Planned by Aleem Raheem, Earth Trip co-founder and Japan specialist · Updated October 2026
Japan Bespoke Holidays
Japan is a country of extraordinary contrasts. On a bespoke Japan holiday you can explore the neon streets and quiet shrines of Tokyo, soak in a hot spring with views of Mount Fuji, walk through the old samurai and geisha districts of Kanazawa, see the temples, gardens and bamboo groves of Kyoto, and visit the Peace Park in Hiroshima and the floating shrine of Miyajima. Fast, punctual trains make it easy to see a lot in one trip.
Every trip is planned privately around you, with hand-picked hotels and ryokan, rail tickets booked for you and local English-speaking guides where they add the most. For practical information, read our Japan travel guide.
Why Choose Our Japan Bespoke Holidays?
- Expert local guides: English-speaking guides who explain the history and customs behind the temples, gardens and food.
- Smooth travel: we book your bullet trains, transfers and luggage forwarding between hotels, so you can travel light.
- Hotels and ryokan: a mix of well-located city hotels and traditional inns with hot springs and kaiseki dinners. Browse our Japan hotels.
- Financial protection: every booking is protected through the Travel Trust Association. Read about our financial protection.
Where to Go in Japan
Tokyo
Japan’s capital is huge, exciting and surprisingly easy to explore. Visit Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku, eat at the Tsukiji Outer Market and see the city from Tokyo Skytree. Families love the Ghibli Museum and teamLab’s digital art.
Where to stay: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo, The Blossom Hibiya, Keio Plaza Hotel or InterContinental Tokyo Bay.
Hakone and Mount Fuji
An hour or two from Tokyo, Hakone is a mountain area of hot springs, lakes and art. Ride the ropeway over the volcanic valley of Owakudani, cruise on Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji on clear days, and visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Where to stay: the historic Fujiya Hotel, one of Japan’s oldest Western-style hotels.
The Japanese Alps and Kanazawa
In the mountains of central Japan, Takayama has a beautifully preserved old town and morning markets, and nearby Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO-listed village of steep thatched farmhouses. On the coast, Kanazawa has Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s finest gardens, the Higashi Chaya geisha district and the Nagamachi samurai quarter.
Where to stay: Takayama Green Hotel, Hyatt Centric Kanazawa or Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi.
Kyoto and Nara
Kyoto was Japan’s capital for more than 1,000 years and has around 1,600 temples. Walk through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari, the bamboo grove of Arashiyama and the old streets of Gion, and visit the Golden Pavilion. A day trip to Nara takes you to the giant Buddha of Todai-ji and the park’s friendly deer.
Where to stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo, with its own hot spring baths.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome are a moving reminder of 1945. A short ferry ride takes you to Miyajima, where the great torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine appears to float on the water at high tide.
Where to stay: RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima or The Royal Park Hotel.
Osaka
Japan’s food capital is lively and fun. Eat takoyaki and okonomiyaki in Dotonbori, visit Osaka Castle and see the city from the Umeda Sky Building. Osaka’s Kansai airport makes it an easy place to start or end your trip.
Where to stay: Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka or Hotel Leben Osaka.
Japan at a Glance
| Place | Highlights | Recommended stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Asakusa, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, food markets | 3 to 4 nights |
| Hakone | Hot springs, Lake Ashi, views of Mount Fuji | 1 to 2 nights |
| Takayama and Kanazawa | Shirakawa-go, Kenrokuen Garden, geisha and samurai districts | 2 to 3 nights |
| Kyoto | Temples, Gion, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Nara | 3 to 4 nights |
| Hiroshima | Peace Park, Miyajima | 1 to 2 nights |
| Osaka | Street food, Osaka Castle, nightlife | 1 to 2 nights |
Our Japan Itineraries
Each of these is a starting point that we tailor around your interests, dates and budget:
- Japan Classic Holiday: 15 days, from £5,790 per person. Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka.
- Japan Family Holiday: 11 days. Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Kyoto, with the Ghibli Museum and a samurai experience.
- China, South Korea and Japan Holiday: 23 days, from £8,990 per person.
Responsible Travel in Japan
Japan’s most famous sights can get very busy. We help you avoid the crowds by visiting early in the morning, staying in quieter areas and adding lesser-known places such as Kanazawa and the Japanese Alps. We use trains rather than flights wherever we can, and ask you to respect local customs, including the rules on photography in Kyoto’s Gion district. Read more about our responsible travel approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring, from late March to May, and autumn, from October to November, are the most popular times, with mild weather, cherry blossom in spring and red and gold leaves in autumn. Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy season in June, and winter is cold but clear in Tokyo and Kyoto, with snow in the mountains.
How long do I need in Japan?
We recommend about two weeks for a first visit. That’s enough for Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka, with time to add Kanazawa or the Japanese Alps. With ten days, focus on Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto.
How much does a tailor-made Japan holiday cost?
Our 15-day Japan Classic Holiday starts from £5,790 per person, including hotels, private transfers, rail travel and some guided sightseeing, but not international flights. Prices are higher during cherry blossom season and Japanese holidays.
Is Japan good for a family holiday?
Yes. Japan is very safe and clean, and children love the bullet trains, the Ghibli Museum, Pokémon Centres, samurai experiences and the deer of Nara and Miyajima. Our 11-day Japan Family Holiday is designed with children in mind.
Can I combine Japan with South Korea or China?
Yes. There are short flights between Japan, South Korea and China, and our 23-day China, South Korea and Japan holiday combines all three. South Korea is only around two hours’ flight from Tokyo or Osaka.
Who plans my Japan holiday?
Your trip is planned by Aleem Raheem, Earth Trip’s co-founder and Japan specialist, with our trusted local partners in Japan. Every booking is protected by the Travel Trust Association (member Q059X).
Plan Your Japan Holiday
Read our Japan travel guide for visas, trains and money, explore Japan’s regions, browse our Japan hotels, or combine Japan with South Korea. To start planning, request a video call with our specialist.
Speak to our China travel expert today
Aleem Raheem, Co-Founder and Sustainable Travel Expert | Earth Trip
Aleem will help you plan the perfect route through Japan, from Tokyo's neon streets to Kyoto's quiet temples.
Speak to our China travel expert today
Aleem Raheem, Co-Founder and Sustainable Travel Expert | Earth Trip
Aleem will help you plan the perfect route through Japan, from Tokyo's neon streets to Kyoto's quiet temples.
Speak to our China travel expert today
Aleem Raheem, Co-Founder and Sustainable Travel Expert | Earth Trip
Aleem will help you plan the perfect route through Japan, from Tokyo's neon streets to Kyoto's quiet temples.
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Bespoke Holidays