Japan Tours & Holidays
Beautiful landscapes? Check. Cultural experiences? Check. Tastebud-tingling food? Check. Our Japan tours have it all.
There’s a certain allure to Japan – a place where eastern tradition and western modernity collide among otherworldly scenery that’ll take your breath away and refuse to give it back. Add mouthwatering cuisine, a fascinating history, and a multifaceted culture into the mix and it's easy to understand how Japan continues to captivate travellers. From enjoying a sake tasting at a local brewery and soaking in a steaming hot onsen to marvelling at World Heritage-listed temples thousands of years old, our tours in Japan promise the ultimate adventure: one you’ll continue to think about long after you return home.
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Essential Japan
Essential Japan
Japan Highlights Family Holiday
Classic Japan
Classic Japan
Articles of Japan
Japan at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Tokyo (population approximately 37 million)
POPULATION
Approximately 123.1 million
CURRENCY
JPY
LANGUAGE
Japanese
TIME ZONE
(GMT+09:00) Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo
CALLING CODE
+81
ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)
Learn more about Japan
Culture and customs
Japan is a multifaceted country made up of many different cultures, rituals, and traditions influenced by Confucianism (introduced in AD285), Buddhism (introduced in AD552), and Shintoism (Japan’s ritualistic native religion). The rise of technology and international trendsetting has also played a part in the culture of Japan today as the younger generation embraces fashion-forwardness, online personas, and high-tech gadgets.
This is in direct contrast to the Confucian-influenced, old-school Japanese culture that the older generations still live by, with a larger emphasis on modesty, respect, and discipline. This can sometimes cause conflict between the two demographics, however, there are still some traditions that are considered sacred regardless of age – tea ceremonies, bowing, kendo, geisha, and sumo.
History and government
Japan has had an interesting past with its ancient history, pre-modern history, and 20th-century history all influencing the country we all know and love today.
Ancient history
While there is evidence the archipelago has been occupied by humans for around 35,000 years, what we know now as ‘Japan’ began to take shape about 1700 years ago as disparate tribes started to unify.
Pre-modern history
Over the centuries, Japan has alternated between feudal, empirical, religious and government rule, with each period birthing different styles of art, architecture and spirituality. Buddhism and Confucianism, introduced in 552 BC and AD 285, respectively, both proved massively influential on the class structures and governance of pre-modern Japan. You can still visit and stay in many Buddhist temples in Japan today.
20th century
It’s difficult to discuss the emergence of modern Japan without talking about WWII. During the war, the Empire of Japan used aggressive military tactics in an attempt to expand its reach and control in Asia and elsewhere. In response, the US Army instigated a strategic bombing campaign that included the notorious use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The result of these attacks was mass human and structural devastation.
These bombings, along with depleted armed forces and the looming threat of invasion from the Soviet Union, led the Empire of Japan to surrender unconditionally to the Allies in September 1945.
The ‘Empire of Japan’ became ‘Japan’ as part of the extensive terms of surrender, and the nation faced the prospect of rebuilding and reinventing itself in the second half of the 20th century.
Today
After WWII, Japan found its feet operating as a free-market economy based around the manufacture and export of automobiles and electronics, experiencing particularly rapid growth between 1960 and the late 1980s. The late 20th century saw the country emerge as an economic superpower, and with that came the flourishing of several cultural sectors, such as the arts and cuisine.
Top places to visit in Japan
1. Tokyo
One minute you’re walking through a former black-market quarter, the next you’re paying your respects at a 1400-year-old temple. Eclectic Tokyo is an essential part of any visit to Japan.
2. Osaka
If you’ve ever eaten at a sushi train restaurant, you’ve got the underrated city of Osaka to thank! The motto in this city is 'kuidaore' which roughly translates as ‘eat until you drop’. You can consider that a (friendly) order.
3. Kyoto
The home of temples, palaces and the Gion district (where geisha live and work), Kyoto is also where you’ll find the famed Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
4. Kanazawa
A great place to see a slice of old Japan, with classic sculpted gardens, a restored Old Town and well-preserved architecture from a variety of eras.
5. Hiroshima
Most travellers visit Hiroshima to see the Peace Memorial Park, constructed around the hypocentre of the atomic bomb that destroyed the city in 1945. Follow this up with nearby Miyajima, a tranquil island where tame deer roam the streets.
6. Yudanaka
This quaint resort town is best experienced in the winter, when snow coats the normally evergreen trees and Japanese macaques come down from the mountains to bathe and groom each other in the steaming natural hot springs of Jigokudani (Hell Valley).
Geography and environment
Japan is an archipelago of more than 6000 islands located in the Pacific Ocean in Asia. The main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. Lying on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is prone to destructive earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity. The most famous volcano, Mount Fuji, is also Japan's highest peak and only 100km from Tokyo.
Japan has plenty of forested, mountainous terrain that is unsuitable for agriculture and development, so much of the population lives in the coastal cities. This has led Japan to become one of the most densely populated countries in the world and the majority of its inhabitants are used to living in very small spaces, with a heavy reliance on public transport.
Although life is fast-paced and crowded in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, rural areas typically feature low-density, traditional housing and a slower pace of life surrounded by greenery such as lush forests and plenty of moss-covered boulders.
Shopping
Shopping in Japan is fun but expensive, so be sure to have a budget for souvenirs planned in advance! In cities like Tokyo, there are loads of quirky stores and funky galleries showcasing the works of independent fashion designers and gadget creators. From the outlandish to the kitsch, you're guaranteed to find loads of colourful clothing and edgy art that you won't be able to find elsewhere.
If you’re planning to bring back leaf tea or any other perishable or edible items, it's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand, in particular, have strict quarantine laws.
What to buy
- Kimonos
This quintessential Japanese souvenir looks great hung on the wall as an interesting decorative piece. If you plan on wearing one, make sure you do so respectfully and learn the correct way to fold the garment. Paper lanterns, kites and fans
Japanese paper goods make great, relatively inexpensive souvenirs. Choose from high-quality, traditionally-made kites or delicate rice paper lanterns.Electronics
Shops in Japan are bursting with the latest tech gadgets. Just be sure to check that they are compatible for use at home.Fashion
Have fun with the amazing diversity of popular street culture fashion available in Japan. Vibrant, brash and sometimes bizarre – find something that no one back at home will be wearing.Anime and manga paraphernalia
Another inexpensive gift option, even for people who can’t read Japanese. Pick up a book, magazine, t-shirt or print from one of Japan’s many anime and manga stores
Festivals and events
If you want an adventure with a point of difference, consider planning your travels to coincide with these popular festive events in Japan.
Sapporo Winter Festival
Held every February since 1950, this festival features hundreds of statues and ice sculptures, snow slides and mazes, regional food and artistic performances. Winter in Japan is truly amazing, and the Sapporo Winter Festival is a magical way to celebrate.
Hadaka Matsuri
Head to Okayama to watch thousands of men wearing nothing but loincloths vie to touch the chosen 'naked man'. It may look like a bizarre male-bonding exercise but it's actually a historic cleansing ritual dating back thousands of years. Dates change yearly.
Fuji Rock Festival
Held annually in the stunning surroundings of the Naeba Ski Resort, this outdoor music festival is huge and draws in big-name acts and local bands Thousands of music lovers flock to Naeba for three days of camping, music and partying in the summer months.
Read more about festivals in Japan
Public holidays that may impact travel include:
Coming of Age Day
National Foundation Day
Emperor's Birthday
Vernal/Spring Equinox Day
Showa Day
Constitution Day
Greenery Day
Children's Day
Marine Day, also known as Sea or Ocean Day
Mountain Day
Respect-for-the-Aged Day
Autumnal Equinox Day
Health and Sports Day
Culture Day
Labour Thanksgiving Day
Please note dates of Japan's public holidays may vary.
Further reading
For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Japan adventure, check out these books:
- The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – Haruki Murakami
- Sembazuru – Yasunari Kawabata
- Moshi Moshi – Banana Yoshimoto
- Goodnight Punpun – Inio Asano
- Okinawa Notes – Kenzaburo Oe
- A History of Japan – George Sansom
- Embracing Defeat – John W Dower
Japan travel FAQs
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Under current restrictions, a visa is required to enter Japan as a tourist. We recommend you apply for your visa no later than one month before your departure date. Please contact your local consulate or embassy for more information.
This page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.
Last updated: 15 June, 2023
Tipping isn't customary in Japan and is not expected – in fact, it will sometimes be considered impolite. Some inns or ryokans may leave a small envelope in your room where a small gratuity can be left for housekeeping staff.
Internet access is excellent in Japan, with one of the most developed high-speed internet networks in the world. Internet cafes and wi-fi hotspots are easily found in most cities and major towns.
Mobile phone coverage is excellent in Japan but be aware that talking loudly on your phone in public places (like in train carriages) is frowned upon. You will be expected to hide your mouth behind your hand if you must take a call in public. If you want to use your mobile phone, ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive (but be aware of the fees this may incur).
In Japan, toilets range from high-tech bidets to standard western-style flushable toilets to squat toilets, which are still common outside the city. Sometimes you may need to pay for toilet paper, which can usually be purchased from a vending machine nearby.
Japan's unit of currency is the yen:
- Bento box = YEN 550
- Bowl of ramen = YEN 650-1,200
- Can of beer = YEN 250
- Coffee = YEN 100-600
- Convenience store snack = YEN 200-500
Drinking water from taps in Japan is considered safe. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water. Major cities often have water fountains in train stations.
Major credit cards are accepted by some stores; however, Japan is still very much a cash culture and as such, some places may not accept credit cards. Ensure you carry enough cash to cover purchases.
ATMs are common in Japan but unfortunately many of them don't accept foreign-issued cards. However, you can access cash from non-Japanese bank accounts via the Cirrus and Maestro systems at all post office ATMs around the country, as well as ATMs at 7-Eleven convenience stores.
- 1 Jan: New Year's Day
- *Coming of Age Day
- 11 Feb: National Foundation Day
- 23 Feb: Emperor's Birthday
- *20 Mar: Vernal/Spring Equinox Day
- 29 Apr: Showa Day
- 3 May: Constitution Day
- 4 May: Greenery Day
- 5 May: Children's Day
- *Jul: Marine Day, also known as Sea or Ocean Day
- 11 Aug: Mountain Day
- *Sep: Respect-for-the-Aged Day
- *23 Sep: Autumnal Equinox Day
- *Oct: Health and Sports Day
- 3 Nov: Culture Day
- 23 Nov: Labour Thanksgiving Day
*Please note, Japan public holidays may vary.
March, April and May are excellent months to holiday in Japan and, as a result, are the busiest. The weather is usually fine and beautiful cherry blossoms are in full bloom. September, October and November are also great months to visit Japan on holidays, as the days are warm but not humid and the autumn colours are out. Winter, while cold, offers great conditions for skiing, snowboarding, going to snow festivals and admiring the stunning mountain scenery. The summer months can be quite humid, but tourist areas are generally quieter and there are many fun festivals and fireworks displays to enjoy.
- Spring (March to May): temperatures range from 10 to 20°C, with conditions getting sunnier and clearer towards the end of the season.
- Summer (June to August): temperatures range from 21 to 32°C depending on where you are. It’s warmer in the south than in the north. You can expect some rain in June, and it can get quite humid towards the end of the season.
- Autumn (September to November): temperatures range from 7 to 20°C. The humidity starts to calm down in September, but days stay warm until October. Nights can be chilly.
- Winter (December to February): break out the coats, temperatures during winter range from 0 to 15°C. The mountains and the north experience snowfall.
Japan is generally safe and is rated among the safest countries in the world. Reports of crime such as theft are very low and travellers are often stunned by the fact that locals leave belongings unaccompanied in cafes and bars (though we certainly don’t recommend it!).
LGBTQIA+ travellers shouldn’t have any issues visiting Japan with violence, outright hostility or overt discrimination extremely rare. However, Japan’s older generation still holds conservative values when it comes to LGBTQIA+ sexuality and non-binary gender expression, especially those that live in regional areas.
Same-sex relationships are considered legal in some districts (such as Tokyo); however, same-sex marriage hasn’t been legalised yet. Public displays of affection are often frowned upon, regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation so keep that in mind when you’re out in public.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
The needs of travellers with mobility issues, including wheelchair users, are considered in the infrastructure in major cities. Train stations have lifts (elevators), wide turnstiles and (for the most part) raised platforms so that wheelchair users can glide onto the train without being assisted.
Sidewalks in Japanese cities are sometimes sloped towards the road, which can make travelling a straight line difficult for wheelchair users or people with vision impairment.
It is common practice in Japan to remove shoes when entering a home. Wheelchair users should carry something to wipe down their wheels in respect of this custom. Apply the same logic for other mobility aids such as canes.
Ryokans and other traditional accommodation can be difficult to navigate for people with limited mobility, but accessible hotel options are plentiful in the major cities.
Travellers with vision impairment may find the tactile yellow strips that guide the way to various places in train stations helpful, though please note that there is no barrier between the train tracks and platforms.
If you have a battery-operated hearing aid, it’s a good idea to bring extra batteries or familiarise yourself with the Japanese equivalent of the batteries it takes.
If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.
Summer months can be incredibly hot and sticky, so loose, lightweight and breathable clothing is essential.
Spring and autumn can be crisp and cold, so you might want to pack thermal layers in addition to your coat and boots.
Outside of Hokkaido and the mountains, the winter temperatures in Japan are manageable as long as you have regular cold-weather clothes like a good coat, pair of gloves, a winter hat and a scarf.
The style of dress common for women in Japan may be a little more covered up than you are used to, particularly outside the major cities.
Packing comfortable trousers is essential as you may find yourself sitting cross-legged on the floor during your stay.
Having a basic understanding of the language and culture of the country you're visiting can go a long way when it comes to, not only communicating efficiently but your overall trip experience as well. Some common phrases you need to learn are:
- 'hello' - Konnichiwa
- 'good morning' - Ohayō
- 'thank you' - Arigatou Gozaimasu
- 'please' - Onegaishimasu
There are two dominant religions in Japan - Shinto and Buddhism. The majority of Japanese people practice both simultaneously, however, there is a small number of the population that practise other religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam.
From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the peaceful nature of the Japanese Alps, there are plenty of bucket-list destinations to include on your itinerary of Japan. We know it's hard to see everything but here are a few of our favourite places to visit in Japan:
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Kyoto
- Mt Fuji
- Takayama
Japan isn't short of spectacular attractions to wander through and fascinating historical landmarks to marvel at but it's pretty hard to do it all on your trip to Japan. So you don't miss the things you simply have to see, we've put together a short list of parks, temples, and monuments worth visiting. Happy exploring!
- Hiroshima Peace Park
- Mt Fuji
- Cherry blossom trees
- Osaka Castle
- Himeji Castle
Food lovers, including vegetarians and vegans, will be more than satisfied with the variety and quality of Japanese cuisine. With a focus on fresh, seasonal produce that is prepared meticulously and presented beautifully, dining in Japan is a memorable experience.
From craft beer to sake, Japan has plenty of tasty liquids to keep you hydrated throughout your travels.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or you’re about to embark on your first trip, travelling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organising amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), travelling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Japan directly support our foundation partner, Japan Rescue Association.
Japan Rescue Association are on a mission to train and deploy rescue and therapy dogs to help save lives. Donations help them train dogs, raise awareness for the importance of working dogs and promote animal welfare.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations to The Intrepid Foundation.