Japan, From Tokyo to Osaka

Les 3 perles du Japon 3^*

Arrival at Tokyo Airport and transfer to your hotel by shared shuttle. Pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi at the hotel reception to enjoy the internet for the duration of your trip.

Evening and overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Start your discovery of Tokyo gently with the famous Meiji-jingu Shrine, before continuing along the Takeshita Dori pedestrian street, famous for its small shops. You can then take a stroll along Omotesando Avenue to admire the architecture, or do a little shopping in the Shibuya district - for a taste of Tokyo's fashion madness!

Evening and overnight stay in Tokyo.

Please note: optional tours and activities are available on this day (see the Activities section).

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing : Discover the traditional districts of **Asakusa and Ueno where you'll find the superb Senso-ji Temple and the Sumida Park, and then continue with a stroll through Yanaka, known as "Old Tokyo ". If you're curious about electronics and manga, head to the Akihabara district, where you'll find the craziest video games, manga from your youth, and Cosplay - for the chance to immerse yourself in an unusual universe!

Evening and overnight stay in Tokyo.

Please note: An optional excursion is available on this day (see the Activities section).

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Hakone by train with a change at Odawara (111 km, approx. 2 hours by train) using your Hakone Free Pass (also valid locally). Free day.

Suggested sightseeing : This is where you'll encounter Mount Fuji, a veritable symbol of Japan. Visit the Hakone-jinja shrine with its large vermilion Torii, then take a boat across Lake Ashi to enjoy the view of Mount Fuji. Take the cable car to Owakudani to see the impressive fumaroles of the sulphur quarry. This is a must if you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture: experience an overnight stay in a Ryokan, an authentic Japanese inn, where you can enjoy a moment of Zen and take a dip in one of the many Onsen, the famous hot springs that are incredibly popular after a day's sightseeing. To round off your experience, enjoy a delicious traditional meal in your Ryokan. Dinner of Japanese specialities and overnight stay in a Ryokan in Hakone.

Please note:

Sleeping accommodation: Western style or futon, subject to availability.

Onsen: In keeping with tradition, men and women are naked and separated. People with tattoos may also be refused entry.

Breakfast at the Ryokan and departure for Kyoto by Shinkansen express train (366 km, approx. 2 h train journey with change at Odawara). Free day.

Evening and overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Take a Zen walk through the **Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji temple. Continue with a visit to the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evening and overnight stay in Kyoto.

Please note: An optional tour and activity are available on this day (see the Activities section).

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

Suggested sightseeing: Visit the splendid Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine, 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.

Evening and overnight stay in Kyoto.

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 Nightingale (singing) parquet floor.

Evening and overnight stay in Kyoto.

Please note: An optional guided tour is available on this day (see the Activities section).

Breakfast at the hotel, then enjoy your last moments in Kyoto before your transfer by shared shuttle to Osaka Airport for your return flight (Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM)).

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Conditions of entry

On arrival, travellers must have 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 provide biometric data (fingerprints and photographic portrait).

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 who are not accompanied by their legal representatives bring a copy of their family record book.

You must download the "Visit Japan Web" application onto your phone INDIVIDUALLY, i.e. for each participant, in order to avoid waiting times when exiting the airport: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/ (https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/)

Currency

The currency used is the yen (JPY). On 20 December 2022, 1 Euro is equivalent to 140.40 Japanese yen.

Tips

It is not necessary or customary to leave tips in restaurants, for guides, drivers, etc. If you want to thank your hosts, a gift is preferable.

Language

Japanese people don't all speak English very well, especially outside the big cities, so writing down some useful phrases can be very handy.

Time Difference

From March to October, the time difference is CET +7, and from October to March it is CET +8.

Climate

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

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 go in completely naked (men and women are separated). Those with tattoos are not always accepted in Onsens.

Pocket Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is not available everywhere in Japan. Ideally, you should travel with a small 'Pocket Wi-Fi dongle so that you have a fast connection wherever you are during your stay. This makes it much easier to check useful information or get in touch with friends and family. You can collect the box from the hotel on the first day and return it in the envelope provided at the Post Office.

- Supplement for unlimited Pocket Wi-Fi for 8 to 14 days: 31 euros.

Driving

In Japan, cars drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the right. Gearboxes are automatic. The Japanese drive quite calmly and are very respectful of the highway code. The motorways are well maintained. To drive in Japan, you need your 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](https://www.tokyometro.jp/fr/subwaymap/index.html)

Transfers:

Transfer from Tokyo Airport to the hotel in Tokyo (day 1): transfer by shared shuttle bus which will drop you off in front of the hotel (ticket sent in the travel pack to the customer's home address). It may make several stops along the way.

Transfer Tokyo – Hakone (day 4): 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 5): by Shinkansen express train with the Hakone Free pass, then connection at Odawara for Kyoto.

Transfer Kyoto - Osaka Airport (day 9): Transfer by shared shuttle bus to Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) airports.

Please note that in the event of a flight from another airport such as Kobe (UKB), the transfer is not guaranteed and will therefore be charged to the customer.

Note regarding the Hakone Free Pass: Your pass is supplied in your travel pack (sent no later than 8 days prior to your date of departure). 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!

Luggage transfer: Benefit from a luggage transfer service to make your journey easier (1 bag/person): your luggage will be collected from your hotel in Tokyo early in the morning and transferred to your hotel in Kyoto to avoid you being weighed down during the Tokyo-Hakone and Hakone-Kyoto journeys. You'll need to pack a small bag for your night in Hakone.

Accommodation capacity:

Single room: 1 adult

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

Age of children: 2 - 11 years

Babies are not permitted.

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

**Any specific request concerning the type of bed (double/separate beds) or any other request or special condition concerning the accommodation is subject to availability and may incur a supplement **.

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

If the first and last days are shortened by late arrivals or early departures due to airline timetables, no refund will be issued. Similarly, any meal included in the board package that cannot be taken on account of these times will not be reimbursed. Furthermore, depending on the scheduling of any optional extras and excursions, any meals that cannot be taken at the hotel will be at the customer's expense.

Any change to the itinerary or closure/modification of hotel facilities/services due to the current health crisis (COVID-19 epidemic) will not result in any reimbursement or compensation.

Check-in is usually in the mid-afternoon (3 - 4 p.m.).

MEALS:

This offer includes breakfast during the tour and a half-board package (excluding drinks) during your night in a Ryokan. You will have to pay for any other meals.

The days are kept free with no obligation to attend tours. Travellers can therefore plan their days as they wish. We do, however, offer optional immersive activities and tours that can be booked on location for an even more memorable experience.

Day 2 (Tokyo):

• Guided tour of Tokyo with an English-speaking guide (half-day): Discover the must-see sights of Japan's capital! Price: 82 euros/person.
• Sushi-making class: Rediscover Japanese cuisine by making your own sushi! Price: 79 euros/person. (Course taught in English).

Day 3 (Tokyo):

• Trip to Nikko (full day, in English): Discover Nikko, famous for its architectural masterpieces, located not far from Tokyo. Price: 239 euros/person.

Day 6 (Kyoto):

• Guided tour of Kyoto in English (half day): Discover the must-see sites of Kyoto! Price: 86 euros/person.
• Group Tea Ceremony in English: Experience one of Japan's famous traditions! Price: 30 euros/person. (approx. 45 mins).

Day 8 (Kyoto):

• Guided tour of Nara (half day): Enjoy a guided tour in English to discover the must-see sites in the city of Nara! Price: 90 euros/person.

PLEASE NOTE: Options may be changed or replaced depending on local constraints. If several incompatible options are booked, the company reserves the right to offer an alternative or to refund the amount of the respective option.