from £1,995 pp
The art of travelling Japan, at exactly the right pace
Flight time
11–12 hours direct
Timezone
JST (GMT+9)
Currency
Japanese Yen (¥)
Visa (UK)
No visa required (up to 90 days)
Language
Japanese
Best time
May, Jul, Aug, Sep
Written & verified by
Emma Thornton · Japan Travel Specialist · 11 years · 340+ Japan holidays arranged Accessible & mobility-aware specialist
Japan rewards those who slow down. Ancient shrine forests, the particular silence of a ryokan at dusk, a kaiseki meal that turns dinner into meditation — our guides know where to go, what to skip, and how to make time feel generous. No early departures, no rushed temple sweeps.
From
£1,995
per person
What you'll experience
- Private ryokan stays with kaiseki dinners
- Dawn visits to Fushimi Inari — before the crowds
- Shinkansen travel in first class
- Nishiki Market food walk with your guide
- Optional tea ceremony and calligraphy class
When to go
Best Time to Visit Japan
Jan
Cold & crisp
Feb
Cold, snow north
Mar
Cherry blossom
Apr
Cherry blossom
May
Warm & pleasant
Jun
Rainy season
Jul
Hot & humid
Aug
Hot, Obon festivals
Sep
Warm, typhoon risk
Oct
Autumn colours
Nov
Autumn colours
Dec
Cool & clear
Health & vaccines
No mandatory vaccines; Hepatitis A recommended
Made for your pace
Why travellers over 50 love Japan
Japan's exceptional public transport means you never drive — Shinkansen in first class covers the whole country stress-free.
Ryokan stays include in-room kaiseki dinners and private hot-spring baths, making evenings as memorable as the sightseeing.
Temple gardens and shrine paths are designed for contemplative walking — gentle, flat, and free of crowds when your guide times them right.
Every restaurant, from street-food stalls to Michelin-starred kaiseki, maintains immaculate hygiene standards — a real reassurance for travellers.
Japan's culture of omotenashi (wholehearted hospitality) means you are looked after at every turn, with no language barrier when accompanied by a guide.
Experiences
Top things to do in Japan
1Witness cherry blossom in Kyoto
March–April transforms Maruyama Park and the Philosopher's Path into corridors of pink and white. Your guide times visits before the day-trippers arrive.
2Travel the Shinkansen in first class
The Gran Class cabin on the Hokuriku Line is one of travel's great pleasures — Japan's countryside at 320 km/h, with seat-to-seat service.
3Stay in a traditional ryokan
A tatami room, a kimono, a private outdoor onsen and a ten-course kaiseki dinner — an experience that is impossible to replicate anywhere in the world.
4Dawn visit to Fushimi Inari
Ten thousand vermilion torii gates climb the forested mountain. Arrive at 06:00 and the tunnel of gates is yours alone.
5Explore the Nishiki Market food walk
Kyoto's five-block covered market is a masterclass in Japanese produce — pickled plum, grilled skewers, matcha confectionery and fresh tofu direct from the vat.
6Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
The Peace Memorial Museum is one of the most important historical sites in the world. The short ferry to Miyajima and its floating torii gate makes the day complete.
7Tea ceremony and calligraphy class
A private two-hour session with a tea master in a Kyoto machiya townhouse — the ritual of the ceremony clarifies everything that is distinctively Japanese.
8Arashiyama bamboo grove and temple walk
The bamboo canopy at Sagano is a genuinely otherworldly experience. Combine it with the moss garden at Saihoji and the riverside lunch at Kitcho for a perfect Kyoto day.
9Nara's giant Buddha and free-roaming deer
Todai-ji houses the world's largest bronze Buddha. The 1,200 deer that roam freely around it are considered sacred messengers — remarkably photogenic and gentle.
10Tsukiji outer market breakfast, Tokyo
The outer market still operates at dawn — tuna sashimi, tamagoyaki and green tea at 07:00 in the company of Tokyo's fish traders is a uniquely memorable morning.
Eat & drink
Food & drink in Japan
Kaiseki dining
Japan's highest culinary art — eight to twelve small courses using seasonal, local ingredients prepared with extraordinary precision. A ryokan kaiseki dinner is non-negotiable.
Ramen and izakaya culture
Each region has its own ramen style. Sapporo's miso, Hakata's tonkotsu, Tokyo's soy. An izakaya evening of shared small plates and cold Sapporo beer is the social heart of Japan.
Wagyu beef and sake
Kobe-style wagyu melts at temperatures below body heat. Pair it with a local junmai daiginjo sake — floral, delicate, nothing like the hot sake served in Western restaurants.
Transport & transfers
Getting around Japan
Japan's Shinkansen network connects Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond with punctuality to the second. The JR Pass covers most intercity travel on our itineraries. Within cities, the metro systems are excellent — your guide handles navigation throughout, so you never need to decipher a map.
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Not sure which tour is right for you?
Our Japan specialists will help you find the perfect match — no hard sell, just honest advice.
Our promise
Why travel with us for Japan
All ryokan nights booked in advance with English-speaking staff briefed on your preferences — no surprises at check-in.
Our Japan specialists have lived in the country and know which Kyoto temples stay quiet even in cherry blossom season.
Shinkansen and transport logistics handled end-to-end — you focus on the journey, we handle the timetables.
Common questions
Japan travel questions answered
Do I need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan?
Not at all. All our Japan tours include English-speaking guides throughout, and our ryokan and hotel partners have English-speaking staff available. Train signage in major cities is bilingual. Our pre-departure guide also includes useful phrases and etiquette tips.
Is Japan suitable for travellers with mobility considerations?
Japan's Shinkansen and major city metros are highly accessible. Some temple complexes and traditional ryokan involve steps and low seating. We rate each tour Gentle, Moderate or Active and can tailor itineraries to avoid specific physical challenges — please discuss your requirements with our specialists.
What is the best Japan itinerary for a first visit?
For a first visit, we recommend the classic Tokyo–Nikko–Hakone–Kyoto–Nara–Osaka route over 14–16 days. This balances urban sophistication, mountain scenery, and the ancient capital at an unhurried pace. Many guests return for a second trip to focus on Hokkaido, Hiroshima or the Japanese Alps.
How far in advance should I book a Japan tour?
We recommend booking 6–9 months ahead, especially if you want to travel during cherry blossom season (late March–early April) or autumn foliage (late October–mid November). Popular ryokan and first-class Shinkansen seats are reserved well in advance.
Plan your trip
Japan travel guides
Free, in-depth reading from our specialists to help you plan the perfect Japan trip — when to go, what to expect, and how to travel well in later life.
When to Go to Asia
Best Time to Visit Japan: A Season-by-Season Guide for the Over-60s
When is the best time to visit Japan? Our season-by-season guide covers cherry blossom and autumn colour, weather by month and gentle pacing for the over-60s.
Read the guide →Accessible Holidays to Asia
Is Japan Suitable for the Over-70s? An Accessibility & Pacing Guide
Yes — barrier-free Japan is one of Asia's easiest destinations for the over-70s, with step-free bullet trains, lifts everywhere and gentle, well-paced touring.
Read the guide →Solo Holidays to Asia
Best Countries in Asia for Solo Travellers Over 60
The best countries in Asia for solo travellers over 60, weighing safety, healthcare, language and ease, plus how a private guide transforms the trip.
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Best Solo Holidays for the Over 70s
Your seventies can be the finest decade to travel solo. Discover the best escorted singles holidays for the over 70s, with flights, comfort and care included.
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Single-Supplement-Free Asia Holidays Explained
A plain guide to the single supplement: what it is, why hotels charge it, and how we waive it on selected Asia escorted-tour departures for solo travellers.
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Solo Holidays in Asia for Women Over 55
Solo holidays in Asia for women over 55: the safest, most rewarding destinations, with a private escorted guide, included UK flights and ATOL protection.
Read the guide →Free guide
First time visiting Japan?
We've put together a free guide with everything you need before you go — best time to visit, what to pack, how to get around, and a few things first-timers always wish they'd known.
Plan with confidence
Ready to start planning your Japan holiday?
Speak with a specialist who has been to Japan, knows every hotel on our programme, and will design your itinerary around exactly what you want. No hard sell — just honest, expert advice.
ATOL Protected
Your money is 100% safe, guaranteed by the CAA.
Refundable Deposits
Plans change. Your deposit is returned in full if you cancel early.
No 06:00 starts
Every day begins at your pace — Gentle, Moderate or Active, as promised.
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