Circuit in Japan

Discover Japan in a small group and immerse yourself in the vibrant urban energy of Osaka, admire the serenity of Kyoto's temples, and be charmed by the picturesque village of Shirakawa-go. Stroll through traditional neighborhoods, visit teahouses, explore bustling markets, and savor local cuisine. Experience Japanese customs and etiquette, marvel at refined gardens, majestic castles, and breathtaking landscapes. Between history, traditions, and contemplation, each stop will offer an unforgettable experience.

From CHF 6,450 per person

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE (per person):

• International flights in economy class with Turkish Airlines and airport/security taxes;
• Transfers;
• All journeys as mentioned in the program using public transportation;
• Accommodation for a total of 12 nights on site in a twin room in the hotels mentioned or similar;
• The visits as mentioned in the program with a local French-speaking guide;
• The meals are clearly listed.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Booking seats on the plane;
• Drinks;
• Meals not mentioned;
• Tips and personal expenses;
• Activities and excursions not mentioned;
• Cancellation and repatriation insurance: to be discussed at the time of booking.

Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 4 people – maximum 12 participants, from Geneva or Zurich on April 3, May 8, and November 20, 2026. All prices are in CHF per person based on double occupancy and subject to availability. Prices will be reconfirmed upon booking.

DAY 1: Geneva - Osaka

Outgoing Flights

Departure from Geneva (1 stopover) and overnight on board.

Day 2: Arrival in Osaka

Route at a glance

• 1 night in a hotel in Osaka with breakfast
• 4 nights in a Kyoto hotel with breakfast included
• 2 nights in a hotel in Kanazawa with breakfast included
• 1 night in a hotel in Takayama with breakfast
• 4 nights in a Tokyo hotel with breakfast included

Welcome and transfer Upon your arrival, just after customs formalities, an English-speaking driver will meet you at the airport exit, holding a sign with your name on it.

Transfer by shared minivan to your hotel.

Osaka has always been a major trading city, thanks in particular to its ideal location on the coast and in the heart of Japan. Besides its thriving commerce, which has earned it the nickname "the nation's breadbasket," Osaka is renowned for its cuisine, its comedic culture, and its distinctive dialect. It was the stronghold of the famous warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who notably built his imposing castle there.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Vista Namba or similar

1 standard night - breakfast included

DAY 3: Osaka - Kyoto

Between modernity and heritage, from Osaka to Kyoto.

Day with a French-speaking guide.

Departure for a visit to Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century and now renovated into a museum retracing its history. You will continue with the discovery of the retro Shinsekai district, with its unique charm, dominated by the Tsutenkaku Tower.

After a meal at a local restaurant, transfer by train to Kyoto, the former imperial capital for nearly a thousand years and famous for its temples, shrines, and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day continues with a visit to Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, renowned for its Kano school paintings and its "nightingale" parquet floor.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: The Royal Park Sanjo Hotel or similar

4 standard nights - breakfast included

DAY 4: Kyoto

Immerse yourself in the splendor of Kyoto.

Day with a French-speaking guide.

You will begin your day with a visit to Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, founded in the 15th century by Shogun Yoshimasa Ashikaga and famous for its Zen gardens, mosses, and "sea of silver sand." Continue to Nanzen-ji Temple, one of the largest Zen temples in Japan, renowned for its gardens, Buddha statues, and striking Roman-style aqueduct.

After a meal at a local restaurant, visit Kiyomizu-dera, a remarkable mountainside complex offering breathtaking views of the city and famous for Otowa Falls, to which pilgrims attribute legendary powers. Stroll through the charming traditional streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, then explore the historic Gion district, home to geiko and maiko houses.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 5: Kyoto

Nature and serenity in Arashiyama.

Morning with a French-speaking guide.

Your French-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel reception, then you'll depart by public transport and on foot to discover Tenryu-ji, a 14th-century temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its period garden designed by the monk Muso Soseki and harmoniously integrated into the mountainous landscape. The tour continues in the picturesque Arashiyama district, a former imperial promenade, with the Togetsukyo Bridge offering panoramic views of the rivers and mountains, and then in the iconic bamboo forest, where the light and wind create a unique atmosphere.

Meal at a local restaurant and the rest of the day free.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the artisan shops and peaceful landscapes of Arashiyama. Return to Kyoto in the afternoon.

Optional: Tea ceremony and/or traditional arts performance in Gion

JOUR 6: Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

Cultural Adventure in Nara

Day with a French-speaking guide.

A train journey takes you to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, which boasts an exceptional cultural and religious heritage. The visit begins at Todai-ji Temple, famous for its Daibutsu-den, the world's largest wooden structure, housing a monumental 18-meter-high bronze Buddha. A stroll through the deer park follows, where these sacred Shinto animals roam freely.

After a meal at a local restaurant, explore the Nara National Museum, renowned for its collection of Buddhist art and its blend of classical and modern architecture. Stroll through the streets of Naramachi, "Old Nara," with its narrow lanes lined with wooden houses and artisan shops.



Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

JOUR 7: Kyoto - Kanazawa

Kanazawa, between golden marshes and geisha houses

Day with a French-speaking guide.

Departure by train from Kyoto station to Kanazawa.

According to tradition, the city's name, "golden marsh," comes from a farmer's discovery of gold nuggets. Renowned for its cuisine and crafts—silks, ceramics, and gold lacquerware—Kanazawa charms visitors with its historic districts.

After a meal at a local restaurant, you will visit the Higashi-Chaya district, a former entertainment center with well-preserved architecture. Discover the Shima House, an authentic geisha house built nearly two centuries ago, whose excellent state of preservation and small Japanese garden offer an immersion into Japan of yesteryear.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Vista Kanazawa or similar

2 standard nights - breakfast included.

JOUR 8: Kanazawa

Art and History in Kanazawa

Morning with a French-speaking guide.

The morning begins with a stroll through Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens. Its name, "Garden of the Six Combined Elements," refers to its six qualities: vastness, solemnity, harmonious arrangement, antiquity, freshness, and scenic charm. The tour continues to the Nagamachi district, the former samurai quarter located at the foot of the castle, with its restored walls and preserved alleyways. A visit to the Nomura House, the residence of a high-ranking samurai family in the service of the Maeda clan, is included. The house has been remarkably restored and decorated by leading local artists. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, followed by a free afternoon.



Suggestions: The Omicho market, the gastronomic heart of the city since the 18th century, or a visit to the Oyama shrine, dedicated to Maeda Toshiie and famous for its original gate blending Japanese, Chinese and European influences.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

JOUR 9: Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama

A journey through time between Shirakawago and Takayama.

Day with a French-speaking guide.

Departure by bus to Shirakawa-go, a village nestled in the heart of the mountains, bisected by a river and surrounded by rice paddies. Famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri style houses with thatched roofs, the village offers a picturesque landscape recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to the Wada House, the former residence of a wealthy family of the village.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue by local bus to Takayama. Visit the Kusakabe House, the former residence of a wealthy merchant, and the Takayama Jinya, the former administrative residence of the provincial governor, now a museum. Stroll through the old town and along Sammachi-dori Street, where the historic buildings, shops, and artisans evoke the atmosphere of the Edo period.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Chisun Grand Takayama Hotel or similar. 1 standard night, breakfast included.

JOUR 10: Takayama - Tokyo

Tokyo Through Time: Traditions and Contemporary Elegance

Day with a French-speaking guide.

Departure by Shinkansen to Tokyo, formerly Edo, a vibrant and contrasting city, where skyscrapers, old Japanese houses, futuristic buildings and traditional shrines stand side by side.

After lunch at a local restaurant, take a stroll through Hama Rikyu Gardens, bordering Tokyo Bay. Created during the Edo period, the park contrasts sharply with the surrounding skyscrapers and features an elegant teahouse on its century-old pond. Stop at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor's main residence. Although the interior is not open to the public, the majestic gates and the famous Nijubashi Bridge, with its two superimposed arches, are well worth seeing. Explore the Ginza district, a hub for luxury shopping, dotted with art galleries, fine restaurants, and elegant cafes.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Gotanda or similar

4 standard nights, breakfast included

JOUR 11: Takayama - Tokyo

From the soul of Edo to the pop energy of Akihabara

Day with a French-speaking guide.

Departure by Shinkansen to Tokyo, formerly Edo, a vibrant and contrasting city, where skyscrapers, old Japanese houses, futuristic buildings and traditional shrines stand side by side.

After lunch at a local restaurant, take a stroll through Hama Rikyu Gardens, bordering Tokyo Bay. Created during the Edo period, the park contrasts sharply with the surrounding skyscrapers and features an elegant teahouse on its century-old pond. Stop at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor's main residence. Although the interior is not open to the public, the majestic gates and the famous Nijubashi Bridge, with its two superimposed arches, are well worth seeing. Explore the Ginza district, a hub for luxury shopping, dotted with art galleries, fine restaurants, and elegant cafes.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 12: Tokyo

Between tranquility, serenity and effervescence

Morning with a French-speaking guide.

Discover Tokyo through two iconic neighborhoods: You'll begin at Meiji Jingu Shrine, the capital's most important Shinto shrine, nestled in a vast forest of over 170,000 trees. A place imbued with serenity, a striking contrast to the city's hustle and bustle. Then, head to Harajuku, a hub of fashion and creativity. On Takeshita Street, the most eccentric styles—from Gothic to punk—coexist in a vibrant and colorful atmosphere.

Lunch at a local restaurant and free afternoon.

Suggestions for further exploration: Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Shibuya, one of the world's busiest intersections, and don't miss the famous Hachiko statue. Ascend to the top of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, an architectural masterpiece by Kenzo Tange, whose 360° observation deck offers breathtaking views of the city and, on a clear day, even Mount Fuji.

Optional: Calligraphy workshop.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 13: Tokyo

Kamakura & Enoshima

Day with a French-speaking guide.

Explore Kamakura, the ancient capital of Japan, with a visit to Kotoku-in Temple and its iconic Great Buddha, followed by Hase-dera Temple with its monumental Kannon statue and picturesque garden. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to Enoshima, a charming island connected to the mainland, where you can stroll along Nakamise-dori Street before visiting Hetsunomiya Shrine, dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. Return to Kamakura to explore Komachi-dori and its traditional shops before flying back to Tokyo.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 14: Tokyo

Last moments in Tokyo and departure

Free day

Today is your last day in Tokyo before your return flight. You can leave your luggage at the hotel concierge desk while you wait for your transfer later today. Enjoy this final day strolling through the streets of Tokyo, doing some last-minute shopping, or simply soaking up the city's vibrant energy one last time.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Return flights. Arrival in Switzerland the following day.

More information

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