A country that effortlessly embraces its futuristic ideals while holding fast to captivating tradition — bullet trains and tea ceremonies, neon Tokyo and the silence of a 1,000-year-old temple.
Two windows when Japan transforms — late March/early April (sakura) and mid-November (kōyō). Our tour times the autumn colours.
The cultural heart — Fushimi Inari’s torii tunnels, Kinkaku-ji’s gold pavilion, the moss garden at Saiho-ji, geisha districts in Gion.
World’s largest metropolis. Shibuya crossing, robot restaurants, 500-year-old shrines tucked between skyscrapers, world’s best public transport.
Shinkansen at 320 km/h with 36-second precision. Travel between regions is genuinely a pleasure, not a chore.
Kaiseki haute cuisine, ramen in alleyways, sushi at Tsukiji, izakaya pub food, kobe beef, conveyor-belt sushi, vending-machine tonkatsu. A foodie pilgrimage.
Onsen (hot springs), traditional ryokan inns, and on clear days, perfect views of Fuji-san — the sacred mountain.
Two prime windows: cherry blossoms peak from late March to early Apr (book a year in advance), while autumn colours hit their stride in mid-Nov. Both offer cool, dry weather that is ideal for strolling and photography.
Cold but clear skies make this a rewarding time to visit — watch the snow monkeys soak in the hot springs at Jigokudani, and catch plum blossoms in bloom by Feb. With fewer travellers around, rates are lower too.
Rainy season arrives in June, followed by humidity and typhoon season. It’s not impossible to travel during this window, but most visitors end up wishing they’d timed it differently.
1,600 temples and shrines. Cultural heart. The geisha districts.
World’s largest metropolis. Future meets centuries-old tradition.
Sacred volcano, 3,776m. Best viewed from Hakone or Kawaguchiko.
Peace memorial and Miyajima’s floating torii — moving.
Food capital. Brasher, warmer, hungrier than Tokyo.
Free-roaming deer, the giant Buddha. Easy day from Kyoto.
Traditional inns with tatami, onsen and kaiseki meals.
Bullet trains. The way to travel.
Our 11-day November tour — Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka. Timed for autumn colours. Max 14 guests.
Cherry-blossom timed trips, family adventures, food-focused itineraries, hiking the Kumano Kodo or the Nakasendo — all designed bespoke.
One per 23 people. Hot coffee, fresh eggs, umbrellas, ramen — anywhere, anytime, always working. A vending-machine vendetta we wholly support.
Only 430 are inhabited. The four big ones — Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku — hold 97% of the population. Our tour covers Honshu only; the rest is bespoke.
Mostly as chanko-nabe — a hot pot of fish, meat, vegetables and rice. You can watch them train in early morning at Tokyo stables, and eat the same dish in restaurants nearby.
Our group tour fills 9-12 months ahead. For other dates — cherry blossom, custom routes, family trips — we'd love to design something private.