The 11 Best Shore Excursions Tours in Japan

1.Kyoto private tour (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $237Our pick

Spend about eight hours exploring Kyoto with a private English-speaking guide such as Kaori, Keiko, Ichiro, or Minako. Visit Kinkakuji, Sanjusangendo, Gion, and Fushimi Inari, then tailor the day with public transit or a private van. Lunch and one soft drink are included, but transport costs extra.

“A great tour - Kaori was experienced and knowledgeable about all the cultural sites as well as modern Japanese living. Our tour was in English and very clear. We ran a bit over time and it was dark when we finished, but Kaori was extremely patient and thorough making sure we saw so much of Kyoto in just one day!”

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2.Shore excursion: Full Day Private Kyoto Tour From Osaka/Kobe Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews

Travel from Osaka or Kobe port to Kyoto by private car or van, with a guide such as Ahmed, Keiko, Ayako, or Toshi. Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, Gion, and Fushimi Inari. The route can be adjusted, but transportation costs are paid separately.

“Viator is a monumental scam, swindle and cheat. We paid the requested sum of $480 by Visa at the time of ordering the tour. The night before the expected tour, we were told to pay the driver additional $800 for "transportation." This was not revealed before the agreed sum of $480 has been submitted. I would strongly warn any potential tourist never to do business with this company. Obviously we canceled the tour immediately and have never received a refund as promised. I learned lately that Viator is a subsidiary of Trip Advisor. Why is Trip Advisor part of this scam? Would Trip Advisor refund the $480?”

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3.Private Walking Shore Excursion- Kyoto/Osaka/Nara/Kobe

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 23 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $141

Meet guide Alyssa at your cruise terminal, hotel, or station and spend 6 to 8 hours exploring Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, or Kobe by public transport. Choose temples, deer, shopping streets, gardens, or food stops, with a private English-speaking guide adjusting the pace to your group.

“We had a great tour. It started out great when our guide, Alyssa, met us exactly where we expected and was waiting for us as we passed thru customs. We were using local transportation and she had an excellent knowledge of the train and subway schedules to move us efficiently from the port to Osaka, about Osaka, and back to the ship. She was very knowledgeable and just as important, we were able to understand her which which did not occur with other guides we had used on our Japan trip. Would strongly recommend Alyssa's services to someone wanting to tour Osaka or Kyoto.”

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4.Shore Excursion Full Day Private Kochi Tour from Kochi port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews

Spend about eight hours exploring Kochi with a private Japanese licensed guide. Visit the original Kochi Castle, Chikurin-ji Temple, Makino Botanical Garden, and Hirome Ichiba. Guides such as Masanari, Soda, Fujita, and Nagahama have tailored days to suit families, food lovers, and cruise schedules.

“I had an excellent experience here. The atmosphere was great, everything was clean and well maintained, and the staff were friendly. I visited with friends and we had a wonderful time. Would definitely come again!”

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5.Private Shore Excursion Kobe Port – Best of Kobe with a local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $135

Spend up to seven hours exploring Kobe with Michelle, a native English-speaking local guide. This private walking tour can include shrines, Meriken Park, Motomachi, Chinatown, sake, Nunobiki Herb Gardens, and Kobe beef, with room to shape the day around your interests.

“Michelle's tour around her town was a lot of fun. The tour is really custom to what you want to see. We learned a lot about Japanese history, things we didn't learn from other guides in Japan. We got to see the sights, see great views, eat Read more”

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6.Shore Excursion from Hiroshima Port : Private Tour in Hiroshima

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews

You’ll ride in a private vehicle from Hiroshima Port with a personal guide such as Atsushi, Akiko, or Yamada. The day can include the Peace Memorial Museum, A-Bomb Dome, and Miyajima Island, with room to adjust the plan around weather and your ship’s schedule.

“We had a full-day private Hiroshima tour with Yamada, including a visit to Miyajima Island, and it was fantastic. Yamada explained Hiroshima’s history with great knowledge and sensitivity, making everything easy to understand and deeply meaningful. Miyajima was beautiful, and his insights made the experience even more special”

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7.Kobe private tour from Osaka (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $195

Spend about eight hours exploring Kobe with a national licensed guide such as Ichiro, Kaori, or Akie. Ride the Nunobiki Ropeway to the Herb Gardens, taste sake at Hakutsuru, visit Kitano’s Western-style houses, and enjoy Harborland. Port transfers are included, but lunch and private vehicle use are not.

“We really enjoyed the Herb Garden. The Sake Brewery was very insightul too. Our guide was wonderful and ensured that we had a good time and we got back to our hotel happily exhausted.”

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8.Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha & Calligraphy Shimizu Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $100Best value

Meet your English-friendly guide at Shimizu Station, then ride a local bus to Seiken-ji and Zuiun-in. You’ll tour a historic temple, sit in guided zazen, enjoy matcha and a seasonal sweet, and write a meaningful kanji character to take home. The pace is gentle, with chairs available.

“We had a delightful day with this tour. The guides provided so much background detail. The meditation experience was very moving and impactful. The calligraphy was a very special unique challenge. Highly recommend this intimate and rewarding experience.”

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9.All-Inclusive Ishigaki Island Shore Excursion with English Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $123

Join Sander, an English-speaking local guide, for a 5 to 6-hour Ishigaki shore excursion from the cruise terminal. Visit Yaima Village, Kabira Bay, Cape Oganzaki, Yonehara Beach, Banna Park, and Yonekoyaki Craft Center, with lunch, drinks, snacks, towels, sunscreen, and WiFi included.

“Great tour experience covering all major sites on Ishigaki Island. Sander was a great tour guide and really went out of his way to ensure we all had a great time. The vehicle had a screen showing the sites and explanations of some of the areas Read more”

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10.Nara private tour (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $235

Spend about eight hours exploring Nara with a private guide from Osaka or Kobe port. Meet guides such as Ichiro, Aki, Miyo, or Kaori, then visit Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara Park, and Naramachi. Lunch is included, while train, subway, or private-van costs are extra.

“Our tour guide, Aki-san, was awesome! She paid attention to every detail, answered all of our questions and was extremely patient with my two grandchildren. She even entertained us at the end of the tour with fun clapping songs to end our tour in a very happy and dynamic mood.”

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11.Kyoto Day Trip from Osaka Port – Private Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $313

Spend about eight hours traveling from Osaka Port to Kyoto with a private English- or Japanese-speaking host. Shape your day around Gion, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, the Imperial Palace, Fushimi sake, or Nishiki Market. Hosts such as Kalid, Mayura, Shu, and Loys Le Goff can adjust the pace and route.

“It was a fantastic trip. Kyoto and the surrounding areas were stunning. Our tour guide, Khalid, set up a great itinerary for us, and we had a great day out.”

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