Japan is an archipelago of more than six thousand islands where ancient tradition and the cutting edge share the same street corner. Neon-lit megacities give way within an hour to silent temple gardens, misty mountains and hot-spring villages. It is a country of exquisite detail, in a bowl of ramen, a raked gravel garden, the bow of a train conductor, wrapped in some of the most seamless travel logistics on earth. From the cherry blossoms of spring to the flaming maples of autumn, Japan rewards travellers who come to slow down and look closely.
The landmarks that shape a journey through Japan, explore them on the map.
Japan's most celebrated seasons are spring, when the cherry blossom sweeps north from late March into April, and autumn, when maples turn crimson and gold from October into early December. Both bring mild, comfortable days and are the most sought-after windows, so booking well ahead is essential. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid with a June rainy season and a small typhoon risk later on, though it is ideal for the northern island of Hokkaido and mountain hiking. Winter is crisp and clear in the cities and a snow-sports and hot-spring season in the mountains.
The practical essentials for planning your trip. Our team confirms the details for your dates and nationality.
A taste of our most-loved journeys. Every one is a flexible starting point for your tailor-made trip.
The essential first journey, pairing the energy of Tokyo with the temples and gardens of Kyoto, linked by the bullet train and a night beneath Mount Fuji.
A journey timed to Japan's two most beautiful seasons, spring blossom or autumn foliage, through the gardens, temples and castle towns that frame them best.
A deeper rail-based journey the length of Honshu, from Tokyo to the samurai city of Kanazawa and on to Hiroshima and the floating shrine of Miyajima.
Few places reward timing like Japan. A trip planned around the cherry blossom or the autumn maples turns temples, gardens and castle moats into scenes of extraordinary colour.
From a tea ceremony and a night in a ryokan inn to the geisha districts of Kyoto and the shrines of Nikko, Japan lets travellers step into centuries-old customs still practised today.
The Shinkansen bullet train makes Japan uniquely easy to explore, whisking travellers between cities at speed and turning the journey itself into part of the experience.
Read our frequently asked questions, or tell us what you're dreaming up and we'll design it around you.
Travel facts verified from Japan - Wikipedia, Japan National Tourism Organization, Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Sample tours are suggested starting points; details and pricing are finalised by the Tourkom team.