Deal negotiated for you
- A stay of 12 nights in the hotels listed or similar
- 1 night in a traditional ryokan in Hakone on a half board basis
- Meals according to programme during the tour
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Tokyo airport-hotel transfer by shared shuttle (ticket sent by email)
- A train ticket for the Hakone - Kyoto transfer
- Transfer from your hotel in Osaka to the airport by shared shuttle (day 13)
- Hakone Free Pass for the Tokyo - Hakone transfer (day 5)
- Kansai Hiroshima Pass from day 9 to day 13
- Pocket Wi-Fi with unlimited internet access for the entire length of your stay
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Must-sees in Japan 3*
Get ready to forget the Western world in an atypical universe where history, tradition and modernity come together! Tokyo, the country's capital, bustling with the excitement of its video games, famous manga and Cosplay. The beautiful Kyoto, with its seductive elegance and cultural treasures. And finally, the tragically famous Hiroshima, an indelible mark on history and on our hearts...
This self-guided private tour is the ideal way to discover Japan.
Your itinerary day by day:
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo: Discover the Japanese capital
Day 3: Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo
Day 5: Tokyo - Hakone
Day 6: Hakone - Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto
Day 9: Kyoto
Day 10 : Hiroshima
Day 11: Hiroshima - Osaka
Day 12: Osaka
Day 13 : Departure from Osaka - Return flight
Your detailed itinerary
DAY 1 | Arrival in Tokyo
Arrival at Tokyo airport. Transfer to your hotel in Tokyo by shared shuttle bus. Pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi at the hotel reception to enjoy the internet for the duration of your trip.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 2 | Tokyo: Discovering the Japanese Capital
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day. Suggested tours:
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.
DAY 3 | Tokyo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day. Suggested tours:
Visit the Akihabara neighbourhood, Tokyo's famous geek district, where the craziest video games, manga from your youth, and Cosplay await - immersing you in an unusual universe! 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 at the hotel.
DAY 4 | Tokyo
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.
DAY 5 | Tokyo - Hakone
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 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.
Notes:
Some sections of the Hakone Ropeway and Komagatake Ropeway are closed for maintenance until 04/03/2025. Replacement buses will be provided on some sections.
Onsens: 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.
DAY 6 | Hakone - Kyoto
Breakfast at the ryokan and departure for Kyoto by "Shinkansen" express train (366 km, approx. 2 h train journey).
Free day. Suggested tours:
Take a Zen walk through the Arashiyama bamboo grove and the Tenryu-ji temple, cross the Togtesukyo bridge, and continue your tour with a visit to 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 at the hotel.
DAY 7 | 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 Nightingal (singing) parquet floor. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8 | Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day.
Suggested tours:
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.
DAY 9 | Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day. 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.
DAY 10 | Kyoto - Hiroshima
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Hiroshima using your Kansai Hiroshima Pass.
Free day. Suggested tours:
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.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 11 | Hiroshima - Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Osaka using your Kansai Hiroshima Pass (approx. 1 hr 30 mins by train).
Free day. Suggested tours:
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.
DAY 12 | Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day. Suggested tours:
Take to 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 at the hotel.
DAY 13 | Departure from Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer by shared shuttle to Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) airport, depending on your return flight, and board your flight to France.
Please note: transfer to Kobe airport (UKB) is not insured. If you return from this airport, the transfer will be at your expense.
Your Accommodation
During your stay you will be accommodated for 12 nights in the following 3-star hotels or similar:
- Tokyo: 2 nights at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nihombashi-Ningyocho and 2 nights at Agora Place Asakusa (or similar)
- Hakone: 1 night at the Ichinoyu Honkan Ryokan (or similar)
- Kyoto: 4 nights at Il Verde Kyoto (or similar)
- Hiroshima: 1 night at the Daiwa Roynet Hiroshima (or similar)
- Osaka: 1 night at the WBF Namba Motomachi and 1 night at the Osaka Airterminal Hotel (or similar)
The definitive hotels will be specified in the travel pack.
Your board
During this tour, you will be accommodated with breakfast included and will enjoy half-board during your night in Hakone (excluding drinks).
FORMALITIES
You must download the "Visit Japan Web" application INDIVIDUALLY for each participant.https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/ (https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/)
Conditions of entry
On arrival, travellers must hold 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 record biometric data (fingerprints and photographic portrait).
Non-French nationals or dual nationals are advised to consult the consulate or embassy of their destination country.
Under-age children must have an individual passport. We strongly recommend that minors who are not accompanied by their legal guardians bring a copy of their family record book.
For those booking the "hotel only" option (without international flights), please inform us of your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in the "Help and Contact" section at the bottom of the page, so we can organise your transfers.
TRANSPORT AND TRANSFERS
Travel in Tokyo: Transfers in Tokyo are made independently
Tokyo subway map :
[https://www.tokyometro.jp/fr/subwaymap/index.html]
TRANSFERTS:
Tokyo airport transfer to hotel (day 1): The transfer is by shared shuttle (ticket previously sent by email) and drops you off in front of your hotel. The shuttle may make several stops along the way.
Transfer Tokyo - Hakone (day 5): By train from Shinjuku on the Odakyu line, changing at Odawara with the Hakone Free Pass*. The pass is also valid in Hakone.
Transfer Hakone - Kyoto (day 6): by Shinkansen express train with Hakone Free Pass, then transfer at Odawara to Kyoto (paper ticket given at 1st hotel).
Transfer Kyoto - Hiroshima (day 10) with the Kansai Hiroshima Pass (regional pass), valid for buses, trains and ferries
Transfer Hiroshima - Osaka (day 11): with Kansai Hiroshima Pass
Transfer from Osaka hotel to Osaka airport (day 12): Transfer by shared shuttle bus to Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) airport, depending on your return flight.
Please note: transfers to other airports are not insured and will be charged to you.
PLEASE NOTE: Please note that some of your travel documents (vouchers) may be sent to your postal address. We advise you to check your post carefully before you travel.
*Note about the Hakone Free Pass:
It allows you to reach Hakone from Tokyo Shinjuku on the Odakyu line. After changing at Odawara, reach Hakone and take advantage of your Pass to use transport networks such as the Hakone Tozan buses, the Hakone Tozan gondolas, the Lake Ashi cruise ship and the funicular railway, among others. You'll also enjoy discounts on certain entrance fees to tourist sites!
GOOD TO KNOW
You must download the "Visit Japan Web" application INDIVIDUALLY for each participant.https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/ (https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/)
If you have booked the 'hotel only' option (without international flights), please inform us of your flight details as soon as possible using the contact form in the 'Help and Contact' section at the bottom of the page. This will allow us to organise your transfers.
No activities are included in the stay. The activities mentioned in the itinerary are just suggestions and will be included in the travel pack.
A few things you should know before arriving in Japan:
Currency
The currency used is the yen (JPY). As of 20 December 2022, 1 euro is equivalent to 140.40 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 pleasant time to travel in Japan. The landscape is beautiful thanks to the blooming flowers, and the climate is mild. However, it is also peak tourist season, so many people visit the sites.
Although it is fairly hot and humid in most regions during the summer months (June to August), it is still possible to visit the country, particularly the 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, making it a great time to take photos and admire the scenery without too many tourists around. It's cold in most parts of the country, with snow in some areas, so it's the perfect time to make the most of the famous onsen hot springs!
Onsens
If you would like to experience the onsen (traditional Japanese baths), it is customary to enter completely naked (men and women use separate facilities). However, bear in mind that tattoos are not always accepted in onsen.