Local & Spiritual Japan
from €2959
Tour - 13 days
Local & Spiritual Japan
from €2959
Tour - 13 days
Local & Spiritual Japan
from €2959
Tour - 13 days
Spiritual Japan: the timeless beauty of temples and traditions
From the culinary streets of Osaka to the serene atmosphere of Kyoto’s temples, from the spiritual peace of Koyasan to the bustling energy of Tokyo, this trip is rich in contrasts.
Stroll through neon-lit districts, sample unforgettable street food, and go on a cycling expedition through picturesque villages where time seems to stand still. Meet friendly locals, discover the mystique of age-old rituals, and be enchanted by the unique blend of nature and culture.
Every moment spent in Japan tells a story – a story waiting to be discovered. Choosing this adventure means choosing to immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience that stimulates all the senses.

Highlights of this tour

Noodles and neon lights in Osaka
Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Osaka! Stroll the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori, sample delicious street food such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and feel the city come alive after sunset.

Spiritual calm in Koyasan
Spend the night in a temple and enjoy the serene atmosphere of Koyasan. Walk past ancient tombs at Okunoin and discover the mystique of Japanese Buddhism.

Timeless temples in Kyoto
Stroll through Kyoto’s ancient temples and Zen gardens. From the iconic Silver Pavilion to the Geisha District of Gion, history and beauty merge here to create a magical experience.
Day-to-day program
What's included?
12 nights' stay in the listed hotels or equivalent
Daily breakfast and two evening meals
Day 1: Transfer from the airport to your hotel
Day 5: Luggage transfer from Osaka to Kyoto – one item per person
Day 5: Two-day pass for Koyasan World Heritage, standard version
Day 9: 3.5-hour Hida Furukawa bike ride – shared (English-speaking guide, mountain bike, helmet, tea break, and rain gear if necessary included)
Day 12: Izakaya Tokyo Evening Food Tour – shared (English-speaking guide and wide range of dishes and drinks included)
Day 13: Transfer from your hotel in Tokyo to the airport
7-day Japan Rail Pass
Not included
International flights, other meals and drinks, optional excursions, and personal expenses.
Hotels & Meals
Japanese cuisine is the food—ingredients, preparation and way of eating—of Japan. The traditional food of Japan is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. The side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Fish is common in the traditional cuisine. It is often grilled, but it may also be served raw as sashimi or in sushi. Seafood and vegetables are also deep-fried in a light batter as tempura.
Apart from rice, staples include noodles, such as soba and udon. Japan has many simmered dishes such as fish products in broth called oden, or beef in sukiyaki and nikujaga. Foreign food, in particular Chinese food in the form of noodles in soup called ramen and fried dumplings, gyoza, and western food such as curry and hamburger steaks are commonly found in Japan. Historically, the Japanese shunned meat, but with the modernization of Japan in the 1860s, meat-based dishes such as tonkatsu became common.
Japan has an indigenous form of sweets called wagashi, which include ingredients such as red bean paste, as well as its indigenous rice wine sake.
Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi, has now become popular throughout the world.
(Wikipedia)
Travel Documents
Belgian travellers (babies and children included) must be in possession of an international, machine readable passport, with at least 2 blank pages, which should remain valid during your entire stay in Japan and an e-ticket that proves you will leave the Japanese territory max. 3 months after your arrival. I is the sole responsibility of the traveler to obtain updated information on all required, appropriate and valid travel documents and for the timely acquisition thereof (international (digital) passport, ESTA procedures, Kids ID, vaccinations, etc)
Passengers must present an immigration and customs declaration form upon arrival. The form must be completed online before check-in and departure at Visit Japan Web | Digital Agency Services
Travelers with a non-Belgian nationality and / or travelers travelling on a foreign passport are invited to spontaneously report this matter to the Connections travel consultant and shall contact their respective embassy or Consulate to obtain the latest updates concerning all current travel requirements and documents.
Insurances
Have a safe and carefree trip: travel fully insured with our Protections travel insurance! Our Protections insurance policies offer various formulas in order to offer you the widest possible cover (with even a fly-on-time, natural catastrophes and epidemics) for both single journeys or for the entire year. We guarantee you the best protection at the best price.
Tailored travel
The tours in our brochures are just a few examples of travel itineraries possible. Our trips can be tailored to suit your specific needs. If you want to book a specific destination or combine it with a mini-tour then we will gladly make you a tailor-made offer. For a personalised day-by-day program please contact our destination experts.
Would you like to travel in a group; with your entire family, friends or colleagues? (min. 10 people required). Put our know-how to the test and send us your details and wishes. We will gladly turn the blueprints of your trip into a detailed quote and a lasting memory for you to cherish. Contact our Connections’ Group Service by e-mail at groups@connections.be or by telephone on +32 (0)2 550 01 65. We would love to hear from you.
Health
No mandatory vaccinations. To verify the latest updates on health requirements, please surf to https://www.itg.be
Time zones
+ 8h (Winter), + 7h (Summer).
Japan does not observe Summer Daylight Saving Time
Payments methods
In Japan cash is king. Exchange Euro for Japanese Yen before you leave and make sure to take some cash in Euro as well. In international hotels and chain stores payment by credit card is widely accepted. However restaurants may not accept your foreign credit card for payment. The most convenient place to witdraw money from an ATM may be at one of the many 7 Eleven supermarkets.
Climate
Japan's expanse and mountainous character allows for differences in temperature and weather. The northern part has a temperate climate with warm summers and relatively mild winters and has four seasons, similar to Belgium. Southern Japan enjoys a warm climate with mediterranean character and really only has two seasons. Winters are spring-like warm with pretty much precipitation; summers are warm to hot with fairly large amounts of rain. Of all Ryukyu Islands, the most southernmost Okinawa Islands enjoy a subtropical climate with winter temperatures which can range around twenty degrees.
Elevations
There are volcanoes and mountains on all of Japan's islands and elevations range anywhere from hilly to the 3776 peak of Mt. Fuji. This results in terms of rainfall in a different weather pattern that is difficult to predict in advance.
Please request a price quote for a personalized quotation.
The mentioned as from price is per person sharing based on double occupancy.
A tailor-made quote?
Wish a detailed tailor-made quote? We gladly assist you with your travel plans, thus prepare your ideal tailor-made trip and calculate a detailed price proposal in no time. No hidden costs and entirely to your liking.
Visit our travel shops
Need more info, assistance to tailor your trip or the latest tips by our experienced Travel Designers? Pop in at one of our travel shops or make an appointment now. We will be delighted to set aside time for your travel plans.
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