The lovely moss garden of Sanzenin temple
amstk

Le Pavillon d’or (Kondō kaō-den) du temple Natadera — The Golden Pavilion (Kondō kaō-den) of Natadera Temple
baggio4ever

You can discover Japan sea natural gems
sanhoyano

Discover the ruins of Ichijodani Castle, former home of the Asakura clan
mtaira

A breathtaking view of the lakes of Mikata and its region
tktktk

Découvrez la spiritualité bouddhique à Eiheiji et ses temples nichés au coeur de la forêt
mtaira

Japan from the inside out: Crafts and the Wild Coastline

Duration : 3 days
Locations : Kyoto, Komatsu, Hakusan, Kanazawa

This attractive 3-day excursion takes you on a tour of rural Japan between Kyoto and Kanazawa, at the heart of local traditions, with crafts and culinary specialities. You'll cross three little-known counties between the great Lake Biwa, the Sea of Japan and Hakusan, one of the three sacred mountains.

On the programme: legendary temples far from the crowds, a rugged coastline, fresh fish, rice fields and waterfalls. You will meet many craftsmen who perpetuate the tradition of cutlery, washi paper, lacquerware and much more.

You'll spend the night in local people's homes and get a taste of inimitable, authentic Japanese hospitality. Japan Experience's plus: two nights in unusual accommodation, immersion in Japanese culture guaranteed!

3 days / 2 nights itinerary from Kyoto to Kanazawa

Departure city : Kyoto
Komatsu
Hakusan
Return city : Kanazawa

Please find detailed itinerary information below.

IMPORTANT:
- If your driving license was issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Taiwan, it is not valid in Japan, so you will need a certified Japanese translation, available in option.
- If your license was not issued in one of the countries listed above, please make sure to obtain an international driving permit in your home country, as it is required to drive a car in Japan.

Why choose this excursion to Japan ?

To travel freely and safely on Japan's charming little roads.
Spend the night on a farm or with a fisherman, for an authentic moment in contact with the locals.
Make your own souvenirs to take home.
Discover the largest site dedicated to Zen in Japan, an unspoilt place in the heart of lush nature
Many recommendations available in your digital travel guidebook.

Your excursion in detail

Itinerary

Day 1 : The beautiful village and the large lake

Pick up the car near Kyoto station and leave the city for the peace and quiet of an admirable village and its historic temples. Then head for the shores of the great Lake Biwa and its delightful pine beaches.
Take in the views of the terraced rice fields, then head down the other side to the wild coast of the West Sea, where you'll be surprised by the view over a spectacular bay.
In this remote corner of Japan, wealth comes from the sea and the water in the springs is naturally heated by nearby volcanoes. You'll spend the evening with a fisherman. Traditional dinner included in your accommodation.
Day 2 : Craftsmen and monks

Breakfast in your traditional accommodation. You leave the seaside fairly quickly to take a small motorway between cedar forests which will lead you to your next stop. In the small town where you arrive, Japanese craftsmen bring to life or revive the art of knives, paper and lacquer.
You can choose to visit them all in the morning. Of course, you also have the option of spending more time at one of them and making a piece of work yourself to take home with you.
After lunch, we suggest you take a stroll in a very pretty Buddhist temple in the company of a monk who will explain his daily life to you. You will then leave the temple to set off towards the mountains and one of the legends of Zen in Japan, with its 70 buildings in the heart of nature!
This evening, you'll be staying with a local again but this time on a livestock farm... Get your chopsticks! Traditional dinner included in your accommodation.
Day 3 : A mysterious Japan

Breakfast at the farm. The day begins with a wild landscape of impressive cliffs battered by storms. You will then stop off at an astonishing reconstructed village where you'll be introduced to a range of crafts, including the cold gilding with gold leaf for which the region is famous.
After a visit to a lovely moss garden and a delicious meal of local specialities, you will contemplate an elegant waterfall, which you will reach by country road. The site we propose next is sure to surprise you with its strangeness and spiritual aura.
For the final you approach the foothills of one of Japan's three sacred mountains. From its slopes tumble powerful rivers of turquoise water down spectacular gorges. You will then take a leisurely drive to the town of Kanazawa, where you will return your vehicle by 6 PM.

Included in your self-guided excursion

Accommodation
- 1 night in a traditional fisherman's accommodation
- 1 night in a local farm in Fukui
The base rate includes a twin room.
Transportation
- 3-day car rental starting from Kyoto
Visit & meals
- All breakfasts and dinners are included

Other services

Other services
- Bilingual English and Japanese telephone support is available 7 days a week, from 9 AM to 6 PM. The number will be provided in your travel diary
- Complete digital travel diary before your departure
Not included in the price of your excursion
- Optional insurance
- Personal expenses, including lunches (you will find recommended restaurants selected by us in your travel pack)
- Entrance fees to museums, gardens or temples
- Internet access (i.e. with a an e-SIM card)
- Everything not included in the "Included in your excursion" section

More information about your trip

Your excursion:

- Please note that at least one person taking part in the trip must have a driving licence valid in their country.

- The prices shown on this page may vary according to the Japanese ¥ exchange rate.

- Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

- Children aged 3 and over may participate. Child rates available for children ages 3 to 11 included.

- Unfortunately, pets are not able to be brought onto this excursion.

- This program may be subject to changes due to imperatives such as weather conditions or other events. Please note that due to the current situation, all mentioned information is subject to change or adaptation.

- In order to benefit from an internet connection, reserve an e-SIM card with Japan Experience.

- This tour must be booked at least 45 days before the start date of the tour.

- Your travel documents will be sent to you by email before your departure.

Your accommodation:

- Some hotels may ask you to pay a tourist tax on arrival. This depends on the town and even the hotel, as some do not include it in the cost of the reservation. It generally amounts to ¥200/night/person (about €1.60) but may be a little higher in 4-star hotels. It must be paid in cash at the hotel reception.

- Single room: People travelling alone and/or wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. Please note that a single room supplement for an order of more than 2 people will be applied in all accommodation except ryokans (3 and 4*). As this is traditional accommodation, people with the same reservation are grouped together in spacious rooms that can accommodate up to 5 people.

- 3-person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the single supplement, you will be allocated a triple room.

- Hotel names: The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, an establishment of equivalent standing will be scheduled.

Your transport:

- 3-day car rental starting from Kyoto.

- In Japan, most cars are automatic.

- Costs related to gasoline and possible tolls are not included in the tour price.

- If your driving license was issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Taiwan, it is not valid in Japan, so you will need a certified Japanese translation, available as an option.

- Although the process may vary by country, be sure to apply for your international driving permit well in advance, as it typically takes time to be issued. Additionally, it is your responsibility to check the specific laws and regulations regarding international driving permits in your country.

Your meals:

- All breakfasts and dinners are included.

- For other meals, you will find recommendations selected by us in your travel diary.

Cancellation policy:

A 35% deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 35 days before the departure date.

In case of cancellation, the following fees apply:

15% for bookings canceled more than 35 days in advance;
50% for cancellations between 35 and 21 days prior to the departure date;
75% for cancellations between 20 and 8 days prior to the departure date;
100% for cancellations within 7 days of the departure date.

These fees are calculated on the total price of the excursion, excluding insurance.

What kind of insurance coverage is available for your Japan trip ?

When you book with Japan Experience, you have the option of purchasing two types of coverage:

Japan Experience Flex : This insurance covers expenses related to trip cancellations for specific reasons (disease, accident, passing...)

Japan Experience Protect : This insurance provides overall coverage for various aspect of the trip. For instance: cancellation, flight delay or missing flight, lost luggage, travel incident and repatriation, assistance, etc...