Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Kyoto
- 10 days
This 10-day Japan tour takes you to Tokyo, Mount Fuji, and Kyoto.
Ideal for a first trip to Japan, this package offers you extraordinary experiences : sleeping on a futon in an authentic inn on the edge of Mount Fuji, a ride on the ultra-fast Shinkansen, a night-time visit to the Geisha district in Kyoto...
Unmissable and unforgettable... and not too expensive !
This 10-day Japan tour takes you to Tokyo, Mount Fuji, and Kyoto.
Ideal for a first trip to Japan, this package offers you extraordinary experiences : sleeping on a futon in an authentic inn on the edge of Mount Fuji, a ride on the ultra-fast Shinkansen, a night-time visit to the Geisha district in Kyoto...
Unmissable and unforgettable... and not too expensive !
10-day itinerary
Our suggestion for the trip :
- visit Tokyo in 3 days
- 1 day and night in a ryokan on Hakone Mount Fuji
- journey to Kyoto by Shinkansen
- visit Kyoto in 3 days
- 1 day excursion to Nara
The first and last day are reserved for your arrival and departure from Japan (and for the last bit of souvenir shopping!).
Like this tour but want to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima ? Then "Classic Japan" is the tour for you!
Why this trip to Japan ?
- Welcomed at the airport by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Kyoto by shuttle bus
- Settle in the heart of Tokyo in your 3* hotel chosen for its comfort and location
- Head to the edge of Mount Fuji for an unforgettable dinner and overnight stay in a ryokan
- Travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto and your 3* hotel that combines Japanese and Western styles
- At nightfall, a guided tour of the traditional geisha quarter awaits you in Kyoto
- Take advantage of unlimited transport to visit Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and surroundings (Nara)
- Recommendations available in your travel diary
- Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
- If necessary, contact our Japanese bilingual English-speaking assistance 24/7
- A number of guided days or other optional activities are available
- On the final day, a shuttle bus will take you from your accommodation to the airport
- Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan.
Your trip in detail
Itinerary
Day 1 : Wake up in Tokyo 東京
Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita or Haneda). Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!
Reception at the exit from Customs in English by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents.
Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo (see details).
Check-in at Hotel B Akasaka Mitsuke or equivalent 3* (rooms available from 15:00)
You can pick up your pocket Wi-Fi at the hotel reception desk.Dinner and evening at your leisure.
Day 2 : First steps in the capital
What is there to do in Tokyo on the first day?
We advise you to slowly start visiting Tokyo from its western districts:
- Harajuku: the avant-garde district
- Meiji Jingû, the imperial shrine
- Takeshita-Dori: the most famous street in Japan
- Omotesando: Tokyo's Champs-Élysées
- Shibuya and its unmistakable "crossroads".One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Tokyo (optional, from 9:00 to 17:00).
Day 3 : The big loop
For this second day of visiting Tokyo, we recommend the following "loop":
Start from Tokyo Central Station, with its original architecture, then go to visit:
- Ginza, Tokyo's chic district
- Tsukiji*, the small outdoor food market
- Hamarikyu, the Japanese garden between Tokyo's buildings
- Asakusa, a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by a cruise on the Sumida River
- Sensô-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in the city
- The road of Nakamise Dôri, a long and narrow street lined with thousand-year-old shops
- Tokyo Sky Tree** and its panoramic view of Tokyo at sunsetEnjoy a cruise on the Sumida River between Hamarikyu and Asakusa.
(*) The "big" Tsukiji market was relocated to Toyosu in October 2018. Only the "external market" remains accessible from now on...
(**) One of the three tallest towers in the world, reaching a height of 643m. In case of bad weather or reduced visibility, Japan Experience reserves the right to replace this visit with another viewing point.
Day 4 : Follow the guide
There are still many places to discover according to your taste ! Ueno, Yanaka, Odaiba...
Don't hesitate to follow the many suggestions in your travel diary.
Or better still, book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to visit 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 Park are waiting for you!
- do you prefer a themed activity? book a visit on an architecture tour, gardens, home cooking or Noh's theatre
- chasing thrills? Let yourself be tempted by a helicopter ride or a sumo tournament (in season)!Day 5 : At the heart of the Japanese soul
In the morning, we advise that you have your luggage sent to the hotel in Kyoto (details in your travel diary, check with the hotel reception) and that you travel light for your night in Hakone.
Go to Shinjuku station to activate your Hakone Free Pass and board a train to Hakone Yumoto (1.5 hour journey, details in your travel guide, all inclusive). The train will gradually leave the Japanese megalopolis behind and head deeper into the valleys of the Mount Fuji region. You will arrive in Hakone in the late morning. Reach your Ichinoyu Shinkan ryokan or equivalent to drop off your small bag and explore the area.
Be charmed by the beautiful scenery of this spa, Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (on a clear day!). Not forgetting the volcanic site of Owakudani, accessible by cable car. All transportation (train, bus, cable car, funicular) is included in your package.
If you wish to be accompanied during this day, one of our English-speaking guides can show you all the secrets of the Mount Fuji region (optional).
Come back to the ryokan in the late afternoon as your traditional Japanese dinner awaits you around 18:30, before enjoying a Japanese-style night!
Details below on the night in the ryokan.Day 6 : On the way to the former capital
Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.
Head to Hakone-Yumoto, then Odawara Station to board one of the fastest trains in the world: the Shinkansen! Travel by Nozomi Shinkansen to Kyoto (direct, approx. 2.5 hours, tickets included). We will try to reserve seats which give a view of Mount Fuji, about 40 minutes from the start!
Check-in at Hotel Tsugu 京都三条 or equivalent 3* (rooms available from 15:00)
You have 3 days to visit Kyoto.
Start in the afternoon in the historic Gion district near your accommodation :- Kiyomizu-Dera, the great water temple
- the historical streets of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka
- Kodai-ji, the maple and bamboo temple of Kyoto
Finish off seeing the sunset in Gion. Meet your guide at 19:00 to start your late stroll around Gion, Kyoto's historic district.
More details on the exact time and location in your travel diary. At the end of this 1 hour 30 walk, your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to eat out! Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take photographs in the historic district of Gion.
Day 7 : Gold and Silver Treasures
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 templeOne of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these symbolic sites (optional, from 9:00 to 17:00).
Day 8 : Now for some activity...
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 mountainThis is your last full day to visit Kyoto, so 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!Day 9 : Between temples and deer
For your last day, we recommend taking the 50 minute journey to Nara, which is included in your package.
Visit to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century:
Discover:
- The Shinto temple Kasuga Taisha and its thousands of lanterns
- The Todaiji, its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate
- Kofukuji temple and its beautiful pagodaReturn to Kyoto and stop for sunset at Fushimi Inari, the huge 10,000 torii sanctuary in Kyoto. If you wish to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides will unveil all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional, return trip from Kyoto).
Day 10 : Sayonara, and see you next time!
Direct transfer to Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).
Return flight to Europe.
Do not hesitate to extend your trip by one or more days to Kansai or elsewhere... we will be able to advise you.
Accommodation
- 4 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of Tokyo, close to public transport
- 1 night in a 3* ryokan in Hakone Mount Fuji, traditional half-board
- 4 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of Kyoto, close to public transport
The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.
Transport
- Airport transfers to Tokyo
- Return airport transfer Kyoto -> KIX
- Prepaid public transport card
- 3-day Tokyo Metro Pass
- Hakone Free Pass for 2 days
- Shinkansen Odawara (Hakone) -> Kyoto, seats reserved, standard class
- 3-day unlimited transport pass in Kyoto and Nara (Kansai Thru Pass)
Experiences and meals
- Airport welcome
- Guided night tour of Gion (1h30)
- Traditional dinner and breakfast in the ryokan at Hakone
- Discounts at many Hakone tourist sites
Additional services
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access with pocket Wi-Fi
- Complete travel diary sent 20 days before your departure
- 24/7 telephone assistance in English and bilingual Japanese
Not included in the price of your trip
- Flights Europe <> Japan
- Optional insurance policies
- Personal expenses including meals (breakfast optional)
- Public transport when your transport cards have run out (see details)
- Anything not included in the "included in your tour" section
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