Asia

Japan

Escorted tours & holidays

4.9/5

Special Offers: SAVE £100 per person on Japan and/or China tours departing from September 2026 to August 2027. Book by 15th July 2026.

Early Booking Offers: SAVE £200 per person on Japan and/or China tours departing from September 2027. Book by 15th July 2026.

Discover the best

of Japan on our escorted tours

Culturally unique and scenically beautiful, holidays to Japan offer a fascinating blend of old and new. From neon-lit skylines to tranquil temples and graceful geisha, traditions remain deeply rooted in daily life. Explore breathtaking landscapes, savour regional delicacies, and witness the art of the tea ceremony, all while experiencing the warmth and humility of the Japanese people. See every faccet of the country on our Japan tour holidays by riding a bullet train through spectacular countryside, gaze at the iconic peak of Mount Fuji, or wander peaceful gardens where every detail tells a story. Whether discovering the bustling streets of Tokyo, the ancient capital of Kyoto, or the snow monkeys of Yudanaka, our Japan escorted tours deliver highlights that linger long after your journey ends. Discover our carefully curated tours of Japan for the perfect balance of cultural treasures, modern wonders and unforgettable travel moments, or combine with our China tours to truly experience the East

Our Japan tours collection

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Japan

Customer Favourite

The Very Best of Japan from Osaka to Tokyo

Explore Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo
Discover Himeji Castle, Japan’s finest surviving feudal castle
Visit Koraku-en and Kenroku-en, two of Japan’s top three gardens

Save up to £100 per person

Mar 2027

20 days

Prices from £7,395 Per person

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Japan

Customer Favourite

The Very Best of Japan from Tokyo to Osaka

See magnificent Mount Fuji
Explore Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima
Watch a Maiko performance

Save up to £200 per person

Sept 2026 - Nov 2027

20 days

Prices from £6,895 Per person

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Japan

Wonders of Japan

Explore from Tokyo’s vibrant streets to Kyoto’s serene temples
View the macaques (snow monkeys) at Jigokudani Monkey Park
Spend the night in a traditional Ryokan

Save up to £200 per person

Nov 2026 - Nov 2027

15 days

Prices from £5,295 Per person

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Japan

Treasures of Japan

Sightseeing tours including Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara
Explore the UNESCO Byodoin Temple
Try your hand at calligraphy and shape a bonsai tree

Save up to £200 per person

Sept 2026 - Oct 2027

16 days

Prices from £7,495 Per person

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China, Japan

Highlights of China & Japan

Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’An
Greet deer in Nara Park
Experience views of Mount Fuji

Save up to £200 per person

Oct 2026 - Oct 2027

23 days

Prices from £7,095 Per person

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Essential information in Japan

Time difference

GMT +9 hrs

Best time to visit

March - May / September - December

Official languages

Japanese

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY)

Flight time

Around 12 hrs from UK

Electricity

Voltage: 100V; Plug type(s): A, B

Featured

Japan

Get closer to the extraordinary: Japan

Amidst the history and sacred shrines, you’ll find modern cities pulsing with life, charming and humble locals who welcome you graciously, and delicious local delicacies. Here are just a few of the extraordinary experiences you can expect on these tours.

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Meet our travel specialists for Japan

Planning a holiday to Japan has never been simpler. Our dedicated travel experts are with you every step of the way. Our Product Managers carefully curate each experience so you can discover the very best of Japan, while our Reservations Specialists make the booking process effortless. We’ve personally travelled on these tours and visited the destinations ourselves, giving us first-hand insight to share with you.

a person with a backpack walking on a wooden bridge in the woods

Sara Harris

Product Manager

With over 20 years of travel industry experience, Sara brings a deep passion for Asia to her role as Product Manager, creating unforgettable tours that showcase the region’s rich diversity, vibrant culture, and endless sense of discovery.

Ellie McVann

Reservations Consultant

Ellie joined Distant Journeys in 2023 as a Reservations Consultant. Having previously worked at Disneyland, Ellie has always enjoyed planning holidays and travelling, which led to her pursuing a career in travel with us.

From our blog

Discover more about this incredible destination with our collection of travel blogs, filled with expert insights, local highlights and inspiration for your next adventure.

a group of people sitting on the grass under a flowering tree

When Is Cherry Blossom Season In Japan

Japan is graced with the beauty of its iconic Sakura trees, widely known as cherry blossom trees. But when exactly does this breathtaking event take place?

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Customer testimonials

Distant Journeys uses Feefo, the global feedback engine, to gather genuine and independently verified reviews. Our guests are invited by Feefo to review our company on all aspects of their holiday experience, from the customer service they received to the product itself.

Superb local guide. Small tour group (15). Varied locations. Nice hotels. Seemless travel arrangements.

Susan Scott

Wonders of Japan

Good tour visited lots of sites including several beautiful gardens. Rob our guide was very good and so were the local guides Chioniand Kuniko they ensured everything went smoothly and went the extra mile.

Very Best of Japan

The trip manager was very good giving up his free time to take us to places in the evenings, any questions if he did not know the answer he would find out. The two local guides were very knowledgeable and charming. Although the trip was at a fairly fast pace it was well worth it.

Ian Watson

Very Best of Japan

Well organised and excellent itinerary spread over the 20 days with sufficient free time

Very Best of Japan

Multi location holiday with great and varied accommodation. Fortunate to witness a cloud-free Mount Fuji and Snow Monkeys! Superb Japanese tour guide. Tour management side requires improvement.

Alan White

Wonders of Japan

Efficiency, scope of travel, professionalism.

Very Best of Japan

On a couple of the days it seemed a bit rushed, some the extras I paid for ended up being part of some of the meals or were not worth the cost. Now that the bad is out of the way the good points were the tour guides that were with us on the trip were always knowledgeable on the area or the history of the location we were visiting, and were nice people to be around on the days that seemed rushed they made sure we at least were able to see sights that were worth the rush as well as make it seem well paced.

Very Best of Japan

Fantastic trip recently to Japan with Distant Journeys. From initial enquiries to start and end of Tour, the communication and organisation from Distant Journeys has been excellent. Major mention to the tour guides who all made each day knowledgeable and very enjoyable, but special praise to Konomi who is fantastic along with Arch who both made the trip very memorable.

Martin Short

Very Best of Japan

We saw and learnt a great deal about Japan. Mount Fuji was a delight in the sun with the first snowfall. The golden Pavilion is amazing and decorating your own chopsticks with gold leaf is a must. Most of the tourists are Japanese. Rules are very strictly adhered to especially when crossing roads. Hotels vary but are usually good. Be aware that some towns are small so restaurants are often fully booked as are the hotel restaurants. Hotel bars can close at 17.00 or not open till 20.30. Real Japanese food is not always to a western taste but must be sampled. French Chinese and Italian food is often available. The gardens are wonderful, very serene and a photo opportunity wherever you look. Shrines and temples are not tranquil as they are heaving with people but worth seeing, especially the biggest wooden building in the world at Nara with the giant Buddha and deer who bow for food. It is a very different experience from other Asian countries and well worth a visit

Teresa Manning

Very Best of Japan

Wonderful holiday in Japan, 🇯🇵 I’ve filled in a survey already for distant journeys

Keith Waskett

Very Best of Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions about Japan

Japan is GMT +9 hrs.
Japanese Yen
On Japan’s island of Honshu (the main island) you’ll find a climate that is mostly temperate, with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are generally mild throughout the country. The best time to visit Japan is usually from March to May, the cherry blossom season; equally September through to November are popular for the spectacular autumn foliage.We recommend checking up-to-date weather forecasts before you travel.
Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sun-screen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.
Japanese people are extremely polite and welcoming (one of the best things about visiting Japan), but many visitors worry about accidentally offending them by saying or doing the wrong thing.
Bear in mind that Japanese people don’t expect you to know all of their customs and etiquette, but a few basics are useful. Here are a few helpful tips:
Chopsticks (Ohashi)
There are many rules around the use of chopsticks, but here are a few key things to keep in mind; Never point your chopsticks at another person, wave them in the air, or spear food with them and avoid putting your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice.
Handing over money when paying
In Japan, money is rarely passed directly from hand to hand. This means that when you purchase an item or service, you won’t hand money directly to the cashier. Instead, you’ll place your payment (whether cash or credit) on the small tray provided. If change is due, your change will be placed here for you as well.
Removing your shoes
In Japan, it’s common to remove one’s shoes before entering certain buildings, such as ryokans (Japanese-style inns), temples, and at traditional restaurants. Bring shoes that slip on and off easily, and neat socks, too – they’ll be on display often!
Bowing
Japanese people bow when greeting one another. If you’re used to shaking hands when meeting people, it may be difficult to get used to bowing instead of shaking hands. But don’t worry: many Japanese people are accustomed to shaking hands when meeting non-Japanese. Bowing is also used when thanking someone. At hotels, ryokans, shops, and restaurants (particularly at higher-end establishments) it’s common for staff to bow deeply to customers.
Tipping in Japan is not common practice and in most instances such as in restaurants and bars, or taxis, should be avoided as it is more likely to cause confusion. There are some exceptions, such as your local guide, where whilst not expected, if you believe it is deserved it will be graciously accepted. Of course, with Japan there is always a little bit of etiquette, so if you do wish to tip your local guide, we suggest putting clean bills into an envelope and then, using both hands discretely hand to your guide.
Tipping is always discretionary, however if you are happy with the service provided, we would suggest the following amounts:
Tour Manager: £2 – £4 (JPY 400 – 800) per person per day
Local Guides: JPY 200 – 500 per person per day
Drivers: JPY 100 – 300 per person per day
The following information on entry requirements, passports and visas is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.
A valid ten-year British passport is required for all holidays, valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return date to the UK. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport, please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document. Our recommendation is that you should apply at least three months before your holiday.
No, British citizens are allowed to stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa.
For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Please note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and may change at any time. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel.
We also suggest referring to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and the NHS Travel Vaccinations website, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/
Japan is a country where cash is still preferred and it is often the only way to pay in smaller restaurants and shops. Although Visa and Mastercard are accepted in cities, the likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and so it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. 24-hour ATM machines and currency exchanges are available in almost all cities.