We offer small-group tours led by a bilingual tour leader.Some of our trips involve walking. We are happy to organise tailor-made trips using cars or vans. (Please fill out our quotation page so we can get an idea of your requirements.)

We accept payment by:

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• Debit cards (Visa debit, Visa Electron, UK issued Maestro & Solo)
• Cheques in Pounds and US Dollars
• Bank transfers

Yes, we will do our best to accommodate last minute bookings for our scheduled trips subject to the availability of accommodation.

Unfortunately we do not offer flights, but we will be happy to give you help and advice about the best flight options.

Our scheduled trips are kept to a maximum of 12 people, which keeps them small, friendly and personal.

No, there are no hidden charges and no payments to be made locally. You will need some cash to cover expenses that are not included in the tour, such as lunch and a few evening meals. Please see the tour notes for each tour or ask us.

Although we are based in the UK, our groups tend to be very international, with many guests from all over the world. We also have a wide variety of ages on our trips.

We are a member of AiTO, the Association of Independant Tour Operators, and all our tours are 100% bonded against financial failure by AiTO Trust. In the unlkely event of our failure, your money is protected.

The AiTO Charter

AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct

FINANCIAL SECURITY An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK Government regulations. Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on a regular basis.

ACCURATE BROCHURES AND WEB SITES All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

MONITORING STANDARDS AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM All members acknowledge the importance of AITO's Sustainable Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 to 5 star status.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

Nationals of most EU countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and some other countries only need their passport a return ticket to enter Japan as a tourist. Please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for more details, and a list of countries with visa exemption agreements.

Embassy of Japan in the UK
Embassy of Japan in Germany
Embassy of Japan in France
Embassy of Japan in Canada
Embassy of Japan in USA
Embassy of Japan in Australia
Embassy of Japan in New Zealand

Please read our booking conditions page

Single occupancy rooms are generally only available in hotels and involve a surcharge. Country inns (ryokan and minshuku) usually involve shared accommodation (same sex).
If you are a single person and book one of our trips then you are not obliged to pay the single supplement. However if you request a room to yourself then this should be requested at the time of booking and a supplement paid.

In Japan we use three types of accommodation. In large cities we normally use modern Western-style hotels with en-suite facilities. In the countryside we use traditional ryokan or minshuku, with futons laid-out on tatami-mat floors. Single travellers may be asked to share a room (same sex) and en suite facilities may not be available. On mountain treks we use mountain huts; some of these may only have basic washing facilities.

Yes. We will be happy to help book accommodation before or after your tour. We can help with accommodation, transportation, and with the planning of your extra time, either guided or unguided.

Please see the tour page for more information. Generally, we include all accommodation, all transportation between tour destinations and most meals. Please note that while we include transportation in cities between spots we visit on the itinerary, any travel apart from this (for example in your free time) is not included.