1. Northern Wonders
Tohoku – which spans the northern tip of Japan’s main Honshu island – may be renowned as one of the worst hit areas in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. But the region – home to idyllic mountains, forests, temples and coastal villages – is as enchanting as it’s often overlooked. Most areas were unaffected by the disaster, with other spots well on the road to recovery (and gratefully receiving tourists). This “Northern Soul” trip includes a boat ride in Matsushima Bay; visits to the temples of Nikko and tsunami-hit Ishinomaki; and a taiko drumming session on Sado Island.
Inside Japan Tours (0117 7370 9730; insidejapantours.com) offers a 15-day Northern Soul small group tour from £3,782 (including international flights). Departs May and October 2017.
2. On the Culture Trail
From gardens and castles to ancient temples and wartime memorials, culture lovers are spoilt for choice in Japan. This Cox & Kings group tour offers an accessible taster of Japan’s most famed cultural gems. It includes explorations of ancient capital Kyoto, Kanazawa – home to famed Kenroku-en garden – Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, with its floating red torii shrine gate.
Cox & Kings (020 3642 0861; coxandkings.co.uk) has a 10-night Japan’s Cultural Treasures group tour from £4,495 this year, rising to £5,795 next year (including international flights). Departs March, April, October and November 2017.
3. Trainspotting
Clean, safe, punctual – and bullet fast. Japan has long enjoyed a reputation as being home to some of the world’s best trains (the shinkansen bullet train among them). Great Rail Journeys’ Discovering Japan trip involves cross-crossing the main Honshu island on an array of trains visiting a range of attractions – from Kyoto and Osaka to Hiroshima and Takayama city (don’t miss Mount Fuji through the right hand side window of the bullet train while heading out of Tokyo). It’s not all high-speed though: the trip includes a journey to mountainous Hakone on board the iconic Romance Car train.
Great Rail Journeys (01904 527 180; greatrail.com) has a 13-day Discovering Japan escorted tour from £3,645. Departs March and October.
4. All about snow
For a taste of Japan at its coldest (and whitest), Insider Journeys offers a small escorted tour taking in a carefully curated range of winter treats – from the snow sculptures of Sapporo city on northernmost Hokkaido island to snow monkeys bathing in hot spring onsen baths in small mountain towns. It also includes taking a ride on board an ice-breaker ship among the dramatic floes of the Okhotsk Sea as well as explorations of wasabi farms and sake breweries plus stays in traditional ryokan inns.
Insider Journeys (01865 268 941; insiderjourneys.co.uk) has a 13-night Japan Winter Discovery tour from £6,289 (excluding international flights). Departs January and February 2017.
5. Japan on two wheels
From the temple-lined lanes of Kyoto and the old tea district of Kanazawa to the remote coastal roads of the Noto Peninsula, this tour takes in a raft of special spots across Japan – all on two wheels. Explore’s Cycle Japan involves spending a lot of time on a bicycle, exploring nature spots as well as urban highlights (Tokyo included). Fortunately, it’s not all hard work: the itinerary includes the odd bullet train hop plus – best of all – restorative soaking in hot spring baths in Wakura Onsen to sooth aching legs.
Explore (01252 883 761; explore.co.uk) has a 12-night Cycle Japan tour costing £3,866 (including international flights), departing October and May 2017.
