Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

A Romantic Adventure to Japan and French Polynesia

Japan – French Polynesia – Kyoto – Tokyo – Mo’orea – Bora Bora

Starting from between £7155 to £10000 per person for 17 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Enjoy a perfect balance of city break and island getaway on this romantic trip to Japan and French Polynesia
  • Take part in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto
  • Explore the buzzing capital of Tokyo with a local guide Discover the Polynesian island of Mo’orea from a comfortable 4x4
  • Unwind on Bora Bora’s beautiful beaches
Lovebirds, listen up. Beach holidays might have a reputation for being the best romantic getaway, but what if you could have the best of both worlds? On this 17-day trip, experience the perfect balance of city buzz and island calm on a romantic adventure across Japan and French Polynesia.

Your holiday begins in Kyoto, considered the spiritual soul of Japan, where you’ll spend four days strolling hand-in-hand around serene gardens, marvelling at breathtaking Buddhist temples and delving into local traditions at a chanoyu tea ceremony. Next, head to Tokyo, Japan’s buzzing capital, which you’ll explore both independently and alongside a knowledgeable local guide.

After a week and a half of city living, it’s onto French Polynesia, where you’ll swap high-speed trains and towering skyscrapers for catamaran boats and salty sea air. Your first stop is Mo’orea, a truly romantic island home to crystal-clear waters and peaceful beaches. After a few days of swimming with dolphins, diving with manta rays and hiking in the mountains (alongside sunbathing and aperitifs at sunset, of course), it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to your final destination: Bora Bora. Rest and relaxation is the order of the day on this idyllic island, so enjoy two days with your other half unwinding on the beach, snorkelling with tropical fish and enjoying island lunches on the sand – does it get any more romantic than this? 
Moorea - French Polynesia © Dmitriy Danilenko / Fotolia
Moorea - French Polynesia © Dmitriy Danilenko / Fotolia
Eel restaurant - Japan © Jupiterimages/Getty Images/ iStockphoto
Eel restaurant - Japan © Jupiterimages/Getty Images/ iStockphoto
French Polynesia © alficc/stock.adobe.com
French Polynesia © alficc/stock.adobe.com
Raiatea Island - Tahiti - French Polynesia © Dmitry/stock.adobe.com
Raiatea Island - Tahiti - French Polynesia © Dmitry/stock.adobe.com
Ninenzaka in Kyoto - Japan © Calin Stan/stock.adobe.com
Ninenzaka in Kyoto - Japan © Calin Stan/stock.adobe.com
Katsura River - Kyoto - Japan © akeeris/Fotolia
Katsura River - Kyoto - Japan © akeeris/Fotolia

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Passports at the ready: your romantic adventure to Japan and French Polynesia begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy a celebratory drink in the airport lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Osaka. The journey takes around 17 to 18 hours (including a quick stopover), so you’ll have plenty of time to get stuck into a film or good book before you arrive in Japan the next morning.

When you arrive in Osaka, you’ll be met by one of our friendly representatives, who will help you with your bags. The final leg of your journey is a one-hour train to Kyoto where you can check into your comfortable hotel. This is where you’ll be staying for the next four nights, so get settled in and spend the rest of the day relaxing, ready for the real adventure to begin tomorrow.

The next few days are all about getting to know Kyoto, so spend your first morning discovering the city’s hotspots with a private guide. From the UNESCO-listed Kyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji temples and the Gion geisha district to the myriad museums showcasing Japanese art and crafts, there’s so much to see, and your guide will tailor the tour to your interests to keep you from missing out.

If your other half is a nature lover, you’re in luck: Kyoto is just 18 miles from Nara Park, which boasts beautiful temples, serene shrines and, most importantly, over 1,000 cute Sika deer.

Fancy delving into local customs instead? Take part in a private tea ceremony, known as chanoyu, in a traditional Japanese teahouse. This ritual, originally practised by Buddhist monks, seeks to create a moment of harmony and calm as matcha (powdered green tea) is carefully prepared and served.

Spend the rest of your time in Kyoto exploring independently. Whether you’d rather slurp noodles in Nishiki Market, wander the picture-perfect rock gardens at Ryoan-ji temple or visit one of Japan's oldest sake distilleries (tasting included, of course), there’s something for everyone in this captivating city.

It’s time to say goodbye to Kyoto this morning as you head to Tokyo aboard a Shinkansen Nozomi high-speed bullet train (we recommend sitting on the left to catch the best views of Mount Fuji as you whizz by).

On arrival, drop your bags and check into your central hotel, your home for the next four nights. Don’t get too comfortable, though: we've planned a day in the city with a private guide, who’ll tailor their tour of Tokyo to your every want and need. 

Tokyo is the final stop in the Japan portion of your romantic getaway, so spend the next two days making the most of the city. Today, we’ve secured tickets to TeamLab Planets, a digital art experience renowned for its groundbreaking exhibits. As you wander around, marvel at colourful light displays and interactive digital artworks, brought to life by over 500 computers.

The rest of your time in Tokyo is yours for the taking. If you’re an art or architecture aficionado, head to the Roppongi district, home to several museums displaying modern and traditional Japanese art. Fancy a spot of shopping instead? Hop on the metro to Ginza, where you’ll find rows of upscale shops and restaurants.

If you’re travelling with a history buff, don’t miss a visit to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, or the Meiji Jingu shrine, dedicated to 19th-century Emperor Meiji. Round off your days with plates of fresh sushi or steaming bowls of ramen – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend the best restaurants in town.

After one last hearty Japanese breakfast, it’s time to leave Tokyo behind as you head to the airport for your ten-and-a-half-hour flight to Papeete, the capital city of Tahiti, French Polynesia’s largest island.

After touching down in Papeete Airport, you’ll be privately transferred to the port for a short 30-minute ferry ride to Tahiti's sister island, Mo’orea. You’ll be staying here for three nights, so spend the rest of the day soaking in the sun together after your long journey.

A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Mo’orea’s gentle way of life has long attracted artists and writers to its white-sand shores. To help you find your bearings, we’ve arranged for you to explore the island in a comfortable 4x4. After being picked up by your friendly driver-guide, you’ll be swept away to some must-visit sites: sprawling pineapple fields, a lush Mape forest and the iconic Mo’orea Lagoon.

If you prefer water to land, don’t worry: you’ll also be heading out on a boat tour around the island’s pristine coastline. Mo’orea is home to some incredible marine life, and you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with manta rays, dolphins and – in winter – humpback whales.

Spend the rest of your time on the island unwinding, exploring and just enjoying each other’s company. Tuck into tasty mahi-mahi on the beach, attend a traditional dance show, enjoy a flower treatment in the spa or embark on a romantic cruise at sunset – does it get any better than this?

This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for the short, half-hour flight to Bora Bora. Home to a majestic mountain, an idyllic lagoon and postcard-perfect beaches, this Polynesian gem is the perfect place to round off your romantic adventure.

Spend your final two sun-soaked days discovering Bora Bora at your own pace. An electric bicycle is a great way to explore, so spend a morning pedalling around the island, stopping at sites that take your fancy (we’d recommend Matira Beach for a dip in the sea or Vaitape for some tasty Polynesian fare).

If you’d like to get out onto the water, take a private half-day boat tour of the lagoon, stopping to dive among the colourful corals and tropical fish. The rest of your days are all about quality time: treat yourselves to a romantic open-air Polynesian massage on the beach, try parasailing to admire the spectacular scenery from above or go kayaking on the sparkling water.

Today, your romantic adventure draws to a close. After one last tasty island breakfast, you’ll be transferred by boat to Bora Bora Airport for the hour-long flight back to Papeete. From here, board the first of your international flights home, which will touch down in the UK the next day.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF SAKE IN KYOTO

Set in Fushimi in southern Kyoto, the Matsumoto Shuzo Distillery is one of Japan's oldest. On this tour, the distillery will open its doors and allow you to learn some of the age-old secrets of Japan's national tipple: sake. Housed in several listed buildings surrounding a garden, the distillery produces various types of sake using both traditional and modern methods. Led by an expert guide, this tour includes a brewing demonstration followed, of course, by the opportunity to taste a range of different sakes.

DIVING IN BORA BORA

If your other half is a water baby, then this one’s for you. On this private boat ride, you’ll get the chance to discover Bora Bora’s relatively unspoiled coral reefs, home to exceptional marine life. As you tour the sparkling lagoon, you’ll make several stops to dive among hundreds of tropical fish living among the corals, including majestic manta and leopard rays.

Why visit Japan with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Japan

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

Why visit French Polynesia with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to French Polynesia

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The prices shown here are merely a guide, as all of our trips are entirely tailor-made. Tailor-made travel involves multiple moving parts, and prices can vary hugely depending on the season of travel, the lead time before the proposed travel date (last minute deals are pretty much a myth), availability, your choice of accommodation and any additional activities you want to include. That means the only exact price will be the one we quote you, which we can adapt to suit your budget. The estimated starting cost for this trip is between £7,155 and £10,000 per person. The average starting price for this trip is £8,660 per person.
Included in this itinerary

  • International flights by commercial airline (outbound flight to Osaka, return from Papeete)
  • International flight from Tokyo to Papeete
  • Airfare taxes and fuel surcharge
  • Train trips between your Japanese destinations
  • Baggage transfer between Kyoto and Tokyo
  • Inter-island air pass in Polynesia
  • Ferry between Tahiti and Moorea
  • Private vehicle or boat transfers between hotels, airports, and docks in Polynesia
  • Three-night stay in Kyoto in a double room with breakfast
  • Three-night stay in Tokyo in a double room with breakfast
  • Three-night stay in Moorea in a room with half board
  • Three-night stay in Bora Bora in a double room with half board
  • Two-night stay in Papeete in a double room with breakfast
  • Day with a guide in Kyoto and a private tea ceremony
  • Day with an expat in Tokyo, discovering the informed Tokyo life
  • Reception and assistance at Papeete airport
  • Dinner at home in Moorea in a Haapiti village
  • Day with a private guide discovering Bora Bora on land and sea
  • Our on-site Concierge services

100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges