Chugoku: Japan's secret

Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND).
Welcome to Japan! 日本へようこそ！

Welcome after customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi. Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo:

The transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other guests departing for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your scheduled flight arrival, and other stops may be made before your hotel.

If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the arrival of your flight, feel free to add the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option.

Check in at Hotel OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts or similar category 3* hotel (rooms available from 3pm).

What can you do in Tokyo on your first day?

We recommend that you start your visit to Tokyo slowly, by visiting the following areas:
- Harajuku, the center of youth fashion and cosplay culture
- Meiji Jingu, the imperial shrine
- Takeshita-Dori, a must-see street full of trendy stores and crepe stands
- Omotesando, a tree-lined shopping avenue known as Tokyo's Champs-Élysées 
- Shibuya and its iconic giant pedestrian crossing

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Tokyo (optional, from 9am to 5pm).

For this second day of sightseeing in Tokyo, we recommend the following "loop".

Start at Tokyo Central Station, with its original architecture, then head off to visit:
- Ginza, Tokyo's high-end shopping district 
- Tsukiji, the bustling outdoor food market 
- Hama-rikyu, a peaceful Japanese garden between Tokyo's tall buildings 
- Asakusa, a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by cruise on the Sumida river 
- Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital 
- Tokyo Sky Tree, 643 metres high, with its panoramic view of Tokyo at sunset.

Between Hama-rikyu Garden and Asakusa, why not enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River ?

In the morning, head to Shinjuku station to activate your Hakone Free Pass and board a train for Hakone Yumoto (1h30 journey, details in your travel guide, included in your package). The train leaves the Japanese megalopolis and gradually winds its way through the valleys of the Mount Fuji region. You'll arrive in Hakone in the late morning. 

Reach Ichinoyu Shinkan ryokan or equivalent to drop off your small bag and explore the region.

You'll be charmed by the beautiful scenery of this spa resort, Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (on a clear day!). Not forgetting the Owakudani volcanic site, accessible by cable car. All transport (train, bus, cable car and funicular) is included in your package.

If you'd like to be accompanied during this day, one of our English-speaking guides can help reveal the secrets of the Mount Fuji region (optional).

Come back to your ryokan at the end of the afternoon, as your traditional Japanese dinner will be waiting for you at around 6.30pm, before enjoying a Japanese-style night!

More details on the features of the night in a ryokan are below.

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

Head to Hakone Yumoto station and then Odawara station to board one of the fastest trains in the world: the Shinkansen! Shinkansen journey to Kyoto (direct, approx. 2h, including reserved tickets). We'll do our best to reserve seats for you so you can get one last look at Mount Fuji at the very beginning of the journey!

From noon onwards, you can settle into your traditional Japan Experience house, where a Travel Angel will welcome you.

You have 3 days to visit Kyoto.
Start in the afternoon in the historic Gion district, close to your accommodation:
- Kiyomizu-Dera, the impressive water temple
- The historic streets of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka
- Kodai-ji, Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo

Finish your day with a stroll through the Gion district and enjoy the sunset.
Meet your guide at 7pm to start an evening walk around Gion, Kyoto's historic district.
More details on the exact day and meeting point can be found in your travel guide.

At the end of this 1h30 walk, your guide will be able to recommend the best places to eat dinner!
Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take pictures in the historic district of Gion.

For your second day in Kyoto, we recommend the following itinerary:
- The Zen garden of Ryoan-ji 
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) 
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- The enchanting Philosopher's Path 
- Nanzen-ji temple

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these iconic sites (available as an option, from 9am to 5pm).

For your last day in Kyoto and its surroundings, we highly recommend a trip to Nara, a historic city just a 50-minute journey away using your prepaid transport card.

Visit Nara, Japan's first fixed capital in the 8th century and discover :
- Kasuga-taisha Shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns ; 
- Todai-ji, with its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate
- Kofuku-ji temple and its delightful pagoda

Return to Kyoto and stop to see the sunset at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto's immense shrine of 10,000 torii that wind their way up the mountain.

If you'd like to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides will reveal all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional).

After checking out in your Japan Experience house, travel to Amanohashidate.

A 2 hour train ride will take you to this small town located near the Sea of Japan and home to one of the three most beautiful landscapes in Japan: a narrow sandbar measuring almost 4 kilometres long covered with pine trees. It can be crossed on foot or by bicycle. However, we recommend you cross it the next morning. 

After dropping off your belongings in your 3* ryokan, we suggest you to take a bus ride (1 hour, not included in your package, details in your travel guide) to Ine, one of Japan's best preserved fishing villages.

Return to your ryokan in Amanohashidate at the end of the afternoon for a tasty traditional Japanese dinner.

Breakfast at the ryokan.

In the morning, discover the sandbar that makes this city so famous throughout Japan.

Around noon, embark on a scenic train journey (included in your package) to Kinosaki Onsen, a charming village nestled amongst mountains. 

Upon arrival in Kinosaki, prepare to be captivated by its picturesque charm. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of your ryokan's hot baths, or venture out to discover the village's seven unique public onsen.

Ditch your usual attire and slip into a yukata, a traditional Japanese robe provided by your ryokan. Stroll along calming willow-lined canals, past charming shops, as you make your way towards the onsen. Each bath offers a unique experience, from breathtaking rooftop views to invigorating "penguin" saunas and serene outdoor baths. 

As the evening unfolds, indulge in a delectable dinner at your ryokan, featuring the region's rich culinary delights, including the famed Japanese sea crab – a true treat for your taste buds. 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Your train whisks you away to Matsue, nestled on the shores of Lake Shinji (direct, included in your package). Gaze out the window as the coastline unfolds: pristine beaches on one side, and the majestic slopes of Mount Daisen, a spiritual landmark, on the other.

Matsue, the capital of Shimane prefecture, offers a taste of off-the-beaten-path Japan:
- Matsue Castle (Plover Castle), ascend one of Japan's last remaining original feudal castles for breathtaking panoramic views.
- Lafcadio Hearn Museum: immerse yourself in the life of Lafcadio Hearn, an Irishman who documented Japan's modernisation in the late 19th century. The recently renovated museum offers an interactive and engaging experience.
- Samurai District: explore preserved samurai houses and gardens, transporting you back in time.
- Shimane Art Museum: discover a treasure trove of Japanese art, including original Hokusai prints.

As the sun dips below the horizon, witness a mesmerising sunset over Lake Shinji, a captivating sight due to the city's unique orientation.

In the evening, explore the lively student city's vibrant bars before retiring to your comfortable 3* hotel in the heart of Matsue.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a journey through Matsue's exquisite gardens.

The Yushien Peony Garden, nestled on an island in the heart of Lake Nakaumi. A quick 25-minute bus ride from Matsue station whisks you away to a haven of vibrant blooms. 

The Adachi Museum of Art & Garden, prepare to be mesmerised by the "Japan's Most Beautiful Garden", as lauded by national and international press. This haven, meticulously crafted by a philanthropist, seamlessly blends breathtaking landscapes with a museum showcasing iconic 20th-century Japanese art. A 20-minute train ride and a 10-minute shuttle bus ride connect you to this masterpiece.

Not a fan of gardens? No problem! Immerse yourself in the spiritual significance of Izumo Taisha, Japan's second-most important Shinto shrine after Ise. This magnificent structure (accessible by a 1-hour train ride from Matsue, not included) sits right next to a stunning beach, offering a perfect blend of cultural and natural beauty.

Reflect on your day's discoveries as you return to your comfortable hotel in Matsue for a relaxing second night.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We recommend leaving at dawn for this day full of travel and discovery. The journey to your first destination of the day will take you 2 hours (direct train included in your tour up to Odashi + 30min by bus, 6€, to be paid to the driver). 

Iwami Ginzan is an old silver mine classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its peak in the 17th century, it accounted for up to a third of world production of this metal, at the heart of an industrial area of 250,000 people.

The small, unspoilt mining town of Omori welcomes you along a 2km route. This route allows you to visit the major sites of this era of prosperity: mine shafts, the remnants of a silver refinery, a mine museum and a merchant's residence are all along the way.

In the early afternoon, return to the coast by the same bus route, before taking the train to Tsuwano (2 hours, included in your package), a picturesque mountain town. 

The Noren-Yado Meigetsu 3* ryokan or equivalent will be waiting for you for dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover this small town and its inhabitants with Adrien, your local English-speaking guide. 

The old samurai quarter, castle ruins, a sanctuary overlooking the region, or the church that sheltered the secret Christians of Nagasaki: Adrien will share with you his passion for his town. He will also be able to show you the region, combining wooded hills and small agricultural estates.

In the evening, your ryokan will serve you a traditional dinner.

Breakfast at your accommodation.

In the morning, send your luggage to your hotel in Okayama (details will be in your travel diary, check with the hotel reception) so that you can travel light for your night in Miyajima.

Trade mountain views for seaside charm! A 3-hour journey (2 transfers, included in your package) brings you to the stunning Sea of Japan coastline. Explore the famed Miyajima Island, a sacred Shinto site accessible by a 15-minute boat ride (included). This "Mont Saint-Michel of Japan" awaits!

Reach your ryokan near the island's ferry terminal. The time to explore the island has come ! Its Itsukushima-jinja shrine and the great otorii gate built into the sea are definitely a must-see.

Take the cable car up to Mount Misen and then descend on foot. A breathtaking view of Hiroshima Bay awaits you!

At the ryokan, you will be treated to a tasty traditional Japanese dinner before retiring to your tatami room.

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

In the morning, make a stop in Hiroshima (30 minutes by train from Miyajimaguchi Ferry Station, included in your package) and visit the Peace Park and its memorial before tasting one of Hiroshima's specialities: okonomiyaki.

From Hiroshima, head to the feudal city of Okayama by shinkansen (about 40min, included in your package), located on a plain on the Sea of Japan.

Once arrived, drop off your belongings at your hotel - located between the station and the castle - and explore the castle and its magnificent Koraku-en park, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We recommend that you spend the day visiting Naoshima Island, located 1 hour from Okayama: 45 minutes by train (1 change, included in your package) and 15 minutes by boat (not included in your package, about €4.50/pp for a one-way ticket). Details in your travel diary.

Naoshima Island is world-famous for its modern art museums, the architecture of some of its buildings, and the scattered outdoor sculptures throughout its territory. These numerous museums and buildings were designed by the architect Ando Tadao. You will be impressed, among other things, by Monet's Water Lilies, displayed in a simple white room where you enter without shoes!

Please note that a reservation is required to access the Chichu Art Museum. 

Return to Okayama at the end of the day by the same route as in the morning.

If you consider yourself less of an artist and more of a romantic, the city of Kurashiki, less than 20 minutes by JR train from Okayama, is recommended as a day trip instead

Breakfast at the hotel.

Wrap up your trip with a vibrant finale in Osaka (50 minutes by train, included). But on the way, make a pit stop in Himeji to explore its crown jewel – a magnificent feudal fortress. Nicknamed the "White Heron Castle" for its striking white exterior, this iconic castle is arguably Japan's most famous. 

After soaking in the history, continue your journey to the Intergate Osaka Umeda or equivalent in the heart of Osaka, where you'll spend your last night two nights in Japan.

For your second day in Osaka, we recommend the following itinerary :

- Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium in terms of volume 
- The Tennoji district and its Shitenno-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Japan 
- Spa World, Japan's largest thermal baths (onsen) 
- Shinseikai, with its retro charm 
- DenDen machi, the technologeek village 
- Finish off with Dotonbori, the liveliest district in Japan.

Enjoy your last night in Japan!

Take a direct transfer to Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).

This transfer is by shuttle or shared bus, with other customers departing from the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers arrive between 3 hours and 1.5 hours before the actual departure of your flight, and stops may be made before you arrive at the airport.

If you prefer a private transfer at a time of your choice, direct to the airport and with no extra stops, add the "Private Taxi to Airport" option.

Return flight to your home country.

Don't hesitate to extend your trip by a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... Get in touch and we would be happy to advise you!