Japan, From Tokyo to Osaka

Japan's Must-Sees and a Traditional Inn 3^*

Arrival at Tokyo Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Tokyo by shared shuttle bus. Collect your Pocket Wi-Fi from the hotel reception so you can enjoy internet access throughout your trip.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure. Suggested sights:

Discover the famous Japanese capital, starting with the Tokyo Tower and its magnificent panoramic view. Visit the famous Meiji-jingu shrine and stroll along the pedestrianised Takeshita Dori street. Discover the traditional district of Asakusa and stroll through the immense Ueno Park.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure. Suggested sights:

Begin your exploration in Akihabara, Tokyo’s iconic tech and pop‑culture enclave, where avant‑garde gaming, beloved manga characters and impeccably crafted cosplay create an immersive world unlike any other. Continue to Shibuya, celebrated for its legendary crossing and its fashion boutiques, a vibrant showcase of Tokyo’s trend‑setting spirit. Finish with a visit to bustling Shinjuku, a district of soaring skyscrapers, elegant shops and endless energy.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day. Suggested tours:

Take a stroll through the immense Ueno Park, popular with Tokyoites for its museums and its Shinto temple. Finally, take a stroll down Ameyoko and discover the life of a working-class neighbourhood in this street lined with small shops and stalls.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Hakone (111 km, approx. 2 hours by train) with your Hakone Free Pass.

Day at leisure. Suggested sightseeing:

This is where you'll meet Mount Fuji, the true symbol of Japan. Visit the Hakone-jinja shrine with its large vermilion Torii. Take a boat across Lake Ashi to enjoy the view of Mount Fuji! Continue by taking the cable car to discover Owakudani Volcanic Valley and the impressive fumaroles of its sulfur quarry. Take advantage of your stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, to enjoy a moment of zen by taking a dip in one of its many onsens, famous natural hot springs, before enjoying a delicious meal of Japanese specialties.

Dinner and overnight in the ryokan.

Onsens: In traditional onsens (hot springs), men and women enjoy separate bathing areas, and it is customary to wash thoroughly before entering. Swimsuits are not permitted, as the onsen experience is enjoyed nude in accordance with long‑standing Japanese tradition. Please be aware that, in keeping with the rules of many traditional inns, guests with tattoos may be refused entry for cultural reasons. However, discreetly covering tattoos with plasters or adhesive bandages is often accepted.

Breakfast at the ryokan, then departure for Kyoto on the “Shinkansen” express train (366 km, approximately 2 hours’ journey).

Day at leisure. Suggested sights:

Treat yourself to a relaxing stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji temple. Cross the graceful Togetsukyo Bridge and continue towards Iwatayama, a gentle ascent that rewards you with one of Kyoto’s most breathtaking panoramas — accompanied by around 200 free‑roaming monkeys, entirely at ease in their natural surroundings. You can watch them at your leisure, as they’re used to people and roam freely. Continue with a visit to the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure.

Sightseeing suggestions: Stroll through the Gion district, famous for its Geishas, and visit the Nishiki market, renowned for its size and its culinary variety. You can also visit the castle of Nijo-Jo, home of the 1st shogun, with its Nightingale (singing) parquet floor. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure.

Suggested sights:

Stop off at the splendid Shinto sanctuary of Fushimi Inari, famous for its magnificent red Torii - the famous traditional Japanese gates. Take the opportunity to visit the Zen temple of Tofuku-ji, located just next door, featuring contemporary Japanese gardens that are well worth a visit. Take a stroll in the south of Higashiyama, a traditional district to the east of Kyoto, to see the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple, the Maruyama-koen park, or the Chion-in temple, among other attractions. A little further north, don't miss the Nanzen-ji - a famous Zen temple.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Activate your Kansai Hiroshima Pass.

Suggested sightseeing: Discover the historically rich town of Nara and its famous Deer Park. Visit the Kofukuji Temple, an illustrious complex comprising several pavilions classified as Japanese National Treasures. Visit the splendid Todaiji temple, the largest wooden structure in the world, and its monumental bronze Buddha. Finish off with a walk in the Deer Park or a spot of shopping.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Hiroshima using your Kansai Hiroshima Pass.

Day at leisure. Suggested sights:

Take some time to reflect on the tragic history of Hiroshima and the remarkable post-bombing reconstruction driven by a spirit of peace by visiting the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Museum. Take a stroll around the Ikari Shrine and Shukkei-en Garden, which are designed to showcase a variety of natural landscapes in miniature.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Osaka using your Kansai Hiroshima Pass (approx. 1 hr 30 mins by train).

Day at leisure. Suggested sights:

Take the ferry and discover the marvellous island of Miyajima and its famous floating Torii, and stroll through the Itsukushima sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by its free-roaming deer.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure. Suggested sights:

Take to the streets of rebellious Osaka! As Japan’s third‑largest city, Osaka is well worth a stop to discover its essential highlights. Take time to explore the majestic Osaka Castle, a landmark that has withstood centuries of conflict and change. If you’re inclined, continue on to the Osaka History Museum for a deeper look into the city’s past. Wander through the lively Umeda and Namba districts to enjoy some shopping and sample Osaka’s renowned cuisine. And don’t miss the vibrant streets of Dōtonbori, where the city’s energy truly comes alive.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Shared shuttle transfer to Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM) depending on your return flight, followed by boarding your flight.

Please note: transfer to Kobe Airport (UKB) is not provided. If you are returning from this airport, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transfer.

Getting around Tokyo: You’ll need to make your own way around Tokyo.

Tokyo underground map:

[https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/index.html]

TRANSFERTS:

• Transfer from Tokyo Airport to the hotel (Day 1): Your transfer is by shared shuttle bus, with your ticket sent in advance by email. The shuttle drops you off directly in front of your hotel and may make several stops along the way.
• Transfer from Tokyo to Hakone (Day 5): By train from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line, changing at Odawara, using the Hakone Free Pass*. The pass is also valid in Hakone.
• Hakone to Kyoto transfer (Day 6): Travel by Shinkansen express train using the Hakone Free Pass, then change at Odawara for the onward journey to Kyoto. Your paper ticket is provided at the first hotel.
• Kyoto to Hiroshima transfer (Day 10) using the Kansai Hiroshima Pass (regional pass), valid on buses, trains and ferries
• Hiroshima to Osaka transfer (Day 11): using the Kansai Hiroshima Pass
• Transfer from the hotel in Osaka to Osaka Airport (Day 12): The transfer is provided by a shared shuttle bus and will drop you off at Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM), depending on your return flight.

Important information: transfers to other airports are not provided and will therefore be at your own expense.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of your travel vouchers may be sent to your postal address by standard mail. We advise you to check your mailbox carefully before you set off on your journey.

*Note about the Hakone Free Pass:

It allows you to travel to Hakone from Tokyo Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line. After changing trains at Odawara, travel on to Hakone and use your Pass to travel on transport services such as the Hakone Tozan buses, the Hakone Tozan cable cars, the Lake Ashi cruise boat and the funicular railway, amongst others. You’ll also enjoy discounts on admission to certain tourist attractions!

You must download the “Visit Japan Web” app INDIVIDUALLY – that is, one for each participant. [https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001](https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001)

For those booking the ‘hotel only’ package (without an international flight), please provide us with your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form under ‘Help and Contact’ at the bottom of the page, so that we can arrange your transfers.

No activities are included during the stay. Activities mentioned in the programme are sightseeing or activity suggestions listed in the travel guide.

A few things you should know before arriving in Japan:

Currency

The currency used is the yen (JPY). As of 28 September 2026, 1 euro is equivalent to 178.68 Japanese yen.

Tips

It is not necessary to leave tips in restaurants, for guides, drivers, etc. It is not customary to do so. If you want to thank your hosts, a gift is preferable.

Weather

Spring (March to May) is a wonderfully pleasant time to travel in Japan. The blossoms transform the landscape into something truly beautiful and the weather is mild, but it is also peak tourist season, so major attractions can be very crowded.

Summer (June to August) is fairly hot and humid in most regions, but it is still perfectly possible to visit the country, particularly in the mountainous areas.

Autumn (September to November) is mild and full of beautiful colours, which lend the landscapes a special charm, but it is also rainy.

Winter (December to February) is dry and often sunny; it’s a great time to take some lovely photos and admire the scenery in peace, without too many tourists around. It’s cold across most of the country (with snow in some regions), which is ideal for making the most of the famous onsen, which will warm you right up!

Onsens

If you’d like to try the onsen experience (traditional baths), please note that it is customary to be completely naked when entering, with separate areas for men and women. Tattoos are also not always permitted in onsens.