Holiday in Japan
| country: | Japan |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Between 1 and 2 departures per week throughout the year |
| price: | From £1495 (14 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 3 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Ever-welcoming and always fascinating, Japan is a land of ancient cultures, austere traditions and groundbreaking technology. Experience the best that this diverse country has to offer from the excitement of lively Tokyo to the sacred resting places of shoguns at Nikko. Feast on local delights at a Takayama market, make a sobering visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park and explore the magnificent temples Kyoto. Discover ancient castles, lush countryside and fascinating feudal history on this authentic travel adventure. Pack a good sense of humour and leave all inhibitions behind.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-2: | Tokyo. Beneath the neon lights, high-tech gadgetry and crowded suburbs is a city steeped in ancient tradition. Visit Ueno Park where delicate trees provide a beautiful backdrop to various museums or catch the train to Ginza for some retail opulence. |
| Day 3: | Nikko. Boasting some of Japan's most renowned shrines and temples, Nikko houses several sacred sites including the resting places of the Tokugawa shoguns. If ornate architecture and multicoloured carvings don't appeal, hiking the cedar-covered slopes of Mt Nakimushi is a pleasant alternative. |
| Days 4-5: | Hakone. Relax on a cruise across Ashino Lake before enjoying picturesque views of the region from a cable car ride through the surrounding mountains. Don't miss the chance to soak in an outdoor onsen, perhaps followed by a sulphur-boiled egg. |
| Days 6-7: | Takayama. Sake from this region is said to be some of the best, while the traditional markets and food festivals make Takayama a treat to visit all year round. Nestled in the Japanese Alps, the Hida Folk Village is a great place to see traditional life among artisans and thatched-roof houses. Gobble a delicious taiyaki and explore. |
| Days 8-10: | Hiroshima. This reborn city has a vibrant energy that belies its tragic history. The A-Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum make for a moving experience. |
| Days 11-14: | Kyoto. Gain insight into feudal Japan at Himeji-jo, a splendid castle en route to Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto. Visit to the magnificent gold-plated Kinkaku-ji and wander through the geisha district of Gion before bidding new friends farewell. |
travellers' tales
Really enjoyed visiting the ethnic minority villages in Sapa - our tour leader Hue enabled us to visit the villagers and take part in their new year celebrations.
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small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip is a fantastic introduction to a wonderful country that contrasts modern development with traditional beliefs. A key feature of this trip is immersion into the Japanese culture.
Throughout the trip most of the accommodation is in minshuku or ryokan. These are traditional local style inns, often a part of a family's house. They are small and quaint, built in the Japanese style with tatami (straw mat) floors. Intrepid leaders will educate travellers as to how best respect the local customs and preserve the delicate tatami floors while staying in these places (refer to trip dossier for information on packing - wheeled suitcases are not suitable). In true Japanese style travellers sleep on futons on the floor. Groups learn about the spiritual side of Japanese life through temple visits. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural environment. The trip includes a stay in Hiroshima where travellers can meet with survivors and learn about the impacts of the tragic event that occurred here. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |