There is this thing in Japan called the JTB: The Japan Tourism Board. If you see a busload of Japanese tourists, look for someone (usually a woman) with a badge leading them saying in a really high-pitched voice “minna-san, minna-san!” (“Everybody everybody!”). She will probably have “JTB” on a patch somewhere on her body.
The JTB is like a travel agency on steroids. You can go in totally clueless with a free week and a check and walk out with an elaborate vacation. When I went, I had the vague notion “I want to see castles.” My consultant scheduled me a 3 day trip to a castle, and on the way a museum dedicated to a famous Japanese doctor, a walk through a scenic forest, and of course lots of onsen. Onsen. Hot baths. The main things Japanese tourists do are go visit temples and onsen. The JTB has serious onsen issues. If you go in with your wad of cash and ask for a vacation without onsen your representative will probably have an aneurism. Like, “WHAT. Oooh, I understand. You must be confused! You meant ‘I want to only go to one or two onsen.’ ” etc.