Walking Japan

11 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews  
97%
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Group Tour
This enchanting journey through the Japanese countryside combines stunning hiking with timeless tradition. Beginning in the old imperial city of Kyoto and ending in modern Tokyo, our itinerary follows the Nakasendo, a network of ancient trade routes once used by shogun, samurai, and merchants to travel from Kyoto to the provincial towns of the Kiso Valley. Tr...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Explore the old imperial city of Kyoto, its ancient temples, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, and the Gion Geisha district
    • Walk in the footsteps of shoguns as you follow ancient trade routes through medieval towns, lush valleys, and misty forests
    • Stay at traditional Japanese inns, soak in hot springs, and eat exquisitely prepared, multi-course Japanese meals every night
    • Experience the electric energy of Tokyo and visit some of its oldest sites, including the Imperial Palace and the Grand Meiji Shrine

What's this trip about?

    This enchanting journey through the Japanese countryside combines stunning hiking with timeless tradition. Beginning in the old imperial city of Kyoto and ending in modern Tokyo, our itinerary follows the Nakasendo, a network of ancient trade routes once used by shogun, samurai, and merchants to travel from Kyoto to the provincial towns of the Kiso Valley. Traveling by way of temples, shrines, and hamlets, you’ll take in ethereal landscapes of cherry blossoms, lush gardens, and misty forests. You’ll enjoy generous Japanese hospitality in a shukubo (temple lodging) and family-run inns, the serenity of soaking in volcanic hot springs, and the contrasts between old and new in this magical land. Your expert, bilingual Japanese guides will share the culture, history, and traditions of their country with both passion and a flawless attention to detail. Come experience Japan, MTS-style.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityKyoto
End CityTokyo

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Japan

Attractions

  • Kyoto
  • Meiji Shrine
  • Nara
  • Tokyo

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Trains & Rail

Trip includes

    • Meals
    • Accommodation

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Kyoto

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

We'll meet at our hotel in Kyoto and convene for a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the city center. With over 1,000 Buddhist temples, sublime gardens, and excellent cuisine it's easy to see why K...

Day 2: Explore the magnificent temples and gardens of Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

In the morning, we'll head to the extraordinary Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion—so named for its top two stories that are covered in gold leaf. The pavilion was built by Ashikaga Shogun in the la...

Day 3: Ride the train to Nara and visit the Todai-ji temple

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before taking a short train ride from Kyoto to Nara. On a much smaller scale than Kyoto, Nara was established in 710 A.D. as Japan’s capital, and is home to the famous N...

Day 4: Travel the scenic Nankai railway and follow the Pilgrim’s Trail to Mount Koya

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Shojoshinin Shukubo

Today, we'll have the unique experience of traveling without our luggage, as it will be transferred by courier. Before we depart, you'll want to pack a small bag to carry your overnight items...

Day 5: Explore Mount Koya and head to the Kiso Valley

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Tajimaya Minshuku

Early risers are welcome to join a Buddhist service at the temple this morning at 6am. After breakfast, we’ll tour the vast Okuno-in cemetery, with thousands of graves and memorials to feudal l...

Day 6: Discover Magome and hike a forested trail to Tsumago

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Daikichi and Matsushiroya Minshuku

In the morning, we'll take time to explore the small post town of Magome before we walk over Magome Pass to the village of Tsumago-juku. The trail rises gently, passing through...

Day 7: Follow the trail from Tsumago to Nojiri

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Komanoyu Ryokan

We'll continue our journey along the Kiso Valley and Nakasendo today, walking from Tsumago to Nojiri. There will be two options today, a shorter 2-mile walk with a train ride, or a longer 8-mile ...

Day 8: Climb to Torii Pass and explore Narai-juku village

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Iseya Minshuku

We'll start with a short train ride to Yabuhara, another small post town. From here, we'll climb to Torii Pass, with good views over the Kiso Valley. In early spring, there may traces of snow on t...

Day 9: Watch artisans at work in Hirasawa and transfer to Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Park Hotel

After breakfast in Narai, we’ll set out for a short walk to Hirasawa, renowned for its lacquer-ware artisans. We’ll stop in at one of their workshops and meet local artisans before transferring to Tokyo, where you'll have free time to explore before dinner.

(Walking time: 1 hour, 2 miles, negligible ascent/descent)

Day 10: Tour Tokyo's top sites

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Park Hotel

Today we will take a tour of Tokyo, including walks around Nihonbashi, the elegant Ginza shopping district, and the spacious park around the Imperial Palace. The present Imperial Palace is the residen...

Day 11: Depart from Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Your guide will be on hand this morning to help you transfer to Narita Airport for homeward-bound flights.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,595
Price per day$509
Single supplement (single occupancy)$700
Last Updated: 7/16/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek).

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
Excellent
61
Great
0
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
3
T

Tish

Aug 2023

Written on

Recommend Japan hikes but not with Mt Sobek

First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfor...

Write a Review

Other MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Reviews

T

Tish

Aug 2023

Written on

Recommend Japan hikes but not with Mt Sobek

First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfor...

A

Anne

Dec 2019

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Company Reviewsby MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Spectacular scenery

Spectacular scenery, great hiking, and fascinating conversations with...

A

Andrea

Dec 2019

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Company Reviewsby MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Truly enjoyable

Thanks to MT Sobek this trip was seamless and truly enjoyable. The accommodations, logistics, and guides were all excellent. I always felt safe, cared for, and well ...

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MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

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Mountain Travel began with the belief that there is a little bit of adventure in everyone. The early days were fueled by the passions of outdoor enthusiasts who loved exploring wild places. 40 years later, we offer almost 200 adventures to destinations worldwide.

Expert Guides: When you venture into foreign lands, tackle snowy peaks or raging whitewater, you want the best guides at your side. With decades of experience in the field, MTS guides offer inspirational enthusiasm, exceptional leadership, and sheer volume of knowledge (better than any guidebook!).

What makes us great!

At Mountain Travel Sobek, we are driven by two philosophies.

One is the credo by which we have guided our company for over 30 years. Mountain Travel Sobek is a continuing experiment in discovery: of new lands, of exotic cultures, and of wondrous wildlife far from fences and highways. We believe the best way to bring to light the marvels of nature, the people of the world and ourselves, is by traveling in small groups—treading lightly with responsibility and sensitivity—while enjoying firsthand the boundless beauty and variety of our miracle planet.

The other is our philosophy for you, our client. Plan nothing, enjoy everything. We take care of all of the logistics so that you can have more time to do what's most important: relax, enjoy the experience, and have fun!

Active Unique Itineraries

Our adventures are planned with reasonably paced itineraries, incredible attention to detail, and the right mix of fun, learning, and challenge that ensure a memorable vacation. You will find our adventures physically active and culturally rewarding. Whether you ride a camel in Rajasthan or climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, you'll experience firsthand the cultures and environments of the region you are visiting. And after a long day of adventuring, we ensure you a comfortable night's rest in deluxe accommodations from regional inns to our own private camps.

In keeping with our founders' adventurous spirit, Mountain Travel Sobek is constantly seeking innovative new trips throughout the world. You will always find an array of new trips to exotic locales in our trip list in addition to the classic adventures for which we are renowned. So whatever your level of adventure, there is a Mountain Travel Sobek adventure just right for you.

Small Groups

You're probably wondering about the people with whom you'll share your adventure. Chances are, they're a lot like you. Our guests come from all walks of life and are spirited travelers who share a passion for our wonderful world. They range in age from their late 20s to mid-80s, reminding us all that you can never be too young or too old to have fun!

Our groups are intentionally kept small—usually less than 15 people—to allow you a more intimate experience with the people and wildlife you encounter on your Mountain Travel Sobek adventure. With such a small number of people, we can take advantage of many unexpected invitations and opportunities that would be impossible with larger groups.

Our guides often have very close ties to the local community and we are readily welcomed into the lives of the local folk. We may be invited to share lunch with a Turkish family or visit an artist's studio in Tuscany. Don't forget to ask us about the time we spent Thanksgiving at a Fulani "festival of the cows" in the Dogon lowlands of Mali—now there's something we won't soon forget!

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Our Private Adventures are an incredible series of itineraries designed especially for small groups, whether it be families, couples, or treasured friends. These selected trips are ideal for reunions with family or old friends, a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary - and can you imagine a more exotic honeymoon?

Like all Mountain Travel Sobek trips, you can count on an adventure that reflects Mountain Travel Sobek's time-tested commitment to authentic, personalized experiences and world-class service.

Customized Adventures

You can either book your group on one of our scheduled departures, choose your own dates for one of our regular trips, or let us create a special trip hand-tailored to your specific needs and wishes. If you can imagine it, we just might be able to make it happen!

Safety

Our safety record is unparalleled (good to know if you're stepping into a river raft for the first time or planning to trek in the high mountains of Nepal). The guides are fully trained, our equipment is state-of-the-art, and we continually monitor conditions with our worldwide team of outfitters to make certain every trip is run safely and with the highest standards of quality.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flights
    • Passport and Visa Charges
    • Personal Expenses

Accommodation

,Daikichi and Matsushiroya Minshuku — Tsumago The Minsuku properties in Tsumago are small, so we use two inns: Daikichi and Matsushiroya. Daikichi is a traditional-style inn, run by a friendly family, with five tatami-mat rooms for guests. The family serve dinner consisting of many small dishes featuring locally-grown ingredients. Guests lay our their own futons in the evening and take it in turns to use the bath privately; the bathtub is made from Kiso cypress. Matsushiroya is a traditional-style inn established in 1804, offering six tatami-mat rooms for guests, several toilets and wash basins, plus two rooms for bathing. Usually, one bathing room is used communally by men and one is used communally by women, but depending on occupancy levels the inn may suggest that guests bathe privately in turn.   Iseya Minshuku Iseya (Narai) is a traditional, Minshuku-style Japanese inn established in 1818. During the Edo period it served as one of Narai’s two porter-service offices. The friendly, family-run inn now occupies the original wooden building and a newer annex. There are ten tatami-mat rooms for guests; you lay out your own futon in the evening. There are several guest toilets and wash basins, plus two rooms for bathing. Guests take it in turns to use the baths privately; the bathtubs are made of Kiso umbrella pine. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms. Meals are traditional Japanese style set menus featuring local specialities from the Kiso Valley area.   Komanoyu Ryokan Komanoyu has lovely, big onsen baths with indoor and outdoor sections (there are separate baths for men and women). Just grab your traditional Japanese towel for modesty and pad down to the bathing space for complete relaxation. Sleep well atop futons in the spacious guest rooms and enjoy traditional Japanese dishes. For those who need to connect digitally, Wi-Fi is available in the lobby area.   Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa — Kyoto Ideally located near a variety of restaurants, entertainment options and historic sites, The Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa provides easy access to the all that the city has to offer. Rooms are simple and modern, with LCD TV, high-speed internet access, and private bathrooms. There is a spa on-site that offers massages and beauty treatments. The staff is friendly and happy to assist with any requests you might have.   Park Hotel — Tokyo Park Hotel Tokyo is a luxury hotel that is ideally located in Shiodome, a bustling center of business and culture. The Park Hotel's art theme is reflected in the 17 artist-designed guestrooms, the various art installations and exhibitions the hotel displays, and the creative cuisine that is served in its many restaurants. The Park Hotel Tokyo offers traditional Japanese hospitality in a modern setting.   Shojoshinin Shukubo Shojoshinin is a Japanese style ‘shukubo’ or lodging in a Buddhist temple, originally meant for pilgrims but now open to the public. This shukubo is, in fact, attached to one of the oldest Buddhist temples on Mount Koya (Koyasan)! Originally built as a thatched hut more than 1,150 years ago, today it boasts attractive 150-year-old buildings, and the property features Japanese style gardens and a pond. Shojoshinin has 22 guest rooms and there are two large communal bathing areas—one for men and one for women. In addition, there is one smaller bathing room which guests can use privately in turn. The bathtubs are all beautifully made of Hinoki cypress wood. Shojoshinin has also preserved an atmospheric old kitchen area, too, and the Shojoshinin Temple offers a unique glimpse into the daily life of a Shingon Buddhist Monk.   Tajimaya Minshuku — Kiso Valley Experience an authentic Minshuku (Japanese guest house) at charming Tajimaya. Located in Magome along the Nakasendo Road, which was used extensively by travelers during the Edo Period, Tajimaya offers traditional Japanese-style rooms where all bathroom facilities are shared among guests. The Japanese "irori" (hearth) is over 100 years old and it is still in use. The owners of Tajimaya serve fresh, local cuisine in the dining area, and guests can relax in the wooden tubs after a long day's hike.
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Meals Included

10 Breakfasts and 7 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
mtsobe-WalJapMou

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