Japan, From Tokyo to Osaka

The Best of Japan and Hot Springs 4^*

Arrival at Tokyo Airport. Transfer to your hotel by group shuttle. Pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi at the hotel reception to enjoy Internet access for the duration of your trip. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: discover the famous Japanese capital starting with the Tokyo Tower and its magnificent panoramic views. Visit the famous Meiji-jingu shrine and stroll along the pedestrianised Takeshita Dori street. Discover the traditional district of Asakusa and stroll through the vast Ueno Park.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Visit Akihabara, Tokyo's famous geek district, where the craziest video games, manga from your youth, and Cosplay await. What better way to immerse yourself in an unusual world! Head to Shibuya, famous for its Scramble Crossing and fashion shops. Finish off with a visit to the bustling Shinjuku district, with its numerous skyscrapers and shops.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take a stroll through the huge Ueno Park, popular with Tokyoites for its museums and 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 in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Kanazawa using your Hokuriku Pass (which you will receive by post). Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Let yourself be charmed by the old-world flavour of this city by discovering the Castle of Kanazawa. Take a stroll through the Kenroku-en garden, considered to be one of the 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan, and wander through the former Geisha district of 'Higashi Chaya'. Kanazawa is also renowned for its handicrafts, offering the chance to discover silk kimonos, ceramics, and Wajima lacquerware...

Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take a trip back to traditional rural Japan and see the famous thatched houses. This region and that of Gokayama are home to several villages renowned for their authenticity, including Shirakawago. Take the day to visit these places and immerse yourself in another era, while admiring the superb mountain scenery of the Japanese Alps.

Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Osaka using your Hokuriku Pass. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing : Stroll the streets of rebellious Osaka! As Japan's third-largest city, it's well worth stopping off to see some of the must-see sites... take time out to visit Osaka Castle, one of the country's most famous castles, which has survived various conflicts and stood the test of time. If you feel like it, continue with a visit to the Osaka History Museum. Stroll around the Umeda and Namba districts to do some shopping and sample the local cuisine, renowned throughout the country. You can also explore the streets of the lively district of Dotombori.

Overnight stay in Osaka.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Nara using your Hokuriku Pass. Day at leisure.

Suggested sightseeing: Discover the historically rich town of Nara and its famous Deer Park. Visit the Kofukuji Temple, an illustrious complex comprising several buildings 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. In the evening, enjoy a moment of Zen in a Ryokan and take a dip in one of the many onsens, the famous hot springs so popular with the Japanese.

Dinner and overnight stay in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Nara.

Please note:

The type of sleeping arrangements - a double bed or two separate beds - is not guaranteed.

Onsen: Men and women are separated in onsens (hot springs). Washing is mandatory before entering the various onsens. Swimsuits are prohibited and nudity is required. Please note that, according to the rules of traditional inns, people with tattoos may be refused entry for cultural reasons. However, it is possible to cover tattoos with plasters or adhesive bandages.

Breakfast in your Ryokan and departure for Kyoto using your Hokuriku Pass. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing : The beautiful city of Kyoto will win you over with its rich traditions. Once the imperial capital of Japan, it has retained its prestige and a number of cultural treasures, much to our delight! 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 in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

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 in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take a Zen walk through the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji temple. Cross the Togtesukyo Bridge and continue your tour by taking on Iwatayama. This small mountain offers one of the best views of the city, surrounded by... almost 200 monkeys! You can observe them at your leisure, as they are used to the presence of humans and roam freely. Continue with a visit to the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight stay in Kyoto.

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

Suggested sightseeing: Head northwest of Kyoto to explore the Daitokuji. This group of around twenty temples, grouped around a main temple, the Butsu Den, provides a real Zen feeling. Wander around the 4 temples open to the public and stroll through the various Kare Sansui-style Zen gardens (dry garden).

Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take time to appreciate the tragic history of Hiroshima and the astonishing pacifist reconstruction that followed the bombing by visiting the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Museum. Take a stroll through the Ikari sanctuary and the Shukkei-en garden, designed to showcase a number of natural landscapes in miniature. Take the ferry and discover the wonderful island of Miyajima and its famous floating Torii. Take a stroll through Itsukushima Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, among the roaming fallow deer.

Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

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

Suggested sightseeing: Begin with a stop at Okayama. The town is renowned for its incredibly famous traditional Korakuen garden, considered to be one of the "three most beautiful gardens" in Japan. Okayama Castle, nicknamed the Castle of the Golden Raven, and the Kibitsu-jinja Shrine, classified as a "national treasure ", are also well worth a visit. Continue on to the historically rich city of Kurashiki. Located around fifteen minutes from Okayama, the town's charm lies in its historic 'Bikan' district, a witness to the glory days of feudal Japan with its architecture typical of the Edo era. You can stroll along its weeping willow-lined canals and visit some of the city's many historic museums. If you feel like it, stop off at Himeji to visit one of Japan's most famous castles: the White Heron Castle! This building dates back to the 14th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, probably on account of its beauty but also because of the architectural interest it provides.

Overnight stay in Osaka.

Your final day in this magnificent country! Transfer by group hotel shuttle to Osaka Airport and boarding of your return flight.

Please note: Transfers to Kansai Airport (KIX) are provided. In the case of a return flight from Itami (ITM) or Kobe (UKB) Airport, this will be at the customer's expense.

**To avoid queuing at the airport and to save time, we recommend that you register individually on the Visit Japan website (https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/) before your departure.

As government restrictions are constantly changing, we advise consulting the following websites regularly right up to the day of departure:

https://www.pasteur.fr/fr

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/

We recommend that you register on the Ariane website:

https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fildariane/dyn/public/login.html

It is the traveller's responsibility to find out about any changes to entry formalities in the destination country. As a general rule, travellers should always carry a mask and hand sanitiser.

Please note that airlines reserve the right to modify and reinforce their boarding conditions more strictly than the formalities and regulations of the destination country, at any time and without prior notice. Travellers with connecting flights should look into the conditions of access to the airports where they have a stopover.

On arrival, travellers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. A visa is only required for stays of more than 3 months. Non-Japanese nationals entering Japan are required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photographic portrait). Non-French nationals or dual nationals are advised to consult the consulate or embassy of their destination country. Minors: Minors must have their own passport. We strongly recommend that minors who are not accompanied by their legal representatives bring a copy of their family record book. Specific formalities: If you are travelling abroad as a minor, please note that minors resident in France and travelling unaccompanied by their legal guardians must bring with them, in addition to their ID, a form authorising them to leave the country: CERFA no. 15646*01 downloadable here: https://www.formulaires.modernisation.gouv.fr/gf/cerfa_15646.do

Health

Covid-19 public health emergency: travellers with a complete vaccination schedule are no longer required to carry out a PCR test less than 72 hours before the flight. However, a PCR test is still compulsory if your vaccination schedule is incomplete. Don't forget to check the latest information on diplomatie.gouv. No vaccination is compulsory. Don't forget to check that your vaccination record is up to date (DTP). Health level is equivalent to that of Western Europe. Natural and climatic risks are high in Japan, so make sure you keep informed.

Currency

The currency used is the yen (JPY). On 20 December 2022, 1 Euro is equivalent to 140.40 Japanese yen.

Climate

Spring (March to May) is a very pleasant time to travel to Japan, as the flowers in bloom provide a stunning landscape, and the climate is mild, but it is also the peak tourist season; there are often many people visiting the places of interest. Summer (June to August) is fairly hot and humid in most regions, but it is still possible to visit the country, particularly in mountainous areas. Autumn (September to November) is mild, with beautiful colours that add to the charm of the landscape, but it is also rainy. Winter (December to February) is dry and often sunny, so it's a great time to take photos and admire the scenery without too many tourists. It's cold in most parts of the country (with snow in some areas), which is ideal for making the most of the famous 'Onsens', which will bring you a little warmth! Language

Japanese people don't all speak English very well, especially outside the big cities, so writing down some useful phrases can be very handy.

Time Difference

From March to October, the time difference is CET +7, and from October to March it is CET +8.

Onsens

If you want to try out the Onsens (traditional baths), it is customary to go in completely naked (men and women are separated). Those with tattoos are not always accepted in Onsens.

Pocket Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is not available everywhere in Japan. Ideally, you should travel with a small 'Pocket Wi-fi' dongle so that you have a fast connection wherever you are during your stay. This makes it much easier to check useful information or get in touch with friends and family. You can collect the box from the hotel on the first day and return it in the envelope provided at the Post Office.

Tips

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

Driving

In Japan, cars drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the right. Gearboxes are automatic. The Japanese drive quite calmly and are very respectful of the highway code. The motorways are well maintained. To drive in Japan, you need your driving licence and a Japanese translation of it.

Accommodation:

Accommodation capacity:

Single room: 1 adult

Double/twin room: 2 adults or 1 adult + 1 child (2 - 11 years)

Babies are not permitted.

In Japan, hotel rooms are often rather narrow and beds are small.

The accommodation included in this trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Any specific request concerning the type of bed (double/separate beds) or any other request or special condition concerning the accommodation is subject to availability and may incur a supplement

For technical reasons, hotels may be replaced with similar accommodation, and the order of the itinerary may change. All accommodation requests and special conditions are subject to availability. Changes to the itinerary or the closure/modification of hotel facilities/services due to the health crisis (the Coronavirus epidemic) will not result in any reimbursement or compensation.

Check-in is usually in the mid-afternoon (3 - 4 p.m.).

Meals

This offer includes breakfast during the tour and a half-board package (excluding drinks) during your night in a Ryokan. You will have to pay for any other meals.

* If the first or last day is shortened due to late arrival or early departure caused by airline schedules, no refund will be given. Similarly, any meals included in the board package that cannot be taken due to these timetables cannot be reimbursed. Depending on the schedule of any optional extras and excursions, any meals not taken at the hotel will be charged to the guest.*

For more information, please contact customer services.

Getting around Tokyo: You must arrange your own transfers within Tokyo.

Tokyo underground map:

https://www.tokyometro.jp/fr/subwaymap/index.html

TRANSFERS

Transfer from Tokyo Airport to your Tokyo hotel (day 1): The transfer is by shared shuttle and drops you off in front of your hotel. It may make several stops along the way (ticket sent by email).

Transfer Tokyo - Kanazawa (Day 5): with the Hokuriku Pass (sent by post to the customer's postal address)

Transfer Kanazawa - Osaka (Day 7): with the Hokuriku Pass

Transfer Osaka - Nara (Day 8): with the Hokuriku Pass

Transfer Nara - Kyoto (Day 9): with the Hokuriku Pass

Transfer Kyoto - Hiroshima (Day 12): with the Kansai Hiroshima Pass

Transfer Hiroshima - Miyajima - Hiroshima (Day 13): with the Kansai Hiroshima Pass

Transfer Hiroshima - Osaka (Day 14): with the Kansai Hiroshima Pass

Transfer from Osaka hotel to Osaka airport (Day 15): by shared hotel shuttle to Kansai Airport (KIX) only.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of your travel documents (vouchers) may be sent to your postal address. We advise you to check your post box carefully before travelling.

Please note: transfers to other airports such as Itami (ITM) or Kobe (UKB) are not included and will be charged to the customer.