Tout dépend de l'heure à laquelle tu as ton escale et si c'est 6h d'avion à avion ou 6h en dehors de l'aéroport.
Si c'est 6h d'avion à avion, une simple badade au bouddha géant qui est sur la même ile que l'aéroport (Lantau) et éentuellement si tu es fan 1h3à de dysneyland asia juste pour dire que tu y es allé.
Si c'est 6h en dehors de l'aéroport, tu peux partir sur l'ile de hk et selon ce que tu aimes tu vas soit faire du tourisme (the peak pour une vue imprenable sur la baie de hk), un tour sur aberdeen et sur repulse bay, stanley market. Le tout en taxi depuis central (jusqu'à central tu prends te railway direct).
Si tu es plus boutique, tu as 2 3 centres commerciaux de ouf sur l'ile de HK : le IFC à central, le park lane à central aussi et le quartier de causeway bay. Idem pour le transport = le rail jusqu'à central et taxi en suivant (pas cher et pratique)
Si c'est de nuit, Causeway bay (boutique ouvertes jusqu'à minuit) et Central (lan kwai fon = bar et resto à gogo)
Si tu es parc et foule tu vas sur kooloon quatier mong kok pour des marchés aux oiseaux, aux fleurs...et toujours à kooloon le night market au bout de tsim tsa shui 'tout le monde connait là bas.
je te conseillerais de visiter l'aeroport, il y a un metro a l'interrieur excelent pour passer le temps.
Bon sinon le mieux est de visiter lantau si t plutot promenade. Il y a de promenade simpat a faire (autre que uniquement le boudha geant).
sinon prend le metro, va a tsim sha tsui et va sur le "hollywood avenue", tu as des empreinte de main du style jet lie, jacky chan ... Mais c'est surtout pour les super cliche photo que tu pourras prendre (aussi bien jour que de nuit) sur central et tout ces buildings.
Et ensuite prend le bateau pour aller a central, question de te promener par la bas, et du cote du Woman market question de voir ce que les autre parle. Ensuite reprend tranquillous le bateau pour aller sur lantau (l'ile de l'aeroport). Ca t'aurra fait une promenade simpat deja !!!mais aller y avec des bonnes chaussure de marche ! car on a vitre fait de marcher plusieurs heure !
Toutes les suggestions donnees sont bonnes et sympas mais je voulais t'en indiquer une autre (habitant HK et maitrisant un peu les distances et temps de trajets)
A priori tu peux sortir de l'aeroport et aller sur HK ... si tu atteris a l'heure, on peut considerer q'u au pire a 8H45 tu as passe l'immigration de HK et la tu prends le train rapide (impossible de le rater il n'y en a qu'un seul ) qui te mene au coeur de l'ile de HK en 20 MN (et il y en a toutes les 15 mnm) cela devrait te couter max 150 dollar aller et retour (soit 15 Euros) . Le terminus est donc l'ile de HK et le quartier le plus connu qui est CENTRAL. Il sera a peine 9H30 et la jusqu a au moins 13H tu peux te ballader a pied, gouter des DIM SUM, prendre le ferry pour aller sur kowloon (15 mn de trajets de central, frequence toutes les 5 mn, cout 2 dollars soit 20 cent d'euros) et voir la magnifique vue de HK avec ses buildings delirants..faire les petits marche de central et c sans fin car tes 4 H sur place seront un enchantement...
C vraiment a ne pas rater car le train de l'aeroport est extremement fiable et pratique, curieusement tu mettras plus de temps a acceder au big bougddha en etant sur la meme ile ....
bonjour,
ayant l'intention de passer quelques jours a hong kong(pour les fetes de fin d'année, en me disant qu'il y aurait peut etre des évements, feux d'artifices etc... pour la nouvelle année, meme si cela n'a rien avoir avec la leur)j'aimerai savoir quels sont sont les bons spots pour acheter des chaussures de sport(nike, air jordan etc...a ce qu'il parait il ya des rues specialiséees dans ce domaine)ont ma parlé aussi d'un endroit en dehors de hk a une quarantaine de mns(en train) ou les prix n'ont rien a voir (hi-fi, high technologies), de plus j'aimerait savoir ou je doit me rendre sur la baie pour faire de la jonque(si ca se fait...)voila d'avance merci.bien a vous .mickhael caze😎
Pour les jonques, cela vaut assez chere (200 euro) d'en louer une et en plus ce n'est pas pour etre seul mais plutot une vingtaine. En plus ce ne sont pas des jonques tel que tu dois l'imaginer a l'ancienne, mais plutot des bateaux a moteur en bois mais nettement moins joli..
Il doit y avoir des tours operateurs pour la baie de HK et les iles environnantes mais honnetement je ne suis pas sure que ce soit terrible .. En revanche se ballader sur les vieux ferry qui relient central a Kowloon c vraiment bien et c ouvert jusqu'a minuit ...... et la que ce soit de jour ou de nuit c le meilleur point de vue .... et cela vaut 2HKD un alle soit 2 euros........
Pour les baskets, effectivement il y aune rue dedie a ca a Mongkok pres du ladies market (sur kowloon, metro mongok c pas loin de central cad l'ile de hk), desolee je n'ai pas le nom de la rue mais si tu te ballades par la ver le ladies market en demandant tu as peut etre des chances de la trouver... sinon n'importe quelle autres boutiques de basket a n'importe quel endroit est tres bien aussi car les prix sont a peu pres les memes partout c plus une question de choix...
En train a 40mn de HK, je pense que l'on t'as parle du centre commercial de SHENZHEN qui est en chine (visa 15 euros minimum) ... Pff si tu as 3 jours c inutile d'aller en perdre 1 la bas, HK est deja 8 fois moins cher que la france ... ok shenzhen est moins cher que HK mais le coin est deprimant soulant et avec beaucoup de mauvaise qualite (surtout la HIFI) et surtout plutot plein d'articles pour les femmes....donc moi je ne le recommande pas pour un sejour aussi court et encore moins a un homme...la HIFI a HK est tres bien ...
Ne laisse pas tomber ton envie de faire de la jonque, il y avait le vendredi une sortie gratuite organisee par l'office du tourisme dans la baie avec la seule est vraie JONQUE de HK, s'informer aupres de l'OT.
Voici le website http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/harbour/index.jhtml
tu y trouveras toutes les sorties en bateaux.
Sinon reste le ferry qui relie HK a KLN c'est 0, 25 euro
Pour les chaussures de sport sortir Metro Prince Edward (a proximite le marche aux poissons pour aquarium, a voir absolument) ton bonheur se trouve dans la rue paralleles (Fa Yeun Street) au marche "ladies market"
Le district de Sham Shui Po est connu pour ses boutiques de gadgets électroniques et de matériel informatique. le pittoresque marché de ApLiu Street Spécialisé dans le matériel électronique, telephonie etc...
Metro Sham Shui Po
Pour les "hotels sympa cosy" je crois que tu entends par la "Guesthouse" alors je te conseille celle ci tenue par un francais. http://www.joy.hk/location.html
merci pour les infos😉c'est sympa!.surtout pour la jonque & les renseignements sur la hi-fi(ca m'aidera grave), par contre aurait tu d'autres "plans hotel", quitte a payer "fatalement" (plus) cher?, genre 50 euros(maxi), je m'y rend avec ma femme donc faut un minimum...🤪!!!merci encore pour tes indications!😎.mickhael caze
J'ai une journée d'escale à HK. Ais-je le temps d'aller à Sham Shui Po ? Est ce que les prix et la qualité (pas de risque de tomber sur du faux) valent le coup pour des lecteurs MP3 ?
Oui tu as le temps Sham Shui Po est le coeur de Kowloon.
plusieurs ligne d'express Bus vont a Sham Shui Po et +, le A33 et E21 et peut etre d'autres se renseigner a l'accueil hall des arrivees de l'aeroport.
Je fais la même escale à Hong Kong en décembre (6-7h d'attente), et je voudrais savoir s'il y a des formalités administratives pour faire une petite visite pendant le temps de l'escale (visa?).
Je voudrais partir avec mon fils au Japon. J'ai lu qu'il était moins cher d dépasser par Hong Kong pour aller ensuite dans d'autres pays d'Asie. J'ai testé et…
Je viens de réserver sur eDreams, un vol aller-retour Bruxelles-Da Nang avec une escale à Hong Kong la compagnie est Cathay Pacific. Quelqu'un connait-il la…
Je serais a Hong Kong du 31 au 3 janvier 2027 avez vous des recommandations de choses a voir ou a faire! je vais le quartier Kowloon. j'aimerais aller a l'Ile…
Je suis en train de planifier un itinéraire en chine de Hong-kong à Chengdu. Voici l'ébauche: Hong-kong + Macao (4 nuits) Shenzen (1 nuit) Canton (2 nuits)…
Lors d'un séjour à Hong Kong, si on prévoit de faire un aller-retour à Macao: - Savez vous quelles sont les contraintes de visa? - Pourra t on retourner à Hong…
Bonjour,
Avec ma copine (23 ans et 24 ans) nous partons au Japon pour la première fois du 20 Octobre au 6 Novembre prochain. Notre itinéraire est le suivant :
6 nuits Tokyo
1 nuit Hakone (ryokan déjà réservé)
4 nuits Kyoto (hôtel déjà réservé)
2 nuits Osaka
4 nuits Tokyo
Je souhaite réserver l’hôtel pour Tokyo (enfin les deux hôtels) et Osaka, mais j’ai beaucoup de recommandations différentes.
J’ai lu que Shinjuku était là où il y avait le grand hub / accessibilité / choses à faire, mais on m’a aussi parlé de Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno.
J’ai regardé les hôtels et premièrement je suis étonné du prix par rapport à ce que j’ai lu sur les forums (l’inflation est passé par là aussi j’imagine…, et peut-être que je suis en retard sur les réservations ?), et je me perds un peu dans les recherches avec toutes les propositions.
Pour le premier logement à Tokyo je souhaiterai être en hôtel (pas résidence ou AirBnB) car nous arriverons pendant la nuit et c’est notre première fois au Japon donc si on peut arriver dans un endroit avec un accueil, des gens qui parlent (même un minimum) anglais et qui nous guident, ce serait top. Pour le second logement on pourra faire autrement si c’est mieux.
Niveau budget nous pouvons nous permettre de mettre 150e-180e par nuit mais si on peut faire des économies pour mettre les sous ailleurs ce serait vraiment vraiment pas de refus!
Je suis preneur de toutes les recommandations, suggestions d’hôtels, ou autre, pour Tokyo 1, Osaka, et Tokyo 2.
Nous nous envolons pour la Chine dans quelques jours pour un voyage de quatre semaines, une première pour nous dans ce pays fascinant. 🇨🇳
Nous partagerons notre aventure en direct sur notre carnet de voyage, avec des photos et des récits écrits au jour le jour. Notre itinéraire, bien que classique, nous permettra de découvrir les merveilles de ce vaste pays :
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