Futuristic cities, ancient shrines, and hot spring ryokans.
Indicative starting price. Actual pricing varies depending on travel dates, flights, hotel category, inclusions and availability.
AT A GLANCE
Japan is a country that runs a bullet train to the minute and a centuries-old tea ceremony at exactly the same unhurried pace it always has: the contrast is the whole point.
From Tokyo's neon-lit intersections and Shibuya crossing to Kyoto's thousand-year-old temples and geisha districts, and Mount Fuji's near-perfect cone rising over hot-spring towns, Japan pairs cutting-edge modernity with deeply preserved tradition more seamlessly than almost anywhere else in the world. It has also become one of the most in-demand destinations among Indian travellers in recent years, drawn by its food culture, rail network, and reputation for meticulous hospitality.
For a first visit, we recommend the classic Tokyo → Mount Fuji/Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka route over 9 days, connected by the Shinkansen bullet train: it covers Japan's modern-city, natural-scenery and ancient-heritage sides without excessive backtracking. Apply for your Japan visa at least 3-4 weeks ahead, since there's no visa-on-arrival option.
See our full recommended itinerary →Group Departure
Two fixed-date group tours of Japan: Japan Unfolded, with four departures from November 2026 to February 2027, and Japan in Bloom in cherry blossom season, departing 22 March 2027. See the full plan, then enquire to book.
4 departures
8 days
Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka
22 Nov, 11 Dec, 24 Dec 2026, 20 Feb 2027
7 nights / 8 days, airfare not included
Starting from
Regular price ₹2,00,000
Offer price ₹1,72,500
per adult + taxes
Double sharing. Book by enquiry.
Departs 22 Mar
8 days
Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka
Mon, 22 Mar 2027
7 nights / 8 days, ex Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore
Starting from
Regular price ₹3,10,000
Offer price ₹2,75,000
per person + taxes
Flights included. Book by enquiry.
A country where the trains run exactly on time and the traditions have run for centuries: both, remarkably, at once.
Japan's appeal lies in genuine contrast within a well-organised, easy-to-navigate country: Tokyo's futuristic skyline and Kyoto's preserved temple districts, connected by one of the world's most efficient rail networks. It also has an unusually strong food culture at every price point, from Michelin-starred sushi counters to convenience-store meals that are genuinely good, and a level of cleanliness, safety and service that consistently exceeds first-time visitors' expectations.
While the visa process takes real planning, Japan's safety, cleanliness and English signage in major cities make it a genuinely manageable first big international trip.
Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and the country's exceptional safety standards make Japan a strong choice for families with children.
Traditional ryokan stays with private onsen (hot spring) baths and kaiseki dining offer a genuinely premium, distinctly Japanese luxury experience.
Ideal Stay
9 Days
Flight
7-9 hrs
Visa
Required in advance
Best Time
Mar - May / Oct - Nov
SUITABILITY
Honest suitability ratings based on real traveller experiences.
Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea and exceptional safety standards make Japan a strong, low-stress choice for families.
Traditional ryokan stays with private onsen baths and kaiseki dining offer genuinely premium, distinctly Japanese experiences.
Kyoto and Nara's temple districts offer some of the best-preserved historic architecture anywhere in Asia.
Very manageable once the visa is sorted, thanks to exceptional safety and organisation, though it requires more advance planning than closer, visa-free destinations.
TRIP STYLE
TRAVEL INTELLIGENCE
A visa is required in advance for Indian passport holders: Japan does not offer visa-on-arrival or online eVisa for tourism. Applications go through VFS Global or an accredited travel agency, typically processed within 4-7 working days.
🤝 Don't worry: we'll guide you through the visa application well ahead of your travel dates.
Japanese Yen (JPY). Japan remains more cash-reliant than many countries expect; carry cash alongside cards, especially outside major cities.
Japanese is the primary language; English signage is common in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka's tourist areas but less so elsewhere.
Japan Standard Time (JST): 3.5 hours ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST).
Approx. 7 to 9 hours for direct or one-stop flights from major Indian cities into Tokyo or Osaka.
Type A sockets, similar to US plugs. Voltage is 100V, different from India's 220-240V; check device compatibility.
Excellent connectivity nationwide; a pocket Wi-Fi rental or local eSIM, arranged before or on arrival, is strongly recommended.
Mid-range daily spend per person: ₹9,000 - ₹16,000 INR, excluding luxury ryokan stays and premium dining.
Among the safest countries in the world, with very low crime rates and an exceptional standard of public order.
PLANNING AHEAD
At least 3-4 weeks before travel is recommended; processing typically takes 4-7 working days, but applications go through VFS Global or an accredited agency, not directly online, so build in buffer time.
For a multi-city itinerary covering Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, yes: it can offer real savings on Shinkansen bullet train travel, but must be purchased before entering Japan.
More than expected: Japan remains surprisingly cash-reliant, especially at smaller restaurants, temples and rural areas, despite its high-tech reputation.
Yes: arranging connectivity before arrival (pickup counters exist at major airports) saves time and ensures you're connected from the moment you land.
It requires more effort than in many countries: traditional Japanese cooking uses dashi (often fish-based stock) widely, so vegetarian and Jain travellers should research specific restaurants in advance.
SEASONAL GUIDE
Japan's most iconic season, with cherry blossoms peaking briefly in late March-early April: spectacular but also the busiest and most expensive window.
Hot and humid, with a rainy season in June; also festival season, with major summer matsuri (festivals) across the country.
Comfortable temperatures and dramatic red-and-gold autumn colours, particularly in Kyoto: a strong alternative to spring with slightly smaller crowds.
Cold, with snow in northern regions and around Mount Fuji: a good season for hot-spring ryokan stays and winter sports.
BUDGET GUIDE
Indicative daily spend per person, beyond your starting package price.
₹6,000 - ₹9,000 / day
Budget hotel/hostel, rail pass travel, convenience-store and casual dining
₹9,000 - ₹16,000 / day
3-4 star hotel, Shinkansen travel, mix of casual and sit-down dining, key attraction entries
₹16,000+ / day
Ryokan stays with private onsen, premium rail travel, kaiseki dining, curated cultural experiences
DON'T MISS
A city of genuine contrasts: the neon energy of Shibuya and Shinjuku alongside quiet historic districts like Asakusa.
The Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, and Tokyo Skytree together give a strong first impression of the city's range.
Japan's iconic, near-perfectly symmetrical volcano, best appreciated from the hot-spring town of Hakone.
The Hakone Ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise both offer strong Fuji views on a clear day; an overnight ryokan stay with a private onsen adds real depth to this leg.
Japan's former imperial capital, home to over a thousand temples and shrines, including the golden Kinkaku-ji and the vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Gion's geisha district round out a city that rewards at least two full days.
Japan's food capital, with a more casual, street-food-driven energy than Tokyo or Kyoto: the best place to eat your way through a trip.
Dotonbori's neon-lit food streets are Osaka's essential evening, best explored on foot with an appetite.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
Travelling between cities at up to 320 km/h on one of the world's most punctual, comfortable rail networks: an experience in itself.
A traditional Japanese inn experience with tatami rooms, a multi-course kaiseki dinner, and a private hot-spring bath.
A walk through thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Kyoto's Mount Inari: one of Japan's most photographed and genuinely atmospheric sites.
Picnicking under blooming cherry trees during the brief spring sakura season: a deeply rooted Japanese cultural tradition, not just a photo opportunity.
Mandatory for entry, checked at immigration; carry both digital and printed copies alongside your passport.
Japan remains more cash-reliant than its high-tech reputation suggests, especially at smaller establishments.
Japan uses Type A sockets and 100V, different from India's standard sockets and voltage.
Japan's cities and temple districts involve significant walking, and shoes are frequently removed indoors.
HIP-HIP INSIDER
CULINARY DISCOVERIES
From conveyor-belt sushi to high-end omakase counters, Japan's most globally recognised dish is best experienced at every price point during a trip.
Regional styles vary significantly (Tokyo's soy-based broths, Kyoto's lighter versions, and Kyushu's rich tonkotsu), each worth trying separately.
A multi-course, seasonally driven traditional meal, often served at ryokans: as much a visual and ritual experience as a culinary one.
Genuinely challenging given dashi's prevalence in Japanese cooking; researching specific vegetarian-friendly restaurants in advance is worth the effort for vegetarian and Jain travellers.
A proper sit-down ramen shop meal, ordered from the ticket machine at the door: it's a small but genuinely Japanese ritual worth experiencing at least once.
AVOID THESE
LOCAL ETIQUETTE
SHOPPING
PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION
EDUCATIONAL BLUEPRINT
Airport transfer and check-in, with an easy evening exploring Shinjuku or Shibuya.
A day covering Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and the Shibuya Crossing.
A day exploring Tokyo's museums, markets and a themed dinner experience.
Travel to Hakone for an overnight ryokan stay, with the Hakone Ropeway for Mount Fuji views, weather permitting.
A bullet train journey to Kyoto, checking into your hotel with an evening walk through Gion.
A full day covering Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
A day trip to nearby Nara to see its famous free-roaming deer and Todai-ji Temple.
Transfer to Osaka, spending the day and evening exploring Dotonbori's food streets and Osaka Castle.
Transfer to Kansai Airport for your flight home.
FAQ
Yes. Japan does not offer visa-on-arrival or online eVisa for Indian tourists: applications must go through VFS Global or an accredited travel agency, typically taking 4-7 working days.
For a multi-city itinerary covering Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it can offer real value, but it must be purchased before you enter Japan; it cannot be bought once you've arrived.
It requires more planning than in many countries, since dashi (often fish-based) is used widely in Japanese cooking; researching vegetarian-friendly restaurants in advance is genuinely worthwhile.
Typically late March to early April, though exact timing shifts year to year and is difficult to predict more than a couple of weeks in advance.
It runs higher than most of Southeast Asia, but costs can be managed well with rail passes, convenience-store dining, and budget accommodation options alongside splurges like a ryokan stay.
TRUST-FIRST DESIGN
Absolute financial transparency with itemized quotes before you confirm a single detail.
Tailored precisely to your pace, preferences, and dietary requirements, never cookie-cutter packages.
Work with a single expert travel consultant from your first question until you return home safely.
Direct, responsive assistance on WhatsApp while you are exploring on the ground in Japan.
No frustrating automated bots. Speak directly with caring travel professionals whenever you need help.
Hand-picked hotels and ryokans vetted personally by our team for cleanliness, service, and location.
Easy itinerary adjustments and rescheduling options designed around real-life uncertainties.
THE PROCESS
Share your travel plans with us.
We prepare a draft itinerary for you.
We refine it together until it fits perfectly.
You travel with complete support, start to finish.
Ready to turn this into a real itinerary?
Plan My Japan Holiday →KEEP EXPLORING
History, culture, beaches and breathtaking landscapes.
Modern attractions, family fun and world-class experiences.
Let our travel specialists design a Japan holiday around your interests, pace and budget.
Destination information such as weather, visa requirements, attraction timings, local regulations and seasonal conditions can change. We regularly review our destination guidance, but we recommend confirming the latest details with your assigned Hip-Hip Holidays Travel Consultant before you travel.