Japan Journeys' (www.japanjourneys.co.uk 020 7766 5267) 2014 collection of escorted tours in Japan provide the best of both worlds by covering lots of places and sights, whilst removing the logistical worry of getting from one to another. They are ideal for like-minded people wanting to share enthusiasm for specialist interests such as manga, gardens, ceramics or gastronomy, and include exclusive experiences or places that would be hard to visit on individual trip.

All Japan Journeys' escorted tours are based on two sharing and include return flights from Heathrow, B&B accommodation, airport transfers, entrance fees to all named attractions on the itinerary (please visit www.japanjourneys.co.uk for more details), a seven-day Japan Rail Pass and the services of a knowledgeable, bilingual guide throughout. 

A Bloomin' Lovely Tour of Japan - Cherry Blossom (Classic Japan Tour, 28 March - 8 April, £3,295pp)

DETAILS: The cherry blossom season, 'Sakura', is a much anticipated event in Japan. The Classic Japan Tour combines this natural spectacle with an opportunity to discover Japan's ancient culture as well as its high-tech and cutting-edge side.  The itinerary takes in the beautiful cities of Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. The tour also features a stay in the foothills of Mt. Fuji and a trip on the world famous Bullet Train. Guests will also experience the bright lights of Tokyo as well as its remarkable temples and tranquil gardens. There is also an chance to enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and, most importantly, the exquisite cherry blossom at its best.

Visit the Gastronomic Capital of the World (Gourmet Tour, 23 May - 2 June, £3,299pp)

DETAILS: Tokyo retained its title of the 'World's Gourmet Capital' as the MICHELIN Guide Tokyo Yokohama Shonan 2014 dished out its top rating of three stars to 14 restaurants in the Tokyo region, more than any other country. The foodie 'bible' also awarded 59 establishments with two stars and 208 eateries across Tokyo received one star. Highlights of the Gourmet Tour include a Japanese cookery class in Tokyo, a traditional tea ceremony experience in Nara, a sushi breakfast at Nishiki-koji - the world's biggest fish market - as well as the opportunity to taste some regional specialities such as sukiyaki and kaiseki plus shojin ryori (monk's food) at a Kyoto temple and a traditional o-bento on board Japan's famous bullet train. The tour also takes in the famous temples and shrines of Kyoto and Nara as well as beautiful Hakone, a mountain resort in the foothills of Mt Fuji, giving travellers the chance to experience a traditional onsen and the panoramic views and volcanic valleys of Owkudani.

Japan Manga Tour (14-21 August, £1,845pp)

DETAILS: This tour is a holiday of a lifetime for all fans of manga, anime and Japanese pop culture. The tour includes visits to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, designed by one of the world's top animators, Hayao Miyazaki, (Academy Award winner for Spirited Away) plus Akihabara to enjoy the many anime, manga and electronic shops and Nakano Broadway, home to Mandarake and other manga speciality shops. The highlight of the trip is an exclusive visit to one of Japan's top working anime studio.

Visit the Greatest Gaming Show on Earth! (Tokyo Game Show Tour, 14-22 September, £1,875pp)

DETAILS: With 24-hour video gaming available just about everywhere in the city, from the colossal electronic stores and vast arcades right down to the smallest internet café and local coffee shop, Tokyo is the mecca of gaming. Enthusiasts can make a pilgrimage to the city on this specialist tour and enjoy entrance to the opening day of the Tokyo Game Show 2014 where visitors are amongst the world's first to play and review pre-released games. The tour includes Shinjuku and a visit to the Square Enix Show Case to pick up the latest character products followed by a chance to explore the labyrinth of anime, manga and electric goods stores in Akihabara, also known as Tokyo's "Electric Town". Also on the itinerary is eccentric Harajuku, Ginza, to try out all the gadgets and new products at the Sony Building and the futuristic district of Odaiba, to spend time in Japan's largest gaming centre - Sega Joypolis. During the trip there is also the option to visit Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park packed with some of the world's tallest, fastest and longest roller coasters, all set against a picturesque backdrop of Mount Fuji.

Experience Traditional Japan and UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Exquisite Japan Tour, 27 Sept - 10 Oct, £3,495pp)

DETAILS: Experience the cultural heartland of Japan on this traditional tour of the country. The tour begins in Tokyo and includes the beautiful cities of Kyoto and Hakone. Hakone is a wonderful place to relax in the soothing natural hot springs of an authentic Japanese onsen against the backdrop of Mt Fuji, which was awarded UNESCO Heritage Site status in 2013.  The tour also includes the Japan Alps, Takayama, Matsumoto and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago, to wander amongst the picturesque A-framed thatched houses.

Discover the Art of Japanese Ceramics & Pottery (Ceramics Tour, September, £2,495pp)

DETAILS: Pottery aficionados or those simply looking to extend their knowledge of the collections and anthologies of Japan's most well-known ceramic artists will welcome the opportunity to experience Japan's largest annual pottery fair in Seto, which draws as many as 500,000 ceramics buyers with its famous bargain prices. The tour also includes private visits to artists' studios and kilns such as the Gen-emon kiln, one of Japan's most famous ceramic artists. In the Kyoto neighbourhood of Kiyomizu, the tour will visit the shrine-like house of revivalist potter, Kawai Kanjiro. The itinerary also takes in the museums of Arita and Ohara, plus Raku, which houses 450 years of traditional Japanese pottery. A visit to the Kyushu Ceramic Museum gives guests the opportunity to view Karatsu-yaki, Imari-yaki and Nabeshima-yaki, as well as around 1,000 pieces of Arita-yaki from the famous private collection of the Shibata family.

Go Leaf-Peeping on a Gardens Tour of Japan (Gardens of Japan, 13-24 November, £3,125pp)

DETAILS: Japan's stunning cherry blossom season in spring is well known but, come autumn, when the maple trees blaze into vivid displays of scarlet, saffron and gold, the gardens of Japan also put on a spectacular show of autumnal colours. Highlights of the trip include the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, which explode into a mix of flaming cherry-reds and butter-yellows during autumn. The tour also includes visits to the landscaped gardens at Korakuen and the award-winning Adachi Museum of Art garden at Yonago. Even amid the bustle of Tokyo city, a hodgepodge of ochre, auburn and rusty hues can be found in the tranquil Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden at the Imperial Palace. The tour includes the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima and the island of Miyajima to see the famous gate of Itsukushima Shrine and experience a night in a traditional ryokan.

ENDS

For further press information please contact Emma McEnroe at mcenroePR on 0775 221 5397 or email emma@mcenroepr.co.uk