Japan, Tokyo

A 3-Star Trip Across Japan

Upon arrival at Tokyo Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. Meals are at your leisure. You will then spend the night in Tokyo.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Today is your first full day in the capital.

Suggested sights:

• The Meiji-jingu Shrine, an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city where time seems to have stood still.
• The trendy and lively Harajuku district, with its famous Takeshita and Omotesando streets.
• Asakusa, a retro district famous for its small shops, but above all for Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. This truly impressive site features a giant paper lantern and vibrant colours.
• Akihabara is a paradise for fans of manga, anime and video games.
• Shimokitazawa, a bohemian district with an artistic atmosphere, vintage shops, independent cafés and underground theatres. Pop into the famous Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens to enjoy a green oasis right in the city centre.

Have lunch and dinner at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Tokyo.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Suggested sights:

• Tokyo Tower: From the main observation deck, which is over 150 metres above ground level, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of skyscrapers, traditional temples and, on a clear day, the majestic Mount Fuji.
• Take a journey through Japanese history at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Its magnificent gardens and picturesque moats offer visitors stunning views and a peaceful experience. Take a boat trip on the Sumida River to see the city from a different perspective.
• Head to the chic Roppongi district for a shopping spree.
• For a unique, immersive technological experience, wander through the various themed rooms of the TeamLab exhibition at TeamLab Planets TOKYO. Its varied and captivating installations allow you to immerse yourself in fantastical atmospheres and freely explore enchanting visual landscapes, while interacting with the digital elements around you.
• Not far from Tokyo, the artificial island of Odaiba offers a world of entertainment at Palette Town, with its shops and family attractions. Relax on the artificial sandy beach, then finish with a visit to the famous Gundam statue.

Have lunch and dinner at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Tokyo.

Have breakfast at your hotel, then travel by coach to Matsumoto, a historic, peaceful Japanese town surrounded by nature. You will then travel through the Japanese Alps by coach to Hirayu Onsen, a mountain spa village renowned for its traditional onsen (hot spring baths), many of which are outdoor baths offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The atmosphere is authentic and almost timeless, becoming magical in winter when the mountains are covered in snow.

It is also an ideal starting point for beautiful hikes.

Have lunch at your leisure. You will then enjoy a traditional dinner and an overnight stay in a ryokan (Japanese inn) in Hirayu Onsen.

Have breakfast at the ryokan. Then, transfer by coach to Takayama, a small, traditional and charming mountain town in Japan.

Its historic centre, the Sanmachi Suji district, is well preserved, with traditional wooden houses and narrow streets. The town is renowned for its craft sake and its small breweries, which are open to visitors. There are also lively morning markets along the river.

This makes it the perfect place to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture.

Lunch and dinner are at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Takayama.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then take a coach to Shirakawago, a picturesque mountain village famous for its thatched gasshō-zukuri houses.

Then, transfer by coach to Kanazawa, an elegant and well-preserved cultural city. It is renowned for its Kenroku-en Garden, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in Japan, as well as for its rich heritage and well-preserved samurai and geisha districts. The city is also famous for its cuisine, particularly its fresh seafood.

Lunch and dinner are at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Suggested sights:

• Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens and stunning in every season.
• Nagamachi is the samurai district, with narrow streets, earthen walls, and historic residences.
• Higashi Chaya is the geisha district and a picturesque area with wooden houses.
• Omicho Market is the perfect place to sample ultra-fresh fish and seafood.
• Kanazawa Castle offers a historical immersion experience.

Enjoy lunch and dinner at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then take a train to Kyoto, an iconic and culturally rich city. This is an essential stop for anyone looking to experience the true essence of Japan.

Enjoy lunch and dinner at your leisure, as well as an overnight stay in Kyoto.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Suggested sights:

• Iconic temples: Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera, which boasts spectacular views, and Ginkaku-ji, which has a beautiful Zen garden.
• Take a walk beneath the torii gates of Fushimi Inari.
• The famous bamboo forest of Arashiyama.
• The districts of Gion, home to its famous geishas, and Higashiyama.

Enjoy lunch and dinner at your leisure, as well as an overnight stay in Kyoto.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Then on to Himeji, a charming Japanese town whose main landmark is the famous Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nicknamed the "White Heron Castle" for its elegance and colour, it is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Japan.

Enjoy lunch at your leisure, followed by a train transfer to Kobe, a major Japanese port city situated between the sea and the mountains.

Situated between the sea and the mountains, Kobe is a major Japanese port city. It is famous for its Kobe beef, which is renowned worldwide for its tenderness and exceptional flavour. Kobe offers striking contrasts in terms of scenery, with the modern port dominated by the Kobe Port Tower contrasting with the neighbouring mountains, such as Mount Rokko, which offer superb views of the bay.

Dinner at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Kobe.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Have lunch at your leisure. Then, transfer by train to Osaka.

Osaka is one of Japan’s largest cities and is renowned for its energy, friendliness and cuisine.

Suggested sights:

• Iconic sites such as Osaka Castle, which is steeped in history and offers breathtaking views from the top, and Shitennō-ji Temple, which is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples.
• Nakanoshima Park is ideal for a stroll in a Zen-like setting.
• The Umeda Sky Building offers spectacular panoramic views.
• Markets such as Kuromon Ichiba Market, where you can discover a variety of local specialities.
• The Shinsekai district is a retro, popular area with a unique atmosphere.
• Dōtonbori is the vibrant heart of the city and is particularly atmospheric in the evening thanks to its neon lights and street food.

Have dinner at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Osaka.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Today, we recommend taking the train to Nara for a day trip. This city is renowned for its immense historical wealth and peaceful, spiritual atmosphere.

The town boasts major cultural treasures such as Todai-ji Temple, which is famous for its enormous Buddha statue, and Kasuga-taisha Shrine, which is renowned for its numerous lanterns.

Nara Park is also iconic, with hundreds of sacred deer roaming freely amongst visitors.

Lunch and dinner are at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Osaka.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then take the train to Tokyo. Make the most of the day to explore!

Have lunch and dinner at your leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay in Tokyo.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to Tokyo Airport (Haneda or Narita) by limousine bus.

ACCOMMODATION

Check-in is usually in the mid-afternoon, between 3 and 4pm.

Check-out is usually in the morning at 10am.

For technical reasons, hotels may be replaced with accommodation of a similar standard.

The order of stops and the itinerary may be subject to change depending on local conditions.

Specific requests regarding bed type (e.g. double or twin beds) are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.

Please note that the accommodation included in this trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or infants (aged 0–1.99 years).

Please note that hotel rooms in Japan are often quite small and the beds are on the small side.

Ryokan accommodation: Access to communal onsen (Japanese hot spring) areas is generally prohibited for people with tattoos.

Tourist tax is not included and must be paid on site. The approximate amount to be paid at present is given for information only:

• 3-star hotel: €2 per room per night
• 4-star hotel: €5 per room per night

MEALS

If the first and last days are shortened due to late arrival or early departure imposed by the airlines, no meal refunds will be given.

Depending on the timetables for excursions or transport at the destination (e.g. train, bus, transfer or ferry), any meals that cannot be taken at the hotel will be at the guests’ expense.

TRANSPORT / TRANSFERS

AIRPORT-TO-HOTEL TRANSFER BY SHARED SHUTTLE: The shared shuttle takes you directly from the airport to your hotel and back again. The shuttle may make several stops along the way.

AIRPORT TRANSFER BY LIMOUSINE BUS: The limousine bus connects the airport to the bus stop nearest to your hotel, and vice versa. The vehicle makes several stops along the way.

BUS TRANSPORT: In Japan, buses are an efficient and comfortable way to explore the country's more remote and picturesque regions. The network includes routes that enable travellers to discover magnificent sites such as the Japanese Alps and traditional villages.

RAIL TRANSPORT: The train is the most convenient way to travel in Japan. Both major cities and villages are well connected, and the extensive and highly efficient Japanese rail network covers the whole country. You can travel on the famous Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed train, which reaches speeds of 320 km/h!

TOKYO – KANAZAWA LUGGAGE TRANSFER SERVICE: For a hassle-free getaway to Hirayu and Takayama, take advantage of our luggage transfer service. For added convenience, your luggage will be collected directly from your Tokyo hotel and taken to your Kanazawa accommodation. During your stay at the ryokan in Takayama, therefore, you will need to pack a small bag with your essentials for two nights. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the reception of your Kanazawa hotel. Please note that the luggage transfer service is limited to one piece of luggage per person.