Bonjour,
Je m'appelle Gaëlle. Je pars pour le Japon le 26 mars pour le boulot (salons de vin à Tokyo puis Osaka). Je rentre à Tokyo et laisse mon responsable prendre l'avion le 2 avril et moi j'en profite pour réaliser un rêve et visiter ce pays!
Je n'ai donc que 7 jours, du 2 au 8 (avec retour depuis Tokyo le 9 avril au matin).
Je suis plutôt fan des voyages hors des sentiers touristiques, j'aime la montagne et la nature, mais là je crois que je ne peux pas passer à côté des principales villes, leurs temples, jardins et sanctuaires. Voici donc l'itinéraire que je prévois :
- 3 nuits à Tokyo du 2 au 5 (hotel réservé : Khaosan Tokyo Original car à cette période les hotels bon marché semblent déjà tous se remplir!) = 3 jours de visite à Tokyo (peut-être Nikko inclus...)
- 2 nuits à Kyoto = une journée de visite à Kyoto et une journée pour visiter Nara
- 1 nuits à Koya-San (celle-ci je pense qu'elle est en trop, ça a l'air compliqué de d'aller à Koya-San depuis Kyoto ou Nara...)
1-Que pensez-vous de mon itinéraire? Est-ce que ce ne sera pas trop la course (avec Koya-San)? Est-ce suffisamment varié (overdose de sanctuaires et temples ou pas?) Il parraît que Kyoto et Nara sont des incontournables pour pour une première au Japon...
2-Confirmez-vous que voyager au Japon seule pour une femme c'est "sans risque"?
3-Quelqu'un a-t-il un avis sur l'hotel que j'ai réservé et sa position géographique pour aller visiter Shibuya et les autres quartiers "à voir"?
4-J'ai vu qu'il y avait un bus de nuit entre Kyoto et Tokyo qui arrivait à 6h15 à Tokyo Shinjuku (bus terminal de l'autoroute). Mon avion est à 10h30 à partir de Narita, pensez-vous que ce soit jouable et pas trop risqué?
5-Avez-vous des hôtels à me conseiller sur Kyoto? (plutôt se baser à Kyoto ou Nara d'après vous?) Là aussi je pense qu'il faut que je réserve maintenant car en avril c'est le gros rush des touristes??!!
1 - Trop la course même sans Koya-san. Avis: Un voyage de 7 jours c'est juste bon pour rester sur Tokyo et les environ.
2 - Pas de problème de voyager seul pour une femme au Japon
3 - Quartier d'Asakusa, classique pour avoir un hotel pas cher. Gare pas loin.
4 - c'est jouable sans trop de difficulté. Tu as 90 min de trajet de Shinjuku à l'aéroport. En partant à 7h00 tu arrives donc à 8h30. C'est largement suffisant pour l'embarquement.
5 - Kyoto sans hésiter quitte à payer plus cher.
"Un bivouac c'est un peu comme le dépucelage et la première cuite, une espèce de rite qui fais de toi un homme" (MonsieurHenri du site randonner-léger.org).
Salut!
Un grand merci pour la réponse d'une rapidité époustouflante!! Trop la course...mais j'ai vraiment envie d'aller à Kyoto...Tokyo est les environs serait certainement plus sage mais je veux bien goûter à l'atmosphère plus tranquille de Kyoto et je veux bien voyager en train et regarder le paysage défiler...
Sinon j'ai vu la possibilité de randonner entre Magome et Tsumago; que pensez-vous de cette option?
Oublie Koya-san sans l'ombre d'une hésitation.
Moi, j'avais loué une voiture, mais je ne suis pas sûr que ce soit très pratique en train ou en bus. Il faut y rester plusieurs jours pour réellement y goûter, et une semaine, c'est déjà juste pour Tokyo et Kyoto.
(personnellement, je retourne bientôt au Japon pour 9 jours de vacances et je ne resterai qu'à Tokyo et dans les environs)
Question : Pourquoi retourner à Tokyo après le salon d'Osaka ? Il est préférable d'y rester et d'aller à Kyoto tout proche, c'est à une demi-heure de train. Ensuite Tokyo, et tu seras ainsi sur place pour le départ. En plus, il est préférable de terminer par Tokyo si tu veux faire un peu de shopping, pour éviter de tout trimbaler à Kyoto. Mais bon, je dis ça, je dis rien, surtout si tu as déjà réservé l'hôtel...
Sinon, une journée à Nara, c'est bien payé. C'est à une heure de Kyoto. En gros, tu visites le Todai-ji et tu donnes à manger aux daims. En partant tôt, tu es de retour dans l'après-midi, à temps pour voir les geishas.
Cela dit, il serait effectivement très dommage de ne pas aller à Kyoto pour le premier séjour.
Merci pour les précisions. J'aurais effectivement aimé passer un peu de temps dans la nature nippone et l'atmosphère tranquille des temples mais je crois que ça va faire vraiment trop juste. Mon problème c'est que je rentre d'Osaka à Tokyo avec mon responsable au cas ou nous aurions un rendez-vous sur Tokyo avant son départ (et puis j'avoue que je me vois mal le laisser partir seul sachant qu'il ne parle pas anglais et voyage très peu...).
Me conseillez-vous de réserver les hôtels pour la totalité du séjour dès maintenant pour cette période (du 2 au 9 avril) ? J'ai pensé à Matsubaya Inn Ryokan ou Hiraiwa pour Kyoto, quelqu'un y est-il allé récemment? Ou encore Gojo Guesthouse (mais je ne serais jamais allé dans un Ryokan si je prends cette option...).
Il parraît qu'il y a des accords pour les aller-retour avec Air France pour faire le retour depuis Osaka par exemple. J'ai déjà pris les billets, quelqu'un sait si je peux faire le changement après coup? (je vais me renseigner mais si c'est déjà arrivé à quelqu'un je suis preneuse d'explications)
Voyez avec Airfrance si vous pouvez arranger un retour via Osaka-Kansai (KIX), même si vous devez payer quelque chose. Ca vous économisera une grande demi-journée de voyage en train et les frais y afférents. Un train et des bus directs relient la gare de Kyoto à l'aéroport d'Osaka en un peu plus d'une heure. Sinon, Airfrance a un vol qui part de Narita vers 10 h le soir, essayez de changer votre réservation pour lui.
Oubliez Koyasan pour cette fois. Il vous attendra pour un prochain voyage.
A Kyoto, Matsubaya et Hiraiwa sont tous deux très bien (j'ai à nouveau passé 15 jours au Hiraiwa cet été, toujours bien).
Pour un si court séjour, réservez tout d'avance*, ne perdez pas de temps sur place à stresser pour trouver un logement.
* après avoir la confirmation de vos éventuels changements de vols, bien sûr ...
Merci pour la réponse. Pour info je me suis renseignée et je peux effectivement modifier mon billet avec un retour depuis Osaka mais il y a un surcoût de plus de 700 euros car les vols sont pleins... Je peux décaler mon retour de 2 jours mais il y a 100 euros de frais de modification et c'est un peu compliqué vu que c'est mon employeur qui a payé le voyage (de plus ça gonfle mon budget et ne me laisse que quelques heures avant la reprise du boulot!).
Donc c'est décidé, je vais rester sage et profiter du voyage sans courir. Si vous avez tout de même des idées sur des coins accessibles en une journée soit autour de Tokyo, soit autour de Kyoto pour trouver un coin de verdure luxuriante, un village typique, des rizières pour voir un peu autre chose que la ville, des temples, des sanctuaires et surtout des touristes et peut-être même y passer la nuit, dans un coin tranquille et reculé (je rêve?).
Pour le JR Pass: si je fais Tokyo - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto - Tokyo - Narita ; il me semble qu'il est rentabilisé non? Si oui, comment le faire-faire et ais-je encore le temps sachant que je pars le 26 mars?
Merci encore d'avance pour votre précieuse aide et rapidité de réponse.
Malheureusement je dirais comme les autres qu'il faut zapper Koya-san, trop loin, trop compliqué en voiture comme en train (j'ai testé les deux).
Sur un séjour aussi court je recommande de rester à Tokyo et Kyoto, avec une excursion d'un ou deux jours au départ de Tokyo. Je renoncerais même à Nara, au profit d'une journée de plus à Kyoto. Une seule journée de visite à Kyoto, ou même deux, c'est trop frustrant et même si Nara est très jolie, à mon humble avis elle ne tient pas la comparaison avec sa voisine du nord (j'espère qu'aucun habitant de Nara ne lira ces lignes).
Tu as en revanche de la chance de tomber pile au moment de la floraison des cerisiers à Tokyo (si du moins elle tombe la même semaine que les années précédentes), à savoir dernière semaine de mars, première semaine d'avril (Kyoto une semaine plus tard). Raison de plus pour profiter davantage de Tokyo. Il y a des dizaines d'excursions sur un ou deux jours à faire depuis Tokyo. Les plus faciles en train sont Kamakura (une journée a/r) et Nikko / lac de Chuzzenji (avec une nuit sur place). Pour les rizières, c'est plutôt le sud de la péninsule de Chiba (très joli), mais sans véhicule ça me semble galère. Idem pour la péninsule d'Izu et même Hakone et/ou les 5 lacs du Fuji.
Verdure autour de Kyoto: - Le village de Ohara, ses temples, ses commerces de pickles et d'artisanat local, ses minshukus avec onsen. 45 min en bus et dans les 500 yens depuis la gare ou depuis Shijo-Keihan (le long de la Kamogawa, sur Kawabata-dori).
- Arashiyama, Sagano, Kibune, ...
cf. www.kyotoguide.com pour plus de détails - copies papier gratuites disponibles à l'office du tourisme et dans beaucoup d'hotels (Kyoto Visitor's Guide).
Encore une chose: pour bien profiter de Kyoto, louez un vélo, il y a plein d'offres donc certaines détaillées dans le Kyoto Vis. Guide. La ville est essentiellement plate et son plan est une grille orientée nord-sud, avec plein de points de repère en hauteur, donc il faut faire un effort pour s'y perdre. Avec les transports publics, on fait surtout les grandes avenues et on néglige les petites rues pitoresques et pleines d'artisans, commerces traditionnels, bâtiments anciens, et la vie au jour le jour. Ca évite les surdoses de temples et de jardins.
Autre info: si vous êtes à Kyoto un jour de marché aux puces ou artisanal (liste dans le KVG), ne manquez pas d'y aller. Vous serez (en principe, ou alors vous êtes faites vraiment différemment de tout le monde) émerveillée de tout ce qu'on y trouve, et pour pas cher.
Verdure autour de Kyoto: - Le village de Ohara, ses temples, ses commerces de pickles et d'artisanat local, ses minshukus avec onsen.
J'avais passé une nuit à Ohara. J'ai donc visité les temples le premier, c'est un endroit enchanteur, perdu parmi les arbres. Dégustation de thé rose... Mmmm...
Tokyo-Kyoto et Kyoto-Nara A/R, c'est le prix du JRP une semaine. Il est donc préférable de le prendre.
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Hi,
July 2026: I’m writing to you from Dali.
First, I got scammed on Booking—AI-retouched photos. No tourists at this hotel (Yishanju Designer Hotel), and the reality was horrible: dirty, with a disgusting breakfast. It’s better to use Trip.com here.
Next, the old town was an infernal cacophony, packed with tourists who shoved past without a care. Some vendors harassed you to buy things. All the stalls sold the same cheap plastic junk or other uninteresting stuff. The beautiful scenery was ruined by vendors lining 100% of the alleys. Impossible to walk, crushing heat, nothing good to eat except fresh fruit. Horrible experience.
Day 2: We went to Cangshan Mountain by cable car—the ride was short and nothing spectacular. We were at 2,600 m.
My plan was to see Erhai Lake. Unfortunately, I followed the advice of an AI chatbot: take the boat at Langkan Dock. The Didi dropped us off in the nearest area, which was full of charming little alleys but packed with Chinese tourists. The three-wheeled yellow cabs zoomed through the narrow streets, forcing you to hug the walls, on top of the scooters and other pedestrians to deal with. Crossing the neighborhood was hellish and suffocating. Once out, we hit the "corniche," which was also packed with Chinese tourists. The lake’s edge was all pebbles, and everyone was standing around taking photos. I was with my 5-year-old son. I would’ve liked to sit down and let him play with stones by the water, but it was clear we didn’t belong. They were even shoving each other for a shot! There were no boats in sight. In short, we’d had enough, and there was nothing interesting there either.
On the way back, we had to cross that maze again under the scorching sun. My son was braver than me—I even had a little dizzy spell from all the chaos. Add to that Dali’s altitude (2,200 m), so altitude insomnia, fatigue, and vulnerability during the day...
The restaurants weren’t inviting—the staff served sticky rice in a little bucket. The dishes were wrapped, and you had to figure it out yourself. After that, they ignored you completely, even if you were the only tourist.
On the 3rd day, it was time to leave for Shaxi. I hope to see beautiful villages. But honestly, I’m exhausted by this atmosphere where everything is complicated, communication is never smooth, noise is everywhere, and the behavior of some Chinese people is abusive...
Silver lining: not a drop of rain in 4 days and blue skies.
I couldn’t visit the villages in southern Yunnan because of rain and storms there...
But I was expecting to see a few more tourists.
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
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).
Hi there,
I’d like to do this cycling route over 2 or 3 days. I’m struggling to figure out and find a (good) bike rental that lets me start in Onomichi and drop off in Imabari. Can anyone help with great tips for rentals and accommodations along the route? How do I get back to Onomichi afterward?
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!
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