Slow Travel Japan

Arrival at Tokyo Airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND).

Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ！

Reception at customs exit by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.

Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo.

This transfer is by shuttle or shared bus, with other customers going to the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival, and stops may be made before your hotel.

If you would like a private transfer, with no stops and directly after your flight's actual arrival, please choose the "Private taxi from the airport" option.

For your first day in Tokyo, we recommend visiting:

• Harajuku, the trendy district for young people
• Meiji Jingu, the grand imperial shrine
• Takeshita-dori, Tokyo's must-see street
• Omotesando, Tokyo's "Champs-Élysées"
• Shibuya and its famous intersection

End your day on a high note with an evening stroll through Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's most important neighborhoods. Meet your guide in the early evening for a unique 90-minute walk, during which you will pass through Kabukicho and Golden Gai, among other places.

For your second day of sightseeing, we suggest visiting:

• Ginza, the chic district
• Tsukiji, the food market
• Hama-rikyu, a Japanese garden nestled between skyscrapers
• Asakusa, the traditional district of the capital
• The Buddhist temple Senso-ji
• Tokyo Skytree, the panoramic tower

If you want to escape the urbanization of Tokyo:

• Kamakura: This small coastal town, 45 minutes by train from Tokyo, was once the capital of the shoguns. The Great Buddha of Kamakura is the symbol of the city. Our English-speaking guides can help you discover this city steeped in history.
• Nikko. Set in lush green surroundings, these religious complexes are a must-see when visiting Japan and are very popular with both Japanese people and tourists.

Feel free to check out our "Activities in Tokyo" which you can book directly on our website.

In the morning, you can send your luggage to your hotel in Kyoto so that you can travel light for your two days in Hakone and board a train to Hakone. You will arrive in the early afternoon.

Let yourself be seduced by the magnificent landscapes of the spa resort, Lake Ashi with its view of Mount Fuji, and the volcanic site of Owakudani, accessible by cable car.

Return to the ryôkan in the late afternoon, where your traditional Japanese dinner will be waiting for you around 6:30 p.m., before spending a night in Japanese style!

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

Enjoy the view of the surrounding nature and get ready for a relaxing day:

• Start your exploration with a visit to a famous Japanese garden: Hakone Gora Park. Stroll through this beautiful green space, admire the flowers and peaceful ponds.
• Visit the wonderful Hakone Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of Japanese and Western artworks, displayed in a serene and elegant setting. Take your time to appreciate the art exhibitions.
• Head to Chokoku no Mori, Hakone's open-air museum, which houses another collection of modern and contemporary artworks in a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. Enjoy the outdoor sculptures and relax in the museum's outdoor hot springs (onsen) (optional).

End your day on a high note by returning to your ryokan for dinner.

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

In the morning, travel to Kyoto by bullet train.

Start the afternoon with:

• Kiyomizu-dera, the great temple of water;
• The historic alleys of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka;
• Kôdai-ji, Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo.

End your day with a stroll and enjoy the sunset.

Meet your guide in the early evening to begin your nighttime stroll through Gion, Kyoto's historic district (you will find more details about the exact day and meeting place in your travel guide).

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

• The Zen garden at Ryôan-ji;
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion);
• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
• The enchanting Philosopher's Walk;
• Nanzen-ji Temple.

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

Take a guided minibus tour to Uji, famous for producing the best matcha in Japan. Accompanied by a guide, travel through the Japanese countryside, pass by green tea fields, and meet local producers.

Along the way, traditional rural houses called minka appear as the landscape becomes increasingly lush. You will then discover one of the most important places for Japanese tea and stroll on foot through green valleys, often populated by monkeys.

Taste several varieties of tea, learn about their subtleties, and share a warm moment with enthusiasts. At the end of the day, return to Kyoto with a new perspective on each cup of green tea.

Here are some ideas for excursions around Kyoto:

• Hikone, a little gem nestled on the shores of Lake Biwa, home to one of the few original Japanese castles still in existence and one of the most charming (30 minutes by train, covered by your JR Pass).
• Miyama, nicknamed "the beautiful mountain," with its thatched-roof houses, crafts, and rural specialties.
• Lake Biwa (20 minutes by train, covered by your JR Pass) for its landscapes and shrines scattered along its shores. But the lake has another hidden treasure: its beaches! Located mainly on the western shore, they offer several kilometers of light sand shaded by pine trees, as well as the promise of swimming in warm, clear water... without the inconvenience of salt water!

For your last day in Kyoto, we recommend traveling to Nara (50 minutes away, included in your JR Pass).

Visit Nara, Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century.

Discover:

• The Kasuga-taisha Shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns;
• Tôdai-ji, its great bronze Buddha, and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate;
• Kôfuku-ji temple and its charming pagoda

Return to Kyoto for sunset at Fushimi Inari-taisha, the immense shrine with 10,000 torii gates in Kyoto.

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

Continue your tour of Kyoto by heading west:

• Nishiki, Kyoto's food market
• Nijo Castle, the former residence of the shogun
• Arashiyama, with its bamboo forest and monkey mountain

It's your last full day in Kyoto, so why not make the most of our many optional activities:

• Want to enjoy nature? Discover our bike rides along the Kamo River or our hikes in the Takao Gorge
• If you're more interested in Japanese arts, you'll love our tea ceremony, our meditation activities, or our tours of secret gardens.
• If you want to discover the Japanese countryside, treat yourself to an excursion to Ohara

Head to Osaka, just 25 minutes away, and drop off your belongings at your hotel.

We recommend starting your visit to Osaka gently, in the northern and eastern districts:

• Osaka Castle, popular for its many plum and cherry trees;
• The city center and Nakanoshima Island, famous for its rose garden surrounded by skyscrapers;
• Utsubo Park, a refreshing oasis in the heart of the business district;
• Visit Umeda, the temple of Japanese shopping;
• Finish with the Umeda Sky Building at dusk for a 360° view of Kansai (including Kyoto on a clear day!).

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you during the day.

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

• Osaka Kaiyûkan Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium by volume
• The Tennoji district and its Shitenno-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Japan
• Spa World, Japan's largest hot spring (onsen)
• Shinseikai, with its retro charm
• DenDen machi, the techie village
• Finish with Dotonbori, the liveliest district

For lunch, we recommend takoyaki, one of the city's specialties!

You can stop off at Himeji (about 35 minutes, included in your JR Pass) on your way to Okayama to admire the famous "White Heron Castle" before continuing on to Okayama.

Take a stroll through the magnificent Korakuen Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Japan. Okayama is also home to many fascinating museums: the Prefectural Museum, the Art Museum, and the Museum of Oriental Art.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Head to Kurashiki, 17 minutes by train from Okayama.

An ancient merchant town crisscrossed by canals, Kurashiki is sure to charm you with:

• Bikan, an iconic district featuring traditional architecture;
• The Ohara Museum of Art, which houses works by Monet, Matisse, Renoir, and others;
• A pleasant boat ride along the canals;
• The opportunity to find the perfect pair of jeans, a local pride, or taste the original denim ice cream in Kojima.

In the morning, head to Hiroshima. You can also take a day trip to Naoshima Island, a paradise for contemporary art (optional).

Once you arrive in Hiroshima, check into your hotel and settle in. Then visit the park and Peace Memorial, the castle and its cherry blossom park (depending on the season) before sampling one of Hiroshima's specialties: okonomiyaki!

During the day, immerse yourself in the captivating history of Hiroshima on our guided bike tour (optional). Discover the moving stories and strong character traits that make this legendary city an unforgettable place.

Accompanied by an experienced guide who will bring history to life with fascinating anecdotes and information, explore Hiroshima's iconic sites and discover the different facets of its past as you cycle through the city.

Breakfast at the hotel.

It's time to explore the island! The Itsukushima-jinja shrine and its grand Ôtorii gate standing in the sea are a must-see.

Take the cable car up Mount Misen and walk back down. A breathtaking view of Hiroshima Bay awaits you!

Don't miss the Daisho-in Buddhist temple, nestled among the trees at the foot of Mount Misen. The grounds are home to hundreds of Buddhist statues scattered throughout the pavilions and paths.

At the end of the afternoon, head back to Hiroshima.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, relax and enjoy the return trip to Tokyo on the Shinkansen. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and make the most of these last few days to finish your shopping and start packing your bags!

Spend your afternoon taking a trip back in time:

• Yanaka, old Tokyo
• Ueno, the site of the last samurai resistance, and its park filled with cherry trees
• Akihabara, the electronics and manga district
• Odaiba, the island of futuristic entertainment in Tokyo Bay

Your journey is coming to an end, but it is far from over.

To make the most of your stay, we offer a wide range of exciting optional activities:

• Looking for fun? The Harry Potter Studio, Disneyland, or Hello Kitty Park await you.
• Do you prefer themed experiences? Choose between an architectural tour, a stroll through a Japanese garden, a home cooking class, or even tickets to a Noh theater performance.
• Looking for thrills? Take a panoramic helicopter tour or attend a sumo tournament (seasonal)!
• Fancy a day trip? Just 45 minutes away by train is Kamakura, a charming coastal town steeped in history.

Direct transfer to Narita or Haneda International Airport (included but unaccompanied).

If you prefer a private transfer at a time of your choosing, directly to the airport and without any stops along the way, select the "Private taxi to the airport" option.

Return flight to your home country, but feel free to extend your stay for a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... we will be happy to help!