Find Your Ikigai on a Luxury Holiday in Japan
A luxury holiday in Japan is a heady combination of the traditional and the modern. The land of the rising sun will draw you in with its culture of Buddhist temples and matcha tea ceremonies, communal hot spring baths and sublime culinary traditions. Any season is a good time of year to visit Japan, for you’re never far away from its mix of high-tech wonders, relaxing landscapes, robot cafés, udon stalls and bullet trains.
Japan Holidays: Why Visit This Destination?
Even if you think you know what Japan is about, it has a way of exceeding your expectations as one of the top luxury holiday destinations. Start your luxury Japan tours in a big city like Tokyo or Osaka, where life is highly organised, public transport super-efficient, and getting around easy. The neon lights, sophisticated design, and Michelin restaurants of Japan’s urban centres will leave you starstruck. From the bustling metropolises, head to quieter Kyoto or the countryside for all kinds of spiritual experiences: attend a traditional tea-making ceremony, visit a Shinto shrine or meditate in a zen garden.
Each season has something different to offer. In the springtime, make sure your Japan holiday package includes the cherry blossom festival. Or, if you arrive in autumn, watch the landscape transform into shades of red, orange, yellow and gold. Relax in a Japanese onsen and follow it with a ritual kaiseki meal. Marvel at majestic Mount Fuji, go back in time in Hiroshima, and stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for a mega-dose of tranquillity. As you traverse the length and breadth of this nation on a multi-centre holiday, you will find yourself tantalised and transformed—there are so many things to do on a luxury holiday in Japan.
Things to know before you travel to Japan
- Nonstop flights from London to Tokyo take about 11-12 hours. Many different airlines cover this route.
- British citizens can travel and stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa.
- Japanese is the official language of Japan. Communicating in English is easier in larger cities such as Tokyo and other tourist-centric places. However, learning a few essential phrases in Japanese goes a long way in connecting with locals.
- The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the official currency of the country.
- The most common plug types in Japan are Type A and B. The country operates on a 100 V voltage supply and 50/60 Hz frequency.
Why book a luxury holiday to Japan with Hayes & Jarvis?
A Japan holiday becomes even more special when you have the experts at Hayes & Jarvis design an itinerary that showcases the best of the country.
Personalised travel itinerary: Our travel consultants understand your needs and preferences. They work out a bespoke itinerary based on your requirements and tweak it to match exactly what you desire.
Round-the-clock support: Experience a seamless travel journey with a personal and dedicated trip coordinator every step of the way. They’re backed by the support of a 24/7 team, ready to address any unexpected situations while you’re travelling.
Trust and reliability: Over the years, we have received some prestigious travel awards for our service. Rest assured, you can trust us to make your holiday special.
How to book a luxury holiday to Japan with Hayes & Jarvis
If you are thinking of holidaying in Japan in 2025 or 2026, we are here to make it happen.
- Browse our existing luxury holiday itineraries.
- Call us at 020 3608 1454 or fill out a few details here that tell us a little more about your travel needs.
- Our travel consultants will call you to discuss your wish list and start building an itinerary.
- We’ll continue to refine this itinerary until you are 100% satisfied.
- Book your Japan holiday package, and let us take care of executing it.
A Hayes & Jarvis-designed luxury holiday in Japan promises to be a journey of a lifetime. Make that first step towards setting off on an extraordinary adventure.
Akshay | Senior Travel Consultant
Japan is a country steeped in rich cultural traditions, stunning mountain ranges, and a hidden world of temples. Not to mention a world class culinary food scene to captivate the senses!
Our Most Popular Custom-Made Japan Tours
Japan: Tokyo Kyoto and Osaka
Best of Japan: Tokyo And Kyoto
Tokyo To Kyoto Bullet Train Tour
The Hayes & Jarvis Difference
Our Insider Tips For Planning A Custom Japan Tour
Heather | Travel Consultant
A 10-day private tour of Japan typically costs around $8,000. This is the right amount of time for an introduction to the most popular destinations, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, ensuring you get to experience the real essence of the country.
Japan for Beginners: Tokyo, Kyoto and Mount Fuji
Top 6 Experiences in Japan: An Insider's Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the time difference between the UK and Japan?
Japan is nine hours ahead of the UK.
2. What is the best mode of transportation in Japan?
Trains are the best mode of transportation in Japan. The Shinkansen bullet train connects Tokyo to major cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya. The Japan Rail pass gives you access to buses, trains and even ferries. The other popular modes of transportation in Japan are flights, buses and ferries.
3. What is the food like in Japan?
Some of the most popular Japanese foods are –
- Sushi – Seasoned rice paired and rolled up with fish, seafood, and vegetables
- Ramen – Hot noodles served in a flavoured broth
- Tempura – Batter fried vegetables and fish
- Sashimi – Thinly sliced raw fish or meat
- Okonomiyaki – Grilled seafood and meats
- Soba and Udon noodles
Big cities such as Tokyo have restaurants that serve varied cuisines such as Italian, Mexican, Spanish, Thai, Malaysian, Sri Lankan and Indian, among others.
4. Which are the most beautiful islands in Japan?
Choosing from more than 6,000 islands, of which 250 are inhabited, is not an easy task. Here are some of our favourites –
- Ishigaki – Part of the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki is home to pristine beaches and is known for its black and blue pottery.
- Okinawa – Enjoy sun-soaked beach days and water adventures.
- Yakushima Island – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is famous for its lush greenery, relaxing hot springs and cascading waterfalls.
- Iriomote – The largest of the Yaeyama Islands, Iriomote is an irresistible combination of blue waters and lush green jungles.
- Hokkaido – This island is the perfect winter getaway with its world-class ski resorts.
5. What are the top nightlife activities to discover in Japan?
- Experience the Shibuya crossing, the busiest crosswalk in the world, at night
- Attend a night hanami during cherry blossom season
- Take in the sights of a glittering Tokyo from the Skytree observation deck
- Go izakaya (Japanese style bar) hopping
- Go on a night cruise of Tokyo Bay and take in magical city views from the water
- Sing your heart out at a karaoke bar
6. What are the top 5 cultural attractions in Japan?
- Visit Kyoto’s temples
- Take part in a tea ceremony
- Attend a sumo wrestling match
- Sign up for a culinary tour in Osaka
- Spend a night at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn)
