Long-haul specialist First Class Holidays will launch its first ever Japan programme on 19 August, offering a raft of new escorted tours, independent itineraries and short-stay packages with rail and cruise options.

To showcase the new Japan collection, the tour operator has produced a 100-page brochure highlighting 30 day tours and 30 hand-picked hotels, alongside eight escorted and 10 independent tours, eight short trips and a range of travel modes.

First Class Holidays’ Managing Director, Dan Gathercole, told Selling Travel: “We decided to add Japan to our current portfolio because it appeals to a similar demographic as our current destinations, and visitor numbers from the UK have been on the rise. It’s not fly and flop – people are looking for a two- or three-week holiday to the country that includes culture, sightseeing, wildlife, and adventure.” 

“Some of our current itineraries already included Japan on the way to Australia and New Zealand so it’s a destination we already have experience with,” he added.

The new range of guided journeys includes the 14-day Japan Essentials tour taking travellers to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto (pictured), Hiroshima and Osaka via bullet train and including private city tours, priced from £6,340pp including flights from London Heathrow.

The travel brand is hosting a trade event at its Knutsford offices to celebrate the launch on 10 September from 2-4pm hosted by its lead Japan expert Yumiko Wood who was born in the country and lived there for more than 30 years. Agents who would like to attend can email: sales@fcholidays.com

Gathercole said the introduction of the Japan programme is another step towards First Class Holidays’ long-term plan to become an entirely long-haul tailor-made operator by the end of 2026. The company also offers tours to Canada, America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, plus the Caribbean and Indian Ocean.

The Japan brochure is available for agents to download at: fcholidays.com/travelagents