Our director, Rachel Lang
As a fluent Japanese speaker, translator and expert in Japanese culture and customs, I have conducted a huge number of incredibly successful incentive and VIP special interest trips that are fondly talked about for years. I travel to Japan frequently and can confidently assert that there are very few non-Japanese who know the country and culture as well as I do.
My knowledge and networks allow me to create unbelievable travel itineraries that deliver a memorable, seamless travel experience for each of my clients. Through my friends and contacts in Japan you will have access to places that local Japanese can’t even dream to go.
I personally escort all my VIP clients on every tour we offer and look forward to making your trip as unbelievable of an experience you could ever dream of.
Experience the true Japan, in style.
Japan is an exceptional country, from its history and traditions, to its culture and people.
But what makes it truly unique is the ‘money-can’t-buy experiences’ – with incredible food, with its natural environments and with the hidden delights deep in it’s busy cities. These are only available to people who have spent decades building connections and experiencing the country for themselves, to unearth these treasures.
When you travel with Plan Japan, each and every detail is taken care of for you, from the luxury accommodation, to the transfers (including the bullet train) and all bookings.
We are proud to offer two distinct tours that travel to the most famous places in Japan, and the hidden gems. On both tours you will be personally escorted by one of Japan’s most well connected experts – our Director, Rachel Lang. She will act as your personal guide and interpreter.
Tokyo to Takayama Highlights
Authentic and Exclusive Dining
We take you to the country’s hottest and most exclusive Sushi, Yakitori and Tempura restaurants, which are all once in a lifetime experiences and incredibly difficult to book. You must be known to and respected by the Chef.
An evening with a Geisha
A luxurious multi-course dinner with a Geisha performance, followed by a rare Q&A session with an elusive Geisha. Learn about the history and culture of this incredible group.
Day Tours
The tour includes many private, behind the scenes tours including Toyosu Market, Kanazawa Castle, Daio Wasabi Farm, traditional Samurai houses, Azumino Cycling tour, Matsumoto Castle, Arakura Sengen Shrine, Kawaguchiko Music forest Museum.
Gokayama and Shirakawa-go
Visit the remote mountain settlement, home to UNESCO World Heritage sites famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are 250 years old.
Hida- Furukawa
See the famous carp canels followed by a private lunch of handmade soba. This will be followed by a private tour of a premium sake brewery including a tasting with the head sake brewer.
Nakasendo Trail
Nestled between imposing mountain cliffs, these lowlands are home to a handful of incredibly well preserved towns. One of the best walks in Japan to experience what life would have been like as a merchant or samurai.
Ina and Koshu
A lesson in making your own soba before sitting down to enjoy the famous Ina Soba for lunch, followed by a Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting and a Western style special course dinner.
Kamikochi
Choose between walking trails or hiking trails in the beautiful Japanese alps of Nagano renowned as being some of the best trails in Japan or you may choose to relax and enjoy Japanese tea and sweets in this incredible scenery.
Past, Present and Modern Japan Highlights
Impossible Restaurant Bookings
Our connections allow us to make reservations in restaurants even the locals can’t get into - including Tokyo’s hottest Yakitori and Yakiniku restaurants, a world famous sushi restaurant and the stunning French-style Terrace Restaurant.
Toyosu Market
Access to a VIP behind-the-scenes private tour of this bustling wholesale market, escorted to areas that only where Michelin star chefs are able to enter. Enjoy breakfast followed by a visit to the old Tsukiji Market.
Accommodation in Luxury Ryokans
Including a private onsen (hot springs), massage, exclusive sake tasting and a multi-course Japanese Kaiseki dinner served to you in your private room - followed by complimentary after-dinner premium beverages in our private bar.
Tokyo Highlights
Enjoy a ramen tour with one of Tokyo’s top ramen experts, an architecture tour of luxury Ginza, an exclusive sushi dinner at one of the best sushi restaurants in the world - followed by a private whiskey tasting.
Miyajima Island
See the famous floating Torii gate of Itsukushima shrine, enjoy a delicious lunch sampling Miyajima’s oyster specialties and other delicacies - and a cable car ride followed by a climb to the summit of Mt Misen, with incredible views.
Naoshima Island
A guided visit to the worlds most unique destinations for art lovers and travellers seeking a one-of-a-kind experience. Relish in the stunning architecture by Tadao Ando, museums and colourful galleries all in laid-back atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
Kyoto
Take in Kyoto’s famous sights, starting with Arashiyama Tenryuji - Bamboo forest - Otagi Nenbutsuji, a Beautiful Yudofu speciality lunch in Arashiyama and a tour of Ryoanji and the Golden Pavilion.
Minoo National Park
A guided tour through one of Japan’s oldest parks, along the famous talking trails through to the stunning Minoo Waterfall, an impressive 33m high and 5m wide, surrounded by gorgeous autumn leaves.
Exclusive Access
During this tour you will have exclusive access to places and people that not even Japanese locals can get into. These are the type of surprises we love to include in our tours:
- Members-only / Introduction-only dining establishments.
- Behind the scenes tour of Toyosu fish market by a *Michelin Star chef
- Happy hour drinks with sumo wrestlers
- Tours of private art galleries not open to the public.
- Fascinating one-on-one discussions with famous fashion designers
- Private chats with CEO’s of Japanese high tech companies
Luxury Accommodation
Here at Plan Japan we only select the most comfortable and reputable hotels for our guests. It’s traditional Japanese hospitality meets all consuming luxury.
Each of the Best of Japan packages have so many incredible experiences to take in – you’ll want somewhere sensational to rest and unwind each night.
Palace Hotel Tokyo
With an unparalleled view of the city and sensational location just across from the Imperial Palace gardens, the five-star Palace Hotel Tokyo is a haven of hospitality – providing the elegant and refined hospitality Japan is so famous for.
The hotel has 7 restaurants, a spa and a free-access fitness centre and indoor swimming pool – and is a short walk from Ginza shopping area.
Sekitaitei Ishida
The Sekitaitei Ishida inn nestles in the southern Shinshu region of Nagano prefecture. A hot spring inn built at Hirugami onsen with a concept embodying “Yamatogokoro” (the Japanese spirit)” and focusing on Japanese architecture, cuisine and hospitality.
A sukiya-style building, which has inherited the beauty of Japanese architecture and graced with an extensive and breathtaking garden, featuring exquisite colouring that changes from season to season.
Hakone Byakudan Ryokan
The hotel name Byakudan means sandalwood. On site are 16 elegant accommodations spread out across a 3- acre land. The lobby features a high ceiling with wide glass windows through which a panorama of the Hakone mountains can be seen.
The hotel boasts of its own gold colored hot spring source. The large communal bath features natural stones and Izu stones, and the open-air baths in the guest rooms offer views of a variety of deciduous trees.
Shangri-La, Tokyo
Just one minute walk from Tokyo Station, the Shangri-la offers the perfect mix of convenience and grandeur. Listed as a 2021 Forbes Five Star hotel, and boasting one of the largest guest room sizes available in Tokyo, it embodies refined beauty and serenity.
Enjoy a state-of-the-art gym as well as a heated indoor swimming pool. Or spend your afternoon in Chi, The Spa, which provides signature massage treatments and therapy programmes.
Iwaso Ryokan, Miyajima Island
Situated in the World Heritage Miyajima Island, the Iwaso Ryokan is Japanese-style accommodation surrounded by stunning views. Wind down after a big day in the indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths – or have a massage.
Constructed in the “miya-daiku” style, Iwaso was built by the same craftsmen who built Japanese shrines. The traditional rooms feature woven-straw floors and Japanese futon bedding.
Benesse House, Naoshima Island
Opened at Benesse Art Site Naoshima in 1992, Benesse House is both a museum and a hotel, incorporating guest rooms and space for display of contemporary art.
Benesse House offers guests opportunities to get close to great art and spend a uniquely rewarding time in dialogue with the works and with themselves.
