A simple and flexible travel, including hotel arrangements and the 7-day Japan Rail Pass. You will visit Tokyo’s dynamic neighborhoods, the impressive Kiso-valley, the historical city of Kyoto and nightlife- and shopping-paradise Osaka. This travel is an excellent starting point for creating your own itinerary.
Of course we can arrange extras to your travel, such as tours, tickets and activities, to make it even more authentic or exciting. Every aspect can be adjusted to your preferences.
Itinerary Overview:
DEPARTURE/RETURN: | Departure: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Narita Airport (Tokyo). Return: Kansai International Airport (Osaka) to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. |
BASED ON: | 2 Travelers |
INCLUDED: | Accommodation |
OPTIONAL: | Flights |
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You arrive in the sprawling capital of Japan: Tokyo! On your first day in the country you can explore the older areas of Tokyo:
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Visit the modern areas of Tokyo today, such as:
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Today you can take your time and visit the places you have not been able to visit yet, or take a daytrip to one of the nearby places of interest:
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Today you will travel into the majestic Japanese Alps area. From Tokyo, it takes about 3 hours to reach Nakatsugawa by train. Frome here, a local bus will take you to the picturesque little village Magome. Make sure to explore the narrow alleys, mysterious side-roads and traditional buildings of this well-preserved village. Magome is connected to the similarly quaint village Tsumago by the so-called Nakasendo Route. Traditionally, this was the route one traveled to get from Kyoto to Tokyo (by foot of course!). Follow in the footsteps of Edo-period Japanese travelers and walk this part of the route, admiring the beauty of its nature, the monuments, shrines, temples, and legends surrounding the area on the way.
Of course this experience isn’t complete without staying at a traditional local Minshuku (pension), including Japanese style home-cooked meals!
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From Magome, you will travel by train to Takayama in about 3 hours. In Takayama you can admire the well-preserved areas of the city, as well as the surrounding mountainous landscapes. Here you will get a good idea of what the more remote areas of Japan look and feel like. When travelling in spring or autumn, there is also the chance of witnessing the Takayama Matsuri, known as one of the best festivals in the country. During the festival, intricate old-fashioned floats will be pulled through the streets, and you will be able to see Karakuri doll performances.
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After travelling for about 3,5 hours by train, you will arrive in the historical city of Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. Areas such as the famous Gion will take you back to this time, and if you’re lucky you will see a Maiko, or Geisha, hurrying off to an appointment in the early evening. Visit the awe-inspiring Kiyomizudera Temple and wander around the surrounding little streets leading up to it to experience more of Kyoto’s traditional atmosphere. In the evening, the Kawaramachi and Sanjo areas are the best place to find a multitude of local bars and restaurants, as well as plenty of Karaoke opportunities and Gamecenters.
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There are many places worth a visit in Kyoto, such as:
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Make a daytrip to one of the following places of interest in the area:
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On your last day in Japan, you travel to Osaka in just half an hour by train. Here you can walk through the bustling Shinsaibashi district, and admire the neon light billboards, shops with flashy signs and plenty of restaurants with local delicacies such as Okonomiyaki (savoury pancake). The most famous place in this area is Dotonbori, where the giant neon Glico Man advertisement provides a great photo spot.
Another must-see place is Osaka’s castle. Though it has been rebuilt, the exterior has been faithfully reconstructed, and is that of a classic Japanese castle. The interior has been made into a museum, and you can go all the way to the top of the castle for an incredible view of the surroundings.
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On this final day of your journey, you will fly back home from Osaka’s nearby Kansai International Airport.
Prices depend on the season in which you would like to travel. Prices in the low season (December, January, February) will be different from prices in the high season (March, April, August, Holidays).
Mix of budget hotels, guesthouses and minshuku | from €999,- p.p. | |
Mix of 2 star hotels, guesthouses and minshuku | from €1149,- p.p. | |
Mix of 2 and 3 (or more) star hotels, ryokan and minshuku | from €1399,- p.p. |