Japan remains one of the most fascinating and rewarding destinations for Irish travellers — and having spent a week there on a guided tour, I can honestly say it exceeded expectations.
When I visited, I travelled on an organised itinerary, which allowed us to see an incredible amount in just seven days while taking the stress out of planning. We covered Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka — each offering something completely different.
Tokyo is modern, efficient, and incredibly clean. Standing at Shibuya Crossing gives you a real sense of the city’s scale, yet within a short distance you can visit historic sites like Sens?-ji. That contrast between old and new is what makes Japan so interesting.
Kyoto offers a slower pace and is home to some of the country’s most recognisable sights, including Fushimi Inari-taisha and Kinkaku-ji. A short stop in Nara to see T?dai-ji was another highlight.
Osaka has a different feel again — lively, friendly, and well known for its street food and busy nightlife areas. It is a great place to experience modern urban Japan. In contrast, Hakone provided time to relax and enjoy mountain scenery and traditional accommodation. Travelling between cities on the bullet train was also a memorable part of the trip — fast, smooth, and perfectly on time.
Japan has become even more accessible in recent years, with improved transport links and strong tourism infrastructure. However, distances between regions and language differences can make independent planning challenging.
For that reason, at Fahy Travel we strongly recommend travelling as part of a guided tour, particularly for a first visit. At Fahy Travel, we offer a range of escorted tours throughout Japan, with options from quality three-star hotels, to premium five-star properties. Your only prices start at €3,500, with full packages between €5,500 and €6,000. We also arrange independent and solo tours for those who prefer flexibility, while also benefiting from expert planning and local knowledge. Cruising is also an excellent value option, if you are concerned about the food, the language etc, you can sail around the islands with most cruise lines with prices starting at €3,000 per person.
If Japan is on your wish list, contact Fahy Travel on 091 594747 or email [email protected] to start planning your trip.
