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Japan

Ancient customs amid high technology

Japan tailor-made holidays

Introduction

In a country where electric car charge points now outnumber petrol stations, Japan wears its conflict on its kimono sleeve. One moment you could be following in the graceful wake of a geisha past feudal-era castles, and the next taking a Shinkansen bullet to the heart of Tokyo’s skyscraper jumble. Our Japan specialists have travelled the length and breadth of this glorious country to bring you the very best of its culture, landscapes and cuisine. Call them today to start planning your trip, or browse our itineraries for inspiration.

Japan's unique culture

It’s not difficult to read between the lines of Kyoto’s grid system to discover golden lakeside pavilions and moss covered temples. Japan’s ancient capital is home to no fewer than 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But remember, when it comes to exploring cities, don’t forget to look up. Many a dinner date has been missed despite neon signs covering the entire fifth floor restaurant. Indeed, from Michelin-starred subway station sushi counters to holes in the wall serving steaming gyoza dumplings, Japan is a gastronomic delight. And, throughout your trip, you’ll be greeted by that quintessentially Japanese architecture style that favours bold reds and graceful arcs. It’s one that’s lasted from 7th century Nara temples to 18th century Edo period residences.

Kyoto, Honshu - Japan tailor-made holidays

Kyoto, Honshu

Japan's natural world

Step outside the bustle of urban Japan to discover the country’s best kept secret – its natural world. Southern islands feature palm tree fringed sands while northern Hokkaido’s lakes, mountains and coasts are home to sea eagles and iconic Japanese cranes. The, of course, there's iconic Mt. Fuji – that famous backdrop for a million Japanese snapshots. And, after a day spent on the trails and in the teahouses of the Japanese Alps, return to a ryokan inn where onsen (hot spring) baths, tatami mats and traditional gardens are as welcoming as when they first hosted travelling shoguns. 

Lake Ashi & Mt Fuji - Japan tailor-made holidays

Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji

Japan's thrilling cities

Main island Honshu forms the insular and cultural backbone of the Japanese archipelago. In Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima, it’s home to city superpowers but don’t be blinded by the lights. Kyoto and Nara’s ancient capital heritage, Miyajima’s floating island iconography and its idyllic alpine retreats prove that there’s much more to Japan than skyscraping glamour.

Tokyo - Japan tailor-made holidays

Tokyo crossing

Japan's islands

A chance to head off the tourist trail, Shikoku – the smallest of Japan’s four main islands – rewards with hidden valley hot springs, artist island retreats and grand Edo period castle towns. Don’t miss out on its most sacred shrine whose hilltop perch offers views out over pristine farmland to gently sloping mountains beyond. Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island has endured an explosive past. However, volcanoes that once formed its imposing ridges now fuel bubbling onsen baths and timber castles that fought off mercenary samurai today welcome visitors with cherry blossom blushes. Nagasaki has similarly shrugged off its difficult history with picturesque memorial gardens and a thriving food scene. 

Kyushu - Japan tailor-made holidays

Kumamoto Castle, Kyushu

Japan's national parks

Swap southern subtropical islands for Japan’s northern borderlands where well-heeled Tokyoites come to get away from it all in vast national park wildernesses. In winter, warm up in lakeside resorts after witnessing crashing ice floes off the coast and, come summer, enjoy walks that take you through patchwork lavender fields and up forested mountains. If you’re lucky you’ll spot a Japanese crane or perhaps a sea eagle, perched on a freshly calved iceberg.

Hokkaido - Japan tailor-made holidays

Lake Toya, Hokkaido, Japan

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
12 hours

Time zone
GMT +9

Currency
Yen (¥)

Language
Japanese

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

See Japan travel guide

Top itineraries in Japan

Sensoji, Tokyo, Japan

Essential Japan

10-day tailor-made holiday from £4,390 pp incl. flights

Get a taste of all that this spectacular and multi-faceted country has to offer, with private tours of Tokyo, traditional ryokan stays, trips on Japan's 200mph bullet train and visits to world famous temples.

Mt Fuji, Japan

Best of Japan

14-day tailor-made holiday from £7,760 pp incl. flights

With a rail pass and a host of included tours and traditional ryokan stays, this is your chance to experience the best Japan has to offer as you explore the country's hi-tech cities, ancient temples and spectacular national parks.

Osaka, Japan

Japan's Cherry Blossoms with Silversea

18-day luxury ocean cruise from £11,000 pp incl. flights

Experience Japan's cherry blossom season on this all-encompassing, all-inclusive luxury Silversea cruise, exploring the country's ancient and modern worlds surrounded by the beauty of spring.

Okinawa, Japan

Highlights of Japan & Okinawa

16-day tailor-made holiday from £8,165 pp incl. flights

Experience the best of Japan's culture and coast, with private tours, traditional ryokan stays, bullet train trips and even a stay on a pair of tropical island idylls.

See all itinerary ideas

What our clients say about our Japan holidays

  • A wonderful trip. The accommodations and itinerary we planned with Alex and the subsequent help and advice from Hannah and people at Inside Japan all made this an unforgettable experience. Like the trains, everything ran like clockwork. Our only regret is that we did not spend longer in Japan - we will have to return!

    Peter P

  • Tim Tan has been excellent in every way to organize our travel to New Zealand and Japan. All arrangements regarding travel tickets on trains and buses were clear and easily followed. The guides that were arranged for us in various places in Japan were knowledgeable ,friendly and punctual.

    Peter P

  • Great service from Debbie Mayger and your contacts in Japan. The guides we had in Japan were first class

    R A R

  • Very timely and appropriate responses to any questions we had prior to booking.

    Kamalnayan K

Top places to stay in Japan

Park Hyatt, Tokyo

Park Hyatt, Tokyo

Contemporary hotel

This ‘Lost in Translation’ centrepiece towers over Shinjuku’s contagious energy and makes for luxury stays in the city centre.

Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Contemporary hotel

Despite being the first luxury international hotel in Kyoto, fine Japanese dining and clean lines complemented by bonsai trees and tatami mats give this deluxe hotel a real sense of place.

Palace Hotel, Tokyo

Palace Hotel, Tokyo

Contemporary hotel

This is modern luxury set on the moat-shores of an imperial dynasty in central Tokyo.

Hakone Ginyu, Hakone

Hakone Ginyu, Hakone

Accommodation

Spacious rooms with private baths and sweeping mountain views set the scene for this traditional Hakone ryokan

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Where to go in Japan

Japan’s volcanic archipelago offers mountains, island getaways, and the fast pace of some of the world’s most technologically advanced cities. Explore from the northern island of Hokkaido to epic Mt. Fuji, the outdoor haven of Kyushu and subtropical Okinawa.

Tokyo & Surrounds

You needn't travel far from Tokyo's neon-hazed streets to escape the world's ultimate metropolis and uncover a softer side to Japan. The quiet mountain town of Nikko, the seaside setting of tranquil Kamakura and the springtime blossoms of Mito's many plum trees are just some of the highlights.

Cranes, Japan

Hokkaido

Japan’s northern frontier and second largest island hosts just five percent of the country’s population, despite featuring 30,000 square miles of volcanic peaks, glassy lakes and icy coastline. It’s a world away from main island Honshu’s cram.

Hakone (Mt Fuji)

Hakone is well loved for two attractions in particular - the iconic view of sacred, symmetrical Mount Fuji seen across Lake Ashi, and its high concentration of bubbling onsen (hot springs).

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

Kyoto

As the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, Kyoto is filled with a wealth of cultural treasures - among them 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines.

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What to do in Japan

Perhaps it’s the rich culture of Japan that entices you to visit, or the promise of soft blooms capping rows of cherry blossom trees in springtime, or the opportunity to zoom through the countryside on a shinkansen, or bullet train.

Tea ceremony, Japan

History and culture

Visit temples and walk through vermilion tori gates, meet geisha for a tea ceremony or learn the intricacies of a tea ceremony on a cultural tour of Japan’s most beloved traditions.

Blossom Season in Shikoku

Nature Holidays

A famous appreciation for nature makes Japan a top spot for outdoorsy holidays. Catch the cherry blossom season, witness the colours of an autumn foliage tour, explore volcanoes on a guided trek, or soak in a mineral bath at an onsen—wherever you go, Japan’s natural beauty is impossible to ignore.

When to go to Japan

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The best times to visit Japan are the mild, climatically stable seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Spring is when Japan’s famous cherry trees bloom. Starting from Kyūshū in March, the sakura zensen (cherry tree blossom line) advances northward, usually passing the main cities of Honshū and Hokkaidō from early April. The autumn foliage line reverses the advance of the cherry blossom, starting in the north in October and peaking across Honshū in November. Midwinter (December to February) can be cold, particularly on the Sea of Japan coasts of Honshū and on Hokkaidō, while …

See regional weather

Japan articles

  • Mt. Fuji and Chureito Red Pagoda, Japan

    Japan's Cherry Blossom Season

    Discover the ins and outs of Japan's cherry blossom season: when to travel, where to visit and, most importantly, when to book.

  • Okinawa: Japan's hidden paradise

    Discover one of the least celebrated gems of Japan; Okinawa. In a world of its own, the archipelago is as diverse as it is plentiful, stretching from a main island in the north – featuring its cosmopolitan city namesake – to Ishigaki in the south, a paradise of pristine waters & exotic marine life.

  • Fushimi Shrine, Kyoto

    Top 10 etiquette tips for travelling to Japan

    Prepare yourself for a trip to Japan with these insider secrets, from the nuances of of how to pay in a restaurant to why you shouldn't tip.

  • Osaka Castle, Japan

    Just back from: Japan

    Wexas specialist Stav Banks has just returned from an unforgettable trip through Japan, enjoying hot spring soaks, historic hikes and excellent cuisine. Read her in-depth review to learn more.

See all articles

Meet our Japan experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0689

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0689 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

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