Japan Holidays | Tours to Japan by Pettitts Travel

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Places to visit in Japan

There is more to Japan than futuristic cities, high-speed bullet trains, sumo wrestling and cutting-edge cuisine and travelling away from the main tourist centres opens a whole new side to the country. Most visitors initially arrive in Tokyo with its world-class museums, tourist attractions, shops, temples, gardens and palaces. Mt Fuji emerges in the distance and the surrounding Hakone National Park offers fine views and plenty of outdoor activities. Further south, Kyoto rightly lays claims to being Japan’s cultural centre. Here there are an astonishing collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 2,000 shrines. The coastal city of Kanazawa is home to a 400 year old castle then travel on to Hiroshima – a name forever synonymous with the events of 1945. The pretty towns of Takayama and Matsumoto are the gateway to the walks and wildlife of the Japanese Alps whilst northern Hokkaido Island is known for its volcanic landscapes and hot springs.

MAP OF JAPAN

When to Visit japan

Japan's temperate climate and four seasons make it a year-round travel destination for a tailor-made holiday. Winters are cool and sunny in the south, cold and sunny around Tokyo – the city occasionally has snow – and very cold on the island of Hokkaido which is snow-covered for up to four months of the year. Depending on the region you are visiting the summer, which spans from June to September, can either be warm and humid or very hot. Spring and autumn are generally considered to be the best times to visit Japan on holiday as temperatures are, on the whole, mild and tourist attractions open. Travelling to Japan in the spring is highly recommended as this is when the cherry blossoms are at their best. Rain falls throughout the year but June and early July is the main rainy season although rainfall is intermittent with sunny spells. Typhoons are not unusual between July and September but rarely last more than a day.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

Capital: Tokyo

Main Language: Japanese

Time Zone: GMT + 9

Currency: Yen (JPY)

japan Guide & Travel Advice

Explore Japan

Tokyo

Japan Wildlife Holidays

Japan Holiday Review

Thank you so much for arranging such a wonderful holiday – there were a real mix of things that we loved.

The guides in Tokyo and Kyoto were really good and informative and gave us great information and ideas. We visited Arashiyama – an area on the river outside Kyoto which has the Bamboo Grove and beautiful temple and garden Tenryu-ji. We had a day trip to Nara and to see the Kyoto itself is really interesting with the Nishiki Market and old buildings especially Ponto-cho. Hakone is really beautiful. The trains in Japan are great and easy to navigate. I would encourage anyone to travel by train and definitely use the luggage forwarding service. Food is wonderful – we had a lot of teppanyaki which was great fun.

We are all hugely grateful to you and the team as always for arranging the holiday.

HF - Japan - September 2019

Accommodation in Japan

In all main Japanese cities the range of accommodation is extensive and there will always be a wide-range of different options. All major internationally recognised hotel companies are present in Japan and many of their flagship properties can be found in Tokyo. Further afield, in provincial towns and cities, accommodation is usually in smaller, independent, Japanese owned hotels. In nearly all cases hotels will be very modern in both style and design. To fully experience the culture and hospitality no visit to Japan is complete without a stay in a ryokan – a Japanese-style inn. Found throughout the country, ryokans vary greatly in quality and style but all will have a special Japanese atmosphere with tatami floors, futon beds, traditional cuisine and hot spring ‘onsen’ baths.

Common Japan Travel Questions

Q1 - When is the best time to visit Japan?

A1 - Depending on where you are planning to travel, Japan can be visited throughout the year, however, generally the best times to visit are between March and May or from August to early January. Spring heralds the arrival of cherry blossom season and autumn spectacular fall colours. Summer temperatures can be very hot and, in certain places, humid too whilst winters cooler and clear but very cold in the far northern island of Hokkaido. The months of June and July are considered rainy season, however, rainfall is not consistent and there will be plenty of dry spells.

Q2 - Do I need a visa to travel to Japan from the UK?

A2 - British citizens do not need a visa to travel to Japan for visits of up to 90 days.

Q3 - How long is the flight to Japan from the UK?

A3 - Direct flights between the UK and Japan are approximately 12 hours. Indirect flights that stop en-route have a longer duration.

Q4 - What currency is used in Japan?

A4 - The official currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen. Despite the country’s modernity, Japan is still largely a cash society and although credit and debit cards can more readily be used in larger towns or cities, in rural or less visited areas it is unlikely that they will be accepted. ATM machines can be found throughout Japan.

Q5 - Is English spoken in Japan?

A5 - English is not as widely spoken in Japan as it is elsewhere in Asia. In small towns and rural areas very few people will speak or understand English whilst in larger cities or places used to receiving foreign visitors a greater number of people should have a basic understanding of the language. However, this is one of the joys of travel to Japan and should be embraced as it is an excellent opportunity to learn a few Japanese words and phrases. Not only will it add to the enjoyment of your holiday but will also be enthusiastically received.

Q6 - When is cherry blossom season in Japan?

A6 - Hanami, the viewing of cherry blossom, known as sakura, is an important event in the Japanese calendar and is when the country is at its most enchanting. Cherry blossom season runs from around the end of March to the end of April although exact timings fluctuate.

Q7 - Should I take a Shinkansen bullet train?

A7 - Japan’s rail network is envied the world over and its famed Shinkansen bullet train is the jewel in its crown. Punctual, efficient and tranquil the Shinkansen network covers the length and breadth of Japan and is an excellent way to travel around the country.