Japan in a Few Cities

Today, you leave Tokyo and its urban environment to reach Kamakura, for a quieter break. This coastal town, located about 45 minutes from the capital, offers a setting marked by nature and a peaceful atmosphere. It was the capital of the shogunate for nearly a century, a period that left a religious and historical heritage visible throughout the town.

You discover several emblematic sites there, including Hase Temple of the Jodo school, Kotoku-in temple housing the great bronze Amitabha Buddha built in 1242, as well as the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine.

Back in Tokyo, you share an evening dedicated to Japanese gastronomy. You taste yakiniku, a grilled meat dish appreciated in Japon, in a friendly atmosphere.

The evening continues with a night walk, an opportunity to stroll through lively streets and observe Tokyo in a different atmosphere.

Today, you leave Tokyo to head towards the mountain road. After approximately 1 hour 30 minutes of travel, you arrive in the Hakone region, appreciated for its natural environment and calmer atmosphere. Its proximity to Mount Fuji makes it a recognized stop, as does the presence of natural hot springs.

In this setting conducive to relaxation and contemplation, you enjoy the hot baths while observing the characteristic landscapes of this region of Japon.

You then take a cable car towards the fumaroles of the volcanic valley of Owakudani station, Hakone. From the heights, you benefit from clear viewpoints over the surrounding reliefs and the volcano.

The discovery continues with a boat trip on Lake Ashi, which allows, when visibility permits, you to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the landscape.

You end this stage at altitude in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. There, you enjoy the onsen, or hot springs, in respect of local customs.

In the evening, you taste a seasonal dinner of kaiseki style. The night unfolds in the Japanese manner, on futons laid out on tatami mats.

This morning, you join the center of Hakone to board the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed train. Your destination is The city of Osaka, a major city in the region of Kansai. The train journey takes approximately three hours.

Upon arrival, you notice a contrast with other major cities in the country. This western part of Japon is often associated with a cheerful and lively atmosphere. Among the sites to discover is Osaka Castle, recognizable by its distinctive appearance. Beyond its exterior, it is worth visiting for its museum and the park that surrounds it.

The trendy Umeda district is also one of the areas to explore in the heart of the city, to better understand Osaka's urban dynamism.

As night falls, Osaka changes atmosphere and certain districts become more lively. You can then explore The Namba district, crossed by the famous Dotonbori street and its canal, an area associated with nightlife and neon signs. It is also possible to visit The Shinsekai district, also called the "New World".

These two areas allow you to observe a more alternative and vibrant facet of Osaka's urban culture.

You leave Osaka to reach, by Shinkansen, the city of Hiroshima. After approximately 1 hour 45 minutes of travel, you arrive at your destination.

You then discover the history of the city through a visit to the park of Hiroshima's Peace Memorial. This site includes the Genbaku Dome, a remnant of the atomic bomb, as well as the Peace Museum, which present the events that occurred and the message of peace carried by the place.

Within this space of remembrance, you also explore a carefully landscaped environment, composed of gardens and trees that contribute to the atmosphere of the site.

You continue your itinerary to the sacred island of Miyajima, accessible after approximately 40 minutes by train and boat crossing.

This island is known for its natural setting and for the Itsukushima Shrine, whose vermillion-coloured buildings stand out against the maritime landscape, forming an emblematic ensemble of Japanese heritage.

In the evening, you join your ryokan. There, you enjoy thermal baths before dining with a kaiseki style meal. The night takes place in traditional Japanese sleeping arrangements, on futons laid out on tatami mats.

Early in the morning, we take the Shinkansen to one of the most emblematic cities in Japon : Kyoto.

Once there, you take time to familiarize yourself with this former imperial capital and set out to discover sites that have marked the city's history, including Kiyomizu Temple, the pure water temple perched on the hillside, The Higashiyama district and its shops, as well as the traditional streets of The Gion district.

You then continue to Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its thousands of red torii forming a marked trail through the mountain.

In the evening, you head to Pontocho Street in Kyoto to dine in a traditional restaurant. Along the way, you enjoy the view of the river Pontocho Street in Kyoto that runs through this district. With a bit of luck, you may spot maikos, apprentice geishas, in this area associated with traditional arts.

Today, you enjoy a day of discovery in Nara. Located about 40 minutes from Kyoto, this city was one of the first Japanese capitals in the 8th century and preserves several monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

On site, your visit takes you to the imposing Tōdai Temple, located in the heart of a park where many captive deer live.

You can then continue with a stop at the Japanese garden of Isuien, or head to the shrine-mausoleum of the powerful Fujiwara family, the Kasuga Taisha Nara.

Return by train to Kyoto.

As night falls, you can discover teppanyaki. This type of dinner involves watching the chef grill and sear various ingredients on a hot plate, including Kobe beef. An experience that combines preparation before your eyes and tasting.

Depending on your departure time, you can spend your morning on one last souvenir hunt.

You then head to the international airport of Osaka by train (approximately 1h20 travel time), before boarding your return flight, with the images of your journey through this archipelago in mind.