Japan
Shiretoko, the volcanic lakes, Matsushima and the sacred Dewa mountains, with a French-speaking guide
Japan
A Japan far from the crowds, with a French-speaking tour guide: a flight to Hokkaido, the wild Shiretoko peninsula and its cruise, Lakes Mashu and Akan, Sapporo, Tadao Ando's Buddha and the Upopoy Ainu museum, an overnight crossing to Akita, the samurai town of Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa, UNESCO-listed Hiraizumi, Matsushima Bay, Sendai, the Nikka distillery, the cliffside temple of Yamadera, the Dewa Sanzan mountains and the Mount Haguro pagoda, then Sakata.
When
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Price
From 8 688€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
15 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-8
The Shiretoko peninsula, the volcanic lakes and Sapporo.
Day 1
Flight to Japan
Flight to Japan. Night on board.
Day 2
Arrival in Tokyo
Private transfer to the hotel. In the evening, meet your guide and dinner.
Day 3
Flight to Hokkaido – Shiretoko
Flight to Hokkaido, the Okhotsk ice museum and the old Abashiri prison, then Shiretoko National Park.
Day 4
A Shiretoko cruise
A cruise along the peninsula, its caves, waterfalls and protected wildlife.
Day 5
Lakes Mashu and Akan
Lake Mashu, the Io volcano and Lake Akan. Night in a ryokan.
Day 6
Lake Akan – Sapporo
A lake with coloured waters and a vineyard, then train to Sapporo.
Day 7
Sapporo, free day
A free day, for example in Otaru and its canals.
Day 8
Noboribetsu – crossing to Akita
Tadao Ando's Hill of the Buddha, the Upopoy national Ainu museum and the Noboribetsu hot springs, then an overnight crossing to Akita.
Days 9-18
Samurai, temples, bays and sacred mountains.
Day 9
Akita – Kakunodate
The Akita museum of art and the works of Foujita, then Kakunodate and its samurai quarter.
Day 10
Lake Tazawa – Morioka
A traditional soy sauce and miso brewery, Lake Tazawa, then the Zen temple of Hoon-ji in Morioka.
Day 11
Hiraizumi – Matsushima
Hiraizumi, a UNESCO site, and the golden hall of Chuson-ji temple, then Matsushima.
Day 12
Matsushima Bay – Sendai
A boat in Matsushima Bay and its pine-covered islets, then Sendai.
Day 13
Sendai, free day
A free day in the 'city of trees'.
Day 14
Nikka, Yamadera – Dewa Sanzan
The Nikka Miyagikyo distillery, the cliffside temple of Yamadera, then the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains and a night in a temple.
Day 15
Mount Haguro – Sakata
The five-storey pagoda of Mount Haguro among the cedars, then Sakata.
Day 16
Sakata – Tokyo
The Honma art museum and its gardens, a farewell lunch, then train to Tokyo.
Day 17
Tokyo – flight home
Transfer to the airport and fly to France.
Day 18
Arrival in France
Arrival in France during the day.
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