Stay : The essentials of Japan in three weeks in any season
Japan is an exciting destination for everyone, regardless of age. The youngest will find something to marvel at on a daily basis, the older ones will want to discover an ancestral culture and all will be able to taste some of the best culinary specialties in the world and be moved by the numerous palaces and other architectural beauties
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
20 days
€€€ - Luxury
Detail of the stay : The essentials of Japan in three weeks in any season - 20 days
Day 1: Tokyo
Steps: Tokyo
Visit the Imperial Palace and Meiji-jingu Shrine in Harajuku.
SANCTUAIRE MEIJI-JINGU
Day 2: Tokyo
Steps: Tokyo
Day trip to Asakusa, Ginza and Shimbashi in the evening. Possibility to attend a kabuki show in Ginza. We stay in Tokyo one more day, also to acclimatize and adjust to the time difference.
Day 3: Tokyo
Walk in Yanaka. District of the old lower town (Shitamachi), some traditional houses escaped the terrible fire of 1923 (earthquake) and the bombings of war.
Day 4: Nikko
Steps: Kyoto
Day in the Nikkoarea: visit the bonsai village, the waterfall and the many temples, not forgetting the Shin-kyo bridge.
GION
Day 5: Kamakura
Steps: Kamakura
The former capital of Japan, Kamakura is full of temples and shrines nestled in the mountains. There is also a large Buddha statue that is a must-see.
Day 6: Hakone and Mount Fuji
Steps: Hakone
Boat trip on lake Ashi, short rest in a onsen (hot water bath) of Hakone.
Day 7: Takayama
Steps: Gifu
Located in Gifu Prefecture, this city contains a traditional ancient city as well as villages with thatched houses. A very beautiful city, quiet with few tourists.
Day 8: Kanazawa
Day trip to the city that was for a long time the richest in Japan. Besides the beauty of the typical streets, Kanazawa is also famous for its food and garden. For those who prefer the quietness to the mass of tourists in Kyoto, Kanazawa will bring them only happiness.
Day 9: Kyoto
Steps: Kyoto
Arrival in Kyoto. Visit Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Palace, walk down the Philosophers' Path to the Imperial Palace and continue to Nanzen-ji Temple. It takes a good day. In the evening, dinner in the beautiful traditional district of Gion
Day 10: Nara - Osaka
Steps: Nara
In Nara, visit the Todaiji temple (with its huge wooden statue of Buddha), and the Kasuga shrine. Then departure for Ōsaka, to taste okonomiyaki (a kind of patties) and takoyaki (flour dumplings cooked with octopus), specialties of the region.
Day 11: Koyasan
Steps: Himeji, Wakayama, Kumano
Climb Mount Koya by funicular. Visit of this important pilgrimage center which shelters a hundred monasteries dating from the 9th century. The second day will be devoted to the Kumano pilgrimage paths. End the day in Wakayama to take the shinkansen towardsHimeji.
Day 12: Himeiji
Steps: Himeji
Visit the White Heron Castle in Himeji. Walk in the Bikan district or go to Engyo-ji temple, filming location of the movie The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise.
Day 13: Matsue
Steps: Izumo
This small town has many surprises in store, starting with its castle which has just been classified as a national treasure of Japan. The afternoon can be devoted to the other main town of Shimane, Izumo, famous for being the cradle of the Shinto religion. The gods, Okuninushi-no-mikoto kami, meet every year in October in the Izumo-Taisha shrine, the largest and oldest in Japan.
Day 14: Hiroshima-Miyajima-Hiroshima
Visit the Peace Memorial Park. Lunch okonomiyaki (from Hiroshima). Direction Miyajima and its famous O-torii gate which seems to float on the sea. Return to Hiroshima for the evening. Dinner in Hondori, the liveliest district of the city. If you have some time, stop in Saijo, also known as Sake-town, and visit a brewery.
Day 15: Fukuoka
During your stay, you can taste the famous Tonkotsu Ramen of Fukuoka (noodles at the foot of the pig).
Day 16: Beppu
Visit of hot and colorful sources called the Eight Underages.
Day 17: Yufuin and Mount Aso
Steps: Kumamoto, Mont Aso, Yufuin
Yufuin spa and visit to the village of ancient farms. Visit the world's largest caldera, Mount Aso. Travel to Kumamoto city for the evening.
Day 18: From Kumamoto to Tokyo
Visit of the manor town, its superb castle and numerous gardens. The return to the capital will take place by plane.
Day 19: Shopping in Tokyo
Not sure if any other capital city in the world has as many small shops per square meter as Tokyo. They are everywhere, on the ground floor, upstairs and in the basement. Some western clothing brands are better represented in Japan than in Europe. Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ginza... the list of shopping areas is long. A good advice, plan some space in your suitcases to be able to bring back your purchases
Day 20: Tokyo
Steps: Tokyo
Last moments in Tokyo before going to Europe. Perhaps the opportunity to eat sushi again!
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Japan
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