Japan, From Tokyo to Osaka

Les Incontournables du Japon 3^*

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Free day. Suggested tours:

It's here that you'll encounter Mount Fuji, a veritable symbol of Japan. Visit the Hakone-jinja shrine with its large vermilion Torii gate. Take a boat ride across Lake Ashi to enjoy the view of Mount Fuji! Continue by taking the cable car to discover the Owakudani volcanic valley and the impressive fumaroles of its sulphur 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 specialities.

Dinner and overnight stay in the ryokan.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer by hotel shuttle to Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) airport depending on your return flight and boarding of your flight to France.

Please note: transfers to Kobe airport (UKB) are not provided. If you are returning from this airport, the transfer will be at your own expense.

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/)

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.

**No activities are included in the stay. The activities mentioned in the itinerary are suggestions that 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.

Climate

Spring (March to May) is a very pleasant time to travel in Japan, as the flowers in bloom make the landscape very beautiful and the climate is mild, but it is also the peak tourist season, and there are often many people visiting the sites.

Summer (June to August) is fairly hot and humid in most regions, but it is still possible to visit the country, particularly in 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, so it's a great time to take photos and admire the scenery without too many tourists. It's cold in most parts of the country (with snow in some areas), which is ideal for making the most of the famous Onsens, which will bring you a little warmth!

Onsens

If you want to try out the Onsens (traditional baths), it is customary to enter completely naked (men and women separate). That said, tattoos are not always accepted in Onsens.

**Getting around Tokyo: Transfers within Tokyo are to be arranged yourself **.

Tokyo metro map:

[https://www.tokyometro.jp/fr/subwaymap/index.html](https://www.tokyometro.jp/fr/subwaymap/index.html)

TRANSFERS:

Transfer from Tokyo airport to the hotel (day 1): The transfer is by shared shuttle (ticket sent in advance by email) and drops you off in front of your hotel. It 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 the Hakone Free pass, then connection at Odawara for Kyoto (paper ticket issued at the 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 the Kansai Hiroshima Pass

Hotel transfer from Osaka to Osaka airport (day 12): The transfer is provided by hotel shuttle and drops you off at the Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) airport depending on your return flight.

Please note: transfers to other airports are not insured and will be subject to charge.

*Note regarding the Hakone Free Pass:

You will receive your Hakone Free-Pass in the form of an e-voucher issued by email.

You can reach Hakone from Tokyo Shinjuku on the Odakyu line. After a change at Odawara, head to Hakone and take advantage of your Pass to use the transport networks such as the Hakone Tozan buses, the Hakone Tozan cable cars, the Lake Ashi cruise boat, and the funicular railway, among other options. You'll also benefit from discounts on certain tourist attractions!

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.