Tokyo
Highlights of Tokyo & the Kansai region
12 days
from £5,470 per person
Japan tours & tailor-made trips
Plan your dream trip to Japan with a local expert
See a different side to Japan on a trip built just for you, by someone who lives there.
Custom itinerary planningHandpicked local experts
Complete peace of mindABTA membership, financial protection & 24/7 local support
A fairer way to travelBenefiting local communities
In Japan, beauty is found in the smallest details, and even fleeting moments make a lasting impression.
The future arrives in Japan before the rest of the world, making this one of the most exciting, cutting-edge destinations there is. The past has not let go of these islands either, and the country seems to see-saw between the hyper-modern and the deeply traditional. Rollercoaster from the frenetic and fantastical cities to the dreamlike scenes of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls in rural Japan. It's a bucket list big-hitter for many, and there’s no question why.
Our local experts have the firsthand knowledge and expertise needed to help turn your trip into an unforgettable journey. They’ll be with you every step of the way, to help you craft a tailor-made itinerary that suits your every need and reveals Japan at its most authentic.
Your Japan adventure awaits
Best time to visit
Seasonal highlights: March to May (spring cherry blossoms), September to November (autumn foliage)
Beat the crowds: Late January, mid-May to early June, mid-September to early October
Destination highlights
The popular sites and cities on Japan’s Golden Route have earned their iconic status for good reason, but venture away from the well-worn trail to uncover a different side to this destination, adding layers of surprise and delight to your itinerary. We’d recommend Okinawa for fresh seafood, white sands and coral reefs; the Iya Valley for breathtakingly beautiful mountains; and Kanazawa for its thoughtfully landscaped gardens and preserved samurai district.
Price overview
£2,500 - £3,000+
All of our tailor-made trips can be 100% customised to your style—from budget stays to higher-end escapes. Prices are per person, based on a 7-day trip.
Best time to visit
How it works
How would you like to plan your trip?
Build a trip from scratch with a local Japan expert, or pick a curated itinerary as your starting point and customise it until it's yours.
Share your preferencesTravel dates, budget, experiences and more
Connect with your local expertReceive your first itinerary within 48 hours
Refine your trip togetherFull flexibility and a hassle-free, personal service
Book with confidence24/7 support, secure payment, ABTA protected
Free to plan. No commitment until you book
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Meet your local experts
Your trip, planned by someone who actually lives there
Our local experts aren’t travel agents working from a brochure. They’re people who live locally and know the destination like the back of their hand. Alongside them, you’ll craft an authentic and immersive trip, filled with intimate knowledge and passion for the place they call home.
Start planning your trip
TheresaI’ll help you plan a trip that’s perfect for you, filled with unforgettable experiences that reveal the essence of my home country…
MinaAs we tailor your itinerary together, I’ll suggest plenty of unique places and activities to help you make the most of your trip.
- Theresa
Working with TravelLocal has helped us grow our business and support our local community.
Traveller stories
What our travellers are saying
Every thing was very well organized and laid out for us. Theresa did a great job of planning the trip according to our needs. I would like to thank her very much and would recommend travel local Japan to anyone.
Great local guides in Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka. [Our local expert] Owen was great and always responsive. I would recommend TravelLocal for Japan. This is our 5th trip with TravelLocal.
We invited our guides to lunch with us at our cost and that added to our exploration of Japanese food. The itinerary was well coordinated and my TravelLocal coordinator was only an email away.
+78k78,000+ travellers have had a more authentic, tailor-made holiday
Places & highlights
Learn more about Japan
Featured storyThe magic of visiting Japan in December
Here’s our guide to visiting Japan in December: Japan in springtime gets all the attention, but there’s a real magic to its winter months.
When to go to Japan: a seasonal guide
This seasonal guide delves into the best time of year to go to Japan and highlights what you can expect during each period.
Tales from TravelLocal: our most unique culinary travel experiences
From cooking pasta in Italy to heavenly barbecues in the Maldives, we share the team’s most memorable foodie travel experiences.
Where to see the best fall colors
See where to experience the best fall colors, vibrant foliage, family traditions, and all the seasonal charm that makes fall so special.
Heavenly Asian islands to visit for pure escapism
Dreaming of a tropical escape filled with wonder and charm? Read our guide to the best Asian islands, each one unique in its own way.
Gastronomic journeys: the best road trips for foodies
Indulge your taste buds as we explore the best road trips for foodies. Start your engines and prepare for a mouthwatering adventure!
Good to know
Frequently asked questions about Japan
Known as sakura, the cherry blossom season in Japan typically runs from late March to early April, though timing varies by region. Kyoto and Tokyo are the most popular spots to see them, with the blossoms arriving later further north, reaching Hokkaido by late April to early May. It's one of the busiest times to visit Japan, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
Direct flights from the United Kingdom to Japan take approximately 13 to 14 hours, with primary departures from Heathrow into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. From there, onward connections are available to Osaka, Kyoto, and cities across the country.
British citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in Japan for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay, with at least one blank page for an entry stamp. Always check current entry requirements before you travel.
Japan's currency is the yen (JPY). Though famously hi-tech, cash is still a popular payment method in Japan, particularly outside major cities. Cards are widely accepted at convenience stores, hotels, and larger restaurants, but smaller establishments often prefer cash. It's a good idea to carry yen with you at all times, especially when visiting temples, rural areas, or small restaurants.
Japan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean off the east coast of the continent. It is an archipelago with four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, along with thousands of smaller ones. Its closest neighbours are Russia to the north and Korea and China to the west. Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and serves as the main international gateway.
Japan is known for its unique blend of ancient tradition and modern culture, and is beloved for its historic temples, super-fast bullet trains, world-class food, and cutting-edge technology. Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japan, while Tokyo is one of the world's great modern cities. To see a quieter side of Japan, add the Japanese Alps, rural ryokan inns, and the island of Okinawa to your itinerary.
Next steps
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