Japan: Between traditions & modernity

Flight.

Arrival at Narita International Airport. Transfer to the Shinjuku district, about 1 hour’s drive away. Take the afternoon to relax and settle into your accommodation. Overnight at Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo or similar.

The day begins with a visit to Asakusa, the district that has best preserved the architectural heritage of the Edo period. You’ll visit Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, Senso-ji.

You’ll then head to Ginza to admire the modern architecture of its many luxury stores.

Afterwards, you’ll visit Japan’s largest Shinto shrine, Meiji-jinju, an oasis of peace in the middle of the city.

Start your day with a 20-minute walk through the Shinjuku district to the Government Metropolitan Building observatory. This observatory is located on the 45th floor and offers a magnificent view of the city.

Spend the day in the Ueno district to start with, then Akihabara to play in one of its multi-storey arcades or drink tea in one of its themed cafés.

You’ll take the morning train from Tokyo station to Takayama. Takayama is a well-preserved town surrounded by a mountainous landscape. Spend the evening exploring the old town at your own pace.

In the morning, you’ll visit the Hida Folk Village, a reproduction of an Edo-era farming village with steep thatched roofs. Learn about the traditional way of life. Afternoon at leisure. Explore the city on foot or by sightseeing bus. Many historic sites and museums to visit: Sanmachi Suji old quarter, Takayama jinya, Kusakabe and Yoshijuma Heritage House, Takayama Museum of History and Art, Sakurayama Hachimangu temple, Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, etc.

You’ll leave Takayama by train for Hiroshima in the morning, with a stopover in Himeji to visit its famous feudal castle. One of Japan’s twelve wooden castles, built in 1609, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. You will then travel by train to Hiroshima. You’ll arrive at the end of the day.

This day is devoted to a visit to Miyajima Island, less than an hour by train from Hiroshima. It has been described as one of the three most beautiful places to visit in Japan. You can visit the Itsukushima Shrine with its floating torii and the five-storey pagoda. You’ll then have the afternoon free to climb Mount Misen, either on foot or by cable car. There are also many other temples, museums and gardens to see on the island. Departure from the island around 4:30 pm.

In the morning, you’ll visit the Peace Memorial Museum with an audio guide in French. Then stroll through the memorial park to discover, among other things, the Genbaku dome, the closest building to the hypocenter that resisted the atomic bomb. You’ll then visit the Imperial Palace with its gardens and pagoda. Late afternoon, departure by train for Kyoto.

You’ll visit Kyoto’s main temples, starting with the Fushimi-inari and its thousands of toriis forming a path in the mountain. Then, after tasting Japanese street food, you’ll head for the Sanjusangen-do temple to discover its great hall of 1001 statues of Buddhist deities. Then stroll through the Higashiyama district to Kenninji Zen Temple. You may even catch a glimpse of the real geishas still present in Kyoto.

Spend the day in the Arashiyama district. You’ll stroll through the famous giant bamboo forest before visiting the Iwatayama Monkey Park. Afterwards, enjoy the cafés, boutiques and temples at your own pace. You’ll leave Arashiyama in the late afternoon.

Visit the famous Golden Pavilion and its garden.

Visit the Danjo Garan complex, then head for Osaka to see the Umeda Sky Building.

Visit Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori district.

Visit to the Osaka Aquarium.

Visit Okunoin temple, mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon Buddhist sect. Visit Kongobuji temple, headquarters of the Shingon Buddhist sect.

Discover the majestic sacred temple of Danjo Garan, located in Koyasan. Nestled on Mount Koya, this Buddhist complex comprises some twenty wooden pavilions and pagodas. It houses the sacred temple of Danjo Garan and a mausoleum dedicated to Kobo Daishi, the founder of Mount Koya. For an unforgettable experience, there’s nothing like starting the day with morning prayer, where you can listen to the chanting of Buddhist monks and engage in meditation.

Departure for the airport. Return to Montreal.