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Luxury Japan Holidays

There is no question too small. Start planning your dream trip by talking to our Destination Specialists

Find Your Ikigai on a Luxury Holiday in Japan

A l uxury holiday in Japan is a heady combination of the traditional and the modern. The land of the rising sun will draw you in with its culture of Buddhist temples and matcha tea ceremonies, communal hot spring baths and sublime culinary traditions. Any season is a good time of year to visit Japan , for you’re never far away from its mix of high-tech wonders, relaxing landscapes, robot cafés, udon stalls and bullet trains . 

Japan Holidays: Why Visit This Destination?

Even if you think you know what Japan is about, it has a way of exceeding your expectations as one of the top luxury holiday destinations . Start your luxury Japan tours in a big city like Tokyo or Osaka, where life is highly organised, public transport super-efficient, and getting around easy. The neon lights, sophisticated design, and Michelin restaurants of Japan’s urban centres will leave you starstruck. From the bustling metropolises, head to quieter Kyoto or the countryside for all kinds of spiritual experiences: attend a traditional tea-making ceremony, visit a Shinto shrine or meditate in a zen garden. 

Each season has something different to offer. In the springtime, make sure your Japan holiday package includes the cherry blossom festival. Or, if you arrive in autumn, watch the landscape transform into shades of red, orange, yellow and gold. Relax in a Japanese onsen and follow it with a ritual kaiseki meal. Marvel at majestic Mount Fuji, go back in time in Hiroshima, and stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for a mega-dose of tranquillity. As you traverse the length and breadth of this nation on a multi-centre holiday , you will find yourself tantalised and transformed—there are so many things to do on a luxury holiday in Japan. 

Things to know before you travel to Japan

• Nonstop flights from London to Tokyo take about 11-12 hours. Many different airlines cover this route.
• British citizens can travel and stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa.
• Japanese is the official language of Japan. Communicating in English is easier in larger cities such as Tokyo and other tourist-centric places. However, learning a few essential phrases in Japanese goes a long way in connecting with locals. 
• The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the official currency of the country.
• The most common plug types in Japan are Type A and B. The country operates on a 100 V voltage supply and 50/60 Hz frequency. 

Why book a luxury holiday to Japan with Hayes & Jarvis?

A Japan holiday becomes even more special when you have the experts at Hayes & Jarvis design an itinerary that showcases the best of the country.

Personalised travel itinerary : Our travel consultants understand your needs and preferences. They work out a bespoke itinerary based on your requirements and tweak it to match exactly what you desire. 

Dedicated concierge service: It helps to have someone at hand that you can trust, especially when you are far away from home. Travel in peace, knowing that we are just a phone call away, 24/7, throughout your trip.

Trust and reliability: Over the years, we have received some prestigious travel awards for our service. Rest assured, you can trust us to make your holiday special. 

How to book a luxury holiday to Japan with Hayes & Jarvis

If you are thinking of holidaying in Japan in 2024 or 2025, we are here to make it happen.

• Browse our existing luxury holiday itineraries.
• Call us at 020 8106 2403 or fill out a few details here that tell us a little more about your travel needs. 
• Our travel consultants will call you to discuss your wish list and start building an itinerary.
• We’ll continue to refine this itinerary until you are 100% satisfied.
• Book your Japan holiday package , and let us take care of executing it.

A Hayes & Jarvis-designed luxury holiday in Japan promises to be a journey of a lifetime. Make that first step towards setting off on an extraordinary adventure.

Destination Highlights

Cruise along Lake Ashi against the backdrop of Mount Fuji and travel on-board the technological wonder of the shinkansen or bullet train

Relax your body and mind as you soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring) and treasure the experience of staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan

Meet the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani National Park and enjoy lazy picnics under cherry blossom trees.

Immerse yourself in spirituality and experience the country’s rich culture at a tea ceremony in a temple, teahouse, or ryokan

Great Sample Itineraries

We’ve created an inspiring selection of itineraries that can be included on your holiday to Japan. We have a huge range of tours and excursions available, almost anything is possible, so please give us a call to discuss all your options.

Japan Tour Tokyo Kyoto Osaka

• from £4,599 PP

Tokyo To Kyoto Bullet Train Tour

• from £4,099 PP

Japan And Fiji Holiday

Tokyo And Kyoto Holidays

• from £3,499 PP

Expert Tips

“Don’t be afraid to hop on public transport. Japan has one of the best public transport systems in the world. If you are visiting a few cities a JR Pass is ideal as it allows you to travel on all Japan Rail lines for 7, 14 or 21 days but it must be booked before you arrive in Japan.”

“ Make sure to include a visit to Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto and take the short walk to the Tenryuji Temple. To get the best pictures plan your visit in the morning before the large crowds arrive .”

“There’s nothing better than sitting in your own private onsen while soaking up the amazing views that Japan has to offer. So why not choose to live like a local and stay in one of Japan’s many ryokans and enjoy the local hot springs.”

Japan Multi-centre

As you traverse the length and breadth of this nation on a multi-centre holiday, you will find yourself tantalised and transformed

Best Time to Visit Japan

For a quieter experience, visit the country between late March and early April or during late October.

Things to Do in Japan

Our list of things to do in Japan is just an introduction to the uncommon experiences you can have in this fascinating country. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is the time difference between the uk and japan.

Japan is nine hours ahead of the UK.

2. What is the best mode of transportation in Japan?

Trains are the best mode of transportation in Japan. The Shinkansen bullet train connects Tokyo to major cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya. The Japan Rail pass gives you access to buses, trains and even ferries. The other popular modes of transportation in Japan are flights, buses and ferries.

3. What is the food like in Japan?

Some of the most popular Japanese foods are –

• Sushi – Seasoned rice paired and rolled up with fish, seafood, and vegetables
• Ramen – Hot noodles served in a flavoured broth
• Tempura – Batter fried vegetables and fish
• Sashimi – Thinly sliced raw fish or meat 
• Okonomiyaki – Grilled seafood and meats
• Soba and Udon noodles 

Big cities such as Tokyo have restaurants that serve varied cuisines such as Italian, Mexican, Spanish, Thai, Malaysian, Sri Lankan and Indian, among others.

4. Which are the most beautiful islands in Japan?

Choosing from more than 6,000 islands, of which 250 are inhabited, is not an easy task. Here are some of our favourites – 

• Ishigaki – Part of the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki is home to pristine beaches and is known for its black and blue pottery.
• Okinawa – Enjoy sun-soaked beach days and water adventures.
• Yakushima Island – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is famous for its lush greenery, relaxing hot springs and cascading waterfalls. 
• Iriomote – The largest of the Yaeyama Islands, Iriomote is an irresistible combination of blue waters and lush green jungles. 
• Hokkaido – This island is the perfect winter getaway with its world-class ski resorts.

5. What are the top nightlife activities to discover in Japan?

• Experience the Shibuya crossing, the busiest crosswalk in the world, at night 
• Attend a night hanami during cherry blossom season
• Take in the sights of a glittering Tokyo from the Skytree observation deck
• Go izakaya (Japanese style bar) hopping
• Go on a night cruise of Tokyo Bay and take in magical city views from the water
• Sing your heart out at a karaoke bar

6. What are the top 5 cultural attractions in Japan?

• Visit Kyoto’s temples 
• Take part in a tea ceremony
• Attend a sumo wrestling match
• Sign up for a culinary tour in Osaka
• Spend a night at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn)

Our Japan Destinations

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Multi-Centre Holidays

Experience so much more packed into just one holiday with an exciting multi-centre getaway. Combine multi-cultural discovery, a world of mouth-watering gastronomy, iconic landmarks, the best beaches across the globe, thrilling theme parks, spectacular natural wonders, and fascinating wildlife to make the trip of a lifetime. It really is the perfect way to get under the skin of each visit you make and with a world of tempting destinations to choose from, why choose just one if you don't have to?

The world is your oyster, so let us help you see more of it by planning your next jam-packed adventure. A multi-centre break provides an easy-to-follow plan, minus the stress of working out where to go and all the must-sees. There are so many possibilities...

Why not hit the open road with a driving holiday around Florida or piece together a city trip to Vietnam and round off your time away at a beachfront hotel. Pair the skyscraper-dominated Dubai with the tropical paradise of the Maldives or perhaps visit South Africa and Mauritius to make memories that will stay with you forever. Island hop your way around the beauty of the Caribbean or backpack across the mesmerising landscapes of Asia.

With our vast selection of hotels all over the world and brilliant flight networks, it couldn't be easier to customise your holiday exactly the way you want it. Choose flights in and out of different airports if you wish, stay at multiple hotels, and even hire a car to make your opportunity of exploration that bit more plain sailing.

Simply hand-pick your top bucket list destinations, let us know, and we'll put them all together to make an unforgettable, tailor-made trip.

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In Kyoto, Five Hotels to Add to Your Travel Wish List

The city’s newest crop of hotels — from a luxury retreat on a historic estate to a 10-room inn surrounded by forested mountains — were worth the wait.

By John Wogan

The pandemic lockdown in Japan coincided with a flurry of new hotels, especially in Kyoto, where the Park Hyatt, Aman and Four Seasons were joined by a group of independent properties and the first Ace hotel in the archipelago. When the country finally reopened to foreign visitors in October 2022, tourists came flooding back to the city of 800-year-old temples and bamboo forests spoiled for choice of accommodations, at a range of prices. The number continues to grow: Next month, the wellness-focused Six Senses brand will open its first Japanese outpost in the city’s Higashiyama district, home to many of the main tourist sites. Here, a look at five of Kyoto’s newer hotels that are redefining the city’s hospitality scene.

Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto

Andre Fu, the interior designer behind hotels like the Upper House in Hong Kong and Villa La Coste in Aix-en-Provence, France, has infused his signature aesthetic (extravagantly refined, with warm woods and luxurious textures) within the confines of a particularly historic area of Kyoto. The 161-room Mitsui, opened in late 2020, sits across from Nijo Castle, an enormous 17th-century compound and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s in stark contrast to the hotel, whose only timeworn element is an imposing entrance gate — a traditional wood structure over 300 years old and a remnant of the days when the Mitsui family lived on the grounds. Once past the gate, you’ll find a glass-and-steel building, designed by the Japanese architect Akira Kuryu, and landscaping that’s meant to echo the original garden pathways of the Mitsui residence, planted with cherry trees and steppingstones that meander above a glassy pond. The four food and drink venues include the French-Japanese Toki, overseen by the chef Tetsuya Asano (previously of the Ritz Paris), and the Garden Bar, strategically positioned to capture seasonal views, like the spring cherry blossoms and blazing autumnal foliage, out of massive double windows. Rooms from about $1,360 a night.

Ace Hotel Kyoto

The youthful Ace hotel brand might seem like an odd fit in staid Kyoto. But this 213-room property, which opened in 2020, fits seamlessly into the city center thanks to a collaboration between the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and the California-based design firm Commune. Kuma, who designed the Japan National Stadium (the centerpiece of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics), renovated the imposing 1920s-era, red brick Kyoto Central Telephone Office, while adding an industrial-looking building — sheathed in copper sulfide plating, cedar, glass and concrete — next door. Commune infused the guest rooms with Ace’s signature mix of bright colors and patterns: original dyed prints from the Japanese folk artist Samuro Yunoki sit alongside Tivoli radios, turntables and vintage records. The most popular part of the hotel, though, might be the street-level branch of Stumptown Coffee Roasters — the first in Japan. From about $300 a night.

Arashiyama House Mama

Like Kyoto’s dozens of temple gardens, this 10-room property offers an immediate sense of calm. Its entrance is so discreet, you could easily miss it. (Look for the flowing white cloth curtain with simple black signage, behind which is a garden path leading to a minimalist building made of wood, concrete and glass.) The hotel’s location informs the interior design: Thirty minutes west of central Kyoto, the Arashiyama district is defined by nature, with the Katsura River at its center, and filled with bamboo groves and surrounded by forested mountains. Guest rooms are simply furnished with beds, chairs and tables handmade by both Kyoto artisans and the Danish furniture maker Carl Hansen & Son, and each one has a soaking tub. Rooms from about $540 a night.

The Shinmonzen

The Gion district epitomizes Kyoto for many visitors, with its maze of narrow alleys and ryokans, traditional Japanese inns. It’s here, on a quiet side street among artists’ studios, antique shops and galleries, that the Shinmonzen opened in December 2021. Although it’s a new build, the aim was for the hotel to blend in with the surrounding structures. To accomplish this, the famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando created a wooden facade that replicates a machiya , one of the venerable townhouses found throughout Kyoto. There are only nine guest rooms, but they’re unusually spacious, and all have balconies with views of the Shirakawa River. Each one is an ode to Japanese interior elements, furnished with tatami mats, shoji (panels lined with rice paper) and cypress soaking tubs. And for dining, the chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose restaurant empire spans the world, devised a menu blending French, American and Asian influences, sourcing much of the produce from local farms. Rooms from about $1,500 a night.

Maana Kiyomizu

A three-suite hotel near the 16th-century Toyokuni Shrine, Maana Kiyomizu is the latest offering from Maana Homes, the small local hospitality group, which operates two other properties in the city. This one, opened in the winter of 2022, is located in Higashiyama, and is a complex of four machiya that also houses POJ Studio — a boutique that sells artisanal Japanese crafts and home goods. There’s also Kissa Kishin, the second branch of a popular Gion cafe, which serves coffee, matcha and pastries and acts as the unofficial social center for the property. The Japanese architects Uoya Shigenori and Takeshi Ikei renovated the suites to create a minimalist wabi-sabi ideal of city living, where handmade pottery from Shigaraki (a town famous for its ceramics) are the only decorative flourishes to be found. Rooms from about $560 a night.

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OpenAI speeds up growth with plans to open NYC office, more hiring and new products

• OpenAI plans to open a New York City office likely next year, sources told Business Insider.
• The company also doubled headcount in the last year and more growth is expected.
• OpenAI is developing new products, too, including GPT-5 and a search product.

OpenAI is evolving from a scrappy startup into a larger tech company.

The generative artificial intelligence company, best-known as the creator of ChatGPT, is looking to open next year an office in New York City, according to two people familiar with the plans. This would be the company's fifth office, added to its current headquarters in San Francisco, a just-opened office in Tokyo, and offices opened last year in London, and Dublin.

OpenAI has yet to settle on a space in New York or sign a lease, one of the people familiar said, but Manhattan and Brooklyn are being considered as options.

New offices are a clear sign of expansion for the company, which rose to public prominence only 18 months ago with the release of ChatGPT-3, a consumer-facing chatbot that can answer user queries and solve certain problems while mimicking human speech patterns and style.

It sparked an AI frenzy in Big Tech, with companies like Meta , Google and Amazon rushing to release their own generative AI products. Microsoft decided to make a massive investment in OpenAI that put ChatGPT in products like Bing and Copilot. After the dramatic ouster and return in November of cofounder and CEO Sam Altman, the company appears to be again on a steady growth trajectory.

Related stories

Early last year, OpenAI had only about 400 employees all working out of one San Francisco office. It's now looking for a second office in San Francisco, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. This is in part because OpenAI's head count has grown to over 1,000 people, according to one of the people familiar with the company.

OpenAI has taken a selective approach to hiring, the person added, relative to how much interest the company receives for its job postings. Engineering jobs can receive over 1,000 applications for a single role, the person noted. Still, OpenAI is looking to grow even more this year, likely adding at least 500 people in the US and in still-new international offices, the person said.

While OpenAI is looking for technical talent and engineers, it's also looking to hire more enterprise salespeople to sell ChatGPT to large-scale customers, one of the people familiar said. The current sales team is considered small at around 150 people. Selling ChatGPT to large businesses is the core source of revenue for OpenAI and will remain as such going forward, the person noted, as OpenAI executives do not see a meaningful amount of revenue from individual user subscriptions to ChatGPT.

And new potential products to sell are on the horizon. There are two projects at the company right now among the core focus for OpenAI's tech engineers and employees. One is GPT-5, a new version of the large language model that underpins its popular chatbot and is poised to be released mid-year, as Business Insider reported . The other is a search product likely to incorporate Microsoft's Bing search engine, according to a report from The Information. That search product is still in development, according to one of the people familiar, and there is currently a significant push for workers on the project to deliver a search product, possibly by later this year.

With new offices and adding more workers, OpenAI is now one of the largest companies dedicated to generative AI. At around 1,000 employees, it's roughly the same size as Google DeepMind . Other generative AI startups like Mistral, Anthropic and Stability have between several dozen and a couple of hundred employees, according to LinkedIn.

A spokesperson for OpenAI did not respond to emails seeking comment.

Are you an OpenAI employee or someone with a tip or insight to share? Contact Kali Hays at [email protected] or on secure messaging app Signal at 949-280-0267. Reach out using a non-work device.

Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, has a global deal to allow OpenAI to train its models on its media brands' reporting.

Watch: Sam Altman moves to Microsoft after OpenAI fires him as CEO

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