Local Living Tours & Trips in Honshu
Explore a wide diversity of local living tours through Honshu. We have 25 adventures that vary from 4 days to 20 days. With the greatest number of departures in April, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best local living Honshu tours
Compiled by
MelissaHonshu travel expert at TourRadar
Essential Japan GO
“The chosen cities were very beautiful, excellent time management.”
LORENACASTILLO, traveled in January
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Iyashinosato ancient japanese village, Nagoya, Kyoto, Fushimi, Nara, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- US$2,377
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,831
15% Off- US$2,407
Spirit of Japan
“An excellent time filled with fun and emersive opportunities. I learned much about this country.”
Alexander, traveled in January
Stay in mixed-sex dorm hostel accommodation for 6 nights, getting around Japan like a local on public transport and bullet trains. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony at Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple and train in authentic Samurai techniques in Kyoto. Sample local sake in Tokyo, check out neighborhood bars at Omoide Yokocho, and wander through Gion's streets where geishas still practice their craft.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, Kyoto Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator TruTravels From $1,595
10% Off- US$1,436
Legend of Japan (from Tokyo to Osaka)
“I think this was the best tour that I chose thankfully, I had some help from my mom in order to choose which one.”
Luciel, traveled in April
Stay overnight at a traditional mountain temple in Koyasan, participating in meditation and having vegetarian Buddhist cuisine prepared by monks. Take a ropeway cable car through Hakone's mountains then cruise Lake Ashi by pirate ship, learn sushi-making from Osaka chefs, and practice samurai sword techniques.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, Fushimi, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Koya-san, Hiroshima, Osaka Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator TruTravels From $2,750
10% Off- US$2,475
Stay at Byaku Narai, exclusive restored historic houses in the preserved post town of Narai along the Edo-period Nakasendo Trail. Have farm-to-table dining with organic vegetable harvesting in rural Amanohashidate and meet farmers who practice centuries-old sustainable methods.
Duration 13 days Destinations Osaka, Kyoto, Naoshima Island, Kurashiki, Seki, Nagoya, Magome, Tsumago, Narai, SuwaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 35+ Operator Tweet World Travel From
10% Off- US$13,336
Try Yuzen kimono dyeing in Kyoto and join a cooking class where you'll prepare teriyaki chicken and sushi rolls with local chefs. Walk through Hiroshima's 400-year-old Shukkei-en Garden with its miniature landscapes showing off Japanese artistry, then take part in a tea ceremony at Meiji Shrine.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Kurashiki, Himeji, Kyoto, Nara Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
10% Off- US$2,969
Land of the Samurai - 12 days
“Genuinely fast paced very active tour with moderate quality hotels and well priced.”
Lewis, traveled in May
Take the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway up to the observatory at Lake Kawaguchi and, if you're there in spring, check out the Fuji Shibazakura Festival with its pink moss against Mount Fuji's backdrop. Catch the bullet train from Kyoto to see UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle and climb the 6-story watch tower.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Fushimi, Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Nara Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $4,410
10% Off- US$3,969
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Osaka Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- US$3,149
Make washi paper in Gokayama's UNESCO-listed farmhouses and create copper souvenirs in Takaoka's workshops, then stay at a ryokan with private onsen baths in Hirayu Onsen. Dress in kimonos for a tea ceremony at Kyoto's temples and make sushi with local chefs in Tokyo.
Duration 20 days Destinations Tokyo, Fujigoko, Hakone, Owakudani, Nagoya, Seki, Tsumago, Takayama, Gokayama, ToyamaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $20,495
2% Off- US$19,995
See the UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses in Shirakawa-go village set against mountain landscapes and walk through the steaming volcanic vents at Owakudani in Hakone. Take a cruise across Lake Ashi with potential views of Mount Fuji and check out Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's most celebrated gardens in Kanazawa. Wander the historic Higashi Chaya District's narrow Edo-period streets and browse specialist kitchenware shops along Kappabashi Dori near Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo.
Duration 14 days Destinations Narita, Tokyo, Owakudani, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Osaka, Nara, HiroshimaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator On The Go Tours From
2% Off- US$7,635
What people love about Local Living Tours in Honshu
- Essential Japan GO
There was a great deal and variety of sight-seeing in this tour. The tour guides were informative and personable. I enjoyed talking to people from different countries. The Osaka Castle was not included on the tour; I experienced that on my own after the tour was completed. It was the best site that I visited on my entire trip, so I might suggest that it be included in future tours.
- Legend of Japan (from Tokyo to Osaka)
It was fantastic. Marion was an amazing tour guide.
- Land of the Samurai - 12 days
Genuinely fast paced very active tour with moderate quality hotels and well priced