Japan

Japan is a fascinating land of contrasts, an engaging combination of futuristic cities, ancient culture, traditional performing arts, great architectural works and stunning natural landscapes. From the big-city buzz of Tokyo and the mountain hot springs of Hakone, to the tranquil beauty of Kyoto and traditions of Takayama, each region of Japan has something exceptionally special to offer.<br /> <br /> A vast archipelago consisting of over 7000 islands, four main islands form the most-frequented and best-known areas of Japan: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Honshu is home to Japan’s key destinations, while the other three islands offer a whole host of landscapes, environments, and cultural activities.<br /> <br /> Our bespoke itineraries mean you can choose which of the country’s highlights to explore. For starters, cosmopolitan Tokyo is one of the most exciting metropolises in Asia, where traditions from centuries past exist side-by-side with the ever-moving elements of the latest in urban culture.<br /> <br /> Remaining firmly at the top of most visitors’ ‘must-see’ lists however are the country’s veritable melting pot of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: including the beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped, stratovolcano Mount Fuji; the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities); the Historic Village of Shirakawa-go; the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome); and the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

CAPITAL CITY | Tokyo
TIME DIFFERENCE | GMT +8 hours
BEST TIME TO VISIT | Mar-May & Sep-Nov
CURRENCY | Japanese Yen