Exclusive Japan

  • Duration : 13 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Tokyo

Discover the essence of Japan in all its splendor with our top-of-the-range tour. 

Tokyo, Hakone - Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima: a 2-week itinerary that's sure to win you over. Unmissable destinations, top-quality services and a private guide every day: the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

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13-days / 12-nights itinerary 

  • Departure city/airport: Tokyo (Narita: NRT or Haneda: HND)
  • Tokyo (4 nights)
  • Hakone-Mont Fuji (1 night)
  • Kyoto (4 nights)
  • Hiroshima (1 night)
  • Miyajima (1 night)
  • Tokyo (1 night)
  • Return airport : Tokyo (Narita: NRT or Haneda: HND)

Please see below for the itinerary details.

Tour duration: 12 nights / 13 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you are departing from Europe).

The departure and end dates shown on this page relate to your stay in Japan. Traveling to Japan, you will have to leave Europe the day before. The return flight is on the same day because of the time difference.

Example: 

  • Departure from Europe: 1 January
  • Arrival in Tokyo (date to be selected from the calendar when booking): 2 January
  • Return flight from Tokyo airport (Narita: NRT or Haneda: HND): 13 January

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Why choose this trip to Japan?

  • Greeted at the airport by staff, then a private transfer direct to your hotel
  • 12 nights in 4* hotels selected by us, including 2 ryokan in Hakone and Miyajima
  • All breakfasts included as well as two traditional dinners in the ryokan
  • Different private guides will be with you every day to reveal the secrets of Japan (except on free days).
  • 3 activities included: entry to the Tokyo Sky Tree, a private tea ceremony with kimono hire, and a Shiatsu massage
  • Discover Tokyo, the unmissable capital of a cosmopolitan metropolis
  • Take a minibus tour of Kamakura before heading to Hakone (Mount Fuji)
  • Enjoy an incredible stay in Kyoto, and take the opportunity to discover Nara
  • Go to Hiroshima and visit the sacred island of Miyajima
  • Take advantage of a variety of transport passes: Japan Rail Green Pass (1st class), Hakone Free Pass, Prepaid Travel Card, an unlimited transport pass in the Kansai region...
  • Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to a pocket wifi
  • If needed, contact our bilingual Japanese/English-speaking assistance team available every day
  • Numerous guided days and other optional activities
  • Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, France's leading Japan travel agency, at all times.

Program

  • Day 1 : Waking up in Tokyo 東京

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

    You'll be welcomed after exiting customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.
    Enjoy a private transfer from the airport to Tokyo (see details).

    Check-in to the Blossom Hotel Shinjuku, or equivalent 4* hotel.

  • Day 2 : First steps in the capital

    Breakfast at your hotel.

    Your guide will pick you up at 9am from your hotel lobby for a guided tour of the capital (below are examples of sites to visit, the exact itinerary will be decided jointly with your guide on the day) : 

    - Harajuku and Takeshita-dori: the trendy youth district full of crazy fashion and crepe stands
    - Meiji Jingu, the imperial shrine
    - Omotesando, a tree-lines shopping avenue often called Tokyo's Champs-Élysées
    - Shibuya and its iconic pedestrian crossing

    Daily travel is by public transport and on foot.

  • Day 3 : At the heart of the Japanese soul

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Departure for a guided day tour of Tokyo (examples of sites to visit, itinerary to be decided jointly with your guide on the day):

    - Tsukiji, the bustling outdoor food market
    - Hamarikyu, the peaceful Japanese garden nestled between Tokyo's tall buildings
    - Asakusa, a traditional district, and its Senso-ji Buddhist temple, a place of pilgrimage

    Climb to the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree for an unforgettable view of the capital! At a height of 634 metres, the Tokyo Sky Tree is the world's tallest unsupported telecommunications tower and the second-tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa.

    Stay another night in Tokyo.

    The day's travel is on foot and by public transport.

  • Day 4 : Free day

    Free day: Discover Tokyo at your own pace! You can visit the many other monuments and interesting sites in and around the capital. You will not have a guide on this day.

    Here are some of our recommendations:

    - Yanaka, an old area reminiscent of the Tokyo from past decades
    - Ueno, where the last samurai held out, and its park full of cherry trees
    - Akihabara, the electronic and manga district
    - Odaiba, the futuristic entertainment island in Tokyo Bay

    Don't hesitate to contact us later if you'd like to book other activities. 

    Stay another night in Tokyo.

  • Day 5 : Excursion to Kamakura and departure for Hakone-Mont Fuji

    Breakfast at your hotel before check out.

    Luggage transfer to Kyoto, organised by Japan Experience (1 piece of luggage per person).
    Pack a small bag for the night in Hakone - Mount Fuji (details will be in your travel pack). 

    Depart from your hotel by minivan with your guide to discover Kamakura. Often referred to as the "city of the samurai", Kamakura is the former political capital of Japan. 

    Some of the oldest Zen temples in the country can be found in this city: 

    - The five mountain temples: Kencho-ji, Engaku-ji, Jufuku-ji, Tokei-ji and Zuisen-ji
    - Tokei-ji, a Rinzai Zen temple known as the "Temple of Divorce" 
    - Zuisen-ji, famous for its daffodils and Zen rock garden
    - Hokoku-ji, known as the "bamboo temple"
    - The Great Bronze Buddha

    At the end of the afternoon, the minibus will drop you off with the guide at the ryokan - Hakone Yutowa or another ryokan of the same quality.  

    Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner, and stay overnight in Hakone.

    Daily travel is by minivan and on foot.

  • Day 6 : En route to the ancient capital

    Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast at your ryokan.

    Visit Hakone with your guide: 

    You'll be charmed by the magnificent scenery of this hot spring town: Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (on a clear day). Not forgetting the Owakudani volcanic site, accessible by cable car.

    Then head to Odawara to catch a Shinkansen train to Kyoto! (travel included in your Green Japan Rail Pass)

    Once you arrive in Kyoto, our assistant will collect you from the station and accompany you to your hotel.

    Check in to your hotel in the heart of Japan's historic capital, Genji Kyoto or another equivalent standard 4* hotel.

    Daily travel is by train, car and on foot.

  • Day 7 : Japanese culture and well-being

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

    Depart for a guided day in Kyoto (below are examples of sites to visit, the itinerary will be decided jointly with your guide on the day):

    - Ryoan-ji Zen rock garden
    - Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion
    - The spellbinding Philosopher's Path
    - Kinkaku-ji,the Gold Pavilion
    - The historic district of Gion
     

    On this day you will have two activities: 

    - Experience a traditional private tea ceremony, complete with kimono hire, in one of Kyoto's most authentic districts. Taste delicious matcha tea and discover the intricacies of this ancient art in one of the city's best tea houses.

    - Relax during a shiatsu Japanese massage, which literally translates as "finger pressure". Shiatsu is known to have many benefits, such as reducing stress, stimulating the immune system, balancing the energy system and relaxing the body and mind.

    Stay overnight in Kyoto.

    Daily travel is by public transport and on foot.

     

  • Day 8 : Free day

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

    Free day: enjoy the many wonders of the ancient capital at your own pace. You will not have a guide on this day.

    We recommend you visit:
    - Nijo Castle, former residence of the shogun
    - Arashiyama, to visit the bamboo grove and its monkey mountain
    - Fushimi Inari, world-famous for its thousands of sacred Japanese gates, the red torii, set in a rows on a vast hill. 
    - Kiyomizu-dera, the great water temple

    Don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to book any other activities. 

    Stay overnight in Kyoto.

  • Day 9 : Between temples and deer

    Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. 

    Day trip to the former capital!

    Your guide will collect you from the hotel in the morning to take you to Kyoto station, where you will catch the train to Nara (included in your Japan Rail Green Pass).

    Visit Nara, Japan's first fixed capital in the 8th century: 
    - Todaiji temple, with its large bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon Gate
    - Kofukuji temple and its delightful pagoda 
    - The long path lined with stone lanterns leading to Kasuga-taisha shrine
    - The picturesque Naramachi district 

    Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon and stay overnight.

    Daily travel is by train and on foot.

  • Day 10 : Visit a city shaped by history

    Breakfast at the hotel. 

    Continue your guided tour of Kyoto with your guide: 

    - Nishiki, Kyoto's culinary market
    - Shosei-en, a Japanese garden attached to Higashi Honganji temple

    Your guide will drop you off at Kyoto station to take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima (included in your Green Japan Rail Pass).

    Upon arrival, you will be met by a new guide at Hiroshima station.

    You will then set off to discover the city, shaped by history: 

    - The Genbaku dome, the lone surviving structure after Hiroshima was bombed, is a must-see.
    - The Shukkei-en Japanese garden
    - Hiroshima's beautiful castle, steeped in history 
    - Mitaki-dera Buddhist temple and its three waterfalls
    - The Hondori district and its shopping street

    Check-in at the Rhiga Hotel or another 4* hotel of equivalent quality.

    Overnight in Hiroshima

    Daily travel is by train and on foot.

  • Day 11 : En route to the sacred island!

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

    Luggage transfer to Tokyo organised by Japan Experience (1 piece of luggage per person).
    (Pack a small bag for your night in Miyajima, details will be in your travel pack).

    If you want to immerse yourself in history, don't miss a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a symbol of hope and resilience.

    Ferry trip to Miyajima. 

    Stroll around this magnificent island known for its iconic torii gate in the water! Here are our recommendations: 

    - Itsukushima-jinja
    - Senjokaku Pavilion
    - Hike to Mount Misen 

    Spend the night at Iwaso Ryokan or another ryokan of the same quality (on or opposite the island) and enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner.

    Daily travel is by public transport (train, tram, ferry) and on foot.

  • Day 12 : Back to the capital

    Enjoy a traditional breakfast at the ryokan. 

    Take in one last soothing moment on this beautiful island before setting off again. You can pass through Omotesando, Miyajima's main street, dedicated to restaurants, bars and souvenir shops.

    Travel by ferry and train to Hiroshima station, to catch the Shinkansen in the early afternoon. 

    Travel back to Tokyo (included in your Japan Rail Green Pass).

    Once you arrive in Tokyo, our assistant will collect you from the station, and accompany you to your hotel.

    Check-in to the Blossom Hotel Shinjuku, or equivalent 4* hotel.

    Spend the night in Tokyo

    Daily travel is by public transport (ferry, train) and on foot.

  • Day 13 : Sayonara and here's to your next trip!

    Have breakfast at your hotel before checking out. 

    Private transfer to Tokyo airport (see details below).

    Return flight to your home country.

    Or if you'd prefer to extend your trip, in Tokyo or elsewhere, please let us know. We would be happy to advise you!

    Included in your tour

  • Accomodation

    - 4 nights in a 4* hotel in the heart of Tokyo, close to a subway station

    - 1 night in a 4* ryokan in Hakone - Mount Fuji

    - 4 nights in a 4* hotel in the heart of Kyoto, close to public transport

    - 1 night in a 4-star hotel in Hiroshima, between the park and the castle

    - 1 night in a 4* ryokan in Miyajima (on or opposite the island, depending on availability)

    - 1 night in a 4* hotel in the heart of Tokyo, close to a subway station

    The basic rate is based on a twin room for two people. All breakfasts are included.

  • Transports

    - Private airport transfers to and from Tokyo

    - Green Japan Rail Pass, 7 days (First Class)

    - All minivan journeys mentioned (see tour details)

    - Pre-loaded public transport card (Suica or Pasmo)

    - 3-day unlimited transport pass for the Kansai region 

    - Hakone Free Pass

    - 2 Luggage transfers (see tour details)

  • Services

    - Private airport pick-up

    - Private guide every day (except on free days)

    - All breakfasts 

    - Traditional dinner at the ryokans in Hakone and Miyajima

    - Private tea ceremony with kimono hire

    - Shiatsu massage

  • Supplementary benefits

    - Unlimited wifi access with pocket wifi

    - Full digital travel diary sent before your departure

    - Telephone assistance in English, available daily from 8am to 10pm

    - Pre-departure cancellation insurance subject to conditions, and on-site assistance subject to conditions

  • Not included in the price of your trip

    - Flights Europe <> Japan

    - Personal expenses (including meals and free days)

    - Public transport not covered by your passes (see details below)

    - Anything not included in the "included in your tour" section

Find out more

Your tour:

  • The prices shown on this page may vary according to the Japanese Yen exchange rate.
  • Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
  • Pets are not accepted.
  • Children and babies are accepted. From 3 to 11 years, a child rate is available. They will be offered a standard adult bed in each accommodation and a standard seat on public transport. A "baby" rate is available for children aged 0 to 2 inclusive. This rate corresponds to the allocation of a cot in most of the accommodation on the chosen tour. However, we cannot guarantee a cot in every accommodation.
  • This programme may be subject to change due weather conditions or any other case of force majeure. Please note that any information mentioned is subject to change or adaptation.
  • You will receive your travel documents as follows:
  • Digital travel guide by e-mail before departure
  • Paper documents (Prepaid transport card, Japan Rail Pass voucher) and Pocket WiFi on arrival at the airport from our airport assistant.
  • In very rare cases, mainly during the very high season, some stages may be reversed. You will be informed of this in your travel guide. Thank you for your understanding.

Your accommodation:

  • Some hotels may ask you to pay a tourist tax on arrival. This depends on the town and even the hotel, as some do not include it in the cost of the reservation. It generally amounts to ¥200/night/person (around €1.60) but may be slightly higher in 4-star hotels. It must be paid in cash at the hotel reception. For traditional Japan Experience accommodation, it is included in the initial price of the tour.
  • Room size: in Japan, a densely populated country where everything is small, 4-star hotels have classic twin rooms of around 25m2.  For even more comfort, you can choose our 5* accommodation upgrade option.
  • Double room: rooms in Western hotels have 2 single beds as standard (twin rooms), which can usually be placed closer together. As an option, you can select a double room instead of a twin if you want a double bed.
  • Single room: People travelling alone and/or wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. Please note that single room supplements for orders of more than 2 people will be applied in all accommodation except ryokans (3 and 4*). As this is traditional accommodation, people with the same reservation are grouped together in spacious rooms that can accommodate up to 5 people.
  • 3-person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the single supplement, you will be allocated a triple room.
  • In the case of a group order (> 5 people), it is possible, depending on hotel availability, that not all members of the group will be accommodated in the same hotel. We will of course aim to situate you as close to each other as possible.
  • Hotel names: The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, a hotel of equivalent quality will be provided.
  • The ryokan have comfortable futons, either raised on western beds or in a traditional tatami mat room. The bathrooms and toilets in 4* ryokans are private.

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Your transport:

  • Flights are not included in this tour. Please contact us if you wish to include flights in your order: economy class flights with stopovers or direct flights, air upgrades to eco-premium or business, departures from the provinces or abroad: we will be able to advise you.
  • The departure and end dates shown on this page are for your stay in Japan. You will arrive in Japan via Tokyo (Narita or Haneda airports) and depart from Tokyo as well. On departure, you will need to leave Europe the day before and land at 6.30pm at the latest to make the most of your tour's airport services (welcome and transfer to Tokyo). You return the same day, given the favourable time difference, with a latest take-off time of 9am. Please contact us if you are unsure or need any clarification on the choice of international flights. If the flights have been purchased by you, independent of Japan Experience, you must send us your flight details (flight number, airport, date and time of arrival) by email 1 month before your departure to enable us to organise your welcome and airport transfers
  • Airport transfers: Your private transfer from the airport will be non-stop and directly after the scheduled arrival of your flight. Please note that due to the large number of changes to flight times by airlines, if you are notified of a change to your arrival time less than 72 hours before your departure, and the change exceeds 45 minutes, we cannot guarantee your airport shuttle. In this case, you will have to take a taxi at your own expense, requesting a refund from your airline for an abusive schedule change. The same applies to your return journey: 72 hours before your return flight, we cannot change the shuttle schedule. In the same way, you will have to take a taxi booked with the hotel, at your own expense, with reimbursement from the airline being the only solution. Japan Experience accepts no responsibility in the event of last minute changes to the schedule.
    Included in your tour are a pre-loaded ¥1500 (approx €12) transport pre-payment card (Suica or Pasmo brand), a Kansai area unlimited transport pass (3 days), a 7-day Japan Rail Pass (Green) and a Hakone Free Pass. These passes should cover most of the journeys during your stay. Howver once the ¥1,500 transport pre-payment card has run out of credit, you will be responsible for all travel by recharging the card (at ticket machines in virtually all train stations and underground stations).
    A metro ticket in Tokyo costs around €2, the price varies according to the length of the journey.
    If a person taking part in the tour is of Japanese nationality and a resident in Japan, or is a foreigner residing in Japan for tax purposes (including students), they will not be able to benefit from the price shown as they are unfortunately not eligible for the JR Pass or Kansai area pass. Please contact us to obtain the price of the tour without this pass. This person will have to buy the train tickets for the tour directly in Japan. If this person is a Japanese national but not a resident of Japan, then he or she may qualify for the JR Pass under certain conditions (see https://www.japan-experience.com/transportation/japan-rail-pass).
  • Luggage transport: Only one item of luggage per person is permitted, and it may not exceed 30kg. If you have extra or heavier luggage, you will have to pay an additional fee.

Your activities:

  • The airport welcome is in English. Your airport assistant will be waiting for you at the customs exit with a sign bearing the name you used when booking. He will give you your travel documents, and take you to the airport transfer point. He will not accompany you to Tokyo (this is possible, but an optional extra).
  • For activities included in the tour, we will provide you with the schedule and access information in your digital travel guide.

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Your meals:

  • The traditional Japanese dinner and Japanese breakfast included in your tour of Hakone and Miyajima are predominantly savoury. Please let us know when booking if you have any food intolerances, and we will pass them on to the ryokan staff so that they can take them into account when trying to adapt the meals. If the ryokan cannot take the dietary restrictions transmitted by Japan Experience into account, we cannot be held responsible and no refund of meals will be given.

Additional services:

  • A pocket wifi is included in the tour price. It provides unlimited high-speed Internet access. Your Pocket WiFi will be given to you upon arrival at the airport.
  • It comes with a small user guide (don't panic: it's simple) and a pre-paid envelope for returning the device at the end of your trip. Your pocket wifi will work until the last day of your tour.
  • A maximum of 5 devices (phone, tablet, computer) at a time can be connected to one pocket wifi.
  • A single pocket wifi is provided for a tour order of 1 to 5 people. For a booking of 6 people or more, a second pocket wifi will be added automatically, at no extra cost to your booking.

When booking, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:

  • Japan Experience Flex : 

Pre-departure cancellation insurance subject to conditions.


  • Japan Experience Protect :

Pre-departure cancellation insurance subject to conditions, and on-site assistance subject to conditions. COVID protection is included.

Frequently asked questions

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

  • The guarantee of the first tour operator specialising exclusively in Japan, for over 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
  • specialist team is available 7 days a week, by phone or email
  • The best advice thanks to the 3,500 articles available on our website

Exclusive Japan

From
$6,950 per person - 12 nights
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