Japan through the Eyes of a Child: Mangamania and Samurai

Transfer to Tokyo by monorail. To feel as if you're at home in Tokyo, you'll stay four nights in an apartment hotel in the cosmopolitan Shinjuku district. The hotel is modern, practical, and reflects Japanese aesthetic values. Outside, the megacity awaits.

In the itinerary - Discover Tokyo with an expat. There's no better way to take the pulse of Japan's capital than by walking around with an expat guide. A few hours of wandering and sharing is the opportunity to discuss everyday life in Japan and to glean valuable information for the rest of your journey. They will introduce you to a professional animator who will let you in on all the secrets of manga.
What to see, what to do - Visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa - admire the style of the punkettes of Shinjuku, the lolitas of Harajuku, and the hipsters of Naka-Meguro - get up a little earlier to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, where fishmongers carve up gigantic tuna - savour fresh sushi in front of the tuna stalls - admire the works of contemporary Asian artists at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills - get a birds-eye view of the city from the 51st floor of Tokyo Sky View - stroll through the garden of the Meiji-jingu Shinto shrine - enjoy a family 'manga' portrait at a purikura photomaton - eat ramen with chopsticks from a neighbourhood haunt - shop in the Omotesando district - lounge on a sofa and drink tea surrounded by dozens of cats in a Neko Café - spend an evening in a Shibuya karaoke bar.

In the itinerary- Visit to the Ghibli Museum. It's not so easy to get a ticket, but we'll take care of that. Animation enthusiasts won't be surprised to find a Totoro (forest spirit) awaiting their arrival. For others: Studio Ghibli is the largest animation studio in Japan. With his masterful films such as Princess Mononok and My Neighbor Totoro, Hayao Miyazaki creates Japanese cartoons that appeal to adults and children alike. The master opens his workshop for you. You may be surprised by the Russian sensibilities of some rooms, but these are a clue to the influence of Lev Atamatov and Yuri Norstein on the Japanese director.
Optional - Private sushi class.

Collect your Japan Rail Pass and take the train to Matsumoto. On the outside, the hotel has interesting tapered bay windows. The interior is contemporary, comfortable and understated. The hotel restaurants are along the same lines.
What to see, what to do - Visit the famous Raven Castle, one of the finest in the country, which owes this nickname to the black colour it shares with its avian namesake. Built in the 16th century during the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1582-1598), the building is registered on Japan's list of national treasures. In addition to its military function, the stronghold had an important economic and administrative role. To get an idea of Japan at the time, you can watch Akira Kurosawa's epic film Ran before leaving.

Bus to Takayama in the Japanese Alps. Two nights in the city centre in a small, simple, bright ryokan popular with artists. The outdoor onsen hot spring baths here are made from local cypress wood and rocks from the surrounding area. Then, get ready to charcoal grill the wonderfully marbled Hida beef, the pride of the region's farmers. Best accompanied by vegetables grown by local market gardeners with a healthy respect for seasonality and local produce.

What to see, what to do - Walk the local market at dawn - visit the magnificent Kusakabe Mingei-kan house - visit the temples and shrines of Higashiyama Teramachi - enter the reconstructed traditional houses of the beautiful Hida Folk Village open air museum - lose yourself in the picturesque streets of San-machi Suji - escape to the pretty village of Furukawa, 15 minutes away by train - watch a performance of mechanical puppets.
In the itinerary - Mountain biking . A private guide takes you for two-and-a-half-hours through the beautiful Hida region to see mountains, rice fields, and ancient villages. Make time to wait for the stragglers ... who may not be the children.

Train to Kyoto. Three-night stay in a traditional house. Feel at home while discovering Japanese culture: machiyas, old wooden dwellings used by traders or craftsmen, are more than twelve centuries old and form an integral part of Kyoto's traditional urban landscape.

In the itinerary - Discover Kyoto with an expat. They will take you on an informal walk around the city, with no set itinerary. Nothing is planned in advance. The guide improvises according to everyone's tastes and wishes in the moment.
What to see, what to do - At dawn, journey along the Philosophers Path - visit Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion - get lost in the Buddhist garden paradise of Kinkakuji, the Gold Pavilion - stroll through the former residential districts and admire the simple architecture of the machiya (wooden townhouses) of the Gion district - stroll through the Shinto Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine; its hundreds of torii (elegant wooden gateways) lining your path - shop for tea at Ippo-cho and tofu at Iriyama-Tofu - take part in a tea ceremony - take an afternoon detour through the Nishiki market, nicknamed 'Kyoto's kitchen', past eel and octopus stalls - eat steaming tempura: a great show - attend an Ikebana flower ceremony - lunch at the Kawamichi-ya soba restaurant - meditate in the mineral garden of the Ryoan-ji Temple - visit the Hosomi Art Museum for shinto and Buddhist art, and the Nomura Museum for its beautiful ceramics and tea ceremony utensils.
Optional - Origami session.

Train to Osaka. Overnight in a centrally-located hotel with a decidedly modern ambience. Beyond the lobby you'll discover bright and tastefully decorated rooms with clean lines. Before you go home, try takoyaki, Osaka's famous octopus balls.
In the itinerary- Discover Osaka with an expat. Osaka is a warm, vibrant, epicurean city. Lorenzo is in love with the city, where he's lived for years. Your guide will take you for an informal walk without a set itinerary. You will have the opportunity to share experiences, to discuss everyday life, society, the arts, gastronomy...