In November 2025, WAZA & Friends travelled to Japan for the first time as a small pilot group. The intention was not to create a conventional tour, but to test a slower, more thoughtful way of travelling through Japan: staying longer in fewer places, balancing cities with rural regions, and allowing space for both shared experiences and individual exploration.
The response from that first group was clear and consistent. Participants valued the unhurried pace, the walkable bases, the combination of urban and regional Japan, and the care taken with logistics, accommodation and food. Several people commented that they felt comfortable travelling as solo participants, that the group size felt right, and that the structure made Japan approachable without being overwhelming. Many also noted that they would gladly have stayed longer, or returned again in a different season.
That feedback directly shapes the two WAZA & Friends visits planned for 2026::
- a Northern Japan Green Spring journey in May, and
- a Central Japan Autumn journey in November.
While both trips share the same underlying philosophy, they differ meaningfully in geography, season, atmosphere and focus.
Learning from the November 2025 pilot
The November 2025 visit confirmed a number of assumptions that now underpin the 2026 trips. Travelling with a group of maximum ten people allowed for flexibility without fragmentation. Staying in central, well-chosen accommodation made it possible to explore on foot and retreat when needed. Mixing major cities with quieter regional areas helped balance stimulation and rest. Participants repeatedly highlighted how valuable it was to have logistics handled in advance, while still being free to opt out of activities, or spend time alone.
Importantly, the group feedback also showed that Japan can feel accessible and rewarding even for first-time visitors, provided the pace is right and expectations are clear. Several travellers remarked that they would not have attempted Japan independently, but felt confident and relaxed within the WAZA & Friends format. These insights are reflected in both 2026 itineraries.
May 2026: Northern Japan in green spring
The May 2026 trip focuses on Tōhoku and Hokkaidō, Japan’s northern regions. This is a journey defined less by headline sights and more by landscape, season and everyday life.
Mid-May in northern Japan is not cherry blossom season anymore, but a transitional period marked by fresh foliage, cooler temperatures and clear air. It falls after Golden Week, Japan’s busiest domestic travel period, which means fewer crowds and a calmer rhythm. The emphasis is on observation rather than spectacle: regional cities instead of megacities, forests and coastlines close to daily life, and food that reflects climate and place.
The itinerary moves gradually north from Tokyo through Sendai and Aomori, crosses into Hokkaidō via Hakodate, and continues by road through Lake Tōya, Jōzankei and Sapporo before returning to Tokyo. Travel days are deliberately spaced to avoid constant packing and unpacking, and driving sections allow for unscheduled stops and small discoveries along the way.
This trip suits travellers who are interested in a quieter, more spacious Japan: people who enjoy walking, food culture, nature and regional identity, and who value time to absorb a place rather than move quickly through it. It also works well for those who prefer cooler weather and less visual intensity than peak blossom or autumn foliage seasons.
November 2026: Central Japan in late autumn
The November 2026 trip builds directly on the rhythm and structure of the 2025 pilot, with a refined circular route through central Honshū. Beginning and ending at Kansai International Airport, the journey moves through Wakayama and the Kii Peninsula, Tokyo, the mountain town of Myōkō, the regional city of Kanazawa, and Kyoto, with the option to extend time in Osaka.
November is widely regarded as one of the best months to travel in Japan. The heat and humidity of summer have passed, the typhoon season is largely over, and autumn colour unfolds gradually across regions. Higher elevations such as Myōkō often peak earlier, while cities like Kanazawa and Kyoto reach their best colour later in the month. Coastal areas remain greener and milder, creating contrast rather than uniformity.
This itinerary is designed to hold multiple Japans at once: dense cities and quiet rural landscapes, historic centres and contemporary life, forested mountains and coastal towns. Compared to May, it places more emphasis on craft traditions, cultural sites and late-autumn atmosphere, while still maintaining flexibility and space for personal exploration.
Feedback from the 2025 group indicated a strong appreciation for this balance, particularly the time spent in Kanazawa and the mountain regions, as well as the ability to experience major cities without feeling rushed or over-programmed. The 2026 version adds an extra night to ease the pace further and incorporates lessons learned around timing, accommodation and optional activities.
Two trips, one shared approach
Both WAZA & Friends visits in 2026 are limited to eight participants, travelling with two coordinators. They are not commercial package tours, but peer-coordinated group journeys arranged through established Japanese service providers. Accommodation prioritises location, walkability and atmosphere rather than luxury branding. Days typically involve 5–10 km of relaxed walking, with frequent pauses and alternatives for those who prefer to slow down.
The trips are suited to people who want structure without rigidity, context without overload, and a way of experiencing Japan that values everyday life as much as recognised highlights. They are not designed for travellers seeking constant guided activity, luxury resorts, or a checklist-style approach to sightseeing.
Registration and next steps
Full information documents for both the May and November 2026 visits are available, outlining itineraries, costs, inclusions and practical considerations in detail. Registration is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited spaces per trip.
If you are interested in joining either of the 2026 WAZA & Friends visits to Japan, you can register your interest via the online form linked below. Completing the form does not commit you to participation, but ensures you receive all relevant information and updates as planning progresses.
Register your interest HERE.
