The Ultimate Private Shore Excursions & Tours in Japan

An Akita shore excursion highlights the Kakunodate Samurai District, plus either Lake Tazawa or Nyūtō Onsen for a balanced visit. 

An Aomori shore excursion features Hirosaki Castle & Park, Lake Towada, Oirase Stream, and optional Neputa Mura for festival culture. 

A Beppu shore excursion combines Kinrin Lake, Sagiri Viewpoint, a soothing footbath, the famous Beppu Jigoku hot springs, and the Beppu Ropeway for scenic mountain views. 

 A Fukuoka shore excursion can include Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the Kyushu National Museum, historic Kushida Shrine, the tranquil Rakusuien Garden, and Nakasu Yatai Street for lively food stalls. 

 A Hakodate shore excursion can include the Hakodate Morning Market, historic Meijikan and Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, the star-shaped Goryokaku Park, and panoramic views from Mount Hakodate. 

 A Himeji shore excursion can include the iconic Himeji Castle, the landscaped Kokoen Garden, the mountaintop temple Shoshazan Engyōji (nicknamed “Mt. Hiei of the West”), the Himeji City Archaeological Museum, and the historic Miyayama Kofun Park. 

 A Hiroshima shore excursion can include the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Museum, a ferry to Miyajima Island, and the iconic Itsukushima Shrine with its famous floating torii gate.

 A Kagoshima shore excursion can include the scenic Sengan-en Garden, the historic Kirishima Shrine, a relaxing footbath at Kirishima Onsen Market, and a ferry ride to Sakurajima to view the active volcano. 

 A Kanazawa shore excursion can include Kanazawa Castle, the landscaped Kenrokuen Garden, the historic Higashi Chaya District with Shima Teahouse, the preserved Nagamachi Samurai District, and the lively Omicho Market. 

A Kobe shore excursion can include the Earthquake Memorial Park, the historic Kitano Ijinkan foreign residences, the Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway for city views, and the lively Nankinmachi Chinatown.

 A Kochi shore excursion can include the historic Kochi Castle, the scenic Shimanto River with its iconic chinkabashi (submersible bridges), and the dramatic coastal views at Cape Ashizuri Park. 

 A Kumamoto shore excursion can include the Aso Nakadake Crater with its volcanic landscapes, the vast grasslands of Kusasenri, the traditional Suizenji Jojuen Garden, and the iconic Kumamoto Castle.

 A Kushiro shore excursion can include the Kushiro Marsh Observatory, the iconic Nusamai Bridge, and the Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Nature Park. 

 A Kyoto shore excursion can include the iconic thousand torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, the stunning gold-leaf pavilion at Kinkaku-ji, the serene bamboo paths of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the historic streets of Gion and Hanami-koji. 

An Ishigaki shore excursion can include Kabira Bay Beach, Ishigaki Limestone Cave, Hirakubo Cape Lighthouse, and Momobayashi Temple. 

A Matsuyama shore excursion can include Matsuyama Castle with its cable car, the Sakagami no Kumo Museum, the historic Dogo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring, and a tasting of Ehime’s famous mikan juice.

A Miyazaki shore excursion can include Aoshima Shrine, the unique Oni-no-Sentakuita rock formations, the Happiness Yellow Mailbox, and the Nango Moai Statue. 

 A Nagasaki shore excursion can include Peace Park, the historic Dejima Dutch Trading Post, Glover Garden, Ōura Church, and the vibrant Shinchi Chinatown. 

A Nagoya shore excursion can include Nagoya Castle, the historic Atsuta Shrine, the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, and the observation deck of Nagoya Station’s skyscraper. 

A Niigata shore excursion can include Gochi Jinja Shrine, Takada Castle Park with its Mie Yagura, the Fossa Magna Niigata Gemstone Museum, Nō fishing market, and the scenic Oyashirazu Coast. 

An Osaka shore excursion can include Shitenno-ji Temple, Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Amerikamura, Shinsaibashi, and the lively Dotonbori district.

 An Otaru shore excursion can include the Hachion Bell Tower, Kitaichi Glass Shop, Gin no Kane Café, and the historic Otaru Canal Warehouses. 

A Sakaiminato shore excursion can include Matsue Castle, the Adachi Museum of Art, Sakai Daiba Park, and the Sakai Minato Fish Market 

A Sakata shore excursion can include the Zao Onsen Ropeway, the Meiji-era Bunshokan, and the historic Sankyo Soko Storehouse. 

A Sasebo shore excursion can include Jufukuji Temple, Tsunokushiyama Park, Saikaibashi Park, views of Nagasakibana Lighthouse, and the Yobari-dake Observation Deck.

A Shimizu shore excursion can include Nihondaira Dream Observatory, the Nihondaira Ropeway, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Miho no Matsubara, and Shimizu Port Fish Market. 

 A Takamatsu shore excursion can include Ritsurin Garden, the Yashimadake Lava Plateau Observatory, Shikoku Village, and a hands-on Sanuki udon-making experience. 

An Tokushima shore excursion can include walking the Ōnaruto Bridge for spectacular views of the Naruto whirlpools, visiting the Awa Odori Kaikan to enjoy traditional local dance, and experiencing indigo dyeing at the Aizome Art Museum.

 A Toba shore excursion can include Mikimoto Pearl Island to watch the Ama divers’ pearl harvesting, Ise Grand Shrine, the Edo-style Kage no Yokocho street, and the scenic Ise-Shima Sky Road. 

A Tsuruga shore excursion can include the dramatic cliffs of Tojinbo in Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins and Museum, and the historic Eiheiji Temple. 

Wakayama shore excursion can include Wakayama Castle, Kishu Toshogu Shrine, the tuna-cutting show at Kuroshio Market, Senjojiki rock formations, Engetsu Island, and Shirahama Beach.

A Yatsushiro (Kumamoto) shore excursion can include Gokanosho, the Kurenko Ancient Ritual Theater, Umeki Waterfall, the large suspension bridge, and a ride on the Hisatsu Kumamoto KUMA Sightseeing Train.

A Yokohama shore excursion can include Sankeien Garden, Yokohama Marine Tower, Chinatown, the Red Brick Warehouses, and Yamashita Park.