Leisure.com works as a well-proven online platform for travel enthusiasts who can get their dream vacation planned by reaching out to highly skilled and experienced travel agents. Our well-established team offer a wide range of thoroughly planned Japan tours. We make all the arrangements for you so that you enjoy your dream vacation without any stress. The entire trip can be customized as per your particular interests and requirements or can be completely tailored around specific destinations. To begin your great journey for Customized Japan tours, let us know your interests by filling out a Trip Request Form. We would then match your requirements with some of the expert luxury Japan tour agents who will work with you closely so as to provide you with the best vacation of your lifetime! Apart from this, you can also check out other amazing Asia tours such as Cambodia tours, Bali tours, India tours, Bhutan tours, China tours, Thailand tours, and many more.  

Things to Experience in Japan Tour

Japan carries this reputation for being quite expensive. However, it is not the case. Just like anywhere else in the world, it totally depends. If you are planning for a Japan tour and wish to immerse yourself completely in its unique experiences, consider the following list:

Tsukiji Fish Market Tour in Tokyo: This one is the largest and busiest market in the world. Its outer ring is a labyrinth of shops, winding alleys, and food stalls. The well-known tuna auctions happen in the inner sanction at dawn and the restaurant business of Japan takes place. Ensure to have an amazing Japan experience by embarking on a tour and avoiding getting lost. Your luxury Japan tour agent will ensure that you get exposure to the most fascinating aspects as well as history of the market. You will also get ample opportunities to sample freshest seafood available.

Relish the street food: Japan is considered a ‘street food central’. Although the various food markets here may not be as wonderfully chaotic and as cheap as in Southeast Asia, the food is going to be just as delicious. Discover snacks distinct to Japan such as tasty tidbits and salted cucumber-on-a-stick specific to the individual regions. For a light meal, a couple of selections are more than enough and is definitely one of the top culinary Japan experiences.

Visit to the art island Naoshima: If you are an art lover, then Naoshima is a must-visit for you. The museums here are designed by Tadao Ando and works by globally-acknowledged artists. Stay at the museum-hotel Benesse House, and also visit the small nearby at islands of Inujima and Teshima.

Try a mascot hunt: Japan is kind of obsessed with mascots. These characters signify everything from services and products to geographical areas. There are mascots for regional foods, sports team, and local tax offices as well. These range from lovely to completely terrifying. There are few mascots which can compete the dizzy success of Kumamon, which is a rosy-cheeked black bear depicting the southern prefecture of Kumamoto. In the year 2011, he was voted as the number 1 regional mascot in all of Japan and since then has achieved extensive fame, producing billions of yen in revenue. Not all mascots have progressed quite so well. Around 1500 mascots have been estimated across the country and some of the local governments have also started destroying the more insignificant ones so as to save money. Although, even if you only check out the most famous mascots, you’ll be weighed down with enough notebooks, cuddly toys and key chains to last a lifetime, at the end of your trip.

Try Walking on Drift Ice - Hokkaido: The northeastern coast of Hokkaido is the southernmost point where one can witness drifting ice during winters, usually from late January till early April. There are a number of drifting ice-related tours available on foot or by ice-breaking ships. When there isn’t much solid ice, you might be swimming instead of walking with walking tours. Even if the average temperature in the area is about -6 degrees, do not worry as the tour offers you wet suits.

Best Time of The Year to Plan Japan Tour

The climate of Japan can be refined into four distinct seasons, i.e. Spring, Summer, Fall (Autumn), and Winter. Each is culturally significant in Japan. In general, late spring, i.e. from March till May and late autumn, i.e. from September till November are the best times of the year to visit Japan, when the skies are clear, temperatures are mild, and there is little rainfall. Moreover, the lively hues of leaves during fall and graceful cherry blossom of spring appear visually splendid.

To most tourists, the colder months of December - February are less alluring which results in cheaper traveling at these times. Additionally, costing less and being less crowded, many of the country’s attractions are even better in the winter months.

In Spring, March-May:

Lots of festivals and cherry blossoms at peak

Not much rain, pleasant temperatures

Lots of crowd because of cherry blossoms

In Summer, June - August:

Weather - hot and humid

Rainy period for 3-4 week, generally Mid June - Mid July

In July, starting of festivals and fireworks

In July, Mount Fuji is opened for climbing

Pleasant time for beach vacations in places such as Okinawa

In Autumn, September - November:

Colorful leaves make the landscape appear splendid

Comfortable temperatures

Lots of concerts, exhibitions, sports tournaments, and festivals

Fewer crowds

In Winter, December - February:

Fewer crowds

Skiing in Japan is considered to be one of the best in the world

Perfect temperature for outdoor onsens

Small towns covered in snow appear magical

Staying Options During Japan Tour

Japan possesses a variety of accommodation options that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Although it’s not cheap, Japan is such a rewarding destination that it is well worth all the expense. If you happen to be on a budget, finding the cheapest accommodation in Japan will be a priority. If you can spend a little extra, staying in a ryokan which is a traditional Japanese inn is highly recommended. Another classic Japanese experience is sleeping on a futon in a tatami mat room. The accommodation prices may be high in Japan, so are the standards. Just be prepared for compact rooms and pack light since luggage storage space would be limited.

Hostel: You might think that hostels are the cheapest places in Japan to stay, however, the least expensive accommodation is business hotels. Though there are certain benefits of staying in hostels which include better facilities such as a kitchen, computers, WiFi, laundry, bike hire, common area to socialize and relax.

Business Hotel: One can book business hotels online and find the cheapest ensuite double rooms in cities. Rooms might be small but will be clean, and will have WiFi, equipped with other things you might need such as towels, shampoo, soap. Comb, toothbrush, and robe.

Ryokan: It’s a traditional Japanese inn. When planning staying options in Japan, adding a ryokan stay to your itinerary is highly recommended. As compared to standard hotel rooms, these are more expensive but worth trying once to get a real Japanese experience.

Visa and Passport Requirements

If you are a citizen of the U.S., Canada, and EU country, you do not need a visa to enter Japan. You can stay there up to 90 days without any hassle. However, from time to time you may have to prove that you are visiting Japan for some non-remunerative activities, and for that, a copy of your travel itinerary would be sufficient.

There are no strict laws on Japan for travelers. But, you may be questioned about the medication you are traveling with. Many over the counter medications are prohibited, such as pseudoephedrine like Sudafed or Vicks inhalers. You are more likely to be stopped at the airport if traveling with medications like strong painkillers and EpiPens. In a bid to bring such medications to Japan, you need to apply for a Yakkan Shoumei, or import certificate that you then declare to customs.

All About Safety in Japan

One of the most beautiful and amazing countries in the world, Japan is a far-flung as well as an exciting travel destination for most travel enthusiasts. From the buzzing city of Tokyo to the zen-like touch in Kyoto or the splendid Mount Fuji, Japan is modern and high-tech, with respect and honor for its traditions. Here are some of the things you must be aware of while traveling in Japan:

Medical facilities, as expensive as they are, are abundant in Japan. The medicine and treatment are of high caliber. Make sure that you are covered so as to avoid the medical bills racking up.

Squat toilets exist in Japan, mostly in older buildings and public toilets. In transportation stations and hotels, you’ll come across traditional Western toilets. You may also encounter electronic toilets in a private residence, some having more than 30 buttons on a control panel to wash and heat yourself.

Female travelers in Japan have reported others catcalling to them or asking personal questions. There have also been incidents of ‘chickan’ assaulting women physically by groping them on public transit. Many train companies have initiated women-only cars during rush hour, indicated by pink signs.

People in Japan are extremely welcoming and polite, but many tourists worry about offending them accidentally by doing or saying the wrong thing. Keep in mind the fact that Japanese people do not expect you, as a tourist, to be aware of all their customs. As long as you behave with respect and kindness, you’ll fit right in. Having said that, making a little effort can always go a long way and people in Japan really appreciate when tourists make efforts to known about their customs.

Bowing: This one is Japan’s most well-known custom, and most tourists know this fact that people in Japan bow while greeting one another. Bowing is also used when apologizing or thanking someone.

Removing Shoes: If possible, it is recommended to travel Japan with shoes that can slip on and off easily. Before you enter a home or any area with tatami matting, you’ll be required to remove your shoes. Since you’ll have to do this several times in Japan, it is always nice to carry shoes that can come on and off easily.

Taxi doors: Japan is well-known for its technology and efficiency and it is no surprise that the taxi doors in Japan open automatically!

Passing money: Money in Japan is rarely passed from hand to hand. Instead, when buying a service or an item, just place your payment on the small tray provided.