Luxury Japan Vacations & Tours

Japan experiences surprisingly bitter winters and steamy summers, so generally, the best time to visit Japan is in the spring or autumn months when the weather is clear, dry, and warm. These periods also see Japan at its most photogenic: either with pink and white sprays of cherry blossom in March and April, or an autumnal wash of oranges and reds in October and November.

There’s enough in Japan to travel for a month or more and still find surprises on each new day. Generally, however, we find clients traveling for anything between a short but sweet 7 days, to a comprehensive 21. A compact Japan highlights tour covering Tokyo, Kyoto, and perhaps Kanazawa or Hakone, can be achieved in 7 nights. Up to 10 could see you include Hiroshima and Osaka, while a Japanese grand tour of around 14 days would allow time to begin straying into the Alps, Mount Koya, or Shikoku.

Absolutely. Signage in all major towns and cities is in both Japanese and English, ensuring Japan’s outstanding public transport is easily accessible for Western visitors. Although spoken English may be patchy among the general public, Japanese people are enthusiastically helpful and polite to a fault – you’ll never struggle to find someone willing to offer advice or assistance or to strike up a conversation at an attraction or in a bar.

Tokyo of course – you’ll almost certainly be flying in or out of the capital, and as one of the world’s greatest cities, it demands thorough exploration. Kyoto is also a must – Japan’s former capital, littered with UNESCO heritage sites and offering a wealth of enticing cultural experiences. Hiroshima and attractive offshore neighbor Miyajima, buzzing second city Osaka, and stunning Hakone National Park, in the shadow of Mt Fuji, are also all worthy inclusions. There are plenty of incredible things to do in Japan for everyone.

For certain periods it is very important to book in good time. Tours during cherry blossom season – March to May – should be booked at least 9 months in advance to secure first-choice accommodation and guides, longer still if you’re keen to travel during the absolute peak weeks of late March and early April. Summer holidays in August, Christmas holidays in December, and the national ‘Golden Week’ holidays in early May are busy times for domestic tourism so again need a healthy lead time to avoid missing out on preferred hotels.

Despite Japan’s reputation as a costly destination, at UTC we’ve traveled extensively throughout the country and know that this simply does not have to be the case. By taking a more thoughtful approach, and employing a little ingenuity, we’ve developed a style of operation that ensures we provide our usual exemplary standard of service, without passing on sky-high costs. This involves a little more independence and self-guiding than our tours in other parts of Asia but is backed up with exceptionally comprehensive travel documents, meticulous planning from our specialists, and first-class assistance from our local representatives as you move through your trip.

As with most Japanese – thoughtful, knowledgeable, and good fun! All our guides are certified by the JTGS (Japan Tour Guide Service) and are enthusiastic, well-experienced, and genuine local experts. They will help you get to monuments before the crowds, unlock the secrets of a hidden neighborhood, or provide invaluable assistance with general queries – topping up a transport card, getting to the train station, locating a specialist souvenir, or finding out what the local specialty is and which place does it best. We’re also always careful to match guests and guides accordingly: some guides are especially good with families for example, while others have a particular flair for history, food, or hiking.