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Begin your private tour at Tokyo, the center of Japan. Since we will have ample opportunity to enjoy the traditional part of Japan in Kyoto and Nara, we will put more emphasis in Tokyo on the modern side of Japan. Also, there are numerous dining options. Fresh sushi at Tsukiji fish market will be an amazing experience.
After Tokyo, enjoy Japan's scenic natural beauty. Hakone is a fascinated resort famous for hot springs. On a nice and clear day, you might be able to see the magnificent Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashinoko. Takayama, a beautiful historical town surrounded Japan Alps, is a charming town to explore. Shirakawago is a historical village famous for its thatched roof houses and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kyoto and Nara are both old capitals of Japan, full of historical and cultural charms. In addition to visiting several world famous temples and shrines, you should also explore the beautiful gardens at a tranquil temple, a lively cobble-stone path, as well as smaller villages on the outskirt of the city. We have suggestions for you to enjoy peaceful moments. Hiroshima is the forever remembered city as the victim of atomic bomb, having been visited by a lot of people who pray for everlasting peace. Beautiful Itsukushima Shrine is situated in Miyajima, the sacred island near Hiroshima.
You will fly from Osaka, the second largest city in Japan. Enjoy the hearty local cuisine to your heart’s content before you leave Japan.

Day 1 Arrive at Osaka
Arrive at Kansai International Airport and transfer to Osaka. Stay at a deluxe hotel for two nights. There are Universal Studio, a theme park with rides and
shows of movies, animations and cartoons, and Kaiyukan,
a popular aquarium among children and families in Osaka.
Explore the city of Osaka as you like.

Day 2 Osaka
Enjoy privately guided tour of Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle,
a major historical monument of Osaka. You will be escorted to Dotonbori, the city of “Kuidaore” which literally means “eat until you drop.” People in Osaka love to eat; there is a wide variety of foods from casual dining to exclusive gourmet restaurants including Kobe beef.
Day 3 Hiroshima
Transfer to Hiroshima by train. Stay at a deluxe hotel
for one night. Visit Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace
Memorial Park on your own.
Day 4 Miyajima
Privately guided tour to Miyajima. It is a sacred
beautiful island home to UNESCO world heritage Itsukushima Shrine. Stay at a deluxe ryokan with a charming garden overlooking the ocean.
Day 5 Kyoto
Transfer to Kyoto by train. Privately guided tour of Kyoto.
Visit old town of sake breweries in Fushimi area and
enjoy sake tasting if you like. Then, you will visit Fushimi
Inari Shrine enshrined God of Sake. Tofukuji Temple has
The largest and oldest Zen hall and dry landscape garden.
Stay at deluxe hotel in Kyoto for three nights.
Day 6 Kyoto
From Kyoto to Nara, a private guided day trip is possible.
In Nara Park, you will see many deer that are believed
as messengers of God. The Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple.
is the most popular site. Take a walk to Kasuga Grand
Shrine and a promenade garden. You will be escorted to
Kyoto and arrive there in the evening.
Day 7 Kyoto
Kyoto at your leisure. We will suggest sites to visit according to your interests.
Day 8 Transfer to Kansai International Airport
Move to Kansai International Airport by express train or airport bus from Kyoto.

This five day private tour is created to discover cultural and natural diversities in Kyushu. Enjoy visiting historical architecture and unique cuisine which were influenced by Asia and Europe, and authentic Japanese porcelain ware such as Arita and Imari, which were exported to Europe in the 17th century. Also, important Japanese castle and garden can be observed in Kyushu.

Kyushu’s warm climate and geomorphic features have created volcanic mountains, an abundance of hot spring areas and picturesque greenery highland for dairy farming.

This five day private tour is created to experience the abundant wildlife of Eastern Hokkaido for nature lovers. By rent-a-car, you will explore several national parks such as Kushiro, Shiretoko and Mashu. The area boasts the Japan’s dairy products and seafood.


Kushiro Wetland is under the Ramsar Treaty to protects the wetland and wild animals, especially birds. Drive to the view points and paddle your canoe in the river instructed by a naturalist guide, you might encounter red-crowned cranes, Japan’s national bird. Visit Lake Mashu called “Lake of God” by local Ainu people, a mysterious lake covered with fog most of the year. Also take a hike around a tranquil green lake in the mountains and after that, soak yourself in the hot spring in the lake. Shiretoko, recently designated area as an UNESCO World Heritage site, means “end of the earth” in Ainu language. Your naturalist guide will help you seek out the abundant wildlife that thrives in this protected peninsula by hiking. However, you'll have to watch out because the area is the home of Japan’s largest bear population. Also you might see deer, fox, whales, seals, white-tailed sea eagles, woodpeckers, sea birds and more. After a hike, dip in the wildest hot spring in Japan.
On the way to the airport, you will drive along the coast of Okhotsk Sea, leaving Shiretoko Peninsula.

This seven-day private tour is designed to fully enjoy the winter aspects of Hokkaido; beautiful snow-covered scenery, winter outdoor activities, fresh seafood, and relaxing hot springs.

Start your trip in Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido with nice restaurants and shops with Hokkaido cuisine such as fresh seafood, ramen noodles, lamb meat barbecue, ice cream, chocolate, and freshly brewed beer. Then, move to Otaru, to enjoy delicious sushi and shopping near the Otaru Canal at established shops of glass ware, music box, and sake. Your last destination will be a ski resort with world-class light powder snow. Feel the nature of winter Hokkaido by skiing, snowshoeing in the woods, or building an igloo. After a hard day in the cold, going into a hot spring bath is always a great treat for your mind and body.

Okinawa will continue to be the most popular beach resort in Japan, within 1,600 kilometres from Tokyo. 2.5 hour flight will take you to Okinawa, which was originally called Ryukyu, an independent kingdom from Japan. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and East China Sea close to China, Korea and Japan, the kingdom prospered as a trading hub. On the island, enjoy its unique culture and lifestyle in the exotic ambiance. Okinawa Island also boasts top-class resorts in Japan. Stay two nights at luxury villa or beach front resort.

This 7 day private tour will start with Chubu area, located at the center of Japan’s archipelago, with abundant spectacular natural scenery. Up in the Japan Alps mountains, lie unique traditional old towns of Japan. Enjoy the old post town, beautiful castle, and a historical village famous for thatched roof houses registered as the UNESCO World Heritage site. The grand scenery as well as pastoral landscape of Japan will make you feel like you are off the beaten tourists’ path. Many precious moments can be experienced such as immersing yourself in a hot spring nestled in the heart of North Alps area or eating local delicacies.

This ten day private tour is created for gourmet enthusiasts. Visiting the combination of Tokyo, Nagano, Nagoya, Ise, Kyoto and Osaka, you will be able to experience a variety of Japanese food from the freshest sushi, Kobe beef, to traditional vegetarian cuisine at a monastery. Feel the depth of food culture in Japan.

For those who are interested in art and culture, Japan is an amazing land to experience both traditional and modern aspects. This tour includes visiting historical sites, experiencing traditional culture, making a ceramic pot, and seeing the latest trends of design and art. You will be impressed by the diversity of Japanese art, architecture, and culture.

Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Enjoy visiting various styled gardens in Kyoto and other historical cities, and experiencing traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design. Some exclusive sites can be included in your privately guided tours.

Tohoku, deep northern area of Japan is a great destination to see the rural charms of Japan. Enjoy visiting historical towns with the samurai houses and important shrines, beautiful scenery of Matsushima which is considered as one of the three best scenic spots in Japan, going up the mountains to a sacred temple, and nostalgic atmosphere of rural towns.

There are a lot of hot springs with various efficacies in Tohoku. With a variety of hot spring colors with strong minerals, many hot springs has milky, golden, green, or blue colors. At the end of the day, soak yourself and relax in pure hot springs.

Design your own tour of Tokyo or the surrounding area of Tokyo with an English-speaking licensed tour guide. Just tell us beforehand, or tell the guide on the day of your tour, where you would like to visit. We will arrange an unforgettable trip for you. We can certainly give you some first-hand knowledge and arrange the places according to your interests. Our licensed guides will flexibly correspond to your needs.

Experience our custom-made private tour of Kyoto with a licensed local guide. Our guides are extremely knowledgeable, energetic, and flexible. Enjoy visiting a combiantion of World Heritage sites, and off-the beat paths. Also, various traditional cultural activities can experienced. Let us know your interests, and we will popose your ideal itinerary. For last minute inquiries, our licensed guides will recommend places to visit on the day of your tour.

In anticipation of our guests’ passion for in-depth discoveries and authentic experiences, we would like to introduce a collection of private day trips. Our private tours include imaginative itineraries, unique cultural experiences and personalized services for our discerning guests. Our enthusiastic and friendly local guides are willing to share their expert knowledge of your destinations.

Nara is an old capital of Japan. Nature and history are in harmony in Nara. Please enjoy our privately-guided tour in Nara at a relaxed pace. It will be one of the highlights of your trips in Japan

Nagano, Matsumoto, Azumino, Zenkoji, wasabi

We offer family trip to Japan. Fun, relaxing, educational Japan family trip can be arranged by us. Family-friendly programs or kids-friendly activities can be included. Enjoy your precious time with your family in Japan. Your trip will be truly customized to your needs.

This seven day private tour covers major sightseeing in Hokkaido, including Sapporo, Furano, Daisetsuzan National Park, Noboribetsu, and Otaru. Feel the Hokkaido’s great nature, culture and gourmet.

Sapporo is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido and also considered as one of the popular gourmet destinations in Japan. Enjoy shopping district near clock tower, or gourmet factories and restaurants. Visit Daisetsuzan (Mt. Daisetsu) National Park to observe expansive mountains. In Furano, a small town in the center of Hokkaido, enjoy a landscape of extensive fields such as famous lavender, potato flower, wheat which scenes depict the colorful beauty. After that, experience an active volcanic vent in Noboribetsu and relax at a hotel or ryokan overlooking Lake Toya. Then, stay overnight at the established hot spring ryokan near Otaru, historical canal town.

Discover a taste of Hokkaido, from immense nature, culture of local Ainu people to foodie’s stops. Trekking in the national parks, admiring lavender fields, skiing in the powder snow, relaxing at luxury onsen hot spring resorts, taste Hokkaido-style cuisine…In the rhythms with the seasons, you will never tire of dynamic beauty in Hokkaido. Let us know your interests, and we will propose your ideal itinerary. Our programs can be tailor-made to keep our guests of all ages interested and involved. Activities can be proposed from romantic honeymoon to family travel.

Book nicest ryokans and hotels which you can easily access from Tokyo. Hakone, Izu, Nikko and other places within a few hours from Tokyo. Great getaways to escape from the urban bustle of Tokyo.

Book the best ryokans in Kyoto and Nara. These luxury ryokans will enhance the pleasure of your stay in old capitals in Japan, Kyoto and Nara.

Luxury ryokan in Kyushu, ryokan, best ryokan in Kyushu, best ryokan in Shimane

Travel to Tohoku (Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata and Fukushima), Northern part of Honshu-mainland of Japan is designed to fully appreciate unspoiled countryside of Japan. The area is loved by Japanese people for the time-honored scenery and tradition. There are many historical towns with Samurai houses, Sake breweries, important temples as well as splendid nature of volcano lakes, mountains, islands, hot springs and more.

For travelers from overseas, experience in Tokyo can be wonderful for some, but frustrating for others. Tokyo is a gigantic maze. This is partly true. However, if you are instructed first-hand on how to get around major districts and how to use subway and trains, you will be able to explore this town with ease. Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. This is also partly true. However, if you are advised by savvy natives, you will find very nice restaurants and shops at reasonable prices.

Tokyo is at the forefront of culture, fashion, dining and architecture. The enjoyment of Tokyo comes from this constantly-moving, vibrant and diverse culture. This is a capital of contemporary culture. When it comes to dining, we've got everything from typical Japanese food to international cuisine. This is also one of the most interesting cities architecturally, filled with latest design skyscrapers and avant-garde buildings.




If you are a nature lover, visit Mt. Takao or Mt. Mitake, known as historical ascetic training area. Escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo, enjoy the wilderness which you can not imagine this is Tokyo, and a hike in the sacred ground.

Surrounded by Mt. Hakusan and Noto Peninsula, Kanazawa is an old castle town which was ruled by the Maeda family in the 15th century. The development of a large production of rice resluted in the wealth of this region, which left us wtih many valuable cutural assets. Visitors can encounter one of the three most beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan, samurai residences, and geisha district in Kanazawa. If you are interested in seeing the traditional rural life, visit Wajima town in Noto Peninsula with famous Wajima lacquer ware, historical morning market and scenic coastline. There are also many hot spring towns in this area. Kaga Onsenkyo is one of the most historical hot spring towns in Hokuriku area (Ishikawa, Fukui, Toyama), which was loved and continued to be enjoyed by many people.

Nagano prefecture, surrounded by high mountain peaks of the Japan Alps, offers various activities for all season; visiting historical cities, seeing picturesque landscapes with seasonal flowers, hiking, relaxing in hot spring, skiing, and enjoying local gourmet food.

Ise and Kumano are great places for those who would like to explore spiritual roots of Japan. Many sacred sites such as Ise Shrine and Kumano Sanzan are quietly situated in Kii peninsula. Ise Shima is particularly famous for fresh seafood.

Mount Koya, Koyasan, is a Japan’s holy town offering spiritual atmosphere, cultural depth and natural beauty. Please book one of the temple lodgings, shukubo, in Mount Koya. Sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain range was registered as World Heritage

Sanyo area stretches along Seto Inland Sea, consisting of Okayama, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures.
Hiroshima peace memorial park, Itsukushima shrine in Miyajima, picturesque town of Kurashiki, as well as many small peaceful islands in Seto Inland Sea are all in this region. Benesse Art Site Naoshima is also situated in one of the islands.

Sanin (pronounced San-in) is situated on the western part of the mainland Japan along the Sea of Japan. The area covers the diversity of tradition and culture. Matsue, Izumo, Iwamiare the most popular places to visit in Sanin area.

Located at the Southwest end of Japan archipelago, Kyushu is blessed with warm weather and majestic nature varying from active volcanos, upwelling hot springs, to scenic coastlines. Kyshu also has a history of being influenced by foreign countries such as China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Traces of exotic old foreign culture can be seen in some of the major cities. For food lovers, a unique culture of local cuisine can be enjoyed in each area of Kyushu.

Okinawa, the southern island surrounded by Pacific Ocean and East China sea, is the most popular destination in Japan for its clear-water beaches and coral reefs in the subtropical climate. Stay at a world-class resorts in front of the beach or pristine woods, Okinawa will be perfect destination from families with small children to honeymooners.

The island was originally called Ryukyu, independent kingdom which had active trade with China from 14 to 16th centuries. The legacy of Ryukyu Dynasty can be seen at the remains of castles, registered as UNESCO World Heritage. With its rich heritage and culture, visitors will be able to experience their unique gastronomy, art and crafts.

Updated information on Travel to Japan after March 11th, 2011.

When you are in Japan, we strongly recommend experiencing Japanese hospitality by staying at one of our recommended ryokans, Japanese-style hotel. You will be able to see unique architecture, gardens, traditional culture, and authentic cuisines.

Staying at a luxurious ryokan, a traditional Japanese style hotel or inn, can be one of the highlights of your travel. Combinations of architecture, surroundings, interior, spa and cuisines can make your stay truly a lifetime memory.

Ryokan has its own way of providing customers with services, which may seem rather strange to guests from foreign countries. Here is a brief description on the servicing system of ryokan, together with tips on its usage.

Sushi in Locals




In Autumn of 2007, Tokyo proudly received 8 Michelin three-star restaurants and 191 stars in total, outpacing the city of Paris. In the history of Michelin guide, it is the first time to see that Japanese restaurants including Sushi, Tempura, Kaiseki received stars.



Sushi was originally developed as a preserved food in Japan. Sushi was indicated in the book about 1300 years ago. Since then, Sushi has been the most popular food in Japan. If you love Sushi, it is fun to check local Sushis.

We are pleased to offer you special tours including visits to Japanese gardens.

Mt. Fuji has been loved by Japanese people, as seen in the Japanese Ukiyoe art and novels in old days. Nowadays, as a symbol of Japan, the highest peak at 3,776 meters has attracted Japanese people as well as foreign travelers. Here are some tips to enjoy Mt. Fuji.

Japan has a rich tradition of Matsuri festivals. Matsuri is held to pray for abundant harvest, purify villages or towns or simply just for fun. Most festivals are sponsored by a local shrine or temple. The style of Matsuri is various, such as marching with floats at night, dancing on the streets, the parade of gigantic lantern, and more. Michi Travel Japan would like to introduce some festivals in Japan to experience Japanese spirit.

Modern life pulls us in many ways. Escape from stress-filled challenges of everyday life by spiritual experiences and wellbeing retreat in Japan.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, about seventy percent of Japan is mountainous. Topographically rich land offers a variety of scenic attractions, such as mountain ranges, volcanoes, valleys, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Explore the natural beauty of Japan by hiking with local guides. The signs on hiking paths are often written only in Japanese, so privately guided tours are strongly recommended for your safety. Here are our recommended hiking areas.

Southern part of Izu peninsula (Minami Izu) is blessed with pristine nature with a subtropical ambience. The coastline is particularly scenic, both cobalt blue and white beaches and rugged idyllic coastline. A great escape from Tokyo.

Travel blog in the winter of 2009 visiting Shirakawago, Hida Takayama and Furukawa. We made a family trip to Shirakawago, Takayama and Furukawa.

I visited Minamiuonuma, Niiigata in early May. Niigata is well known among Japanese for Koshihikari - considered as the best rice in Japan. Moreover, great natural blessings from rivers and mountains include sake, fresh fish, vegetables and hot springs - what else do you expect for a weekend retreat from urban life or for a trip seeking for beautiful pastoral landscape?

Business trips to Tohoku Japan after earthquake need to be planned carefully by updating local information.

Read press coverage on Michi Travel Japan, travel consultant of unique memorable experiences in Japan.