An utterly unique nation in the Far East, Japan makes for a truly captivating luxury holiday destination. Venture here to walk in the shadow of samurai and ninjas, of sumo wrestlers and geishas, whose evocative legacies remain an important part of Japanese. The ancient face of Japan is particularly prominent in the old imperial capital, Kyoto, where 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites call out to be admired, including ornate temples and shrines that rub shoulders with cloud-like cherry blossoms in spring and golden leaves in autumn. Then there’s ultra-modern Tokyo, a city that never stops, with the looming silhouette of Mount Fuji standing guard on the horizon. Spend your luxury holiday in Japan soaking in mineral-rich onsen baths, whizzing from A to B at 300kph on a bullet train, singing your heart out in a late-night karaoke bar, and sampling exquisite cuisine.
There are direct flights from London to Tokyo with indirect flights available from other UK airports.
Currency: Yen
Time difference: GMT +9
Flight from UK: 11 hours and 50 minutes to Tokyo
Visa: Not required for UK passport holders
Language: Japanese
National drink: Beer or sake
National dish: Sushi
Japan is a cash-based society so be sure that you bring some with you or be prepared to visit an ATM during your stay: note that not all ATMs will accept foreign cards so head to 7-Elevens or the post office.
With almost two-thirds of the country covered in mountains and volcanoes, hiking in warmer months and skiing in the winter months are both popular past-times, as are soaking in the many onsen or hot springs. For a taste of Japanese culture time your visit to attend one of the six sumo tournaments, book tickets to a traditional kabuki theatre, experience sado (Japanese tea ceremony) or hit the karaoke clubs for an evening of belting out J-pop tunes.
Japan Food & Drink
Focusing on fresh, local ingredients, restaurants in Japan tend to be small and specialise is just one or two dishes whether its sushi and sashimi, katsu (breaded and fried dishes) or tempura, battered seafood and vegetables deep fried in sesame oil. For an inexpensive meal head to a shokudō and for an evening of drink sit at the bar of an Izakaya ‘drinking house’. And remember your etiquette! The number one rule is to never stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl.
Japan Attractions
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without visiting one of the country’s many shrines: the Senso-Ji and Shinto Meiji-jingu shrines in Tokyo are free to enter, while the crimson Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima is one of the most photographed. If you time your visit just right you might see the cherry blossoms in full bloom and if you’re an early riser head to the Tsukiji Fish Market at 3AM to watch the auction! Then there’s Mt Fuji, which at 12,389 feet is the highest peak in Japan.
Speak To One Of Our Japan Travel Experts Now On 0203 797 7206 Open today: 8.30am - 9pm