Japan guide
From bullet trains to bubbling hot springs, we show you why Japan is such an interesting and unique country to visit.
Japan luxury travel guide
In many ways, luxury holidays in Japan recall one of the country’s most celebrated art forms: Noh theatre. Just as this poetic art form comes from the Sino-Japanese word for ‘skill’ or ‘talent’, so do luxury holidays in Japan. Either they follow beautifully bespoke itineraries crafted by experts, or they are small ship cruises led by leading players in their field. Such as a yacht skipper who knows Japan’s Pacific waters inside out as he or she guides you from one beautiful bay to the next; or the onboard lecturer whose talent is knowing everything there is to know about ancient Japanese history or art.
It is hard to get the Japanese to talk about the ‘finest’ restaurant, the ‘best’ hotel or the ‘most exquisite’ artisans. Hyperbole is not a habit that comes naturally. Tour guides are brilliant at flagging up all things fine though.![]()
Finally, Noh theatre often takes you into a supernatural world of gods and spirits, and there is certainly no shortage of spiritual moments on a luxury Japan holiday. Pure poetry, in fact. Japan – we applaud you.
Why choose a luxury holiday in Japan?
Why choose a luxury holiday to Japan?
The Japanese love to present things in lavish layers, elegantly and with plenty of frills, and if you are going to splash out, this is certainly a country place to do so. Tailor made holidays enable you to create the most divine Japanese package, with experts on hand dedicated to discussing all your luxury accommodation, travel and food options in detail. They can also advise on the amount of time you’ll need to really take in Japan’s unique heritage. For many people, time is the greatest luxury of all.
Accommodation
Responsible holidays tend to use small, locally owned places to stay which are also boutique and beautiful. The Japanese really do offer a magnificent range of accommodation, from downright opulent hotels to traditional ryokan inns in mountainous regions. The one thing that they have in common is the classiest of hospitality, no matter where you go. Politeness and a welcoming nature are key features of Japanese culture, and holiday makers never fail to be bowled over by this.
Examples of luxury accommodation in Japan include the stunning Iwaso Ryokan on Miyajima Island, with ocean views, a large bathhouse and just ten minutes’ walk from the cable car up to Mt Misen. Hakone Ginyu Spa resort is a very luxurious place to enjoy all the beautiful bathing aspects of Japanese culture, with an infinity pool onsen, plus hot springs and private ones in each room too. Tawaraya in Kyoto, over 300 years old, is considered by many to be the finest ryokan in the country, with generations of fine hospitality.
Rocking the boat
You can sleep on a state of the art motor yacht on a luxury small ship cruise holiday in Japan. Choose from nine types of cabin on board a 132-cabin yacht to explore the Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean. From your private balcony you can watch the sunset on Seto or sunrise over Shikoku. Cabins are air conditioned with king size or twin beds, mini bars, luxury toiletries and all the frills.
Fine food
Tailor made holiday companies peel back the cultural layers of each culinary stop on your Japan journey. You can enjoy great food everywhere here, but it really helps to know where to find the finest contemporary cuisine in Tokyo, the best markets off the tourist trail, or the top kushi-katsu restaurants in the ancient Shinsekai area of Osaka, a city considered to be the kitchen capital of Japan. Being guided around the myriad food halls and markets of Osaka’s Dotonbori district is also a treat. Committed foodies with money to spend may want to seek out the country’s most highly revered chefs, the highest accolade being Gendai no Meiko (Contemporary Master Craftsman) of Kaiseki cuisine. Just stay clear of whale meat and shark fin soup, no matter how posh they say they are.
Transport
Train travel is the default way to go for everyone in Japan, as these are quite simply the classiest trains in the world. Nicknamed ‘bullet trains’ by Anglophones, they are called ‘shinkansen’ in Japanese which translates as ‘New Trunk Line’. These speedmeisters are not so new, however, dating back to 1964, and now travel at speeds of up to 240-320km per hour – or two hours and 20 minutes between Tokyo and Osaka, as a good example.
The best of Japan luxury cruise
Busan to Osaka; a blend of modernity & tradition
From
£8750 to £10940
13 days
ex flights
Japan guided luxury adventure holiday
Bamboo groves, geishas & the chant of Buddhist monks
From
£5570 to £6745
9 days
ex flights
Japan circumnavigation cruise, arts and culture
Circumnavigate Honshu + Hokkaido, Kyushu and South Korea
From
US $13450
16 days
ex flights
Japan tour of Honshu island
Modern cities & traditional countryside in beautiful Japan
From
£11395
17 days
ex flights
Japan gastronomic adventure holiday
Food focused adventure through Japan’s cities & countryside
From
£7475
15 days
ex flights
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
Call us tomorrow after 10am
Calling from outside the UK
Responsible tourism
The most responsible thing you can do while taking a holiday in Japan is to respect the cultural codes. The Japanese are extremely polite and will never get visibly upset if you ‘break’ the rules, but it is greatly appreciated if you understand some of the nuances. From temples to tea ceremonies, baths to bullet trains, there are always customs to follow.
If you are going on a cruise around Japan, make sure that you opt for a responsible company. Our small ship cruises not only adhere to strict responsible tourism policies, but also have inclusive ones, providing three cabins that are accessible for wheelchairs, with lifts to all the decks and so on.
Shop until you drop
Japan is famous for its fine artists, silk makers and artisan food producers. On a tailor made holiday, you can book an expert guide to take you to the best places to buy, for example, traditional ukiyo-e prints made with woodblock prints and with exquisite, detailed designs. Or handmade paper known as washi, the production of which is now on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Who wouldn’t want to be gifted a warosoku candles made with wax from the hazenoki tree wax? And of course, pure silk kimonos are a gift for life. Food products such as green tea, handmade sweets and dried seaweed make wonderful presents too.
Best time to visit Japan
Oyster season in Japan is January to March. Miyajima Island hosts a famous oyster festival in February.![]()
The best time to take a luxury holiday in Japan depends on the region you are visiting. Herein lies the joy of a tailor made holiday, as you discuss all your options with local experts who know the nuances of the Japanese climate. On a luxury small ship cruise to Japan, sailings usually take place during springtime. The famous cherry blossom months are generally Apr-May, when temperatures are very pleasant too. Aug is the hottest month with an average temperature of 26°C, although it will be cooler in the mountains.
MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE
More relevant guides
