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 an escorted, luxury tour with us to witness how Japanese culture 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 on one of our private tours 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, do a couples 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 luxurious 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 tailor-made trip to Japan.

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