Holiday destination

Japan

Japan combines ultra-modern cities with ancient temples, gardens and traditions. Tokyo dazzles with neon and food, Kyoto with its shrines and geisha district, and Hiroshima with its moving Peace Memorial. Bullet trains make it easy to tour, and mountain towns such as Takayama and Kanazawa add old-world charm.

Region: Far East

Trip types on sale: Adventure, Train Tour, Cultural.

Places

Hiroshima (Honshu)
The Peace Memorial Park and nearby Miyajima.
View 3 holidays featuring Hiroshima
Kyoto (Honshu)
Temples, shrines and traditional teahouses.
View 3 holidays featuring Kyoto
Tokyo (Honshu)
Temples, neon districts and world-class food.
View 3 holidays featuring Tokyo
Kanazawa (Honshu)
Kenroku-en garden and historic samurai and geisha districts.
View 3 holidays featuring Kanazawa
Nagoya (Honshu)
Nagoya Castle and a gateway to central Japan.
View 3 holidays featuring Nagoya
Osaka
Osaka Castle, the Dotonbori district and street food.
View 1 holiday featuring Osaka
Takayama
An old town of wooden merchant houses in the Japanese Alps.
View 1 holiday featuring Takayama

Best time to go

Late March to early April for cherry blossom, and October to November for autumn colours. Summer is hot and humid.

Who it suits

Culture lovers, food fans, families with older children and first-time Asia visitors.

Getting there

Non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda (HND) take about 14 hours. Osaka Kansai (KIX) is usually reached with one connection.

Practical

Time: 9 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 8 hours ahead in summer.
Currency: Japanese yen
Language: Japanese.

Typical daytime highs

Spring (March to May). Typical daytime highs around 15 to 23°C in spring (March to May).
Summer (June to August). Typical daytime highs around 28 to 32°C in summer (June to August).
Autumn (September to November). Typical daytime highs around 19 to 26°C in autumn (September to November).
Winter (December to February). Typical daytime highs around 9 to 12°C in winter (December to February).

These are typical ranges, not a forecast.

Things to do

Ride the bullet train
Visit Kyoto's temples and the Fushimi Inari shrine
Explore Tokyo's districts such as Shibuya and Asakusa
Visit the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
See cherry blossom or autumn colours
Try sushi, ramen and street food in Osaka

Questions

How long is the flight to Japan?

About 14 hours non-stop from London to Tokyo.

When is cherry blossom season in Japan?

Usually late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Is it easy to travel around Japan?

Yes, the bullet train network links the main cities quickly.

UK passport holders should check the latest entry requirements on GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.