Japan is an incredible destination, but travelling around can be intimidating, so we've planned our tours to ensure you make the most of your holiday there. Travelling in small groups, our thoughtfully-planned Timeless Wonders of Japan itinerary allows you to explore the must see highlights, as well as have more personal experiences.
Llama Travel focuses on creating high-quality holidays that give you flexibility, security and great value for money. See below why our Japan holidays really are better!
1. Small Groups
At Llama Travel, our group size on average is 11 people, with a maximum of 18, whether you’re walking through busy city streets or travelling between destinations. In Japan, where there’s so much to see, this helps you make the most of your trip. Travelling with a smaller group also gives you more chances to interact with your guide, ask questions, and get a better understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Gion, Kyoto
2. The best way of getting around Japan
At Llama Travel we use a mix of private vehicles, local trains, bullet trains and city trams to make travel comfortable and seamless, while giving you the best feel for Japan along the way.
Travelling by road allows you to get to more remote areas, such as visiting the Japanese Alps, and also lets you stop at interesting spots on the way, such as Lake Kawaguchi, where you can see Mount Fuji reflected on clear days, or at a wasabi farm. In Tokyo, the metro system is excellent, but can be extremely crowded, so having a city tour by private vehicle allows you to get around the main sites in comfort.
Public transport in Japan is fantastic, and can be the best way to get around. For example, in Hiroshima, take the trams and local trains to have a Japanese feel of this historic city. And a real highlight of visiting Japan is to travel on the bullet train. Our itinerary gives you two chances to experience this: from Kyoto to Hiroshima, and then back to Tokyo, where you may even see Mount Fuji from the left-hand side of the train.
Shinkansen, bullet Train
3. Three Chances to see Mount Fuji
Seeing Mount Fuji is one of the highlights of any trip to Japan, but it is weather dependent. For this reason, we offer multiple chances to view the mountain during your holiday.
On the journey from Tokyo to Hakone, you catch your first glimpse of the mountain. As you descend to Lake Ashi you will see Mount Fuji, provided the weather is clear. After lunch in Motohakone, take a 25-minute boat ride on Lake Ashi, aboard a brightly-coloured pirate ship, enjoying views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding forest, then disembark in Togendai on the north shore. From Togendai, you can take a cable car up to Owakudani, enjoying more views of Mount Fuji along the way.
The next day, on your drive to the historic town of Takayama in the Japanese Alps, if the weather is clear, you will have a brief stop at Oishi Park, where you are greeted with scenic views of Mount Fuji reflected in lake Kawaguchi.
At the end of your journey, board the shinkansen bullet train from Hiroshima on your way back to Tokyo. On clear days, you will get a final chance to see Mount Fuji from the left-hand side of the train.
Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi
4. Enjoy Japan’s Cuisine
Our tours include a mix of meals, including ramen and traditional specialties like okonomiyaki pancakes, so you can enjoy authentic Japanese food. You’ll also have plenty of time to explore local dishes on your own and be as adventurous as you like. Yakisoba is a tasty stir-fried noodle dish, while tempura offers lightly battered vegetables or seafood, and yakitori are grilled chicken skewers, best enjoyed with a cold beer. Trying these dishes is a great way to get a taste of Japan’s rich culinary culture.
Sushi
5. Unique Cultural Experiences
At Llama Travel, we believe that beyond the main highlights of a country, it’s the local experiences that often stay in the memory. In Japan, these moments give you the best feel of the culture.
a) Visit Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, one of Japan’s most famous traditional gardens, dating back over 300 years. Kenrokuen means “six attributes of a perfect garden,” which are spaciousness, seclusion, antiquity, artificiality, abundant water, and panorama. The garden is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season, which typically occurs in late March - early April, and in autumn.
b) Take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kanazawa. The experience focuses on preparing and sharing matcha with mindfulness and simplicity. You will purify yourself at a stone basin before entering the tea room, watch the host prepare the tea with care, and then enjoy tasting it in a peaceful atmosphere, gaining insight into Japan’s cultural traditions.
c) Walk on the historic Tokaido Trail through a Japanese pine forest.
d) Visit the fascinating Float Museum in Takayama in the Japanese Alps to understand an important cultural celebration.
e) Stop at a wasabi farm for lunch. The farm’s fields use a constant flow of water from the Japanese Alps to cultivate wasabi, giving you a glimpse into a unique part of Japan’s agricultural culture.
Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
6. Relax in Japanese Hot Springs
Bathing in an onsen is part of traditional Japanese culture. Experiencing an onsen is a peaceful way to unwind and take in the natural surroundings, whether in the mountains or by a scenic lake. At Llama Travel, we offer accommodation with onsens in both Hakone and Takayama, giving you the chance to enjoy authentic onsen experiences.
In Hakone, our hotel sits beside Lake Ashi, offering outdoor onsen baths set within landscaped gardens. In Takayama, our modern hotel in the Japanese Alps features rooftop onsen baths with both indoor and outdoor options. Here, you can unwind while admiring the scenic view of the surrounding mountains.
Onsen, Hotel De Yama
7. Speak to someone who’s been there
Our team has travelled across Japan, so you can speak to someone who knows the country first-hand. With their knowledge and our carefully designed itineraries, they make sure you experience the best of Japan and have a memorable trip.
Paige, Senior Travel Specialist
Inspired by this and want to experience the best of Japan for yourself? Order a free brochure to find out more about our Japan itineraries, or contact us to speak to one of our Japan Travel Consultants today.
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