The specialist ran three small group tours in July, with two more in August involving more than 50 clients.
 
“Our first tour ran from 3 July and it has meant so much to the team, the partners on the ground, the customers and our agent partners to be able to send people to Japan again,” said co-founder Simon King. 
 
“With guidelines in place, there was a little concern over customer experience and enjoyment of Japan, but feedback has been hugely positive. Everyone has been blown away by the welcome they have received with ryokan guesthouse owners and restaurant owners laying on a little extra, keen to have international business back.”
 
Current guidelines mean international visitors to Japan must use the services of a tour leader or guide during their time there and there is an added requirement for international travellers to apply for tourism visas.
 
However, King said InsideJapan was able to support visa applications by being a Japanese government licensed operator. 
 
“Our small group tour sales for both June and August have not only been strong but have exceeded the equivalent month in 2019, with July falling narrowly short of its pre-pandemic level. It is reassuring to see that demand for travel to Japan in 2022 and early 2023 is so strong,” added King.
 
Around 30 tours are due to run between September and December. 
 
King added: “There is only a handful of small group tour places left for 2022 and we want our trade partners to be aware that we can get their customers travelling. It is a special time to be in Japan and after over two years of no travel, we are delighted to be making these tours happen again.”