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Some Singapore travel agencies say Japan tours to begin only in July

Tuesday, 14 Jun 2022

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Japan's first arrivals of tourists are expected this week due to administrative procedures. - AFP

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): On Sunday (June 12), Jane Lam booked an eight-day, seven-night Central Japan Family Theme Park package with travel agency EU Holidays during the year-end holidays for her family of four.

The 44-year-old housewife, who will be travelling with her husband and two children aged 14 and 16, booked the tour package, which includes trips to Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan.

Her family last visited Japan four years ago, and her children are excited to revisit the country in December.

"We chose Japan because of the theme parks. We didn't consider other countries with theme parks because we don't want a long flight," said Lam.

She is among those who have booked a tour package to Japan as the country reopened its borders to tourists on package tours from June 10.

Travellers from 98 countries and regions, including Singapore, can enter Japan without quarantine regardless of their vaccination status, so long as they produce a negative pre-departure polymerase chain reaction test.

Japan's first arrivals of tourists are expected this week due to administrative procedures. Japan's government is accepting registrations by travel agents through a new portal, where they must enter information of tour participants including passport numbers and accommodation details, to apply for tourist visas.

These visas are a new requirement for Singapore and other passport holders, who could previously travel visa-free to Japan.

The Japan Tourism Agency said it can take at least five working days for these visas to be approved.

With these requirements in place, several travel agencies that The Straits Times spoke to said their tour packages will begin only from July.

Jeremiah Wong, senior marketing communications manager at Chan Brothers Travel, said it expects the "potentially earliest departure" to be after mid-July, due to travel requirements and documentation such as the tourist visa application.

Similarly, Mandy Chen, marketing manager at EU Holidays, said it will be rolling out its first private travel group of three people who will leave for Tohoku on July 15, and its first tour group of 15 people to Hokkaido on July 23.

The tour agency's director, Wong Yew Hoong, added that the tour packages will begin from July as tourists could apply for the tourist visa only last week.

Likewise, Hong Thai Travel's deputy general manager Peggie Chung said the Japan visa application is the main concern for it as well.

She added that it had commenced group bookings from July, but people seem to be "more comfortable" booking from September onwards.

"Our first groups of travellers include departures on Sept 27 and Oct 14 to Yamagata and Hokkaido."

Despite tour groups departing for Japan from July, tour agencies reported a surge in bookings since it was announced on May 17 that the country will reopen to tourists.

EU Holidays' Chen said about 400 people have made bookings to Japan so far, up from 200 since the travel agency held a Japan travel fair on May 21 and 22.

"(From) now till year end, we have prepared 100 groups to visit different parts of Japan," she said.

Chan Brothers Travel's Wong also said it has continued to see demand for its Japan tours.

In end-April, the travel agency launched a new series of its popular Japan package tours, which can cater for up to 30 people per group. In mid-May, it also launched a small group tour series with a maximum group size of nine.

"At the end of May, there were more than 25 groups that had been formed for the Japan tours. Now this has risen to more than 50 groups," said Wong.

However, some travellers prefer to take a wait-and-see approach before travelling to Japan.

Tourists heading to Japan must also buy travel insurance, be chaperoned by a tour guide "from arrival to departure", follow a strict itinerary, and adhere to rules such as mask-wearing most of the time, or face expulsion.

Agatha Lim, who hopes to travel to Japan, is waiting to see if the country will further ease border restrictions.

"Going on a tour means that I have to follow a certain itinerary. I prefer going on my own and have my own plans when I travel," said the 29-year-old business executive, adding that tour packages are also costly.

On Monday (June 13), the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific said it saw the Japan government's decision to remove border measures as a "positive step". However, it urged a complete removal of international air travel restrictions as the industry cannot recover fully amid curbs.

Stefano Baronci, director-general of ACI Asia-Pacific, said curbs on international travel do little to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but lead to significant impact on the economy.

Tags / Keywords: Singapore , travel , Japan

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14 replies to this topic

the itineray stated there subject to changes

If I were you, I would post my review of (or experience with) that travel agency in the popular medias in Singapore, so that the potential customers of that travel agency would know before they book with that travel agency. That will get the attention of the travel agency to know they better improve.

Re "the itineray stated there (sic) subject to changes,"

that's a huge problem, Imo. If it is allowed to stretch to an extreme, then they can take you to anywhere except places listed in the itinerary. And you signed off with them... As a general rule of thumb, you join a specific tour because they have drawn up a list of places you want to visit and they have promised to take you to all of them, no? Even if one place is missng/replaced by another, the tour you join gets devaluated, breach of contract, no? Travel companies must always deliver the goods, except when natural/man-made disasters come about.

" I also made another follow up email on 15 September to remind the officers regarding my western room request."

If you still have this email, you have a good ground for a dispute. Do it and see what happens. You have nothing to lose.

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• Entertainment

Overwhelming response from Singaporeans for Japan tours and yen despite June's opening restrictions

SINGAPORE - With Japan announcing on Thursday (May 26) that it will reopen its borders to tourists from 36 countries from June 10, travel enthusiasts and industry players in Singapore are making plans for leisure travel there.

On May 21 and 22, travel agency EU Holidays held a Japan travel fair and received overwhelming response from visitors.

EU Holidays director Fiona Ma said more than 200 people have made bookings, with families making up the majority.

She said: "The biggest family group we have seen so far has 15 people. Many Singaporeans are making advance bookings because they are afraid that there will be a price surge towards the end of the year."

Before Japan's announcement, EU Holidays had not scheduled tours for June, given that it did not know when the country's borders would reopen.

But now Ms Ma said her company will begin planning for customers who want to travel late next month.

Chan Brothers Travel's senior marketing communications manager, Mr Jeremiah Wong, said the agency welcomed the news.

However, he added: "There is still more official information needed from the authorities, such as which virus risk category Singapore would fall under and detailed testing protocols.

"Once we have more clarity and if conditions are suitable for leisure travel, we are ready to bring forward our small group tours series to around mid-June to cater to market demand."

The agency last week launched a small group tour series, with a maximum group size of nine, to Japan. Departures for this series of tours are currently slated for end-June or early July.

Mr Wong said: "Interest in the small group tour series has been encouraging. However, most prefer to adopt a wait-and-see approach due to the level of travel restrictions.

"Cost is another factor as these small group tours are 40 per cent more expensive than our year-end Japan tours (in bigger groups)."

He added that since Chan Brothers Travel launched a series of year-end package tours with up to 25 people per group to Japan three weeks ago, demand and bookings have been rising steadily and more than 25 groups have been formed. 

The group size for its year-end tours may be adjusted to 30 travellers at a later stage.

On May 17, the Japan Tourism Agency announced that foreign tourists from the United States, Australia, Thailand and Singapore would be allowed to enter on small-group package tours as part of a trial programme. It did not specify the number of people allowed in a group.

Ms Ma said that EU Holidays received an invitation early this month for one of its employees to go for a trip under the trial programme.

The Straits Times understands that a total of four Singaporeans, including three representatives from other travel agencies, are going for the trip from May 26 to 30.

Besides Singapore, the three other countries allowed to run package tours are involved in the trial.

After the trial, new information regarding Japan's travel restrictions should be released and there will be greater clarity on the requirements, added Ms Ma.

SA Tours managing director Kay Swee Pin said the travel agency has prepared itineraries to Japan, but the prices remain uncertain because airlines have yet to provide group rates.

Currently, its tours are based on a group size of 15 to 20 people, with the first departure in July.

Ms Kay added: "Our understanding is that the group size should be 10 and below (for June package tours). By July, we expect the maximum group size to be increased."

Meanwhile, money changers are noticing a stronger demand for the Japanese yen.

Mr Anwardeen, the sole proprietor of Central Exchange at Suntec City, said: "Ahead of Japan's reopening, the demand for the yen is there. With the yen coming down quite a bit, a lot of people are buying more and keeping them."

[[nid:579392]]

Last month, the Japanese yen fell to a 20-year low against the US dollar.

Mr Steven Lang of Silver River Money Changer said: "In the past, 10,000 yen was roughly $124. Now, the same amount of yen is around $108."

The weakening Japanese currency has encouraged many Singaporeans to take advantage of the good rates even though they are still uncertain when they will go to Japan.

Mr Tay from Fountain Money Changer at Marina Square said: "People used to exchange money only when they are about to travel. At the moment, many people are buying (long) before they travel.

"Some customers have not seen the yen dropping to such low levels, so they are buying more (and saving them) for the next few years."

Despite rising demand for the yen, Japan's travel restrictions continue to affect money changers.

VS Exchange director Deen, who goes by one name, said the average daily transaction amount is currently one million to two million yen. Before the pandemic, the amount was around three times more.

"The demand (for yen) is gradually increasing and once the borders are open, it will definitely be higher," he said.

This article was first published in The Straits Times .  Permission required for reproduction.

Chan Brothers opens Japan Travel Centre

Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly

Chan Brothers, the Singaporean travel company, has opened a new Japan Travel Centre.

Located in downtown Singapore, the new centre is designed as a “one-stop shop” for Singaporean travellers wanting to visit the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.

It will offer a range of Japanese holiday itineraries, including city breaks, hot spring retreats, rail holidays, self-drive journeys and ski vacations, among others

Chan Brothers noted that Japan is consistently one of the most popular destinations for Singaporean travellers, and that its Japanese business has seen year-on-year growth of 20% in the first half of 2016. Demand has been boosted by the relative weakness of the Japanese yen and lower airfares, which are making travel more affordable.

To launch its Japan Travel Centre, Chan Brothers has announced plans for a three-day opening sale, which will run from 26-28 August.  

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Follow our news, recent searches, commentary: visiting japan might be troublesome and expensive, but that might not stop singapore travellers, advertisement.

Is it a good time to travel to Japan? The country is slowly welcoming back foreign tourists, but travellers will be weighing more expensive air fares, tour packages and the exchange rate in their decision to visit, says Raini Hamdi.

Tourists in traditional Japanese kimonos walk in Asakusa district in Tokyo, Jul 27, 2020. (File photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko)

Raini Hamdi

SINGAPORE:  Japan has not flung the doors open to international tourists so much as slightly cracked it ajar for a “soft” reopening starting Friday (Jun 10).  But that hasn’t stopped some travellers from getting all excited.

A Japan holiday can’t come soon enough for some.  From cherry blossoms and bathhouses to the freshest sushi one can hope to savour, Japan has long been a crowd pleaser.

It was the favourite destination of Singapore and Malaysia travellers, according to a study by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Pre-pandemic , Chan Brothers Travel was seeing a 10 per cent to 20 per cent increase in Japan bookings year-on-year, catapulting Japan to its list of five bestsellers, said spokesperson Jeremiah Wong.

But with much of the world breaking down tourism walls altogether, Japan's strict leisure opening measures look out of place.  Only visitors on package tours are welcomed and are required to wear masks and be chaperoned by travel guides throughout their stay.

There is a cap of 20,000 overseas arrivals per day,  down  from the 87,000 visitors per day it welcomed in 2019. But this also includes business travellers, students and families of residents – groups that have been allowed in since March.

The Japanese government intends to raise the cap gradually but it is widely held  by political observers  that this won't happen until after the  local  elections in late July. A recent Nikkei poll shows 70 per cent of respondents support strict border measures –  not surprising since Japan has managed to keep COVID-19 cases and deaths relatively low compared to the rest of the world.

MORE EXPENSIVE TO VISIT JAPAN

Those keen on a Japan holiday must fork out higher prices and endure more procedures than ever to visit Japan, at least for now.

According to Wanping Aw, a Singaporean who has lived in Japan for 12 years, visitors must get their details and itineraries registered on a government online website via the travel agencies, which can help apply for their visa thereafter .

“So even if we submit the tourist visa application for them, they might not get it,” said Aw,  who runs an inbound travel agency, Tokudaw, with a Japanese business partner. If approved, visitors must go to the Japan embassy in their home country to personally collect the visa.

Arrivals are grouped into three categories  of risk:  Singapore is in the  low-risk blue category , which means travellers,  regardless of vaccination status,  need only a negative pre-departure test taken 72 hours before entering Japan. Visas and tests will bump up prices.

Travel agencies also face higher operational costs  to comply with requirements, such as having  a Japanese  guide throughout the journey.

Count in higher air fares too. Currently, air fares to Japan for all seat categories are double that of pre-pandemic  across the board including budget carriers , according to a travel agent in Singapore who declined to be named.

Chan Brothers Travel Singapore said its small exclusive group tours currently cost 40 per cent higher than its mass group tours. Outbound tour operators in Thailand are expecting prices for Japan travel to be 30 per cent to 40 per cent higher than pre-pandemic rates.

A WEAKER YEN AND FEWER TOURISTS

Travellers don’t seem to be letting these added challenges deter them from visiting Japan.

Trying to find a cheaper flight for your holiday? Experts share tips

Commentary: Will easing COVID-19 restrictions bring tourists back to Singapore?

Mr Wong thinks customers are still willing to pay for exclusive and customised tours.  For one, there’s all that pent-up wanderlust over the last two years. Some may have also put aside more savings consequently.

Then there’s also the  favourable exchange rate. The Japanese yen has been weakening rapidly , at least in part due to differing monetary policies of Japan’s and the United States’ central banks.

The yen is currently at a 20-year low against the Singapore dollar, which has been allowed to appreciate more rapidly by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. And this is driving additional travel interest.

According to Mr Wong, enquiries on Japan have been streaming in “exponentially” since the announcement of leisure travel opening in May. But the speed of recovery is “highly contingent” on further easing of travel rules and testing requirements, he said.

Tokudaw is also receiving a lot of enquiries from past Singapore customers, said Ms Aw. However, she admits, “No one is willing to be the guinea pig. Everyone wants to wait and see.” One of their worries is being stuck in Japan should they contract COVID-19 during the trip. Guidelines on how this should be handled are not out yet.

But another key draw could be the chance to visit Japan that is less crowded than it used to do be.  Besides the cap on arrivals as part of the phased reopening , China’s strict zero-COVID policy also means unnecessary outbound travel for Chinese citizens is strictly limited.

That’s possibly 9.6 million Chinese tourists  – or close to 30 per cent of Japan’s 32 million arrivals in 2019 pre-pandemic – absent from Japanese tourist attractions.

HAS WHAT WE LOVED ABOUT JAPAN CHANGED?

Could it even be too quiet and change what we love about the Japan tourist experience? The fallout of the pandemic and Japan’s restrictions, like in many other countries, have led many businesses to close down.

But looking at places like Thailand, it seems that life returns pretty quickly once borders reopen and travellers start returning. Day-to-day life is mostly back to normal, Alex Debs, founder of Hitotoki, a luxury travel designer in Japan, told me.

Mr Debs said a number of iconic businesses such as the Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku, and some arcade game buildings in Tokyo have closed permanently. The former however has revived itself in Osaka's Hu+g Museum as the Kawaii Monster Kitchen.

For Ms Aw, Tokudaw was set up to “bring happiness to our customers and share the many exciting and hidden beauties of Japan that are not on the typical tourism route”. But COVID-19 gave  the agency  the chance to design new private tours in the Nagano Prefecture.

Commentary: A weekend trip to Bali marked the beginning of post-COVID normalcy for me

Commentary: How long can Japan remain closed to foreigners?

Mr Debs also said the Japanese government, too, has used the time to rethink Japan's tourism model and has initiated programmes to support the development of local tourism, such as offering subsidies for inspection trips in remote regions. Many new programmes have been developed in off-beaten tracks as a result, including Hitotoki's own project to Okinawa's remote islands.

“Paradoxically, this project would have not happened without those two ‘break’ years,” said Mr Debs.

For those who prefer freely roaming the streets of Tokyo and making spontaneous detours during their trip , a little more patience may be best after waiting this long for Japan to reopen its doors. Those who can’t wait  will weigh the tour requirements and higher costs against the favourable exchange rate and potentially less crowded sights .

But perhaps the best reason  for Japan lovers  to return will be the promise of new destinations and richer experiences. 

Raini Hamdi is a Singapore-based business journalist who writes on hospitality, travel and tourism in Asia. She is Pacific Asia Travel Association Journalist of the Year and has authored two books on hospitality.

Editor's note: This commentary has been amended to correct visitor application procedures and also that there is no limit cap on group sizes.

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Travel agencies in S'pore see surge in inquiries after announcement of Japan tourism trial

SINGAPORE - Travel agencies are seeing a surge in inquiries even as some await more details, such as the number of people allowed in each tour group, after the Japan Tourism Agency announced Singapore is one of four countries from which travellers can enter the country on package tours on a trial basis.

Since the announcement on Tuesday (May 17), CTC Travel has received over 20 inquiries about travel to Japan. Most were about year-end travel.

Japan has always ranked among the top three travel destinations for Singaporeans, said Ms Kelly Toh, marketing manager of CTC Travel. She said: "We have been telling our customers to wait a while and we will update them once we have more details."

Under the trial, predetermined itineraries for package tours must be approved by the government, with visitors accompanied by a tour guide at all times.

Mr Jeremiah Wong, senior marketing communications manager of Chan Brothers Travel, said that inquiries and interest on Japan tours have been streaming in exponentially with the announcement.

The travel agency will be launching a small group tour series with fixed itineraries by this week. The group size will be capped at nine travellers and is expected to depart from end June or early July.

Mr Hor Xinrong, a 38-year-old private tutor, said it was prudent of the Japanese government to open up to tourism in a measured manner.

Mr Lee Kwok Onn, 36, however, is not rushing to book a trip as he feels that the Japanese government is not ready to fully reopen its borders. The designer, who would rather not go on a package tour, said: "I enjoy having that freedom of movement, without having to follow a strictly planned travel itinerary."

In response to media queries, a spokesman for Japan Airlines said it welcomed this initiative as leading to the revitalisation of the local economy.

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• 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour

This 9-day classic itinerary has been designed to cover most highlights of Japans unique culture. We explore the country's most illustrious cities, Tokyo and Kyoto, and make day-trips to the nearby hilly hot-spring town Hakone and the tranquil Nara. Meanwhile, we arrange plenty of family-bonding activities to help create memorable experiences along the way.

• Best For: First-timers
• Departure date: up to you
• Sample Price: from US$4,199 each (2 per room)

Journey Route

This is an ideal tour for first-time visitors and families. Sign up for your favorite part of the tour or simply treat the whole tour as inspiration, designing each element specially for you.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Have your own guide and private vehicle during the guided day.

Enhance your culinary expertise by participating in a genuine sushi-making experience ., enjoy hakone's picturesque scenery from various perspectives ., experience total peace at a traditional japanese ryokan and onsen in scenic hakone., understand japan more deeply by visiting kyoto's world heritage sites ., adorn yourself in a traditional japanese kimono , and immerse yourself in the authentic charm of kyoto., engage in the enriching experience of learning the ancient art of matcha-making in uji., visit todaiji temple, the world's largest wooden building and home to japan's largest buddha ., wander through nara park and feed some of the 1,200-plus tame deer ., witness the most famous shrine at fushimi inari, and quench your thirst at a sake brewery ., itinerary in detail.

We arrange plenty of cultural activities to help create memorable experiences along the way; such as lessons in Iaido, a form of Japanese swordsmanship, and shodo, Japanese calligraphy. We also take time to observe deer, regarded by Japanese people as messengers of the gods, and sample Japanese sake in a local brewery.

Welcome to Tokyo! It is a city of contrasts, one of the world's cutting-edge capitals. On the surface, Tokyo is a mix of digital trends and conspicuous consumption, but dig deeper and you will find a city rooted deeply in traditional culture.

You will be met on arrival at Narita International Airport and have your own transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free for your own leisure.

A late-afternoon stroll as the neon starts to light up will take in both sides of this fascinating, bustling area. Shinjuku has several huge department stores, music stores, and electronics stores, along with hundreds of bars and restaurants catering to every taste.

Enjoy a day-tour of this fascinating city with your own guide. The day begins with a visit to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji, and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Walk along Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree-lined avenue, home to flagship stores of the world's top fashion brands.

Head across town to Asakusa, Tokyo's old town, where you can soak in the atmosphere of the Tokyo of old. Visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that for centuries has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional snacks and tourist souvenirs.

End your day in Hamarikyu garden, an Edo period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district's futuristic skyscrapers. This is a great advert for the land of contrasts. You will stop for Japanese sweets and a cup of steaming matcha in a tea house on a small island in the park's lake.

Start by diving into the lively ambiance of Tsukiji Fish Market, celebrated for its extensive selection of seafood and dynamic market atmosphere.

Following that, enhance your culinary prowess through an authentic sushi-making session, guided by an experienced local sushi chef. Relish the delectable flavors of your handmade sushi during a delightful lunch, taking pride in your newly acquired skill.

After your sushi-making session, venture to the serene Hama-rikyu Gardens. Traverse its lush landscapes, delight in the peaceful ambiance, and behold the remarkable views it offers, enriching your Japanese journey further.

Time to dive into the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture with an enjoyable visit to the anime-themed cafe!

Your guide will assist you with Hakone pass and train tickets for the following days.

Today, make your way to Shinjuku station and use your Hakone pass together with your Romance car ticket to make the 90-minute journey direct to Hakone Yumoto station.

On arrival, you may board a shuttle bus to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free time for your own leisure.

We recommend visiting Gora Park, a western-style landscape park located on the steep slope above Gora Station. It is a relaxing place for unwinding and enjoying the scenery and views of Hakone.

The park is mainly in French style, featuring a large fountain and a rose garden. It has two greenhouses, one housing a tropical botanical garden while the other contains a flower garden.

Traditional Accommodation in Hakone

Japanese ryokans are the perfect places to stay in Hakone, with their Japanese western-style rooms and atmosphere of total peace and harmony.

The accommodation we have selected caters to a range of budgets and needs, including spacious rooms with marble bath, and balconies overlooking Hakone's natural beauty, to simple, affordable, and conveniently located traditional inns.

Use your pass today to explore Hakone.

The pass allows you to get on and off freely within a specified area, as well as providing discount admission to various attractions in the area. It covers 8 forms of transport including trains, buses, cable cars, cableway and boat, sufficient to get you around all the major sights of the region.

Or you could stay at the hotel, enjoying the hot spring bath.

Sample Itinerary

Ride the world's second longest cable car up Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers in this volcanic area. You can eat an egg hard-boiled in the sulfuric hot springs which make Hakone famous. If you do, it will add seven years to your life!

A majestic replica pirate ship will sweep you across Lake Ashinoko, formed 3,000 years ago by volcanic eruption. The Hakone Tozan 'switchback train' zig zags through the mountains, providing amazing views of the surrounding valleys.

This morning, make your way to Odawara station using your Hakone pass and use your train ticket to board the shinkansen down to Kyoto.

On arrival at Kyoto station, make your own way to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for your leisure.

Hotels in Kyoto

We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.

For easy access to all city attractions as well as to Nara, Osaka and beyond, we recommend business hotels conveniently located right in front of Kyoto Station, a major hub in Kyoto where the bullet trains stop.

For experiencing traditional Kyoto, we recommend boutique hotels, located in the heart of the Gion district, with amenities providing the best of Kyoto atmosphere and allowing guests to visit conveniently the city's best-known geisha quarter.

For those wishing to travel the city by public transport or to be just a short walk away from some famous sites, we recommend hotels near subway stations or near the Kawaramachi area.

Today you explore the former imperial capital with a knowledgeable local guide, have your own private vehicle to visit some of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites.

You will start your day with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), which was originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun (military dictator). At his request, it became a Buddhist Temple after his death, and is now one of Kyoto's most famous temples.

Nijo Castle is an ornamental castle built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate (1603-C1868) as his Kyoto residence. It is surrounded by stunning gardens. The main building was completed in 1603, and is famous for its architecture, decorated sliding doors and 'chirping' nightingale floors.

Take a walk down Nishiki Market, a narrow, five-block long shopping street lined by more than a hundred shops and restaurants.

Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things related to food, like fresh seafood, knives and cookware. It is a great place for seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.

To end the day, select from a multitude of traditional Japanese kimonos, and be expertly dressed and styled by local professionals. Embrace this unique opportunity to traverse local landscapes in authentic Japanese attire for a truly enriching travel experience.

Embark on a leisurely walk uphill to Kiyomizu, also known as the "Pure Water" Temple, donned in the elegant folds of a traditional Japanese Kimono for an immersive cultural experience. As you marvel at panoramic views of Kyoto from the 13-meter-high veranda of the Main Hall, appreciate the architectural mastery of constructions achieved without nails. Despite ongoing restorations, this iconic Kyoto landmark remains a fantastic sightseeing destination.

Transfer to Nara from your hotel with a local guide. For 74 years during the 8th century, Nara was Japan's capital and many of the temples and shrines built at that time still remain.

Stopping en route for an immersive Matcha making experience at Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten in Uji, Kyoto - a famed tea company steeped in over 450 years of history. Enjoy a day rich in tradition, history, and exquisite Matcha.

Visit Todaiji temple, the world's largest wooden building and home to Japan's largest Buddha.

Take a wander through Nara Park, called Deer Park by locals, due to the 1,200-plus tame deer living there.

Quench your thirst at a sake brewery. In this building constructed in traditional style, you will sample different types of sake and see which you like the most!

On the way back from Nara, visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, which was used in the movie 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. It is home to over 10,000 red tori gates, which form a path up the mountain behind the temple.

Meet at your hotel for a private transfer to Kansai International Airport.

Have a safe flight home. We trust there were some moments during your trip to Japan you will remember fondly forever.

Hand-Picked Hotels

Tour price:.

• The price is based on a private tour for 2 people during the low season.
• The price varies based on program, travel date, number of people.
• We could also price a tour including both 4-star and 5-star hotels for you.
• We accept payments in multiple currencies (GBP, AUD, CAD, EUR...).

Price Includes:

• Privately-driven air-conditioned vehicle with ample space (except where stated)
• English-speaking local guide for the sightseeing
• Attraction tickets and itinerary activities
• Accommodation for all nights
• Trains between itinerary cities
• Hotel breakfasts and itinerary lunches/dinners
• 24/7 helpline while touring
• Governmental taxes

Price Excludes:

• International flights not mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Visa fee, if applicable
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Personal expenses

Tour code: ah-31

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NATAS travel fair returns for 57th edition

The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) fair returns this year from February 24-26 at Singapore Expo Hall 5.

With the theme The World of NATAS , visitors can expect a wide choice of bargains tour package deals. Exhibitors will comprise of more than 50 travel agencies, cruise operators and national tourist organisations from Thailand, Japan and Taiwan.

Chan Brothers Travel will be offering tour packages to China to popular destinations such as Beijing, Jiangnan, Yunnan and Fujian. It will also bring back safari tours where travellers to East Africa can go on a 10-day tour to watch the migration of more than two million animals.

EU Holidays will also have package deals to China, and will feature curated theme tours like marathon, cycling and fly-cruise packages, said the travel agency’s marketing manager, Mandy Chen.

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Honshu Tours & Trips

Discover adventures through Honshu. Explore the islands and cities of Japan , including Hokkaido , Shikoku, Hiroshima and Osaka. Visit zen gardens and temples in Kyoto, cycle across the countryside, hike to the summit of Mount Fuji and delve into the world of traditional Japanese cuisine.

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250+ honshu tour packages with 4,288 reviews.

Japan Adventure

The tour was an amazing experience! Our tour guide, Meg, did an amazing job taking us to each location and was able to give us a detailed background about each area.

• In-depth Cultural
• Train & Rail
• Christmas & New Year

Japan Express: Osaka to Tokyo

Wonderful trip. Had a great time!

Japan One Life Adventures - 10 Days

This tour definitely captures the best of what japan has to offer! I had so many different experiences and it has given me an amazing insight of the places in japan⭐️ There is quite a bit of travel involved so make sure you are prepared ????

Discover Japan

The Discover Japan tour was everything I wanted and more; our CEO Takae took us a wide variety of locations across Japan where we got to experience both the big, famous sights as well as the small, unexpected cultural experiences that'll stay with me for a very long time. Everything was incredibly well organised, great accommodation and well communicated from G Adventures before the tour started with a clear itinerary and details of what to pack. I'd really recommend this tour to anyone looking to experience a wide breadth of what Japan has to offer!

9D Splendid Japan with Nagoya (private 3 star hotel rooms)

Only a small group of 11 ,mini bus was fine and driver was good, tour guide good but needs to wait when group is all together which wasn't hard being such small group before talking about what we are looking at,

Japan Express

Toshimi was a great guide! Very knowledgeable and friendly. The only thing I’d change is I wouldn’t have gone in the summer. Much too hot. Otherwise we had a fabulous time!

Epic 13-Day Japan Budget Tour: Odyssey Across the Land of the Rising Sun

It was definitely an experience that I think travelers both new to Japan and worldwide travel in general would find enjoyable and a real blast.

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Stunning Japan with Shirakawa-go (private 3 star hotel rooms)

Excellent trip, guides, well organized, and great choices on what to see and do, for a place we have never been. They really did a great job of catering to our preferences. The service level was excellent, and we were willing to do some extras for us. It might be the best trip we ever had.

Essential Japan

My family and I had a great time. We got to experience as much as we could and covered plenty of territory. For a first timer booking a tour thru this company I was extremely pleased. Will definitely be booking our next adventure with them.

Japan One Life Adventures - 14 Days

One life adventure’s 14 Day Japan tour was exceptionally well-organized. The tour manager Alyssa was incredibly helpful and friendly, making sure everyone felt comfortable and informed throughout the trip. The itinerary included a great selection of must-visit places, ensuring we got to experience the highlights of the destination. Additionally, the accommodations were clean & comfortable, good for stays after long days of exploration. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience 😊

• Food & Culinary

Japan Real Food Adventure

Some more time in Osaka and visiting Koyasan at a less busier time would be good. The visit to the tea farm was great! Special Thanks to our guide, Morry the magician. He led us to some places that weren't included in the included activities.

• Coach / Bus

Contrasts of Japan

Good tour - maybe too many temples

All Inclusive Japan Classics- 9 days

Was looked after start to finish. The itinerary was great and the food was excellent. Such a happy experience :-) Love Japan, hope to return soon.

Premium Japan

We had an amazing holiday. Japan was all we had hoped for. The group worked so well, we all got on and became good friends. Shingo, our guide was totally great. He was so pleasant and helpful. His English not brilliant but he did a great job. We felt maybe a little more information on places and sights might have been good. He was constantly helping us all and looking after us. He made great suggestions for meals and always checked up on us all, even when we split into smaller groups for the evening. He went way beyond what he could have done and made everyone feel safe and well looked after. He even helped booking all our onward travel and ensured we were all ok on the day. Wonderful man!! The hotels were nice, if a little small with almost no storage in most of them! Breakfasts were generally very good. We saw and did so much. In fact, we felt sometimes it was a little too much to fit into each day, and either missed some things out or were too rushed, missing stopping and looking at leisure at things and shops etc. Shingo was so patient, even when we caused him to run a little late! Due to distances covered we spent a lot of time travelling which was an interesting experience. Just meant time at destinations was a little short. As Most of us were older we all felt very tired at the end of each day and struggled especially when we had to carry back packs whilst waiting to be reunited with luggage. Dont know what the answer is, if extra days added, then expense goes up. If itinerary cut back, then Interesting sights missed out! Overall, a truly great trip. We enjoyed it all!

Hidden Tokyo Experience

great trip! such nice tour guides and an amazing group. the time spent with my tour group and the memories we made are unforgettable ♡

What people love about Honshu Tours

Our group leader Meg did an amazing job. We had a great trip that was packed with fun from beginning to end. We appreciated the mix of the historical culture and buzzing night life of modern Japan.

The guide was the best

This tour definitely captures the best of what japan has to offer! I had so many different experiences and it has given me an amazing insight of the places in japan⭐️ There is quite a bit of travel involved so make sure you are prepared ?

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