Tradition and the future, side by side
Tokyo’s energy, Kyoto’s temples and gardens, Mount Fuji, hot springs and incredible food — Japan is safe, spotless and easy to travel by bullet train. We plan rail routes, ryokan stays and city hotels into one trip.
Where to go
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa’s temples and food from street stalls to sushi counters.
Thousands of torii gates, Zen gardens, geisha districts and temples.
Lake views of Fuji, hot springs and a night in a traditional ryokan.
Street food capital, plus Nara’s friendly deer and giant Buddha.
The Peace Memorial and the floating torii gate.
Culture and customs
Japanese etiquette is all about consideration for others.
Shoes off. Remove shoes in homes, ryokan, temples and some restaurants — look for slippers at the entrance.
Quiet on trains. Keep voices low and phones on silent on public transport.
No tipping. Tipping isn’t customary in restaurants, taxis or hotels.
Carry your passport. Visitors must carry their passport at all times.
Medicines. Some common UK medicines are illegal in Japan, including Vicks inhalers and cold and flu remedies with pseudoephedrine or codeine — check with the Japanese Embassy before you travel.
Smoking and tattoos. Smoking on the street is banned in Tokyo and some other cities, and some hot springs and pools don’t admit visible tattoos.
How far is Japan from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
Japan, month by month
Hover overTap a month for average day and night temperatures, sunshine and rainy days.
Long-term averages from national weather services (Tokyo). Actual weather varies year to year.
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding Japan packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your Japan trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for Japan.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to Japan — quick answers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message or WhatsApp us.
Do I need a visa for Japan with a British passport?
No need to apply in advance — British tourists get a visa on arrival for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay and have a blank page for the visa stamp. You can also register on Visit Japan Web to speed up immigration and customs; it’s optional, and paper forms are still accepted.
How long is the flight?
About 13½ hours nonstop from Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda, and around 15 hours on the way back, with British Airways, Japan Airlines or ANA.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn colours (November) are most popular. The rainy season in Tokyo usually runs from early June to mid-July, and summer is hot and humid.
Can I take my usual medicines to Japan?
Check first — some common UK prescription and over-the-counter medicines are illegal in Japan, including Vicks inhalers and products containing pseudoephedrine or some codeine painkillers. The Japanese Embassy in the UK can confirm a medicine’s status.
Should I buy a rail pass?
It depends on your route — we’ll work out whether a pass or individual tickets are better value.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.