Japan Tours

Japan is a chain of islands in Eastern Asia. Famous for its unique culture, fastidious and hardworking people, and fascinating history, it’s not a country that needs much of an introduction. Anyone interested in traveling the country will already have some appreciation for the beauty, variety and splendour that is Japan.

Best Japan Adventure Trips & Tours

These are the top rated small group, overland & budget tours of Japan.

Travel to Japan

Japan has over 3,000 islands, most of which are mountainous, and many are volcanic, including Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji.

The past meets the present in Japan, with its rich cultural history that dates back millenia and ultra-modern influences in technology, entertainment and lifestyle. When visiting the Land of the Rising Sun, the best approach is to have an open mind and get ready for surprises.

Japan has diverse attractions that will suit any traveller’s individual needs. For starters, Japan has one of the most intricate and efficient transportation systems in the world, yet it is quite an expensive country to visit, especially compared to nearby countries like China, Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand.

There are numerous castles in Japan worth visiting that include Matsue Castle, Hikone Castle and Matsumoto Castle. Tokyo is a city where indefinite exploration is required to get a true appreciation of what is on offer. Eating sushi, visiting an onsen (hot spring) and exploring the wilderness and mountain are activities not to be missed.

There are small group tours available to book all year round which are perfect if you want to discover the highlights of Japan.

Japan Facts

• Capital City: Tokyo
• Currency: Yen, JPY
• Language: Japanese
• Time Zone: +9 GMT
• Dialling Code: +81
• Religions Practised: Shinto, Buddhism
• Total Area: 377,835 square kilometres
• Population Size: 129450000
• Voltage and Plug Info: 100 V. Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades

Japan Travel Tips

Japan is full of wonderful surprises and amazing contrasts. It is a modern society, but has carefully preserved ancient traditions. Take a photo of a reproduction Eiffel Tower, surf an indoor wave, muse in a Zen temple, spend a night in a capsule, get lost in vast underground shopping plazas or make friends with the homeless in the underground system. There is no country quite like this!

Best Time to Visit?
The best seasons to visit Japan are spring and autumn (March to May and September to November). Spring is a beautiful time when you will see the cherry blossom trees in bloom and autumn is equally spectacular as the trees create colourful scenery. Temperatures are pleasant during these seasons, particularly in contrast to the cold winters and hot, humid summers. No matter what time of year you visit, you should always carry an umbrella for the frequent and unpredictable rain showers.

Getting There and Away
There are regular flights from all over the world, the majority of which will stop over in Tokyo. It is possible to take a very from China, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan to Japan and the Trans-Siberian railway is an adventurous way to travel to Japan and the surrounding countries.

Getting Around
Japan is well known for having a fantastic network of public transport that is fast and incredibly efficient from its buses to bullet trains. There are many ferries around the mainland and islands of Japan and they are a great way to get around and see the country. Buses and trains are very well connected and you have a variety of options to suit your budget.

The shinkansen or ‘bullet train’ is incredibly quick but much more expensive than the regular trains or buses. You can book your tickets through travel agents who will be able to tell you all the prices and journey times. Trams are a great way to get around cities and can be much simpler than the complicated network of buses.

Visas
The majority of western visitors will be given a 90-day tourist visa on arrival and you may be asked to provide evidence of an outbound ticket in order to gain this visa.

Safety
Japan is one of the safest countries to book a tour in Asia but you should always remain aware, particularly of pickpockets in busy areas. Street crime is extremely low and tourists are rarely involved in any violence. Care should be taken in red light districts but they are seldom dangerous. The police can be found on virtually every other street corner and are helpful but usually speak very little English. Remember that there are harsh punishments for drug use and there is no differentiation between hard drugs and soft drugs.

Vaccinations and Health
No specific vaccines are needed for Japan but a tetanus booster is always recommended. You may also wish to have Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and tick-borne encephalitis vaccines. Japan is an extremely clean and healthy country so the water is safe to drink and all food is prepared to very high standards. People will often wear face masks if they have a cold or other illness and you should do the same to avoid spreading germs.

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