Helping you plan your trip to Japan
Here's a quick introduction about the different types of trips to Japan we can arrange.
First there are a wide variety of escorted tours available, and if you'd like to have a quick chat we can suggest one or two that would best suit your interests and budget. These tend to be excellent value for money, although in most cases the itinerary is fairly fixed, except at the start and end.
If you prefer to travel more independently then we can arrange a completely tailor made itinerary. Although this is usually the most expensive option, it's the one I booked for my own trip just because I wanted to visit the snow monkeys and the tours that went there didn't run on the dates I could go. You also have complete freedom in deciding which places to visit and for how long.
And finally there are cruises - we work with most of the major cruise lines and while you can just do the cruise by itself, you can also extend your trip with a land based stay in Tokyo or indeed elsewhere to make a really unique and memorable holiday.
So if you'd like to start the ball rolling, please get in touch. Below is a selection of the most popular tours and cruises.....
Featured Escorted Tours
The Best of Japan tour by Riviera
- See the famous sights of Tokyo including the Meiji shrine, Omotesando Street, fashion-setting Harajuku and the Akihabara electronic town.
- Enjoy astonishing views of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi and the hot-spring, mountain spa resort of Hakone.
- Travel at 189 mph on the incomparable high-speed bullet trains and explore Kyoto on a guided tour, experiencing the former imperial capital and the essence of traditional Japan.
- Reflect on the horrors of war at Hiroshima’s Peace Park and museum.
- Discover the ‘Way of Tea’ with a Japanese tea ceremony and wander around Japan’s first capital Nara, with its huge bronze Buddha, on a guided tour.
Japanese Winter Wonderland by Titan
This is a unique trip departing in late January, and which includes a visit to the Sapporo Snow Festival with around 250 snow and ice sculptures illuminated by candles and coloured bulbs. You can enjoy a local tipple at the ice bar and perhaps even glide down the giant snow slide! Either way, it's an unforgettable part of your trip.
Japan Unmasked - an escorted tour of Japan by Inside Japan
If you prefer to do sightseeing on your own and have the freedom to choose where you dine for lunch and dinner, then this tour might be perfect. There are only minimal inclusions and modest accommodation. The transport between all the major places is included, and your guide will be on hand to help you plan your day, and there's still a few entrance fees included.
Japan Uncovered - an escorted tour of Japan by Wendy Wu
** Top Selling Tour **
This is a hugely popular tour and for good reason. It covers all the major tourist sites of Japan. You'll visit castles, temples, shrines, and gardens, travel on the bullet train, enjoy a cruise near Mount Fuji, and spend some time in the Japanese Alps. It's here that you'll hopefully get to see the snow monkeys, although they are more prevalent during the colder months.
As it's a Wendy Wu tour, the cost includes ALL meals throughout your tour.
Simply Japan - an escorted tour by Explore
A great trip for being in a smaller group - the maximum is around 16 people although often it's less than this. Accommodation can be more simple and transport can include buses and ferries, but that's all part of really getting to know a destination. The tour includes a stay in a ryokan which is a traditional Japanese Inn, and also a night in a simple monastery.
Japan Unveiled - an escorted tour of Japan by Newmarket Holidays
This is a classic itinerary taking in the key places in Japan, staying in decent hotels mainly on a bed and breakfast basis. That means you get the choice to dine when you want and outside of the hotel if you wish.
Secrets of Japan - an escorted tour of Japan by Insider Journeys
Insider Journeys specialise in small group tours with a maximum of 16 travellers, which means less time waiting for everyone else. This tour follows a classic itinerary, starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto.
Featured Tailor Made Holidays
A typical 12 night independent trip to Japan
An example trip if you'd like to travel around Japan independently. Almost everything can be tweaked so that the final itinerary is perfect for your budget and interests.
Featured Cruises
15 day Highlights of Japan cruisetour with Princess
Princess Cruises - Diamond Princess
A 15 day cruisetour of Japan which includes 5 days on land and the rest at sea, so you get the see the very best of the country.
Far Eastern Horizons
Viking Cruises - various Viking ships
This is a classic cruise along Japan's southern coast, so you get to visit Tokyo, Kyoto (from Osaka) and Hiroshima, before sailing to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
There are 4 overnight stops in Tokyo, Shimizu (for Mount Fuji), Hiroshima and Hong Kong, so you can make the most of your time there.
Best of Japan by Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises - Celebrity Millennium
12 night Round trip from Tokyo visiting..
Shimizu (for Mount Fuji), Osaka (for Kyoto), Kochi, Hiroshima, Busan in South Korea, Hakodate, and Aomori.
Add a stay in Tokyo or break your journey in Dubai for a few nights.
Next steps...
- Choose from a guided tour, a tailor made holiday, a cruise, or even a combination!
- Just let us know your initial ideas, approximate budget, and roughly when you'd like to travel
- Then with our range of recommended hotels, tours and cruises, we put it all together and come up with a hopefully brilliant trip at a good price
- After booking and whilst on holiday: we deal with any problems that crop up such as flight cancellations
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Japan expensive?
A. It's a common misconception that Japan is an expensive country to visit, although compared to say Vietnam or Thailand then things do cost more, but not to the extent that it would put you off going. To keep costs under control, consider either a cruise which is usually on Full Board or All Inclusive, or an escorted tour that includes all meals.
Q. Is it difficult with the language?
A. Yes it can be, although at many railway stations there are English signs, so things are made easier than they otherwise would be. An escorted tour takes away much of the worry about the language barrier.
Q. When is the best time of year to travel?
A. Spring and Autumn are lovely in terms of the weather. The Cherry Blossom is from around mid-March to mid-April although it is busier during this time. If like me you want to see the snow monkeys, then winter, which is the coldest time of year is best.
More information
| Call | 01462 677111 |
| holidays@onyourtravels.co.uk |
