The Best Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan
If you're headed to Japan and are looking for the best options for outdoor and nature tours, then you've come to the right place. We have done an extensive analysis of all available options in Japan based on price, guest ratings, service, amenities, activities, and value. We've done the groundwork for you, meticulously analyzing everything based on these key criteria in order to find the absolute best outdoor and nature tours. Whether you're dreaming of a vacation filled with relaxation, adventure, or a perfect blend of both, we've found the ideal journeys to make your holiday to Japan unforgettable. We have lots of details below on what these multi-day tours and trips are like, where they visit, how much you can expect to pay, and more. So, let's dig in.
The Best Outdoor and Nature Tours through Japan
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.
Why does Japan appeal to outdoor enthusiasts?
Japan appeals to outdoor enthusiasts due to its diverse and beautiful landscapes, offering something for every kind of adventurer. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Okinawa, and Shiretoko National Park are world-renowned for hiking, with gorgeous trails and stunning natural landscapes. Also, don't miss the scuba diving in Okinawa and Yaeyama Islands. Okinawa, Yaeyama Islands, and Sendai are popular with beach lovers. Skiers and snowboarders love Sapporo and Nagano because of the thrilling runs and stunning views. Whether you're exploring on foot, two wheels, or just admiring the scenery, Japan offers something for everyone.
How much do Outdoor Tours in Japan cost?
The average daily price of Outdoor and Nature Tours in Japan is $431 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Outdoor and Nature Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer outdoor and nature tours in Japan. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
One Life Adventures
One Life Adventures is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 11 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Thailand. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from One Life Adventures
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include India, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana. The small group sizes, often less than 14, make for a very personal experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, and white water rafting.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Oomi Travel
Unique Japan Tours offers local cultural tours through Japan. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 8 days to 3 weeks. Despite being priced a bit higher, the small group sizes create a more personal and unique experience for travelers. There are options to personalize select tours to suit your requirement. Most of the tours provided by Unique Japan Tours are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Oomi Travel
Contiki
Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.
Outdoor Destinations in Japan
Wondering where outdoor tours visit in Japan? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Tokyo
Tokyo is the high tech, ultramodern capital city of Japan. It's filled with neon lights and high reaching skyscrapers, but there are also many hidden temples and historic neighborhoods tucked away. You can spend your days wandering through green parks and your nights singing karaoke in one of the many bars around town.
Kyoto
Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, and today it is a beautiful historic city that is filled with temples and traditional neighborhoods. There are gardens and palaces as well as traditional shops and dining opportunities. The city is filled with culture and fascinating places to wander and explore.
Osaka
Osaka is an economic and commercial center in Japan that attracts tourists for its world class culinary scene and vibrant nightlife. The neon lights, high energy shopping areas, and high reaching skyscrapers make this a fascinating and fun Japanese city to experience.
Nara
Nara is a beautiful city that is filled with temples and shrines. It's smaller than you might expect, and there are a large number of green spaces, parks, and gardens. The city has a long-running history, which is best explored through the many temples.
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Other popular destinations for outdoor tours through Japan include Takayama, Fuji, Matsumoto, Abashiri, and Kushiro.
Outdoor and Nature Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Choosing whether to join a guided tour or organize your own adventure? Be sure to think about the unique benefits of each option.
Organized Tours
- Some outdoor activities and adventure sports are best enjoyed in a group.
- Local guides know the best areas and the top rated activities.
Independent Travel
- Many people enjoy the peacefulness of nature, which is best enjoyed independently with a few friends or family.
- Traveling independently means you'll be able to move at your own pace and enjoy the activities that mean the most to you.
- If transportation is limited and you don't have your own vehicle, it can be hard to get outside the major cities and towns and truly enjoy nature.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel cheaper than guided outdoor and nature tours? The answer is not simple. Tours provide many of the services that you would otherwise pay for yourself on an independent trip. Hotels, transportation, food, entry tickets, guides, and activities are provided on organized tours, whereas you would pay for everything separately on your own. To deterine the difference in price, you would need to compare the combined price of everything in a tour with everything you would book separately. Sometimes you might want to stay in a cheaper hotel, or eat at a more expensive restaurant, so the price of a tour could be more or less than what you would otherwise pay on your own. Make sure you know what is included before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and is subject to change at any time.
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