Our favorite time each year is traveling across Japan, meeting with friends old and new while exploring the many facets of this amazing country. During recent visits to dozens of hotels and ryokan, as well as countless restaurants and shops, it is clear the past year was a transformative one for travel in Japan. The surge in new boutique and luxury hotel openings is unlike anything seen before, accompanied by even more new and terrific dining, cultural, and shopping experiences throughout Japan.
We’re excited to introduce these new elements of Japan into all of our trips. Finally, another wonderful aspect of this newer Japan are emerging places that are now as impressive as, and far less crowded, than perennial and popular ones like Hakone, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Contact us to begin planning a unique and private journey in Japan.
Insider's Japan
"The spirit of Japan will live forever"
While Japan is home to many must-see sites, some of the more famous attractions are definitely worth a pass, especially if you’re short on time and looking to avoid ever increasing crowds in popular places. Instead, explore equally remarkable, yet less frequented alternatives. Even in bustling Kyoto, we curate sightseeing experiences that take you off the typical tourist path to discover hidden gems, away from the tour buses and crowds, but just as magnificent—if not more so. We also recommend alternative destinations across Japan that offer the same cultural richness and beauty as Kyoto, but with far fewer visitors, allowing for a more tranquil and authentic experience.
Once is never enough. If you’ve already visited Japan, we have fresh ideas for a unforgettable second trip, glimpsing the astonishing changes in places you have been, such as Tokyo, but also guiding you to quieter, off-the-beaten-path destinations you may have missed your first time. Places you can truly immerse yourself in authentic Japanese history and culture where few other travelers venture. Explore legacies of the fascinating Edo period, journey along Japan's historic pottery trail in Kyushu, pause in a remote onsen town in a traditional ryokan, visit Hokkaido—many a traveler's favorite second destination, but for a few examples.
Aside from work, the Japanese seemingly spend their all of their free time busily shopping and consumed with eating some of the finest and most varied food in the world. In fact, there is no other country where both are taken as seriously and during your trip we will help you explore both of these incredible facets of Japanese culture to the fullest. Leverage our updated and extensive recommendations of an wide variety of not only new shops, but markets recently opened. Throughout, explore Japan's incredible cuisine from casual izakayas, local fish markets, to refined kaiseki and sushi.
"If flowers can teach themselves how to bloom after winter, so can you."
Like many other places, global warming has brought unprecedented weather to Japan. This has made forecasting dates for Sakura and Autumn leaf season more challenging to predict. If either is an important aspect for your visit to Japan, consult with us on when and where to go to make sure you have the best chance experience these two special times of the year. If these periods are not as important to you, we recommend traveling during other less popular times of the year and enjoy less crowds and a more tranquil journey.
2024 marked the busiest tourist season ever for Japan. If you're considering a trip next year, contact us to start your planning as early as possible to avoid any delay or disappointment with your trip plans.
