We Love —
- Dive into the Japanese traditions with this fabulous trip to discover the culture and the most beautiful landscapes of the country!
- Enjoy different side to Japan through this incredible three or four-star journey: historic Hiroshima, traditional Kyoto, the beautiful landscapes of the countryside around Kanazawa and the picturesque mountains.
- Experience Japan as locals and enjoy this amazing culture from your traditional accommodation.
- You'll discover the contrast of culture and architecture on your adventure and it is simply breathtaking to behold!
Your Destinations —
Kyoto
If you go by an old shōtengai (shopping street) you can admire the ancient speciality shops: tofu sellers, fishmongers, pickle vendors and tea merchants.
Hiroshima
Okayama
Osaka
Kanazawa
Touched with the grand allure of its past, Kanazawa prides itself on being a historical jewel of Japan. It is best known for being home to one of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens - Kenrokuen - a castle garden originating from the 17th century. It's easy to discover this nostalgic city in a few days, admiring its celebrated penchant for the traditional arts, including hand-painted silks and lacquerware, ceramics and delicate gold leaf work. Spot a geisha at work, discover authentic tea houses and inns, and wade your way through the market.
Takayama
Our Offers —
Discover the classics of Japan: Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, but also some hidden gems. Enjoy the fresh air in the Japanese Alps and make a stop at Okayama to explore a region full of arts and history. Japan's beautiful lands await you on this tour!
In this tour, even if Tokyo is accessible from Kyoto or Osaka during the day, there is no overnight stay in the Japanese capital. This tour will therefore suit all those who wish to discover a more traditional and authentic Japan in all seasons, and particularly during the Tokyo Olympic Games from July 24th to August 9th, 2020, where accommodation capacities are very limited. Finally, you will also be able to discover "modern Japan" in Osaka, Japan's second megalopolis.
Choose from our offers below:
7 nights / 9 days: Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okayama and Osaka
9 nights / 11 days: 1 extra night in Kyoto, 1 extra night in Osaka
12 nights / 14 days: 1 night in Kanazawa and 2 nights in Takayama
14 nights / 16 days: 1 extra night in Kanazawa and 1 extra night in Kyoto
Choose the 12 or 14 nights tour and explore the Japanese countryside during one day around Kanazawa, with a private guide. With the 14 nights tour, discover Takayama, in the middle of Japanese Alps, covered by snow during winter, and by green grass during other seasons; surrounded by high peaks. You'll also get to see Hiroshima, famous for history & Miyajima - “the gods island”.
Your Itineraries In Brief —
7 nights / 9 days
Day 1: UK - Kyoto
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Hiroshima
Day 6: Hiroshima
Day 7: Okayama
Day 8: Osaka
Day 9: Osaka - Depart
9 nights / 11 days
Day 1: UK - Kyoto
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Hiroshima
Day 7: Hiroshima
Day 8: Okayama
Day 9: Osaka
Day 10: Osaka
Day 11: Osaka - UK
12 nights / 14 days
Day 1: UK - Kyoto
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Hiroshima
Day 7: Hiroshima
Day 8: Okayama
Day 9: Kanazawa
Day 10: Takayama - Japanese Alps
Day 11: Takayama - Japanese Alps
Day 12: Osaka
Day 13 Osaka
Day 14: Osaka - UK
14 nights / 16 days
Day 1: UK - Kyoto
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Hiroshima
Day 8: Hiroshima
Day 9: Okayama
Day 10: Kanazawa
Day 11: Kanazawa
Day 12: Takayama - Japanese Alps
Day 13: Takayama - Japanese Alps
Day 14: Osaka
Day 15: Osaka
Day 16: Osaka - UK
Your Itinerary —
Our members will have the choice of itinerary's during their stay in Japan, all of which are detailed below.
Your 7-night Itinerary
Make your way to Kyoto, Kansai International Airport.
Day 2-4: Kyoto
Arrive in Tokyo and get a shared shuttle to your hotel, where you can check-in. Enjoy your free time in Kyoto!
Our Suggestions:
- Ryoanji Temple, a famous rock garden
- Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
- The Gion district and the Philosopher’s Path
- The Kiyomizu-dera
- Nishiki Market, where you can find typical food from Kyoto
- Nijo Castle and its nightingale floors
- Arashiyama’s bamboo groves
Day trips suggestions from Kyoto:
Discover Takao, a treasure near Kyoto still preserved from the tourist crowds, during a guided day trip.(optional)
Nara, 1 hour from Kyoto and Fushimi-Inari Taisha shrine and its thousands of vermilion torii gates
Add to your stay:
Guiding day in Kyoto
Traditional tea ceremony
Kimono rental
Visit of a sake brewery and sake tasting
In Kyoto, you can choose to use a 3-day Pass to enjoy unlimited transportation in Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Kobe and many other cities in the area (optional).
Take a Shinkansen journey to Hiroshima, approximately 2 hours, covered by your Japan Rail Pass. Check into your hotel. Visit the city of Hiroshima, known because of the nuclear bombings of August 6, 1945, the city has imposed its faith in the future and has become a symbol of peace.
Our Suggestions:
- The Peace Memorial and its museum
- Ikari-jinja sanctuary
- Sukkei-en garden
Discover Miyajima, also accessible from Hiroshima:
- Itsukushima-jinja sanctuary and its ootorii (Note that since June 2019, the Miyajima Torii has beenunder construction until an undetermined date)
- Momijidani park
- Daishô-in temple
- The Treasure Pavilion, Homotsukan
- The five-storey pagoda Gojû-no-tô
- Egami House
Embark on a Shinkansen journey to Okayama (40 minutes, covered by your JR Pass). Check into your hotel (in Okayama or Kurashiki, 15 minutes by train from Okayama). Free time in Okayama and its surroundings. At the crossroads between two islands, Okayama, former seigneurial city, reflects the nobleness of a past kingdom.
Our Suggestions in Okayama:
The impressive "crow" castle of Okayama city
The Kôrakuen garden, one of the three most beautiful in Japan
Examples of excursions from Okayama city (less than 1 hour one way, included in your Japan Rail Pass):
- Kurashiki, an old merchant city bordered by canals. Do not miss the Ohashi house, representative of the former Japanese nobleness
- Naoshima island, world famous for its Modern Art museums and the works of Tadao Ando. From Uno (50 min by JR train from Okayama, 20 min by boat (subject to a charge) to get to the island. Details in your travelogue)
- Bizen, specialized in ceramics and katana forges
Departure for Osaka (covered by your Japan Rail Pass). Check into your hotel.Free time in Osaka.
Our suggestions:
- The lively districts of Dotonbori, Namba and Shinsaibashi
- The electronic district of Denden-machi
- The medieval castle of Osaka and its cherry blossoms parks
- The unique and futuristic skyscraper, Umeda Sky Building
Your 9-night Itinerary
For the exact programme, please refer to the 'Itinerary In Brief' above.
Very similar to the 7-night itinerary with 1 more night in Kyoto and 1 more night in Osaka - see 'Itinerary In Brief'.
Your 12-Night Itinerary
For the exact programme, please refer to the 'Itinerary In Brief' above.
Very similar to the 9-night itinerary with 1 night in Kanazawa and 2 nights in Takayama - Japanese Alps - see 'Itinerary In Brief'.
Day 9: Kanazawa
Enjoy a Shinkansen and express train journey from Okayama to Kanazawa (approx. 3:30, covered by your Japan RailPass). Check into your hotel. Embark on a free day for you to explore Kanazawa.
Our suggestions:
- Kenrokuen, one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens"
- Kanazawa Castle
- The Seisonkaku Villa, built in 1863
- The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
- Higashi-Chaya district and Nagamachi district.
You can also be guided for half a day to discover all the secrets of the city. (optional)
Your 14-Night Itinerary
For the exact programme, please refer to the 'Itinerary In Brief' above.
Very similar to the 12-night itinerary, except you will have an additional night in Kyoto, 1 less night in Kanazawa, but two additional nights in Takayama - Japanese Alps.
Days 12-13: Takayama - Japanese Alps
Transfer to Takayama with Shinakansen and express train (included with the JR Pass (2h30)). You can also reach Takayama by bus from Kanazawa via Shirakawa-go typical village, however bus price (around 30€) is not included. Details of the trip in your travel logue.
Takayama is famous for being an area most skilled in woodwork. Though this small town is surrounded by mountains, it did not stop it from spreading its reputation. During the Edo Period Takayama was controlled by the shogun, whom of which managed to generate fortune for the city. Currently in the heart of Takayama is a preserved merchant street that continues to sell its beautiful crafts. Inside this small village is a blossoming culture and gorgeous views to see. It will definitely surprise and charm you once you visit.
Our Suggestions in Takayama:
- The Sanmachi-suji district
- The Kokubun-ji temple
- The houses of Yoshijima and Kusakabe
- The Hall dedicated to the Takayama Matsuri, a festival held twice a year in spring in autumn.
Day 14-15: Osaka
One more evening in Osaka.
Day 16: Osaka - UK
Return home.
Your Tour Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following 3* or 4* category hotels in a Standard Room (or similar).
On the 3* option, our members will enjoy Breakfast included in Hiroshima, Okayama, Kanazawa and Takayama.
On the 4* option, our members will enjoy Breakfast throughout their stay.
Note: Breakfasts not included in your package can be added at the reception desk when you arrive at the hotel. However, in Kyoto and Osaka, you will find many cafes near your hotel serving often tastier breakfasts than those of hotels, which sometimes have restrictive schedules.
3* Category Hotels
Hiroshima: Intergate Hiroshima Hotel (or similar)
Okayama: Koraku Hotel (or similar)
Osaka: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba Hotel (or similar)
Kanazawa: MyStays Kanazawa Castle (or similar)
Takayama - Japanese Alps: Country Hotel Takayama (or similar)
4* Category Hotels
Hiroshima: Rihga Hiroshima Hotel (or similar)
Okayama: Granvia Hotel (or similar)
Osaka: Cross Hotel (or similar)
Kanazawa: Nikko Kanazawa Hotel (or similar)
Takayama: Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama (or similar)
Please note: the bed for the 3rd guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Included Excursions —
Our members have the following excursions included in their stay.
Kyoto - Geishas District Evening Tour
Your Optional Excursions —
Our members can choose to add the following excursions at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee - subject to availability.
Pocket WiFi for the duration of your stay
Kyoto - Visit of a sake brewery and sake tasting in Kyoto (3 hours)
Unlimited 3-day pass in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and surroundings
One night in a traditional accommodation (ryokan)
Stay in a traditional house in Kyoto
Kyoto - Guided Day Tour
Kyoto - One-day kimono rental
Kyoto - Tea Ceremony (45 minutes)
Takao Guided Day Tour (Private, from Kyoto)
Kanazawa - Private Guided Tour (half day)
Your Journey in Japan —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Transfers from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to your hotel by shared shuttle are included for flight-inclusive offers. Please note that if you subscribe to the "traditional house" option, the shuttle will also take you directly to your house. Transfers by public transport (price included with your prepaid transportation card) to KIX airport are included. Please note that this is the fastest way to reach the airport from Osaka. Detailed explanations of the itinerary in your travelogue.
For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
JapanRail Pass: A Japan Rail Pass is included in your journey as follows:
- 7 and 9 night-tour: Japan Rail Pass 7 days
- 12 night-tour: Japan Rail Pass 7 days
- 14 night-tour: Japan Rail Pass 14 days