Japan Tour Packages

Your complete Japan travel guide, plus handpicked holidays crafted by our experts.

Japan Travel Guide

Nowhere balances the ancient and the futuristic quite like Japan. In a single week you can stand beneath cherry blossom at a thousand-year-old shrine in Kyoto, ride a bullet train at 300 km/h, soak in a mountain onsen as snow falls, and lose an evening in the neon canyons of Tokyo.

Our Japan tour packages take in the classic golden route — Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka — as well as the quieter Japan of Takayama's wooden streets, Hiroshima's grace, Kanazawa's gardens and Hokkaido's powder snow. Whether you are chasing cherry blossom, autumn colour, food, culture or first tracks, every Japan holiday we create is crafted around your pace, with rail passes, handpicked hotels and ryokan stays, and expert local guides who open doors you would never find alone.

Japan Travel Guide and Tips

Japan is safe, spotlessly clean, astonishingly punctual and one of the most rewarding countries on earth to travel in. It is also a place with its own way of doing things — a little preparation transforms the experience.

Getting around

The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the backbone of any Japan trip — Tokyo to Kyoto takes just over two hours, and trains leave to the minute.
The Japan Rail Pass can be excellent value if you are covering long distances, though regional passes are often the smarter buy. We will work out which suits your route.
IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) tap you onto every metro, bus and convenience store. Get one on arrival.
Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) sends your suitcase ahead to your next hotel overnight for a few pounds. It is a revelation on a rail trip.

Money

The currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY). Japan is far more card-friendly than it used to be, but cash still matters at small restaurants, shrines and rural inns. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.

Practical tips

Do not tip. It is not the custom and can cause confusion or offence. Excellent service is simply standard.
Get a pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM — navigation apps make Japan effortless.
Public bins are rare. Carry your rubbish until you find one.
Trains and buses are quiet spaces — keep your phone on silent and don't take calls.
Power is 100V, Type A/B plugs.
Learn two words: arigatou gozaimasu (thank you) and sumimasen (excuse me / sorry). They cover most situations.

Geography of Japan

Japan is an archipelago off the eastern edge of Asia, stretching some 3,000 kilometres from the subarctic north to the subtropical south, with the Sea of Japan on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It is made up of thousands of islands, of which four are the main landmasses:

Honshu — the largest and the heart of the country, home to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Mount Fuji.
Hokkaido — the wild, wide-open north: national parks, lavender fields and the finest powder snow in the world.
Kyushu — the volcanic, hot-spring-rich south, with a warmer climate and a distinct food culture.
Shikoku — the smallest and most rural of the four, famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage.

Roughly three quarters of Japan is mountainous, which is why the cities are so densely packed into the coastal plains. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, giving it dramatic volcanoes, thousands of natural hot springs — and earthquakes, for which Japan is the best-prepared nation on earth.

Presiding over it all is Mount Fuji (3,776 m), the near-perfect volcanic cone that has been the country's defining symbol for centuries.

Climate of Japan

Japan has four beautifully distinct seasons, and the Japanese are deeply attuned to them — the seasons shape the food, the festivals, the poetry and the travel calendar.

Spring (March to May)

Mild, fresh and famous. The cherry blossom (sakura) front sweeps north from late March into April. It is the single most popular time to visit, and for good reason.

Summer (June to August)

Hot and humid. A rainy season (tsuyu) runs from around early June to mid-July across most of the country, and August can be genuinely sticky, with a typhoon risk into September. It is, however, the season of fireworks and spectacular festivals — and Hokkaido stays pleasantly cool.

Autumn (September to November)

Crisp, clear and arguably the best time of all. The autumn foliage (koyo) turns the maples of Kyoto and Nikko into fire, moving south from late September to early December.

Winter (December to February)

Cold and dry in Tokyo and Kyoto, with brilliant blue skies. The Japan Sea coast, the Alps and Hokkaido receive extraordinary snowfall, making Japan one of the world's great ski destinations. Meanwhile, Okinawa stays subtropical and mild all year.

Culture of Japan

Japanese culture rewards attention. On the surface it is orderly, quiet and impeccably polite; underneath runs a deep aesthetic sensibility — a love of imperfection, impermanence and the changing seasons.

Two faiths coexist naturally: Shinto, the indigenous religion of shrines, spirits and nature, and Buddhism, of temples and contemplation. Most Japanese people move between both without contradiction.

What shapes daily life

Wa (harmony) — the group matters. Politeness, restraint and not causing trouble for others are core values.
Omotenashi — hospitality offered wholeheartedly and without expectation of reward. It is why service in Japan feels so genuine, and why tipping is unnecessary.
Bowing — the everyday greeting, apology and thank-you, all in one.
Craft and mastery — the tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana, ceramics, sword-making: the Japanese devotion to doing one thing supremely well.
Onsen and ryokan — bathing in natural hot springs and staying in a traditional inn on tatami mats is not a tourist activity here; it is a national pastime.
Pop culture — anime, manga, gaming and street fashion sit happily alongside the ancient. Both are authentically Japan.

Japan Tourism

Japan has become one of the world's most desirable destinations, and it delivers on every promise: flawless infrastructure, extraordinary food, profound history, superb service and a level of safety and cleanliness that visitors never quite get over.

The country holds 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among them the temples of Kyoto and Nara, the shrines of Nikko, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the historic villages of Shirakawa-go, sacred Mount Fuji, and the primeval forests of Yakushima and Shiretoko.

The Golden Route

Most first-time visitors follow the classic line: Tokyo → Hakone / Mount Fuji → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka, linked effortlessly by bullet train. It is popular because it works — a near-perfect introduction to the country in 8 to 12 days.

Beyond the Golden Route

Return visitors — and the more adventurous first-timers — head for Kanazawa's gardens, the wooden streets of Takayama, the temples of Koyasan, Hiroshima and Miyajima's floating torii, the art islands of Naoshima, the ski fields of Hokkaido or the beaches of Okinawa. Getting there is easy; the trains do the hard work.

Things to Do in Japan

Japan is a country of experiences rather than a checklist of sights. These are the ones our travellers remember most.

Walk the vermillion torii gates of Fushimi Inari in Kyoto at dawn, before the crowds arrive.
Ride the Shinkansen — and catch Mount Fuji flashing past the window.
Soak in an onsen in the mountains, ideally with snow falling outside.
Stay in a ryokan and be served a multi-course kaiseki dinner in your room.
See the cherry blossom — hanami picnics under the trees in spring, or blazing maples in autumn.
Eat your way through Osaka — takoyaki, okonomiyaki and the neon of Dotonbori.
Cross Shibuya Scramble, then find a tiny six-seat bar in Golden Gai.
Meet the deer of Nara and stand before the Great Buddha at Todai-ji.
Pay your respects at Hiroshima, then take the ferry to Miyajima's floating shrine.
Ski Hokkaido or Nagano — some of the lightest, deepest powder on the planet.
Watch a sumo tournament, or a morning training session at a stable.
Take a tea ceremony, sushi-making or calligraphy class with a master.

Best Time to Visit Japan

Japan is a genuinely year-round destination — each season offers something completely different, and there is no wrong time to go. It is more a question of what you want to see.

Spring (late March to May) — cherry blossom

The most sought-after season. Sakura typically peaks in Kyoto and Tokyo from late March into early April, moving north through April and reaching Hokkaido in May. Blossom is brief — around a week per location — and dates shift each year, so plan flexibly and book early.

Autumn (October to November) — foliage

Our quiet favourite. Cool, clear and dry, with the maples turning spectacular shades of red and gold. Fewer crowds than spring, and superb walking weather.

Winter (December to February) — snow and onsen

Crisp, bright days in the cities; world-class powder in Hokkaido and Nagano; and the deep pleasure of an outdoor hot spring in the snow. Also the cheapest season.

Summer (June to August) — festivals

Hot and humid, with a rainy spell in June and July, but alive with fireworks and Japan's greatest festivals. Head to Hokkaido or the mountains to escape the heat.

Dates to avoid if you can

Golden Week (late April to early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year are the three periods when the whole country travels at once — expect packed trains, higher prices and limited availability.

Places to Visit in Japan

From neon megacity to silent bamboo grove, these are the places we build most Japan itineraries around.

Tokyo — the greatest city on earth for some: Shibuya and Shinjuku, Asakusa's Senso-ji temple, teamLab, the world's best food scene, and a small bar down every alley.
Kyoto — a thousand years of temples, shrines, Zen gardens and geisha districts. Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama's bamboo grove and Gion.
Nara — the Great Buddha of Todai-ji and a park full of famously bowing deer.
Osaka — Japan's kitchen: bold, loud, friendly and delicious.
Hakone & Mount Fuji — hot springs, lake cruises and the classic view of the mountain.
Hiroshima & Miyajima — the Peace Memorial Park, and the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
Takayama & Shirakawa-go — a beautifully preserved old town, and thatched farmhouses in the mountains.
Kanazawa — Kenroku-en garden, samurai and geisha districts, and superb seafood.
Nikko — lavishly carved shrines set among cedar forests and waterfalls.
Koyasan — stay overnight in a Buddhist temple lodging on a sacred mountain.
Hokkaido — Sapporo, Niseko's powder, lavender fields and volcanic national parks.
Okinawa — subtropical islands, coral reefs and a culture all of its own.

Food and Restaurants in Japan

Japan may be the finest place to eat in the world. It is not just the ingredients or the technique — it is the seriousness, the seasonality and the fact that a tiny counter with six seats can be as memorable as a Michelin dining room.

What to eat

Sushi & sashimi — at their best at a counter, one piece at a time, from the chef's hands to yours.
Ramen — a national obsession, with a different style in every region: rich tonkotsu, clear shoyu, miso in the north.
Tempura — impossibly light, fried to order.
Wagyu beef — Kobe, Matsusaka and Omi, seared on an iron plate or in a shabu-shabu pot.
Udon & soba — thick wheat and delicate buckwheat noodles, hot or chilled.
Okonomiyaki & takoyaki — Osaka's savoury pancake and octopus balls.
Yakitori — grilled skewers, smoke and beer, in a lantern-lit alley.
Kaiseki — the multi-course seasonal haute cuisine of Kyoto: a work of art on a plate.
Matcha and wagashi — powdered green tea with delicate seasonal sweets.

Where to eat

Follow the queues; the Japanese never queue for bad food. Explore izakaya (Japanese pubs) for small plates and beer, depachika (the food halls in the basements of department stores) for extraordinary takeaway, and don't be snobbish about konbini — a 7-Eleven egg sandwich in Japan is genuinely excellent. We can arrange food tours, sushi-making classes and a table at that seat-only counter you would never get into alone.

Festivals and Events in Japan

Japan's calendar is stitched together by matsuri — festivals that can be riotous, solemn, ancient or joyful, and often all four in one evening.

Hanami (cherry blossom season) — late March to April. Not a festival so much as a national mood: picnics, parties and quiet contemplation beneath the blossom.
Gion Matsuri — Kyoto, all of July. Japan's most famous festival, culminating in vast, ornate floats pulled through the streets.
Tanabata — July or August. The "star festival", with streets draped in colourful streamers and paper wishes.
Nebuta Matsuri — Aomori, early August. Enormous illuminated warrior floats and thunderous drumming.
Awa Odori — Tokushima, mid-August. Japan's largest dance festival.
Obon — mid-August. The ancestors are welcomed home; lanterns are floated on rivers. A time of family, and of heavy domestic travel.
Autumn koyo — October and November. Temples light up their maples after dark.
Sapporo Snow Festival — February. Colossal, exquisite ice and snow sculptures in Hokkaido.
Oshogatsu (New Year) — the most important holiday of the year: shrine visits, special food and family.

Tell us when you plan to travel and we will build the right festivals into your route.

Japan Visa

Entry to Japan is straightforward, and for many travellers no visa is required at all.

Visa-free entry

Passport holders from a large number of countries — including the UK, most of Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia — can enter Japan visa-free for short-term tourism, typically for up to 90 days. You may not work on a visa-free entry.

If you do need a visa

Nationals of many other countries, including India, require a tourist visa before travelling. Japan now offers an eVISA for eligible applicants, applied for online, which removes the need to visit a consulate in many cases. Otherwise, applications are made through the Japanese embassy or an authorised visa agency.

What you will typically need

A passport valid for the duration of your stay (six months' validity is strongly recommended).
A completed application form and a recent photograph.
A day-by-day itinerary and confirmed flight and hotel bookings.
Bank statements showing sufficient funds, and often proof of employment.

Visit Japan Web

All travellers are encouraged to complete Visit Japan Web online before arrival. It pre-registers your immigration and customs declarations and produces QR codes, making arrival at the airport considerably faster.

Important: visa rules and eligible nationalities change. Always confirm the current requirements with the official Japanese embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking. If you travel with us, we will tell you exactly what you need and help you prepare your documents.

Do's and Don'ts in Japan

Japan is a country of quiet rules. Nobody will scold you for getting them wrong — but getting them right is noticed, appreciated, and makes the whole trip smoother.

Do

Take your shoes off when entering a home, a ryokan, a temple, and anywhere you see a step up and a shoe rack.
Be quiet on trains. Phones on silent, no calls, conversations kept low.
Queue properly — on platforms, at lifts, everywhere. The Japanese are world champions at it.
Wash thoroughly before entering an onsen, and bathe naked — swimwear is not worn in the water.
Slurp your noodles. It genuinely is fine, and it cools them down.
Carry cash and a small bag for your rubbish.
Use both hands to give and receive business cards, money and gifts.

Don't

Don't tip. It is not customary and may embarrass or confuse the recipient.
Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice, or pass food chopstick-to-chopstick — both echo funeral rites.
Don't eat or drink while walking in the street; step aside or eat where you bought it.
Don't blow your nose in public — step away, or use the bathroom.
Don't assume tattoos are welcome. Many onsen still refuse entry to tattooed guests. Cover small tattoos, or ask us to book a tattoo-friendly or private bath.
Don't photograph geisha in Kyoto's Gion without permission — chasing them is now actively prohibited in some streets.
Don't be late. Trains leave to the second, and so should you.

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FAQs

Japan Travel FAQs

Everything travellers usually ask us before booking a Japan holiday.

What is the best time to visit Japan?

Spring (late March to April) for cherry blossom and autumn (late October to November) for maple colour are the two most beautiful and most popular seasons. Summer is hot and humid but full of festivals, and winter is excellent for snow, skiing and hot springs.

How many days do I need in Japan?

Seven days covers Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto comfortably. Ten to twelve days lets you add Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima. Two weeks or more allows Hokkaido, the Japanese Alps or Kyushu.

Do I need a visa for Japan?

Many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for short tourist stays, while others, including Indian passport holders, generally need a tourist visa applied for in advance. Requirements change, so check with the Japanese embassy or ask us and we will guide you through the documents.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth buying?

It depends on your route. If you are covering long distances such as Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima and back, it usually pays for itself. For a Tokyo-only or Tokyo to Kyoto one-way trip, individual tickets are often cheaper. We will do the maths for your itinerary.

Is Japan expensive?

It is more expensive than Southeast Asia but easier on the wallet than many people expect. Transport and accommodation are the big costs; food can be superb and inexpensive, from convenience-store meals to standing noodle bars.

Do people speak English in Japan?

Signage in stations, airports and major attractions is bilingual, and younger people often have some English, but conversational English is limited. A translation app and an English-speaking guide make everything smooth.

Is Japan safe for tourists?

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with extremely low crime. The main practical risks are earthquakes and typhoons, for which the country is very well prepared.

Is Japan cash-based or card-friendly?

Both. Cards are accepted in most hotels, department stores and chain restaurants, but small restaurants, shrines, markets and rural areas often want cash. Carry some yen and withdraw from 7-Eleven or post office ATMs.

What should I not miss in Japan?

Tokyo (Shibuya, Asakusa, teamLab), Mount Fuji and Hakone, Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Gion), Nara deer park, Osaka street food and Hiroshima with Miyajima island.

Can vegetarians eat well in Japan?

It takes a little planning, because dashi (fish stock) is used in many broths, but it is very doable. Shojin ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine), Indian restaurants and a growing number of vegan cafes make it easy in cities. We brief guides and restaurants in advance.

What is a ryokan and should I stay in one?

A ryokan is a traditional inn with tatami rooms, futon bedding, yukata robes, a multi-course kaiseki dinner and often an onsen hot spring. One or two nights is a highlight of any Japan trip and we strongly recommend it.

Do I need to worry about onsen tattoo rules?

Some traditional onsen still refuse guests with visible tattoos. Many now allow them, offer cover stickers, or have private baths you can book. Tell us in advance and we will select tattoo-friendly options.

How do I get around Japan?

Trains, and they are superb. The shinkansen links major cities at high speed, and dense metro and bus networks cover cities. An IC card (Suica or Pasmo) makes local travel effortless.

Is Japan good for families?

Excellent. It is safe, clean, punctual and endlessly interesting, with theme parks, aquariums, robot and anime attractions, and food most children enjoy. Trains and luggage-forwarding services make travelling with kids easy.

Can you tailor a Japan itinerary for us?

Yes. Every Japan package can be adjusted for pace, budget, season and interests, whether you want cherry blossom, powder snow, food, anime, temples or the Japanese Alps. Send us your ideas and we will design the route.

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