Japan luxury highlights tour

Planet

This cultural tour makes the most of travelling around Japan via public transport, rather than private car or mini-buses, just as the locals do. Travelling this way reduces carbon emissions and road congestion, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

This itinerary includes a cycling tour of the Hida mountains in the Japanese Alps, where you can explore the quaint villages and beautiful countryside of the region in an eco-friendly (and fun!) way. Other modes of public transport to try include Japan's efficient train system (including the famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which are an attraction in themselves), subways, local buses, cable cars, boats and ferries, as well as trams.

We only work with hotels and guesthouses which share our commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility, especially in terms of recycling and energy conservation initiatives. For example the Hyatt Regency in Kyoto is eco-conscious and has initiatives in place for waste reduction, conversation efforts and responsible sourcing of food and building materials. Similarly, The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon in Tokyo is focused on reducing energy consumption through use of co-generation heat-releasing systems, green roofs and walls, LED lights, and windows that facilitate ventilation.

To further keep up sustainable practices during your trip, we recommend you carry your own reusable, non-plastic chopsticks or cutlery, as Japan gets through 24 billion pairs of ‘waribashi’ (disposable chopsticks made of wood or bamboo) every year. That's 185 pairs for every person in Japan! There are also ample recycling facilities in the country and as tap water is drinkable, we urge you to use a refillable bottle rather than buying bottled water.

People

We are committed to responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism in Japan, and we’re proud to work with a fantastic local operator that shares our values with regards to responsible tourism.

Our tour activities focus on authentic cultural experiences, such as the Japanese cooking experience in Kanazawa run by a local chefs, which is focused on teaching visitors about Japanese food culture and local Kaga delicacies; private tours with local guides, which offer an authentic perspective; and culturally immersive stays in traditional Japanese ryokan guesthouses (which are independent), such as the Yamanochaya Ryokan in Hakone and the Tanabe Ryokan in Takayama, which is run by the hospitable Mr and Mrs Tanabe.

There are also opportunities to support local crafts and communities in lesser-known destinations such as Takayama, where you can buy souvenirs and learn about craftmanship at the morning market, or learn about the art of producing sake at one of the town's many independent sake micro-breweries.

By gaining a deeper understanding about Japan’s culture, traditions, rich heritage and religious beliefs you’re likely to have a much more interesting and meaningful travel experience.