Spiritual and mysterious Kansai

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Osaka

  

  On your arrival in the third largest city of Japan. You will discover sanctuaries, museums and parks and then the castle for an incursion into a samurai life. Enjoy the beautiful view from the observatory of the Umeda Sky building. Take advantage of your Japanese evening to stroll down Osaka's most popular street, Dotonbori Street, the epicenter of the city at nightfall in the heart of Osaka's festive district! 

• day 2:

  From Osaka to Koyasan

  

  Direction Koyasan, the most sacred mountain of the region and maybe even of Japan. Long time closed for visitors and especially forbidden to women, the mountain which until then was reserved to believers, has been opened little by little to the public. Covering a large part of the eastern part of the city, many legends remain, especially around the Okunoin cemetery. In the heart of a forest of hundred-year-old cedars, these thousands of graves are not without participating in the mysterious aura of Mount Koya. In the evening, you will sleep in a Shukubo, for an unusual experience in a temple hostel with Buddhist monks.

• day 3:

  From Koyasan to Nara

  

  For this day, reach Nara from Wakayama area, and you will admire the beautiful landscape from the comfortable seat of your train. At your arrival, you will spend a unique moment in the heart of one of the oldest Ryokan in the country. You will taste a delicate and authentic cuisine before relaxing in the sumptuous Japanese hot springs.

• day 4:

  Nara

  

  Walk in the big park of Nara city, ancient imperial capital, and especially famous for its shika deer which will certainly greet you with a nod. It is very easy to approach them and they will surely come to tease you and search your bags. Their encounter delights young and old, and makes for some pretty and funny pictures.

• day 5:

  From Nara to Kyoto

  

  Accompanied by your English-speaking guide, explore Kyoto and learn about Japanese history and Japanese culture. Walk the streets and witness ancient traditions, stunning architecture and beautiful parks. The shrines and temples of the ancient Japanese capital will transport you back in time. Will you have the chance to meet a Geiko during your stay?

• day 6:

  Kyoto

  

  Spend an incredible day in the southwest of the city on a beautiful green path: the Arashiyama bamboo grove. It runs alongside the splendid Tenryu-ji temple and leads to an enigmatic Kyoto. The superb giant bamboos will impress you by their size and the noise they produce when they clash. This atypical walk will remain a moment filled with poetry.

• day 7:

  Wazuka and Uji

  

  Discover Japanese tea in the countryside of Kyoto accompanied by a local guide. During this day, discover a rural and authentic Japan, and walk through tea fields and rice paddies.

• day 8:

  Last day in Kyoto

  

  On your last day, visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, the largest Shinto shrine in Japan where 30,000 torii follow one another forming a red vault winding through the forest and mountains. Your journey will end on the Philosophy Walk, from Ginkaku-ji, called Silver Pavilion to Eikan-do Zenrin-ji. A walking path lined in spring with beautiful cherry blossoms, and dotted along the way with small temples and shrines where you will enjoy strolling.