Book a Barts Booklet trip to Japan
Choosing a favorite destination is like choosing between your favorite children or between pasta and wine. But anyone who's ever been to Japan will undoubtedly cite it as their favorite. It's no wonder TikTok and other social media platforms are filled with skylines, bike rides along Mount Fuji, sushi on a conveyor belt, and temples of all shapes and sizes. A vacation to Japan is more popular than ever. And rightly so, because man, is it wonderful. You can effortlessly hop from one thing to the next in this country of contrasts.
We have to admit: Japan can be a bit overwhelming. Especially when it comes to planning, navigating local customs, and mapping out an itinerary. A little structure is always welcome. That's why we did it for you, together with our partner Travel Legends. We created a true 15-day Bart's Booklet itinerary, packed with the very best accommodations and fantastic activities.
This trip is also very kid-proof!
Immediately proceed to book the trip | from €3.550 per person (prices quoted are seasonal) | 15 days | tailor-made
It's been coming for a while... and now it's official: Barts Boekje curates its own trips, also view the other trips here.
Hooray, you're in Tokyo. The capital of Japan, the country's largest city, and one of the largest cities in the world. Everything you expect, want and want to experience in Japan can be ticked off in this city. Great restaurants, stunning architecture, boutique hotels and vintage shops, hole-in-the-wall bars, neon, karaoke and more.
You'll be picked up at the airport, given a brief explanation of your Japan Rail Pass, and then travel by public transport to your hotel. The next day, you'll join a private guide to explore highlights like the Grand Palace, Tsukiji, Tokyo Tower, and the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Your last day is entirely yours: explore on your own, visit Nikko with a guide to see its temple complexes, or attend a Tokyo Cooking Workshop in the evening (a personal favorite!). Spend the night at one of these accommodations:
- K5 Hotel: Japanese minimalism meets Scandi cool in an old sofa, with vinyl, plants and a café-restaurant-cocktail bar under one roof.
- TRUNK(HOTEL) Yoyogi Park: Stylish and relaxed with Japandi design, large windows and a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Yoyogi Park.
Included in this trip: 1x Japan Rail Pass of 14 days with unlimited mileage
Hot springs and breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. Hakone is completely different from Tokyo, and yet you can be there in just one to two hours. The area lies at the foot of Mount Hakone and boasts no fewer than seventeen types of hot springs. Today you'll travel this way by train from Tokyo, where you'll receive the Hakone Pass to experience the entire Hakone Loop: from the sightseeing cruise to the cable car and the small train. On the lakeside, you'll find the Hakone Shrine, where you absolutely must stop. And of course: the onsen. The Japanese word for spa takes on a whole new meaning here. Just what you want. And then there are the accommodations, where you might not even want to leave:
- Gora Kansuiro Ryokan: a classic ryokan with wooden details, tatami rooms and hot spring baths with a view of nothing but tranquility.
- Gora Karaku: modern and minimalist with a private onsen on your balcony and windows that almost pull the mountains into your room.
- En Ryokan Gora Kadan: the iconic choice: private baths, Kaiseki dinners like works of art and service that approaches heavenly standards.
Ultra-modern cities with millions of inhabitants, beaches, traditional and spiritual villages—what else does Japan have? The Alps! A very impressive mountain range. Accessible by high-speed train, the final destination is Takayama. The old town is beautiful and known for Hida beef and sake tastings, which Travel Legends is happy to arrange. The next day, you can visit Shirakawa, a UNESCO-listed village with traditional houses, or stay in Takayama and visit the morning market with a private guide.
A busy schedule means a good night's sleep. So you'll sleep soundly in one of these accommodations:
- Ryokan Asunaro: Tatami rooms, wooden details, and a warm onsen. Here, they serve dinner with Hida beef.
- Wanosato: a 160-year-old Gasshō-style house, onsen with mountain or river views, and rooms with tatami and futon beds.
Machiya Hotel: Authentic merchant house in the heart of Takayama, perfect as a base for exploring markets and old streets.
I Left My Heart In.Kyoto. Man, you can see so much in just one city: from Kyoto's ancient traditions, a kaiseki dinner, a tranquil temple garden, or an evening with a geisha. We fell head over heels for the ancient capital and its surroundings. You arrive by train and check in at one of these hotels:
- Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. Hotel: Modern minimalism, Japanese-style, with clean lines, bright rooms, and comfortable beds. Right in the city center, yet peaceful.
- Seikoro Ryokan: A classic Kyoto ryokan with tatami rooms, warm wooden details, and a serene atmosphere. It also boasts a wonderful onsen.
On day 10, you'll have a private guide who will take you to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto's most famous temple and biggest attraction. Or, with your guide, visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha temple complex with thousands of red torii, or explore Gion, the famous geisha district. Day 11 is free, but a traditional private tea ceremony is planned for the afternoon. The next day, you'll visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a beautiful forest with millions of bamboo trees. Stroll through nature, discover Arashiyama's quiet streets, and perhaps even conclude your Kyoto visit with a helicopter flight.
Around the corner you'll find the city we best describe as the opposite of Kyoto, Osaka. Also seen as the food capital of Japan with the best streetfoodA compact, modern city center with a high level of entertainment, but also a city with a rougher edge. On the first day, you'll explore the city independently, and on the second day, a plan will be prepared. Towards the end of the afternoon, the guide can optionally pick you up for a food tour of Osaka, taking you past Kuromon Market and the bustling Dotonbori district, with its neon signs, street food stalls, and shops.
- Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka: sleek, modern and comfortable, with nice rooms right in the center.
- Hotel IT. Osaka Shinmachi: Stylish, compact and conveniently located, ideal for those who want to get to the highlights quickly but are still looking for a quiet place.
Japan in a nutshell, and you'll see so much on this trip. You really want to. Book your trip here. Rice from €3.550 per person (prices quoted are seasonal).
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