Japan

This East Asian country is endlessly fascinating and a wonderful destination for your private aircraft charter. Zooming out for just a moment, Japan is made up of 6,852 islands with the main 5 being Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. With more than 80% of the terrain comprising of forests and agriculture Japan’s cities are vast areas of habitation and more often than not found along the coastlines.

Make your first stop the country’s exciting capital, Tokyo on the largest of the main islands, Honshu. Touching down at the International Airport, you’ll be around 40 miles from the heart of the city.

As you travel through the streets, you’ll get your first glimpse of what makes Tokyo such a popular destination. With its world-famous shrines, performing arts, and seemingly endless entertainment, this is a city of many faces.

But first you’ll need somewhere to call home for a few days and where better than the renowned Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo’s second tallest building with commanding views all the way up to its 9th floor.

If you’re looking for more intimate accommodation, be sure to check out Hotel Azabu 10, the last word in boutique luxury. Each of its 10 rooms is styled around the ancient concept of Japan’s 24 seasons, unique and relaxing.

You’ll find no shortage of bars and restaurants in the capital but combine both for a great evening out at the Four Seasons Hotel with its gorgeous rooftop terrace and choice of two cuisines – Italian or a French-Japanese fusion menu from Est.

One tourist attraction you can’t fail to see is the imposing Mount Fuji which, even from its location 100km away, is hard to miss.

But Tokyo should be far from the only place on your itinerary, so book your chartered jet service for a trip to Kyoto, just a 90-minute flight across the island. This beautiful green city was spared the destruction of the Second World War and boasts the stunning Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, just minutes from the city centre.

And what a city centre, with its ancient winding streets and breathtaking architecture housing endless art galleries and museums.

No visit is complete without a trip to the 17th-century Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, dating back to AD749.

Onwards, and your next private charter stop could be Hokkaido, Japan’s second largest island. Sapporo is the largest city and a fascinating blend of old and new Japan. Here you’ll find some of the country’s best ski resorts and endless space to breathe. You can also sample the famous hairy crab speciality and, of course, the iconic Sapporo beer.

Japan’s climate differs from north to south. While it’s predominantly mild, the north tends to experience long, cold winters and warm summers while along the Pacific coast you’ll experience a humid, subtropical climate.

Book your private airplane charter to Japan in January for winter sports in the north or mild temperatures in the south. Chinese New Year can be a busy time and falls between the end of January and beginning of February, in line with the lunar new year.