Flights: You can fly directly to Japan from London Heathrow. Other UK airports, such as Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol, offer flights with one or more stop offs.
Passport/visa requirements:Your passport must be valid for the duration of your holiday as well as have a blank page for stamps. Visas will be issued on arrival, allowing you to stay for up to 90 days.
Packing essentials: Depending on the time of year you travel, you may need to pack either winter clothes and a thick coat or lightweight summer clothing and swimwear.
Japan enjoys a varying weather spectrum; the weather varies greatly from region to region, with temperatures ranging between the thirties and below zeros depending on where you visit and when.
The below temperatures vary across regions.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temperatures | 5°C | 7°C | 10°C | 15°C | 18°C | 22°C | 25°C | 27°C | 23°C | 18°C | 10°C | 7°C |
Rainfall | 50mm | 50mm | 110mm | 120mm | 130mm | 170mm | 150mm | 170mm | 205mm | 190mm | 90mm | 50mm |
Japan’s appeal is apparent through its incredible array of things to do and attractions, which make it the perfect destination to return to again and again on a luxury Asia holiday. Families, couples and solo travellers will be delighted at the array of bucket list adventure activities, with something to suit everyone.
Soak up all of the excitement at one of Japan’s mega theme parks. Adrenaline junkies will love the exhilaration they feel at Fuji-Q Highland. Situated at the foot of Mount Fuji, you can experience epic views while soaring through the air on a gravity-defying and record-breaking rollercoaster. Sanrio Puroland, in Tokyo, is the home of Hello Kitty and is the perfect place to take little ones, while The Making Of Harry Potter will suit everyone. Unique to Japan is Tokyo Disneysea, alongside Tokyo Disneyland, where you can meet your favourite cartoon characters.
Sumo wrestling is another exciting event, and you can watch Japan’s national sport live whenever you visit. With it originating more than 1,500 years ago, it's clear why it’s such a beloved sport.
Aquatic enthusiasts will find a coast that’s teeming with marine life. Japan’s waters are a diverse ecosystem, including a variety of fish, rays, turtles, coral, seaplants and more. Cave diving is especially popular, with places like the Blue Cave in Okinawa the perfect year-round spot to explore.
Discover a unique site to Japan, the Japanese Garden. These beautiful spaces of foliage and water are located across the entire country, with bridges and pagodas nestled in picturesque spots for you to take in all the spectacular sights and sounds of nature.
Embark on a journey of the senses when you holiday in Japan. The food here will leave your mouth watering, especially if you visit the street food stalls in the local markets. Wherever you are, you’ll be drawn in by the aromatic scent of dishes like ramen, sushi, gyoza and udon. Walk the streets with your tasty bites to ensure you don’t miss a single moment of exploration and entertainment.
The cherry blossom festival is synonymous with Japan and is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The pink flowers usually bloom between March and April, but if you can’t make it to Japan during that time, fret not, as there’s plenty of other spellbinding flower festivals throughout the year.
Toyota City marks the arrival of spring through the blooming of its weeping peach trees, while Toyama’s Tonami Park bursts to life with vibrantly-coloured tulips. Grinpa Amusement Park plants a sea of 200,000 tulips that you can admire alongside views of the wondrous Mount Fuji.
Summer is the perfect time to see the hydrangeas in bloom, especially in the Hasedera Temple of Kanagawa. At the peak of summer, you can witness the awe-inspiring Jeotsu Lotus Festival, where the flowers emerge from the pond waters. Sunflowers and sweet-smelling lavender are also staples of the Japanese summer.
Autumn welcomes the arrival of cosmos flowers, with a variety of hues painting the landscape in mid-October, before they give way to winter and a splash of colour from the native camellias in areas like Nagasaki.
Travel to Japan’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Horyuji Temple area. Located in the secluded Ikaruga region, you’ll be only a short distance away from Osaka. You’ll be surrounded by incredible Buddhist architecture that dates back to the sixth century and highlights Japan’s cultural and religious history. Explore some of the world’s oldest wooden buildings and structures in the intricate Horyuji and Houkiji Temples.
Regarded as a quintessential Japanese experience, a tea ceremony should be at the top of your agenda. Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, is still known as a centre for traditional culture and is a great place to experience this one-of-a-kind event, where you’ll be served locally-grown tea and small cakes.
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