Japan Vacations

Japan is a country that elegantly blends centuries of unbroken tradition with some of the world’s most innovative modern hubs, offering visitors a truly unique cultural immersion. From sacred temples and tea ceremonies to neon-lit skylines and futuristic architecture, Japan has something for everyone. Whether you're wandering through ancient shrines in Kyoto, sampling world-class sushi in Tokyo, soaking in a natural hot spring in the mountains, or shopping in high-tech districts, each region reveals a different facet of the country's fascinating identity.

For first-time visitors, we always recommend the Golden Route – a highlight-packed journey through Japan that includes Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. This itinerary offers the perfect introduction to the country, balancing the buzz of modern city life with deep cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty. It is a very well-connected route that captures the essence of Japan and everything it has to offer!

For returning visitors, we recommend venturing to the captivating island of Hokkaido – a destination brimming with breathtaking natural landscapes, outdoor adventure, and a rich indigenous Ainu culture waiting to be explored. Alternatively, if you're seeking a more laid-back escape, why not unwind on Japan’s tropical beaches in Okinawa? Spend your days soaking up the sun, discovering traditional arts and crafts, and diving beneath the surface to experience the incredible biodiversity of Japan’s coastal waters.

The most popular time to visit Japan is during cherry blossom season, when the country comes alive with delicate pink blooms lining streets, parks, and riversides. This enchanting period, from late March to early April, transforms Japan’s already beautiful landscapes into scenes straight out of a postcard. Autumn is equally captivating, as vibrant orange and crimson foliage blankets the countryside and cities between October and November. For the ultimate cherry blossom experience, we recommend Tokyo and Kyoto in Style and Discovering Honshu – Central Japan by Train – two of our favourite journeys to witness Japan at its most breathtaking.

Japan’s calendar is filled with exciting holidays and festivals that add a truly special dimension to any trip – offering visitors the chance to experience the country at its most lively!

Golden Week – is a cluster of national holidays that fall in late April to early May when locals usually travel within Japan.

Obon – this is a traditional Buddhist festival where Japanese families like top honour their ancestors by coming together and having lantern ceremonies that include folk dances and firework displays.

New Year (Shogatsu) – New Year is Japan’s most important holiday that they celebrate with temple visits, family gatherings and traditional customs such as eating osechi dishes.

Travelling during these festive periods adds a memorable cultural layer to your journey, making it an incredible time to visit. However, these are also some of the busiest travel seasons in Japan, so early planning is crucial.

Japan is an incredibly well-connected country, making travel between cities smooth and effortless. Thanks to the world-renowned Shinkansen (bullet trains), journey times between major regions have been dramatically reduced, offering a fast, reliable, and comfortable way to explore. These high-speed trains connect not only Japan’s most popular cities but also more rural areas, making them ideal for all types of trips - from cultural city breaks to countryside escapes.

Traditional Japanese accommodation, known as ryokan, offers a truly authentic way to experience Japan. These charming inns often feature tatami-matted rooms, futon beds, sliding paper doors, and access to natural hot spring baths (onsen) providing an added element of culture and relaxation to your trip to Japan. See Gora Karaku Hakone and Zaborin Ryokan for some of our favourite ryokans to stay in.