Japan Holidays

Japan is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the hype. Ancient temples, neon-lit cities, food that'll ruin you for anywhere else, and a culture so fascinating you'll be booking your next trip before you've even left. Our Japan holidays are based in Tokyo, one of the most exciting cities on the planet, and from there you've got the whole country at your fingertips thanks to the legendary bullet train network.

✨ Japan Holiday Highlights 2026/2027

• 🏯 Tokyo is a city of contrasts. One minute you're in a 400-year-old shrine, the next you're in a seven-storey arcade. Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara's electric town, Shinjuku's neon maze - it never gets boring.

• 🍜 The food alone is worth the flight. Ramen shops on every corner, conveyor belt sushi for under a tenner, street food stalls dishing out takoyaki and yakitori, and izakayas where a few rounds of beer and small plates won't break the bank.

• 🗻 Mount Fuji is about two hours from Tokyo by train. On a clear day you can see it from the city, but getting up close (or even climbing it in summer) is a proper bucket list moment.

• 🌸 Cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) turns the whole country pink. Parks fill up with picnic blankets, lanterns go up along the rivers, and there's a genuine magic to it that photos don't quite capture.

• 🚄 The Shinkansen bullet train is a thing of beauty. Punctual to the second, smooth as anything, and it connects Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours. A Japan Rail Pass makes it properly affordable for UK & Ireland visitors.

📌 Good to Know

• ☀️ Tokyo gets around 1,930 hours of sunshine a year. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the sweet spots, with temperatures between 14-23°C and gorgeous clear skies. Summers are hot and humid (up to 31°C), winters are mild and dry.

• 💷 Your money goes a long way. A bowl of ramen costs around £4-£6, a pint of beer at an izakaya is £2.50-£4, and you can eat a full conveyor belt sushi meal for £7-£12. Japan is genuinely cheaper than most people expect.

• 🎌 Japan has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other country in the world. Tokyo alone has over 200. Even the convenience store food is brilliant.

🏨 Hotels in Japan 2026/2027

Japan's hotel scene is a world of its own. From sleek city towers with skyline views to traditional ryokans with tatami floors and onsen baths, there's a style for every type of traveller. Our Japan hotels are all based in Tokyo, putting you right in the middle of the action.

💑 Couples

• 🏩 Imperial Hotel Tokyo - One of Tokyo's most iconic stays, right in the heart of the Ginza district. Multiple restaurants, a pool and spa, and that old-school luxury feel that's hard to beat. A proper treat.

• 🌃 Shibuya Hotel En - Boutique vibes in one of Tokyo's buzziest neighbourhoods. Small and stylish with an on-site bar, and you're a short stroll from Shibuya Crossing, Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine.

• 🎨 Roppongi Hotel S - Individually decorated rooms, an Italian restaurant on site, and a prime Roppongi location for art galleries, nightlife and easy access to Tokyo Tower.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

Tokyo might not seem like an obvious family destination, but it's brilliant for kids. Theme parks, interactive museums, arcades and the safest streets you'll find anywhere.

• 🌇 Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Massive hotel in the Ikebukuro entertainment complex, with an aquarium, planetarium, and shopping mall all in the same building. Breakfast buffet, massage services, and great transport links.

• ⛩️ Richmond Hotel Asakusa - Right in the heart of Asakusa, steps from Senso-ji Temple and the Tokyo Skytree. On-site restaurant with buffet breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Rooms are compact but comfortable, as is the Tokyo way.

• 🏙️ Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main - Over 1,200 rooms in buzzing Shinjuku, with restaurants, a bar, sauna and massage services. Walking distance to Shinjuku Gyoen park and loads of shops and restaurants.

✨ Luxury

• 👑 Imperial Hotel Tokyo - The grande dame of Tokyo hotels. 570 rooms, an indoor pool, kids' club, spa, multiple restaurants, and a location right next to the Imperial Palace gardens. If you want to go all out, this is the one.

🎉 Groups

• 🎤 Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main - With over 1,200 rooms, availability is rarely an issue. Shinjuku is Tokyo's biggest nightlife district, so you're sorted for bars, karaoke joints and late-night ramen runs.

• 🎡 Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Big enough for large groups with 1,085 rooms, and the Ikebukuro entertainment complex means everyone can do their own thing during the day and regroup for dinner.

💰 Value

• 💤 Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel - Want a proper Japanese experience on a budget? Capsule hotels are uniquely Tokyo, and this one comes with a sauna and spa. Adults only, but if you're after something totally different (and dead cheap), this is it.

• 🛏️ Best Hotel - Don't let the generic name fool you. This compact Shinjuku spot is clean, comfortable and perfectly located near the Samurai Museum and Shinjuku Gyoen park. Rooms are small but everything you need is there.

👉 See all Japan hotels

🔭 Must See in Japan

You could spend a month in Japan and still barely scratch the surface. But if you're working with a week or two (and most of us are), these are the things that'll stick with you long after you've landed back home.

• 🏯 Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa - Tokyo's oldest temple, and the approach through Nakamise-dori shopping street is an experience in itself. Incense, snacks, souvenirs, and a proper sense of occasion. Go early to beat the crowds.

• 🌸 Cherry blossom at Ueno Park or Shinjuku Gyoen - If you're visiting between late March and mid-April, get yourself under the sakura trees. Locals set up picnic blankets, crack open the bento boxes and the atmosphere is absolutely class.

• 🗼 Tokyo Skytree - Japan's tallest structure at 634 metres. The observation decks are stunning, and the Solamachi shopping complex at the base has an aquarium, a planetarium, and loads of places to eat.

• 🏔️ Day trip to Hakone - Hot spring town about 90 minutes from Tokyo. Soak in a natural onsen, cruise across Lake Ashi, and if the clouds behave, the views of Mount Fuji are absolutely unreal.

• ⛩️ Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park - A peaceful forest walk right in the heart of the city, leading to one of Tokyo's most important Shinto shrines. On weekends you might catch a traditional wedding procession.

• 🎮 Akihabara - Electric Town. Multi-storey arcades, anime shops, themed cafes and more flashing lights than a Christmas tree. Even if gaming isn't your thing, it's a spectacle.

• 🌃 Shibuya Sky - Rooftop observation deck 229 metres up, with 360-degree views of the Tokyo skyline. Go at sunset and watch the city light up below you. Brilliant for photos.

• 🏛️ Day trip to Kamakura - About an hour south by train. The Great Buddha is iconic, the coastal hiking trail between temples is gorgeous, and it feels like a different world from the Tokyo bustle.

📍 Where to Stay on Your Japan Holidays

All of our Japan hotels are in Tokyo, but the neighbourhood you pick makes a big difference to your trip.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🎡 Ikebukuro - Slightly off the main tourist trail but packed with entertainment. The Sunshine City complex has an aquarium, planetarium, theme park and huge shopping centre. Loads to keep kids busy without trekking across the city.

• ⛩️ Asakusa - Tokyo's most traditional neighbourhood. Senso-ji Temple, rickshaws, old-school sweet shops, and views of the Tokyo Skytree. Quieter and more atmospheric, with a proper old-Tokyo feel that kids find fascinating.

• 🌳 Ueno - Home to Ueno Park, the zoo, the National Museum and a boating lake. Brilliant for families who want green space and culture within easy reach of the metro.

💑 Couples

• 🏯 Ginza - Tokyo's most upscale shopping district. Department stores, gallery spaces, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the Imperial Palace gardens just a short walk away. Polished and romantic without being stuffy.

• 🎨 Roppongi - Art galleries, rooftop bars, international restaurants and Tokyo Tower. More cosmopolitan, with a lively evening scene and a slightly more grown-up energy.

• 🌿 Yanaka - One of the few areas that survived the war. Winding streets, independent galleries, traditional sweet shops and cat cafes. Properly romantic without trying too hard.

🎉 Groups

• 🏙️ Shinjuku - Tokyo's biggest and busiest district. The busiest train station in the world, neon-lit alleyways packed with bars, and more karaoke spots than you can shake a microphone at. Brilliant for nightlife and transport links.

• 🛍️ Shibuya - Home to the famous crossing, plus tonnes of shopping, street fashion, and some of Tokyo's best cafes and restaurants. Younger, trendier vibes and easy access to Harajuku.

🗣️ Local Lingo

Japanese is the main language, and while English isn't as widely spoken as in Europe, you'll find plenty of signs in English in Tokyo and most restaurant menus have pictures. A few words of Japanese go a long way though, and locals really appreciate the effort.

• 🙋 Konnichiwa (koh-nee-chee-wah) - Hello

• 🙏 Arigatou gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mas) - Thank you very much

• 🍻 Kanpai! (kan-pie) - Cheers!

• 😋 Oishii (oy-shee) - Delicious

• 🧾 Okaikei onegaishimasu (oh-kai-kay oh-neh-guy-shee-mas) - The bill please

• 🌅 Ohayou gozaimasu (oh-hi-yoh go-zai-mas) - Good morning

• 🙇 Sumimasen (soo-mee-mah-sen) - Excuse me / sorry

• 💴 Ikura desu ka? (ee-koo-rah des-kah) - How much is it?

🗺️ Japan Holidays Travel Guide 2026/2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🎪 TeamLab Planets - An immersive digital art museum where you wade through water and walk through light installations. Kids go absolutely mad for it, and honestly so do the adults. Book tickets in advance, it sells out fast.

• 🐟 Toyosu Fish Market - The world's biggest wholesale fish market relocated here from Tsukiji. Kids can watch the tuna auctions from the viewing galleries, and the surrounding restaurants serve some of the freshest sushi you'll ever eat.

• 🎢 Odaiba - A man-made island in Tokyo Bay with a huge Gundam statue, a digital art museum, beach areas, and a giant Ferris wheel. Easy to fill a whole day here without anyone getting bored.

• 🛤️ Shinkansen ride - Even if you're not going far, taking the kids on a bullet train is worth it just for the experience. The Tokaido line to Odawara (gateway to Hakone) is a short, scenic ride they'll talk about for ages.

• 🏞️ Inokashira Park, Kichijoji - Paddle boats on the lake, a small zoo, the Ghibli Museum nearby (book months ahead), and a relaxed vibe that's perfect for a family afternoon away from the main tourist spots.

💑 Couples

• 🏮 Golden Gai, Shinjuku - Six narrow alleyways packed with tiny bars, most seating fewer than ten people. Intimate, atmospheric, and completely unique. Some bars have cover charges, so check before you sit down.

• 🍶 Sake tasting in Shibuya or Ginza - Several dedicated sake bars offer guided tastings where you can work your way through regional varieties. A proper education in Japanese brewing, and much cheaper than you'd think.

• 🌙 Roppongi Hills Mori Tower - The observation deck on the 52nd floor is open late, and combining it with dinner at one of the tower's restaurants makes for a seriously impressive evening.

• ♨️ Private onsen in Hakone - Some of the ryokans in Hakone offer private outdoor hot spring baths for couples. Soaking in volcanic spring water with mountain views is about as romantic as it gets.

• 🎭 Kabuki at Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza - Traditional Japanese theatre with elaborate costumes, dramatic storytelling and centuries of history. Single-act tickets are available if you don't want to commit to the full show.

🎉 Groups

• 🍺 Izakaya crawl under the train tracks, Yurakucho - Dozens of tiny bars spilling out onto the street near Yurakucho station. Cheap beer, grilled chicken skewers, and a brilliant atmosphere for a group night out. No reservations, just rock up and squeeze in.

• 🎤 Karaoke in Kabukicho - Private rooms, all-you-can-drink packages, and songbooks with thousands of English tracks. It's not a trip to Japan without belting out a few tunes with your mates. Chains like Big Echo and Karaoke Kan are everywhere.

• 🏎️ Go-kart through the streets - Drive go-karts through central Tokyo in costume. Daft, loud, and one of the most talked-about group activities in the city. You'll need an International Driving Permit.

• 🎰 Round1 entertainment complex - Bowling, arcade games, darts, billiards, karaoke, and even indoor sports, all under one roof. Multiple locations across Tokyo and open late. Proper group fun.

• 🍜 Ramen Alley, Shinjuku - A narrow underground lane near the station packed with competing ramen shops. Each one has its own style (miso, tonkotsu, shoyu), so split up, eat, then argue about who picked the best one. That's the game.

🌏 More Long Haul Holiday Destinations

Southeast Asia

• 🇹🇭 Thailand Beaches, temples, incredible street food and prices that make your jaw drop. Phuket is the big hitter for package holidays from the UK & Ireland.

• 🇻🇳 Vietnam Street food capital of the world. Hanoi for culture and egg coffee, Ho Chi Minh City for buzzing nightlife and history. Brilliant value and completely unforgettable.

• 🇮🇩 Indonesia Bali is the star of the show. Rice terraces, surf beaches, temple ceremonies and sunset cocktails at a fraction of what you'd pay in Europe.

• 🇲🇾 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur's skyline, Langkawi's beaches and Penang's legendary street food scene. A brilliant mix of city buzz and tropical escape.

South Asia & Indian Ocean

• 🇮🇳 India The Taj Mahal, Goa's golden beaches, spice-scented bazaars and food that'll change your life. A full-on sensory adventure from start to finish.

• 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Tea plantations, elephants, ancient temples and golden beaches. A proper adventure destination that's getting more popular every year.

• 🇲🇻 Maldives Overwater villas, turquoise lagoons and the kind of peace and quiet you can't find anywhere else. The ultimate couples' escape.

• 🇦🇪 Dubai Guaranteed sunshine, mega malls, desert safaris and some of the most over-the-top hotels on the planet.