Japan Year Round: Dreaming of a Post-Pandemic Journey
Posted on October 14, 2020 within News
Our excitement is building to welcome you to this fabulous destination as soon as the world re-opens its doors to international travelers. Once the pandemic lifts, it will be the perfect time to explore Japan.
Japan is a year-round destination! Springtime’s sweet scent of sakura (cherry blossoms) and people celebrating the new season make a wonderful time to explore many of the country’s top destinations. The summertime is a welcoming and exciting time to be in Japan when almost every shrine in Japan celebrates with its own matsuri or local festival. Or, visit Japan during a delightfully cool season when the autumn foliage has arrived in a celebration of colors. Winter in Japan is magical as well with its snow covered landscapes and romantic getaways.
Discover quaint merchant towns, timeless mountain and spiritual retreats, fun hiking in the breathtaking Japan Alps, soothing hot spring towns, pottery villages, the top gardens in the world, the majesty of Japan’s castles, and a world-class food culture. Let us introduce you to hyper-contemporary cityscapes, off-the-beaten-path areas, an impressive art scene, the mysterious world of geisha and our endless private special experiences which will truly make your journey memorable.
Now is the perfect time to begin a conversation about your journey to Japan. Whether it be during 2021 or after, we can share many ideas with you to make your travel dreams become a reality. Just give us a call anytime. No one knows Japan better than the team at JapanQuest Journeys.
Safe Travels To Japan
Posted on August 12, 2020 within News
We are proud to obtain the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Stamp for tour operators who follow the current Global Protocols set forth by the WHO and CDC guidelines. This specially designed stamp allows travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. JapanQuest Journeys has aligned with WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols.
Continue Reading Safe Travels To Japan
Japan VIP Experiences: Mt. Koya Helicopter & Guntu
Posted on June 4, 2020 within News
The VIP Experiences of Japan
Continue Reading Japan VIP Experiences: Mt. Koya Helicopter & Guntu
Best Restaurants in Japan: Eat Where The Locals Do
Posted on May 19, 2020 within News
There are many great restaurants in Japan. But the most discerning travelers want to eat where the locals do. Continue Reading Best Restaurants in Japan: Eat Where The Locals Do
Best-Value Splurge Accommodations in Japan
Posted on May 1, 2020 within News
Discover Splurge Accommodations and Rice Terrace Villas in Japan
Some Special and Different Experiences in Japan
Posted on April 27, 2020 within News
Have Different Experiences in Japan
Immerse yourself in a sake related experience. Partake in the tradition of “Kaku-uchi” which means to sample different types of sake at a local sake liquor store while chatting and enjoying the lively local atmosphere. You will be accompanied by our local sake sommelier who will provide you with essential knowledge to increase your enjoyment, and assist you to find your type of sake. Or, tour a sake microbrewery with the owner, who will explain the process of brewing as well as the drink’s place in Japanese society. Afterward, the brew master will expertly guide you through a tasting, describing the nuances and subtleties of their sake range. If alcohol is not your bailiwick, we can arrange a tea tasting with an expert in Japanese tea. Continue Reading Some Special and Different Experiences in Japan
Some of the Best Hidden Places in Japan
Posted on April 10, 2020 within News
Find The Best Secret Places in Japan
Our Expertly Guided Journeys
Posted on February 3, 2020 within News
The key to a fun and enriching journey will be your guide.
Japan is a fascinating country where modern life and age-old traditions merge in the blink of an eye. JapanQuest Journeys’ guides take the mystery out of Japan so you can navigate and understand this magnificent country as true insiders. A guided journey is simply the best way to experience Japan. Our guides are filled with a wealth of information, personality, charm and Japanese hospitality. Continue Reading Our Expertly Guided Journeys
Travel+Leisure Names JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman to A-List 2019!
Posted on October 5, 2019 within News
Scott Gilman, co-founder of JapanQuest Journeys, has been chosen for Travel + Leisure’s A-List 2019, an annual collection of the best travel advisers and specialists. T+L recognizes Scott’s expertise on Japan, his dedication to excellence and his ability to deliver the highest-caliber unique experiences for our clients. Continue Reading Travel+Leisure Names JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman to A-List 2019!
Discover Matsumoto and Tobira Onsen
Posted on August 5, 2019 within News
A Samurai Castle in Matsumoto
Journey through the beautiful Japan Alps to the castle town of Matsumoto, with its splendid four-hundred-year-old castle, one of Japan’s National Treasures. Matsumoto Castle is one of the few surviving samurai castles in the country. Continue Reading Discover Matsumoto and Tobira Onsen
JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman Featured on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Website!
Posted on June 25, 2019 within News
Cofounder and managing director of JapanQuest Journeys (JQJ), Gilman is a Japan buff and former Tokyo resident now living in Washington, D.C. His love of Japan led him to cofound JQJ seven years ago, and the company now assists as many as 1,000 Japan-bound travelers per year. A selectee of the 2018 Travel+Leisure A-list and the 2016–2018 Wendy Perrin WOW List, Gilman is recognized worldwide as a leading tour operator. Continue Reading JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman Featured on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Website!
Japan Travel Tips in AFAR Magazine
Posted on June 23, 2019 within News
Japan Travel Tips from Scott Gilman
AFAR Magazine put together a wonderful article featuring Japan travel tips. We were honored to have Scott Gilman asked to contribute. Scott’s biggest tip? Continue Reading Japan Travel Tips in AFAR Magazine
JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman as Featured Travel Advisor on Travel+Leisure!
Posted on June 13, 2019 within News
We’re excited to share that Travel+Leisure has named Scott Gilman as a “Featured Travel Advisor” for tourism to Japan. Continue Reading JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman as Featured Travel Advisor on Travel+Leisure!
2020 Olympics and Paralympics
Posted on June 11, 2019 within News
Next summer, the Olympic Games will descend upon Tokyo for the first time in 56 years.
Discover the Mysterious World of Geisha
Posted on May 22, 2019 within News
Journey to the western side of Japan to Kanazawa and meander through Higashi Chaya, the largest and most resplendent of Kanazawa’s remaining tea house and geisha districts. Visit a beautiful ochaya (tea house) built in the 1830s. Ochaya were a luxurious place for customers to be entertained by Geisha with exquisite song and dance. As a rule, an ochaya would have been exclusively patronized by upper class merchants. Continue Reading Discover the Mysterious World of Geisha
JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman named to Wendy Perrin’s 2019 WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts!
Posted on March 7, 2019 within News
Many of our travelers found us because of Wendy Perrin, whose annual WOW List remains a uniquely useful resource for sophisticated travelers seeking the world’s best trip-planning specialists. Continue Reading JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman named to Wendy Perrin’s 2019 WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts!
Awaji Island, a Great Day Trip from Osaka
Posted on November 2, 2018 within News
Day Trips from Osaka: Awaji Island
Discover Awaji Island, the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Awaji is a great day trip from Osaka especially for those interested in modern architecture and beautiful gardens. Experience the Tadao Ando designed Westin Awaji Island Resort & Conference Center and the Tadao Ando-designed Water Temple (Honpukuji), a peaceful complex surrounded by Awaji’s bamboo covered hills and rice fields. Continue Reading Awaji Island, a Great Day Trip from Osaka
Travel+Leisure Names JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman to A-List 2018!
Posted on October 9, 2018 within News
Travel + Leisure’s A-List 2018: Japan
Scott Gilman, co-founder of JapanQuest Journeys, has been chosen for Travel + Leisure’s A-List 2018, an annual collection of the best travel advisors and specialists. T+L recognizes Scott’s expertise on Japan, his dedication to excellence and his ability to deliver the highest-caliber unique experiences for our clients. Continue Reading Travel+Leisure Names JapanQuest Journeys’ Scott Gilman to A-List 2018!
Japan is Stunning in Autumn and Wintertime
Posted on September 6, 2018 within News
Explore Japan in Autumn
… And Be Awed By Kyoto’s Maples
Imagine being in Kyoto on a delightfully cool day this fall. Meander into some of the city’s most tucked away temples like Unryu-in and Komyo-in before dusk hits the sky. Visit Nanzenji, home to two of Kyoto’s finest karesansui dry landscape gardens. This lovely temple is famous for its autumn foliage. Enjoy viewing the beautiful maples lining the river from Togetsu-kyo Bridge in peaceful Arashiyama. The maples are illuminated in the evening at some of Kyoto’s most famous temples. It is truly a moment when you can feel the natural beauty abound in Japan. Continue Reading Japan is Stunning in Autumn and Wintertime
Japan’s Beautiful Yamaguchi Prefecture and Famous Hagi-yaki Pottery
Posted on August 21, 2018 within News
Yamaguchi Prefecture, located at the westernmost end of Japan’s main island of Honshu, has beautiful mountainous scenery and is famous for Hagi-yaki pottery. Hagi-yaki is especially renowned for its milky, white-glazed texture. Continue Reading Japan’s Beautiful Yamaguchi Prefecture and Famous Hagi-yaki Pottery
Soothing Hot Spring Areas Near Tokyo
Posted on June 10, 2018 within News
Soothing Hot Springs Near Tokyo
Some of the most soothing hot spring destinations in Japan are within easy reach of Tokyo.
Sojourn to Hakone, a beautiful mountainous area with verdant forests, small lakes and thermal springs located approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo. Behold the beautiful red tori gate of Hakone Shrine set along the edge of Lake Ashi as well as views of majestic Mt. Fuji, the iconic symbol of Japan. Continue Reading Soothing Hot Spring Areas Near Tokyo
Japan’s Best Buddhist Mountain Retreat
Posted on May 2, 2018 within News
Buddhist Retreats: Remote, Spiritual and Beautiful Koyasan
Journey to mountainous Wakayama to experience Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the center of Shingon Buddhism. Located amidst forested peaks and with over one hundred temple complexes, Mt. Koya possesses an aura of serene spirituality. Continue Reading Japan’s Best Buddhist Mountain Retreat
Karuizawa, Japan’s Stunning Museums & Architecture
Posted on April 10, 2018 within News
Mountain resort town Karuizawa, one hour from Tokyo, is home to fabulous museum exhibits and stunning contemporary architecture. It is a perfect day trip for art lovers. Museums are open on Mondays when most museums in Tokyo are closed. Continue Reading Karuizawa, Japan’s Stunning Museums & Architecture
Executives Discover JapanQuest Journeys
Posted on February 12, 2018 within News
Introduce Tokyo and Japan to Your Executives
JapanQuest Journeys supports businesses new to Japan by introducing corporate executives to Japan’s highly varied and exciting destinations, giving them the opportunity to hone their sense of the Japanese marketplace. Continue Reading Executives Discover JapanQuest Journeys
JapanQuest Journeys Expands B2B Travel Services
Posted on February 12, 2018 within News
Enhance the Stays of Expats in Japan
Real Estate & Mobility/Relocation Companies
Expatriates often shy away from exploring the real Japan and miss out on the countless wonders that Japan has to offer. We work closely with luxury real estate companies and mobility/relocation firms to offer an additional resource and value-added service to their tenants and clients.
Continue Reading JapanQuest Journeys Expands B2B Travel Services
Exclusive Sake Experiences in 2018
Posted on February 5, 2018 within News
Learn from the experts about the best Japanese sake brands and microbreweries!
Sake is an essential part of Japanese culinary culture. Experience the pleasure of sake at quintessential breweries in the heartland of Takayama or visit a Kyoto-based microbrewery to learn how sake is made and sample their delicious products. Continue Reading Exclusive Sake Experiences in 2018
Timeless Retreats in the Mountains of Nara
Posted on December 24, 2017 within News
Rural and agricultural Nara is one of the most timeless retreats in Japan. Just wait until you behold its soft rolling plains, traditional towns and ancient walking paths. Take in the sweeping vistas of beautiful mountain ranges and rice terraces in the Soni Highlands. Visit Murou-ji Temple where you can climb 700 steps to reach its impressive five storied pagoda. You will love hiking in Akami, a beautiful and forested area with nearly 50 waterfalls! Continue Reading Timeless Retreats in the Mountains of Nara
Great Ryokans in Japanese Hot Spring Villages
Posted on September 12, 2017 within News
Unforgettable Japanese Hot Spring Ryokans
Hot spring ryokan Yagyu no-Sho is one of Japan’s premier inns of high quality and distinction. Yagyu no-Sho presents an unforgettable stay where traditional cuisine, baths, scenery, hospitality, and the beauty of Japanese architecture come together impeccably. With conscientious hospitality as the staff’s guiding light, you will enjoy a truly unique and wonderful Japanese inn experience. Continue Reading Great Ryokans in Japanese Hot Spring Villages
Japanese Art Tour: The Fascinating Art Field of Echigo-Tsumari
Posted on August 14, 2017 within News
Echigo-Tsumari: A Japanese Great
Experience the incredible Echigo-Tsumari region of Niigata, home to over one hundred fascinating and entertaining modern art installations shown throughout the area’s beautiful 760 square kilometer landscape. Created by both global and Japanese artists, you will love these artworks which you’ll find inside local town centers, in old abandoned schools and throughout Echigo’s ubiquitous rice fields. Continue Reading Japanese Art Tour: The Fascinating Art Field of Echigo-Tsumari
A Guide to Japanese Castles
Posted on July 29, 2017 within News
The Best Japanese Castles
Matsumoto Castle
National Treasure castle Matsumoto-jo is the oldest six story castle in Japan and one of our favorite sights to visit in the mountains. Its black and white exterior set against the shining backdrop of the Japanese Alps makes for some of the most magnificent historical scenery in the country. Matsumoto-jo ranks as one of Japan’s finest and most authentic surviving samurai castles and it doesn’t take long to see why once you enter. Continue Reading A Guide to Japanese Castles
