Japan, an island with a thousand facets

Today, we leave Tokyo behind with its neighborhoods, its alleyways and its amazing urban sites and head off for a zen break in a calm place: Kamakura.

We reach this coastal city located approximately 45 minutes from the capital to enjoy its nature and peaceful atmosphere. It was for about a century the capital of the shogunate.

There are interesting Buddhist temples there including Hase Temple of the Jodo school; that of Kotoku-in with its great bronze Amitabha Buddha built in 1242, and the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine.

Back in Tokyo, you experience an evening dedicated to gastronomy. You take advantage of this moment around a yakiniku, a meat grill, to discover another facet of Japanese culinary culture.

You then extend the evening with a night stroll through lively streets, a pleasant way to feel the urban atmosphere and the energy of the capital as night falls.

You board the famous Japanese high-speed train, the Shinkansen, in Tokyo, for a journey of approximately three hours towards Kanazawa, a city facing the Sea of Japon.
This ancient city is characterized by its significant craft heritage. It is recognized for the diversity of its traditional arts, notably Kaga-nui embroideries, Yuzen silk dyeing techniques, gold leaf work, Wagasa umbrellas, as well as its local toys.

Once there, you discover several major sites in the city. You explore Nagamachi, known for its Samurai district, its maze of ochre-walled alleyways, as well as the Nomura family house and the Kenrokuen garden.

You continue with Omicho and its fish market, then with Higashi Chaya, famous for its Geisha district and its old tea houses.

As night falls, you experience a culinary adventure typical of the region by tasting a seafood dish, notably crab, appreciated throughout the country.

Early in the morning, you join the train station of Kanazawa. You take a coach for a journey of about one hour towards the village of Shirakawa.
This Japanese locality attracts with its traditional dwellings. These gasshô-zukuri houses with thatched roofs, designed to withstand heavy snowfall, feature distinctive architecture.

Nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps, these constructions more than two centuries old are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

You resume the coach to continue towards Takayama or Hida. After approximately one hour of driving at altitude, you reach this village of carpenters with wooden houses.
You stroll there to appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of the locality and the mountainous setting that surrounds it.

You finish this high-altitude stage in a Les Ryokan, traditional Japanese inns, a traditional Japanese inn. You enjoy its Les onsen, Japanese hot springs, the hot springs, before spending the night in the Japanese way, on futons laid out on tatami mats.

This morning, you join Osaka city by train, the capital of the region of Kansai.

Upon your arrival, you notice a contrast with other major cities in the country. This western part of Japon is known for its cheerful, festive and playful atmosphere.

Among the places to discover is the Osaka Castle, recognizable by its distinctive appearance. The site is worth visiting for its museum and park. The Umeda district represents another point of interest located in the heart of the city center.

When night falls, Osaka awakens in celebration and several districts come alive. You can then explore the Namba district, crossed by the famous Dotonbori street and its canal.

You also have the option to visit the Shinsekai district, also called the "New World". These two places illustrate the marginal and electric culture of Osaka and contribute to the city's nighttime atmosphere.

You leave Osaka to reach the coast, which you follow towards the west.

Along the way, you stop in Himeji, a city known for its medieval Japanese castle, nicknamed the White Heron and inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage list. This building dates back to the era of the Ashikaga shoguns (14th–16th centuries).

After this visit, you resume the Shinkansen and reach Hiroshima in approximately one hour.

You then set out to discover the city's history. You begin with the park of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which houses the Genbaku Dome, a remnant of the atomic bomb, as well as the Peace Museum. These places present the events that marked the region and bear witness to the desire to see nuclear weapons disappear.
Within this space, you also observe the surrounding setting, where there are gardens and cherry trees that contribute to the atmosphere of the site.

This evening, you can discover a local specialty by tasting an okonomiyaki, a typical filled pancake from the region.

Early in the morning, you continue your journey towards the sacred island of Miyajima, which you reach after approximately 40 minutes by train and boat crossing.
This peninsula is appreciated for its landscape, marked by the Itsukushima Shrine, whose vermillion red buildings stand out against the blue of the sea, offering a visual ensemble characteristic of the place.

You continue with a stroll through the island's alleys to the cable car. You then take a seat in a cabin to reach the heights of Mount Misen. From this vantage point, you observe an open view over the inland sea.

In the evening, you reach your ryokan. There, you enjoy its hot springs before savoring a kaiseki meal. You spend the night in traditional Japanese bedding, on futons laid out on tatami mats.

Early in the morning, you take the Shinkansen heading to Kyoto, a major city in the history and culture of Japon.

Once there, you take time to familiarize yourself with this former imperial capital before setting off to discover places that have marked the city's history. You visit Kiyomizu Temple, the pure water temple perched on hillsides, then The Higashiyama district and its shops, as well as the traditional streets of Gion.
You then continue towards theFushimi Inari Shrine to observe its thousands of red torii forming a marked trail through the mountain.

In the evening, you head to Pontocho Street in Kyoto to find a traditional restaurant. Along the way, you enjoy the view of the Kamo River. Depending on encounters, it is possible to glimpse maikos, apprentice geishas.

Today, you enjoy a day of discovery in Nara, located approximately 40 minutes from Kyoto. This city, which was one of the first Japanese capitals in the 8th century, is home to several monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
On site, you notably visit the imposing Tōdai Temple, located in a park where many deer live. You can then stop at the Japanese garden of Isuien or at the Fujiwara family shrine-mausoleum, the Kasuga Taisha Nara.

Train ride back to Kyoto.

At nightfall, you can discover teppanyaki. This dinner consists of watching the chef grill and sear various ingredients on a hot plate, including Kobe beef. A culinary experience that is both visual and gustatory.

Depending on your departure time, you can spend your morning shopping for souvenirs.

You then take the train to the international airport ofOsaka (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes travel time). You board your return flight, taking with you the memories of your experiences in Japon.