Japan
The must-sees of Japan for hiking
Réf : AJAPESX
In summary
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Sports
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Duration16 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationAsia / Japan
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions8630.06 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
This adventure trip to Japan unveils the secrets of the Land of the Rising Sun. With a French-speaking Japanese guide , the Japanese way of life is revealed amidst wild beauty, natural parks , age-old traditions, and vibrant cities . The itinerary begins in Tokyo , followed by the temples of Nikko (UNESCO World Heritage Site), then the gardens of Kanazawa and its Geisha and Samurai districts. A hike in the Japanese Alps leads to Kyoto and its iconic pavilions. A return to nature awaits with Mount Koya and the Sandankyo Gorge . The final ascent of Mount Misen on Miyajima offers a unique panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea.
The highlights
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Must-see cities and places to visit in 15 days
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Our French-speaking Japanese guide will introduce you to their culture.
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Ideal for discovering adventure travel in Japan
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h30
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 210 m
- Average daily descent: 210 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
French
French
Supervisor
Supervisor
During the trip, adventure guides are on hand to help you discover unusual places in the heart of nature. Upon arrival at the Tokyo hotel (before 10 p.m.), a French-speaking guide will greet the travelers and will then be joined by other guides as the trip progresses.
Program
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Flight to Japan
- Transportation Plane - 19h - 14831km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Overnight flight to Tokyo, the Japanese capital.Day 1 -
Arrival in Tokyo.
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon arrival at Tokyo Airport, we will take public transportation to our hotel in central Tokyo. Depending on your arrival time, you will have lunch on your own and time to rest or begin exploring the city. You will meet your guide in the evening for dinner and a briefing (around 6:00 PM). (Dinner will be postponed to the following day in case of late arrival). Your transfer to the hotel will be by public transportation without an escort. Rest assured, we will provide you with all the necessary instructions to get to the hotel. If you arrive at the hotel after 6:00 PM, you will need to check in yourself. Your guide will meet you the following morning. *If you would prefer a transfer service to assist you during your transfer from the airport to the hotel, we can arrange this service for an additional fee (see details in the options). Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this service. The cost of the public transport ticket from the airport (Haneda or Narita) to the hotel will be reimbursed by your guide upon your arrival at the hotel, in exchange for a bank receipt.Day 2 -
Guided tour of Tokyo.
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 20 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
The capital of Japan was originally a small fishing village called Edo, which in 1603 became the center of the Shogun's power. Tokyo has since become a fascinating, ultramodern metropolis, constantly evolving. We will visit the Asakusa district to immerse ourselves in the unique world of everyday Tokyo, where the spirit of "old Edo," steeped in tradition, still lives on. After passing through Kaminarimon – the Thunder Gate – and strolling through the Nakamise-dori arcade, lined with traditional shops (kimonos, dolls, combs, fans, etc.), we will visit Senso-ji Temple, the oldest and largest in Tokyo, dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy. We will then head to the neighboring Ryogoku district, Tokyo's sumo district. It stretches across several streets, and in the middle of it, we will visit the Kokugikan (Sumo Stadium). His culinary specialty, Chanko nabe, will be served for our first lunch, a type of slow-cooked hot pot highly prized by the famous wrestlers. After lunch, we'll head to the trendy Harajuku district, passing through Takeshita Street, the mecca of otaku fashion, before reaching Omotesando Avenue, a hub of Japanese fashion, with its extraordinary modern boutiques of major brands. The day will end in Shibuya, where the statue of the legendary dog Hachiko is a popular meeting place in the area, before crossing the famous intersection where hundreds of pedestrians pass by at each red light. Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner is on your own, or a welcome dinner will be provided if you arrive late the previous evening. Overnight at the hotel.Day 3 -
Temple, shrine and sacred bridge of Nikko
- Transportation Minibus - 04h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We depart in the morning for Nikko, a small mountain town nestled amidst forests of giant Japanese cedars. An important Buddhist and later Shinto center, Nikko National Park is brimming with treasures, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "He who has not seen Nikko has no right to use the word magnificent," says a Japanese proverb. We visit the Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to the shogun, then leave the touristy part of the hill to take a mountain trail to a waterfall deep in the forest. Return to Tokyo at the end of the day. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.Day 4 -
Free time to explore Tokyo or Mount Takao
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 03h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free day in Tokyo or optional excursion to Mount Takao in the foothills of Mount Fuji. Mount Takao is a popular hiking destination, just an hour by train from Tokyo. Its main attraction is the temples dedicated to Tengu, the mountain spirit, sometimes seen as a demon, sometimes as a protector, recognizable by its oversized nose. An easy hike offers views of Mount Fuji, if it is clear. Return to Tokyo in the mid-afternoon. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel. *See the excursion price in the "Options" section. Please note that this option must be booked before your departure.Day 5 -
Kanazawa: Gardens, Samurai and Geishas.
- Transportation Minibus - 03h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 5 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
A former stronghold, the city of Kanazawa, which you are exploring today, still retains the atmosphere of the early feudal era. A city of culture and history, it is laid out in a traditional style with distinct neighborhoods. Discover one of the three most beautiful state gardens in Japan: Kenrokuen. This evening, dinner is at your leisure, allowing you the opportunity to experience Kanazawa's charm as night falls. Please note that in the morning we will be sending our luggage to Kyoto. Bring a small backpack or suitcase with a change of clothes for the duration of the two-day, two-night tour.Day 6 -
In the heart of the Japanese Alps: Shirakawa go and Takayama.
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 200 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll travel to the Japanese Alps, a mountainous region west of Nagano, the city that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Nestled in a rural setting reminiscent of ancient Japan, the village of Shirakawa-go is one of Japan's most beautiful sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its enormous thatched cottages, some hundreds of years old, built according to Neolithic traditions—wooden structures with thatched roofs extending almost to the ground—you'll then arrive in Takayama, an ancient town in the heart of the valley. Check into a traditional ryokan for accommodation and dinner.Day 7 -
Takayama-Kyoto.
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 03h45
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After a hearty breakfast, we explore this charming, secluded town nestled in the mountains. It has retained its traditional character and is still deeply imbued with the atmosphere of old Japan. We wander through its traditional alleyways lined with wooden houses. We discover the morning market and the historic Governor's Residence. We then travel to Kyoto, where you will spend three nights in a hotel. Dinner is at your leisure.Day 8 -
Temples and hiking in Kyoto.
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 01h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 200 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We depart in the morning for the Golden Pavilion, a symbol of Kyoto, before crossing the mountains to reach the farming village of Ohara, half an hour from the city center. We visit the magnificent Sanzen-in Temple and its garden. After lunch, we hike along mountain trails towards Kurama, a forest village. The forest path follows streams, crosses two mountain passes and another village, before arriving at Kurama and its temple at the top of the mountain. We return by train. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 -
Self-guided tour of Kyoto or visit to Uji and Nara
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 02h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You can continue your tour of the city of 2,000 temples, admiring its palaces, Zen gardens, and traditional neighborhoods. Meals are at your leisure. Optional excursion, to be booked before departure: For those interested, we will visit Uji and Nara today. We'll depart early for Uji, the tea capital, where the Phoenix Pavilion, a 12th-century gem, has just been restored. We will visit this unique temple and its adjoining museum, which houses some truly beautiful artifacts. Then, as is fitting for a tea city, we will attend a tea ceremony before continuing on to Nara, where we will have lunch upon arrival. The former capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara has preserved exceptional monuments from its past: temples, shrines, gardens, and funerary monuments. Nara is a haven of peace: most of the buildings are located in a vast park where more than a thousand deer roam freely. We will first head to Kasuga Taisha, a shrine nestled in the forest, its access path lined with hundreds of lanterns. This wisteria shrine is one of the most impressive in the region. The tour will then include the various temples of Todai-ji, the largest wooden building in the world, located in the heart of the deer park. Prepare to get very, very close to the deer! Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon. (Lunch included) (1-hour walk if optional) *See the excursion price in the "Optional" section. Please note that this option must be booked before your departure.Day 10 -
Kyosan
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 02h30
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, you'll arrive in Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll wander among the various temples and monasteries and visit the vast necropolis, nestled in a forest of ancient trees. We'll spend the evening and night in a temple-inn, experiencing life at the pace of the monks. We'll enjoy a vegetarian dinner, the same one the monks eat. Please note that in the morning, our luggage will be shipped to Hiroshima. Bring a small backpack or suitcase with a change of clothes for the duration of the day's excursions (1 day - 1 night).Day 11 -
Koyasan-Hiroshima.
- Transportation Minibus - 04h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 10 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, we wake up at dawn, along with your hosts, to attend the monks' morning prayers. After this exceptional experience, you leave Koyasan for the city of Hiroshima, which, despite the apocalypse, has since risen remarkably from the ashes. We visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. A truly moving experience. This evening, we enjoy a dinner of Okonomiyaki, or "Japanese pancake," a Hiroshima specialty. Overnight at the hotel.Day 12 -
Sandankyo Gorge - Hiroshima
- Transportation Minibus - 02h40
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
In the morning, we send our luggage to Osaka. Please bring a small backpack or suitcase with a change of clothes for the duration of the day's hike (1 day - 1 night). Today we will hike in a protected natural area. The Sandankyo Gorge is a series of waterfalls and natural pools in a lush primeval forest, with rocky mountains as a backdrop. After lunch, we depart for Higashi Hiroshima for a sake tasting. Sake is Japanese rice wine with an alcohol content of 15 or 16 percent. Thanks to the favorable climate and the groundwater used for brewing sake, the region has become an important brewing center known as Saijo, one of the sake capitals of Japan. Even today, seven sakagura, sake breweries, line the streets of Saijo and continue to produce sake using traditional techniques. The streets have a unique atmosphere with their red brick chimneys and latticework walls. Note: Sake is a fermented, not brewed, product. Guided tour with a local Japanese guide. Return to Hiroshima and dinner at your leisure.Day 13 -
Miyajima - Mount Misen (Miyajima) - Osaka
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 02h30
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we visit the grand Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, a series of buildings connected by walkways lined with red pillars. Then we ascend Mount Misen, where we enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea. At the end of the day, we transfer to Osaka for your final dinner.Day 14 -
Return flight to Paris
- Transportation Plane - 19h - 14831km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Your room is available until 10:00 AM. Free time, then we'll head to Kansai International Airport for our flight back to Paris. Sayonara! (If you're flying on a daytime flight on Day 16, the night of Day 15 to Day 16 is not included.) The guide will be with you until the morning. For the transfer from your hotel to the airport, you'll need to make your own way using public transportation. Don't worry, the guide will provide all the necessary information. *If you would prefer a transfer service from your hotel to the airport, we can arrange this for an additional fee (see details in the options). Please let us know if you'd like to take advantage of this service.Day 15 -
Arrival in Paris
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrived in Paris during the day.Day 16
Accommodation
- Days 1 to 15
Here is a list of accommodations generally booked for this trip (subject to availability):
- TOKYO : New Otani Inn, a modern and comfortable 3-star hotel
- KYOTO : Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto, 3*, modern and comfortable
- KOYA : Fugen-in: Kongo Sanmai-in, traditional Japanese temple
- KANAZAWA : Kanazawa Manten Hotel, 3*, modern and comfortable
- TAKAYAMA : Hida Kiyoharu, Ryokan 3* (shared toilets and bathroom)
- HIROSHIMA : My Stays Hiroshima Peace Park, 3*, modern and comfortable
- OSAKA : Del Style Osaka Shin Umeda, 3*, modern and comfortable
You will have access to electricity in all accommodations.
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Price details
The price includes
- Flight Paris / Tokyo (HND) - Osaka / Paris
- Transfers and local transport
- Accommodation in 2 or 3-star hotels in double/twin or triple rooms
- Breakfasts, lunches (Days 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) and dinners (Days 2, 7, 11, 12 and 14)
- French-speaking Japanese tour guide from Day 2 to Day 14
The price does not include
- Airport transfers in case of flights different from the group's flight
- Airport to hotel transfer on day 15
- Your personal expenses
- Drinks
- The transfer by public transport from the airport to the hotel on Day 1 (which will be reimbursed upon your arrival at the hotel)
- Lunches on days 2, 5, 10, 14 and 15 and the 9 dinners
Options
- Additional night in Tokyo in a single room with breakfast : CHF210.40 / person
- Additional night in Tokyo in a double room with breakfast : CHF178.39 / person
- Additional night in Osaka in a single room with breakfast : CHF182.96 / person
- Additional night in Osaka in a double room with breakfast : CHF155.52 / person
- Uji and Nara option based on 2 people : CHF260.72 / person
- Uji and Nara option based on 3 people : CHF201.26 / person
- Uji and Nara option based on 4 people : CHF178.39 / person
- Uji and Nara option based on 5 people : CHF155.52 / person
- Mount Takao option (base 2 people) : CHF233.27 / person
- Mount Takao option (base 3 people) : CHF192.11 / person
- Mount Takao option (base 4 people) : CHF150.94 / person
- Mount Takao option (base 5 people) : CHF132.65 / person
- A show about traditional Japanese culture : CHF54.89 / person
- English-speaking airport/hotel transfer service in Tokyo using public transport : CHF169.24 / person
- English-speaking airport/hotel transfer service in Tokyo using public transport (based on 2 people) : CHF86.91 / person
- English-speaking airport/hotel transfer service in Tokyo using public transport (based on 3 people) : CHF56.72 / person
- English-speaking airport/hotel transfer service in Tokyo using public transport (based on 4 people) : CHF41.17 / person
- Single room supplement for the entire duration of your stay : CHF617.49 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Clothing to bring
- Sweater or fleece
- Thermal undershirt or cardigan
- Waterproof windbreaker
- A pair of shoes that are easy to take off (for various outings, evenings out, we take our shoes off very often)
- Waterproof walking shoes
For women, it is recommended to avoid low necklines and partially bare backs .
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
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• 429 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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