Japanese gardens

Activités du voyage

Un condensé d'activités pour agrémenter votre voyage et vous laisser des souvenirs inoubliables. N'hésitez pas à consulter nos spécialistes pour plus d'informations !

Activities recommended in Tokyo

Watch a Kabuki performance

Watch a Kabuki performance

Watch a Kabuki performance, a theatrical art typical to Japan. In beautiful sets representing traditional Japanese landscapes, the actors – all men – wear extremely elaborate costumes and make-up and act, sing, dance and play musical instruments to the delight of the crowd. This show is rich in colour and full of poetry – let it transport you to another world!

Odaiba Ferris Wheel

Odaiba Ferris Wheel

Go up on the Ferris Wheel on the artificial island of Odaiba! You will have an amazing view of the city of Tokyo and Tokyo Bay! In the evening, you will be delighted by the beauty of Rainbow Bridge.

Dinner and Cruise in Tokyo Bay

Dinner and Cruise in Tokyo Bay

Cruise Tokyo Bay in the evening aboard a Yakatabune, a Japanese-style boat dating back centuries, and admire the lights of the Odaiba district, on an artificial island, as well as those of the Rainbow Bridge, which light up the bay and its little islands. You will be served a traditional Japanese tempura dinner: vegetables, seafood or meat fried in a delicate batter that literally melt in your mouth. A delight for the taste buds!

Tea ceremony and Kaiseki dinner

Tea ceremony and Kaiseki dinner

Experience an authentic three-hour tea ceremony performed by tea master Soryu Maruyama. Discover all the steps of the ceremony, from preparing the tea to drinking it, Kaiseki-style. An incredible experience that will bring you closer to one of the most traditional Japanese arts following a meticulously codified ritual that enhances the beauty of each movement.

Cruise on the river Sumida in Tokyo

Cruise on the river Sumida in Tokyo

Discover Tokyo in a different way by taking a cruise on the river Sumida that flows through Tokyo! For 40 minutes, you will enjoy a unique panorama of the city and will be able to observe all the buildings that make Tokyo an incredible city! The river Sumida is 27 kilometres long and is crossed by 26 bridges, which are all built in a different architectural style. Keep your camera close at hand for stunning pictures of the city and its bay.

Ghibli Museum in Mitaka

Ghibli Museum in Mitaka

Enter into the wonderful world of the greatest manga artist in Japan: Hayao Miyazaki, father of the adorable Totoro and mischievous Chihiro. Take a look behind the scenes of a manga production and walk into the master’s office where you can view beautiful original drawings. In a giant Cat Bus, the children will enjoy viewing an original, unaired twenty-minute animated film. A must-see! This activity is also offered with an English-speaking guide on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:40 p.m. to 6 p.m. – 62 Euros (about 53 GBP)

Watch a sumo match in Tokyo

Watch a sumo match in Tokyo

Experience a unique holiday by watching a sumo match, a traditional Japanese sport which is extremely popular in the island chain. These fights were born almost 1,500 years ago as part of a Shinto ceremony. They were dedicated to the Gods along with songs and dances to ensure a good harvest. This sport is particularly impressive as it still contains religious rituals that are performed before and after the game, and the matches themselves are incredible! It is possible to follow this activity with a Japanese dinner: discover the meal of sumo wrestlers, Chanko Nabe – 42 Euros (about 38 GBP).

Watch sumo training and meet champions!

Watch sumo training and meet champions!

Experience an enriching, incredible moment as you meet sumo champions! They are highly respected and even worshipped in Japan! You will watch them train and then share a traditional meal with them: Chanko Nabe. A genuine, unique experience!

Learn how to make sushi and visit the Tsukiji fish market

Learn how to make sushi and visit the Tsukiji fish market

Walk around the incredible Tsukiji market, the largest fish market in the world, where thousands of different kinds of fish and seafood are sold. Then take a cooking class and learn how to make the most popular Japanese food in the world: sushi. To top it all off, enjoy the results of your cooking class for lunch!

Guided tour of Kamakura

Guided tour of Kamakura

Discover one of the most famous towns in Japan, renowned for its rich heritage! Kamakura was the Shogun’s capital in the 12th century and still has some amazing remnants of its past. You will visit some of the town’s temples and shrines: Hachiman-gu and Hase-dera and their beautiful gardens. After lunch, you will go and admire the second largest Buddha in Japan, after the one in Nara, who has been meditating under the sky for hundreds of years. A rickshaw version of this tour is also possible: visit the town in a human-powered tricycle.

Guided tour of Nikko

Guided tour of Nikko

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Nikko is a must-see. This small mountain town houses incredible baroque temples. Visit the renowned Toshogu temple that shines brightly in the heart of a forest of giant Japanese cedars. After lunch, you will go to the shores of Lake Chuzenji, in the shade of Mount Nantai. You will admire Kegon Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Japan!

Watch a baseball match

Watch a baseball match

Did you know that, sumo wrestling aside, the most popular sport in Japan is baseball? This typical American sport has taken over the island chain that passionately supports the different teams! In fact, the Japanese became the baseball world champions this year for the second time in a row, beating the American and Korean teams ! Outside of the US, the most famous baseball team in the world is the Tokyo Giants whose home stadium Tokyo dome is nicknamed “the Big Egg”. Attend a match and watch the crowd go wild!

Visit Hakone and Mount Fuji

Visit Hakone and Mount Fuji

Spend a day visiting the region of Mount Fuji and Hakone. The symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji is 3776 metres high and is the highest mountain in the country. A perfect cone volcano, it is religiously worshipped as the refuge of the kami, mountain spirits. You will take the bus to the fifth station to admire the view. After lunch, you will go to Hakone, the famous spa resort, where you will take a cruise on Lake Ashi. Finally, you will walk on the side of Mount Komagatake, where you will see steam rising from the fumaroles!

Visit Tokyo

Visit Tokyo

Visit Meiji shrine in the heart of Yoyogi Park, walk in the Imperial Palace Park, wander around the colourful Asakusa district and admire its beautiful temple. Then, take a lunch cruise on the Sumida all the way to Tokyo Bay. Finally, visit the artificial island of Odaiba.

Visit Tokyo by Night and have dinner in a Japanese restaurant

Visit Tokyo by Night and have dinner in a Japanese restaurant

Have dinner in a typical Japanese restaurant where you can choose from a selection of Japanese delicacies from Tempura to Sashimi and Sukiyaki. Then discover Tokyo by night and visit the artificial island of Odaiba and the Ginza district, famous for its multi-coloured neon lights, and admire the view from the observatory in Roppongi Hills.

Tokyo morning visit

Tokyo morning visit

The Asakusa district and its beautiful temple, walk in the Imperial Palace Park, tour of the Ginza district and visit of Meiji shrine in the scenic Yoyogi park.

Tokyo afternoon visit

Tokyo afternoon visit

Take in the incredible view of Tokyo from the top of Tokyo Tower. Visit the lively Asakusa district, wander around the Imperial Palace Park and walk down Ginza avenue.

Activities recommended in Kyoto

Dine in Gion and watch a traditional Japanese show

Dine in Gion and watch a traditional Japanese show

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the narrow streets of Gion – Kyoto’s historical district. Dine in a Japanese restaurant where you will have the opportunity to taste tempura. Visit Gion Corner, the Geisha school, where you will attend a show presenting different traditional Japanese arts : a dance performed by Maiko dancers (apprentice Geisha), a piece of music played on the Koto (Japanese harp), Kado (a style of flower arrangement), Kyogen (traditional theatre) and Bunkaru (puppet theatre). There will also be a tea ceremony where you will learn to prepare matcha, Japanese green tea. A shorter version of this activity is also offered from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from March to December – 115 Euros (about 100 GBP).

Japanese dinner with Maiko dance show

Japanese dinner with Maiko dance show

Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner in the Hatoya Zuihoukaku restaurant, near Kyoto station. You will have the opportunity to sample various traditional Japanese dishes. After that, you will watch Maiko, apprentice Geisha, perform traditional dances for the crowd’s delight. At the end of the show, you will be able to meet the Maiko and talk with her.

Sake-tasting in Fushimi

Sake-tasting in Fushimi

Sake is a typical Japanese rice-based alcoholic beverage. Come and discover the secrets of sake production in the small town of Fushimi in the south of Kyoto, with an English-speaking guide. You will have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s best sake and, who knows, maybe bring some back for your own parties.

Renting a bicycle in Kyoto

Renting a bicycle in Kyoto

Discover the charming town of Kyoto and its secret passageways by bicycle! A quiet, wide town built in a valley, Kyoto is the perfect place for a nice bike ride! You will have the bicycle for the day and can choose where you want to go.

Half-day visit of Kyoto by bicycle

Half-day visit of Kyoto by bicycle

Kyoto is full of charming, secret passageways that are fun to discover by bicycle. With an English-speaking guide, you will bike around the Gion district and its teahouses where Geisha perform. You will then ride along the river Shirakawa before discovering the vast park of the former Imperial Palace, a peaceful retreat in the city centre.

Learn how to make Japanese desserts and enjoy a Kaiseki lunch

Learn how to make Japanese desserts and enjoy a Kaiseki lunch

Enjoy a delicious traditional Japanese meal in the Kaiseki style. This refined cuisine is famous for the way it is beautifully presented. The ingredients are always fresh and seasonal. Then, with an English-speaking guide, you will take a Japanese cooking course to learn how to make Japanese desserts, traditionally served with green tea.

Visit of Sagano and Arashiyama

Visit of Sagano and Arashiyama

All those who enjoy nature walks will love discovering the district of Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide. You will visit its famous bamboo grove – Sagano forest – as well as Tenryû-ji temple, one of the five main Zen temples of Kyoto. Its garden represents a dry waterfall of rocks throwing themselves into a pool and forming the Chinese character “heart”. You will also visit Jojakkoji temple, which is less known but well worth discovering. Finally, you will walk on the famous Togetsukyo bridge that connects both banks of the river and offers a beautiful view of this part of Kyoto.

Zazen meditation and Hiei Garden

Zazen meditation and Hiei Garden

Experience spiritual Japan by attending a session of Zazen meditation in the UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temple of Enryakuji, on Mount Hiei. After meditating, you will partake of the same vegetarian meal as the temple’s monks. You will then visit the truly beautiful Hiei Garden.

Tofu cooking course

Tofu cooking course

Tofu is a soft, white block produced by coagulating soy milk by adding lemon juice, salt and vinegar. It is a common ingredient in Asian dishes and is renowned for its health benefits. During this class, you will learn how to cook tofu with an English-speaking guide. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to eat the food you have prepared

Have lunch with a Maiko in Gion

Have lunch with a Maiko in Gion

Maiko are apprentice Geishas in the Gion district. They wear beautiful coloured kimonos and have elaborate hairstyles with Kanzashi – lovely ornaments usually shaped like flowers – in the image of traditional Japanese dolls with porcelain complexions. You will have the opportunity to share a meal with one of these generally inaccessible artists. An English-speaking guide will come to pick you up at the hotel around noon and will take you to see the Gion district. You will be served a traditional Japanese meal in a charming restaurant overlooking the Shirakawa river. At the end of the meal, a young Maiko will come and join you. You will have the opportunity to take pictures with her and then she will dance for you.

Hôtels de ce voyage

Voici les hébergements que nous vous proposons pour votre circuit. Ils sont communiqués à titre indicatif et pourront être remplacés par des hôtels de catégorie similaire.

Hôtels Inclus

Monterey - Osaka

Monterey - Osaka

Located in the Umeda district near Osaka station, the 4* Monterey Hotel welcomes you to its elegant, refined setting. The 194 rooms are all decorated in a Western style and have real character. They are all equipped with satellite television, A/C, refrigerator and mini-bar. You will find plenty to eat in the hotel’s three restaurants that offer Asian cuisine - Chinese and Japanese – as well as French cuisine.

Nikko - Kanazawa

Nikko - Kanazawa

A three- minute walk from JR Kanazawa station, the 4* Nikko Hotel has been welcoming visitors since 1994 to its Western and Japanese-style rooms, decorated with elegant simplicity. You will find many restaurants nearby around the train station as well as a shopping centre that stays open until 8 p.m. The hotel offers a large number of leisure amenities: a swimming pool, a sauna, a jacuzzi and a fitness centre are freely accessible to help you relax after a day of sightseeing.

Murataya Ryokan - Kanazawa

Murataya Ryokan - Kanazawa

Located in the heart of the town of Kanazawa, in the dynamic Kata-Machi district, a few steps away from the Tate-machi shopping street, this small ryokan welcomes you to its typical Japanese rooms, decorated in a simple manner. This charming, unassuming ryokan will allow you to experience a traditional Japanese guesthouse. The rooms are all equipped with television. Furthermore, you can access the Internet through a computer in the lobby as much as you like at no extra cost. You will experience the charm of a traditional Japanese inn with its small Japanese indoor garden and its indoor hot baths.

Claire Higasa - Himeji

Claire Higasa - Himeji

Located a five-minute walk from the JR station in the town of Himeji, the 3* Claire Higasa Hotel is an excellent base for exploring the town and discovering its UNESCO World Heritage castle. Housed in a modern building, the hotel offers Western and Japanese-style rooms decorated and furnished in a modern, elegant manner. The rooms all have television and tea service. In the hotel, you can sample traditional, seasonal Japanese cuisine.

Remm Hibiya - Tokyo

Remm Hibiya - Tokyo

Located a four-minute walk from JR Yurakucho station, on the Yamanote Line, the 3* Superior Remm Hibiya Hotel is ideally located in downtown Tokyo, next to the Ginza shopping district, Hibiya park and the Imperial Palace. This beautiful boutique hotel opened in November 2007, and now welcomes you to its modern, stylish setting. All the rooms are spacious, well lit and elegantly decorated and provide a lovely view of Tokyo. The hotel house the Muji café that serves delicious breakfasts as a perfect start to your day.

Granvia - Kyoto

Granvia - Kyoto

Located inside the beautiful JR Kyoto train station, the 4*Granvia Kyoto Hotel welcomes you to its luxurious setting. The 534 elegant rooms are all equipped with television, A/C and Internet connection. If you feel like relaxing, you will find an indoor swimming pool, a Spa, a jacuzzi and a sauna inside the hotel. Finally, you can choose between ten restaurants serving Japanese and international cuisine for dinner.

Nikko - Himeji

Nikko - Himeji

With 257 Western-style rooms, the 4* Nikko Himeji Hotel is located a few steps away from JR Himeji station, which itself is only a ten-minute walk from the famous castle. Each room is equipped with television, hair-dryer, A/C and tea/coffee service. The hotel has three restaurants serving Japanese and Chinese food as well as three bars and lounges where you will also find treats for your taste buds.

Pacific - Tokyo

Pacific - Tokyo

Ideally located a three-minute walk from JR Shinagawa station and on the JR Yamanote Line that connects the main sites of the town, the 4*Le Pacific Hotel welcomes you to its elegant, refined setting. All the rooms are equipped with television, A/C and tea/coffee service. Inside the hotel, you will find a large selection of bars and restaurants serving Japanese and Western cuisine. The hotel also provides a wide number of services and boutiques: a French bakery, a jeweller’s, a souvenir shop, a small supermarket, a beauty parlour, a photo studio, as well as a relaxation and massage parlour. You can also enjoy the beautiful Takanawa-no-mori Japanese garden.

Mitsui Garden - Okayama

Mitsui Garden - Okayama

Located a few minutes’ walk from JR Okayama station, the 3*Okayama Mitsui Garden Hotel welcomes you to its pleasant, simple setting. All the rooms are decorated in a modern, elegant manner and equipped with television, A/C and small refrigerator. The hotel is an ideal base for discovering the town and its surroundings. The Garden cafe serves breakfast between 7 and 10 a.m. as a perfect start to your day.

Granvia - Okayama

Granvia - Okayama

Strategically located a few minutes’ walk from JR Okayama station, the 4* Granvia Okayama hotel has 328 rooms with a modern decor and warm colours conducive to a state of relaxation. The hotel also offers access to an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a jacuzzi and a fitness centre (for a small additional charge of 1,200 yen – about 10 GBP). You will also find many bars and restaurants: two serving Japanese cuisine, one serving Chinese cuisine and one serving French cuisine.

Bon à savoir

Additional Information

• Hotels and meals

  • If a hotel mentioned in the program is not available, a hotel in a similar category will be booked.
  • The visits mentioned in this program are merely suggestions. Of course, you can allocate your free time as you wish and visit other towns near Tokyo and Kyoto apart from those mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Most of the lunches and dinners in this tour are at your leisure to allow you can appreciate the diversity of Japanese cuisine according to your tastes and wishes. Please note that it is very easy to find food in Japan as there are many little restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes. Furthermore, simple, filling meals are inexpensive. Bon appetit!

• Climate

  • Are you coming to Japan in winter?
    Bring warm clothes as the winter temperatures in Tokyo are similar to those in Paris.
    If you are travelling to the north of Japan in winter, to the west coast or to the Japanese Alps, bring clothes adapted to extreme temperatures since cold winds from Siberia often blow over Japan!
    A real Northern experience!
  • Are you going to Japan in summer?
    Please note that the weather will be very hot and humid! Pack your summer clothes but do not forget to bring an umbrella, especially in June and September, as well as warmer clothes for the cool evenings or for the north of Japan. Do not forget your sunglasses, hats and swimming costumes!
  • Are you going to Japan during the intermediary seasons: spring and autumn?
    Do not hesitate to bring summer clothes (shorts, swimming costumes, T-shirts, light shoes) as well as winter clothes (umbrella, jeans, jumpers, jackets and closed shoes) as the temperatures are mild in the south of Japan but cooler in Tokyo and the north.
  • Are you stopping off in Asia on the way there or on the way back?
    In this case, to avoid standing out in Hong Kong in your ski-suit or winter jacket, pack T-shirts, shorts and light shoes.

• International flights and stopovers in Asia

  Depending on the period of travel, we have purposely calculated our prices with one of the partner airlines mentioned below so that you can always enjoy the best possible prices.
  As soon as you ask us for a quote, we will select the cheapest company by default (depending on your dates of travel).
  However, if you would prefer to fly with a specific partner airline or if you would like to stop over in a specific Asian city (among those mentioned below), please let us know!
  Please note that the price will be adjusted accordingly.

  • Our partner airlines, which offer flights to and from Tokyo and Osaka:

    • Asiana via Seoul
    • Air France (nonstop flights)
    • Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong
    • Eva Air via Taipei
    • Finnair via Helsinki
    • Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich

  • Stopovers in Asia, Europe or the Middle-East, base price for 1 night, in a double room :

    • Hong Kong, 3* Hotel + transfers + breakfast : from 45€ (about 37 GBP) per person
    • Seoul, 3* Hotel + transfer + breakfast : from 60€ (about 50 GBP) per person
    • Taiwan, 3* Hotel + transfer + breakfast : from 60€ (about 50 GBP) per person
    • Europe, 3* Hotel + transfer + breakfast : from 90€ (about 74 GBP) per person
  
  

Prix du Voyage