Discover Luxury Japan Holidays
Japan truly is a country unlike any other: rich in extraordinary heritage sites, fascinating idiosyncrasies and exquisite beauty – you are bound to fall under its otherworldly spell. Enjoy a luxury Japan tour with us to witness how this culture-rich island simultaneously embraces new innovations and maintains its past, by upholding traditional Japanese values and immaculately preserving its outstanding heritage and beauty spots. A wide array of other special discoveries await, even its local transport system is unparalleled. Experience Japan in local fashion by enjoying a bentō lunchbox on a lightning-fast 300 kmph bullet train while marvelling at how everything runs precisely to schedule, and catch glimpses of ethereal geisha in their delicate kimonos in Kyoto and Kanazawa.
Explore the natural wonders of its countryside during a trip to Japan and experience renowned hot spring onsen, as well as the hidden paths around the many living temples and shrines. These rural escapes make for ideal day trips from the exhilarating First World capital of Tokyo, especially the historic Nikkō with its UNESCO sites and Hakone with its acclaimed art galleries. There are also many landscaped havens open to the public in the cities themselves, from Shinjuku Gyoen with its Japanese and European areas in Tokyo, to the austere but equally beautiful zen and moss gardens in Kyoto.
Japanese holidays have the reputation of being expensive, but our local guides can find you a hearty bowl of ramen or some side-street sushi at just a few hundred yen, plus you never need to tip anybody. That said, Japan has some of the most luxurious and exclusive restaurants and spa retreats in the world. From the dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants serving cosmopolitan cuisine to the uniquely Japanese multi-course kaiseki feasts included with a ryokan stay, to eat in Japan is a food lover’s dream. Staying in one of Japan’s luxury hotels or traditional ryokans is a highlight as you will experience a level of hospitality that we can often only wish for back home! Some of these traditional Japanese ryokans preserve the architecture and customs of pre-modern Japan, with sliding screen doors, bamboo-mat floors and ornamental gardens. Others offer a new take on the old traditions and Japanese culture, such as Amanemu. As you travel Japan, you will step into a world which closely mirrors ours in the West, yet on closer inspection, you’ll find it to be distinctly Japanese in the details.
For a more unusual tour of Japan, head off the bullet train track and you’ll find the great mountain backbone of the largest island, Honshu, which can be appreciated at one’s own pace on a relaxed or active holiday. In Hokkaido, the northernmost island, go skiing down Mount Fuji-shaped Annupuri mountain at the centre of Niseko resort on your holiday to Japan, hike through the unspoilt expanse of Daisetsuzan National Park, or go snow-shoeing and ice-walking on the remote eastern peninsula - perfect for family holidays in Japan. South of Honshu are the lesser-travelled islands of Kyushu with stunning volcanic landscapes and Nagasaki – Japan’s San Francisco. And on Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands, explore hidden valleys, historic temples and shrines, and hot spring towns. If you are looking for a beach break to combine with your Japan tour, the tropical islands at the southern end of the Okinawa chain have some of the very best sand and surf in all of Asia.
A luxury holiday in Japan is sure to be unforgettable, particularly during nature’s finest seasons: the renowned cherry blossom sakura season - which tends to bloom in southern Japan from the end of March, and the often-overlooked autumnal season - when vivid autumn leaves set the magnificent country ablaze with their colourful hues. Holidays to Japan constantly defy expectations, as it is such a vastly varied country, but you can always expect the warm welcomes, from humble inns to the most exclusive city hotels and restaurants. While this otherworldly country may seem overwhelming, it is remarkably ordered, and our expert travel guides are on hand to help you plan your luxury tour of Japan.

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Our suggested tours in Japan
Seeking Ancient Japan: Follow in the footsteps of Stanley Stewart

Seek ancient Japan on the Izu Peninsula – a land of hot-springs, towering peaks, empty coastal headlands and 400 year-old...
View hereJapan’s Ultimate Island Hopping Tour

The 1,000 km Okinawa island chain extends from mainland Japan into the tropics, and the islands featured on this itinerary...
View hereExperience Japan

It's said that Japan is an expensive holiday destination, and it's certainly true that the top hotels match the best...
View hereFollowing the Cherry Blossom through Japan

It’s not an exact science, but the famous cherry blossom trees tend to bloom around the end of March on...
View hereGardens, Architecture and Customs of Japan

From the Imperial Palace gardens to the zen-inspired grounds of ancient temples, Japan is an ideal destination for lovers of...
View hereJapan’s Coasts and Countryside

The great bustling cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima are rich with the history and culture of Japan, from its...
View hereSake, Snow, Shrines, Sand and Sushi

Japan has world class ski resorts as well as beaches to rival the best in Bali. So why not combine...
View hereSome of our favourite hotels in Japan
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo ,
Tokyo

In each great historic Asian city you will find a flagship Mandarin Oriental hotel that cleverly combines the heights of...
View here Hoshinoya ,
Kyoto

Hoshinoya Kyoto is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. Reached in style by riverboat in the scenic hillside area of...
View here Madoka no Mori ,
Hakone

Mt Fuji National Park (Hakone) is already home to some of Japan's most luxurious 'ryokan' - the traditional equivalent of...
View here Aman Tokyo ,
Tokyo

Aman Tokyo is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Lux City Hotels and Top 10 Aman Resorts in Asia. It also has one...
View here Shangri-La ,
Tokyo

Located just around the corner from Tokyo station, the Shangri-La is a strong contender for Tokyo's best hotel. It has...
View here Ritz-Carlton Kyoto ,
Kyoto

Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Lux City Hotels. Inspired by the concept of a luxury ryokan, this perfectly...
View hereSome of our favourite places of interest in Japan
Izu Peninsula

Located around 100km south-west of Tokyo, the rugged Izu Peninsula is best reached by one of Japan’s most scenic coastal train...
View hereAkan

At the heart of eastern Hokkaido, Lake Akan is most well known for its giant 'marimo' giant moss balls that...
View hereHonshu

Spanning over 800 miles of diverse terrain, the mighty Japanese heartland - Honshu - encapsulates all that springs to mind when...
View hereHakuba

Since the resounding success of hosting several events for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Happō-One ski resort in Hakuba has...
View hereKurokawa

Tucked away in the centre of the southernmost main island of Kyushu, Kurokawa is an atmospheric hideaway devoted to hot...
View hereNaoshima

For contemporary art lovers, Naoshima is one of the most talked about immersive experiences in the world. Home to unique...
View here