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
An insider exploration of the depth and breadth of Japanese cuisine: sushi to Kobe beef, Michelin-starred 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. Culinary delights are perfectly paired with the culture that makes Japan unique: Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, lush gardens, natural beauty, traditional and contemporary art and architecture, textiles and ceramics. Centrally located hotels put you close to all the action.
Pathways of Kyushu & Shikoku
Escape the tourist track on Esprit’s newest tour, to Japan’s little-visited
western main islands. Our time on Kyushu Island encompasses the crafts and flavors of dynamic Fukuoka, Nagasaki’s multilayered East-meets-West history and scenic landscapes, Beppu's hot springs, and national treasures. Crossing the Inland Sea to Shikoku Island, Matsuyama is our base for exploring a gracious castle, local crafts and a portion of the island's iconic Buddhist pilgrimage route. The tour concludes in Takamatsu, home to celebrated masters including Isamu Noguchi.
Textiles of Kyoto
Journey into the vibrant world of Japanese textiles: kimono to sashiko, shibori and beyond, based in enchanting Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. Our fabric immersion weaves in hidden corners of this endlessly fascinating city: serene temples and gardens, tiny shops, alluring museums and intimate restaurants, plus a massive monthly flea market and day trips to the mountainous countryside. Led by one of Esprit's top guides, this tour was originally created by Conde Nast Japan Travel Expert Nancy Craft, whose love of Japanese textiles began with six years living and studying in Kyoto.
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.
This extraordinary journey through Japan’s one-of-a-kind arts, architecture and design scene begins in Tokyo with visits that span the ancient to the ultra-modern. The pace picks up as the Shinkansen, whisks us to Enoura Observatory, Hiroshi Sugimoto’s masterpiece of contemporary art and architecture amid dramatic coastal scenery. Kyoto, the heart of Japanese tradition, nowadays blends antiquity and innovation, from ancient temples to contemporary architecture. On the “art islands” of Naoshima and Teshima, Benesse Art Site is a sanctuary of contemporary creativity. We conclude in energetic Osaka, pulsing with modern life and architectural wonders.
Journey to the country's less-visited side, along the Sea of Japan. Staying in Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, and Amanohashidate, this tour introduces you to stunning waterfront scenery, historic cities, remote villages and relaxing hot spring towns, all while delivering the up-close-and-personal encounters that define the Esprit Travel experience: art and craft, nature, cuisine, spirituality and history - and some surprises. Stays in some of the country’s finest inns and hotels round out the experience.
