Esprit Travel - Japan Travel Specialists

ESCORTED TOURS

Escorted Group Tours

Join new friends when traveling on an Esprit escorted group tour of Japan.

Some travelers prefer the ease and security of traveling with a small group of like-minded individuals on a fully-escorted tour through Japan, where issues of language, logistics, destinations, private visits and special needs are all taken care of by the tour company. For these travelers, Esprit offers a very limited number of specialized tours from time-to-time that are designed based on demand and interests expressed through our inquiries.

Those who travel with Esprit on a Japan group tour often tell us that, even though they have traveled in the past and had enjoyable trips, their journey with us was truly unique and often far better than they had even known travel could be. Needless to say, we are deeply delighted every time we hear this. But more importantly, we want you to know that you too can have this experience.

Let us but be gentle, honest—
Though we lack the worldly greatness
In the bamboo-grove of life,
To tower over all

Empress Shoken (1849-1914)

Escorted Tours

Cuisine & Culture of Japan

Join Esprit’s Japan Food Tour led by travel and food writer Andrew Bender. This small-group tour takes you on insider explorations from sushi to Kobe beef, refined kaiseki meals to humble train station bentos. Through the culinary hot spots of Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka, we’ll enjoy cooking classes, market and farm visits and meals by top chefs.

Cuisine & Culture of Western Japan

Esprit’s newest Japan food tour takes you off the beaten path on Kyushu and western Honshu Islands with Andrew Bender, one of Esprit’s most experienced guides and a travel and food writer.

You will journey from intimate, timeless villages to scenic, modern cities, rugged coastlines and geothermal peaks, as you taste local flavors from street food to kaiseki. Cooking classes, market visits and gourmet meals are carefully curated to show off the region’s culinary highlights. Along the way, you’ll take in the unique history, spirituality, one-of-a-kind crafts and natural beauty of western Japan and experience a stay in a wood-built ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). At the conclusion of the tour is an optional extension to Benesse Art Site, on the Inland Sea.

Textiles of Japan

Our Japan Textiles tour is a journey into the vibrant world of Japanese textiles, planned by Conde Nast Japan Travel Expert Nancy Craft. Nancy’s love of Japanese textiles began when she lived and studied in Japan for six years. With the guidance of one of Esprit’s expert guides, you will visit her friends and colleagues, along with quiet off-the-beaten track temples, gardens and hidden corners in Japan’s traditional capital. This tour is offered from time-to-time based on Nancy’s schedule.

Ceramics of Japan

Our Japan Ceramics Tour is designed for enthusiasts, potters and anyone interested in the art of Japan. On this journey we’ll discover the beauty of both the lush countryside and the incredible ceramics of Japan. Joining our Japan-based art and ceramics expert and guide, Keiko Kamei, your guide, will be guest lecturer Robert Yellin, one of the foremost experts on Japanese Ceramics. The focus of this introductory tour is to learn about the wide range of Japanese ceramics and how ceramics is such an integral part of all of the arts of Japan, including cha no yu (tea ceremony), ikebana, kaiseki, and more.

Japan Now & Then

Enjoy spectacular fall foliage while learning about the arts and culture of Japan on our, premier, cultural journey to the heart of Japan. Travel back in time, from the contemporary capital of Tokyo, down the Nakasendo Road, to the traditional and spiritual heart of Japan, Kyoto. This Japan Arts and Crafts tour will take you deep into the spirit that underlies the arts of Japan.