Solo Travel in Japan

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

Welcome through 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, 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).

Unwind in spacious rooms! Unlike many Tokyo hotels, this tour offers rooms sized 16m² (172 sq ft) or larger, ensuring your comfort.

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 avant-garde district ; 
- Meiji Jingû, the imperial sanctuary ;
- Takeshita-Dôri, a must-see street in the capital ; 
- Omotesandô, Tokyo's Champs-Élysées ; 
- Shibuya and its impressive crossroads.

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

In the evening (included activities), your guide will whisk you off for an authentic Japanese dinner at local "izakaya" restaurants, frequented by locals and rarely seen by tourists.

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 chic district ;
- Tsukiji, the small outdoor food market ;
- Hama-rikyû, the Japanese garden between Tokyo's buildings ;
- Asakusa, a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by cruise on the Sumida river ;
- Sensô-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-rikyû Garden and Asakusa, why not enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River ?

In the morning, board a train for Hakone (1h30, 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 will arrive in Hakone in the late morning. Reach Ichinoyu Shinkan ryôkan 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 transportation (train, bus, cable car, and funicular) is included in your package.

If you wish 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 ryôkan 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 ryôkan.

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryôkan.

Take the shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2h40, included in your package) and check into the RAKURO 京都 by THE SHARE HOTELS or equivalent (rooms available from 3pm).

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 lanes of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka ;
- Kôdai-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 7 p.m. to start your 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.

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

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these symbolic sites (optional, from 9:00 to 17:00).

Continue to visit Kyoto heading west :
- Nishiki, Kyoto's culinary market
- Nijo castle, former residence of the shogun
- Arashiyama, to visit the bamboo grove and its monkey mountain

Make the most of our many optional activities:
- Want to enjoy nature? Check out our cycling activities along the Kamogawa River or hiking in the Takao Gorge!
- Prefer Japanese arts? Tea ceremonies, meditation activities or private visits to secret gardens will seduce you.
- Looking for Japanese countryside? Let yourself be tempted by a trip to Ohara, or try our flagship activity: on the Tea Road!

For your last day in Kyoto and its surroundings, we recommend taking the 50 minute journey to Nara, which is included in your package.

Visit Nara, Japan's first fixed capital in the 8th century.
Discover :
- The Kasuga-taisha Shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns ; 
- Tôdai-ji, with its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate ; 
- Kôfuku-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.

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

In the morning, take the convenient highway bus connecting Kyoto and Mount Koya for an easy access to the sacred mountain (included in your package). 

We suggest you to visit : 
- The sumptuous Kongôbu-ji temple ;
- Danjô-Garan, one of the main religious sites of the village.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a traditional vegan dinner and an overnight stay in a temple alongside the monks.

Be aware that Mount Koya's higher altitude often brings cooler temperatures compared to the cities you've already visited.

Traditional vegan breakfast served at the temple.

Temple stays often include the chance to witness a traditional Buddhist ceremony, subject to monk availability. In the morning, explore the historic Okunoin cemetery, a vast necropolis on Mount Koya.

Then, head to Osaka by train (1 changes, included in your Koya-san pass). Once arrived, check-in at Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda or similar category 3* hotel (rooms available from 3pm).

What is there to do in Osaka in 2 days ? We recommend that you start your visit to Osaka slowly, in the northern and eastern districts :

- Osaka's medieval castle, with its park full of plum and cherry trees ;
- The city centre and Nakanoshima Island, with its rose park surrounded by buildings ;
- Utsubo Park, a cool oasis in the business district ;
- Visit Umeda, the temple of Japanese shopping ;
- Finish off 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 to visit the classic sights of Osaka (optional, from 9am to 5pm). 

Immerse yourself in the vibrant Namba district and Dôtonbori Street, Osaka's famed "foodie paradise"! Explore the countless restaurants that earned Osaka its title as Japan's culinary capital.

Gear up for a unique stay! Tonight's adventure unfolds in a capsule hotel, a truly unforgettable experience.

In the morning, leave for Hiroshima. Consider adding a stop in Himeji to marvel at its magnificent UNESCO-listed castle. Alternatively, embark on a day trip to Naoshima Island, a haven for contemporary art. 

Once you're arrived in Hiroshima, check into your 3* Intergate Hotel or same category hotel. Visit the park and the Peace memorial, the castle and its park full of cherry trees before tasting one of Hiroshima's specialities: okonomiyaki!

During the day, learn about the soul-stirring history of Hiroshima on our captivating historic bike tour. Take in all the moving stories and strong character traits that make this legendary city so memorable. 

With the help of a knowledgeable guide who will bring history to life with interesting anecdotes and insights, discover the layers of Hiroshima's past as you pedal through its iconic sites.

Breakfast at the hotel.

A short 30-minute train and boat journey to Miyajima Island, its Itsukushima-jinja shrine and the great Ôtorii gate built into the sea.

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

Return to Hiroshima in the late afternoon

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, head to Okayama by shinkansen (about 40min, included in your package). Check into your hotel located between the station and the castle.

We advise you to head out early to explore the castle and its magnificent Kôraku-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 (included in your package).

Kurashiki, an old commercial metropolis lined with canals will certainly seduce you :
- Bikan, a district with typical architecture ; 
- The Ohara Museum, keeper of paintings by Monet, Matisse, Renoir, among others ;
- The Museum of Popular Arts dedicated to regional history.

In the evening, return to Okayama.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, relax and enjoy a scenic journey back to Tokyo on the shinkansen high-speed train (included in your package).

Once arrived, check into your hotel.

Make the most of this last day to do your last bits of shopping and start packing your bags!

Take a direct transfer to Haneda or Narita 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.

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