Japan: Best time to go
Japan is a year-round destination with a long ski season in the winter months, and escape from the heat in the Japan Alps in the summer months. It will be hot and humid from the wettest month of June through to September and several typhoons hit Japan every year over these months. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to travel for cherry blossom and ‘koyo’ leaf viewing. Expect scattered showers in spring but it is generally warm, and the autumn is warmer than the UK.
N.B. All information given here is to the best of our knowledge, however, changes do occur, sometimes at short notice. Ampersand cannot be held liable for such happenings. Of course, if you have any tips that you feel would benefit other travellers, please pass them onto us and we will add them.
Several airlines offer direct flights from London to Tokyo Narita airport which is 70 kilometres from the city. Haneda airport, which is nearer, has slots for early morning international arrivals and departures. Various regional airports can be reached by flying indirect on European and Asian carriers.
British, American and western European passport holders do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days in Japan. Passports must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for 6 months after your return from Japan. Other passport holders please check the Japan National Tourism Organisations list here: www.japan.travel/en/plan/visa-info
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate visa(s) for your trip.
It is essential to visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations prior to travel. Risk for vaccine preventable diseases can change at any time. MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) can supply a quick and easy online Travel Health Brief. This includes easy to understand vaccination advice for single or multi-country trips. Their website is www.masta-travel-health.com. There are a handful of cases of Japanese encephalitis each year in rural areas so the risk is negligible. Japan has one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world with specialists in each ward and clean, efficient general hospitals. Larger hospitals will have access to English speakers but in case of emergency we recommend you contact our ground handler to arrange a translator.
Japan is arguably the most hygienic country in the world. The tap water is fine to drink and the Japanese are generally very conscientious about not spreading germs. If you have ever seen a photo of Japanese people wearing face masks you might assume that the country is prone to health scares or high pollution, but in fact the opposite is the case. Masks are worn by individuals to prevent them spreading germs, and even in downtown Tokyo pollution levels are relatively low compared to most other Asian cities.
London - Tokyo: 11 hours 30 minutes
London - Osaka: 12 hours
We highly recommend you reconfirm your onward and return international flights at least 72 hours prior to departure.