Highlights
Spot snow monkeys in Nagano.
Explore a 16th-century samurai castle.
Cycle through the rural town of Hagi.
Experience a homestay in a traditional Japanese community.
Itinerary
Step off the tourist trail and dive into Japan’s hidden gems with the "Back Roads of Japan" national parks tour. Over 11 days, you’ll journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, weaving through destinations often overlooked by the crowds. Explore the historic Matsumoto Castle, immerse yourself in samurai culture, and pedal through the charming city of Hagi.
A highlight is an authentic community homestay, where you’ll experience Japanese life from the inside out. With time to explore vibrant Tokyo and serene Kyoto before and after, this trip offers a unique blend of Japan’s past and present.
USP: The chance to truly immerse yourself in local culture through a homestay and explore regions most travelers miss—ideal for those seeking a deeper, more personal Japanese adventure.
day 1 - Tokyo
Arrive at any time and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting in the evening around 6:00 pm.
There are no activities planned today until your evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
day 2 - Tokyo
Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through to Harajuku.
day 3 - Tokyo/Nagano
Journey to Nagano, located in the Japanese Alps and host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Discover the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and watch Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs.
day 4 - Nagano
Enjoy a day-trip to quaint Matsumoto and visit one of Japan's most treasured castles. Return to Nagano and explore historic Zenkoji Temple.
day 5 - Nagano/Otsu
Travel to Otsu in Shiga prefecture, located on the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. Settle in and relax with a stroll around this picturesque lake before heading out to enjoy a delicious bowl of Ramen for dinner.
day 6 - Otsu/Hagi
Grab a quick breakfast before heading off, on a long travel day. In the late afternoon, arrive in the quaint city of Hagi, a former castle town that boasts feudal architecture. Take part in a welcome ceremony with the local residents, and meet your host family at a community homestay, a G Adventures for Good project. Get to know each other as you enjoy dinner together.
day 7 - Hagi
Explore rural Hagi on a guided morning cycle, spotting samurai architecture along the way. On return, experience authentic Japanese countryside life. Return to your homestay in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner with your host family.
day 8 - Hagi/Tottori
Bid farewell to your host family after enjoying breakfast together. Later, travel to Miho-misumi by train, taking in scenic views along the way. Learn the art of making "washi," a UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese paper, then enjoy a Japanese lunch along the beautiful coastline before continuing to the seaside town of Tottori.
day 9 - Tottori/Kyoto
Spend the morning exploring Tottori's scenic sand dunes, some reaching 50m (164 ft) in height. After, visit the local fish market and opt for a fresh seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, travel to Kyoto for two nights in the traditional heart of Japan.
day 10 - Kyoto
Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for an impressive 10,000 red torii gates. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this picturesque city. Opt to experience zen gardens, teahouses, shrines, and local gift shops – and maybe even spot a real-life geisha.
Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples, including some of the most magnificent in the country, dating back centuries. Use free time to continue exploring, the options are endless – the city also boasts museums, castles, and traditional gardens – or opt to visit neighbouring Nara or Osaka.
day 11 - Kyoto
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend booking post-nights to explore more of this beautiful city.
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What's Included
Note: Allow USD450-585 for meals not included.
What's Excluded
Customer Reviews
Read what other travelers have to say about Back Roads of Japan
Excellent
Back Roads of Japan was well-organized and seamlessly operated. Izumi, our amazing tour guide handled all the details with grace and efficiency, making our travel planning stress-free. She provided insights into local culture, history, and geography, enhancing the overall experience. This tour covered exploration of two big cities, Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as visiting smaller sites for hiking, cycling and cultural immersion. Visits to Buddhist temples and Shonto shrines were fascinating. Indulging in a variety of Japanese food was a highlight of the trip.
Excellent
An amazing experience, just as good as I had imagined.
Excellent
An awesome adventure to an awesome county. 5stars
Excellent
Mack provided a memorable experience. The homestay was a highlight. The family showed us many of Hagi's interesting attractions, got to sleep on a matt on the floor and eat traditional food. Excellent.
Excellent
We had a wonderful time, a knowledgeable, fun but serious guide! We met fellow travellers who have become friends! We feel honoured that we saw Japanese real life!!THANK YOU!!!
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