Apsley Travel · Bespoke Luxury Travel
Japan is not the most expensive luxury destination — it sits below London, New York and St Barths, and is broadly comparable to Italy or Switzerland. Leading Japanese hotels (Aman Tokyo, Park Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Aman Kyoto) range £700–£1,800 per night. Food is exceptional value (kaiseki tasting menus at £150–£300 vs £300–£600 in Paris). Rail (including the Shinkansen) is efficient and reasonably priced. Where Japan can be expensive: private vehicle and driver in cities, and the very top-tier ryokans (£2,500+ per night).
Japan is mid-priced for luxury travel — leading hotels run £700–£1,800 per night, comparable to Italy and below London or New York. Food, private rail and licensed English-speaking guides offer exceptional value relative to Western Europe.
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No — Tokyo's leading hotels and restaurants are 20–30% cheaper than London equivalents at the time of writing. The reverse used to be true in the 1990s.
No — tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. Service charges are typically included.
Yes — Japan rewards local knowledge. A licensed English-speaking guide at £250–£400 per day unlocks restaurants, gardens and tea ceremonies you would not access alone.
Travel May–June or September (shoulder), use the Shinkansen instead of private car, choose city hotels over the most exclusive ryokans, and travel for 8 nights rather than 14.