All our group tours include international flights, airport taxes, airport transfers, accommodation, entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary, all transport during the itinerary and local guides. You will find breakfast is included, along with a selection of lunches and dinners.

Most of our group tours normally operate with a maximum of 25 people. However, this can increase to 30 for the Cherry Blossom tours in March and April.

Your English speaking guides will escort you through Japan’s history and culture, whilst you experience a variety of amazing cuisine. The fixed itineraries have set departure dates. You will find breakfast is included, along with a selection of lunches and dinners.

The fixed itineraries have set departure dates.

Some of the day excursions involve walking and climbing steps, so you will need a moderate level of fitness to get the most out of your group tour.

You can add extra nights at the beginning or end of the tour. If you have more time, then you can experience another region either before or after the tour has finished.

Depending on the nature of the tour, transportation will include air conditioned coaches, and in some locations public transport and trains.

Similar to our tailor-made itineraries, they provide total independence along with support and advice from the experts at Links Travel & Tours. Plus you will still have the services of guides and assistants on certain days, for arrival transfers and city tours.

Our semi-escorted tours include international flights, airport taxes, airport transfers, accommodation, transport, local guides, excursions and meals as stated in the itinerary.

To get the most from the destinations you are staying in, you can include day tours with an English speaking guide. These day tours can be pre-booked either as part of a group or a private tour.

On all semi-escorted tours we are happy to include an English speaking guide, as and when required. Please call for details.

Renting a car in Japan is a wonderful way to see this beautiful country at your own pace, especially as they drive on the left! This allows you to explore the more rural parts of Japan that are not accessible by train. We work closely with the leading car rental companies in Japan, providing a wide selection of modern vehicles, with built in English speaking GPS navigation systems.

We will provide you with a detailed travel pack, which will enable you to get the very most out of your semi-escorted tour. This will include a detailed itinerary, directions to all accommodations, maps that relate to your itinerary, tourist information, travel tips including getting the most from each destination, local information and a Japan Rail Pass with information of how to activate it on arrival. You will also be provided with an emergency local contact number to offer additional support if required.

You can, but data roaming charges will apply if you are not on WiFi, and these can be high.

You may wish to hire a pocket WiFi rental service to stay connected during your time in Japan. This will enable you to use Google Maps to help you to navigate your way around. The devices can be collected and dropped off at the airport upon arrival and departure and cost from as little as from £8 per day. Please enquire at the time of booking.

For your ease and convenience, luggage transfer services can be arranged throughout Japan, between main cities and places of interest. Please ask for further details and we will be happy to advise.

Travel by public bus or chartered coach, are convenient and comfortable ways of travelling in Japan, especially in the mountainous regions. Your quote will highlight how best to see the area and the mode of transport that works best for your tour.

Taxis are widely available and can take customers to addresses written in Japanese, or on business cards. If the red light in the lower left corner of the windshield is lit, then the cab is free and it can be flagged down.

Subway lines are available in all major cities, and provide prompt, efficient transportation. The JR Yamanote-sen loop line in Tokyo and the Osaka Kanjo-sen loop line, both circle the city centres.

Almost all stations have vending machines for tickets, and automatic ticket-checking machines at their entrance/exit gates.

With the convenience of driving on the left, renting a car in Japan offers a new type of adventure, allowing you to visit the more remote locations. Many road signs are in English and cars have SAT NAV as standard.

Guided cycling tours are available in most cities. These leisurely rides provide excellent viewing opportunities not found with other modes of transportation. For the more adventurous try some of the cycling routes found in the more remote and mountainous regions.

Many of our tours involve walking as it is the most suitable and more authentic way to see attractions. Japan’s excellent public transport is used on select days during some of the tours, so walking is needed to get from hotels, stations and places of interest.

This reliable service is common practice in Japan whereby you can forward your luggage to your next accommodation or to any of Japan’s main airports, giving you the convenience of travelling to more remote locations with just an overnight bag. Please enquire for further details.

There are over 100 direct flights every week to Japan. You will arrive at either Narita (Tokyo), Kansai (Osaka), Nagoya, or Sapporo.

All other destinations within Japan can be reached quickly and conveniently using the country’s extensive network of rail, bus and domestic air services.

We work with a wide range of airlines including British Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, KLM and Air France.

Simply provide us with your preferred UK departure airport and we will source a flight for you.

Stopovers can easily be included into your itinerary. Let us know at the time of enquiry and we will arrange your ideal holiday to suit your wishes.

Indirect international options from London usually involve a stop/change in the home hub of the airline, for example: Emirates fly from London to Narita and Osaka with a stopover in Dubai for 3 hours. Air France fly from London to Narita and Osaka with a stopover in Paris of 2 hours. Cathay Pacific fly from London to Narita, Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo with a stopover in Hong Kong of 2 to 3 hours. There are many other airlines to choose from with stop overs en-route. These flights inevitably take a bit longer, but can on occasion work out to be the most cost-effective.

The railway system in Japan has a very good reputation for punctuality and safety.

Most stations display station names in both Japanese and English on platform signboards. The name of the station is in large letters in the centre of the sign; names of adjacent stations appear below or to either side.

Most if not all trains stop operating around midnight.

The price varies depending on the distance you travel, as well as the type of train you catch and class of seat you need. If you are intending to use the trains, we recommend you buy a Japan Rail Pass, and many of our tours already include one.

Only available to visitors to Japan, and must be pre booked, the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) offers excellent value for money if you are planning to visit several cities during your time here. The JR Pass is issued by Japan Railway (JR), is valid for 7, 14 or 21 day duration's and provides you with unlimited travel on Japan’s extensive travel network. This includes the world famous Shinkansen Bullet Train (excluding Nozomi class trains), the entire Japan Railways service, a selection of buses and ferries including to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. Based on your travel preferences, further details about your JR Pass are provided at the time of quotation.

Tickets for short distances are available from ticket machines that are installed at each train station, whereas those for long distances and reservations are dealt with at ticket offices at major stations.

Purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Your ticket is punched by hand at the gate, or inserted in a punching machine. Please keep the ticket since it must be handed in at your destination. If there is no fare chart in English, buy the cheapest ticket indicated on the vending machine, and pay the difference due at the fare adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit turnstile.

From May 2020, passengers are required to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area when taking suitcases of between 160 cm and 250 cm (62" and 98"), onto the Tokaido Shinkansen. This is roughly the same as is charged an oversized baggage fee on international flights and is for the safety and convenience of all passengers.

For full details, please click here

The unit of Japanese currency is the yen. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen, and bank notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen.

You can buy yen from your bank, the Post Office and other authorised money exchanges. At the international airports, currency exchange counters are usually open during normal office hours

There is no limit on the amount of any currency that may be brought into or taken out of Japan.

However, if you transport (any currencies, checks, securities or other monies) exceeding the value of 1,000,000 yen, into or out of the country, then you must complete a customs declaration.

International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted at most major establishments. However, credit card transactions are not always convenient outside big cities so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when you travel to the countryside.

Foreign credit and debit cards can be used at Post Office and Seven Bank ATMs throughout Japan.

Yucho (Japan Post Bank) – International ATM Service.
There are over 26,000 Post Office ATMs in Japan and post offices which provide this service display stickers indicating which cards are accepted. Cards from the Cirrus, PLUS, Maestro and Visa Electron networks can be used. Accepted credit cards include VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.

Seven Bank – International ATM
Over 12,000 Seven Bank ATMs are placed at 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Japan, and the service is 24 hours a day in English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. Cash cards from the PLUS networks can be used. Accepted credit cards are VISA, American Express, JCB and China Union Pay. You can use MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus at Seven Bank ATM’s.

Although Japan is a relatively safe place to carry cash, travellers’ cheques remain the safest and most practical way to carry money while you are travelling. In Japan you will also get a slightly better exchange rate with travellers’ cheques than with foreign notes. Travellers’ cheques denominated in Japanese yen or US dollars, are easily cashed at banks and major hotels. Many banks can also exchange cheques in Pound Sterling, but cheques in other currencies are more difficult to exchange. Be sure to have your passport with you when exchanging travellers’ cheques. Travellers’ Cheques are accepted by leading banks, hotels, ryokan and stores in major cities. However they are not readily accepted as payment in stores or restaurants.

Cash and credit cards are the most common means of payment in Japan. Personal cheques are not widely used or accepted in Japan.

Nationals of many countries are eligible to enter Japan without a visa unless the purpose of the visit is to reside in Japan, to obtain employment or to otherwise engage in remunerative activities.

The following is a list of nationals of countries that have “Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements” with Japan:

For a period of 6 months or less: United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland

For a period of 3 months or less: Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Rep., El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay

For a period of 90 days or less: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, Bulgaria, Czech Rep., Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, U.S.A.

For a period of up to 14 days: Brunei.

Any foreign visitor who wishes to enter Japan must have a passport, which will remain valid during the duration of their stay.

Tipping is not a way of life and is not expected in Japan. However, if you feel that your guide has performed exceptionally well, a tip is considered appropriate and will always be gratefully received. We recommend around 3000 yen (£ 20) per person for a 2-week trip.

All of our guides speak English and are fully qualified, allowing you to benefit from their knowledge and experiences, whilst introducing you to local cultures. They will be on hand to make sure your introduction to Japan is a truly memorable one.

Our tour guides on some group tours and semi-escorted itineraries, normally cover one area or city where they have the local knowledge. When you arrive in a new city or destination, you will be met by a local guide who will be waiting for you at the airport/train/bus station exit, with your name clearly written on a sign.

On all tours, both group and semi-escorted, you will be given a contact telephone number for the Tokyo office, on arrival, to use if you have any problems.

Many sites across Asia require a fair level of physical activity. The sheer scale of some attractions means walking is involved.

Our local representatives will do their utmost to accommodate any requests, and where possible, suggest alternative routes.

Please advise us of any special needs in advance, and we will do our utmost to provide support, including wheelchair assistance.

Yes, there’s only one thing worse than having to make an insurance claim for some misfortune that may have occurred on holiday – and that’s not being able to make a claim because you’re not properly insured. Travel insurance is a necessity should you become unwell, either before or during your holiday. It not only protects you financially, it ensures the quality of overseas medical care is of a standard you would expect. It also covers emergency repatriation, should it be deemed necessary.

Links Travel & Tours have teamed up with Holiday Extras to offer our customers a bespoke insurance product that is ideal for our holidays. Holiday Extras are fully authorised and regulated by the FSA, and Links Travel & Tours is an Appointed Representative of Holiday Extras, and as such are authorised to provide travel insurance.

When embarking on any holiday, it is important that your insurance cover level is right. The wide range of policies available means that they are sure to have the cover you need for your trip. Single Trip cover is available for a one-off break, while an Annual Multi-Trip policy will cover all your trips throughout the year.

The policy contains restrictions regarding pre-existing medical problems concerning the health of the people travelling and of other people upon whose health the holiday may depend – even if they are not travelling. Holiday Extras can offer specific travel insurance policies for people with pre-existing conditions so please tell us about these in order for us to quote you appropriately.

Please feel free to contact us today to receive a quote for your travel insurance.

There are no inoculations required for entering Japan from anywhere around the world.

Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan. Mineral water including major imported brands can be easily obtained from super markets, convenience stores and other similar places.

Medical systems and facilities in Japan are well established so that you can expect to receive a high standard medical treatment, should you have a problem with your health during your stay.

We highly recommend that all travellers have comprehensive travel insurance before departure.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, and while many Japanese do not speak English, most people are extremely hospitable and will go out of their way to help travellers find their way around.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), issues advice to all countries, and their advice for Japan can be found on the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan