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Japan tours, trips & holidays

Fascinating, historical, beautiful, bizarre – some of the words to describe a trip to Japan. The ‘Land of the Rising sun’ is a country where the past meets the future. The culture of this country stretches back centuries yet it also leads the way in modern fashions and crazy fads. Travelling on the Shinkansen aka the bullet train, our Japan adventure tours will take you on a high speed journey from Tokyo to get under the skin of this stunning country. Japan cannot be beaten for its beautiful lakes, bamboo-covered woodlands and spectacular cherry blossoms, but a view not to be missed is that of Mt Fuji on a clear day. Our Japan tours offer you classic Japanese experiences from visiting temples and shrines in Kyoto to sake tasting in Takayama. How about taking a dip in an onsen, a communal Japanese bath house? If a communal bath isn’t quite your style why not head out for a meal of sushi before belting out a few songs at the karaoke bar! From the modern glitzy cities to tiny rural villages our Japan trips and tours will show all sides of this incredible country.

Group Tours of Japan with Tucan Travel

Tucan Travel offer four group tours to Japan starting in either Tokyo or Kyoto. The great thing about our Japan trips is that they are modular, with our longest tour travelling in a loop from Tokyo in 15 days. Most of the travelling is done on the Shinkansen bullet train, an experience in itself! Our group tours in Japan offer you the chance to explore the cities and towns at your own pace. Whilst there are plenty of included highlights, you will also get enough free time to enjoy your own interests whether it’s manga or museums.

Top Places to Visit in Japan

1. Angkor Wat

Undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Cambodia, Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Spanning an impressive 162 hectares, it was originally constructed to worship the Hindu god Vishnu, but later converted to a Buddhist temple. It was once the capital of the Khmer empire and is now a symbol of national pride; even being part of the Cambodian flag. Built in the early 12th century, the complex houses various ancient temples and statues that are beautifully preserved, it is easy to spend hours getting lost within the complex. Tree vines and nature have slowly sprawled across many of the sites, making it a very unique location and every photographer’s dream! Sunrise is a very popular time to visit the complex, but for a quieter experience later on in the day is more ideal.

2. Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat, but should not be overlooked as a place in itself. With a charming atmosphere, authentic restaurants and the aptly named “pub street” it is the perfect destination to kick back and relax. Just wondering the streets you will see backpackers from all the world mingling in guesthouses and restaurants. Siem Reap is also the base for visiting the Tonlé Sap Lake floating villages, where many ethnic Cham communities live. Here you can visit floating markets, and even a school! Don’t forget about the popular night market, the perfect place to sample a grilled tarantula!

3. Phnom Penh

The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has a host of cultural sights such as the National Museum of Cambodia, The Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Silver Pagoda. A large but charming city, Phnom Penh has a fantastic range of modern restaurants and cafes, serving up both local fare and international cuisine. Most visitors to Cambodia make a stop in Phnom Penh to experience the hub of the country and explore the city’s heritage. The night market is an excellent place to explore and pick up some souvenirs, and a sunset boat cruise is a favourite among travellers also.

4. The Killing Fields

A sobering reminder of the regime of the Khmer Rouge, the Killing Fields are an important stop to make on your holiday in Cambodia. Between 1975 and 1979, over one million people were killed by the regime, with dictator Pol Pot aiming to create a Cambodian master race. As well as ethnic Thai, Vietnamese and other minorities living in Cambodia at the time, professionals and those seen to be working with the government were also killed. While there are mass grave sites dotted around Cambodia the site we now know as The Killing Fields was by far the largest, and sits in close proximity to Phnom Penh. As well as serving as a monument of respect to those who died, it acts as an important educational tool to stop history repeating itself.

5. Kampot

Once the most important sea port in Cambodia, Kampot is a quaint town full of crumbling French colonial architecture. The centre feels as if time is at a standstill, with quiet dusty streets and a sense of tranquility. Pepper plantations and salt fields surround the town, and a tuk tuk tour or renting a bike is one of the best ways to see the surrounding countryside and villages. Kampot is the based for exploring Phnom Bokor National Park, a huge expanse of wildlife and lush greenery. Here you can find waterfalls and hiking trails for a day immersed in nature. With its proximity to the ocean, Kampot is also an excellent base for adrenaline pumping water sports!

6. Brasilia

Battambang is located in northwestern Cambodia and dates back to the 11th century. While less visited than other highlights in the country, it is in fact the second most populated city in Cambodia. While a relatively quiet city, Battambang has a unique charm and many temples waiting to be explored. It is also the base for the famous Bamboo Railway, where you can zip through the countryside on a traditional “nori” as they are called!

7. Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is a small piece of small town Cambodia, offering travellers a relaxing insight into rural Cambodian life. Situated on the Mekong River, this sleepy town is perfect for getting away from the urban buzz and seeing another side of the country. Home to the Koh Pen Bamboo Bridge, Kampong Cham is the perfect destination to rent a bike and get lost while exploring the surrounding farming landscape.

8. Kratie

Scattered with French colonial architecture, Kratie is a rural town that offers the opportunity to spot the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin, as well as some spectacular sunsets along the Mekong River. Roam the temples here and take a step back in time, walk through banana trees and sample the local bamboo sticky rice.

9. Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville holds a lot of importance in Cambodia, with the French building the country’s first ever sea port here. After the Khmer Rouge took over, the area was abandoned with the hotels even being used as target practise. Fast Forward to modern day, the coastal town welcomes travellers who are eager to experience the stunning beaches and water based activities.

10. Kep

Originally a holiday destination for the French elite, Kep is home to white sandy beaches, sprawling palm trees and delicious seafood. A short drive away is Kep National Park, perfect for photography and wildlife spotting with monkeys, lizards, butterflies and various birds calling it home. There are several pepper farms in the area as well as the lush Rabbit Island; a 20 minute boat ride from Kep.

11. The Cardamom Mountains

Located in the south west of Cambodia, this mountain range is one of Southeast Asia’s most untouched and pristine rainforests. The expansive area is home to most of the country’s mammals such as elephant, tiger and monkeys, as well as ethnic minorities. Various tropical flora and fauna also exists here. While it is remote, community-led projects make visiting the area easier than before.

12. National Museum of Cambodia

The National Museum, located in the heart of Phnom Penh, is the perfect place to spend an afternoon learning all about the history of Cambodia while exploring the world’s greatest collection of Khmer artifacts. The museum also has a stunning garden with ponds, plantlife and fish, making it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Why Tucan Travel

Travelling Southeast Asia is at the top of many bucket-lists – and with good reason! Cambodia is small in size but large in history, highlights and beautiful scenery, and it can be daunting to know where to start. Tucan Travel have been operating in the region for many years and have expert knowledge of the country. Our tour leaders are trained to provide you with the best experience possible and introduce you to secret places you would never discover alone. As an adventure travel specialist, we work hard to provide authentic experiences that don’t break the bank. We are proud to partner with local suppliers, accommodation owners and transport companies, to ensure we are supporting local businesses and your money is going back into the community as much as possible. We are proud of the tours we run and have even picked up numerous awards for our amazing holidays all over the world. If you are interested in experiencing more of Southeast Asia, look no further! Tucan Travel offer a range of trips that combine Vietnam with its neighbouring countries. Check out our Vietnam and Cambodia holidays here. We are proud of the tours we run and have even picked up numerous awards for our amazing holidays all over the world. If you need more reasons to explore Vietnam with Tucan Travel, just take a look at our trustpilot reviews and see for yourself!

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