Announcements – Journey To The East

Choosing the right tour of Japan

journeytotheeast — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 05:39:02 +0000

Choosing the Right Tour of Japan: Which Travel Style Suits You Best?

Choosing the right way to experience Japan depends on your travel style, preferences, and priorities. Whether you prefer complete independence, a structured group tour, or a private guided experience, there are many ways to explore Japan.

At Journey to the East, we only offer:
Small Group Tours (Max 8 Guests) – Personalized, immersive, and flexible itineraries.
Private & Custom Tours – Designed around your interests and schedule.

If you’re looking for large group tours, self-guided trips, or budget travel, we may not be the right fit. However, this guide will help you compare different travel styles so you can decide what works best for you.

Comparing Travel Options in Japan

Type of Travel	Cost	Independence	Cultural Depth	Flexibility	Support	Offered by Journey to the East?
Self-Managed Travel	Lowest	Full	Limited	Full	None	No
Self-Guided Tour	Lower	High	Moderate	Fixed itinerary	Limited	No
Large Group Tour	Medium	Low	Limited	Fixed itinerary	Good	No
Small Group Tour (Max 8 Guests)	Medium-High	Some	High	Some flexibility	High	Yes
Private & Custom Tour	Higher	Full	Deep	Full	High	Yes
Cruise	Varies	Medium	Limited	Fixed schedule	High	No

Now, let’s break these down further so you can see what works best for you.

1. Self-Managed Travel (NOT Offered by Journey to the East)

Best for: Budget-conscious, independent travelers who enjoy planning their own trips.

Pros:

Ultimate flexibility—go wherever you like, whenever you like.
Lower cost (if you plan carefully).
Unique experiences on your own terms.

Cons:

Language barriers may be challenging.
No support if something goes wrong.
Planning mistakes can lead to wasted time or missed opportunities.

We do NOT offer self-managed trips, but if you enjoy complete independence, this might be your best option.

2. Self-Guided Tours (NOT Offered by Journey to the East)

Best for: Travelers who want a structured itinerary but prefer to explore on their own.

Pros:

Pre-planned itinerary removes some guesswork.
More flexibility than a guided group tour.
More affordable than private tours.

Cons:

No guide to explain cultural and historical context.
Fixed itinerary with little room for spontaneity.
Limited support if issues arise.

We do NOT offer self-guided tours. If you prefer a structured trip but don’t need a guide, this could be a good option

3. Large Group Tours (NOT Offered by Journey to the East)

Best for: Travelers who prefer an organized experience with a guide but are comfortable in a large group.

Pros:

Budget-friendly for guided travel.
Guide provides basic information about sites.
Fixed itinerary ensures all major highlights are covered.

Cons:

Crowded experience—less personal attention.
Rushed schedules with limited free time.
Less flexibility, less interaction with locals.

We do NOT offer large group tours. If you prefer structured, budget-friendly travel with a group of 30+ people, this may suit you better.

4. Small Group Tours (Max 8 Guests) ( Offered by Journey to the East)

Best for: Travelers who want a personalized, immersive experience with expert guidance while still enjoying some flexibility.

Why Choose a Small Group Tour?

Intimate experience: Max 8 guests ensures personal attention from guides.
Flexible and immersive: Adjusts around weather, group interests, and local events.
Cultural depth: Visit places large groups can’t and engage with locals.
High-quality accommodations & dining: Boutique hotels, traditional ryokan stays, and curated meals.
Stress-free travel: Everything is arranged, from transport to accommodations.

Who This Might NOT Be For?

Travelers looking for the lowest-cost option.
Those who prefer total independence.
People who enjoy the social aspect of large-group tours.

Explore Small Group Tours →

5. Private & Custom Tours ( Offered by Journey to the East)

Best for: Travelers who want complete control over their Japan experience with a private guide and custom itinerary.

Why Choose a Private Tour?

You decide the itinerary: Fully customized based on your interests.
Travel on your schedule: Choose your own dates, pace, and duration.
Ultimate flexibility: Adjust activities on the go with your private guide.
Exclusive experiences: Private tea ceremonies, behind-the-scenes access, and more.

Who This Might NOT Be For?

Budget travelers looking for a low-cost option.
Those who prefer a structured group tour with fixed dates.

Discover Private Tours

6. Cruises (NOT Offered by Journey to the East)

Best for: Travelers who want a relaxed, all-inclusive experience and don’t mind only seeing Japan’s port cities.

Pros:

Easy, all-inclusive travel with pre-arranged stops.
Comfortable accommodations and amenities.
No need to worry about transport or logistics.

Cons:

Limited exploration—only see port cities.
Less cultural immersion—shore excursions are often generic.
Fixed schedule—no flexibility for spontaneous experiences.

We do NOT offer cruises. If you enjoy the cruise lifestyle and don’t mind limited time on land, this could be a good option.

Why Choose Journey to the East?

Ultra-small group sizes – Maximum 8 guests for a highly personalized experience.
Deep cultural immersion – Interact with locals, explore hidden gems, and enjoy exclusive activities.
Expert guides – Passionate Japan specialists who bring each destination to life.
Stress-free travel – Seamless planning, premium accommodations, and top-tier support.
Seasonal & themed tours – We match itineraries to Japan’s best seasonal highlights.

If this sounds like the travel experience you’ve been searching for, we’d love to help you plan your Japan adventure.

View Our Small Group Tours | Explore Private Tours

Cherry Blossom Season Forecast

journeytotheeast — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 03:55:24 +0000

When is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms?

In the high season, late March to April, or
January and February or early May with extra planning

The Cherry Blossom forecast

Each year there is a new Cherry Blossom Forecast because the climate varies every year, affecting the dates. The trees generally only bloom for 1-2 weeks in each location and so the Japanese are always keen to know when they are likely to see the blooms. During Spring, Japanese news follows the bloom as is flows across the country.

Plan to see the blooms

Japan is a long archipelago and the cherry blossom blooms start from the warmer South and progress North as winter gives way to spring.

Here is where to go to see cherry blossoms

Okinawa Island – Early January through early February
Izu Peninsular – mid-February to see the special kawazu Sakura
Honshu – Late March to April; visit higher altitude for delayed booming
Hokkaido – Late April to Early May (trees only bloom for about 1 week here)

In 2020, 2021 and again in 2022 the iconic cherry blossom season across Japan were a wash-out for visitors due to Covid-19.

This has created a massive pent up demand to see Japan at this exquisite time of the year. For example, although our 2023 Cherry Blossom season tours of Japan were only released late in 2022, many are already almost full.

The blossom timing each year can vary by up to one week or more. This depends on the weather as it transitions from winter to spring. Thanks to our amazing staff and experienced local guides we are nimble enough to make adjustments on the fly. This means in 2022, to better adapt to climate change, daily plans can be changed if the cherry blossoms are better in one part of the city or surrounds than another. Again, learning from this, to enjoy the best Cherry Blossom in Japan your plan needs to work with the broad forecast, but to be agile enough to deal with changes as the live event as it unfolds.

As an aside, not everything was bad about the Covid-19 shut-down. The intervening period has enabled us to revisit our Cherry Blossom package tour offerings and enhance them with the latest in travel concepts and guest safety practices. We have achieved these upgrades without loss of any of the character, efficiency and uniqueness that our past guests have always spoken about. This means in upcoming 2022 Japan Cherry Blossom Season we will be able to offer our best ever trips.

Client Photos and Feedback

Thank you to all of our clients who travelled with us in prior cherry blossom seasons. We loved your amazing feedback. Our team especially enjoyed some of the photos and moments that you were kind enough to share with us. All of the photos on this page were taken by our clients. These photos provide a great “real world” idea of what to expect on our incredible Cherry Blossom Tours.

Seeing the 2022 Cherry Blossom in Japan

Are you planning a trip to Japan to experience the cherry blossoms in 2022?

As outlined above there are many people who missed out in 2020 & 2021, and are keen to see this magic festive season in Japan. Accordingly, we recommend you fix your plan at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

We still have some places available on our selection of our Small Group Tours. Please browse our Cherry Blossom Tours of Japan page, each of which has a different itinerary to reflect the cherry blossom forecast.

Private Cherry Blossom Tours

As in previous years we will once again be offering private (custom-made) tours during the Japanese Spring. If you don’t see a group tour that fits your precise liking why not talk to our team about what you would like. Our team are very knowledgeable about travelling and holidays in Japan and would be only too please to help you enjoy Japan your way. You can see more about our Private Tours here or Contact-us and we will help you.

2020 Autumn Tour Launch

journeytotheeast — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 01:08:34 +0000

Journey to the East is proud to announce our popular series of autumn (fall) tours for 2020. The Japanese have a deep appreciation for the changing of the seasons and an increasingly popular time to visit Japan is during the autumn (fall) colours. From spectacular natural scenery to immaculately manicured gardens the splashes of yellow, orange and red will amaze you.

Our 2020 Autumn Tour series cover a wide range of commencement dates from the beginning of October right through until late November, taking full advantage of the autumn colour front as it moves across Japan. Whether you like appreciating the majestic colours of Mother Nature while walking in the central alps on one of our Active Tours, or if you prefer the more relaxed pace of the colourful and stunning gardens on our Comfort Tours the choice is yours. Based on feedback from our valued clients our tours are continually evolving.

Highlights from a variety of different tours include:

Experience an overnight stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko near Mt Fuji.
Traverse the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, where we travel across the mountains and valleys by a multi-modal combination of train, bus, cable car, ropeway and trolley bus!
Experience the beauty of Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden, a stunning landscape garden in a city commonly referred to as “Little Kyoto”.
Admire the craftsmanship and design of the perfectly arranged gardens bathed in colour surrounding the shrines and temples of Kyoto.
Stroll through the spectacular National Park of Kamikochi in the Central Alps region.

Small Group Tour Format

Journey to the East are well-known for their Small Group Tour format limited to just eight people. This format enables a more intimate and nimble approach allowing for dining experiences in small locally operated restaurants, and many unique cultural experiences that let you be more fully immersed in the Japanese culture and way of life. We utilise the exceptional public transport system, known worldwide for its punctuality and efficiency, including the iconic Shinkansen (Bullet Train) for many of the long-distance intercity journeys.

Of course, this Small Group Tour format also means that popular tours will sell out quite quickly. So for those of you who like to plan ahead, booking early will ensure your place on your preferred tour.

Further Information

For further information on all of our autumn tours please browse through the comprehensive list here.

If you are excited about the 2020 Autumn Tours but don’t want to wait until next year, then there are a few spots available on our 2019 Autumn Tours, but get in quick!

Journey to the East also specialises in custom Private Tours, which have been incredibly popular during the autumn season for 2019, so if you would like a custom tour tailored just for you and your family (or friends!) at any time of the year please feel free to contact our friendly staff, specialists in tours to Japan.

If you have any questions regarding the Autumn Tours, please feel free to contact us via the contact form, or by phoning us on 07 3368 1966 from within Australia, or our international clients can contact us on +61 7 3368 1966.

2020 Food Tour of Hokkaido Launch

journeytotheeast — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:41:43 +0000

Journey to the East are proud to announce the latest in our popular series of food tours, the Food Tour of Hokkaido. The island of Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands and is home to a wide range of agriculture and seafood. The 2020 Food Tour of Hokkaido takes full advantage of all that Hokkaido has to offer. Culinary delights include everything from street food and Sapporo’s famous ramen, right through to Michelin starred restaurants and traditional kaiseki multi-course cuisine.

Journey to the East takes you right to the producers so you can fully appreciate the source of some of the amazing food Japan has to offer. The tour visits a small fishing village renowned for scallops where we cook with the fishermen’s wives, and we take a small boat ride to see konbu (kelp) used to make dashi soup stock, the base for many Japanese dishes. The tour also visits a dairy farm and we sample some amazing ice cream and also a tofu restaurant to see how this essential Japanese food is made.

A food tour would not be complete without sampling some local beverages! The tour includes a visit to a Nikka Whisky Distillery, a local organic winery, and we learn about the traditional Japanese drink, sake, from a local expert.

Explore Hokkaido

Hokkaido has so much to offer and the 2020 Food Tour of Hokaido is about more than just savouring the food and drink. Experience a stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan with onsen in Noboribetsu and explore the Jigokudani (Hell Valley) Nature Walk. Enjoy the picturesque Onuma Park and the historic port city of Hakodate. Take a gentle walk through a beech forest in the small town of Kuromatsunai and visit the picturesque canal town of Otaru.

Although Hokkaido is known for its abundant snow, great skiing, and freezing winters, our food tour travels during the pleasant summer month of June. On average, the temperatures range from approximately 12°C (54°F) overnight to a maximum of approximately 25°C (77°F) during the day.

The Journey to the East team has spent many months and countless hours researching, exploring, and preparing this amazing itinerary. If you are a gourmet traveller, a foodie, a gastronome, or you are looking to explore Hokkaido in a unique way via your taste buds then the 2020 Food Tour of Hokkaido is one not to be missed!

Please feel free to explore this tour in more detail on the Food Tour of Hokkaido page. If you wish to explore Japanese cuisine in depth while you travel please read about our other popular Food Tours of Japan.