CampingCaryn

Looking for an escorted tour in Japan, all the major sights. 14 days. Any suggestions for companies?
Thanks

janisj

If you find a tour that covers "all the major sights" in 14 days . . . run (don't walk) away as fast as you can.

Is there a particular reason you want an escorted tour?

kja

ditto what janisj said.
You might do well to consult japan-guide.com

CaliforniaLady

Ditto also. Japan is the last place that I would take a tour. The country runs on precision, with elaborate maps, and flow charts. It is so easy and safe to get around.

Also, it's much more fun to go on your own. I remember a train ride I took in Kyushu where four business guys had a bunch of cans of beer each. They got pretty loud, and it was amusing to watch, as Japanese men are typically quite reserved in public. Of course, all the cans went neatly into plastic bags, and they took the cans with them when they left.

Also look at the JNTO website.

bussa17

14 days?! 4 tokyo/3 kyoto/ 1 hiroshima/1 nara///then driv back to nagoya and the coast back to Tokyo, through Hamamatsu and Shizuoka....or through the mountain passing through Nagano and Shizuoka...

thursdaysd

I agree that you don't need a tour for Japan, but if you really want one, what is your budget? No point in me suggesting the Smithsonian if you can only afford Intrepid.

Adastra2200

As others have noted, a tour is completely unnecessary. Getting around it easy for the most part, and language issues are not a major impediment (though knowing Japanese can certainly help).

There are volunteer guides you can use across the country, if you really want one.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...teerGuides.php

You just need to pay their lunch or any entrance fees.

The more research you do on your own before departure, the better your trip will be - go where you are interested, avoid what you are not in to. You can start with the jnto.go.jp as well as japan-guide.com but don't skip the official city websites with their own guides which are far more complete.

As for "all the major sites", you won't be seeing them all in 14 days. If you have the money and time for another future visit, then stick to one area or region. If not, then you'll likely be more eclectic and barnstorming more - which is fine, as long as you're up for it.

Supie

Just another perspective... our first trip to Japan was with Inside Japan on their 14 day 'Japan Unmasked Tour' https://www.insidejapantours.com/jap...apan-unmasked/
As you will see from their website it includes Nagano, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kurashiki, Hiroshima as well as Tokyo and Kyoto. I highly recommend this tour as a very good introduction to the country - there were 15 in our group (the maximum) - variety of nationalities and ages mid 20's thru to 60's - excellent and knowledgeable tour leader. There are many reviews on their website. We have subsequently returned to Japan to travel on our own.

CampingCaryn

Thanks for all the input. I'm not looking for a tour, I'm looking for an escorted tour for 4 people. I realize we can travel on our own, but we felt it might be nice and more relaxed if we have someone showing us around. I will continue looking

janisj

OK - your OP was sort of misleading. An escorted tour generally means a commercial, group tour. Apparently you aren't' interested in one of those.

What you need to research is a private guide. Someone who will take you from p,ace to place. That is entirely different.

I'd start a new thread with more info and a better title. (Even with a private guide you won't see 'all' the major sites in two weeks)

BigRuss

<< I'm not looking for a tour, I'm looking for an escorted tour for 4 people. I realize we can travel on our own, but we felt it might be nice and more relaxed if we have someone showing us around.>>

This is incomprehensible - "I'm not looking for a tour, I'm looking for a [ ] tour."

If you want a private guide to take you all around Japan, that's a tour, regardless of how few are in your group. If you want to have private guides meet you in each main place you visit, that's a different story and you can google for Japan private guides because there are tons of them. And having someone "show you around" won't be nice and relaxed if you're taking twice or three times as long to travel from major city to major city by car or bus instead of taking Japan's fast trains.

kja

Adastra already mentioned volunteer guides, and it now sounds like they aren't what you want, but just in case, to elaborate a bit on what Adastra already shared: The Japanese National Tourism Organization coordinates free volunteer guides – “Goodwill guides” – who are generally knowledgeable and happy to guide you in return for practicing their English – which can be excellent, but it is a bit of a luck-of-the-draw.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html
You pay any entrance fees and his/her meal if your time with the guide includes one.

Do NOT tip these guides, or anyone else in Japan.

Boveney

Seems clear now that OP would like a private guide who will also organise the two week trip. Everyone travels differently - this is simply a different approach. Here's a link that might prove helpful - it was sent me by a friend who joked that we should set up our own business - this guy charges $2,000/day. But I liked his first item which lists Hakone as the most overrated place.
http://www.wendyperrin.com/?destinat...-classic-japan

thursdaysd

Does anyone remember what kimjapan's business is called?

kalihiwai2

Art of Travel
http://theartoftravel.net/
http://theartoftravel.net/blog/

Another idea might be the self guided option with this company.
https://walkjapan.com/

Hiring a private driver for the day isn't that expensive, various taxi and tour companies have english speaking guides at least in the major cities.

Guenmai

OK. Now that I understand what the OP wants, I can post. At first, I thought she/he meant an organized, escorted tour with a whole load of folks traveling together on a bus.

I don't know of a company where one person would drive everywhere, but I had a private driver while in Kyoto in Aug 2017. I was in Kyoto for 9 nights, but only hired him for one day and 4 hours and it was fun. He really knows his history.

I got Machi straight off of the Youtube video and he was great. Maybe you could contact him and if he can't meet your needs, maybe he knows someone who could drive for 14 days. I'll most likely hire him again this coming summer and for one day and 4 hours as I'll be back in Kyoto for 9 nights again out of my 3 weeks in Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5G6CRoaxow

http://privatetour-kyoto.com/ehome.htm

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...ure_Kinki.html

Happy Travels!

Kathie

KimJapan is a travel agent in Japan and can set up as much or as little as you'd like for this trip. She can arrange guides, transport, hotels, whatever, alll over Japan.