Planning a Japan Tour

Planning a trip to Japan takes some careful thought and often lots of fine-detailed planning. It's one of my favourite destinations and I love putting together Japan Trips for our customers.

Tour Japan with a Japan Rail Pass

A Japan Rail Pass is a fantastic way of getting around Japan and it’s the first thing I suggest to our customers. They come in 7 and 14-day options but can only be purchased outside of Japan.

Japan’s Rail network is superb; fast, efficient and comfortable – it’s a great way of Touring Japan. There are some restrictions – you can’t use the really high-speed trains for instance but mostly they’re very flexible indeed.

I try to create itineraries which work by maximising the valid days of the Japan Rail Pass. That often means beginning a trip in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto or vice versa. There are other Rail Passes which I sometimes recommend – most often the Hakone Free Pass which is a great way of seeing the Hakone/Mount Fuji area.

Choosing in advance the trains you want to travel on in Japan can be a good idea. I often help my clients choose particular trains and give advice on platforms and how to navigate the railways stations. Bear in mind that Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is the largest railway station in the world – it helps to know where you need to be in advance.

Baggage Forwarding

Baggage forwarding in Japan is a very handy option, especially for those using the Japan Rail Pass. It’s cheap, efficient and can be booked at most hotels in Japan a day in advance.

I usually suggest this for our customers, especially for those doing a Classic Japan Tour between Tokyo and Kyoto via Hakone.

Hotel Location & Room Size

If you’re touring Japan by Japan Rail, then it can be very useful to choose hotels on your Japan Tour which are within easy access of the Railway Stations.

The size of hotel rooms in Japan can be very small – especially in most of the mid to lower end range hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto.

If you’ve travelled to Asia before you need to bear this in mind – rooms in the cities are going to feel very small indeed in many hotels.

Fortunately, many rooms are designed to make the maximum possible use of the space available.

Make Your Japan Holiday as Varied as You Can

I like to suggest a variety of destinations and activities in Japan. It’s too easy to get hooked up on seeing temples – especially in Kyoto where you could easily spend a week or longer trying to cram everything in.

The focus for most first-time visitors to Japan will be on Kyoto and Tokyo which means a Japan tour can seem very focused on the cities and on temples.

Japanese Gardens are amazing, but don’t try to do 3 in one day (unless you’re an aficionado!). I try to organise itineraries that have a variety of aspects; city, countryside, temples, gardens, cuisine – but not too much of just one thing.

Getting beyond the urban landscape can reveal quite a different side to Japan and if time permits I like to suggest a visit to Shikoku, Kyushu or Hokkaido to experience more off the beaten track Japan. The Japanese Alps is another area which offers quite a contrast to Tokyo and Kyoto.

Combine guided and Non-Guided Days

Guided excursions in Japan are often expensive, especially with a private car. As such I often suggest a mix of guided excursions and plenty of time for your own independent touring.

I find our clients often like to have an introductory half-day excursion in Tokyo for instance and then like to have the rest of the time to explore without a guide.

Everyone is different of course and we can put together any kind of Japan Tour to suit you.

Be Realistic with Your Japan Tour

Be realistic in how much you plan to see. Making a list of 20 temples to see in Kyoto is not the best idea (there are over 1,600 if you want to see them all).

I always suggest trying to focus on two or three of the main temples in Kyoto for example and to mix up the order.

If you’re going to see Tofuku-ji Temple in the morning for example, head to the Bamboo Walkway at Arashiyama in the afternoon.

Timing is important. Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto for instance can get very busy indeed, so avoiding the busiest times really helps.

Experience the Best of Japan

Japan has so many opportunities to try unique Japanese experiences. I always try to either include some of these in an itinerary or advise my clients not to be shy and take the plunge into the Japanese way.

Communal bathing in a public Onsen (Hot Spring bath) can seem a bit daunting at first but it’s a great way of experiencing a unique Japanese past-time. The staff in the Onsen will help you out, even if they don’t speak any English.

I always try to include at least one stay in a traditional Ryokan in my Japan Itineraries. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese Inn and options range from semi-Westernised Ryokans to superb luxury Ryokans which can offer some of the top Luxury Accommodation in Japan.

A stay in a traditional Ryokan means sleeping on a futon mattress and dining in your room – normally a Kaiseki multi-course dinner.

Understand the Climate - the Best Time to Visit Japan

Putting together the right kind of Japan Tour is dependent on the time of year.

Popular times of year to Visit Japan are springtime and autumn. Of course, the Cherry Blossom season is an ideal time to Visit Japan but can be expensive and booking a long way in advance is often essential.