Japan tours & holidays

Captivating, exciting, tranquil and scenic – there aren’t enough words to describe Japan
Where the mountains are as famous as the cities and the trains are as fast as bullets – the crescent islands of Japan are as unique as a Tokyo street outfit. One minute, you’re sat at a tranquil tea ceremony; the next, you’re crossing the busiest intersection in the world. Make wishes at Shinto temples, then ballad the night away at karaoke. Learn of geisha traditions, eat your way through Japan’s delicacies, search for the pinkest cheery blossom, try your hand at an arcade game, then soak away your stress at an onsen. Sumo-size your next trip and join us for a journey through Japan.
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Japan at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Tokyo (population approximately 37 million)
POPULATION
Approximately 124.5 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
Best time to visit
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.
Read more about the best time to visit Japan
Weather in Japan
- 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.
History and culture
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. Over the centuries, Japan has alternated between feudal, empirical, religious and government rule, with each period birthing different styles of art, architecture and spirituality.
It’s difficult to discuss the emergence of modern Japan without talking about WWII, as it played a large and damaging role in the worldwide conflict. The Empire of Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in September 1945 after the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and was subsequently forced to rename itself as just ‘Japan’. Following the war, the nation faced the prospect of rebuilding and reinventing in the second half of the 20th century. This led to the Japan of today, a nation of technology-led metropolises and a new wave of culture in the form of arts and food.
There are two dominant religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. New-age culture plays a large part in modern Japan with the rise of fashion, manga (Japanese comics) and gaming culture in the 21st century. However, Japan’s traditional cultural practises of tea ceremonies, bowing, kendo, geisha and sumo still live on.
Geography and environment
Japan is an archipelago of more than 6,000 islands 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 volcanic activity, which causes frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Because of this volcanic activity, Japan has many natural hot springs that are often used for onsens (Japanese bathhouses).
The majority of Japan’s landscape consists of mountains, which has led to the majority of people living in the flatter coastal regions. The most famous volcano, Mount Fuji, is also Japan's highest peak and is only 100km from Tokyo.
Eating and drinking
Japan’s cuisine is famous worldwide and for good reason. With a focus on fresh seafood, fresh produce and cooking techniques honed over centuries of practice, Japanese food is bound to delight.
Things to try in Japan
1. Ramen
A staple of Japan: ramen. This dish combines a tasty broth with added ingredients of vegetables and meat.
2. Sashimi
Sashimi is raw, thinly sliced meat, typically fish and served along with soy, ginger and wasabi. The most popular fish served is tuna, salmon, sea bream and mackerel.
3. Tempura
Tempura is a style of deep-frying that is often lighter than other types of fried food. Many things can be made tempura, including vegetables, so this may be a good option for vegetarians.
4. Gyoza
Japan’s dumpling, a gyoza is a delicious parcel of minced vegetables and meat accompanied with a tasty dipping sauce. This dumpling is fried and a delicious snack to find at markets.
5. Sake
Sake is a centuries-old alcoholic drink, sometimes used during ceremonies. Sake can be served hot or cold and does have a bit of an alcohol kick – so user beware.
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).
Money matters
The official currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY).
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, some of them don't accept foreign-issued cards. ATMs can be found at many 7-Eleven convenience stores and at post offices.
Japan travel FAQs
Travellers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Japan. For more information, please visit the Government of Japan’s website or the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
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
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 the housekeeping staff.
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.
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.
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. 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. Often, there will be both types available to choose from.
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!).
While homosexuality is legal in Japan, gay marriage has not been made legal by the Japanese high court. There is no legal recognition of non-binary gender in Japan; however, similar to the legitimacy of gay marriage, it can vary by region.
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 who live in regional areas.
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
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.
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
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.
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
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.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.