Japan Tours & Holidays

Booking your Japan holiday with Newmarket Holidays ensures expertly curated itineraries designed to showcase the very best of this fascinating country. Our tours feature experienced guides and tour managers who offer deep local knowledge and valuable insights, carefully selected hotels conveniently located near iconic landmarks, and seamless arrangements, ensuring you enjoy a hassle-free, enriching experience. Travel confidently, knowing you’re in the hands of an award-winning tour operator dedicated to quality, authenticity, and excellent customer service.

Japan is known for its ultra-modern cities, high-speed bullet trains, and for its fascinating culture and history. The country is home to many traditional Buddhist and Shinto shrines and temples, many of which include unique Japanese gardens. Japanese food is popular throughout the world, and attracts many visitors. Japan is also famous for its outstanding natural beauty, including Mount Fuji and the Hakone National Park.

Autumn is widely considered to be the best time to visit Japan, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 21 °C. Autumn lasts from about mid-September to early December. Cherry blossom season is also a popular time to visit Japan, which differs depending on location, beginning in January in some places, to April, and lasting for around two weeks.

In Japan they speak Japanese, which is spoken by an estimated 120 million people worldwide. The Japanese language is complex and encompasses several different non-cyrillic alphabets and dialogues. Below are a few useful phrases, with pronunciation in brackets.

Hello – こんにちは (kon'nichiwa)

Goodbye – さようなら (sayōnara)

Please – おねがいします。(o-negai shimasu)

Thank you – ありがとう。(arigatō)

Do you speak English? – えいごをはなせますか。(eigo o hanasemasu ka)

Japan once had a reputation as being one of the world’s most expensive countries. However, in recent years prices in Japan have stabilized. By planning carefully or booking onto an escorted tour, it is possible to visit Japan and not spend too much. Buying a rail pass in advance and eating at local food markets are also good ways to cut costs.

Given its position off the coast of mainland Asia, flying is by far the easiest way to reach Japan from the UK. It is possible to fly direct to Tokyo from London in around 12 hours. However, most flights have a stopover, with an average journey time of around 15 hours.

Generally speaking, Japan is a year-round destination, with four distinct seasons that offer something for everyone. The mountains in the north get snow during the winter, but pleasant temperatures of around 20°C attract hikers. In the south, beaches are busy during the summer, with temperatures around 30°C. Spring and autumn are mild, and boast sakura (cherry blossom season), and koyo (autumn leaf viewing), make them popular times to visit, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 21 °C

Food in Japan varies significantly by region. Generally speaking, the Japanese eat a lot of fish, rice and noodles. Traditional dishes in Japan include sushi, ramen, sashimi and tempura. That being said, Japan is one of the world’s culinary hotbeds, and international food is also popular, especially in the big cities. Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any other city in the world.

Travellers visiting Japan should pack appropriate clothing for the season, along with an appropriate travel adaptor. Jet lag can affect visitors to Japan, especially those travelling from Europe, so jet lag pills are advisable. Earplugs can also be useful for light sleepers.

Japan uses the Japanese Yen, abbreviated as JPY and symbolised by ¥. It’s widely recommended to carry cash, as Japan remains largely cash-based, particularly in smaller towns or rural areas. Credit cards are accepted in most cities, major hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. ATMs are available in convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven) and post offices, often with English-language instructions. For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Japan operates on Japan Standard Time (JST). Depending on daylight saving changes, Japan is typically:

9 hours ahead of GMT (winter).
8 hours ahead of BST (British Summer Time, March–October).

This means when it's midday in London, it’s 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm in Japan, depending on the season.

British passport holders visiting Japan for tourism purposes can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity remaining from your entry date. Immigration officials may ask for evidence of your accommodation, your return or onward journey, and proof of sufficient funds for your stay. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or intend to work or study, you must apply for a visa in advance through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate.

Currently, there are no mandatory vaccinations required for travel to Japan from the UK. However, it’s always advisable to consult your GP or travel clinic well ahead of your trip to receive personalised recommendations and ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions in larger cities and tourist areas. However, Japan remains cash-oriented, especially in smaller shops, traditional markets, temples, or rural areas. We recommend carrying sufficient Japanese Yen in cash for daily expenses. ATMs accepting international cards are readily available at convenience shops and post offices throughout Japan.