As from October 11th, Japan will finally have removed all its pandemic border restrictions for international travellers and there is so much to look forward too.

After over two-and-a-half years of no travel, this long-awaited move means that there will be no daily entry cap and that the requirement for international visitors to obtain tourist visas in advance of the trip has also been removed. Together with the earlier removal of requirements for PCR tests before departure, and on arrival for fully vaccinated UK travellers means that Japan is properly back as a travel destination.

The changes come just in time for the 'Koyo' autumn leaf season looking to boost a flagging Japanese economy.  The bright red Momoji leaves that cover mountainsides, gorges and temple gardens are almost as celebrated in Japan, as the shades of pink provided by Sakura in 'Hanami' cherry blossom viewing season in early spring. Demand for Autumn travel, the snowy winter months and indeed the first cherry blossom season open to international visitors for four years is high, as people long to get back to the Land of the Rising Sun for a dose of culture that has become familiar to many but remains so very uniquely Japanese and different for most.

Those that have already travelled to Japan, since the pandemic on Self-Guided Adventures and Small Group Tours have given incredible feedback, surprised by the warm welcome and the fact that some of the country's most famous sites are without crowds – like a pre-mass tourism Japan of ten years ago.

Japan has not stagnated during the pandemic, its only got better. Here's a taster of some of what's new and some of the iconic sites and experiences that await InsideJapan travellers.

Season for change 
The latest Autumn leaf reports suggest that Momiji red leaves will be at their peak in Tokyo around 29 November this year and 3 December in the Kyoto region. Spring 2023 will be the first cherry blossom season open to international travellers in four years and 'Hanami' blossom viewing parties in parks and gardens across Japan are going to be livelier than ever. The 14 night 'Traditional Japan' self-guided adventure travels from Tokyo to Kyoto via the Japanese Alps following the changing seasons from £2,140pp.

Stay traditional 
A stay in a traditional Ryokan or Minshuku guest house is a Japan-only experience and an introduction to Japanese 'Omotenashi' hospitality at its best. Often characterised by simple décor, the smell of tatami mat floors, hot spring baths and local food served by a kimono wearing host, a ryokan stay is all part of the experience. The Tohoku region in northern Japan is perhaps 'real' Japan and one of the least explored regions, but offers mountains, hot spring villages, samurai towns and more. InsideJapan's new 'Rural Tohoku Trail' offers an introduction to the region with ryokan and temple lodging stays in one of the most fascinating parts of Japan.

Mountain of a trip
Japan is home to over 1/10 of the world's active volcanoes and 75% of the country is covered in mountains. Japan's most sacred and highest volcano is the famous Mt. Fuji standing at 3,776 metres with climbing season lasting from July through until September. The winter months are statistically the best to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. The opportunity to climb the mountain is included in summer tours including the 10 night, 'HYPERJAPAN J-pop&Go!' tour which cost from £2800pp.

150 years and brand new trains
Japan's rail network is one of the best in the world and the best way to travel across the country, whether it be on little local lines or the super-efficient Shinkansen 'Bullet Train'. This September, the new Kamome Shinkansen (left) started service on the southern island of Kyushu serving the city of Nagasaki. October 2022 also marks the 150th anniversary of train travel. InsideJapan's 14 night 'Best of Japan' travels the country by rail and cost from £1,950pp including all transport, accommodation, breakfast and more.

Uncrowded culture 
The city of Kyoto is renowned for its temples and shrines, old streets and the elusive Geisha, and pre-pandemic had begun to get a reputation for over-tourism. Right now, especially without China travelling, there are relatively no crowds in the ancient capital. There is also a host of new accommodation with one of the finest new examples being The Shinmonzen – a modern fusion with traditional ryokan, designed by architect Tadao Ando and host to a fine art collection also. InsideJapan has a host of other traditional ryokan and modern hotel in their armoury and can tailor to suit interests and budgets.

New ways in old Tokyo 
Tokyo is home to over 37m million people and holds the title of one of the biggest cities in the world. There are so many ways to discover it and its collection of different cities within districts – on foot, from the top of landmarks, by train, cruise, E-bike or supercar. InsideJapan is now offering kayaking tours of the Metropolis' waterways giving a slower pace and new angle on this historical city. InsideJapan can include guided kayaking tours lasting from 1.5 to 3 hours in any trip to the city.

New themes for fans
After the world's first Super Nintendo World opened in Osaka during the pandemic, this November brings the much-awaited opening of the new Ghibli Park. The theme park is designed by anime giants, Studio Ghibli recreating life-size iconic sets from films such as 'Princess Mononoke' and 'My Neighbour Totoro' in grounds near Nagoya giving fans somewhere else to visit beyond Tokyo's ever popular Studio Ghibli. A uniquely Japanese theme park. InsideJapan can tailor a trip to the theme parks for fans and can also organise travel to Tokyo's Studio Ghibli.

Value for money & food for thought
Although Japan is not the cheapest country in the world, Japan has always offered exceptional value for money, and with the Yen very low, it offers even better value right now. The value is most obvious when eating out in Japan - A bowl of the best ramen in a backstreet ramen-ya shop will cost around £6, a plate of sushi can cost as little as 60p, and a Bento-box will cost from as little as £3. Train travel across Japan is also good value for international travellers with the availability of the JR Rail Pass which allows from seven days consecutive travel for just £210. InsideJapan has created the '7 Night Price Cruncher' for the price conscious which costs from £1,020pp (excl. intl flights).

Walking Japanese Ways
The ancient Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route walked for over a thousand years through forests, villages to shrines and temples on the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Staying at ryokan guest houses and temple lodgings, sampling local hospitality, hot springs baths and passing pilgrims enroute. A few days walking the Kumano Kodo, is more than a walk but a complete cultural experience and the best way to fall in love again with Japanese culture. The 14-night 'Honshu Hiking' Self-Guided Adventure follows the Kumano Kodo and connects with the Nakasendo samurai trail in central Japan between stays in Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka.

Getting deep in culture
Staying in a traditional Japanese hot spring or 'onsen' town is another very Japanese experience. The town of Kinosaki Onsen is home to seven hot springs and most visitors practice 'onsen meguri'. Stay at a traditional ryokan and after dinner, don Yukata robes, geta shoes and walk from bath to bath. The Japanese concept of 'hadaka no tsukiai' and the naked leveller of bathing together is key to enjoying the hot spring water however, there is also opportunity for private bathing too. The 11 night 'Japanese Hotsprings Honeymoon' stays in the traditional hot spring areas of Hakone and Kinosaki from £2,260pp.

Zen wellbeing of old and new
The Zenbo Seinei opened in Spring 2022 on Awaji island and is characterised by its 90m long wooden 'meditation' platform. The Shigeru Ban designed property overlooks the surrounding forests and offer calm. Alternatively, a stay at a Shukubo temple lodging offers a more traditional Zazen atmosphere on sacred Mt Koya. InsideJapan can tailor a trip and includes a stay on Mt. Koya in the 14 night 'Pilgrims Paths' self-guided adventure from £3,160pp.

New old concepts
Japan is built on deep-rooted philosophical concepts that, if understood, go a long way to explain why Japan does things the way it does. InsideJapan has created a new trip, 'Japanese Ikigai and Paths to Happiness' which is designed around concepts such as wabi-sabi, Zazen, Ichigo-ichie and more, staying in a traditional farmhouse, forest bathing along the Nakasendo and taking full advantage of hot springs and good food on the Izu Peninsula. This is the ultimate Japanese style wellness trip travelling from Tokyo and into rural Japan. The 13 night trip cost from £3,100pp.

Arty Japan: Pumpkin is back
Naoshima 'art island' combines traditional rural island life with contemporary art and the Arts Triennale festival continues until November 6th. The new Ryokan Roka opened Spring 2022 offering new high end, traditional Japanese hospitality on the island. Meanwhile, the famous Yayoi Kusama yellow pumpkin, which was washed away by a typhoon in 2021, has just been reinstated overlooking the Setouchi Inland Sea. InsideJapan has a 14 night 'Japan Arts Trail' trip which stays on Naoshima costing from £2,820pp.

InsideJapan is the original independent Japan travel specialist offering imaginative small group tours and carefully curated cultural and sustainable self-guided adventures across Japan. InsideJapan has just launched its latest brochure full of Japan travel inspiration for 2023 and it can be downloaded from www.InsideJapanTours.com