Japan’s distinct culture, futuristic cities and striking natural landscapes make it one of the world's most rewarding destinations. In one sleek bullet train journey, you can travel from the dense, neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the fresh, clean air of the Japanese Alps. Buddhist temples dot the country, and in rural areas you can stay in traditional ryokan inns for a taste of Japanese life from a bygone era. What makes Japan unique is the juxtaposition of the uber-modern with the traditional and historic cultural elements of the country, all with a generous sprinkling of the wild, the wacky and the (frankly) bizarre thrown in!
When to visit?
Most people considering a first-time visit to Japan will want to travel in Cherry Blossom Season. It can be difficult to predict, but peak viewing tends to be from late March to mid-April, when Tokyo, Kyoto and the rest of the main island of Honshu are in flower. In Kyoto, you can stroll the Philosopher’s Path, a 2km stone track lined with hundreds of cherry trees. In Tokyo, Ueno Park sees almost 1,200 trees burst with clouds of pink, acting as frothy parasols for the crowds of people picnicking under them. This is the busiest (and most expensive) time of year to visit, with hotels booking up 12–18 months in advance.
An alternative to spring is to plan your trip around the autumn foliage. The countryside blazes red and orange with the turning leaves of maple trees, that starts in the northerly island of Hokkaido in late September and usually reaches Kyoto and Tokyo by mid-late November. I've visited Japan at both times of year, and I think that on balance, I preferred my autumn trip. Although not as popular as Cherry Blossom season, Autumn is also quite a pricey time to year to visit, and although costs don't reach the same levels as in March and April, they can be high, and accommodation does book up quite far in advance. If you're looking to keep your costs down, I'd recommend travelling either in May or September, when the weather will generally be good, and you'll avoid the crowds.
How to travel around?
You have 2 main options for your holiday to Japan - an escorted group tour or a tailor-made trip where you travel around the country by train to a pre-set itinerary with tours and excursions planned in each destination. For many people, the appeal of a group tour is the prospect of meeting new people and the camaraderie that comes with travelling in a group. Group tours can be the better value option - the tour operator can negotiate good air fares and accommodation rates based on more people travelling. But not all escorted tours are created equal - you need to consider the maximum group size - because trailing around locations as part of a group of 40 can be wearisome.
A tailor-made trip gives you much more flexibility – you can choose the specific dates you want to travel on, the length of your holiday, how long you want to stay in each place and the style of accommodation that best suits you (and your budget). I've travelled both ways, and I preferred the tailor-made journey style of travel. The Japanese rail network is really easy to negotiate, and we were able to include locations rarely included on escorted tours. All my preferred suppliers for Japan provide highly detailed itineraries - with train times, train numbers and even platform numbers, so travelling around by train really is quite simple.
I think the trick with planning a holiday to Japan is not to bite off more than you can chew. Although it’s easy to travel around the country, you want to spend your time exploring destinations rather than travelling to them! Here’s my recommendation for a first-time 12-night visit. Of course, if you have longer, we could add in more places, and you can see a few recommendations for a longer holiday or a second trip to Japan if you click here.
Recommended first time itinerary
Tokyo - 4 nights. I suggest spending at least 4 nights in this fabulous city. As it is, with 3 full days you’ll only be scratching the surface of what Tokyo has to offer. Mount Fuji - 1 night. Although you can visit Fuji on a day trip, I recommend spending a night here as you need to maximise your chances of catching a glimpse of Fujisan, and she’s notoriously shy! Even on a sunny day, cloud cover on the summit can spoil the party. Matsumoto -1 night. This town is the gateway to the Japanese Alps and has a very impressive castle that’s well worth visiting. Tsumago -1 night. This is a historic, traditional post town on the ancient Nakasendo Highway which, from the 8th century, was used by merchants and samurai travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto. A 2½-3-hour hike along the highway through gorgeous scenery brings you to Magome – another delightful post town. Stay in a traditional ryokan inn in the area. Kyoto - 4 nights. The cultural heart of Japan, there are literally thousands of temples and shrines to visit. There are loads of cultural experience on offer here – from attending a traditional tea ceremony to trying your hand at origami. Take a day trip to Nara (Japan’s ancient capital) with its Giant Buddha and Todaiji Temple. Don’t miss the Fushimi Inari shrine on the way back with its tunnels of vermillion tori gates. Tokyo - 1 night. Back to the capital for one last night in one of my favourite world cities.
How far in advance do you need to book?
If you’re thinking of travelling in peak times, you should book your trip at least 8-12 months in advance. So, as I write this in July, for travel in March/April 2025, you should really be planning your holiday now.
I have several key suppliers who specialise in holidays to Japan – offering trips from escorted tours to tailor-made journeys. The trick is in selecting the right supplier for your brief. Get in touch and let’s chat about what you’re hoping for from your holiday of a lifetime.
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