star Hotels)
“the tour company did an excellent job”
Mark, traveled in May
This 8-day trip covers southern Japan by Shinkansen, running from Tokyo's neon-lit Shibuya to Osaka's Dotonbori food street. Stay at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, and Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu while visiting UNESCO sites like Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $3,373
5% Off- US$3,204
Japan Essentials 13 Day - One Life Adventures
“She made my first ever trip an absolute blast and super easy.”
Benoit, traveled in July
Ancient meets modern in Southern Japan from Kyoto's Fushimi-Inari shrine to Hiroshima's Peace Memorial. Osaka's vibrant Dotonbori district, Nara's ancient temples, and Miyajima Island's iconic floating torii gate create lasting memories.
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Mount Fuji, Owakudani, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator One Life Adventures From $2,445
15% Off- US$2,078
Travel Southern Japan your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Southern Japan tours
Popular Southern Japan Cruise Ships
Discover Southern Japan tours for every budget
Southern Japan tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Southern Japan travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Best time to visit Southern Japan
- Summer 2026
The summer tours through southern Japan blend smart ways to stay cool while discovering the region's best spots. Our family trips mix digital art museums, traditional cooking classes and also early morning temple visits before the heat kicks in. E-bikes make the cycling routes a breeze even in warm weather, as you pedal past fragrant citrus groves and along breezy coastal paths. The tours strike a nice balance between cultural sites and natural escapes, with morning bamboo forest walks, afternoon museum visits and also peaceful garden strolls. Traditional accommodations earn particular praise from our guests, especially those featuring private onsen baths for post-activity soaking. While summer temperatures can climb high, our guides adapt the schedule to hit outdoor locations in cooler hours and seamlessly integrate indoor experiences. The Kyushu routes work especially well in warmer months, combining refreshing mountain spots like Takachiho Gorge with urban explorations through Fukuoka's covered shopping streets, local markets and also air-conditioned galleries.
- popular 75 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
The autumn colors really transform southern Japan's temple gardens and mountain paths - it's when our cultural tours work best. The routes through Kyoto combine visits to the golden pavilions with peaceful walks in Arashiyama's red maple groves. Our clients love starting their days at Takayama's markets, where fall brings an amazing variety of local harvests. You can then use these seasonal ingredients in traditional cooking workshops. The longer trips head out to the quieter Inland Sea islands once the summer crowds leave and the weather cools down. Many tours include nights at traditional inns where you'll try local delicacies like matsutake mushrooms, fresh fish and also seasonal vegetables. Walking tours through Kyoto's temple areas are particularly nice in fall - the expert guides explain the garden designs while you take photos of the colorful leaves.
- 116 tours
- popular 128 tours
- 118 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
Winter tours through southern Japan offer unique experiences and good value, with fewer tourists at major sites. Several well-planned routes combine cultural highlights with seasonal specialties. The longer 12-14 day tours let you explore at a comfortable pace, using heated trains between cities and warm onsens to counter the cold. Our travelers particularly enjoy the morning fish markets in Tokyo when winter brings the best tuna, followed by hands-on sushi making classes with expert chefs. The temple stays in Mount Koya become extra special in winter - you'll join monks for morning prayers while snow blankets the ancient cemetery paths. Some tours focus on urban exploration with cozy stops at specialty coffee shops and local izakayas, while others head into the countryside where you'll soak in outdoor hot springs with views of snow-capped Mount Fuji.
- popular 100 tours
- 85 tours
- 94 tours
- Spring 2027
Spring tours through Japan's southern regions blend cultural immersion with perfect timing for cherry blossom season. Our travelers tell us they love experiencing traditional temple stays at Mount Koya, hands-on sushi classes in Tokyo, and also intimate tea ceremonies in Kyoto's historic Gion district. Tours running 12-14 days give you space to absorb both famous landmarks and lesser-known gems at an unhurried pace, where you'll start your mornings meditating with monks, wander through Naoshima's art installations, and also pedal along peaceful countryside paths. Many spring departures include extras like guided walks through Ritsurin's Edo-period gardens, plus exclusive evening visits to temples when cherry blossoms glow under night lighting. Family itineraries weave in master-led calligraphy sessions and teamLab's digital art spaces, while cultural-focused departures highlight traditional performances and artisan workshops. These spring routes stand out for their thoughtful balance, mixing scheduled activities with time to explore places like Arashiyama's bamboo groves or join local guides through Osaka's bustling market streets.
- popular 124 tours
- 95 tours
- 104 tours
Contact our Southern Japan travel experts

Kaitlyn
Expert in Southern Japan at TourRadar
Kaitlyn is one of our seasoned Southern Japan Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Southern Japan tours answered!
- Choose from 196+ Southern Japan tours
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