Japan, From Tokyo to Osaka

Japan's 3 pearls 3^*

Take the shared shuttle from Tokyo Airport to your hotel. Collect your Pocket Wi-Fi from the hotel reception desk and enjoy internet access for the duration of your trip.

Evening and overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Start gently by exploring the famous Meiji-jingu Shrine, before continuing along Takeshita Dori, a pedestrian street famous for its small shops. Then, take a stroll along Omotesando Avenue to admire the architecture or do some shopping in the fashion-mad Shibuya district!

Evening and overnight stay in Tokyo.

Please note that optional tours and activities are available today (see the Activities section).

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Discover the traditional districts of Asakusa and Ueno, home to the magnificent Senso-ji Temple and Sumida Park. Then, take 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, enough to plunge you into an unusual universe!

Evening and overnight in Tokyo.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then take the train to Hakone, changing at Odawara (111 km, approx. 2 hours by train), using your Hakone Free Pass (which is also valid locally). Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: you will have the opportunity to see Mount Fuji, the emblematic symbol of Japan. Start by visiting the Hakone-jinja Shrine, which features a large vermilion torii gate. Then, take a boat across Lake Ashi to enjoy the view of Mount Fuji. Next, take the cable car to Owakudani to see the impressive fumaroles of the sulphur quarry. To immerse yourself in Japanese culture, spend the night in a ryokan, an authentic Japanese inn, where you can enjoy a moment of Zen and relax in one of the many onsen, the famous hot springs that are so popular after a day of sightseeing. To conclude your experience, enjoy a delicious traditional meal at your ryokan. Dinner of Japanese specialities and an overnight stay at a ryokan in Hakone are included.

Please note:

Type of bedding: western-style or futon, depending on availability.

Onsen: traditionally, men and women bathe separately and are naked. Please note that people with tattoos may be refused entry.

Have breakfast at the ryokan, then depart for Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train (366 km; approximately two hours with a change at Odawara). Free day.

Stay overnight in Kyoto in the evening.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Treat yourself to a relaxing stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and the Tenryu-ji Temple. Next, visit the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evening and overnight in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Visit the splendid Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari, which is famous for its magnificent red torii gates (the traditional and iconic Japanese entrance gates). Take the opportunity to visit the Zen temple of Tofuku-ji, located right next door; its contemporary Japanese gardens are well worth a visit. Take a stroll through the traditional Higashiyama district in eastern Kyoto to see the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple, Maruyama-koen Park and the Chion-in Temple. Further north, be sure to visit the renowned Zen temple Nanzen-ji.

Evening and overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take a stroll through the Gion district, which is famous for its geishas, and visit the renowned Nishiki Market, which is famous for the variety and quantity of its food. You could also explore Nijo-jo Castle, the former home of the first shogun, which is famous for its "singing" nightingale floors.

Evening and overnight in Kyoto.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then make the most of your last moments in Kyoto before taking a shared shuttle to Osaka Airport (KIX or ITM) for your return flight.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Entry requirements

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

Non-Japanese nationals entering Japan 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 minors travelling without their legal guardians carry a copy of their family record book.

To avoid waiting time when leaving the airport, you must download the "Visit Japan Web" app INDIVIDUALLY onto each participant's phone: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/

Currency

The currency in use is the yen (JPY). As of 28 September 2025, 1 euro is equivalent to 175.03 Japanese yen.

Gratuities

It is not necessary to leave tips for restaurant staff, guides or drivers. It is simply not customary. If you would like to thank your hosts, consider giving them a gift instead.

Language

Not all Japanese people speak English very well, especially outside the big cities, so taking a small phrase book with you could prove very helpful!

Time zone

From March to October, Japan is 8 hours ahead of the United-Kingdom and 9 hours ahead from October to March.

Climate

Spring (March to May) is a pleasant time to travel in Japan as the landscape is beautiful with blossom and the climate is mild. However, it is also the peak tourist season and the main tourist spots are often crowded. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid in most regions, but it is still possible to visit the country, particularly the mountainous areas. Autumn (September to November) is mild and colourful, adding 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 in peace and quiet 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 enjoy the famous hot springs that provide a little warmth!

Onsens

If you would like to try the traditional Japanese hot spring baths, known as onsens, it is customary to bathe completely naked (men and women are separated). However, tattoos are not always accepted at onsens.

Pocket Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is not widely available in Japan. The ideal solution is to travel with a small "Pocket Wi-Fi" device, which provides fast internet access wherever you are during your stay. This makes travelling much easier when you want to look up information or communicate with friends and family. You can collect the device from your hotel on the first day and return it in a special envelope at the post office.

- Surcharge for unlimited Pocket Wi-Fi for 8-14 days: about £27.

Driving

In Japan, cars drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the right. The gearbox is automatic. Japanese drivers are rather quiet and very respectful of traffic regulations. The highways are well maintained. To drive in Japan, you need your UK driving licence and a Japanese translation of it.

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

Tokyo metro map:

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

Transfers:

• Transfer from Tokyo airport to your hotel (Day 1): A shared shuttle will drop you off outside the hotel (ticket sent to the customer's home in the travel booklet). It may make several stops during the journey.
• Transfer from Tokyo to Hakone (Day 4): Take the Odakyu line from Shinjuku station, changing at Odawara station with the Hakone Free Pass*. The pass is also valid in Hakone.
• Transfer from Hakone to Kyoto (Day 5): Take the Shinkansen express train with the Hakone Free Pass, with a connection at Odawara for Kyoto.
• Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka Airport (Day 9): Take a shared shuttle to Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) airports.

Please note that if you are flying from a different airport, such as Kobe (UKB), the transfer will not be provided and will therefore be at your own expense.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE that some of your travel vouchers may be sent by post to your home address. We advise you to check your post carefully before travelling.

Important note about the Hakone Free Pass: Your pass will be provided in the travel booklet, which will be sent at least eight days before your departure. It allows you to travel from Tokyo Shinjuku to Hakone on the Odakyu line. After changing trains at Odawara, you can use your pass to travel to Hakone and access transport networks such as the Hakone Tozan buses, Hakone Tozan cable cars, Lake Ashi cruise boat and funicular railway, among others. You can also enjoy discounts at certain tourist attractions!

Luggage transfer: Make your trip easier by taking advantage of the luggage transfer service (one piece of luggage per person): your luggage will be collected from your Tokyo hotel early in the morning and transferred to your Kyoto hotel, meaning you won't have to carry it with you on the journey from Tokyo to Hakone and Hakone to Kyoto. Therefore, you will need to bring a small bag for your night in Hakone.

Accommodation capacities:

Single room: 1 adult

Double/twin room: 2 adults or 1 adult + 1 child

Children's age: 2-11 years.

Babies are not allowed.

In Japan, hotel rooms and beds are often quite small. The accommodation included in this trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. For more information, please contact customer services.

Any specific requests regarding bedding, such as double beds or separate beds, as well as any other accommodation-related requests or special conditions, are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.

For technical reasons, hotels may be replaced with similar accommodation, and the order of stages may be reversed.

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. Furthermore, depending on the timetables of any optional extras and excursions, customers are responsible for any meals that cannot be taken at the hotel.

No refunds or compensation will be given for any changes to the programme or closure/modification of hotel facilities/services related to the current health crisis (the Coronavirus epidemic).

Check-in is usually in the middle of the afternoon (3pm-4pm).

MEALS:

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