Ikuyo Travels

06/02/2026

The sustained low temperatures around Yamanaka lake over the past couple weeks have given rise to a fairly rare phenomenon - several parts of the lake have frozen over!

This vista of Mt Fuji seen from across the lake is quite remote and best reached by car, which lends to it being a unique hidden gem with fewer tourists around to spoil the view. Let Ikuyo Travels take you there!

21/01/2026

A new year rolls round yet again, and Japan weathers through the cold months, anticipating the coming of spring.

Weather news, a long trusted info source, has just released their first forecast for the start of the Sakura season! Cherry blossoms, particularly of the most common type, the Somei Yoshino, are expected to show up from around late March onwards, typical for the climate as of late. Tokyo will see blooms as early as March 21st, with more areas in the south following suit before the wave spreads northwards over the proceeding days.

If you're thinking of catching Japan's most ubiquitous flora in spring this year, now's a good time to start planning your trip! Let Ikuyo Travels take you there!

14/01/2026

Wintertime at Mt Fuji = snow cap, clear skies, cool weather

Book a private tour with us and experience the beauty!

26/10/2025

Nathaniel, Cheeryl, and Caspian from Singapore enjoyed a fun-filled trip across Japan courtesy of Ikuyo Travels! With our assistance and resources they were able to overcome many logistical challenges, and visited multiple cities, saw several interesting sights, sampled delicious food, met up with old friends, and tried all kinds of fun activities. Thank you for choosing us, and for being such lovely guests!

Ikuyo Travels is committed to realizing your ideal Japan trip itinerary with the best possible comfort and flexibility! Feel free to approach us any time with your travel plans!

15/10/2025

A bit of rain isn't going to stop us from having fun!

In spite of the overcast weather and lack of Mount Fuji views, we still managed to capture many stunning sights and colourful vistas in Izu and Kawaguchi.

13/10/2025

World Expo 2025 has come to a close! Were you able to visit?

came to a close today, October 13 (Mon), 2025 🥹

Over the past six months, the MYAKU-MYAKU Pavilion welcomed over one million visitors and sparked connections across the globe🌏 We sincerely thank everyone who joined us and supported this journey 🫶

03/09/2025

The tentative forecast for Japan's peak autumn colours is out! Another warm year brings about a prolonged summer, and subsequently the delay of the cold season to mid-late November. Start making plans to catch the vibrant red, brown and yellow hues of autumn today!

Dreaming of seeing Japan awash in vibrant autumn colours?🍁Plan your trip with this handy forecast map!

📢Please note that peak viewing periods may shift depending on the weather, so be sure to check the latest updates before you travel.
⚠️This map is based on the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s first forecast, issued on 2 September 2025.
https://n-kishou.com/corp/news-contents/autumn/?lang=en

ℹ️Start planning your trip to Japan here!
https://www.japan.travel/en/sg/

23/07/2025

In July and August, one of Japan's most popular blooms is the sunflower! I came across a spectacular sea of yellow in the Uchinada area of Kanazawa. A maze of 2m-tall sunflowers glow cheerfully in the shining sun, a perfect backdrop for that Instageam-worthy summer selfie.

This farmland is a short drive out of Kanazawa city, in the Uchinada area. Hidden gems such as this are practically reachable only by car, and that's where Ikuyo Travels comes in to get you there! Enjoy hassle-free tours to truly unique places in Japan with us!

01/07/2025

Rental Nanda has rebranded! Ikuyo Travels is a private driver and tour guide service dedicated to offering flexible, tailored itineraries all over Japan, from Okinawa to Hokkaido. We are committed to offering personable, dedicated guidance and support on your trip to Japan, to ensure that you enjoy a pleasant, memorable time here in the Land of the Rising Sun.

24/06/2025

Summer in Japan is boring, the weather is hot, the trees are nothing but green, there's no snow to enjoy, even Mt Fuji is bald! What is there to do?

Try seeing a festival! The warmer months in Japan are when the most exciting ones take place, as the countryfolk give thanks to the mountain and the sea, pray for a good harvest, pay respects to gods and ancestors, and generally celebrate life and the outdoors.

Many festivals are upbeat and lively, and feature elaborately decorated floats, heart-thumping musical processions, and parading dancers in colourful outfits. You can also enjoy delicious street food, and maybe even a fireworks show! The bon odori dance, like the one in this video, is also iconic and wholly encapsulates the spirit of a traditional festival in Japan.

Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo play host to some of the largest festivals in Japan, but many other spectacular events take place in cities like Aomori, Sendai, and Tokushima. Rental Nanda's got the inside scoop for you, so feel free to consult me on your next summer trip to Japan!