Romantic tour in Japan

Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND).
Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 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 (see details).

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 time, and 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 take 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).

You will have a double bed in your room for the entire stay, whereas most hotels in Japan only offer twin rooms with 2 single beds.

What to do in Tokyo on your first day

We recommend that you start your visit to Tokyo slowly by visiting the following districts:
- Harajuku, the trendy youth fashion district  
- Meiji Jingu, the imperial shrine 
- Takeshita-Dori, a must-see street in the capital 
- Omotesando, a long, tree-lined avenue often called Tokyo's Champs-Élysées 
- Shibuya and its impressive 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 small outdoor seafood market 
- Hama-rikyu, a Japanese garden between Tokyo's 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 incredible panoramic views of Tokyo at sunset

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

There are so many places to discover depending on your interests! Ueno, Yanaka, Odaiba...

Don't hesitate to book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to explore Tokyo off the beaten path!

Make the most of our many optional activities:
- Are you looking more for fun? Ghibli Museum, Disneyland or Hello Kitty Land are waiting for you!
- Do you prefer a themed activity? Book an architecture tour, Japanese gardens tour, home cooking session or Noh theatre tickets.
- Chasing thrills? Try a helicopter ride or a sumo tournament (in season)!

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

Go to Shinjuku station to activate your Hakone Free Pass and board a train for Hakone Yumoto (1h30 journey, details in your travel guide, fare included). The train leaves the Japanese megalopolis and gradually winds its way through the valleys of the Mount Fuji region. You will arrive in Hakone in the late morning. Reach Ichinoyu Shinkan ryokan (or equivalent) to drop off your bag, and then explore the region.

You'll be charmed by the beautiful scenery of this spa resort, Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (on clear days). Not forgetting the Owakudani volcanic site, accessible by cable car. All transport (train, bus, cable car and funicular) is included in your tour.
If you'd like to be accompanied during this day, one of our English-speaking guides can show you 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 below on the features of the night in a ryokan.
Included : a Japanese-style bathroom in your room

Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

In the morning, head to Okayama by Shinkansen (about 4hrs, one transfer, fare included). Check into your hotel located between the station and the castle.

We recommend that you head out early to explore the castle and the magnificent Koraku-en park, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, before leaving in the middle of the afternoon for the romantic town of Kurashiki, a 17-minute train ride from Okayama (fare included in your Kansai-Hiroshima Pass).

Kurashiki, a former commercial town lined with picturesque canals will certainly charm you:
- Bikan, the historical quarter with Edo-period storehouses, now converted into cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops
- The Ohara Museum, displays paintings by Monet, Matisse, Renoir, and Picasso, among others
- The Museum of Folkcraft, dedicated to regional history

Have 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 Kansai-Hiroshima Pass) and 15 minutes by boat (not included in your Kansai Hiroshima pass, 290 yen p/p 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 the island. Numerous museums and buildings were designed by the architect Ando Tadao. 

Please note that a reservation is required in order to access the Chichu Art Museum, where you can see Monet's Water Lilies, displayed in a simple white room filled with natural light, where you must enter without shoes.

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

Have breakfast at the hotel.

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

Take the Shinkansen to Miyajima (about 1hr15m, one change) then then boat (20 minutes), both included in your Kansai-Hiroshima Pass.

Reach your ryokan near the island's ferry terminal. The time to explore the island has come! Itsukushima-jinja shrine and the great Otorii gate built into the sea are not to be missed.

Take the cable car up to Mount Misen and then come down on foot. Take in the breathtaking view of Hiroshima Bay!

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

Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

If you have time, make a brief stop in Hiroshima (30 minutes by train from Miyajimaguchi Station, included in your Kansai-Hiroshima Pass) and visit the Peace Park and its memorial.

From Hiroshima, head to Kyoto by Shinkansen (about 2hr30m, fare included). From noon onwards, you can settle into your traditional Japan Experience house where a Travel Angel will welcome you. You will stay either in our Kizuna house or in Poem Box, two ideally situated cosy nests for lovers! 

You have 4 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 historic Gion district, and enjoy the sunset.
Meet your guide at 7pm to start your evening walk around Gion.
More details on the exact day and meeting point can be found in your travel guide.

At the end of this 1h30m walk, your guide will be able to recommend the best places for you to eat dinner.
Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take pictures in the historic district of Gion.

We recommend the following itinerary for this second day's visit to Kyoto:
- Ryoan-ji Zen Garden 
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- The bewitching Philosopher's Path
- Nanzen-ji temple

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these symbolic sites (optional, from 9am to 5pm).

Indulge in a truly unique experience at the end of your day with a complimentary shiatsu massage in a traditional Kyoto house. Shiatsu, a cornerstone of traditional Japanese medicine, focuses on applying pressure to improve energy flow and promote relaxation. It's the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring Kyoto! 

Imagine yourselves strolling hand-in-hand through Kyoto's historic districts, clad in beautiful kimonos (or yukata during the warmer months). This included activity lets you experience the charm of Kyoto's past, while creating unforgettable memories together.

There are still so many places to discover in Kyoto :
- Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Arashiyama bamboo grove
- Discover the serene Shimogamo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Unravel the peace and history of the Daitoku-ji temple complex 
- For something more modern, take in the stunning Kyoto Station and its iconic tower

Consider booking an English-speaking guide for a unique off-the-beaten-path adventure in Kyoto. 

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.
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 the Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kyoto's immense shrine of 10,000 torii gates that wind up the mountain

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

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 can 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 intermediate stops, select the "Private Taxi to Airport" option.

Return flight to Europe / North America / Australia.

Alternatively, 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!