🇯🇵Japan

Explore Japan Plan this as a group Back to the globe

Say hi to Japan

Bullet trains that run to the second, temples older than most countries, and convenience-store snacks you'll miss forever.

Best time to go

Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, October to November for fall color. Summer is hot and humid; winter is great for Hokkaido snow.

Highlights

Ryokan stays with private onsen
Kyoto's temples and the geisha district of Gion
Cherry blossoms (late Mar to early Apr)
Shinkansen bullet train
Skiing Niseko's powder

Nearby hubs

Love Kyoto? Tokyo is about 2 hours 15 minutes by Shinkansen away, so you can do both.

Love Nara? Kyoto is about 45 minutes by train away, so you can do both.

Love Hakone? Tokyo is about 1.5 hours by train away, so you can do both.

Travel times are approximate.

When are you going?

Travel month

10-yr avg (2015–24) near Tokyo, Open-Meteo / ERA5 (CC BY 4.0)

Flying from

Your departure airport

Approx: great-circle distance plus a buffer to HND. Stop chips go by distance, not airline schedules. Search any major airport above. Your trip designer confirms real routings. No prices.

How exact are these flight times?

They're estimates from distance plus a buffer, not schedules. Real routings and stops are confirmed by your advisor.

Map of stays in Japan 27 pinned

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins come from OpenStreetMap; stays without a confirmed location aren't pinned.

Japan

Festivals

EDC JapanTokyo · TBA

Fuji Rock 2027Naeba (Yuzawa) · Jul 23-25, 2027 (per guide site; verify on fujirockfestival.com)

Ultra JapanTokyo · TBA

Japan

Once in a lifetime

Ise Shrine renewalIse, Japan · Jul – Oct 2033Every 20 years since 690 AD

Where to stay in Japan

Partner hotels by city

Tokyo 18 hotels Kyoto 13 hotels Osaka 8 hotels Hakone 3 hotels

Guides & tours in Japan

Operators who know Japan inside out

Arigato Travel Japan specialistInsideJapan (Inside Travel Group) Japan specialistGowayKensington ToursFlash PackGlobus JourneysBackroadsRailbookersTourRadarColletteDiscovaContiki ToursWabunka Japan specialistAsia ConciergeKinoko Club Concierge Japan specialistTrails of Indochina DMCGolf TravellerAlpine AdventuresSki The GlobeDestination AsiaThe Real Japan Japan specialistAurora Travel & DMCEighty Days Japan Japan specialistOishii Food Tours Day toursCity Unscripted Day toursViator Day toursMagicalTrip Day tours

Cruise lines that sail Japan

Luxury

Silversea★ 3.8 Cruise Critic · USA (+Japan mentioned)

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Jewel in the crown of Royal Caribbean Group; leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line with global destination portfolio.

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Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours★ 3.8 Cruise Critic · USA (+Japan mentioned)

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38+ years of award-winning river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys; benchmark in all-inclusive five-star river cruising.

Ask about Japan sailings

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection★ 3.5 Cruise Critic · Global (+Japan mentioned)

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Ask about Japan sailings

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) Expedition CruisesGlobal (+Japan mentioned)

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World's leading luxury land operator; fully charters small-ship luxury vessels exclusively for guests.

Ask about Japan sailings

Four Seasons YachtsUSA (+Japan mentioned)

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Unmatched luxury yacht journeys to iconic isles and remote locales with legendary Four Seasons service.

Ask about Japan sailings

Aman at SeaAdriatic Riviera, France, French Riviera, Greece, Greek Islands, Italian Riviera, Italy, Spain, Türkiye (+Japan mentioned)

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Amangati: 47-suite yacht embodying space and seclusion with Aman's quiet elegance.

Ask about Japan sailings

Premium

Mitsui Ocean CruisesJapan, South Korea, Taiwan

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Japan's Most Experienced Cruise Line. The 458-guest MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, launched Dec 2024, is Japan's most luxurious all-suite cruise ship.

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Contemporary

Royal Caribbean★ 3.9 Cruise Critic · Global

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Known for mega ships with amazing spaces for kids and adults alike; perfect for families and relaxing vacations.

Ask about Japan sailings

Booked by your trip designer, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel. Itineraries and availability are confirmed at booking.

Top cities & places

Where to go

Signature experiences

What to do

Ryokan stays with private onsen
Kyoto's temples and the geisha district of Gion
Cherry blossoms (late Mar to early Apr)
Shinkansen bullet train
Skiing Niseko's powder

Japan

Cruises

OceanExpeditionYacht

We can arrange these here. Subject to availability.

Plan this as a group

Japan

Resorts & hotels

Mountain & skiCity icons

We can arrange these here. Subject to availability.

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Japan

Tours

Fully guidedIndependentDay toursRail journeys

We can arrange these here. Subject to availability.

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Japan

Once in a lifetime

Yacht charters and all-suite yachtsSuites and villas, with perks where availableFirst class or private jet, arranged

We can arrange these here. Subject to availability.

Plan this as a group

Want Japan your way? Ask your trip designer ›

Before you go

Entry requirements

For U.S. passport holders on a vacation. Other passport? Your advisor will check for you.

Japan

No visa needed

Check your passport. Valid for your whole stay. 1 blank page for the landing sticker.
Nothing to apply for. Free. Optional: set up Visit Japan Web a few days before you fly.
Know your stay. Up to 90 days for tourism.

Visit Japan Web (free, optional) lets you pre-fill immigration and customs and get QR codes for a faster arrival.
JESTA, Japan's future online travel authorization, is law but not yet operating; the target is Japan's fiscal year 2028 (Apr 2028 to Mar 2029). Nothing to apply for today.

Visit Japan Web (official, optional) ›

Last verified Oct 12, 2026.

Email your trip designer

Entry rules change, sometimes with little notice. Always confirm before you travel. This is general guidance, not legal advice.