Deal negotiated for you
- The 11-day, 10-night tour, with accommodation in the hotels as mentioned or similar
- Board according to programme
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Outbound transfer from Kansai Airport (KIX or ITM) to Kyoto Hotel by shared shuttle
- Transfer from downtown Osaka to Kansai International Airport (KIX) by limousine bus
- The JR Kansai Wide Area Pass 5 days
- Kyoto-Himeji luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person)
- A tea ceremony
- The return ticket for the boat to Amanohashidate
- The return ticket for the cable car at Amanohashidate
- Lunch or dinner with Kobe beef in teppanyaki style (excluding drinks)
- Visit to the Denshokan Museum in Sakai with a group knife-making workshop in English
- Sake distillery tours in Kobe with group tasting in English
- A Japanese kitchen knife with your name engraved on it
- Unlimited Pocket Wifi (1 per booking)
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Discovering Hyogo and Kansai 4*
Embark on a journey of discovery in Kansai, a region in Japan where ancient traditions and modernity coexist elegantly. This trip invites you to explore the richness and diversity of Kansai, from Kyoto, the cultural capital with its refined temples and gardens, to Osaka, a vibrant gourmet metropolis. You will also pass through Kobe, renowned for its exceptional beef; Himeji, home to a UNESCO-listed castle; and Kinosaki Onsen, where you can relax in traditional baths. From unique experiences such as tea ceremonies and discovering Sakai cutlery to visits to sake distilleries and moments of serenity in preserved landscapes like Amanohashidate, this complete itinerary offers an authentic insight into the Japanese way of life.
Your day-by-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Osaka
Day 2: Free day in Kyoto
Day 3: Free day in Kyoto
Day 4: Discover Amanohashidate
Day 5: Kinosaki - Himeji
Day 6: Himeji - Kobe
Day 7: Discover Kobe
Day 8: Kobe - Osaka
Day 9: Discover Osaka
Day 10: Discover Osaka
Day 11: Departure from Osaka
Your detailed itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Osaka
On arrival at Osaka airport, you will be transferred by shared shuttle bus to your hotel in Kyoto. Once you have settled in, pick up your Pocket Wifi to stay connected throughout your trip.
To start your Japanese immersion, we suggest a Zen walk through the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji Temple, followed by a stroll through the Gion district where you may catch a glimpse of a geisha. Finally, visit the renowned Nishiki market, which is famous for its culinary specialities.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at a hotel in Kyoto.
Day 2 | Free day in Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Activity included: take part in a tea ceremony, a traditional Japanese ritual.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Kyoto.
Day 3 | Free day in Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy another day at leisure to explore further. We recommend visiting the Fushimi Inari shrine with its thousands of red torii gates, and then exploring the Higashiyama district, home to the Kiyomizu-dera temple, Maruyama Park, and the Chion-in temple. Further north, the famous Zen temple Nanzen-ji is also well worth a visit.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Kyoto.
Day 4 | Discovering Amanohashidate
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart by train for Amanohashidate, widely regarded as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscapes. Explore its sanctuaries, enjoy a cruise and take the cable car up to the ‘floating bridge of heaven’, where you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views. In the afternoon, continue by train to the charming spa town of Kinosaki Onsen.
Dinner included and overnight in a ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen.
Day 5 | Kinosaki - Himeji
Breakfast at the ryokan.
Spend the morning strolling through the willow-lined streets of Kinosaki in a traditional yukata and try one of the town's seven public baths. Then, take the train to Himeji to see its majestic, UNESCO-listed castle.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Himeji.
Day 6 | Himeji - Kobe
Breakfast at the hotel.
Set off for Kobe, a cosmopolitan city located on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea. Activities included: enjoying a teppanyaki meal made with world-famous Kobe beef.
We recommend taking the opportunity to visit Himeji's White Heron Castle and stroll through the Koko-en gardens. These gardens are made up of nine areas which were laid out using techniques from the Edo period.
One meal included (lunch or dinner subject to availability).
Other meals at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Kobe.
Day 7 | Discovering Kobe
Breakfast at the hotel.
Included in the activity is a guided tour of sake distilleries in English, followed by a tasting session to discover the secrets of this emblematic drink.
We also suggest a visit to the Ikuta-jinja shrine, the lively Chinatown and a stroll around Kobe harbour.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Kobe.
Day 8 | Kobe - Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for Osaka and a free day to explore the city at your leisure.
We recommend visiting Osaka Castle, a symbol of feudal power, and then the History Museum.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Kobe.
Day 9 | Discovering Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Activity included: Take a deep dive into the world of Sakai cutlery with a visit to the Denshokan Museum, followed by a workshop where you can engrave your name onto a knife to take home.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Kobe.
Day 10 | Discovering Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel.
You have a free day to explore Osaka. We suggest strolling through the shopping districts of Umeda, Namba and Shinsaibashi, and then enjoying the unique atmosphere of Dotonbori in the evening with its neon lights, culinary specialities and lively bars.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Osaka.
Day 11 | Return from Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer by limousine bus to Osaka Airport for the return flight.
Your accommodation
During your tour, you will stay for 10 nights in the following 4-star hotels (local standards) or similar:
- Kyoto : 3 nights at the 4-star Mitsui Garden Kyoto Shijo (or similar)
- Kinosaki Onsen: 1 night at the 3-star Tsuruya Ryokan (or similar)
- Himeji : 1 night at the 4-star Monterey Himeji (or similar)
- Kobe : 2 nights at the 4-star Daiwa Roynet Kobe Sannomiya Premier (or similar)
- Osaka : 3 nights at the 4-star Monterey La Soeur Osaka (or similar)
PLEASE NOTE: The hotels listed above are subject to availability. Changes may be made, but we will always try to accommodate you in hotels of a similar category.
Your board
During the tour, you will be accommodated on a bed-and-breakfast basis. A dinner is planned at a ryokan on day 4, and a lunch is planned in Kobe on day 6.
Useful information
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES: 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 Japan are subject to biometric data collection (fingerprinting and photographing).
Non-British nationals or dual nationals are advised to consult the consulate or embassy of their destination country.
Minors must have their own passport. We strongly recommend that minors travelling unaccompanied by their legal guardians carry a copy of their family register.
CURRENCY: The currency used is the yen (JPY). As of 15 October 2024, 1 Euro is equivalent to 162.8 Japanese yen.