Bonsoir, je suis nouveau sur le forum et je mis suis inscrit dans le cadre de la préparation d'un voyage au japon que je vais effectué du 08 août au 02 Septembre. C'est mon premier voyage au Japon, j'ai seulement 20ans 😄, je part donc logiquement en quête de sagesse et de conseils 😉.
En fait j'ai déja prévu une bonne partie de ce voyage, mais il reste encore certaines zones d'ombres, notament sur des lieux à visité qui valent peut être le détour, et également sur l'éstimation de notre budjet. Je vous expose pour l'instant ce quoi ressemble mon (enfin notre, je part avec un ami) itinéraire :
Départ Vendredi 08 Aout, arrivé samedi 09 à Tokyo 3 journées a Tokyo, dont 3 nuits dans le JUYOH HOTEL à 3200yen/nuit. A partir du Mardi 12 Aout, on quitte tokyo pour... zones d'ombres justement. Rien de prevu donc jusqu'au Samedi 16 aout, location d'une semaine a Kyoto, jusqu'au Samedi 23 aout. Nouvelles periode indécise, mais nous souhaiterions peut etre aller a Okinawa (faisable sans se ruiner ?) Puis les trois derniers jours, du Samedi 30 Aout au Mardi 02 Septembre, retour sur tokyo, et arrivé à Paris mardi soir.
Voila ce qui est sur pour l'instant, enfin je n'est pas encore reserver d'hotel pour tokyo les 3 derniers jours... Il me reste donc en tout une bonne semaine et demie non remplie, 4 jours avant la semaine centrale a Kyoto, et 6 apres...
Avez vous des villes à me conseiller ? j'aimerais bien aussi passer une nuit dans une petite ville typique, sans touristes... Etant également un bon amateur de groupes japonnais, je compte essayer d'aller dans une ville possedant un festival. Est-ce que quelqu'un y est déjà aller, en reservant ou achetant directement sa place la bas? (car impossible de reservé par le net :s)
Pour la deuxième partie vide, je pense donc à Okinawa, j'ai vu que cette zone est composé de nombreuses petites iles, avez vous une ile ou une ville particuliere à me conseiller ? Est-ce raisonnable, car cela rajoute un billet d'avion supplémentaire dans les 350€ aller-retour...
Car niveau budjet, j'ai deja payer les billet d'avion, la semaine à kyoto, le Japan Rail Pass de 3 semaines, et c'est tout... 😕 Est-ce que 1000€ chacuns sufiront ? en sachant qu'il reste la nourriture, les logements, les petits transport, et les souvenirs...
Autre question, suis-je obliger de reserver tout mes logements à l'avance? Ou est-ce simple de se loger, de trouver des auberges/ryokan, tant que l'on est pas dans les grandes villes ?
Bref, 1000 et unes questions et incertitudes sur ce sejour, j'espere que vous pourrez repondre à certaines et nous conseiller pour notre premiere immersion dans ce merveilleux pays qui m'attire depuis si longtemps 😊
Ok merci 😉 Effectivement j'avais entendu parler de "saison des typhons" pour Aout, c'était également un facteur qui me faisait hésiter pour Okinawa... Je pense donc que l'on fera sans 😄.
Quatre semaines pleines au Japon pour un premier séjour, c'est un vrai bonheur... un vrai luxe même ! C'est très bien, tu vas adorer ! Tu tu donnes le temps de bien découvrir Tokyo et c'est très bien aussi, c'est une ville magique.
Concernant les vides dans ton itinéraire, il faut effectivement tenir compte de la météo. La période des typhons commence généralement dans la deuxième partie du mois d'août et dure tout le mois de septembre. Okinawa est effectivement l'une des régions les plus concernées. Mais il y en a aussi régulièrement à Tokyo, dans le Shikuko, Kyushu et l'ensemble du Honshu. Faut-il pour autant se priver d'étapes qu'on a envie de faire ? Pas sûr. Un typhon, c'est une journée de grosse tempête : en gros, il fait nuit, il pleut averse non stop et il y a beaucoup de vent. Mais cela dure rarement plus d'une journée. Sur 4 semaines, ce n'est peut être pas insurmontable.
En revanche, en dehors des typhons, le Japon est un pays très, très chaud l'été. A Tokyo, non seulement il peut faire nettement plus de 30°, mais surtout, le taux d'humidité avoisine souvent les 100 %. Ca peut donc être assez difficile à supporter. C'est, à mon avis, la meilleur occasion d'aller découvrir Hokkaido, l'île la plus au Nord du Japon. Il y fait quand même assez chaud (facilement 25°) mais c'est plus sec donc plus agréable. Et alors là, hormis Sapporo, c'est la pleine nature. C'est vraiment sympa et même top si tu as la possibilité de louer une voiture (ce que je conseille vivement de faire !).
J'ai effectivement du mal a tenir en place, depuis le temps que j'attend sa !🙂 Plus qu'un long mois...
Je comptais plutot aller dans le sud pour la derniere partie de mon voyage, histoire de passer une semaine au bord de mer (c'est l'été apres tout ^^), mais si même a Tokyo il fait si chaud, j'imagine pas la température dans le sud... En fait à defaut d'Okinawa, je cherche un endroit sympa qui fasse vraiment vacances d'été, avec plage et ambiance festive (pour cette partie là de mon voyage). Mais je ne sais pas si toute les côtes du japon sont praticables (j'ai un peu une image style bretagne en tête, rocailleux etc, par vraiment longue plage de sable fin comme okinawa...), et si une ville est plus conseiller qu'une autre pour ce que je cherche...
Et pour Hokkaido, c'est plus ce que je recherche pour le vide de la premiere partie, ce coté rural etc... par contre je n'est pas le permis 😕, ya t'il des bus pour relier les grandes villes aux villages plus ruraux ?
Alors là si tu cherches des belles plages, c'est Okinawa et pas ailleurs. Je ne connais pas, mais on m'a dit qu'elles étaient belles. Et ce qui est sûr, c'est que sur le reste du pays, les plages, c'est vraiment pas terrible. Les Japonais ne vont pas à la plage, ils préfèrent les bains chauds (onsens) et ils ne font jamais de bronzette. C'est pourquoi, dans ce pays si propre et si beau, les plages sont aussi moches et parfois sales. C'est incroyable vu la météo et la configuration du pays (que des îles...), mais c'est comme ça. Ca donne une idée du potentiel touristique inexploité...
Sinon à Hokkaido, oui, il y a sûrement des bus et des trains. Mais à la campagne, le réseau de train est assez maigre. Tu vas passer beaucoup de temps dans les transports... et tu ne verras pas les coins les plus reculés. Maintenant, évidemment, si tu n'as pas le permis et que tu veux aller à Hokkaido, tu arriveras sûrement à te débrouiller...
Je continu toujours à remplir les trous de mon itinéraire, c'est chose faite je pense entre la partie Tokyo et Kyoto du debut, sa donnerai :
Départ de tokyo le 12 Aout au matin pour kamakura, on visite les temples la journée, puis on dort dans un hotel ou ryokan. Le lendemain, direction assez tot vers un festival (normalement à 3 kilometres de kamakura, donc si on trouve pas de bus sa sera à pied ^^).
Le soir, direction la presqu'ile d'Enoshima, 10-15 kilometres de là, la part contre j'espere que l'on trouvera un bus, sinon on est pas arrivée ^^' Il faudra trouver un hotel/ryokan aussi. Le lendemain, jeudi 14 aout, visite d'Enoshima, puis direction Fujisawa (relié par un pont), on prend le train vers Yokohama, puis recherche d'hotel ryokan encore une fois, le lendemain visite de Yokohama et depart pour Kyoto en soirée ou le lendemain matin.
Mes seules grosses incertudes sont les réservations et les bus. J'ai chercher sur pas mal de site, mais les hotels ou ryokans sont en japonnais, donc pas de reservation (et même de compréhension) possible. Est-ce possible de trouver des hotels sans avoir réserver ? Et pour les bus, j'èspere qu'ils seront assez comphréhensible pour deux pauvres gajins ^^
Pas de panique pour les réservations: vous pouvez les faire aisément, en anglais, de 3 façons:
via le Welcome Inns reservation center, qui a des bureaux dans les aéroports, à Tokyo, à Kyoto par internet au fur et à mesure sur leur site www.itcj.jp, directement grâce à la liste papier d'hôtels et de ryokans à prix abordables que le Welcome distribue (demandez-en une directement à leur bureau de Paris dont vous trouverez l'adresse ici: www.tourisme-japon.fr )
Pareil pour les bus, demandez des horaires pour les destinations visées à l'office du tourisme.
Hello,
Je suis partie au Japon au mois d'août dernier et j'ai cherché comme toi un endroit où pouvoir me poser quelques jours à la plage. Zut, c'est l'été quand même. Après de grosses galères de tentatives de réservation à distance (comme tu l'as fait remarquer, à part à Okinawa, difficile de trouver des plages et des informations fiables en anglais), je peux te conseiller deux endroits : L'ile de MIYA JIMA : une plage aménagée et plutôt sympa permet de se baigner. On a passé 4 jours sur l'ile et on n'a pas regretté. Les groupes de touristes viennent passer la journée, ou deux jours tout au plus sur l'ile, et c'est un vrai bonheur de pouvoir profiter pleinement du site une fois tout le monde parti. La rando à pied jusqu'en haut de l'ile est vraiment super. Amanohashidate : à deux heures de train environ de Kyoto : Super langue de sable et plage aménagée. Charmant village d'un côté et point de vue avec téléphérique de l'autre.
J'espère que ces infos te seront utiles.
A bientôt !
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Hi there,
My girlfriend (23) and I (24) are heading to Japan for the first time from October 20th to November 6th. Here’s our itinerary:
6 nights in Tokyo
1 night in Hakone (ryokan already booked)
4 nights in Kyoto (hotel already booked)
2 nights in Osaka
4 nights back in Tokyo
I’d like to book hotels for Tokyo (both stays) and Osaka, but I’ve gotten so many different recommendations.
I’ve read that Shinjuku is the place to be for its huge hub, accessibility, and things to do, but I’ve also heard about Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno.
I’ve looked at hotels, and first off, I’m surprised by the prices compared to what I’ve seen on forums (I guess inflation’s hit here too… and maybe I’m late to the booking game?). I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options.
For our first stay in Tokyo, I’d prefer a hotel (not a residence or Airbnb) since we’ll be arriving at night, and it’s our first time in Japan. It’d be great to have a place with a reception, staff who speak at least a little English, and can give us some guidance. For the second stay, we could consider other options if it’s better.
Budget-wise, we can go up to 150–180 € per night, but if we can save some money to spend elsewhere, that’d be amazing!
I’m open to all recommendations, hotel suggestions, or any other tips for Tokyo (first stay), Osaka, and Tokyo (second stay).
We’re flying to China in a few days for a four-week trip—our first time in this fascinating country! 🇨🇳
We’ll be sharing our adventure live on our travel journal, with photos and daily updates. Our itinerary, though classic, will let us discover the wonders of this vast country:
I’m starting to look at neighborhoods in Seoul, and I’m leaning toward staying in a hotel in Insa-Dong—I’ve spotted one really close to Unhyeongung.
Is this a good area—nice and convenient for exploring the city?
Otherwise, I’ve also found another hotel in Yongsan-Gu, right near the station of the same name. Is that station useful for getting around Seoul?
Since I’ll be in South Korea for nearly two months, I plan to spend at least a week in Seoul to recover from jet lag (it takes me a while to adjust...). So, I’d love a neighborhood that’s pleasant and a hotel not too far from a subway station.
Hi there,
I’m getting ready for a classic tourist trip to China in May 2026.
The "Terres Lointaines" itinerary looks good to me, and the price is interesting.
Has anyone traveled with them before? Any feedback?
Is there a better option?
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences on this!
Michel
I just booked my hotel in Seoul—it’ll be near Unhyeongung, on Samil-Daero 30-Gil—and I’m wondering if there’s public transport from the airport to this address (bus or subway)? If not, what’s the taxi fare? I read it’s around 50 or 60 €.
I’m traveling to Japan with a young adult with autism (ASD) from July 28 to August 8, following a pretty classic route: Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo. I’m looking for a schedule of the most spectacular fireworks displays during that time. So far, the dates for the major *hanabi* events aren’t available online yet. If anyone has them, I’d really appreciate it if you could share!
We’ll be doing a self-drive trip using public transport in May 2026.
On Day 6, we’ll arrive in Hakone by train from Tokyo in late morning. We’ll spend the night in Hakone before heading to Kyoto.
The main goal of this stop is clearly the view (no hiking) of Mount Fuji, not so much exploring Hakone, where the sights seem limited.
I’ve read on the forum that the view is great from Gotemba, but it also takes a good hour by bus to get there. And, apart from that view, there’s nothing else to see in Gotemba!
So, I’m not sure what to choose. Any thoughts? Or alternatives to suggest?
Maybe some spots in Hakone or Gotemba for a great view?
Hi everyone, I’m Julien!
This summer, from late June to late July, I’m planning a one-month solo trip to Japan—my first time!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice on the itinerary I’ve put together to explore this amazing country.
Here are the routes I’m considering:
**Option 1: More mountain and nature-focused**
Tokyo: 8 nights, with day trips to Nikko and maybe the Izu Peninsula
Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi/Mt. Fuji): 1 night. The place looks stunning, but I’m worried Mt. Fuji might not be visible due to the weather
Kyoto: 6–7 nights (including a trip to Nara)
Osaka: 1–2 nights, where I’d like to drop off my things to make the Kumano Kodo easier
Kumano Kodo: 3 nights—an experience I haven’t seen much elsewhere, but I thought it sounded really interesting
Hiroshima: 2 nights
Miyajima: 1 night
Takayama: 3 days
Kanazawa: 3 days (From what I understand, the Osaka–Takayama–Kanazawa–Tokyo route is convenient for transport)
Tokyo: 1 night (return)
**Option 2: More varied but a bit vague in parts**
Tokyo: 8 nights
Kyoto: 7 nights (+ Nara)
Osaka: 2 nights
Kobe + Himeji: just passing through—I’m not sure if it’s worth a night
Naoshima: 1 night—still pretty unclear for me
Takamatsu: 2 nights. An interesting city, but I’m not sure how long to stay
Shimanami Kaido: biking from Imabari to Onomichi, then heading to Hiroshima
Hiroshima: 2 nights
Miyajima: 1 night
Kyushu road trip (Aso + onsens + Fukuoka): 5 nights (also pretty vague—I could fly from Fukuoka back to Tokyo)
Tokyo: 1 night
**Option 3: More balanced/simplified**
Tokyo: 8 nights
Kawaguchiko: 1 night
Kyoto: 7 nights (+ Nara)
Osaka: 2 nights
Koya-san: 1 night
Kumano Kodo: 3 nights
Takayama: 3 nights
Kanazawa: 3 nights
Tokyo: 1 night
A few key points:
I haven’t made any reservations yet, except for the flight tickets.
I know my plans are too packed and will need to be adjusted.
I’m specifically looking for advice on which stops to cut or shorten.
Hello everyone,
Like Cedric13600, I’ve booked a flight ticket for 30 days / 29 nights in September 2026, from Beijing to Shanghai. We’re a couple in our sixties who love independent road trips.
I’d like to draw inspiration from the following private itinerary suggested by a travel agency:
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Day 2 to 4: Beijing
Day 5: Datong
Day 6 & 7: Pingyao
Day 8 to 10: Xi'an
Day 11: Luoyang
Day 12: Dengfeng
flight
Day 13 & 14: Chongqing
flight
Day 15 & 16: Lijiang
Day 17: Dali
Day 18: Kunming
Day 19: Jianshui
Day 20 & 21: Yuanyang
Day 22: Travel via Guilin
Day 23 & 24: Yangshuo
Day 25: Guilin
Day 26 & 27: Zhangjiajie
flight
Day 28 & 29: Shanghai
Day 30: Departure from Shanghai
But to do this itinerary independently:
1. This schedule seems very ambitious to me—what do you think?
2. If it’s too packed, what would you remove as a priority?
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
I’m planning a 5-week trip between Yunnan and Sichuan from mid-October to the end of November 2026:
Arriving in Kunming, I’ll do a loop in the far south of Yunnan via Thonghai, Jhiansu, Zhemi, Yuanyang, Nafa, Jinping, Mengzi, and Shilin (visiting markets, villages, and hiking), then head to northern Yunnan/southern Sichuan on the same theme (passing through Kunming again) via Dongchuan, Huize, Qiaojia, Puge, Xichang, Lanba, Butuo, Huolie, Dimo, Riha, Niuniuba, Meigu, Mabian, and Leshan, before arriving in Chengdu (where I’ll take my return flight to Paris).
This would be a trip with a strong ethnic/rural focus. Since I’ve never traveled in China, I’d love to hear your thoughts on doing this solo. Are there public transport options in the region? What tips do you have for traveling through this area as smoothly and enjoyably as possible? I’ve done quite a bit of backpacking in the mountains of northern Vietnam and really enjoyed using local motorbike drivers. Is something like that available in this region (through local tourist agencies or hotels)?
What should I be cautious about? Are local tourist agencies (or hotels) offering tours and guides reliable? If you know of any specialized sites sharing tips or experiences, or names of local agencies, hotels, etc., please don’t hesitate to share them! :)
In short, all your advice (on any topic that comes to mind!) is very welcome.
Thanks so much!
While researching South Korea, I came across the term "templestay," which refers to a Korean program that lets you stay in a traditional temple to discover Buddhism and Korean culture by living like the temple residents and doing activities like making lanterns.
A templestay isn’t just for foreign tourists—on the booking site, I saw that some temples are more geared toward foreigners, with English-speaking monks.
I was wondering if it’s still worth it, especially in temples where the monks don’t speak English?
I'm 69 years old and heading to China, where most tourist sites are free or discounted for me. However, trip.com either refuses to let me book because the sites are free or doesn’t apply the discount. Does WeChat apply this discount if I book through them? How can I just reserve without paying and pay on-site? Is that possible?
I’d love to get some feedback on our 30-day / 29-night itinerary in China. We’ll be there in September as a family with two kids (6 and 10 years old).
Do you think I should cut a few nights between Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) and Yangshuo? I’ve planned 15 nights total there.
We’ll be on a round-the-world trip starting May 2026 and will need to do schoolwork with the kids. Hoping to fit it in during train rides!!
Ever since I started planning this China itinerary, I’ve been discovering completely mind-blowing places I’d never heard of before—30 days feels way too short for China!!!
Here’s our itinerary:
Beijing - 4 nights
Forbidden City
Great Wall of China
Temple of Heaven
Xi’an - 3 nights
Terracotta Army
Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque
Chengdu - 3 nights
Zoo - Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Wenshu Yuan Temple
Hi there,
We just got back from a 2-week trip to China as a couple, and before we left, the budget was the hardest thing to picture concretely. We found plenty of info on visas, apps, transport, and itineraries, but way fewer detailed breakdowns of what you *actually* spend on the ground.
So, we took the time to share our real budget for 14 days. In our case, we spent around 1,800 € per person, with a big chunk of that going toward round-trip flights at about 600 € per person. We were also pretty surprised by how affordable China can be once you’re there—transport is often cheap, and a lot of everyday expenses stay reasonable.
The trickiest part, in the end, was figuring out how to pay while you’re there, since it’s not always obvious if you’re not prepared. But once everything’s set up and you get the hang of it, it’s really smooth.
If this can help other travelers get a better idea before they go, we’ve broken it all down here:
https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.com/budget-2-semaines-de-voyage-en-chine/
Hi everyone,
I’ve been planning several itineraries for a trip to Japan with my wife but would love your insights before we start booking!
In short, we want to go during Golden Week, see late-blooming cherry trees, and have the freedom to get around with a rental car.
Here’s the plan:
18-day itinerary in Japan (April 25 → May 12)
Goal: freedom, late cherry blossoms, culture & nature
---
Days 1–3: Tokyo (April 25–27)
Arrival and adjustment (no car needed yet).
Neighborhoods to visit: Shinjuku, Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Odaiba.
Suggested activities: Ghibli Museum, Sumida River cruise, izakaya meals.
Late cherry blossoms (yaezakura) possible at Shinjuku Gyoen.
Pick up the rental car on the morning of April 27.
---
Days 4–5: Mount Fuji & Hakone (April 27–28)
Route: Tokyo → Kawaguchiko/Hakone (~2 h).
Activities:
Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito Pagoda (Fuji views + late cherry blossoms)
Onsen baths, Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Stay: ryokan with onsen and views of Mount Fuji.
Activities:
Preserved old town, sake breweries, UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go.
Stay: traditional minshuku (thatched-roof house).
Cherry blossoms are finishing at this altitude — beautiful mountain/nature contrasts.
---
Days 8–10: Kyoto & Nara (May 1–3)
Route: Takayama → Kyoto (~4 h 30).
Activities in Kyoto:
Fushimi Inari (red torii gates), Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama, Gion (geisha district).
Day trip to Nara:
Free-roaming deer in Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Stay: Kyoto (3 nights).
---
Day 11: Osaka or Himeji (May 4)
Route: Kyoto → Osaka (~1 h) or Himeji (~1 h 30).
Option 1: Osaka → modern vibe, street food, castle.
Option 2: Himeji → stunning UNESCO-listed castle.
Stay: Osaka.
---
Days 12–13: Kanazawa (May 5–6)
Route: Osaka → Kanazawa (~4 h 30).
hi! Is it easy to use for paying for all the small purchases at the markets? INSTALLATION AND USE WITHOUT ISSUES—do you also need a VPN for China?
Secondly, for using phone and internet, I have Orange—is it reliable, or should I go with Airalo instead?
The info I found on the forum is a bit outdated, so I’m asking again!
1) What budget should I plan for 15 days, given that hotels with breakfast, transfers, and transport are already paid for? I know it depends on the person, but I’d love a rough idea. For meals, we’re thinking simple street food or small local restaurants.
2) I’ve heard that credit cards (we each have a Revolut + 1 Visa Premier) aren’t widely used and that it’s better to have cash. Can you confirm?
3) Are foreign credit cards still not accepted at bank ATMs? Still 7-Eleven or the Post Office? And what about American Express?
I'm planning a 19-day itinerary in Japan this summer.
For a first trip, Kyoto seems like a must. For the rest, I'm torn between:
- Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa for 5 to 6 days
- Kyoto 4 days
- Nara 2 days
- Koyasan 1 day
- Hakone/Mount Fuji 2 to 3 days
- Tokyo 3 days
Or dedicating the first 6 days to Kyushu.
Maybe there’s less traditional Japan in Kyushu compared to the Japanese Alps?
Maybe Kyushu is less crowded?
Thanks for your thoughts!
We’re planning a 17-day trip to South Korea in October 2026 with my husband and our daughters, who’ll be 9 years old.
I’d love to get your thoughts on our draft itinerary.
First, some key details:
1/ Jeju Island is a must for us. I’ve personally dreamed of going there for years after reading a novel about it.
2/ Our girls are used to road-trip style travel since they were born, so this kind of trip won’t be an issue for them.
3/ We plan to travel by train, except on Jeju where we’ll rent a car (we already have an international driver’s permit).
Itinerary:
Seoul: 1 arrival day at 10 AM + 4 full days
Gyeongju: 2 days
Busan: 3 days
Jeju: 4 days
Seoul: 2 days
I’ll be in Hong Kong from December 31 to January 3, 2027.
Any recommendations for things to see or do?
I’ll be staying in the Kowloon district.
I’d love to visit Lantau Island—what’s the best way to get there? And would you recommend buying a skip-the-line ticket for the cable car? Also, is there an entry fee for the Big Buddha?
I’m heading to Taiwan soon and would love some up-to-date info on Wi-Fi.
From what I’ve gathered, Taiwan offers it for free, but I’ve heard it’s not secure since it’s not protected by a "password." Since I’ve been traveling outside the EU for years without a local SIM card, I only use Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, and cafés. For me, that’s more than enough. So, my question is: Do these places secure their Wi-Fi with a "password"? If not, does buying a SIM card or eSIM seem like the only alternative?
Also, if any of you have recommendations for budget-friendly hotels in the main "cities," I’d love to hear them!
We’re planning a trip to China for two at the beginning of April and want to spend 2 nights in the Longji Rice Terraces—either in Dazhai, Tiantouzhaï, or Ping'an. I’ve seen that most of the hotels are made of bamboo, and you can hear every little noise. Since my husband is a very light sleeper, he’d really like to be sure he’ll get a good night’s rest. Can you recommend any quiet, well-soundproofed hotels in the area?
I’m reaching out to you because I’m planning our next big trip (Japan is really tempting us for the autumn!) and I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.
My husband and I have always loved traveling, and at 75, we have no intention of stopping... But I find that everything’s getting so complicated. I try to be "modern" by booking online, but as soon as there’s a problem, we hit a wall.
A friend nearly missed her departure last year because of a visa issue that wasn’t explained properly on a website... and no one to call for help, just automated messages.
It makes me a little nervous to be alone in front of a screen so far away, especially since at our age, we like knowing there’s real support if our health takes a turn while we’re there.
Anyway, I’m tired of seeing my file passed from one person to another without ever having the same contact... Do you know of any small, trustworthy agencies or people who still work the "old-fashioned" way and really look after their clients? I love my independence, but I need a real face behind my project.
Thanks in advance for your advice, and I look forward to reading your replies,
Catherine
I’m planning our trip to Japan from March 21 to April 11, 2026. We’re planning to travel by plane for long distances (Okinawa) and by train for the rest. I’d like to know if renting a car is easy and, most importantly, if driving with road signs written in Japanese isn’t too complicated. For trains, are there any tips to save money?
hi everyone, and first of all, I wish you all a happy new year and good health!
This coming October or November, we’re planning our first trip to Japan. The only downside is we’ll only have two weeks off.
For this first visit, I’m thinking of sticking to the Kyoto and Osaka area… saving Tokyo for another trip. Do you think that’s a good choice for a first-time visit?
I’ve put together a little itinerary below to get some feedback from those in the know. I’m only counting the days we’re actually there, not travel days.
Day 1: Kyoto
Ginkaku-ji – Philosopher’s Path with stops at a few shrines
temples Eikan-dō and Nanzen-ji
visit to the Samurai Ninja Museum in the late afternoon
Day 2: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari (allow 4 hours for the hike through the park)
visit to Sanjūsangen-dō temple
Shōseien garden
participate in a tea ceremony
Day 3: Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera temple
stroll through the historic district up to Kennin-ji temple
visit Kennin-ji temple
Yasaka-jinja shrine and Gion district in the late afternoon
return to the hotel via Pontochō Street
Day 4: Kyoto
visit Kinkaku-ji and Nijō Castle
visit the Imperial Palace gardens
end the day in the shopping streets (Shibkyogoku and Teramachi, among others)
Day 5: Kyoto
Arashiyama area
Togetsukyo Bridge, walk along the river, visit the Bamboo Forest
explore the area up to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple
Day 6: Kyoto
hike from Kibune to Kurama
Day 7: Kyoto
day trip to Nara (full day)
Day 8:
stroll around Kyoto before heading to Osaka
Day 9: Osaka
Katsuo-ji temple, then head to Minoh Falls and hike back via the Minoh Trail
end the day in the Osaka Castle area
Day 10: Osaka
Himeji Castle and an afternoon in Osaka
Day 11: Osaka
Osaka and return to the airport in the late afternoon for the flight home
Do you think this itinerary is doable? Are some days too relaxed or too packed?
I was thinking of adding a trip to Lake Biwa and Uji, but in that case, I’d have to cut some things. Are those places worth dropping some of the planned spots? And if so, which ones would you recommend cutting or shortening?
Thanks in advance—I’m all ears for both positive and negative feedback!
stephane
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Japan in April/May.
I’ll start my journey in Tokyo for 3 to 4 days.
I’d love your advice on accommodation, transportation, an itinerary, and whether a guide would be useful.
I’m traveling solo and could use a little reassurance.
Before I forget... how do payments work?
Hi there,
I’m looking for someone who could help me organize a trip to Japan for my niece and her son. I’ve seen that French-speaking guides are expensive, and the same goes for going through a tour operator.
Airline, local transportation, hotels, etc.
Thanks for your replies!
Betsyl
Hi there, I’m going on an organized trip to Japan in April and will have two free days in Tokyo. I’d love some tips on what to do during those two days.
Thanks
