Luxury & tailor-made Japan holidays

Loud and quiet. Traditional and modern. Japan is all these things at once. You can feel at one with this charming country that has cherry-picked the best of Western culture and married it with its captivating ancient traditions. Likewise, we’re here to handcraft your ideal visit. Whether you want a photo under the famous cherry blossom trees in Tokyo, would prefer to weave through the bright lights of Akihabara, or like the idea of lodging at Hakone National Park with Mount Fuji as a backdrop, we’ve got it covered.

Tokyo is a city that ignites all of your senses. There is a never-ending stream of bright lights, quirky fashion, and dazzling architecture. All of the commotion can make us develop an appetite, so it’s a good thing Tokyo houses some of the best markets and restaurants on the planet. Make an early morning visit to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market and book into anyone of the over 200 Michelin-Starred eateries.

Every year between March and April, the gardens of Japan turn pink with an abundance of blooming Cherry Blossoms. A powerful and intoxicating sight, witnessing this sea of pink florets is an incredibly special and memorable experience. To marvel at this natural spectacle, we recommend visiting Nakaragi no Michi Path in Kyoto or Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo – both of which we offer intimate tours of.

A Japanese pastime since the 18th century, an Onsen is a natural hot spring containing a number of beneficial minerals, and there are over 2,500 of them in the country. A luxury holiday in Japan wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of these magical baths, followed by a fantastic night’s rest at a traditional Ryokan. We know just the place…

Immerse yourself in the always-on buzz of Tokyo life: enjoy a private sake tasting afternoon with a local brewer, learn the spirituality of the ninja at the feet of a master sensei, and succumb to the top names of the Ginza shopping district, including Valentino and Shiseido. If you fancy something a little more Zen, you can seek serenity at the ancient Buddhist temple, Sensō-ji. We’ll know the right people to get you in before the crowds arrive, letting you roam the ancient temple at your leisure.

Boasting close to 2,000 temples and shrines across the region, Kyoto is the opposite of modern Tokyo. Awash with traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto was once Japan’s former capital and still lives on as the cultural hub of the country. Enjoy expert guidance on an exclusive tour of the dramatic dragon paintings of Tenryu-ji, live life through the eyes of a geisha with a personal tea experience in the Gion district, and embark on a tantalizing ramen cooking class with a private chef.

It’s all about eating in Osaka. The fun-loving city is renowned for its unique gastronomical wonders, such as deep-fried pork cutlets and world-class takoyaki octopus dumplings. Explore the local delights of the Shinsekai neighborhood on an exclusive foodie tour designed by us around your personal palate. After dining out on delicious delicacies, enjoy the uninterrupted night-time views over the vivid cityscape at the top of the iconic Umeda Sky Building. It’s well worth getting over vertigo for, we promise.

If the organized chaos of Tokyo has left you exhausted, you’ll welcome the comfort of Aman. A luxury urban retreat that features show-stopping views of the city and the Otemachi Forest, Aman Tokyo is one of just a handful of places in the city where you can experience true peace. Take a dip in its chic, contemporary spa or unwind with one of the bartenders’ ingenious cocktail creations.

Kyoto is brimming with Japanese tradition and the family-run Hiiragiya Ryokan is testament to that fact. With just 28 rooms in a subtle, stripped-back-yet-luxurious style, it has a homely vibe. Hard to believe you’re just minutes from the buzz of downtown Kyoto.

The rush of the bustling metropolis of Osaka can soon leave you seeking a more peaceful setting, and the St Regis Hotel knows this all too well. Check-in for instant serenity, which includes impossibly comfortable rooms decked in decadent gold and cream. A 24-hour butler service is at your beck and call, should you feel like an after-hours snack or glass of Champagne. Or the throng of Nanba’s nightlife is just 15 minutes away.

Sleep among the foothills of the sacred Mount Fuji then wander our favorite route along the winding trails that lead to the glistening Lake Kawaguchiko just in time for sunrise. Sound impossible? We can arrange for you to lay your head anywhere with Blink luxury camping.

Synonymous with sumo, Tokyo’s sumo stables are presented now as they were hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. We can arrange for access to a sumo wrestling expert ready to give you a hands-on experience. Ask about the culture of a sport that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years, learning its age-old traditions, as well as getting geared up and having a grapple yourself.

You’ll find few things more iconically Japanese than the kimono and chalk-white complexion of the geisha. Trained in various arts, meeting and interacting with these traditional female entertainers in Kyoto is a highlight for many on a luxury holiday to Japan. We know all the right people around the graceful Gion geisha district so you can open all the doors that average visitors can’t. We’ll arrange for you to share a private tea and dining experience with a traditional host, uncovering the origins of this ancient tradition first-hand.

Towering in stature and selfless in their actions, the samurai existed only to serve. Discover your sense of ‘Ko’ (‘no self’) as you spend one-on-one time with a local samurai professor who has studied the art his entire life. Draw strength from trying on the ancient karuta armor and get a handle on the impressive weaponry, unsheathing the iconic curved katana as those in feudal Japan did hundreds of years ago.