20 day Japan tour, private departure

Environment

Japan Rail Passes are included in this ticket as it is by far the simplest and most environmental way to travel around Japan. Great distances are covered by the Shinkansen producing around a tenth of the same Co2 as travelling by car.

This itinerary doesn't just take you to the big cities but also out to the towns and villages of the mountains. We have included small hikes and a cycling experience to get out an explore the more traditional side of Japan.

We launched our One Bottle At A Time initiative to actively replace disposable plastic water bottles with refillable canisters across our destinations. We also send our guests a wooden toothbrush to help avoid using hotels’ disposable plastic brushes, and educate clients about the limited recycling facilities in Asia, and best-practice regarding waste-reduction. Within our UK offices we operate strict recycling policies and make sure everyone in the office uses reusable crockery and cutlery.

Community

One of our core values is to collaborate with local, responsible companies and partners who share our focus, beliefs and passions. We work with local guides, local operators and hotel partners, and will always offer small, local accommodation where possible and boutique hotels in the cities. Our holidays are designed to enable our clients to immerse themselves in local places and experiences, and we make sure that, wherever possible, the income they bring to a destination goes back into the community.

Japan has ample of the big chain, international hotel chains but we have avoided these and included more unique stays throughout. We have included at least one stay in a traditional family run Ryokan (inn) to give you the experience of a more traditional life in Japan while also supporting smaller communities.

You will also stay in a working Buddhist temple. Guests are can attend services and rituals, participate in meditation at the temple, and can learn to write Buddhist sutras in the tranquil privacy of their rooms. Eko-in is very close to Koyasan’s other ancient temples, and is surrounded by excellent scenic hiking.