Escorted Tours
Escorted tours are structured group tours, with a group leader. The price usually includes everything from airfare to hotels, meals, tours, admission costs, and local transportation.
Despite the fact that escorted tours require big deposits and predetermine hotels, restaurants, and itineraries, many people derive security and peace of mind from the structure they offer. Escorted tours -- whether they're navigated by bus, motor coach, train, or boat -- let travelers sit back and enjoy the trip without having to drive or worry about details. They take you to the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle. They're particularly convenient for people with limited mobility and they can be a great way to make new friends.
On the down side, you'll have little opportunity for serendipitous interactions with locals. The tours can be jam-packed with activities, leaving little room for individual sightseeing, whim, or adventure -- plus they often focus on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on many a lesser-known gem.
That said, lots of tour companies offer group trips to Japan, including General Tours (tel. 800/221-2216; www.generaltours.com), which offers tours to major tourist destinations in Japan, while Intrepid Travel (tel. 800/970-7299; www.intrepidtravel.com) specializes in small group tours that take in everything from the Tsukiji fish market or a tea ceremony to the hike up Mount Fuji.
If you want someone else to take care of logistics but don't like group tours, Artisans of Leisure (tel. 800/214-8144; www.artisansofleisure.com) provides luxury tours with private guides that are tailored to your interests, whether it's private cooking classes or Japanese gardens. Likewise, Esprit Travel (tel. 800/377-7481; www.esprittravel.com) designs private tours for individuals and groups and can arrange everything from a wedding in a Buddhist temple to private viewings at the Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
For current information on escorted tours departing North America, including special-interest tours that may cover everything from gardens to geisha, go to www.japantravelinfo.com; for tours departing England, go to www.seejapan.co.uk.
Package Tours
Before searching for the lowest airfare, consider booking your flight as part of a travel package, which is simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as airport transfers and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices.
One good source for deals is the airlines' tour operators, which package their flights with accommodations. Japan Airlines operates JALPAK (tel. 800/221-1081; www.jalpak.com) in North America and Jaltour (tel. 0870/111-8830; www.jaltour.co.uk) in Great Britain, with airfare and hotel packages to Japan, plus optional escorted day trips. In 2007, for example, a 5-night JAL package departing from Los Angeles to Tokyo and Kyoto cost $1,819 plus tax, including city tours. Both American Airlines (tel. 800/949-3556; www.aa.com) and Northwest Airlines World Vacations (tel. 800/800-1504; www.nwaworldvacations.com) also offer flight-and-hotel packages to Tokyo and beyond.
In addition, travel companies offering independent packages to Japan include Kintetsu International (tel. 800/422-3481; www.kintetsu.com) and JTB USA (tel. 800/235-3523; www.jtbusa.com) both of which offer lots of specials, including airfares, airfare and hotel packages, 1-day sightseeing tours, and seasonal escorted tours.
Travel packages are also listed in the travel sections of Sunday newspapers. Or check ads in travel magazines such as Budget Travel Magazine, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Condé Nast Traveler.
