Okaeri Japan Essentials

  • Duration : 12 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo

Did you miss Japan? Okaeri literally means "welcome back" in Japanese. After more than two years of border closure, the reopening of the borders was long overdue!

Our special tour in Japan, to discover or rediscover Japan in 12 days.

Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa: an almost 2 weeks itinerary which will definitely seduce you. The electric district of Akihabara, a visit to the geisha district in Kyoto, a ride on the ultra-fast Shinkansen: the perfect ingredients for an unmissable and unforgettable trip.

Icing on the cake: you will be accompanied by a private guide every day of your trip and above all you will be able to visit Japan before anyone else!


12-day itinerary (Tokyo -> Tokyo loop)

  • Tokyo (4 days)
  • Kyoto (5 days including 1 day in Nara)
  • Kanazawa (2 days)
  • Tokyo (1 day)

The first and last day are reserved for your arrival and departure from Japan (and for the last bit of souvenir shopping!).

Please find below the itinerary details.

You like this tour but would like to visit Hiroshima? Then do not hesitate to discover our other tour Extended Okaeri Japan - Private Tour: Tokyo - Kyoto - Hiroshima - Kanazawa

WARNING : The tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. On departure, you will have to leave your home country on the day before. The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference. For further details, refer to "More about your trip".


Why this trip to Japan ?

  1. Supervision by a bilingual English-speaking guide every day, a specialist in Japanese culture
  2. Private stay in Japan: enjoy the best of Japan especially for you, without the constraints of a group
  3. Discover or rediscover Japan for the first time since the pandemic before anyone else
  4. Settle in the heart of Tokyo in your 3* hotel chosen for its comfort and location
  5. Travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto and your 3* hotel combining Japanese and Western style.
  6. Visit the ancient imperial capital and go on a day trip to Nara
  7. Stay in a traditional house in Kanazawa and discover its unique Edo period neighborhoods
  8. On the last day, a shuttle will take you from your accommodation to the airport
  9. Recommendations available in your travel diary
  10. Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
  11. If necessary, contact our English-speaking assistance
  12. Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan.

Some constraints however, concerning COVID-19:

  • A PCR test done 72h to 48h before departure is necessary to board at your departure airport. This test must be negative. In case of positive PCR, the insurance included in the tour refunds 90% of the tour price.
  • No test upon arrival in Japan
  • For more information concerning specific measures to your country, please refer to the website of the embassy.

Before your trip:

  • Register here
  • Need to go to the embassy or consulate to apply for the tourist visa (most of the papers are provided by Japan Experience, more details in "learn more").

During the trip:

  • Wearing a mask is mandatory indoors and in some crowded places outdoors
  • If you feel unwell, please communicate your health condition to the guide
  • A guide will accompany you at all times of the day
  • Need to be reachable by phone or WhatsApp at any time of the day by the guide or by the Japan Experience assistance
    • NB: Remember to charge your pocket WiFi every day in order to have constant access to the Internet.

Your trip in detail

Itinerary

  • Day 1 : Wake up in Tokyo 東京

    Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita or Haneda).

    Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!

    Reception at the exit from Customs in English by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents.

    Accompanied transfer from the airport to your hotel (see details).

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

    Night in Tokyo.

  • Day 2 : First steps in the capital

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Departure at 10 am from the hotel for an accompanied tour of Tokyo (examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day):

    - Tokyo Skytree, one of the highest skyscraper in the world (the guide will let you enjoy the breathtaking view at the top on your own while waiting at the entrance).

    - Asakusa, traditional district, and its Buddhist temple Senso-ji, place of pilgrimage;

    - Cruise from Asakusa to Hamarikyu

    - Hamarikyu, the Japanese garden between the buildings of Tokyo;

    Night in Tokyo.

  • Day 3 : The effervescent metropolis

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Continue to visit Tokyo with your guide (examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day):

    - Shinjuku Gyoen (park);

    - Harajuku: the avant-garde district;

    - Omotesando: the Champs-Élysées of Tokyo;

    - Takeshita-Dori: the most famous street in Japan;

    - Meiji Jingu, the imperial sanctuary;

    - Shibuya and its unavoidable crossroad.

    Night in Tokyo.

  • Day 4 : Between tradition and modernity

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Examples of possible visits in the capital, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day:

    - Akihabara: the electronic and manga district;

    - Ueno: the must-see of Tokyo with its park full of cherry trees and its lotus pond;

    - Yanaka vintage neighborhoods.

    Night in Tokyo.

  • Day 5 : On the way to the old capital

    Meet at the hotel with your guide and go to Tokyo Station to board one of the fastest trains in the world: the Shinkansen! Travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto (direct, about 2h40).

    When arriving at Kyoto, meet with your guide and settle in the center of the old capital at the Rakuro Share Hotel or equivalent 3* (rooms available from 3pm).

    You have 4 days to visit Kyoto with your private guide.

    Examples of places to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day:

    - The emblematic district of Gion;

    - Kiyomizu-Dera, the great water temple;

    - Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka historical alleys.

    Night in Kyoto.

  • Day 6 : Traditions in Kyoto

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day:

    - Ryoan-ji, with its famous zen rock garden;

    - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion);

    Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion);

    - The bewitching path of philosophy.

    Night in Kyoto.

  • Day 7 : Kyoto and its bamboo grove

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day :

    Walking tour of the Arashiyama district:

    - Togetsukyo Bridge;

    - the UNESCO Tenryuji Zen Temple, its bamboo grove and its famous Zen garden, the Sogenchi;

    - Gioji Buddhist temple, wrapped in moss and dedicated to the courtesan Gio, famous for her great beauty...

    Night in Kyoto.

  • Day 8 : Nara, the first capital

    Breakfast at the hotel in Kyoto.

    Visit of Nara, the first fixed capital of Japan in the 8th century.

    Examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day:

    - The Todaiji temple, its large bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate;

    - The Kasuga Taisha shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns;

    - The Kofukuji temple and its beautiful pagoda.

    On the way back to Kyoto, visit the fabulous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine - usually crowded with foreign tourists - to see an incredible sunset.

    Night in Kyoto.

  • Day 9 : To Kanazawa, the little pearl of Ishikawa

    Breakfast at the hotel in Kyoto.

    Accompanied by your assistant who will meet you at the hotel, take the train to Kanazawa (3h). Meet your guide in Kanazawa and settle in your Temari-an house or equivalent.

    Sightseeing in Kanazawa during the afternoon (examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day):

    - Kenroku-en, the beautiful Japanese garden in Kanazawa .

    Night in Kanazawa.

  • Day 10 : In the footsteps of the samurais

    Start your visit of Kanazawa (examples of sites to visit, the itinerary is to be decided jointly with your guide on the day): 

    - Kenroku-en, the beautiful Japanese garden of Kanazawa;

    - The museum of contemporary art and its outdoor gallery;

    - Omicho, the fish market of the Sea of Japan;

    - Nagamachi samurai district and the former residence of Nomura, once ruler of the fief;

    - Higashichaya, one of the three geisha districts of the city.

    Night in Kanazawa.

  • Day 11 : Back to Tokyo

    In the morning, return to Tokyo by train and Shinkansen (4 hours).

    Meet your guide at Tokyo station and check-in at your hotel OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts or equivalent 3*.

    Night in Tokyo.

  • Day 12 : Sayonara - see you next time

    Transfer to Haneda or Narita airport.

    Flight back to home country.

    Do not hesitate to extend your trip by one or more days in Tokyo, we will be able to advise you.

     

    Included in your self-guided tour

  • Included in your self-guided tour

    - 4 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of Tokyo

    - 4 nights in a 3* hotel in the historical capital of Kyoto

    - 2 nights in a traditional house in Kanazawa

    - 1 night in a 3* hotel in Tokyo

    The basic rate includes a twin room for two people in hotels.

  • Transportation

    Airport transfers <> Tokyo

    - Prepaid public transport card

    Japan Rail Pass for 7 days

  • Experiences and meals

    Airport welcome

    - A guide for each day of your trip

    - Breakfasts in Tokyo and Kyoto

  • Additional services

    - Unlimited Wi-Fi access with pocket Wi-Fi

    - Complete e-travel diary sent before your departure

    - Telephone assistance in English

    - Japan Experience Protect insurance, providing pre-departure cancellation insurance and on-site assistance. COVID protection included. Valid for residents of the world outside Japan.

  • Not included in the price of your trip

    - The flights home country <> Japan

    - Personal expenses including meals (some breakfasts are included) and visits to tourist sites

    - Transportation either taxi or public when your transportation passes run out (see details) or if you choose to go outside the cities on your itinerary

    - Everything that is not included in the "included in your tour" section

More about your trip

Your tour:

  • The tour guide can modify the programme according to the day's constraints.
  • The prices displayed on this page may vary according to the exchange rate of the Japanese ¥.
  • Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
  • Pets are not allowed
  • Your travel documents will be given to you as follows: 
  • Travel book sent by mail 3 weeks before departure.
  • Airport transfer tickets and all other documents (including Japan Rail Pass voucher, pocket WiFi...) will be given to you by our airport assistant at your arrival.
  • This programme is subject to change due to circumstances such as weather conditions or any other case of force majeure. The order of visits may also be modified. Please note that due to the current circumstances, any information mentioned is subject to change or modification.

Your accommodation:

  • Room size: in Japan, a densely populated country where everything is compact, 3-star luxury hotels are of very good quality but the rooms are often quite narrow (12 to 20m2/129 sq ft to 215 sq ft) depending on the hotel. Please note the size of the single room, between 10 and 16m2 (107sq ft and 172 sq ft). For more comfort, you can choose our luxury 4* accommodation upgrade option.
  • Double room : Rooms for two people in western hotels have 2 single beds (twin rooms) by default, which can usually be joined together.
  • Single room : People traveling alone and wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. This supplement can be waived, on request, if a twin room is shared with another participant. The single room supplement is compulsory for orders with an odd number of participants.
  • Names of the hotels : The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, an establishment of equivalent standing will be scheduled. Hotels, corresponding to local standards, are given as an indication and may be changed on site for hotels of a similar category.
  • House in Kanazawa: Enjoy an unforgettable experience by staying in a traditional house in Kanazawa. All the houses have been renovated and have at least one Japanese room with tatami mats and futons for sleeping, as well as all the necessary modern comforts. Location: each house has been chosen for the quality of its location (transportation, shops, temples...) and to facilitate your stay. They are located in downtown Kanazawa.
  • For the accommodation
    • Equipment:
      •  Fridge
      • Stove
      • Microwave oven
      • Washing machine
      • Coffee maker
      • Air conditioning
      • Heating
      • Beds and/or futons
      • Vacuum cleaner
      • WiFi
      • Sheets, towels, dish towels
      • Consumables (dishwashing liquid, soap, etc.)
    • The accommodation is equipped with 4 beds, either single (sometimes double) or futon.
    • Capacity: maximum 4 people

Your transport:

  • Flights are not included in this tour. Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to include flights in your order: Flights in economy class with stopovers or direct flights, eco-premium or business air upgrades, provincial departures or abroad: we will be able to advise you.
  • The departure and end dates of the tour presented on this page concern your stay in Japan. You will arrive in Japan via Tokyo (Narita or Haneda airports) and will leave from Tokyo. At the departure, you will have to leave your place of departure the day before and land at the latest at 6:30 pm to join your accommodation in all serenity with your guide. On the other hand, the return trip is done the same day due to the time difference. Do not hesitate to contact us for any uncertainty or need for precision on the choice of international flights.
  • Airport Transfers: The shared limousine bus leaves from the airport and stops in front of or near your hotel. Our airport assistant in Tokyo will drive you to the platform to pick up the airport transfer and then accompany you to your hotel.
  • Included in your tour are a ¥1500 pre-loaded transportation prepaid card (suica or Pasmo brand) and a 7-day Japan Rail Pass. 
    • Please note: When the ¥1,500 of the prepaid transport card expires, or if the line you are taking is not covered by your Japan Rail Pass, you will have to recharge your prepaid transport card (at the machines of all stations and subway stations).
  • If a person participating in the tour is a Japanese national and resident in Japan, or a foreigner but with tax residence in Japan (including students), then he/she cannot benefit from the price displayed because he/she is unfortunately not eligible for the Japan Rail Pass. Do not hesitate to contact us to get the price of the tour without a Japan Rail Pass. This person will have to buy the train tickets for the tour directly in Japan. If this person is a Japanese citizen but not a resident of Japan, then he/she can benefit from the Japan Rail Pass under certain conditions (see the FAQ page).

Your meals:

  • Breakfasts not included in your package can be added at the reception upon your arrival in the hotels.
  • During the afternoon, you can discuss with your guide which restaurant to book for the evening. On the other hand, it is necessary to respect the reservation time with punctuality.

Your additional services:

  • A pocket WiFi is included in your tour. It allows unlimited and high speed internet access. Your pocket WiFi is available from the assistant at the airport, as well as all the other documents necessary for your stay.
  • It is delivered with a small booklet to make your device work (don't panic: simple operation) and a pre-paid envelope to return your device at the end of your stay. Your pocket WiFi will naturally work until the last day of your trip in Japan.
  • A maximum of 5 devices (phone, tablet, computer) can be connected to a pocket WiFi.
  • One pocket WiFi is provided for a tour order of 1 to 5 people. For an order of 6 people or more, a second WiFi pocket will be added automatically and at no extra cost to your reservation.

Covid measures:

  • Please refer to the website of your embassy or contact them directly to get information about the specific measures concerning your country.

Our commitments as Japan Experience, Europe No. 1 travel in Japan

  • The guarantee of the first tour operator specialized exclusively in Japan for 40 years
  • A wide range of products to let you Experience Japan from the inside
  • Competitive prices thanks to a single team in UK, Europe, USA and Japan, with no intermediaries
  • Assistance available in Japan throughout your trip
  • specialized team is available 7 days a week by phone or email
  • The best advice thanks to the 3,500 articles available on our website

Okaeri Japan Essentials

From
$3,282 per person - 12 days
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