Luxury Japan Travel

What are the must-sees for a first-time trip to Japan?

Tokyo of course – you’ll almost certainly be flying in or out of the capital, and as one of the world’s greatest cities it demands thorough exploration. Kyoto is also a must – Japan’s former capital, littered with UNESCO heritage sites and offering a wealth of enticing cultural experiences. Hiroshima and attractive offshore neighbour Miyajima, buzzing second city Osaka, and stunning Hakone National Park, in the shadow of Mt Fuji, are also all worthy inclusions.

Is it easy to get off-the-beaten-track?

Again, absolutely yes. Japan’s world-renowned rail system can have you out of the major cities and into stunning rural scenery in just a couple of hours. The Japanese Alps – a series of mountain ranges between Tokyo and Kyoto – are especially ripe for exploration. Shikoku and the surrounding Seto Island Sea offer a dizzying array of charming port towns and sleepy islands, notably Naoshima, a mecca for contemporary art. Second-time visitors may choose to dedicate an entire itinerary to either Hokkaido in the north – offering skiing, wild nature, breweries – or Kyushu to the south – boasting sub-tropical forests, charm onsen villages, possibly Japan’s best ramen.

Should I worry about cultural etiquette in Japan?

The Japanese have a reputation for being overly formal and hard to read. In some settings – business for example – this certainly is true, but generally speaking as an overseas tourist travelling to Japan you’ll be given an extremely warm welcome, and most faux pass can be avoided by showing good manners and positive body language. Certain settings do have their quirks though: speak to our specialists for important things to remember when visiting a local home, an upmarket restaurant, or in an onsen bathhouse.