Japanese culture and traditions

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Arrival to Tokyo

  

  An assistant will meet you at the airport and help you get to your hotel by public transportation. Depending on your arrival time, you can start your discovery of the amazing Japanese megalopolis.

• day 2:

  Tokyo

  

  Start your first day of discovery in Tokyo and get to the heart of the matter. In the program: walks in the gardens of the Imperial Palace, in the Gyoen and Yoyogi parks. Visit of the emblematic Shinto shrines of Tokyo "Meiji-jingu and Hie jinja". Followed by a walk in the Shibuya district, to see the famous dog Hachiko, and in the lively district of Harajuku and its street Omote-Sando where you will be immersed in one of the most fashionable districts.

• day 3:

  Tokyo

  

  Continue your journey in the Japanese capital and stroll through the Asakusa district, the historic center of the capital, and you will dive into the old charm of a forgotten Tokyo by passing through the charming pedestrian street filled with Nakamise, and take the opportunity to visit the thousand-year-old Sensô-Ji Temple. Ueno Park is also a good alternative, it will charm you with its museums as well as its beautiful temples and shrines. And why not admire the sunset on Mount Fuji from the Tokyo Sky Tree, the 2nd highest tower in the world with a 360° view on the capital.

• day 4:

  From Tokyo to Hakone

  

  Discover Hakone in this free day. A great breath of fresh air at the edge of the Ashi lake located in the heart of the ancient volcano, the Hakone. Take the mythical picture of the sublime Torii of Hakone Jinja, your feet planted on the edge of the lake with a view of Mt. Fuji and take the opportunity to visit this Shinto shrine whose buildings are located in a forest of cedars of the Fuji Hakone Izu national park.

• day 5:

  From Hakone to Kyoto

  

  Hakone is also the ideal place for a Japanese hot spring experience called onsen. After relaxing in the Japanese hot baths, you can walk in the park of Gora and stroll in the flowery alleys of the botanical garden on the hillside and its tea rooms, greenhouses and beautiful central fountain. Try the tea ceremony at the Hakuun-Do tea garden, or learn glassblowing techniques at the Hakone Crafthouse.

• day 6:

  Kyoto

  

  Accompanied by your English-speaking guide, explore Kyoto and learn about the history and ancestral Japan culture. Walk the streets and witness ancient traditions, stunning architecture and beautiful parks. The shrines and temples of the ancient Japanese capital will transport you back in time. Will you have the chance to meet a Geiko during your stay?

• day 7:

  Kyoto

  

  Spend an incredible day in the southwest of the city on a beautiful green path: the Arashiyama bamboo grove. It runs alongside the splendid Tenryu-ji temple and leads to an enigmatic Kyoto. The superb giant bamboos will impress you by their size and the noise produced when they clash. This atypical walk will remain a moment filled with poetry.

• day 8:

  Kyoto

  

  Immerse yourself one last day in the heart of this amazing city and go to the Fushimi Inari Taisha, the largest Shinto shrine in Japan where 30,000 torii follow one another forming a red vault snaking through the heart of the forest and the mountain. Your journey will end on the Philosophy Walk, from Ginkaku-ji, called Silver Pavilion to Eikan-do Zenrin-ji. A walking path lined with cherry trees, the most beautiful in spring, and dotted all along with small temples and shrines where you will enjoy strolling.

• day 9:

  Nara trip

  

  Take a walk in the big park of Nara city, ancient imperial capital, and especially famous for its shika deer which will certainly greet you with a nod. It is very easy to approach them and they will surely come to tease you to get a rice cake they love. Their meeting delights young and old, and makes some pretty funny photos.

• day 10:

  Himeji getaway

  

  Himeji will enchant you with its feudal era allure and will marvel you by the elegance architectural of its amazing white castle, known as the White Heron Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the rare wooden castles still existing. You can walk in the sublime Koko-en garden, not far from the castle, whose beauty is appreciated according to the seasons. Finally, go to Mount Shosha, to discover Engyoji Temple. A group of religious buildings dating back more than a thousand years in the heart of the forest.

• day 11:

  Osaka

  

  On your arrival in the third largest city of Japan. You will discover sanctuaries, museums and parks and then the castle for an incursion into a samurai life. Enjoy the beautiful view from the observatory of the Umeda Sky building. Take advantage of your Japanese evening to stroll down Osaka's most popular street, Dotonbori Street, the epicenter of the city at nightfall in the heart of Osaka's festive district! 

• day 12:

  From Osaka to Osaka Airport

  

  Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a free half-day in Osaka. Explore freely and buy the last of your souvenirs, then head to Osaka Airport.