Japan, From Osaka to Tokyo

The Japanese Odyssey: a grand journey of exploration 3^*

Arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX).

Transfer to the hotel using the JR Haruka Express (included in your JR Rail Pass) to the main JR stations in Osaka, then use the underground and bus pass to reach the accommodation.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight in Osaka.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to explore Osaka, a dynamic city combining modernity and tradition.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Osaka.

Suggested visits: the retro Shinsekai district with the Tsutenkaku Tower and its popular restaurants; the Umeda district and the Umeda Sky Building for spectacular views of the city; the open-air museum of old houses from the Edo period to immerse yourself in traditional rural Japan; Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the largest in the world and suitable for families; an evening in the lively Dotonbori district, famous for its neon signs and culinary specialities such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to continue exploring Osaka and take a trip to Nara.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Osaka.

Suggested visits: Osaka Castle and its lush park for an immersion in feudal history; the Dotonbori district with its neon signs and lively atmosphere; in Nara, discover Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha; stroll through Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming deer and peaceful atmosphere.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure by train to Hiroshima via Himeji.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Suggested visits: in Himeji, visit the famous castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the most beautiful in Japan, then continue on to Hiroshima by Shinkansen for the rest of the day.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to explore Hiroshima at your own pace.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Suggested visits: explore Hiroshima Castle, rebuilt identically to the original, with its museum dedicated to feudal history; stroll through Shukkeien Garden, a true haven of peace in the heart of the city; wander along Hondori shopping street for shopping and street food; and end the day by sampling okonomiyaki, Hiroshima's iconic speciality.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to explore Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Suggested visits: Start with the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two essential places of remembrance. Then take the included JR ferry crossing to the sacred island of Miyajima. Explore the famous Itsukushima Shrine, which is renowned for its torii gate that appears to float at high tide. Take a stroll through the traditional streets and sample local specialities such as oysters and momiji manju.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart by train for Kurashiki, stopping in Okayama to visit the famous Korakuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful landscaped gardens in Japan.

Continue on to Kurashiki, a charming town renowned for its historic Bikan district, its willow-lined canals and its traditional warehouses converted into museums and galleries.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Kurashiki.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Optional: Enjoy a half-day excursion to Naoshima, the iconic island of contemporary art, where you can visit must-see attractions such as the Chichu Art Museum or the Benesse House Museum (ferry not included in the JR Pass).

Continue your journey by JR train to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and cultural heart of Japan.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day dedicated to discovering the must-see sights of Kyoto, the former imperial capital and cradle of traditional Japanese culture.

Suggested visits: Kinkaku-ji, the famous Golden Pavilion, symbol of Zen elegance; Ryoan-ji, a temple renowned for its iconic dry garden; Arashiyama, a peaceful neighbourhood with natural landscapes, including a bamboo grove and the Togetsukyo bridge.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to continue exploring Kyoto at your own pace.

Suggested visits: Fushimi Inari Taisha: an iconic shrine with thousands of red torii gates forming mystical pathways; Kiyomizu-dera: a temple perched high above the city, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills; The Gion district: the heart of traditional Kyoto, with its narrow, preserved streets, tea houses, and fleeting geisha silhouettes

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure by Shinkansen to Nagoya (approximately 1 hour).

Day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.

Suggested visits: Visit Ghibli Park, located at Expo 2005 Aichi Park, to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli films such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle; Nagoya Castle, an iconic monument known for its golden dolphins (kinshachi) perched on the roof; the Toyota Memorial Museum, tracing the evolution of the automobile and Japanese industrial innovation; and the Sakae district, a lively centre for shopping and relaxation, with the Nagoya TV Tower and the futuristic Oasis 21 complex.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Nagoya.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Hakone via Odawara by Shinkansen (approximately 2.5 hours).

Free time to explore Hakone and enjoy its hot springs.

Suggested visits: Cruise on Lake Ashi, offering exceptional views of Mount Fuji on a clear day; Cable car to Owakudani, an active volcanic valley known for its fumaroles and black eggs cooked in sulphur springs; Hakone Open-Air Museum, combining modern sculptures and natural landscapes

Lunch is not included.

Dinner included at your ryokan.

Overnight stay in Hakone.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Tokyo by JR train (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).

Day at leisure in Tokyo.

Suggested visits: Explore the lively neighbourhoods of Shibuya with its famous crossroads and Harajuku, a temple of fashion and pop culture. Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in a peaceful forest in the heart of the city. Stroll through Yoyogi Park or discover the trendy shops of Takeshita-dori.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Tokyo or day trip depending on your preferences.

Suggested visits:

Kamakura option: About an hour from Tokyo, discover the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu), an imposing bronze statue that is emblematic of the city, and stroll along the path leading to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the spiritual heart of Kamakura.

Nikko option: About 2 hours from Tokyo, explore Toshogu Shrine, an architectural masterpiece surrounded by forest, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and richly decorated with sculptures and gilding.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to explore Tokyo at your own pace.

Suggested visits:

Start with Asakusa, where Senso-ji Temple, the oldest in the city, will immerse you in the atmosphere of old Tokyo with its traditional shopping streets.

Continue on to Akihabara, famous for its shops dedicated to geek culture, video games and electronics.

End the day in Ginza for some high-end shopping or take a break in nature at Shinjuku Gyoen Park, a true haven of peace in the heart of the city.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Last day in Tokyo to enjoy the Japanese capital to the fullest.

Suggested visits:

Start with TeamLab Planets in Toyosu, an immersive experience combining art, light and technology.

Climb the Tokyo Skytree or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory for a panoramic view of the city.

Immerse yourself in local history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum (if reopened).

Stroll through the elegant streets of Omotesando or explore the picturesque alleys of Daikanyama.

Take a moment to relax in a Japanese garden such as Hamarikyu Garden or Kiyosumi Teien.

End the day with some last-minute souvenir shopping at Nakamise-dori in Asakusa or in the department stores of Ginza.

Lunch and dinner are not included.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tokyo Airport via the Narita Express or Tokyo Monorail. Complete the journey with the Tokyo Metro Ticket, if necessary.

Return flight from Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND).

ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES FOR TRAVELLING TO JAPAN

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

As government restrictions are constantly changing, we advise you to regularly check the following website until the day of your departure:

• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan

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

Please note that airlines reserve the right to tighten their boarding conditions at any time and without notice, making them stricter than the destination country's formalities and regulations. Travellers with connecting flights should check the access conditions for the airports where they are stopping over.

Upon arrival, travellers must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their return date. A visa is only required for stays of more than 3 months. Non-Japanese nationals entering Japanese territory are subject to biometric data collection (fingerprinting and photographing). 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 travelling unaccompanied by their legal guardians carry a copy of their family record book.

Health

Covid-19 health crisis: travellers who have been fully vaccinated are no longer required to take a PCR test less than 72 hours before their flight. It remains mandatory for those who have not been fully vaccinated. Remember to check the latest information on gov.uk. No vaccinations are mandatory. Don't forget to check that your vaccination record is up to date. The level of healthcare is equivalent to that in Western Europe. Natural and climatic risks are high in Japan, so make sure you stay informed.