Jan
min : 1°C
max : 10°C
We Love —
- Enjoy different sides to Japan through this incredible three or four-star journey: exciting Tokyo, traditional Kyoto, the beautiful landscapes of the countryside around Fukuoku and the picturesque mountains.
- Stay in a range of handpicked hotels to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible, with the option to upgrade to 4*!
- You'll discover the contrast of culture and architecture on your adventure which is simply breathtaking to behold!
Your Destinations —
Tokyo
Despite its love affair with manga pop culture, fashion, high-tech trends and conspicuous consumption, below the surface is a city that has its roots in ancient heritage. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples stand close to skyscrapers as a reminder of a more contemplative time and at the heart of the hyperactive centre lies the serene Imperial Palace, the home of the ruling emperor that provides a tangible link to the city’s historical past.
Behind the shopping, entertainment and commercial Emporia can be found quaint wooden houses, private gardens with meticulously clipped bonsai trees and the Zen-like calm of the Hamarikyu Gardens. Discover the fascinating and exquisite culture of Japan where the ancient and modern worlds collide. The city’s reputation as a mega-expensive metropolis is ill-conceived and visitors can take advantage of inexpensive izakaya bars and neighbourhood cafes that serve delicious noodles and rice dishes.
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.
Fukuoka
With its 2000 years of history, the capital of Kyushu has always been an open door to Asia (Korea and China) and to Western culture (Portugal and its Jesuits, Holland). Another Japan, more Asian and further away from Tokyo awaits you.
Our Offers —
Discover the beautiful landscapes of Japan thanks to this tour specially created for nature lovers and hikers. See two of Japan’s iconic cities: Tokyo, the electrical megalopolis and Kyoto, the exquisite ancient capital. Enjoy a private guided day trip to Takao, a breath of fresh air only a few minutes away from Kyoto, surrounded by unspoiled nature. Visit Hiroshima, famous for history & Miyajima, “the gods island”. Discover the island of Kyushu, its capital, Fukuoka and its region: the beautiful beaches in the city of Fukuoka or accessible by train, the hot springs of Beppu or the churches of Nagasaki.Choose the 14 nights tour to explore Yakushima Island, a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, and one of the first Japanese sites to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be guided in the middle of the forest for a day by a English-speaking specialist.
Choose from our offers below:
7 nights / 9 days: Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima/Miyajima, Fukuoka
11 nights / 13 days: 2 additional nights in Tokyo, 1 additional night in Kyoto and 1 in Fukuoka
14 nights / 16 days: Discover Yakushima with 3 nights on the island
Go to Japan between February and Fall 2020 and choose the season that suits you most. In Autumn you'll experience gorgeous coloured maple or ginkgo leaves whilst in Winter enjoy its zen gardens under a majestic blanket of snow. However, Spring is particular spectacular with amazing blossoming flowers while Summer is amazing for hiking in green landscapes. The choice is yours!
Your Itinerary In Brief —
7 nights/9 days:
Day 1: Europe - Tokyo (Inbound flight)
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Tokyo
Day 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Hiroshima or option ryokan in Miyajima
Day 8: Fukuoka
Day 9: Fukuoka - Europe (Outbound flight)
11 nights/ 13 days:
Day 1: Europe - Tokyo (Inbound flight)
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo
Day 5: Tokyo
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto
Day 9: Kyoto
Day 10: Hiroshima or option ryokan in Miyajima
Day 11: Fukuoka
Day 12: Fukuoka
Day 13: Fukuoka - Europe (Outbound flight)
14 nights/16 days:
Day 1: Europe - Tokyo (Inbound flight)
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo
Day 5: Tokyo
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto
Day 9: Kyoto
Day 10: Hiroshima ou option ryokan Miyajima
Day 11: Fukuoka
Day 12: Yakushima
Day 13: Yakushima
Day 14: Yakushima
Day 15: Fukuoka
Day 16: Fukuoka - Europe (Outbound flight)
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 Tokyo.
Day 2-3: Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo and get a shared shuttle to your hotel, where you can check-in. Enjoy your free time in Tokyo!
Our Suggestions:
Start your trip by visiting the famous and peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine, and walk through the Takeshita Dori, stopping by few incredible shops while strolling down this famous street. Then, take a walk along the Omotesandō avenue to admire the architecture, or go shopping in the Shibuya district to discover the crazy and fashionable Tokyo!
Enjoy the traditional districts of the city, such as Asakusa and Ueno where you will travel back in time while visiting the Sensō-ji temple and the Sumida park. Go for some sightseeing in Yanaka, also known as the "old Tokyo". Don’t miss playing video games in Akihabara; go find the mangas (comic characters) of your childhood, and delve into the universe of Cosplay!
Day trips from Tokyo:
- Nikko, with its temples and shrines in the heart of the forest. Trains to Nikko are covered by the JR Pass. (2 hours)
- Kamakura and the Great Buddha (Daibutsu). The train to Kamakura is covered by the JR Pass. (1 hour)
Depart by train to Kyoto and enjoy the next few days exploring the top sights. Enjoy a private guided day in Takao with Nicolas, your English speaking guide.
Notes:
- Total length of the day: about 7 hours
- Walking time: about 4 hours
- Hiking level : Easy
- This walk is not recommended for children under 6 years old.
Please note that your additional costs (transport or entrance fees to tourist sites) are not included. Your guide's services and additional costs are included.
Kyoto combines the past with the present, and the present with the future. The former imperial capital is a superlative place, and its name remains linked to perfection. Millennium, artistic, spiritual and gourmet: visiting Kyoto is an opportunity to discover the cradle of the Japanese soul in all its aspects. The essential stopover of a stay in Japan.
Our Suggestions:This charming city is sure to seduce you thanks to its well-kept traditions. This former imperial capital of Japan has kept its prestige and few cultural treasures that will make your trip incredible. Start with a zen walk in the bamboo field of Arashiyama, and visit the Tenryu-ji temple. Go on with plenty of sightseeing in the centre, especially in the Gion district where you can find the wonderful Geishas. You can stop by Nishiki market, famous for its impressive size, and the diverse type of food that you can find there.
Do not leave Kyoto if you haven’t seen the fabulous Fushimi Inari-taisha shinto shrine and its thousands of red toriis in the middle of the forest. You can go ahead with a tour in the south of Higashiyama to discover the Kiyomizu-dera temple, the Maruyama koen park, or the Chion-in temple. The Nanzen-ji temple also worth a visit. Be sure to also visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji temple and the rock garden of Ryoan-ji.
Day trip suggestions from Kyoto:
- Nara. Trip covered by the Japan Rail Pass (30 to 45 minutes) , with Fushimi-Inari Taisha shrine and its thousands of vermilion torii gates on your way back from Nara. Trip covered by the JapanRail Pass (5 minutes)
- Hiroshima & Miyajima (1h45 from Kyoto, included in your Japan Rail Pass)
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.
Don’t miss:
- The Peace Memorial and its museum
- Ikari-jinja sanctuary
- Sukkei-en garden
Option: spend one night in traditional accommodation, including breakfast and dinner, on Miyajima, "Island of the Gods", one of the most visited sites in Japan.
Discover Miyajima, also accessible from Hiroshima:
- Itsukushima-jinja sanctuary and its ootorii. Note that since June 2019, the Miyajima Torii hasbeen under construction until an undetermined date.
- Momijidani park- Daishô-in temple
- The Treasure Pavilion, Homotsukan
- The five-storey pagoda Gojû-no-tô
- Egami House
For hiking enthusiasts and lovers of exceptional panoramas, don’t miss the ascent of Mount Misen. Three different routes are proposed to reach the top of the mountain and enjoy a breathtaking view!
Shinkansen journey to Fukuoka, approximately 2 hours, covered by your Japan Rail Pass. Check into your hotel. With its 2000 years of history, the capital of the island of Kyushu has always been an open door to Asia (Korea and China) and to European culture (Portugal and its Jesuits, Holland). A more southern Japan awaits you. Capital of a region in full expansion, Fukuoka is today one of the most dynamic cities in Japan, with for example the organization of a global event: the rugby world cup in October 2019. Fukuoka is a gateway to beautiful destinations accessible by day (for most of them, free access with your JR Pass!)
Our Suggestions:
- The onsens (open-air thermal baths) of Beppu (2 hours from Fukuoka), one of the most popular thermal spas in all of Asia. More than 3,000 hot springs provide baths for all tastes: sandy, muddy, ferruginous, clayey, carbonated and more or less hot with all the modern comforts for low-cost or even free baths.
- The city of Nagasaki (2 hours from Fukuoka), with a long history: port open to the international, Nagasaki welcomed Europeans, merchants and religious in the sixteenth century and then became the only window open to the West until 1868. From this original history, the city has kept a cosmopolitan charm, as in the European island of Dejima and its churches with Japanese sauce or the Chinatown district. Also the park and the museum of peace in memory of the tragedy of the Second World War.
- The old seigniorial city of Kumamoto and its Japanese castle (50 minutes from Fukuoka)
Nature and hiking:
- You will appreciate the walks along the magnificent beaches around Fukuoka, easily and quickly accessible from Fukuoka, like Nokonoshima or Itoshima (details in your travelogue).
- Discover the magnificent view of Niji-no-matsubara, the "pinewoods of the rainbow”, where more than a million pine trees line the sea.
Day 9: Fukuoka - Europe
Transfer to Fukuoka airport by public transport (less than 10 min, price covered by your prepaid transportation card already charged). Flight to Europe, covered by Voyage Privé.
Your 11-night Itinerary
For the exact programme, please refer to the 'Itinerary In Brief' above.
Very similar to the 7-night itinerary with 2 more nights in Tokyo and 1 more night in Kyoto - see 'Itinerary In Brief'.
Your 14-Night Itinerary
For the exact programme, please refer to the 'Itinerary In Brief' above.
Very similar to the 7-night itinerary with 2 more nights in Tokyo, 1 more night in Kyoto and 3 more nights in Yakushima - see 'Itinerary In Brief'.
Day 12-14: Yakushima
Transfers to Fukuoka airport for domestic flight to Yakushima by public transport (less than 10 min, price covered by your prepaid transportation card already charged). Flight to Yakushima (about 1 hour). Transfer to your ryokan by bus (extra charge of about 16€/go/person, details in your travelogue). Yakushima is a must-see for hikers and lovers of virgin and wild nature: with its thousand-year-old cedars reputed to be the oldest trees in the country, a large part of the island's plant heritage is classified by UNESCO. Its forest is also famous for being an inspiration for the forest in the movie "Princess Mononoke", created by Ghibli Studios. Enjoy a walking day in the forest of the island with Maxime, your English speaking guide. During this private day, he will follow your wishes and your walking desires (not forgetting the weather conditions) to take you around the island.
Notes:
- Take waterproof clothes, walking shoes, a 500 ml water bottle (to be filled on site). This equipment can also be rented on the island and reserved by your guide.
- Each participant must be able to provide proof of travel insurance that includes coverage for mountain walking activities, including search and rescue.
Return to Fukuoka with a domestic flight for last night in Japan.
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, Fukuoka and Yakushima. Other meals are not included.
On the 4* option, our members will enjoy Breakfast throughout their stay.
3* Category Hotels
Kyoto: Intergate Kyoto Hotel (or similar)
Hiroshima: Intergate Hiroshima hotel (or similar)
Fukuoka: Tokyu Stay Fukuoka (or similar)
Yakushima: Tashiro Annex (or similar)
4* Category Hotels
Kyoto: Monterey Hotel (or similar)
Hiroshima: Rihga Hotel (or similar)
Fukuoka: Mitsui Garden Fukuoka Gion (or similar)
Yakushima: JR Hotel (or similar)
Sleeps up to
3 Adults
or
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
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 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
Tokyo - Airport Welcome (same price package for 1-5 people, only valid for arrival between 10 am and 6 pm)
Tokyo - Guided Day Tour
Hakone - Mont Fuji - Guided day tour from Tokyo
Hiroshima - One Night in Miyajima in a Traditional Accommodation (Ryokan) Instead of Hiroshima.
Kyoto - Guided Day Tour
Kyoto - Geishas District Evening Tour
Kyoto - Tea Ceremony (45 minutes)
Fukuoka - Guided Half-Day Tour
Yakushima - 2 Days Hiking with Nights in a Camp
Notes:
Height difference: 800 to 1 200 meters
Duration: First day: 6 to 8 hours, second day: 7 to 9 hours
Use waterproof clothes, walking shoes, a 500 ml water bottle (to be filled on site). This equipment can also be rented on the island and reserved by your guide.
Each participant must be able to provide proof of travel insurance that includes coverage for mountain walking activities, including search and rescue.
Included; possible paying entries in the park and 4 meals (noon, evening, morning and noon).
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: Shared limousine bus shuttle transfers are included for travelling from the airport to the hotel in Tokyo.
The shared limousine bus shuttle is a shared shuttle that leaves the airport and stops either in front of your hotel or at a stop located between 1 to 15 minutes walk from your hotel.
On your return, transfer to Fukuoka airport is by public transport covered by your prepaid transportation card.
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 11 nights tours:
- Shinkansen journey between Tokyo and Kyoto, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
- Shinkansen journey between Kyoto and Hiroshima, approximately 2 hours
- Shinkansen journey between Hiroshima and Fukuoka, approximately 2 hours
14 nights tour:
- Shinkansen journey between Tokyo and Kyoto, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
- Shinkansen journey between Kyoto and Hiroshima, approximately 2 hours
- Shinkansen journey between Hiroshima and Fukuoka, approximately 2 hours
- Flight between Fukuoka and Yakushima, approximately 1 hour
- Flight between Yakushima and Fukuoka, approximately 1 hour
