Honshu Tours

This is Honshu, the main island of 4 in Japan.

Without a doubt everyone knows about Honshu as it contains the 3 most popular cities in Japan, namely Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.  However, there is so much more to see and do apart from the big 3.  It is our intention to show you less popular tourist sites that are just as amazing but without the waiting in long lines and struggling against the crowds of tourists that is all to common in 2025.

Please click on view larger map to see more of Honshu and reference its proximity to other locations in this region of Western and Central Japan.



Our hope is to show people how amazing and impressive this special and rather expansive region of Japan really is.  I am sure you will agree with our unique itineraries and attention to every facet of our tours.

Here are just a few of the ports that we cover in the Honshu region and the relevant Shore Excursions for each one.


1) Yokohama International Passenger Terminal:  Kanagawa Prefecture


This is our main Shore Excursion for the Yokohama port.


Tour Itinerary: 9 hour Full day Tour


Yokohama One-Day Shore Excursion (By Vehicle)

🕘 9:00 AM – Pick-up at Osanbashi Pier (or your cruise terminal)

  • Your driver/guide will meet you at the pier.

  • Quick drive through Yamashita Park, with a scenic stop for harbor views and a photo with the iconic Hikawa Maru ocean liner.

 🕤 9:30 AM – Motomachi Shopping Street & Bluff District

  • Stroll along Motomachi, a European-style street with boutiques and cafés.

  • Drive up to the Bluff area, a charming hillside neighborhood with historical Western houses.

  • Optional visit to Yamate Italian Garden or Berrick Hall.

 🕚 11:00 AM – Sankeien Garden

  • A short drive to this beautiful traditional Japanese garden featuring historic architecture, seasonal flowers, and koi ponds.

  • Great for quiet walking and photography.

  • Optional tea break at the tea house inside the garden.

 🕛 12:30 PM – Lunch in Chinatown

  • Head to Yokohama Chinatown, the largest in Japan.

  • Enjoy a relaxing sit-down lunch with choices like dim sum, Peking duck, or noodles.

  • Quick look at Kanteibyo Temple after lunch.

 🕒 2:00 PM – Cup Noodles Museum or Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery

  • Choose based on your interests:

    • Cup Noodles Museum: Fun and interactive; you can even make your own noodle cup.

    • Nissan Gallery: Great for car enthusiasts; features concept cars and interactive exhibits.

 🕓 3:30 PM – Minato Mirai & Landmark Tower

  • Drive along Minato Mirai waterfront district.

  • Stop at Landmark Tower Sky Garden for panoramic city and bay views from the 69th floor.

  • Optional quick visit to Red Brick Warehouse for souvenirs or snacks.

 🕔 5:00 PM – Return to Ship

  • Leisurely drive back to Osanbashi Pier with a possible scenic loop around the Yokohama Bay Bridge.

  • Arrive by 5:30 PM, well ahead of most ship boarding deadlines.

 🚐 Summary:

  • Total Drive Time: ~2 hours (spread throughout day)

  • Pace: Comfortable, minimal walking required

  • Best for: Photography lovers, foodies, cultural explorers

  • Optional Add-ons: Ramen Museum (if skipping Sankeien), Kirin Brewery Tour (must book ahead)




2) Tokyo International Cruise Terminal:  Tokyo Prefecture




3) Shimizu Port Terminal:  Shizuoka Prefecture



This is our main Shore Excursion for the Port of Shimizu.

Tour Itinerary: 7.5 to 8 hour Full day Tour


Shimizu One-Day Shore Excursion (With Private Vehicle)

🕘 7.30 AM – Pick-up at Shimizu Port

  • Meet your driver/guide at the port exit.

  • Head out for your Mt. Fuji viewing adventure (weather permitting) with scenic routes and curated stops.

 🕤 8:00 AM – Miho no Matsubara (World Heritage Site)

  • Visit the famous pine grove and black sand beach, known for its perfect view of Mt. Fuji across Suruga Bay.

  • Take a short walk to the Miho Shrine, connected to the legend of the celestial maiden.

  • Photo opportunity at the iconic Hagoromo Pine Tree.

 🕚 9:30 AM – Nihondaira Plateau + Ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

  • Drive up to the Nihondaira Plateau, offering panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, tea plantations, and the port.

  • Take the short ropeway ride over a scenic valley to reach Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, the original burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

  • Enjoy the shrine's ornate architecture, forested setting, and deep historical significance.

 🕛 12:00 PM – Lunch at Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”

  • Return to the port area for lunch.

  • Choose from ultra-fresh sushi, kaisendon (seafood bowls), or grilled seafood.

  • Optional quick walk around the market stalls or purchase regional snacks like wasabi products or dried seafood.

 🕒 1:00 PM – Shimizu Port and S-Pulse Dream Plaza

  • Explore the seaside Dream Plaza: a relaxed shopping and entertainment complex.

  • Optional visit to the Chibi Maruko-chan Land (anime fans) or the Ferris Wheel for harbor views.

  • Enjoy coffee, soft cream, or a beer by the water.

 🕓 2:00 PM – Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum (Optional, Time Permitting)

  • If time and energy allow, take a short ride to the nearby Yui area.

  • Visit this compact but beautiful museum showcasing woodblock prints by Hiroshige, especially the Tōkaidō series.

  • Great cultural stop, light on walking, and deeply atmospheric.

 🕔 3:00 PM – Return to Ship

  • Take a scenic coastal drive back to Shimizu Port.

  • Arrive by 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM, with time to spare before ship boarding.

 🚐 Summary:

  • Total Drive Time: ~1.5 to 2 hours (scenic coastal and hillside roads)

  • Pace: Easy to moderate walking; optional steps at shrine

  • Best for: Mt. Fuji views, Japanese history, fresh seafood, art

  • Backup Plan: On cloudy days, focus more on cultural sites and the fish market




3) Nagoya Port Terminal:  Aichi Prefecture


As Nagoya (Aichi prefecture region) is home to both Toyota the Car Company and the Tokugawa Shogunate (He is the military ruler who completed the unification of Japan and moved the capital to Tokyo), the respective commemorative sights are impressive:

  1. Toyota Automobile Museum 
  2. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 
  3. Tokugawa Art Museum 
  4. Tokugawa Garden 
  5. Nagoya Castle - with a uniquely impressive blue turquoise roof 
  6. Noritake Porcelain and Craft Museum  
  7. Shopping Locations with easy access from Nagoya Station  
  8. Osu shopping district and arcade 
  9. Sakae - one of the main shopping, eating, and drinking areas
  10. Brother Museum (i.e. sewing machines, printers, etc - Industrial Manufacturing)  
  11. Go-karts that go 100 miles an hour! Because what trip to Japan wouldn't be complete with out a little insane go-kart racing among couples!
  12. Togokusan Fruits Park - Feel like walking among some fruit trees at a fruit park?
  13. Tomika online shop - Toy cars for Will #1 (or was it #2?).

Yes, I think the first Toyota Museum on the list would be worth it, as well as number 3. And probably for a hilarious end to the trip, # 11! 


4) Kobe Port Terminal: Hyogo Prefecture


Tour company and guide names:
‘Private Tours Japan – Shore Excursions’, in conjunction with ‘Dream Tours Japan’; 

Morning plan before the tour begins:

i) I will arrive at the Kobe Port Cruise Ship Terminal between 8:45 – 9:00 a.m.

ii) Your group will hopefully exit the terminal smoothly.

iii) I’ll be waiting for you in the first-floor lobby or just outside the terminal.

iv) Your Kobe tour includes all transportation, entrance fees, snacks, and drinks. Please note, the
Kobe Beef Lunch is not included in the fee. We will stock the van with a wide variety of Japanese
snacks and drinks. These items are the groups to enjoy while touring and/or to bring with you as
souvenirs at the end of the day. The group will only be responsible for paying for personal items
and souvenirs they buy while visiting the sites.

Tour Itinerary: 7 to 8-hour Tour

1) Pick up at 9:00 a.m. – Kobe Port Cruise Ship Terminal.

2) Drive about 20 minutes to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens – A fascinating and unexpected
‘herb garden’, located on the side of a mountain. A particular highlight is the herbal foot bath!
- Depending on the group’s preferences we may also take the ropeway up to the Welcome Garden
View Plaza.

3) Next we will visit Nada Gogo Sake brewery area for sake tasting with a stop at the Hakutsuru
Sake Brewery Museum along the way. This will probably be the longest part of the tour as we visit
various shops in the area.

4) We will then go in search of Kobe beef! This spot close to China Town – Kobe Beef
Yazawa (in Sannomiya) comes highly recommended!

5) Depending on group preferences, we can possibly spend a little in Kobe’s world famous
Sannomiya Shopping District.

6) Optional – stop for a coffee, tea, and/or snacks while driving or wandering around Kobe.

7) Drive back to Kobe Port Cruise Ship Terminal and arrive no later than 6:00 pm (we can arrive
earlier if the group would prefer).




5) Himeji Port Terminal: Hyogo Prefecture

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