2026 Trips are ON SALE! (Part 1)
2026 Trips are here!
As many of you have already noticed, a few weeks ago we launched our full lineup of trips for 2026! They are all awesome and we are very much looking forward to bringing each and every one of them to you.
This year, the theme of our trip launch is “PacSet vs. The Robots.” We think the best journeys are those that have a human touch, not the ones that are the result of asking Ch*t GeePeeTee where you should go in Japan. In honor of the theme, everyone who signs up for a PacSet trip between now and October 31 gets $100 off their trip AND a limited-edition T-shirt featuring our mascot Kippu taking out a city-destroying robot. Look at how awesome this thing is:
The shirt is designed by Juliana Chen, whose work includes the Momo series of Halloween Google doodles. Shirts will be delivered to everyone this coming December. The shirt will ONLY be available during this promotion, after which it will be gone. And no, you cannot purchase one outside of this promotion – you’ve gotta sign up for a trip!
Speaking of trips, let’s talk about those, shall we?
PART 1: THE SHORTER TRIPS
The biggest change to our schedule in 2026 is a simple one: there are a lot of shorter trips on the sched! Why? Three reasons:
Budget. We wanted to give everyone a few more affordable options.
Customization. We’ve heard a lot of you ask for trips that pair well with your own solo travel to Tokyo or other spots. That’s what these trips are! You’re welcome.
Time. Some of us work for companies with really limited PTO. Our short trips are built to maximize cool experiences while burning a little less of that precious off time.
Makes sense, right? Also: if you do have extra time, you can sign up for multiple trips in a row for a special combo price. Think of it like those fast-food combo meals, except... trips. Actually, they really aren’t like those combo meals at all, huh? Let’s move on.
At the time of this post going live, many of the trips do not have a final price; we’re still getting final quotes from hotels for them. Once we do, we’ll update the price. Until then, if you want to sign up and save your spot, you get an extra $50 off in addition to the current $100 discount. Wow!
Here’s a look at the seven shorter trips: what they are, where they go, who they are for, and a bonus fact about each one. On with the list:
BEST OF THE WEST
What: An urban-centric trip with a lot of cool under-explored spots tossed in. There’s a CAVE on this sucker, friends.
Where: Fukuoka, Hagi Onsen, Hiroshima, and points between.
Who it’s for: Anyone who thinks that the best of urban Japan is in Tokyo and wants to be proved wrong. Fukuoka and Hiroshima are some of Japan’s most storied trade ports and culture-rich cities, and there’s something for everyone here, from historical marvels to streets lined with the best ramen you’ll ever have. You’ll also visit Hagi, a citrus growing old castle town where the hot spring is on the beach and the city feels like you’ve stepped into a time machine to the feudal area.
Bonus fact: We’ve included meals at some of our favorite places on this one, so if you have a curious palate, come on down!
SETO SEASIDER 2026
What: A deep dive into the area around Japan’s most famous sea, complete with a stay in a traditional machiya and an unreasonable amount of delicious citrus fruits.
Where: Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen, Kurashiki, Okayama, and Kobe
Who it’s for: This is a really good one for the person who wants to do Tokyo but isn’t sure where to go from there. This trip has it all: views (a waterfront train cruise!), a diverse collection of lodging of all kinds, and the city in the Kansai area that everyone skips despite it having some of the best food in the world.
Bonus fact: This will be the first trip we’ve ever operated where we’ll be renting a Machiya. You’re welcome.
SPRING SPECIAL 2026
What: Cherry blossoms, fancy accommodations, and relaxation. If that doesn’t sell this trip, I don’t know what will.
Where: Osaka, Ise, Lake Hamana, and points between
Who it’s for: Do you need a break? Do you want to do, say, three days of exploring those spots in Osaka and Kyoto the internet told you about before we whisk you off to two hot spring resorts and parks where some of Japan’s first cherry blossoms bloom? Yeah, we thought so. ^_^
Bonus fact: Tokyo during the cherry blossoms is expensive as hell. Avoid that by going on this one!
Image courtesy Furano CVB
HOKKAIDO ADVENTURE 2026
What: A summer vacation in a place where the heat isn’t actively trying to kill you.
Where: Asahikawa, Sapporo, and Lake Shikotsu (Resort stay)
Who it’s for: Do you want to discover why people in other parts of Japan are jealous of people in Sapporo during the summertime? Does your idea of “the great outdoors” involve getting to choose between hiking said outdoors or just taking the views in? This is your trip. Also, we’ll be taking it easy in a hot spring on the side of a lake to finish the journey, so you can paddle around, sit in the hot spring, or do a little of both.
Bonus fact: This trip includes a lot of the star locales from our winter trips, and they are just as amazing in the summertime. Get ready for a good time, friends.
Image courtesy Amami Islands CVB
ISLAND HOPPER 2026
What: A summer vacation in a place where the heat will be unable to harm you, since you can just toss yourself into the water and swim around like a dolphin.
Where: Okinawa Main Island, Yoron, Kagoshima
Who it’s for: Anyone who still believes that a summer vacation should feel like a summer vacation; the people who want to experience the best of what people in Japan look forward to in the summer. We’re talking snorkeling, hot springs, being buried in therapeutic sand before you wash off and go to a local bar to have something cold to drink, and so on. You know, fun stuff. Also, this trip visits one of the most unique beaches in the world: an offshore sandbar that transforms into a magical tropical paradise at low tide!
Bonus fact: Evan has been trying to get people to go to Yoron for years now, and he will not stop until he gets to take everyone to “the awesome beach.” You should join him, because he will not stop until he brings people there one way or another.
FROM THE CITY TO THE LAKE 2026
What: A summer vacation in the city combined with our favorite festivals and a unique hot spring with supposed healing properties. Ooh!
Where: Osaka, Kyoto, and Tamatsukuri Onsen outside Matsue City in Shimane.
Who it’s for: If Summer is the only chance you have to travel, you might as well experience the best of what Japan has to offer in terms of summer festivals and fun, which is what this trip is all about! We’ll see Osaka, Kyoto, participate in the massive Gion Festival, shop, see temples, and much, much more before we head to the calming, healing waters of Tamatsukuri Onsen for rest, relaxation, and more exploring. Or just the rest and relaxation; it’s up to you.
Bonus fact: Gion Festival has been a part of our summer trips for a decade now, and we refuse to stop because, in the immortal words of Kesha, the party don’t stop until we walk in.
OMAKASE MINI 2026
What: A complete mystery.
Where: You won’t know until you get there.
Who it’s for: Yes, this is a shorter version of our now (in)famous Omakase blind box trip. Maybe you want to experience a little mystery with that little Tokyo adventure you’ve planned, but, ya know, not too much mystery. We get it. This trip is for you!
Bonus fact: Omakase is becoming PacSet’s most popular trip and we are helplessly addicted to the “mystery trip” concept, so we felt compelled to create this one. Yay!
