Rails of excellence, Japan by train

Upon your arrival in Tokyo, a assistant will guide you to your hotel and help you with transport. Collect your transportation card (IC card) to travel easily by metro, bus or train, and to pay for your purchases. Stay connected with an unlimited Pocket Wi-Fi available for collection at the hotel. Enjoy a half-day to explore Tokyo and its unique treasures at your own pace.

Today, explore Tokyo freely. Discover Shibuya, its varied activities, the Hachiko statue and the spectacular panorama from Shibuya Scramble Square. Stroll through Yoyogi Park, where Tokyo residents gather to unwind, or visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, renowned for its elegance and ceremonies. In the West Shinjuku district, admire the skyscrapers and Tokyo City Hall, then dive into the lively atmosphere of East Shinjuku with its traditional bars and restaurants, particularly vibrant in the evening.

Explore Tokyo at your own pace and its must-sees: Akihabara, the lively otaku district, famous for its neon lights and maid cafés. Stroll through Ueno Park, a peaceful haven blending museums, temples and shrines. Discover Asakusa and Sensô-Ji Temple, venerated for over 1,000 years, and wander along Nakamise Street with its charming shops. Round off your day by taking in the superb panorama offered by Tokyo Sky Tree, the second tallest tower in the world and an icon of Japanese modernity.

Leave Tokyo for Enoshima, a one-hour train journey away. Along the way, board the Shonan Monorail, a unique suspended train. Explore this island connected to the mainland by a bridge, with its shrines, parks, caves and a tower offering breathtaking views, sometimes as far as Mount Fuji. The island combines a marina and a wooded hill to discover on foot, with shrines dedicated to Benten, goddess of good fortune. At the end of the day, return to Tokyo by train.

Today, make your way to Nikko Tobu Station from Tokyo Asakusa for a 2-hour journey aboard the Tobu Spacia X, an express train with a futuristic feel. Explore Nikko freely, starting with the sacred Shinkyo Bridge, then visit Rinno-ji Temple and Toshogu Shrine, both UNESCO-listed sites. Also discover Futarasan Jinja Shrine and Taiyuin Temple, nestled on the mountainside. End your day at the imperial Tamozawa Villa before heading to your ryokan for a kaiseki dinner and a relaxing soak in a traditional onsen.

Enjoy a day in nature around Lake Chuzenji, nestled at the foot of Mount Nantai, and admire the magnificent Ryuzu and Kegon waterfalls, among the highest in Japan. Visit Nikko Futarasan Shrine and Chuzenji Buddhist Temple, famous for its Kannon statue. At the end of the day, return to Tokyo aboard the Tobu Spacia X and spend your evening exploring the artificial island of Odaiba. Enjoy its views over the Rainbow Bridge, its shopping centres and attractions such as Joypolis for an entertaining evening.

Escape to Shizuoka for 2 days of immersion in the Japanese countryside. Take the Shinkansen (Japan's high-speed train) to reach Shizuoka Station in 1h30. Then make your way to Kanaya Station via the local JR Tokaido line, before boarding the charming Oigawa Steam Locomotive. Savour a bento on board while admiring the tea plantations. At Shimoizumi, visit the Shiogo suspension bridge, learn how to prepare tea, and end the day with dinner and a night in a guesthouse.
Note: Oigawa steam locomotive, subject to availability. Trains do not run every day of the week and may be suspended depending on the season.

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning in the countryside before making your way to Shimoizumi Station and boarding the Shinkansen to your next destination: Kyoto. In Kyoto, explore Nishiki Market, a celebrated hub of local gastronomy, and visit Yasaka-jinja Shrine with its iconic vermilion gate. Stroll through the lanes of Gion, where the traditional atmosphere offers a glimpse of old Kyoto. In the evening, head to Pontocho to savour sake and umeshu in an authentic setting.

Today, immerse yourself in traditional Japanese art with a tea ceremony, a unique visual and sensory experience where matcha tea is prepared according to a precise ritual. Then explore Kiyomizu-dera Temple, perched on its wooden stilts, and stroll through the picturesque lanes of** Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka**. Discover Kodai-ji Temple and its gardens, Maruyama Park, beloved in spring, or the peaceful Shoren-in Temple.

For this new day in Kyoto, begin with a visit to the Railway Museum, a must for train enthusiasts, with its impressive collection of locomotives and interactive experiences. Then walk beneath the 30,000 red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, an iconic site winding through the forest and dedicated to Inari, the goddess of rice. A perfect immersion into Japanese history and culture.

Board the Sagano Romantic Train for an unforgettable journey through western Kyoto. This panoramic train winds along the gorges of the Hozu River, revealing landscapes that change with the seasons: autumn colours, cherry blossoms in spring, summer freshness or winter magic under the snow. At Kameoka, extend the wonder with a traditional boat ride, between calm waters and rapids. Complete this escape with a stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and a visit to the unmissable Golden Pavilion, a symbol of harmony between nature and architecture.

Today, board the elegant Aoniyoshi train from Kyoto to Nara, a relaxing journey aboard this distinctive train with its luxurious seating. In Nara, discover the shika deer park, the majestic Todai-ji Temple with its Great Buddha, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine adorned with 3,000 lanterns. Also enjoy the panoramic views from Nigatsu-do Temple and explore the Kofuku-ji complex, famous for its historic pagoda.

From Kyoto, head to Mie Prefecture aboard the prestigious Shimakaze train, whose comfort and wide panoramic windows turn the journey into a truly memorable experience. In Ise, first discover the outer shrine (Gekū), then the inner shrine (Naikū) of Ise-jingū, the spiritual heart of Japanese Shintoism, nestled in unspoilt nature. Extend your visit with an immersion into the old-world atmosphere of Oharai Machi, before strolling along its iconic Okage Yokocho street, lined with traditional facades, local specialities and crafts, for a day blending spirituality, culture and the art of gentle living.

From Ise, head to Toba for an authentic immersion with a visit to an Ama village, accompanied by an English-speaking guide, to meet the famous female divers who carry on a centuries-old tradition. Continue to Mikimoto Island, the birthplace of the cultured pearl, where a museum visit traces the fascinating history of this Japanese invention and the genius of its founder. The highlight of the experience: open your own pearl oyster and discover the pearl it holds, a unique and memorable moment, before returning to Ise at the end of the day.

Head back to the Kansai region aboard the Vista Car, from Ise to Osaka, to join the buzz of the great metropolis. Begin with a visit to Osaka Castle and its museum, before admiring its majestic silhouette from the Osaka History Museum. Continue with a gourmet stop at Kuromon Ichiba Market, perfect for sampling local specialities, then discover the uniquely styled Namba Yasaka Shrine. Browse the Shinsaibashi-Suji shopping arcade and end the day at Dotonbori Street, the vibrant epicentre of the city, where the neon lights come alive at nightfall.

From Osaka, today head to Yoshino aboard the Blue Symphony train for an escape into the heart of a listed and deeply spiritual site. Discover the majestic Kinpusen-ji, the iconic temple of shugendō, then Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine, renowned for its panoramic views over the valley and its cherry blossoms in spring. Continue to the peaceful Nyoirin-ji, known for its multi-tiered pagoda and intimate atmosphere. In the evening, return to Osaka for one last evening soaking up the energy of the city before heading home to France.

Enjoy a free half-day in Osaka, a paradise for food lovers, before making your way to Osaka International Airport aboard the Haruka Express. This marks the end of your journey through Japan and the moment to bid farewell to the "Land of the Rising Sun". See you soon on the roads of Asia.