Bonjour à tous !
Je suis nouveau sur ce forum
J’aimerais avoir votre avis sur mon itinéraire de voyage pour 2 semaines en début d’avril 2021
C’est mon premier voyage au Japon
Jour 0
Arrivée à Tokyo
Jour 1
Harajuku(Takeshita dori + yoyogi park +meiji-jingu)
Omotesando (Tokyu plaza + omotesando hills + oriental bazaar)
Cat street
Shibuya (crossing + Hachiko + Starbucks + shibuya scramble square + center gai + nintendo store)
Jour 2
Asakusa(Kaminarimon + tourist center + Nakamise street + Sensoji + Shin nakamise + Don Quijote)
Ueno(Parc ueno + Ameyoko street)
Tokyo Skytree
Retour à Asakusa de nuit
Jour 3
Petit déjeuner
Roppongi (musée mori + hills observatory +
tokyo tower(one piece) + Temple zozoji)
Shinjuku(gyoen + Hanazono Shrine + Chidorigafuchi + Southern terrace + Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings + Shinjuku view + Kabukichō + Golden Gai)
Jour 4
Odaiba (Seaside Park + Statue of Liberty + Fuji Television Building + Gundam Statue + DiverCity + teamLab Borderless + VenusFort + Oedo Onsen Monogatari)
Jour 5
Hamarikyu
Imperial palace Gardens
Ginza(shopping)
Akihabara (Kanda myojin + kurikoan + don quijote + Game Center
Souper ginza itsuki
Jour 6
Yanaka( Nezu Shrine + Yanaka cemetery + Sakura-dori + Tennoji + Yanaka Ginza
Départ pour kyoto pour Kyoto
Jour 7
Kinkaku-ji
Ryoan-ji
marché de Nishiki
galerie marchande Teramachi
Château de Nijo
Yasaka jinja
quartier de Gion
Jour 8
Ginkaku-ji
chemin de la philosophie
Nanzen-ji
Parc de Maruyama
Kodai-ji.
Jour 9
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Tofuku-ji
Sanjusangendo Temple
Kiyomizu-Dera
chion in
Shoren in
Heian jingu
Jour 10
pont Togetsukyo
Bamboo groove
Tenryu-ji
Monkey park
Villa Okochi Sanso
Jojakko-ji
Gio-ji
Daikaku-ji
Jour 11
Départ pour Nara
Nara park
Nobori-oji Street.
Isui-en Garden
Todai-ji Temple
Nigatsu-do Hall.
Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
Kofuku-ji Temple
Naramachi
Départ pour Osaka
Jour 12
Osaka castle
Harukas 300 Observastion Deck
Shitenno ji + Tennôji Park(Keitakuen Garden and the Chausuyama ko-fun)
Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower
Aquarium kaiyukan
Hozenji Temple and Hozenji Yokocho
Dotonbori Canal and Cruise
Namba at night
A mon avis, ta neuvième journée est beaucoup trop chargée.
Tout faire le même jour est juste impossible, à moins de seulement t'arrêter à l'entrée et de prendre une photo. 😛
A voir surtout de quelle façon tu veux profiter de ces différents lieux. Si tu es plus du genre à prendre ton temps, ou plutôt à "survoler".
Pour le Fushimi Inari, par exemple, tu peux effectuer une randonnée qui passe sous les centaines de torii jusqu'au sommet de la montagne. Cette randonnée demande une bonne heure de marche, si mes souvenirs sont correctes.
Ou alors, au contraire, tu peux très bien te contenter de voir le temple principal, ce qui sera bouclé en une petite demi-heure. A la sortie de la gare, tu as aussi une petite allée commerçante qui mène au temple, avec son lot de stand de souvenirs et de boustifaille locale. A voir si tu veux prendre le temps d'y flâner ou pas.
De Fushimi, tu peux te rendre au tofuku-ji à pied. Ca doit demander un petit quart d'heure.
Une fois sur place, tu peux vite faire le tour, ou au contraire prendre ton temps et profiter des différents jardins zen et de la quiétude qui y prend place.
En tout cas, entre les trajets, les visites, les pauses miam, la matinée est vite remplie.
Koyomizu dera et les quartiers autours sont très vivants. Sur l'allée principale, tu trouvera un paquet d'échoppes touristiques proposant à la vente souvenirs et spécialités locales. Puis tu auras le complexe du Kiyomizu, qui est relativement vaste. Et les quartiers au nord, faits de petites ruelles plus typiques. Pendant le hanami, beaucoup de gens en yukata y circule.
Tu peux tout à fait suivre ces petites ruelles jusqu'au kodaiji ou au yasaka jinja.
Encore une fois, ça peut donc te prendre une heure à tout casser. Ou bien tout l'aprem en fonction de comment tu souhaites en profiter.
Mais dans tous les cas, c'est difficile d'ajouter le Chion in et le Heian jinja à une journée comptant déjà ces visites là.
De manière générale, dans la construction de ton parcours, je t'invite à ne pas sous-estimer les temps de trajet et les pauses miam, et à te laisser le temps de profiter des lieux que tu visites. Pour un premier voyage, on a toujours envie de tout voir et on risque souvent de vouloir trop en faire. 😉
C'est presque systématiquement trop chargé, mais ce n'est pas rédhibitoire, à condition de considérer ce programme comme un memento dans lequel piocher au fur et à mesure dans le cours de chaque journée, en fonction du temps disponible et de l'envie du moment.
Je m'abstiens de proposer un programme qui serait raisonnable à mes yeux, car bien souvent, comme l'a écrit très justement Mikamic,
ça peut donc te prendre une heure à tout casser. Ou bien tout l'aprem en fonction de comment tu souhaites en profiter.
Pour moi, ça serait plutôt tout l'aprem, mais d'autres visiteurs sont plus rapides et je me garderai de les dénigrer.
Justement j’aimerais bien profiter au maximum de chaque quartier mais j’ai l’impression par exemple pour Tokyo de faire le tour des must see en 1 semaine , vous trouvez l’itinéraire trop chargé ? Pourtant il a été réfléchi suite à de longues lectures dans différents forums et sites qui proposent des itinéraires.
Pour Kyoto mon itinéraire provient de là :
https://japon-fr.com/kyoto-4-jours.htm
De manière générale, je veux vraiment avoir un bon aperçu des musts see en sachant que je vais sûrement revenir au pays du soleil-levant mais considérez-vous mon itinéraire comme infaisable(courir et pas assez profiter) ? Chaque jour = 8h-20h sauf pour les 4 jours de Kyoto car je ne pense pas arriver jusqu’à la nuit après avoir fini mon programme quotidien
Merci pour l’éclat de rire de la 9e journée.
Outre le fait que c’est infaisable, sinon en taxi et sans rentrer nulle part, je ne savais pas qu’il existait en Europe des gens qui aiment les temples et les sanctuaires à ce point. C’est rare.
Ton planning me semble incroyablement chargé. Je comprends la logique des must-see, surtout avec 5 jours à Tokyo, mais j'ai peur que tu passes tes journées au pas de course.
La première fois que je suis allé à Tokyo (8 jours pleins), je m'étais fait un parcours indicatif sur 6 jours peu dense, parce qu'une fois sur place, selon comment tu sens la ville, tu évolues en fonction de ton ressenti. Les choses sont rarement ce qu'on a pensé qu'elles seraient.
Ne serait-ce que le parc Ueno, j'y suis resté des heures et des heures entre les sanctuaires, le zoo, le musée national, le musée des arts occidentaux, etc.
Chacun le vivra à sa manière, mais cela me semble difficile de suivre un planning aussi dense sans jamais vouloir dévier en fonction de ce qu'il vivra sur place.
Bon, je ne sais pas si ce commentaire est très constructif, mais si j'avais un conseil pour un premier voyage, ce serait d'éviter la Tokyo tower et la Skytree, beaucoup d'attente (au-delà du prix) pour une vue que tu peux avoir ailleurs, comme tu veux le faire au siège du gouvernement métropolitain à Shinjuku ou au Shibuya Scramble Square.
De manière générale, je veux vraiment avoir un bon aperçu des musts see ...
Ce qui est impossible si vous en accumulez autant en une seule journée.
Une fois sur place, vous allez vite vous apercevoir de deux-trois choses:
- on a tendance à fortement sous-estimer les temps de trajets de et vers les "must see" ainsi que pour les autres impondérables (manger, ...),
- quasiment chaque "must see" est entouré de plein d'autres choses passionnantes qui demandent du temps pour être appréciées,
- le pays est plein de choses à voir et à faire dont on découvre vite qu'elles sont plus intéressantes que les "must see" des guides de voyage 😉
De manière générale, je veux vraiment avoir un bon aperçu des musts see en sachant que je vais sûrement revenir au pays du soleil-levant mais considérez-vous mon itinéraire comme infaisable(courir et pas assez profiter) ? Chaque jour = 8h-20h sauf pour les 4 jours de Kyoto car je ne pense pas arriver jusqu’à la nuit après avoir fini mon programme quotidien
Encore merci pour vos réponses
Bonjour,
Je ne suis pas sur de comprendre, du coup. Est-ce que tu veux avoir un aperçu d'un maximum de choses, ou est-ce que tu veux éviter de courir et prendre le temps de profiter des différents endroits ?
Ta réponses m'a l'air un peu contradictoire, ou confuse, à ce sujet.
Le but ici n'est pas de dénigrer ta façon de vivre les choses, comme le rappelle très justement Marathon. J'aimerais juste êtres sûr de bien comprendre ce que tu souhaites pour éventuellement te fournir de bons conseils. 😛
Autant, personnellement, je considère la plupart de tes journées comme bien remplie, autant la plupart sont faisables. Surtout à Tokyo, où il y beaucoup de choses qui sont faisable jusqu'en soirée.
(Et de toute façon, je serais bien mal avisé de te donner des conseils pour Tokyo, cette visite sera pour mon prochain voyage :p )
Ce n'est pas le cas de Kyoto, où tes visites sont principalement des temples. Et les temples... ont tendance à fermer vers 16h30
Donc je te suggère de bien prendre en comptes les heures d'ouverture de tes visites. 😉
Si je compte bien cela te fait
6 jours à Tokyo
4 jours à Kyoto
1 jour à Nara
1 jour à Osaka
6 jours à Tokyo pour un premier voyage, et si tu veux voir autre chose que Tokyo, c'est bien (c'est ce que j'avais fais ;) )
4 jours à Kyoto me parait court. Renseigne toi sur place : il y a plusieurs temples ouverts en soirée pour voir un bel éclairage sous les sakuras (light up). Ca vaut le coup !
1 jour à Nara : ok
1 jour à Osaka : c'est court mais ça donne un bel aperçu déjà.
Après pour la répartition des visites : je te conseille de lister ce que tu veux voir (ce que tu as fait) et ensuite tu ajustera au jour le jour , en fonction de la météo, de tes envies du jour, de tes rencontres….
Honnêtement, certains jours me semblent très chargés. Mais tu adapteras sur place.
Pour info, voici ce que j'avais fait pour mon premier séjour comme visites (en novembre) :
TOKYO : 6 jours
Vendredi 11 novembre
Arrivée à Tokyo le matin
Balade à Asakusa (quartier de notre hôtel)
Déjeuner et Balade à Odaiba
Visite du Miraikan (Odaiba)
Venus Fort (Odaiba)
Retour à Asakusa pour dormir
Samedi 12 novembre
Balade à pied :
Temple Sensoji
Porte Kaminaremon
Berges de la rivière Sumida
Métro jusqu’à Nihonbashi
Jardin Impériaux
Roppongi hills
Mori Tower
Dimanche 13 novembre
Omotesando
Harajuku
Takeshita dori
Yoyogi Park
Sanctuaire de Meiji Jingu
Shibuya
Lundi 14 Novembre
Safari photo en vélo avec David Michaud http://www.tokyosafari.com/
Asakusa
Taito
Ameyoko
Parc Ueno
Yanaka, le quartier des chats
Un joli temple avec plein de Chrysanthèmes
Akihabara
Ocha no Mizu
Nihonbashi
Tokyo center
Asakusa Bashi
Et de retour à Asakusa
Mardi 15 novembre
Bus pour Kawaguchico
Balade au milieu des momiji pour voir le Mont Fuji
Retour en bus à Tokyo
Shinjuku
Cocoon Tower
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office
Yakitori Town
Kabukicho
Golden Gai
Mercredi 16 novembre
Balade en bateau jusqu’à Odaiba
Parc Hama Rikyu
Tokyo Tower
Akihabara
KYOTO : 8 jours yc NARA
Jeudi 17 novembre
Dernière balade dans Asakusa
Shinkansen pour Kyoto
Arrivée tranquille à Kyoto
Vendredi 18 novembre
Ginkaku-ji
Chemin des Philosophes
Nanzen-ji
Sanmon
Kiyomizu-dera
Gion
Kodai-ji illumine de nuit
Samedi 19 novembre
Musée du Manga
Terramachi
Balade au bord de la rivière Kamo
Pontocho
Dimanche 20 novembre
Fushimi Inari
Château Nijo
Lundi 21 novembre
Journée à Nara
Mardi 22 novembre
Kinkaku-ji
Ryoan-ji
Ninna-ji
Tenryu-ji
Nonomiya
Mercredi 23 novembre
Kennin-ji
Heian-jingu
Shinbashi
Achat d’un magnifique katana
Jeudi 24 novembre
Tofuku-ji
Iwatayama koen, la montagne des singes
Temple Chion
Kiyomizu-dera illuminé de nuit
OSAKA 1,5 jours :
Visite de l’Aquarium
Den Den Town
Dotonbori
Mercredi 30 novembre
Château d’Osaka
Sky Building (Umeda)
America Mura
Bonjour,
C'est impressionant comme plan de visite ! J'espère que vous avez de bons baskets !
Les commentaires précédents ont déjà tout dit, à vous de voir ce que vous souhaitez comme voyage, vous souhaitez entrer et visiter tout ces temples ? Ou juste passer devant chacun d'entre eux ?
J'ai fait un itinéraire en partie similaire au vôtre, vous pouvez consulter mon carnet de voyage ou dans mon profil, cela vous donnera des idées de ce qu'il est possible de faire.
Bien sûr, on est tous différents et chacun visite à son rythme, c'est à vous de voir ;)
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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).
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.
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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).
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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.
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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