Highlights
Nakasendo Way - Hike between historic post towns on a highway once travelled by samurai and itinerant merchants. Kyoto - Explore the temples and tea houses of Japan's historic capital on foot. Traditional accommodation - Experience a Japanese rite of passage, sleeping on a futon and washing in a hot spring bath at a traditional ryokan inn.
Itinerary
Discover Japan on our walking holiday that ticks off the must-sees, explores its beautiful landscapes and takes you off the beaten path, too. See a new side of Tokyo on an urban hike through the sprawling capital before heading into the mountains to uncover relics from the Edo period. Finish up with a four-day hike along the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage trail connecting Shinto shrines. Along the way, refuel with authentic Japanese cuisine and unwind in the onsen at a traditional ryokan.
day 1Join trip in Tokyo; welcome meal
Our tour starts today in Tokyo, Japan's ultra-modern capital. A sprawling metropolis, Tokyo is one of the world's most populous cities and a dazzling blend of traditional culture and all things new. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting. After the welcome meeting, we'll head out to dinner (included) at a nearby local restaurant where you'll have the chance to sample various types of 'izakaya' style Japanese cuisine. There are no other activities planned today. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If some of the group are arriving on later flights, the main introductory briefing will take place on the morning of Day 2 with everybody present. Likewise for similar reasons the included dinner may be moved to day 2, although there will still be the option to dine together tonight. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). The city centre is around an hour away from Haneda Airport and one hour and 30 minutes from Narita. For your arrival transfer, you'll be met in the arrivals hall at Tokyo Airport. Please look out for your name on a signboard and/or a Tour Operator branded signboard. You'll be transferred to the start hotel by public shuttle bus, which may stop at up to two other hotels, before dropping you at the joining hotel where you'll meet the rest of the group. Please note, while our itinerary gives us one full day in Japan's capital, there's a lot to pack in. If you really want to get to grips with Tokyo's sites, we recommend adding additional nights to your trip pre-tour. Japanese hotels have strict rules regarding check in and all customers are required to wait until 3 PM for room access. You will be able to store your luggage while waiting but if you require an early check in, then you should request this at the time of booking. We do not guarantee this will be possible and depending on availability an extra fee will be charged.
day 2Walking tour of Tokyo including less-visited neighbourhoods
day 3Express train to Matsumoto; visit the impressive castle
day 4Hike on Nakasendo Way from Magome to Nagiso; bullet train to Kyoto
day 5Walking in Kyoto including Philosophers Way and temple visits
day 6Train to Nara; walking tour around the city's parks and temples. Visit Uji green tea growing capital
day 7Train to Kii Peninsula; hike through ancient forest to Takahara
day 8Kumano Kodo walk with sweeping countryside views
day 9Walk on the Kumano Kodo to Hongu shrine
day 10Kumano River boat trip to Hatayama shrine. Hike to Nachi shrine. Train to Kii-Katsuura
day 11Visit Kii-Katsuura and the fish market. Afternoon train to Osaka
day 12Trip ends in Osaka
What's Included
Customer Reviews
The main reason I chose this particular tour was to walk the kumano kodo and complete my dual pilgrimage status. While this was the highlight of my trip, enhanced by the lovely local guide Jennifer, the whole tour was superb. We covered a lot of ‘must see’ places for a first time visitor in Japan led by a very organised, capable and delightful Zilola. We were a group of 9 some couples some solo travellers of varying nationality. The hotels exceeded my expectations and were all comfortable. I particularly enjoyed the ryokan experience where we stayed during the main hike. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone wanting to see the stunning kii mountains as well as Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsumoto and Osaka
The trip was a memorable experience led by a fantastic guide . We covered a huge area and at times the walking uphill was quite challenging however the views were well worth the effort. Our guide was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and patient and local guides were also great. Our group was mixed ages and nationalities but we all gelled together with a common interest in the country. Already planning to do another trip
This group tour was a fantastic way for first-time visitors like us to discover Japan, and it's history, culture and landscape. The mix of city, and rural and mountain pilgrimage route, travelling by train, bus and on foot, even boat, was a great blend for the more active traveller. Our guide was excellent - knowledgeable, helpful and patient. I'm already looking through the Explore brochure for our next trip!
I wasn't aware that all travel would be by train - however this turned out to be a bonus and a good experience. There were too many people in the group - 16. The tour leader was ill-equipped to handle such a large group, particularly on the more difficult walks as members of the group could not keep up and he was not aware of this even tho he was advised by us. Some of the accomodation was not up to standard.
Although we enjoyed this trip I have few reservations regards certain aspects . The guide very likeable but due to the programme very fleet of foot . Racing through busy rail stations and city streets with little regard for who was behind him ...it was left to following fellow travelers to wave back the direction he was taking. Sometimes the remaiining group arrived as explanations of whatever were ending or a street corner had been turned leaving one to scratch ones head as to direction of travel . If we arrived at a place of interest we were typically given just 20mins before racing off to the next . As I said I sympathise with the guide as it was just too much jammed into a day . But that's how it was ..a great visit and a guide in an impossible situation. I reiterate he was a good if somewhat stressed guide also likeable guy.
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