Our favourite Japan tours and excursions

We all know that Japan is famous for sake, but did you know that it also produces some of the best whisky in the world? 

It probably won’t surprise you that the Japanese treat their booze with the same level of dedication, sophistication and precision that they apply to all areas of life. There’s even a word for it: kodawari, or a relentless devotion to one’s craft. Sake, a fermented rice wine brewed in Japan for centuries, comes in all shapes and sizes (milky, clear, cheap, premium, strong, mild, hot, cold) and offers a palate as subtle and varied as wine. Whisky, meanwhile, has only been produced in Japan since 1923, but it can already compete with Scotch for quality and depth of flavour. You can sample sake on a brewery tour and whisky on a distillery tour, or you can go all out and combine them both (plus cocktails and food pairings) on a fabulously indulgent gourmet tour of Tokyo or Kyoto.

Since it first opened in 1964, the Shinkansen has become as synonymous with Japan as Mount Fuji, sumo and sushi. 

Other countries may now have faster high-speed rail (Shanghai’s Mag-Lev, we’re looking at you) but there’s still nothing quite like the experience of riding the Japanese bullet train. As you settle into your comfortable seat and watch the landscape whip past, you’ll feel barely a shake or a rattle to indicate that you’re travelling at 240-320 kph. Impeccably dressed conductors and car attendants bow as they enter and exit each carriage, and instead of dry sandwiches and overpriced coffees, the refreshment trolley brings with it beautifully presented bento lunchboxes, chilled beers and sake. Plus, it makes connecting amazing places across Japan a total breeze. What’s not to love? 

If you think you’re a bit old to play dress-up, hear us out. Donning a Japanese kimono isn’t a tourist gimmick: it’s a timeless ritual whose layers, knots and patterns all have a story to tell. 

A kimono can be playful or serious, formal or informal, exquisitely simple or phenomenally ornate. It can come in all manner of patterns and materials, and reveal things about age, status, season and occasion. Light yukata robes are worn at bathhouses or summer festivals, simple kimono are worn to tea ceremonies or ikebana classes, and the most formal are reserved for weddings. We understand a hesitancy around treating traditional costume as fancy dress. That’s not what this is. Whether you choose to try one at your hotel, before a tea ceremony, or in a photographer’s studio, it’s about understanding the significance behind the beauty of Japan’s national dress. Plus, we can guarantee you won’t have felt this elegant in a while. 

Can you be a professional at bar-hopping? Some of our Japan team have dedicated years to the art, and this insider’s eating-and-drinking extravaganza is the result. 

Beloved by Japan’s legions of office workers, the izakaya is something like a cross between a pub and a tapas bar. Typically relaxed, down-to-earth and affordable, it serves everything from spaghetti and fried chicken to gyoza dumplings and sushi, all washed down with quantities of frosty beer. Anyone can stumble in and muddle their way through (you’ll probably do so several times on your trip), but they're not always easy for the uninitiated. This experience removes the angst and uncertainty. With your itinerary, navigation, etiquette and ordering taken care of by one of the most accomplished drinkers we know, all you need to do is abandon yourself to the fun of a night out – Japanese-style. Then, you're an expert for the rest of your trip.

Whether your interest is in architecture, Zen Buddhism or Japanese video games, our insiders are passionate enthusiasts who’ll take you deep into the history and culture of Japan. 

We often say that Japan is the best country in the world to get lost. In two seconds flat, you’ve made a new friend, discovered a cool bar, or happened on a beautiful temple without a tourist in sight. We love those experiences, but there’s only so far you can get on a wing and a prayer (and no Japanese). To really get beneath the surface, you need a little help — and that’s where our insiders come in. Our team of expert guides, they’ve dedicated their careers to unravelling the secrets of Japan for visitors, steeping themselves in the culture like soy-marinated eggs. They’re walking, talking guidebooks — but they’re also some of the most fun people we know, so get ready for an unforgettable day.