A Specialist Approach to Travel in Japan
We are a Japan specialist tour operator creating journeys that reflect the individual, rather than a set formula. Every experience we design is guided by comfort, style and authenticity, informed by long-standing local relationships and an in-depth understanding of how Japan truly works. At Different Japan, we focus solely on what we know best. Our expertise, care and attention to detail allow us to work with travellers seeking a more refined, thoughtful way to experience Japan, one built on trust, insight and quality rather than volume.
Your tailored itinerary will include private transfers, travelling on bullet-trains to cover the larger distances, and with some days packed with activities, excursions and sightseeing with your local guide and other days simply left free for you to explore (or simply relax) yourself. We have travelled the length and breadth of Japan, venturing beyond the obvious to unearth the extraordinary, unexpected and sometimes exclusive.
Therefore…we’re not for everyone. If you enjoy trying to make the arrangements yourself, then our service might not be right for you. Of course it is possible to do Japan on a modest budget wherein you’ll probably have an amazing time enjoying the experiences and accommodation tailored to this market. But we are not targeting the mainstream holiday-maker. We are something different, unashamedly luxury in purpose and upscale in delivery.
We work with only a comparatively small number of clients each year. However, you may be surprised to discover that the personal attention Different Japan deliver actually costs less than what the larger luxury tour operators with a global outlook would charge for a like-for-like itinerary (if only they were capable!), what with their overheads, corporate partners and many stakeholders. For us, good value is always good value whatever the budget.
Meet the Team
Nick Coates
Founder
Nick Coates
Nick founded Different Snow in 2013, though before then he'd clocked up over 18 years in senior roles in the travel industry. However, Japan and - more specifically - skiing in Japan had always been his passion, ever since he lived in Tokyo for much of the 90's. During those years he headed to the ski slopes most weekends, thoroughly confused as to why he was the only foreigner enjoying the ridiculously good powder.
Nick spends much of the winter in Japan every ski season. He has also lead several promotional press trips to Japan's ski resorts, as well as working as a consultant to the Japan ski industry. In short, he is considered the UK's go-to person for all things Japan and ski.
After having said all that, you'd think he would be a far better skier than he actually is. It's quite embarrassing really.
Why Different Japan?
Because you love to travel, because we are passionate about all things Japanese and because we both believe that the right tour operator for you should be able to tick all these boxes;
It is our sole specialism. Japan is not merely another country we offer as part of a worldwide touring programme - such tour operators are, more often than not, jacks of all trades yet masters of none. We take pride in knowing Japan on-the-ground better than anyone else and this know-how means that we can offer things other operators can’t. Each holiday is designed to exceed your expectations.
Our guiding philosophy is to listen carefully to what you want from your travels in Japan and also to learn about your likes (and dislikes) whilst on holiday. We then use our first-hand knowledge and experience to plan a trip that is completely tailored to your individual needs, while delivering unrivalled personal service and absolute attention to detail at all times. Many may claim such. But we're confident we can deliver - no two holidays we've ever operated have been exactly alike.
From the moment you contact us and then throughout your travels in Japan our passionate and attentive team, both in the UK and with our local partners in Japan, will deliver the optimal amount of support, always comprehensive and thorough yet never matronly or intrusive. You’ll always feel like you are on your adventure, not ours. The travel documents we send to you in advance of travel are detailed, precise and informative - enabling you to relax and enjoy your holiday. And we'll always be on hand (24/7) while you're away, aided by our experienced English-speaking local partners in Japan.
It is because of our on-the-ground knowledge and years of experience in Japan that we are able to offer honest advice, as we’ve almost certainly stayed in that hotel or ryokan and explored the region thoroughly ourselves; this will ensure we are able to make the right choices for your trip. We won't sugar-coat anything, if we think something is not right for you then we'll steer you away from it, and the recommendations we make can be trusted.
That money you pay us is totally safe. Both your deposit and balance payment are held in an independently controlled & managed Trust Fund, operated in conjunction with our ATOL license. We only then receive customer monies from Trust once you have returned from your holiday. Therefore, you would be guaranteed to get that money back in the unlikely event that your holiday couldn’t go ahead. When you travel with us, you can be assured that we have you covered.
Ski & Snowboarding holidays to Japan
We have a sister company. Different Snow is the UK’s #1 Japan ski specialist. However, we find that most Different Snow guests like to combine a holiday to the world's best powder snow with time to also tour around Japan. Therefore, the line that divides Different Snow and Different Japan is very often blurred.