Inside Travel, the parent company of InsideJapan and InsideAsia, has launched its largest-ever small group tour programme for 2026 under the InsideJapan brand, following rising demand in 2025.
The expanded schedule offers more departures than ever before, including additional shoulder-season and off-peak options, giving agents greater opportunities to promote Japan outside peak seasons.
InsideJapan Group Tour Programme Operations Manager Richard Farmer said the decision to grow the programme was driven by exceptional 2025 sales across the board.
“Our 2025 tours sold at a pace we’ve never seen before which not only reflects the popularity of Japan right now, but the demand for the ‘Insider’ escorted small group tour,” InsideJapan group tour programme operations manager Richard Farmer said.
“Our popular Spring Elegance and Autumn Elegance tours sold out completely – even after we added extra departures – and our only all-inclusive All-in Japan tour, followed closely behind. We also saw very strong uptake for award-winning Majestic Japan and our new Must-see Japan tour, despite its later release.
“I think there are some misconceptions around small group travel. Our tours are not like others – they’re not coach tours. We travel mainly by local and bullet train, staying in a mix of hotels, traditional ryokan guest houses, and even temples.
“Along the way we meet craftspeople, connect with communities, and share drinks with trainee geisha (Maiko). Our Insider tour leaders provide a cultural adventure through Japan, offering authentic insight and local connections, while also giving travellers flexibility to explore at their own pace.”
Now, with additional departure dates and more to choose from during off-peak travel season, agents have even more selling flexibility, particularly for value driven travellers.
“As part of our ‘under-tourism’ strategy, we decided to reduce off-peak costs of tours to encourage more travel when there are less people travelling,” Farmer said. “With our 7 per cent shoulder and 15 per cent off-peak reduced pricing now in place from the outset, there’s a real opportunity for agents to present an affordable alternative to peak-season travel.
“For example, a July departure on Classic Japan is priced $1,770 lower per person than October – and the experience is just as culturally rich. People try and avoid the minor ‘rainy season’ in June or the summer months due to heat, but the season is no less impressive than the popular spring and autumn months for travel. The culture that makes Japan so special, doesn’t just stop outside of spring or autumn.
“Gion’s backstreets are quieter, and peaceful moments can be found in the most popular of Zen Gardens. Visitors can relax undisturbed beneath a canopy of wisteria in June or join in the festive atmosphere at unexpected pop-up festivals across the country.”
The 2026 programme includes the Winter Highlights tours that explore the northern island of Hokkaido, its wildlife and winter snowscapes, and Hidden Japan which heads over to Shikoku – the smaller of Japan’s main islands.
The A Northern Soul tour explores the lesser visited rural north of mainland Honshu as well as the Japan Unmasked which travels through the Japanese Alps staying at traditional guest houses and temple lodgings and the essential grade tours still guarantee single rooms with no single supplement.
“Japan has cemented its position as one of the most desirable destinations in the world – and we’ve refined our product to meet the ever-evolving demand,” Inside Travel Group co-founder Simon King said.
“From July 2024 – June 2025, InsideJapan has seen a 21 per cent increase in travel to Japan compared to the previous year, and we’re continuing to see ongoing demand.
“For agents, this is the perfect time to capitalise on traveller interest, especially for clients who want an expertly guided, authentic experience without the stress of planning it themselves.”
AloJapan.com