Japan, From Tokyo to Osaka

Arts and traditions in Japan 3^*

Arrival at Tokyo Airport.

Take the shared shuttle to your hotel. Collect your Pocket Wifi from the hotel reception desk to enjoy internet access throughout your trip.

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Start your discovery of Tokyo gently with a visit to the iconic Meiji Shrine, followed by a stroll along Takeshita Dori, a bustling pedestrian street renowned for its array of small shops. Then, stroll along Omotesando Avenue to admire the architecture, or do some shopping in the fashion-mad Shibuya district!

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Meals included: breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing : Explore the traditional neighbourhoods of Asakusa and Ueno, home to the magnificent Senso-ji Temple and Sumida Park. Then, continue with a stroll through Yanaka, also known as "Old Tokyo". If you're interested in electronics and manga, head to the Akihabara district, where you'll find crazy video games, manga from your youth, and cosplay, which will immerse you in a world of wonder!

Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Meals included: breakfast.

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

Suggested sightseeing: Visit Hakone, where you will encounter Mount Fuji, a true symbol of Japan. Start by visiting the Hakone Shrine, which features a large vermilion torii gate. Then, take a boat across Lake Ashi to enjoy the views of Mount Fuji. Next, take the cable car to Owakudani to see the impressive fumaroles of the sulphur quarry. This is also the ideal place to enjoy the hot springs and take a unique nature walk through the Open-Air Museum.

For an authentic Japanese cultural experience, spend the night in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where you can relax in one of the many onsen (hot springs), which are a popular way to unwind after a day of sightseeing. To conclude your experience, enjoy a delicious meal of Japanese specialities. Dinner and overnight stay in a Ryokan in Hakone.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel and dinner at the Ryokan.

Please note that tradition dictates that one bathes naked in onsens. Also, men and women are separated, and people with tattoos may be refused access to the baths.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Okayama by Shinkansen express train with a change at Odawara (approx. 4 hrs 30 mins by train). Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Okayama boasts the deservedly famous Korakuen Garden, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. It is located right next to the castle. With its small hills, ponds and pavilions, it is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll and admire the harmony of nature. Overnight stay in Okayama.

Meals included: breakfast at the Ryokan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take the day to explore the small island of Naoshima, which is dedicated to contemporary art and sculpture. Explore its artistic and architectural curiosities by bicycle while enjoying the scenery. Return to Okayama for the night.

Meals included: breakfast.

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

Suggested sightseeing: Take the time to reflect on Hiroshima's tragic history and its astonishing pacifist reconstruction following the bombing by visiting Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Museum. Hiroshima also offers pleasant walks around the Inari Shrine and the Shukkei-en Garden, which are ideal places to reflect on the city's history.

Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Meals included: breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take the ferry to the famous island of Miyajima and explore this extraordinary island, home to the famous floating Torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Hiroshima for the night.

Meals included: breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Kyoto using your Kansai Hiroshima Pass (approximately 1 hr 40 mins by train). Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Treat yourself to a Zen stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and Tenryu-ji Temple. Then, continue on to the downtown districts and take a stroll around Gion to see the geisha, or visit the renowned Nishiki Market, which is famous for the variety of foodstuffs it offers. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Meals included: breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Don't leave Kyoto without paying a visit to the magnificent Fushimi Inari-taisha Shinto shrine, which is surrounded by thousands of red torii gates. You can then take a walk through southern Higashiyama to visit the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple, Maruyama-koen park and Chion-in temple, to name a few. Further north, you shouldn't miss Nanzen-ji, a renowned Zen temple. Finish your tour at the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading to Ninna-ji Temple via Kinukake-no-Michi Street, passing the Ryoan-ji stone garden on the way.

Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Meals included: breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing : Discover the historic city of Nara and its famous deer park. Visit the illustrious Kofukuji Temple complex, comprising several pavilions classified as National Treasures of Japan. Admire the magnificent Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden structure, and its enormous bronze Buddha. Finish with a stroll through the park or some shopping.

Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Meals included: breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Take the shared hotel shuttle to Osaka Airport (Itami or Kansai) for your return flight (one-hour ride).

Meals included: breakfast.

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

Conditions of entry:

Upon arrival, travellers must have a passport valid for at least six months after their return date. A visa is only required for stays of more than three months.

Non-Japanese nationals entering Japanese territory are subject to biometric data collection (fingerprinting and photographing).

Non-French 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 unaccompanied minors carry a copy of their family record book.

Here is some useful information before your arrival 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 customary to leave tips for restaurant staff, guides or drivers. If you wish to thank your hosts, it is preferable to give them a gift.

Climate

Spring (March to May) is a very pleasant time to travel in Japan. The landscape is beautiful thanks to the blossoms, and the climate is mild. However, it is also the peak tourist season, so there are often large crowds at tourist sites.

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

Autumn (September to November) is mild and colourful, giving the landscapes a different charm, but it is also rainy.

Winter (December to February) is dry and often sunny, making it a great time to take photos and enjoy the scenery in peace, away from the crowds. It is cold in most of the country (with snow in some regions), making it ideal for enjoying the famous onsen hot springs, which will warm you up!

Onsen

If you want to experience the traditional baths, it is customary to be completely naked (men and women are separated). Similarly, tattoos are not always permitted in onsens.

ACCOMMODATION:

Any requests regarding the type of bed (e.g. double or separate beds) as well as any other accommodation-related requests or special conditions are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.

If the first and last days are shortened due to late arrival or early departure imposed by airline schedules, no refund will be given. Similarly, any included meals that cannot be taken due to these schedules will not be refunded. Depending on the schedules of any optional extras and excursions, guests are responsible for any meals that cannot be taken at the hotel.

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:

Accommodation capacity:

Single room: 1 adult

Double/twin room: two adults or one adult and one child.

Infants are not permitted.

Children's ages: 2–11 years old

For technical reasons, hotels may be replaced with similar accommodation, and the order of stages may be reversed. All requests and special conditions regarding accommodation are subject to availability.

Changes to the programme or the closure/modification of hotel facilities/services related to the current health crisis (the Coronavirus epidemic) will not result in any refunds or compensation. In Japan, hotel rooms and beds are often quite small.

Check-in is usually in the middle of the afternoon (3 pm–4 pm). The accommodation included in this trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. For more information, please contact customer services.

MEALS:

As part of this offer, you will receive breakfast during the tour and half-board accommodation (excluding drinks) at the ryokan on the night of your stay. Other meals are at your own expense.

Travel in Tokyo: you are responsible for your own transfers.

Tokyo Metro Map:

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

TRANSFERS:

• Transfer from Tokyo Airport to Tokyo Hotel (Day 1): The transfer is by shared shuttle bus, which drops you off outside your hotel. It may make several stops along the way (transport ticket sent by email).
• Transfer from Tokyo to Hakone (Day 4): Take the train from Tokyo Shinjuku station on the Odakyu line, changing at Odawara, using the Hakone Free Pass* (sent by email).
• Transfer from Hakone to Okayama (Day 5): Take the Shinkansen express train (train ticket issued at the first hotel on the tour).
• Transfer from Okayama to Hiroshima (Day 7): Use the Kansai Hiroshima Pass (regional pass).
• Transfer from Hiroshima to Kyoto (Day 9): Use the Kansai Hiroshima Pass.
• Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka Airport (Day 12): This transfer is provided by a hotel shuttle bus, which will drop you off at either Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM), depending on your return flight.

Please note that some of your travel vouchers may be sent to your postal address. We advise you to check your post carefully before travelling.

Please note that transfers to other airports are not provided and will therefore be at your own expense.

*Note regarding the Hakone Free Pass:

This pass allows you to travel from Tokyo Shinjuku to Hakone on the Odakyu line. After changing at Odawara, you can travel to Hakone and use your pass to access transport networks such as the Hakone Tozan buses, Hakone Tozan cable cars, Lake Ashi cruise boats and funicular railways. You can also enjoy discounts on admission to certain tourist attractions!

Please note that for the French market, guided tours will be conducted with a French-speaking guide. For any other market, guided tours will be conducted with an English-speaking guide.