Planning a trip to Japan can feel a bit like trying to order ramen from a vending machine with no English — exciting, mysterious, and just a tiny bit confusing.
But don’t worry, there are loads of brilliant Japan travel agencies that specialise in helping foreign travellers get the most out of the country, with English-speaking guides, tailored itineraries, and some seriously cool experiences.
Below are some of the top English-speaking travel agencies in Japan, each with their own style and vibe. Whether you’re into luxury group tours, cultural deep-dives, or just want a local mate to show you around — there’s something here for every kind of traveller.
1. InsideJapan Tours
If you want the biggest name in the game, with years of experience, a huge team, and a super polished system — InsideJapan Tours is a solid pick. Based in the UK, US, and Japan, they’ve been running Japan-exclusive tours since 2000 and have built a strong reputation for their seamless organisation, high-quality service, and expert knowledge of the country.
Their Small Group Tours cover iconic routes like the Golden Route (Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima), as well as more niche itineraries like their Japan Unmasked, Kyushu Adventure, or Winter Highlights tours. These usually include accommodation, transport, some meals, and a professional tour leader.
For those who prefer to travel independently, their Self-Guided Adventures are also popular. They plan everything in advance (hotels, trains, maps, suggestions, even restaurant bookings) but leave you to explore at your own pace, with support if needed.
InsideJapan is especially great for first-time travellers to Japan who want everything sorted for them, and don’t want to worry about logistics or language barriers. They also offer cultural experiences like tea ceremonies, sumo tournaments, calligraphy lessons, and ryokan stays — all organised in English.
While they’re not the cheapest option out there, what you’re really paying for is a well-oiled travel machine that knows the country inside-out.
Best for: First-timers who have cash to burn and want the full package sorted for them.
Website: insidejapantours.com
2. Japanican (by JTB Group)
If you’re all about convenience and like booking things online — hotels, bullet trains, day trips — Japanican makes it super easy. Run by the massive JTB Group (one of Japan’s biggest and oldest travel companies), this site is perfect for people who want trusted, good-value options without needing to go deep into planning mode. It’s all there, in English, ready to book with just a few clicks.
You can grab bundle deals like hotel + Shinkansen packages (great for places like Kyoto, Osaka or Hiroshima), book Mount Fuji day tours, or sort out your Tokyo Disneyland tickets in advance. They’ve got loads of classic sightseeing options and tours that are ideal for people who want a smooth, no-fuss experience.
Prices are generally pretty reasonable too — for example, a 2-day bullet train + hotel package to Kyoto might start around £150–£250 depending on the hotel class and season.
Japanican is great if you’re travelling solo, doing your own thing, or just want to lock in a few activities with a reliable provider. It’s not really a “hand-holding” kind of service — more like a handy tool to build your trip with confidence. You won’t get the personal touch of a custom tour, but you will get a solid, well-priced deal backed by one of the biggest names in Japanese travel.
Best for: Solo travellers and DIY planners who still want solid, trustworthy options without too much fuss.
Website: japanican.com
3. AJT (All Japan Tours)
If you’re after a big, all-inclusive guided experience that covers Japan from top to bottom — AJT is your go-to. These guys specialise in fully escorted coach tours that hit all the major spots, with literally everything sorted for you: hotels, meals, transport, even luggage handling. You just show up and enjoy the ride. Perfect if you don’t want to lift a finger when it comes to planning.
They’ve got a wide range of tours depending on the season and your interests — think cherry blossom trips, autumn foliage, food-themed tours, or ones that include cultural festivals. A typical tour runs around 7 to 14 days, with prices starting from about £1,500 and going upwards of £4,000+ depending on how long you’re travelling and what’s included. For example, their 10-day “Best of Japan” tour includes cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and even Mount Fuji, with English-speaking guides the whole way through.
AJT is especially popular with families, older travellers, and people who want a relaxed, structured way to see Japan without stressing over train schedules or language gaps. It’s not the most flexible or “local” kind of experience, but it’s super reliable, smooth, and great value considering how much they pack into each tour.
Best for: Families, retirees, or anyone who wants a stress-free, full-coverage Japan experience in a group setting.
Website: alljapantours.com
4. Walk Japan
If you want to get out of the cities and explore Japan’s countryside on foot — Walk Japan is a dream. They specialise in multi-day walking tours along historical routes like the Nakasendo Trail, Kumano Kodo, and the Oita Hot Spring Trail, taking you through mountain villages, rice fields, forests, and coastal paths you’d never stumble upon on your own. It’s the kind of slow, immersive travel that lets you actually feel the country.
Their tours range from beginner-friendly strolls to more challenging treks, usually lasting between 4 to 12 days. Prices vary depending on the route and length, but you can expect to pay somewhere between £1,500 and £4,000+ per person — which typically includes accommodation (often in lovely traditional inns), most meals, luggage transfers, and a knowledgeable English-speaking guide.
You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker either — they offer detailed info on difficulty level so you can choose what suits you best.
Walk Japan is perfect for people who love nature, walking, and seeing places that most tourists miss entirely. It’s less about ticking off landmarks and more about getting into the rhythm of the land, meeting locals, and experiencing everyday rural life.
If you’ve done the big cities already (or want to skip them entirely), this is the ultimate way to see a quieter, more soulful side of Japan.
Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, and travellers keen to see a different side of Japan — far from the neon lights.
Website: walkjapan.com
5. Ninja Food Tours
If eating your way through Japan is at the top of your travel list — Ninja Food Tours is a solid choice. They run small-group food tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto that focus on proper local spots, not the overly touristy stuff.
You’ll be taken to izakayas, back-alley eateries, food stalls and speciality shops where you can try everything from wagyu beef and sashimi to sake and seasonal snacks.
Their Tokyo tours are especially popular — like their “Best of Izakaya” tour in Shinjuku or the Wagyu & Sake Pairing dinner experience, where you get to sit down in a quiet little spot and eat like a local.
In Osaka, they’ll take you through street food havens like Dotonbori and Shinsekai, while in Kyoto they focus more on the city’s traditional flavours. Most tours include 5+ tastings and a couple of drinks, all explained by a local guide who knows their stuff.
Prices usually range from around ¥9,000 to ¥20,000 per person, depending on the tour length and what’s included. It’s definitely not a budget snack crawl, but it’s great value for a night out that’s organised, tasty, and totally stress-free. If you’re a foodie — or just don’t want to waste time choosing between 80 ramen shops — this is a no-brainer.
Best for: Food-obsessed travellers, sake lovers, and anyone who wants a casual but curated intro to Japan’s eating culture.
Website: ninjafoodtours.com
6. Kintetsu International
If you prefer a more corporate, full-service travel agency that can handle the whole shebang — flights, hotels, transfers, business travel, and even visa support — Kintetsu International is your classic, dependable choice.
It’s one of Japan’s major travel agencies and part of a massive transportation group, so they’ve got the infrastructure and connections to sort out even the most complex itineraries.
Their focus leans more towards traditional travel services rather than personalised, hands-on experiences. Think: business class flights, luxury hotel bookings, international travel coordination, corporate meeting planning, and group logistics.
That said, they also cater to upscale leisure travellers who want a well-organised Japan trip with minimal hassle. You won’t find quirky backstreet food tours or secret spots here — but if you want your trip to run like clockwork, they’re pros at that.
Prices really vary depending on the level of service and travel type, but expect it to sit at the higher end — especially if you’re booking premium flights and 5-star hotels. This is less about budget-friendly or niche adventures and more about getting everything locked in with zero stress.
Best for: Business travellers, luxury tourists, and those who want the classic, no-surprises approach to international travel.
Website: kintetsu.com
7. Flip Japan
If you’ve ever opened 47 tabs planning your Japan trip, got overwhelmed by train maps, or wondered if that ramen place on TikTok is really worth the queue — that’s exactly why Flip Japan exists.
We’re a small, independent team of foreigners who’ve made Japan our home, and we started Flip Japan because we know first-hand how exciting (and confusing) this country can be when you first arrive. We’ve lived through it — and now we help travellers skip the stress and get straight to the best bits.
We specialise in fully personalised trip planning, where we build your entire Japan itinerary from scratch based on your interests, pace and travel style. That might mean a full-on foodie route through Tokyo, a deep-dive into Kyoto’s lesser-known temples, a day hopping between Ghibli spots, or a chill few hours vintage shopping and café-hopping in neighbourhoods like Shimokitazawa or Koenji.
You’ll get detailed routes, local insight, restaurant recs, and easy-to-follow instructions — plus messaging support if you need help along the way.
We also offer tours — not the kind where you follow a guide with a microphone waving a red flag — but flexible, one-on-one experiences where we guide you through the parts of the city you’re most curious about.
These tours can be tailored in real-time. Want to try five different types of ramen? Done. Into offbeat street art, quirky shops, or nostalgic neighbourhoods? We’ve got you. These tours are relaxed, real, and designed to feel like exploring with someone who actually lives here.
And it doesn’t stop there. On our Experiences page, you’ll find a growing lineup of curated activities you can book directly — including themed food tours, nightlife hangouts, anime and manga walks, and even unique day trips like Ghibli-filled experiences or neighbourhood deep-dives.
These aren’t mass market “experiences” either — we’re picky about what we offer, and every one of them is hosted by people who love what they do and know the area inside out.
For businesses, brands, or teams travelling to Japan, we also provide full MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) support. We can help you organise custom events, company off-sites, or incentive trips that feel far more exciting than a boardroom in Shinjuku.
From creative venue scouting and bilingual on-the-ground coordination to themed group activities that reflect modern Japan — we offer a flexible, foreigner-friendly approach to corporate experiences that are actually enjoyable.
We also organise themed group trips where you get to travel with a small group of like-minded people ready to explore Japan’s must-see spots as well as its lesser-known deligths. We’ve taken care of all the planning—transport, accommodation, and itineraries—so you can just show up and enjoy every moment.
Our prices are transparent, and we strive to work within your budget — without compromising on quality or pushing unnecessary extras.
At Flip Japan, we’re not trying to be the biggest — we’re focused on being the most useful, flexible, and genuinely local. We build every trip the way we’d plan it for our own friends visiting for the first time: thoughtful, practical, and full of the kind of stuff that makes Japan unforgettable.
Best for: Travellers who want their trip planned by someone who actually lives in Japan — like a clued-up local friend who gets their vibe, knows the good spots, and sorts out the details without the stress. Also ideal for companies and teams after creative, on-the-ground support for events, off-sites or incentive trips that feel genuinely memorable.
Website: flipjapanguide.com
So, Which of These Japan Travel Agencies is Right for You?
Japan is a country that can be experienced in a hundred different ways — from bullet-train sightseeing sprees to quiet mornings in neighbourhood cafes. The right travel agency for you really depends on how you want to see it.
If you’re after structure, convenience, and a polished, all-inclusive package, there are some brilliant options above that’ll have your entire trip sorted for you — no stress, no second-guessing. If you want something more curated, cultural, or educational, there’s a tour for that too.
But if you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t want a tour. I want an experience that actually feels like me” — then that’s exactly why we built Flip Japan. We’re here for the curious, the indie planners, the food hunters, the culture lovers, the Ghibli fans, the night owls, the quiet adventurers, and everyone in between.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone — we’ve been where you are, and we genuinely love helping people make sense of this beautiful, wild, fascinating country. So if you want to explore Japan in a way that’s personal, meaningful, and actually fun — give us a shout. We’ve got you.
