• Departure from Montreal airport (P.E. Trudeau) on an international flight to Osaka.

Note: Arrival at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.

❖ Meals included : Supper / Lodging : 4* Hotel / Transport : Air-conditioned vehicle.

• Arrival in Osaka. Welcome by an English-speaking assistant and transfer by private vehicle to the hotel for installation.
• Welcome dinner at the hotel.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast and dinner / Lodging: 4* hotel / Transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle.

Explore the city of Osaka with a French-speaking guide:

• A tour of Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s major historical landmarks, associated with the unification of the country in the 16th century. This stop offers a first taste of Japanese culture as you explore the country’s feudal history in a pleasant setting surrounded by moats and expansive gardens—ideal for walking and taking photos.
• Dinner at leisure in the Shinsaibashi district, Osaka’s commercial heart, an area of the city that offers a wide variety of restaurants and stores, allowing guests to eat to their heart’s content before continuing their sightseeing.
• Tour of the Dotonbori district, the bustling heart of the modern city, known for its neon signs, canal, and lively atmosphere. After a morning focused more on history, this stop offers a chance to discover the city’s contemporary and culinary side.
• Stop at the Namba Yasaka Shrine, known for its spectacular lion-head-shaped gate. This site offers a more serene cultural and spiritual atmosphere, in contrast to the energy of Dotonbori, and isanother great spot for taking photos.
• Dinner at the hotel.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast and dinner / Lodging: 4* hotel / Transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle.

Note: Main luggage transferred directly to Kyoto. Customers prepare a day bag with their essential personal belongings.

Departure for Koyasan , the spiritual center of Shingon Buddhism, founded in the 9th century:

• Arrival in Koyasan. Free time to explore this famous mountain village, visit some of its temples and the Okunoin Cemetery, and walk through the vast cedar forest leading to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. The experience offers an extraordinary immersion in nature and a delightful opportunity to soak in the calm, religious atmosphere of this major spiritual site in Japan.
• Dinner on your own, followed by more exploration of Koyasan.
• Supper at a Buddhist temple (serving a vegetarian shojin ryori meal of traditional dishes without meat or fish).
• Overnight stay at Shubuko ( subject to availability at the time of trip confirmation) or transfer to a hotel in Kyoto for the night. Note: If staying at the temple, some bathroom facilities may be shared.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast / Accommodation: 4* Hotel / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle.

Drive to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, a historical and cultural Mecca. Discover the sites of interest in the company of an English-speaking guide:

• Guided tour of Nara Park, a vastpublic space known for its free-roaming sika deer and its major historical sites. This is your first taste of the ancient capital and its unique atmosphere, where nature and heritage coexist.
• Dinner on your own.
• Guided tour of Tōdai-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most important temples, home to a massive bronze Buddha statue. The site is a central hub in the country’s religious and political history.
• Trip to Kyoto with a stop at Fushimi Inari Shrine, famousfor its thousands of red torii gates lining the mountain trails. It is an iconic site of Kyoto and Shintoism, widely recognized for its photogenic trails.
• Arrive Kyoto, check into hotel and dinner at leisure.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast / Accommodation: 4* Hotel / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle.

Explorethe Arashiyama neighborhood with a French-speaking guide:

• Visit Tenryū-ji Temple, one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is renowned for its traditional landscape garden, which offers views of the Arashiyama mountains.
• A stroll through the famous bamboo forest, along a path lined with tall bamboo stalks that create a powerful sensory experience in a unique atmosphere—an iconic Kyoto setting.
• Dinner at your leisure in the Arashiyama district, with several restaurant and café options close to the sights.
• Walkup to Iwatayama Monkey Park, located on a hill overlooking Kyoto. Watch macaques roaming freely and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the summit.
• Return at the end of the day and free time to enjoy Kyoto in the evening or rest at the hotel. Dinner on your own.

❖ Meals included : Breakfast / Accommodation : 4* Hotel / Transport : Air-conditioned vehicle

Tour of Kyoto’s historic districts with a French-speaking guide:

• Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto’s most famous sites, known for its large wooden terrace offering a view of the city. The temple is an important Buddhist site and a major symbol of Japanese heritage.
• A walking tour through the traditional streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, historic alleys lined with wooden houses, artisan shops, and the authentic atmosphere of old Kyoto.
• Dinner at your leisure in the Higashiyama area, with several options of local restaurants and traditional cafés.
• Explore the Gion district, famous for its traditional streets and the atmosphere of old Kyoto, which has been preserved intact. Visit Yasaka Shrine, an importantShinto shrine located on the edge of the district. This popular shrine is a true symbol of the city.
• Dinner on your own.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast / Accommodation: 4* Hotel / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle.

• Free day to explore Kyoto at your own pace, with a Suica map included, to make it easier to get around the city and region by public transport. Lunch and dinner on your own.
• Optional experiences (with English-speaking instructors)

– Tea ceremony: Immersive cultural experience including a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with kimono.

– Making wagashi (Japanese pastries): A workshop on traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi), to discover the techniques and aesthetics of Japanese pastry-making.

– Experience ikebana (flower arranging): Introduction to Japanese flower arranging (ikebana), focusing on balance, simplicity and symbolism.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast and dinner / Accommodation: 4* hotel / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle and train.

Note: Main luggage transferred directly to Kanazawa. Customers prepare a day bag with their essential personal belongings.

• Transfer to Kyoto station and take the Thunderbird express train to Kanazawa (accompanied by an English-speaking guide) with a transfer to Tsuruga station, to catch the Shinkansen Hokoriku intercity train (TGV) to finish the journey to Kanazawa.
• Arrival in Kanazawa and free dinner at the station (cafés, restaurants and stores on site) or at the Omicho market, the city’s main food market, located a 15-minute walk from the station, in a shopping district known for its fresh produce and small local restaurants.
• Afternoon free to explore Kanazawa at your own pace. On the way from the station to the Omicho market, there are several points of interest to note: the Hospitality Dome at the eastern exit of the station, designed as a huge umbrella serving as a shelter for travelers; the Fountain Clock, located on the station forecourt, an installation that is both technological and amusing; the Drum Gate, an architectural work representing the traditional drum used in Japanese Noh theater; and Hyakumon-san, the city’s official mascot, a giant doll representing regional crafts.
• Arrive at hotel, check-in and dinner (or dinner near hotel before check-in).

❖ Meals included: Breakfast / Accommodation: 4* Hotel / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle.

Departure by private bus fora tour of Kanazawa, accompanied by a French-speaking guide.

• Visit Kanazawa Castle, the former seat of the powerful Maeda clan, followed by Kenrokuen Garden, consideredone of the three most beautiful landscaped gardens in Japan. This iconic complex combines historic architecture with a traditional Japanese garden.
• Dinner at leisure in downtown Kanazawa or in the vicinity of the sites visited.
• Explore the historic Nagamachi district, the former residential area of the samurai. The district still features narrow alleys, earthen walls, and traditional homes.
• A tour of the restoredhistoric samurai houses, offering a deeper understanding of the warrior class’s way of life during the feudal era.
• Free time to explore Kanazawa at your own pace, do some shopping or pursue your cultural interests. Dinner on your own.
• Return to hotel.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner / Accommodations: 4-star hotel / Transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle and train.

Please note: Main luggage transferred directly to Tokyo. Customers pack a day bag with their essential personal belongings.

• Board the Shinkansen (bullet train) with a local guide, heading towards the Hakone region, a mountainous area located about 1.5 hours from Tokyo, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is renowned for its volcanic landscapes, hot springs (onsen), and possible views of Mount Fuji on clear days. It is a popular destination for a relaxing nature experience , a welcome contrast to Japan’s major cities. Dinner is included on board the train, in the form of a Japanese ekiben boxed meal.
• Arrive in Hakone and transfer to the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) to settle in.
• Dinner served at the ryokan, consisting of traditional Japanese dishes presented in several courses.
• Overnight ryokan.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast and dinner / Accommodation: 4* hotel.

• Day at leisure to relax or hike in the Hakone area. Guests can enjoy the ryokan and its hot springs or explore the surrounding trails and natural landscapes at their own pace.
• Dinner on your own.
• Dinner at the ryokan.
• Overnight at the ryokan.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast / Accommodation: 3* hotel / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle and train.

• Meeting with an English-speaking guide and transfer to the station to take the Shinkansen train (TGV) with the guide to Tokyo.
• Arrival in Tokyo and exploring the city:

– Visit the Asakusa district , one of Tokyo’s most traditional historical areas. The district retains an “old Tokyo” feel, with shopping streets, local shops, and a calmer atmosphere than the modern city center. Visit Sensō-ji Temple, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, and explore Nakamise Street, a traditional alley leading to the temple and lined with numerous Japanese shops and snack bars.

– Dinner at your leisure in or around Asakusa.

– Visit to TeamLab Planets , an immersive digital art museum based on interactive installations combining light, water and projections, creating a unique sensory experience. Dinner at your leisure.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast and dinner / Lodging: 3* hotel / Transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle.

• Morning and early afternoon free to enjoy Tokyo at your own pace, shopping, sightseeing or relaxing. Dinner on your own.
• At 4:00 p.m., meet with the French-speaking guide fora tour of the Shinjuku district, one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and modern areas, known for its skyscrapers, bustling atmosphere, and nightlife.
• A stroll through Omoide Yokocho , a small, iconic alley filled with traditional restaurants and izakayas (a type of Japanese pub ).
• Dinner in an izakaya with “all you can eat” formula, to discover Japanese cuisine in a friendly, lively local atmosphere.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast and dinner / Accommodation: 3* hotel.

• Free day in Tokyo for exploring on your own, shopping, or relaxing. Lunch on your own.

Optional experiences (with English-speaking instructors):

– Sushi-making workshop to learn the basics of traditional Japanese preparation (rice, cutting, assembly and presentation). Supervised activity in English.

– Same sushi-making workshop + Japanese sake tasting to accompany the culinary experience.

– Traditional Japanese “Yuzen” dyeing workshop, a technique historically used to decorate kimonos. Participants learn the basics of drawing and coloring textiles in a traditional setting.

• Closing dinner at the hotel.

❖ Meals included: Breakfast / Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle and plane.

• Departure for Tokyo airport.
• Return flight to Montreal.

Osaka: OSAKA EXCEL TOKYU Hotel 4* (or equivalent) 2 nights

Koyasan: SEKISHOIN Temple 4* (or a hotel in Kyoto) 1 night

Kyoto: MIYAKO HACHIJO Hotel 4* (or equivalent) 4 nights

Kanazawa: MYSTAYS PREMIER Hotel 4* (or equivalent) 2 nights

Hakone: YUMOTO ONSEN TENSEIEN Hotel 4* (or equivalent) 2 nights

Tokyo: PRINCE Hotel 3* (or equivalent) 3 nights

International flights (including baggage allowance of 23 kg per person, maximum)

Airport shuttles

Train journeys

Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver

All accommodations (3 and 4 stars)

All breakfasts + 1 boxed lunch (ekiben) on Day 11 + 8 dinners on Days 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15

Dinner in a Buddhist temple

Overnight stay at a Buddhist temple (if places available at time of trip confirmation, otherwise return to hotel in Kyoto).

Stay in a traditional inn(ryokan) with hot springs(onsen)

All activities and site admissions listed in bold on the itinerary

Accompaniment by local French-speaking guides for all program visits

All taxes

24/7 Support

Organization from A to Z

Visa (if required)

Some meals

Beverages

Tips

Personal Expenses

Optional activities (supervised by English-speaking instructors):

Day #8:

– Tea ceremony: Immersive cultural experience including a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with kimono.

– Making wagashi (Japanese pastries): A workshop on traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi), to discover the techniques and aesthetics of Japanese pastry-making.

– Experienceikebana (flower arranging): Introduction to Japanese flower arranging (ikebana ), focusing on balance, simplicity and symbolism.

Day #15:

– Sushi-making workshop to learn the basics of traditional Japanese preparation (rice, cutting, assembly and presentation).

– Same sushi-making workshop + Japanese sake tasting to accompany the culinary experience.

– Traditional Japanese “Yuzen” dyeing workshop, a technique historically used to decorate kimonos. Participants learn the basics of drawing and coloring textiles in a traditional setting.

• Please note that the itinerary may change at any time for logistical reasons, but that the list of activities and visits on the program is always respected. Please also note that the version of the program appearing on our website takes precedence over any printed version.