Japan Holiday FAQs: Planning Your Trip
Straight answers to the questions we're asked most, from our Japan specialists.
Jump to: Planning and booking · When to go · Getting around · Where you'll stay · Who Japan suits · Before you go
Planning and booking
Why book Japan with a specialist rather than do it myself?
Our Japan specialists plan your whole trip with you: flights, hotels, rail, guides and transfers, in the right order and at the right pace. We know the iconic highlights and the quieter places, and how to see the busiest sights before the crowds arrive. Flights and hotels booked together with us are ATOL protected, and we don't charge an admin fee if you need to change something. Share a few details and you'll hear back within 24 hours, with no obligation.
Start planning your Japan trip
Are your Japan holidays private or group tours?
All our Japan holidays are private and tailor-made, so there are no fixed departure dates and no group to keep pace with. Most trips mix guided tours with time to explore on your own. A few experiences, such as a walking tour of Kyoto's geisha district, are in small groups.
Can I change your itineraries?
Yes. Our Japan trips are starting points, not fixed tours. We can add or remove places, change the pace, swap hotels or build something new around your interests. Many trips also come with a choice of Standard, Superior or Deluxe hotels.
How long do I need in Japan?
We recommend 12 to 16 nights. The direct flight takes about 14 hours and Japan is 8 hours ahead of the UK in summer (9 in winter). The flight out is overnight, so allow an extra day door to door.
For a first visit, Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto are the classic combination: see Tokyo, Fuji & Kyoto (9 nights) or Classic Japan by Train (13 nights).
How much does a holiday to Japan cost?
Our Japan holidays start from £2,895 per person for 9 nights, including flights from the UK. Our 13 to 16-night trips start from £2,950 to £4,860 per person, depending on the route, season and hotels.
Once you're there, Japan is surprisingly good value. Eating out can cost very little, from noodle bars to convenience-store snacks. The bigger costs are ryokan stays, taxis and private guides, and we'll help you decide where they're worth it.
What's included in the price?
Our prices are per person and include return flights from the UK with taxes and checked baggage, hotels, rail travel, transfers and the guided tours listed on each trip. We usually fly with British Airways, Japan Airlines or Finnair, and regional UK airports are often possible.
How do I book and pay?
Tell us what you'd like and we'll come back with ideas and a personalised itinerary, with no obligation. To book, you pay a 20% deposit, with the balance due 12 weeks before you travel. We don't charge an admin fee for changes, although airlines and hotels may have their own charges. Read our booking conditions
Is my money protected?
Yes. Our holidays are ATOL protected (ATOL T9762), we're members of the Travel Trust Association (U5660), and the money you pay us goes into a designated trust account. How your money is protected
When to go
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most popular times, with comfortable temperatures, cherry blossom and autumn colours. Summer brings festivals and lush countryside but is hot and humid, with a rainy season in June and July and typhoons possible from June, most often from July to September. Winter is cold and crisp, with snow in the mountains and the north, and is often the clearest time for views of Mount Fuji.
When are cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons in Japan?
Cherry blossom usually reaches Tokyo and Kyoto between late March and early April. These are the busiest and most expensive weeks to travel; mid-March is calmer, and from mid-April the blossom moves north and into the mountains.
Autumn colours start in Hokkaido and the mountains in October, reach Nikko and Hakone in early to mid-November, and arrive in Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka from late November into early December.
See Japan in Bloom, or read our guide to choosing your season.
How far ahead should I book a Japan holiday?
For cherry blossom or autumn colours, as early as you can, ideally 9 to 12 months ahead, as the best-located hotels and ryokan go first. Golden Week (late April to early May) is also very busy. At other times of year, a few months' notice is usually enough.
Will I see Mount Fuji?
We can't promise it. Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially in summer, and your best chance is a clear morning between late autumn and early spring. Most of our trips include a night in Hakone rather than a day trip, which gives you more than one chance to see it.
Getting around
Is it easy to get around Japan without speaking Japanese?
Yes. In the cities and on the main rail routes, signs and announcements are in English as well as Japanese, and trains run to the minute. Your English-speaking guides help on guided days, and a translation app is handy for menus.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
Since the big price rise in 2023, only if you're covering a lot of ground. Our longer rail itineraries include a pass, and on shorter routes individual tickets are often cheaper. Either way, rail travel is included in the price of our Japan holidays.
Tip: for a small fee, your hotel can send your suitcase on to your next hotel, so you can travel light on the trains. Very large suitcases need a reserved luggage space on the Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train. Read our Japan planning tips
How much walking is involved?
Expect plenty. Station changes, temple steps and exploring on foot are all part of a Japan holiday, so bring comfortable shoes. For a gentler pace, Zen Japan is built around slow travel. If you love walking, Active Japan includes the Nakasendo Trail and the Kumano Kodo.
Where you'll stay
What are hotels and ryokan like in Japan?
We specialise in boutique hotels and will match your style and budget. City rooms can be small, especially in Tokyo, and check-in is often not until 3pm.
We recommend at least one night in a ryokan, a traditional inn where you take your shoes off at the door, sleep on a futon and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner. Many have hot-spring baths, and it's often the night people remember most.
Can I use the hot springs if I have tattoos?
Many public baths and hot springs in Japan don't admit people with tattoos. We know ryokan with private baths where it's not an issue, so just mention it when you enquire.
Who Japan suits
Is Japan good for families?
Very. Trips can be built around your children's interests, from anime and sumo to Disney, martial arts and castles. Japan Family Adventure includes Tokyo Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan, a sushi-making class and a night in a ryokan.
Is Japan safe, including for solo travellers?
Japan is one of the safest destinations in the world, including for solo travel. Take the same precautions you would at home, especially in Tokyo's nightlife districts. Japan is in an earthquake zone: hotels and stations post clear instructions, and the Japan Visitor Hotline (+81 50 3816 2787) gives help in English during natural disasters.
Is Japan good for a honeymoon?
Yes, it's a wonderful choice. Think a ryokan with your own private hot-spring bath, Kyoto's temples and gardens, and Tokyo's restaurants and skyline. See our Japan honeymoon hotels and ryokan
I've been to Japan before. Where should I go next?
Try Shikoku, much quieter than the main island, with the castle city of Matsuyama and Dogo Onsen, or Kyushu in the south. You could also add a temple stay on Mount Koya, a night in the thatched village of Shirakawa-go or a walk on the Kumano Kodo. Japan Heritage and Zen Japan both go beyond the usual route.
Can I combine Japan with another country?
Yes. Our trips include South Korea & Japan and Japan with California or Hawaii, or you could finish with a few days on a beach elsewhere in Asia. See our multi-country Japan holidays
Before you go
Do I need a visa for Japan from the UK?
British passport holders don't need to apply for a visa before a holiday of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay and have a blank page for the entry stamp. Rules can change, so check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
Can I take my usual medicines to Japan?
Check first. Japan bans some common UK medicines, including Vicks inhalers, some allergy and sinus remedies, cold and flu tablets containing pseudoephedrine, and some painkillers containing codeine. Visitors have been detained for carrying them. If you're unsure about a medicine, check with the Embassy of Japan in the UK before you travel.
Should I take cash or cards, and will my phone work?
Cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for small restaurants, temples and the countryside. 7-Eleven cash machines usually accept UK cards. A rechargeable travel card such as Suica or PASMO, which you can add to an iPhone wallet, makes local trains, buses and convenience stores easy. For mobile data, an eSIM is the simplest option, but check your UK network's roaming charges first.
What etiquette should I know about?
Carry your passport at all times, as the law requires it. Take your shoes off in ryokan, temples and some restaurants. Tipping isn't expected. Keep your voice down and avoid phone calls on trains, and only smoke in designated areas, as smoking on the street is illegal in Tokyo and some other cities. In a hot spring, wash before you get in, and keep the small towel on your head, not in the water.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, but it takes more planning than at home. Many Japanese dishes use fish stock (dashi), so vegetarian, vegan and some allergy diets can be tricky, especially at traditional ryokan dinners. Tell us when you enquire and we'll take it into account when choosing your hotels, ryokan and guided days.
What happens if something goes wrong while I'm in Japan?
Your travel documents include the contact details to use if you need help during your trip. Medical care in Japan is excellent but expensive, and you'll be asked to pay the full cost of treatment, so travel insurance is essential. Arrange it when you book.
Still have a question?
Call our Japan specialists on 0333 7000 747 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or send us an enquiry and you'll hear back within 24 hours.
