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Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto
Summary
Enjoy a day off in the ultimate tranquility of the countryside as you take a leisurely cycle along the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest in Japan. Using electric bikes that provide an effortless, refreshing ride, this course follows beautiful lakeside roads up to stunning scenes of step rice terraces. This is a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path tour in the countryside, showing a different side of Japan. Visit local shrines and wander along village streets free of the tourist crowds. Have a delightful lunch in the traditional home of a local farming couple. Instructed by the lady of the house, indulge yourself in preparing a delicious lunch (a vegetarian menu is also available) using the freshest local ingredients. We hope you will join us on this tour and its feast of discoveries!
Highlights
- Visit sacred Chikubushima Island, known to be a source of great spiritual energy on Lake Biwa, via an exclusive, private boat ride.
- Cycle at your own pace through breathtaking natural scenery and rural landscapes: stunning lake views, vast rice fields, Satoyama Villages, and ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
- Explore Omi-Hachiman traditional merchant town, the well-preserved Hikone Castle and tranquil Genkyu-en Garden.
- Visit hidden Lake Yogo, known as the “mirror lake”, and see the grand views from Shizugatake hilltop lookout.
- Explore atmospheric and secluded Sugaura, a picturesque lakeside village with a rich local history.
- Sample the unique cuisine of Shiga, sourced from the mountains and the lake while staying at authentic Japanese accommodations.
What is included in this tour?
Items that are included in the cost of tour price.- 4 nights at Japanese accommodation
- 4 breakfasts & 4 dinners
- Train tickets from Kyoto to Shiga and back to Kyoto
- High-quality road or folding bike rental, plus helmet, tool kit, inner tube, bicycle lock, bike frame bag and saddle bag
- GPS navigation device rental with detailed route information
- Chartered round trip boat ride to Chikubushima Island
- Detailed day-by-day itinerary and topographical maps
- Local support by telephone
- Bicycle orientation at our Kyoto office
What is not included in this tour?
Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches
- Extra transportation for short options
- Single room supplement(s) if required
Day by day Itinerary
Day 1
By train from Kyoto; cycle Omi-Hachiman to HikoneYour guide and a team member will meet you in central Kyoto for a brief orientation session to receive your bike and other gear for your journey. You are free to make use of the bike for the remainder of your time in Kyoto, before departing on Day 1 of the tour for Shiga.
On the morning of tour Day 1, travel by a short train journey to Omi-Hachiman, a picturesque old merchant town on the eastern side of Lake Biwa and begin today’s ride here from the station. Explore charming Omi-Hachiman by cycling through the historic district, lined with wonderfully preserved old merchant houses, some now open as museums, and then along Hachiman-bori canal which runs through the scenic section of the town.
Leaving Omi-Hachiman, ride an optional extended coastal loop course to Lake Nishinoko and onward, taking in the breeze over its waters. Nearby is the hilltop Azuchi Castle ruins, another historically significant spot and a primary castle of Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan’s three great unifiers during the 16th century.
Further, on the journey, you will pass vast rice fields, scenic Japanese pine tree-lined beaches and follow cycling lanes along Lake Biwa through to Hikone, your destination for tonight. The town is home to Hikone Castle, one of the country’s best-preserved Edo-period castles, and the tranquil Genkyu-en Japanese landscape garden housed within its walls.
Check-in on the family-run Ryokan inn, or a wonderfully preserved traditional Japanese folk house.
Meals: Dinner.
Distance: 42 km / 26 miles.
Elevation gain: 93 meters / 305 feet.
Avid Option: 58 km / 36 miles with approximately 335m / 1,099 feet elevation gain.
Cycling time required: 3 – 4 hours.
Join Adventure Asia for an unforgettable cultural immersion in Japan.
Day 2
Nagahama to KinomotoStart a ride a few kilometers into the center of Hikone in the morning, then board a train for the brief ride to Nagahama. Spend part of the morning cycling through the old merchant district and stop by the Hikiyama float museum to learn about the local Hikiyama festival, dating back over 400 years from the Edo period. Colorful floats on display exhibit fine examples of traditional Japanese metalwork, wood carvings and lacquer work common in the Edo period.
Leaving the town, the course then cycles past lakeside Nagahama castle – with wonderful views out across Lake Biwa from its upper keep – before cycling further north along scenic coastal cycle lanes and rural back roads, through small villages and on to the hidden Lake Yogo, surrounded by mountains on three sides. The lake’s serene environment earns it the name “Kagami-ko”, or Mirror Lake. After a gentle 6km loop ride around Lake Yogo, enjoy a nearby café to soak up fine views of the area.
Today’s ride finishes at nearby Kinomoto, an old post town along the ancient Hokkoku road – once the main trade route connecting Kyoto with ports on the coast of the Sea of Japan. Here, you can see remnants of the old merchant town cape and enjoy the scenery as it was in the past. Kinomoto is also home to a long-standing Sake brewery with over 450 years of history and considered the 3rd oldest in Japan.
Your accommodation tonight is a charming, traditional Japanese inn nearby. Fresh seasonal delicacies sourced from the lake and surrounding mountains are a highlight of tonight’s dinner.
Check-in at the Ryokan (Travellers Inn) or Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Distance: 43 km / 27 miles
Elevation gain: 409 meters / 1,341 feet
Cycling time required: 3 – 4 hours
A shorter option is available by using a train transfer.
Day 3
Kinomoto to SugauraYour journey today is ride along quiet winding roads between the mountains and coastline. While cycling from Kinomoto this morning, enjoy a side trip up a short cable lift to Mt. Shizugatake’s 360-degree summit lookout, with breathtaking views of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. In the distance, the Hira Mountain Range and Chikubujima Island to the southwest, and towering Mt. Ibuki to the east can also be seen. Continue cycling along gentle bike lanes through some of the most picturesque shorelines in Shiga.
Rest for lunch along the way, before arriving at the hidden lakeshore village of Sugaura, which only a few decades ago became accessible by road and is enclosed by mountains on three sides. Spend the afternoon exploring the quiet fishing village and its ancient shrines and temples, or relaxing along the coast.
For more cycling, enjoy a further optional loop course around the peninsula, which begins with a sharp but manageable uphill about 3 km to the panoramic look out over the surrounding bay – and another perfect café stop. Enjoy the short ride back down to the village, or continue cycling on for another 25 km along the peninsula’s scenic loop course and return to Sugaura.
Tonight, enjoy the lakeshore views from your accommodation in Sugaura, along with fantastic indoor and outdoor Japanese baths to soak away in.
Check-in at the Japanese-style Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Distance: 25 km / 15 miles.
Elevation gain: 409 meters / 1,341 feet.
Avid optional extension course: 27 km / 17 miles and approximate 425m / 1,394 feet elevation gain.
Cycling time required: 2 – 4 hours.
A shorter option is available by using a train transfer.
Day 4
Sugaura to TakashimaAfter breakfast, enjoy an exclusive boat ride to visit a nearby Chikubujima Island, one of the eight most scenic spots of Lake Biwa and known to be a source of great spiritual energy. On the island, the two old buildings of Hogon-Ji Temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine have been dedicated as objects of faith from the distant past, both still wonderfully decorated with traditional Japanese architecture and decor representative of the elaborate Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573 – 1603).
Upon returning to Sugaura by boat, the second third of the day will have you cycling the scenic Kaizu-Osaki shoreline (where over 600 sakura cherry trees form a tunnel of light and color in the spring) before diverging inland. With a few short, sharp uphills, the route gives way to beautiful countryside dotted with traditional thatched-roof houses surrounded by hills, then a gradual sweeping downhill into another Satoyama village (with a lovely thatched-roof folk house museum) and onward through a beautiful 2.5km stretch of road lined with a tunnel of hundreds of Metasequoia trees. A nice cafe lunch is recommended nearby. The remainder of the afternoon allows for further discoveries, cycling the scenic river-side bike lanes connecting to numerous hamlets in the area, and onward to nearby Makino lakeshore and its scenic pine-tree lined beach.
*Avid cyclists may wish to ride on towards the surrounding mountains for an optional hill climb loop course of around 31 km / 19 miles and 774m / 2,211 feet elevation gain, passing through Mt. Hakodateyama with spectacular views overlooking the countryside below and of Chikubujima Island and Mt. Ibuki far off in the distance.
Check-in at the traditional Japanese folk house or Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Distance: 43 km / 27 miles.
Elevation gain: 62 meters / 203 feet.
Avid Option: 58 km / 36 miles with approximately 669 meters / 2,194 feet elevation gain.
Cycling time required: 3 – 4 hours.
A shorter option is available by using a train transfer.
Avid optional extension course: 31 km / 19 miles and approximate 674m / 2,211 feet elevation gain (2 hours)
Day 5
Cycle to Omi-Maiko, and return to KyotoAfter breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your hosts and cycles your final leg of the tour through to Omi-Maiko along the lakeshore. The western side of Lake Biwa is home to a unique water village called Harie, with a network of natural springs formed from mountain rainwater as it flows underground the lake, and where people live sustainably with the land and water. Cycle through this charming village, then make your way to Shirahige Shrine – with its grand vermilion-lacquered Torii gate standing in the lake. The name of the shrine, ”Shirahige” means “white beard” in English, and is one of Shiga’s oldest Shrines with over 2,000 years of history. The area makes for a nice café rest stop before riding a few kilometers on the pine-tree lined beaches at Omi-Maiko. You are free to explore before heading onward by local train to Kyoto where our tour ends. In central Kyoto, visit Oku Japan to drop-off your bike and other rental equipment.
A shorter cycle option is available by using a train transfer.
Distance: 39 km / 24 miles.
Elevation gain: 189 meters / 620 feet.
Cycling time required: 3 – 3.5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast
After completing the journey, you will have a special place in your memories for Lake Biwa long after.
Hotel options
![Shiraume hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/K44T86aeNZl7uXU9NzvnegoSwc4zMviYMnxmDw8q.jpg)
Shiraume hotel Kyoto
![BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/U9SjdCnqQn54tXA2Vu84foQJLea0uUSj68ZGv1vD.jpg)
BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto
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Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto
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Hotel Kanra Kyoto
![Sowaka hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/RUYfZEcLTgKyaotB6Fs0PQqr5i4XyfJTuGfInI1l.jpg)
Sowaka hotel Kyoto
![Oriental Hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/J0WPS4FKg7iFTRBecWq4yOELkOKac2NqDM7jyw5Z.jpg)
Oriental Hotel Kyoto
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Shiraume hotel Kyoto
The area where the Shiraume Ryokan is located is one of the most beautiful and historical areas in Kyoto, the Gion district. Gion, day and night, is still very much a living world of elegant and traditional sophistication, charms and mysteries. Here the geiko and maiko (apprentice geiko) live, study and work against a backdrop of old cherry and willow trees along the Shirakawa Stream and the polished grand wooden facades of Hanamikoji and the many fascinating back lanes.
The Shiraume Ryokan offers excellent service and warm, friendly hospitality to all its guests. We especially love foreign visitors and understand their needs
![Shiraume hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/K44T86aeNZl7uXU9NzvnegoSwc4zMviYMnxmDw8q.jpg)
Shiraume hotel Kyoto
The area where the Shiraume Ryokan is located is one of the most beautiful and historical areas in Kyoto, the Gion district. Gion, day and night, is still very much a living world of elegant and traditional sophistication, charms and mysteries. Here the geiko and maiko (apprentice geiko) live, study and work against a backdrop of old cherry and willow trees along the Shirakawa Stream and the polished grand wooden facades of Hanamikoji and the many fascinating back lanes.
The Shiraume Ryokan offers excellent service and warm, friendly hospitality to all its guests. We especially love foreign visitors and understand their needs
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/oKB0txUDeTpwTSuo2sfUwxfCP4JMFModdKbgOTHz.jpg)
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/K3oZX6eMgbbQrPweRZfFdel0GOq7WctDpRfF16ln.jpg)
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![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/468Xumdjc7JfA0O7BcMLE2Bwjrg1eR5WS6vWQAH1.jpg)
Shiraume hotel Kyoto
The area where the Shiraume Ryokan is located is one of the most beautiful and historical areas in Kyoto, the Gion district. Gion, day and night, is still very much a living world of elegant and traditional sophistication, charms and mysteries. Here the geiko and maiko (apprentice geiko) live, study and work against a backdrop of old cherry and willow trees along the Shirakawa Stream and the polished grand wooden facades of Hanamikoji and the many fascinating back lanes.
The Shiraume Ryokan offers excellent service and warm, friendly hospitality to all its guests. We especially love foreign visitors and understand their needs
![BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/U9SjdCnqQn54tXA2Vu84foQJLea0uUSj68ZGv1vD.jpg)
BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto
A boutique art hotel in Kyoto featuring 31 unique art rooms you can sleep in, a 10-story vertical art gallery showcasing the best of Japanese contemporary art, and a bar where the locals hang out, enjoying weekly art and music events. You can bet your visit to BnA Alter Museum will be an unforgettable travel experience.
BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto
A boutique art hotel in Kyoto featuring 31 unique art rooms you can sleep in, a 10-story vertical art gallery showcasing the best of Japanese contemporary art, and a bar where the locals hang out, enjoying weekly art and music events. You can bet your visit to BnA Alter Museum will be an unforgettable travel experience.
![Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/G26Dtg1fvUKfhHnHn9jX2vM6Xhzh4Bkd57o1yA4T.jpg)
Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto
Hokkaikan Ohanabo is at the entrance of Higashi Honganji Temple. We are pleased to serve with a theme of “a heartfelt accommodation with the traditional heart of Kyoto”. We are a small hostel with 100 years of history, Which aim to provide a home-like, relaxing staying experience for everyone. Come and indulge in this wooden space, The beautiful presentation of Kyoto’s traditions.
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/Mll8eDFlC19Jo1hQMorIwsRAhd731tkklpkXDgRE.jpg)
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/GvkgSG6GY4ouoyBOMfp8ZnaevdFvegz6kEpzPBVt.jpg)
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/9WiAaAVkXl7kdlFthiM1EbtYDefPVs68PnlRqb6a.jpg)
Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto
Hokkaikan Ohanabo is at the entrance of Higashi Honganji Temple. We are pleased to serve with a theme of “a heartfelt accommodation with the traditional heart of Kyoto”. We are a small hostel with 100 years of history, Which aim to provide a home-like, relaxing staying experience for everyone. Come and indulge in this wooden space, The beautiful presentation of Kyoto’s traditions.
![Hotel Kanra Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/SlG3N2lSSyW2cT0b0Piwm8uWRFeZJrgN0QcqOvZ0.jpg)
Hotel Kanra Kyoto
"KAN" in "KANRA" stems from the letter "Kan" (experience) and "RA" comes from the letter "Raku" (Kyoto).
We are a hotel where guests can "Experience" the spirit of this "City" that embraces the beauty, wisdom, and hospitality of Japan.
That is our purpose and our mission.
Hotel Kanra Kyoto
"KAN" in "KANRA" stems from the letter "Kan" (experience) and "RA" comes from the letter "Raku" (Kyoto).
We are a hotel where guests can "Experience" the spirit of this "City" that embraces the beauty, wisdom, and hospitality of Japan.
That is our purpose and our mission.
![Sowaka hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/RUYfZEcLTgKyaotB6Fs0PQqr5i4XyfJTuGfInI1l.jpg)
Sowaka hotel Kyoto
Once across the stone threshold, you are instantly transported to an oasis of calm.
Relax in one of Sowaka’s 23 individually designed rooms, listening to gentle breezes blow through the green and tranquil courtyard.
Situated in the charming neighborhood of Gion and Yasaka,
the hotel effuses ethereal elegance in its luxurious space combining nostalgia with modernity.
Enjoy creative, distinctive Kyoto cuisine at La BOMBANCE Gion, the latest outpost of the award-winning Tokyo restaurant.
Meanwhile the ancient streets and charming neighborhoods of Kyoto are just outside your door.
Sowaka hotel Kyoto
Once across the stone threshold, you are instantly transported to an oasis of calm.
Relax in one of Sowaka’s 23 individually designed rooms, listening to gentle breezes blow through the green and tranquil courtyard.
Situated in the charming neighborhood of Gion and Yasaka,
the hotel effuses ethereal elegance in its luxurious space combining nostalgia with modernity.
Enjoy creative, distinctive Kyoto cuisine at La BOMBANCE Gion, the latest outpost of the award-winning Tokyo restaurant.
Meanwhile the ancient streets and charming neighborhoods of Kyoto are just outside your door.
![Oriental Hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/J0WPS4FKg7iFTRBecWq4yOELkOKac2NqDM7jyw5Z.jpg)
Oriental Hotel Kyoto
We developed a concept of “Exploring the Essential Value of Japan”, the essence of which centers on the hospitality of the tea ceremony, to create a relaxing and healing space to warmly welcome guests along the path and into our tea garden.
The soft glow of Japanese lanterns will light up your once-in-a-lifetime journey.
In a center of traditional Japanese culture, please experience a uniquely Kyoto-style world view and the finest hospitality.
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/iMpYZohrJn6FfP4VoWtbi2NdOyofDC3B9X8yirZp.jpg)
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![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/6aLQTX1obDnkJDySOp0O6xO7mdccGDDvsZiStQih.jpg)
Oriental Hotel Kyoto
We developed a concept of “Exploring the Essential Value of Japan”, the essence of which centers on the hospitality of the tea ceremony, to create a relaxing and healing space to warmly welcome guests along the path and into our tea garden.
The soft glow of Japanese lanterns will light up your once-in-a-lifetime journey.
In a center of traditional Japanese culture, please experience a uniquely Kyoto-style world view and the finest hospitality.
![Shiraume hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/K44T86aeNZl7uXU9NzvnegoSwc4zMviYMnxmDw8q.jpg)
Shiraume hotel Kyoto
The area where the Shiraume Ryokan is located is one of the most beautiful and historical areas in Kyoto, the Gion district. Gion, day and night, is still very much a living world of elegant and traditional sophistication, charms and mysteries. Here the geiko and maiko (apprentice geiko) live, study and work against a backdrop of old cherry and willow trees along the Shirakawa Stream and the polished grand wooden facades of Hanamikoji and the many fascinating back lanes.
The Shiraume Ryokan offers excellent service and warm, friendly hospitality to all its guests. We especially love foreign visitors and understand their needs
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/oKB0txUDeTpwTSuo2sfUwxfCP4JMFModdKbgOTHz.jpg)
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/K3oZX6eMgbbQrPweRZfFdel0GOq7WctDpRfF16ln.jpg)
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![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/468Xumdjc7JfA0O7BcMLE2Bwjrg1eR5WS6vWQAH1.jpg)
Shiraume hotel Kyoto
The area where the Shiraume Ryokan is located is one of the most beautiful and historical areas in Kyoto, the Gion district. Gion, day and night, is still very much a living world of elegant and traditional sophistication, charms and mysteries. Here the geiko and maiko (apprentice geiko) live, study and work against a backdrop of old cherry and willow trees along the Shirakawa Stream and the polished grand wooden facades of Hanamikoji and the many fascinating back lanes.
The Shiraume Ryokan offers excellent service and warm, friendly hospitality to all its guests. We especially love foreign visitors and understand their needs
![BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/U9SjdCnqQn54tXA2Vu84foQJLea0uUSj68ZGv1vD.jpg)
BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto
A boutique art hotel in Kyoto featuring 31 unique art rooms you can sleep in, a 10-story vertical art gallery showcasing the best of Japanese contemporary art, and a bar where the locals hang out, enjoying weekly art and music events. You can bet your visit to BnA Alter Museum will be an unforgettable travel experience.
BnA Alter Museum hotel Kyoto
A boutique art hotel in Kyoto featuring 31 unique art rooms you can sleep in, a 10-story vertical art gallery showcasing the best of Japanese contemporary art, and a bar where the locals hang out, enjoying weekly art and music events. You can bet your visit to BnA Alter Museum will be an unforgettable travel experience.
![Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/G26Dtg1fvUKfhHnHn9jX2vM6Xhzh4Bkd57o1yA4T.jpg)
Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto
Hokkaikan Ohanabo is at the entrance of Higashi Honganji Temple. We are pleased to serve with a theme of “a heartfelt accommodation with the traditional heart of Kyoto”. We are a small hostel with 100 years of history, Which aim to provide a home-like, relaxing staying experience for everyone. Come and indulge in this wooden space, The beautiful presentation of Kyoto’s traditions.
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/Mll8eDFlC19Jo1hQMorIwsRAhd731tkklpkXDgRE.jpg)
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/GvkgSG6GY4ouoyBOMfp8ZnaevdFvegz6kEpzPBVt.jpg)
![](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/9WiAaAVkXl7kdlFthiM1EbtYDefPVs68PnlRqb6a.jpg)
Hokkaikan Ohanabo Kyoto
Hokkaikan Ohanabo is at the entrance of Higashi Honganji Temple. We are pleased to serve with a theme of “a heartfelt accommodation with the traditional heart of Kyoto”. We are a small hostel with 100 years of history, Which aim to provide a home-like, relaxing staying experience for everyone. Come and indulge in this wooden space, The beautiful presentation of Kyoto’s traditions.
![Hotel Kanra Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/hotels/SlG3N2lSSyW2cT0b0Piwm8uWRFeZJrgN0QcqOvZ0.jpg)
Hotel Kanra Kyoto
"KAN" in "KANRA" stems from the letter "Kan" (experience) and "RA" comes from the letter "Raku" (Kyoto).
We are a hotel where guests can "Experience" the spirit of this "City" that embraces the beauty, wisdom, and hospitality of Japan.
That is our purpose and our mission.
Hotel Kanra Kyoto
"KAN" in "KANRA" stems from the letter "Kan" (experience) and "RA" comes from the letter "Raku" (Kyoto).
We are a hotel where guests can "Experience" the spirit of this "City" that embraces the beauty, wisdom, and hospitality of Japan.
That is our purpose and our mission.
![Hiroshima And Shimanami Kaido](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/eZUHAArQaX2kLG09QEcvGNBqjO4QCKfNBKI9nAWj.jpg?w=400)
Hiroshima And Shimanami Kaido
Shimanami Kaido is one of the most famous cycling routes in Japan, starting at Onomichi city in Hiroshima Prefecture and ending at the Imabari city in Ehime prefecture. The route takes you cycling through six islands, offering unparalleled views of the Seto inland sea. You have the opportunity to take a detour on one of the six islands, explore a little and stay overnight in a quaint and friendly local family-run accommodation. Traverse islands on roads and bridges built just for cycling. Relax at a historical seaside Onsen. Watch the sun descend behind the mountains in the distance. Experience the Shimanami Kaido, a bright blue path of bike lanes and bridges built across the islands of The Setouchi Sea. Explore the mountains of Ehime and the famous shrine in the water at Miyajima. Enjoy exquisite meals prepared just for you. We cannot wait for you to soak in the beauty of this often unexplored region.
![Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/S4AuuCJbhQXC4IQBELO3JTq6AWVCHS5mwOw49ggJ.jpg?w=400)
Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido
On this tour, guests travel from Kushiro to Hokkaido’s eastern pacific coast to the Shiretoko Peninsula, stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. Throughout the tour, you will see untouched nature, visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves, experience the spectacular landscapes formed by volcanoes, and enjoy the flora and fauna, especially to Hokkaido. This tour features relaxing Onsen hot springs after each day’s walk and wonderful regional cuisine is known to be some of the freshest in Japan, along with the opportunity to learn the history of Hokkaido’s indigenous peoples, the Ainu. You are sure to be surprised by how much nature has to offer, each location taking you one step deeper into the true nature of eastern Hokkaido.
![Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/CSCwqF2MXFfcg2eO5hnvBk2GRVUeP5yNa7edpMpv.jpg?w=400)
Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days
If you’ve already explored the bustling streets of Tokyo, wolfed down bowls of ramen in Osaka, and are still craving a wholly different experience of Japan, traverse to its northern island of Hokkaido. Here, you’ll be greeted with a taste of the country unlike you’ve known. The island boasts six breathtaking national parks filled with primeval forests, mountains and volcanoes, Onsens, a fascinating Ainu indigenous culture, swathes of wildlife and possibly the world’s clearest and most beautiful lakes. For those who love the cold, snowy Hokkaido boasts of an insatiable array of winter activities you can try, including skiing on the world’s best ski slopes in Furano and celebrating its famous winter festivals. But if summer travels are your thing, the island forms into a postcard-perfect landscape of the beautiful flower fields, with temperatures mild and pleasant enough for you to do plenty of sightseeing in.
![Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/cwi4rHR5BTS1zbcyAQs4NqKs5owTcw1yrZiaQzWy.jpg?w=400)
Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter
Self-guided exploration of Eastern Hokkaido’s winter landscapes and wildlife Discover the pristine natural landscape of Hokkaido in this 7-day winter itinerary. Japan’s second-largest main island is a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers, with snow-capped mountain ranges, serene forests and deep crater lakes. Starting in Kushiro on the east coast, you’ll travel north, heading into the winter wilderness of the Akan-Mashu National Park. Visit UNESCO World Heritage nature reserves, experience spectacular snow-covered landscapes and spot rare wildlife unique to Hokkaido before ending your adventure on the unique Shiretoko Peninsula.
![Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/6cpioqp0DohhnGSHoQetiudMtLrOQw6LbEIiE5QE.webp?w=400)
Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto
Enjoy a day off in the ultimate tranquility of the countryside as you take a leisurely cycle along the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest in Japan. Using electric bikes that provide an effortless, refreshing ride, this course follows beautiful lakeside roads up to stunning scenes of step rice terraces. This is a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path tour in the countryside, showing a different side of Japan. Visit local shrines and wander along village streets free of the tourist crowds. Have a delightful lunch in the traditional home of a local farming couple. Instructed by the lady of the house, indulge yourself in preparing a delicious lunch (a vegetarian menu is also available) using the freshest local ingredients. We hope you will join us on this tour and its feast of discoveries!
![Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/ambs4f641VaUVqZ5PkGJ92sKR7ypDwLzpx8fv1hh.jpg?w=400)
Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto
The winter Nakasendo trail tour is a fully-guided tour suitable for anyone who can walk at a gentle pace for three to four hours in comfort. In general, the route is greatly undulating but it also includes some short, steeper climbs. The lower temperatures of winter include the probability of snow at some points along the route. Time to include both the Western and the Chinese New Year holiday periods, this tour provides modern-day walkers with a comforting taste of Edo Period Japan in winter. We cross several high passes, where encountering snow is likely, but the emphasis is on comfort and each day we find warm welcomes and surroundings in Japanese inns. Here, we can relax on one occasion around an open hearth fire and enjoy the excellent meals of locally sourced produce. Thermal hot spring baths are another feature of the Nakasendo trail. Always a joy and a great way to wind down at the end of any day, these are particularly enticing during the winter months.
![Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/tO2dzHWfmrjqoC2bYUNYy7wbItGiAKbwHNnujL1E.jpg?w=400)
Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail
The ancient pilgrimage to the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano spans as far back as 1,000 years ago and still continues today. The pilgrimage routes that crisscross Kil, Japan’s largest peninsula have become known as the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail. Pilgrims and tourists, alike, take on the route to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Throughout history, retired emperors, high-ranking officials, and other determined pilgrims have completed the pilgrimage. Today, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route spans through the Kii mountain range, making for an arduous journey. Though challenging, the paths wind through verdant forests and pass by and over cascading waterfalls and streams. In addition to providing a path between the shrines, the Kumano Kodo links Kyoto to the mountainous Kii region.
![Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/Me8VhRj6EXwgbWaMo6TxitaJmGO2X59clvlqhSKu.jpg?w=400)
Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto
A short small-group guided walking tour with three hikes of 3-6 hours of village-to-village – on the Nakasendo Trail. The Kiso Road is one of the most beautiful sections of the Nakasendo Way, our original tour that has become the classic walking tour in Japan. This short-stay, fully- guided walking tour follows the ancient Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley of central Japan and also reaches the high alpine Kaida plateau. Our route takes us into a world far removed from the modern bustle of Japan’s Megacities. We travel through some of the most picturesque and historic villages in the nation, stay in rural family-run Japanese inns and relax in Onsen thermal hot spring baths. Meals are a treat of Japanese cuisine, and because we are deep in the rural mountains of Japan, the ingredients include many locally grown vegetables, morsels foraged in the surrounding mountains and freshwater fish caught in the nearby streams and rivers.
![Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/QPIb1vrEQBl0zFTJpgRu3dcpfZwfwZ30agws9KwM.jpg?w=400)
Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour
You are introducing Japan’s southernmost Island; Kyushu. This part of the country offers a diverse landscape and unrivaled natural beauty in the form of hot springs, volcanoes, forests, mountains, and beaches. On this tour, you will start with sightseeing in Kyoto and experience several authentic Ryokan and Hot springs, the beautiful scenery of Takachiho Gorge, Hells of Unzen, and Mt. Aso, the bustling cities of Fukuoka and Nagaski and cultural activities such as Kimono fitting, tea brewing, and a rickshaw ride.
![From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/7lnz2p4AA6DzCjQHUAfCJrpxqDz9oPhMb80h6z6E.jpg?w=400)
From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains
A Japan small group tour spending twelve days discovering the cities, cultural and coastal highlights of this unique country. Any Japan cultural tour has to include metropolitan and historical greats such as Kyoto, but this holiday also steps off the tourist trail to visit the country’s lesser-known coastal treats such as Kojima and Yunotsu as well, reminding you that Japan is actually a collection of Islands with eclectic, exquisite landscapes, seascapes, and Eco Escapes. Using Japan’s famous railway system, including bullet trains, to travel from one place to the next, staying in traditional Ryokan and Minshuku inns and having plenty of opportunities to literally immerse yourselves in Japan’s cultural highlights, the Onsen or thermal spring baths, the itinerary reveals many layers of Japan’s history too.
![Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/S4AuuCJbhQXC4IQBELO3JTq6AWVCHS5mwOw49ggJ.jpg?w=400)
Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido
On this tour, guests travel from Kushiro to Hokkaido’s eastern pacific coast to the Shiretoko Peninsula, stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. Throughout the tour, you will see untouched nature, visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves, experience the spectacular landscapes formed by volcanoes, and enjoy the flora and fauna, especially to Hokkaido. This tour features relaxing Onsen hot springs after each day’s walk and wonderful regional cuisine is known to be some of the freshest in Japan, along with the opportunity to learn the history of Hokkaido’s indigenous peoples, the Ainu. You are sure to be surprised by how much nature has to offer, each location taking you one step deeper into the true nature of eastern Hokkaido.
![Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/CSCwqF2MXFfcg2eO5hnvBk2GRVUeP5yNa7edpMpv.jpg?w=400)
Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days
If you’ve already explored the bustling streets of Tokyo, wolfed down bowls of ramen in Osaka, and are still craving a wholly different experience of Japan, traverse to its northern island of Hokkaido. Here, you’ll be greeted with a taste of the country unlike you’ve known. The island boasts six breathtaking national parks filled with primeval forests, mountains and volcanoes, Onsens, a fascinating Ainu indigenous culture, swathes of wildlife and possibly the world’s clearest and most beautiful lakes. For those who love the cold, snowy Hokkaido boasts of an insatiable array of winter activities you can try, including skiing on the world’s best ski slopes in Furano and celebrating its famous winter festivals. But if summer travels are your thing, the island forms into a postcard-perfect landscape of the beautiful flower fields, with temperatures mild and pleasant enough for you to do plenty of sightseeing in.
![Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/cwi4rHR5BTS1zbcyAQs4NqKs5owTcw1yrZiaQzWy.jpg?w=400)
Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter
Self-guided exploration of Eastern Hokkaido’s winter landscapes and wildlife Discover the pristine natural landscape of Hokkaido in this 7-day winter itinerary. Japan’s second-largest main island is a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers, with snow-capped mountain ranges, serene forests and deep crater lakes. Starting in Kushiro on the east coast, you’ll travel north, heading into the winter wilderness of the Akan-Mashu National Park. Visit UNESCO World Heritage nature reserves, experience spectacular snow-covered landscapes and spot rare wildlife unique to Hokkaido before ending your adventure on the unique Shiretoko Peninsula.
![Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/6cpioqp0DohhnGSHoQetiudMtLrOQw6LbEIiE5QE.webp?w=400)
Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto
Enjoy a day off in the ultimate tranquility of the countryside as you take a leisurely cycle along the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest in Japan. Using electric bikes that provide an effortless, refreshing ride, this course follows beautiful lakeside roads up to stunning scenes of step rice terraces. This is a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path tour in the countryside, showing a different side of Japan. Visit local shrines and wander along village streets free of the tourist crowds. Have a delightful lunch in the traditional home of a local farming couple. Instructed by the lady of the house, indulge yourself in preparing a delicious lunch (a vegetarian menu is also available) using the freshest local ingredients. We hope you will join us on this tour and its feast of discoveries!
![Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/ambs4f641VaUVqZ5PkGJ92sKR7ypDwLzpx8fv1hh.jpg?w=400)
Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto
The winter Nakasendo trail tour is a fully-guided tour suitable for anyone who can walk at a gentle pace for three to four hours in comfort. In general, the route is greatly undulating but it also includes some short, steeper climbs. The lower temperatures of winter include the probability of snow at some points along the route. Time to include both the Western and the Chinese New Year holiday periods, this tour provides modern-day walkers with a comforting taste of Edo Period Japan in winter. We cross several high passes, where encountering snow is likely, but the emphasis is on comfort and each day we find warm welcomes and surroundings in Japanese inns. Here, we can relax on one occasion around an open hearth fire and enjoy the excellent meals of locally sourced produce. Thermal hot spring baths are another feature of the Nakasendo trail. Always a joy and a great way to wind down at the end of any day, these are particularly enticing during the winter months.
![Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/tO2dzHWfmrjqoC2bYUNYy7wbItGiAKbwHNnujL1E.jpg?w=400)
Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail
The ancient pilgrimage to the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano spans as far back as 1,000 years ago and still continues today. The pilgrimage routes that crisscross Kil, Japan’s largest peninsula have become known as the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail. Pilgrims and tourists, alike, take on the route to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Throughout history, retired emperors, high-ranking officials, and other determined pilgrims have completed the pilgrimage. Today, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route spans through the Kii mountain range, making for an arduous journey. Though challenging, the paths wind through verdant forests and pass by and over cascading waterfalls and streams. In addition to providing a path between the shrines, the Kumano Kodo links Kyoto to the mountainous Kii region.
![Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/Me8VhRj6EXwgbWaMo6TxitaJmGO2X59clvlqhSKu.jpg?w=400)
Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto
A short small-group guided walking tour with three hikes of 3-6 hours of village-to-village – on the Nakasendo Trail. The Kiso Road is one of the most beautiful sections of the Nakasendo Way, our original tour that has become the classic walking tour in Japan. This short-stay, fully- guided walking tour follows the ancient Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley of central Japan and also reaches the high alpine Kaida plateau. Our route takes us into a world far removed from the modern bustle of Japan’s Megacities. We travel through some of the most picturesque and historic villages in the nation, stay in rural family-run Japanese inns and relax in Onsen thermal hot spring baths. Meals are a treat of Japanese cuisine, and because we are deep in the rural mountains of Japan, the ingredients include many locally grown vegetables, morsels foraged in the surrounding mountains and freshwater fish caught in the nearby streams and rivers.
![Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/QPIb1vrEQBl0zFTJpgRu3dcpfZwfwZ30agws9KwM.jpg?w=400)
Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour
You are introducing Japan’s southernmost Island; Kyushu. This part of the country offers a diverse landscape and unrivaled natural beauty in the form of hot springs, volcanoes, forests, mountains, and beaches. On this tour, you will start with sightseeing in Kyoto and experience several authentic Ryokan and Hot springs, the beautiful scenery of Takachiho Gorge, Hells of Unzen, and Mt. Aso, the bustling cities of Fukuoka and Nagaski and cultural activities such as Kimono fitting, tea brewing, and a rickshaw ride.
![From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/7lnz2p4AA6DzCjQHUAfCJrpxqDz9oPhMb80h6z6E.jpg?w=400)
From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains
A Japan small group tour spending twelve days discovering the cities, cultural and coastal highlights of this unique country. Any Japan cultural tour has to include metropolitan and historical greats such as Kyoto, but this holiday also steps off the tourist trail to visit the country’s lesser-known coastal treats such as Kojima and Yunotsu as well, reminding you that Japan is actually a collection of Islands with eclectic, exquisite landscapes, seascapes, and Eco Escapes. Using Japan’s famous railway system, including bullet trains, to travel from one place to the next, staying in traditional Ryokan and Minshuku inns and having plenty of opportunities to literally immerse yourselves in Japan’s cultural highlights, the Onsen or thermal spring baths, the itinerary reveals many layers of Japan’s history too.
![Family Adventure Tour Of The Treasures Of Japan’s Heartland](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/EDjAEz8vCLvI4hnng3wgmtu6uQQg9TOEH2H27FF5.jpg?w=400)
Family Adventure Tour Of The Treasures Of Japan’s Heartland
This tour allows children and their parents to discover the unknown side of Japan and to connect with the communities they explore. This 8-day adventure gives a deep insight into the Kansai area, offering exciting vistas of Japan from the urban delights of Kyoto to rural immersion in the communities of Asuka and Sasayama. This family tour draws deeply on Japan’s strong connections with the local communities and the people they know personally. It’s no secret that parents are happy when their kids are happy. They will be overjoyed to watch them learning the spirit and techniques of Wadaiko Japanese Taiko drumming, feeding free-roaming deer and creating their own pottery and paper lantern crafts.
![Hiroshima And Shimanami Kaido](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/eZUHAArQaX2kLG09QEcvGNBqjO4QCKfNBKI9nAWj.jpg?w=400)
Hiroshima And Shimanami Kaido
Shimanami Kaido is one of the most famous cycling routes in Japan, starting at Onomichi city in Hiroshima Prefecture and ending at the Imabari city in Ehime prefecture. The route takes you cycling through six islands, offering unparalleled views of the Seto inland sea. You have the opportunity to take a detour on one of the six islands, explore a little and stay overnight in a quaint and friendly local family-run accommodation. Traverse islands on roads and bridges built just for cycling. Relax at a historical seaside Onsen. Watch the sun descend behind the mountains in the distance. Experience the Shimanami Kaido, a bright blue path of bike lanes and bridges built across the islands of The Setouchi Sea. Explore the mountains of Ehime and the famous shrine in the water at Miyajima. Enjoy exquisite meals prepared just for you. We cannot wait for you to soak in the beauty of this often unexplored region.
![Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/S4AuuCJbhQXC4IQBELO3JTq6AWVCHS5mwOw49ggJ.jpg?w=400)
Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido
On this tour, guests travel from Kushiro to Hokkaido’s eastern pacific coast to the Shiretoko Peninsula, stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. Throughout the tour, you will see untouched nature, visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves, experience the spectacular landscapes formed by volcanoes, and enjoy the flora and fauna, especially to Hokkaido. This tour features relaxing Onsen hot springs after each day’s walk and wonderful regional cuisine is known to be some of the freshest in Japan, along with the opportunity to learn the history of Hokkaido’s indigenous peoples, the Ainu. You are sure to be surprised by how much nature has to offer, each location taking you one step deeper into the true nature of eastern Hokkaido.
![Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/CSCwqF2MXFfcg2eO5hnvBk2GRVUeP5yNa7edpMpv.jpg?w=400)
Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days
If you’ve already explored the bustling streets of Tokyo, wolfed down bowls of ramen in Osaka, and are still craving a wholly different experience of Japan, traverse to its northern island of Hokkaido. Here, you’ll be greeted with a taste of the country unlike you’ve known. The island boasts six breathtaking national parks filled with primeval forests, mountains and volcanoes, Onsens, a fascinating Ainu indigenous culture, swathes of wildlife and possibly the world’s clearest and most beautiful lakes. For those who love the cold, snowy Hokkaido boasts of an insatiable array of winter activities you can try, including skiing on the world’s best ski slopes in Furano and celebrating its famous winter festivals. But if summer travels are your thing, the island forms into a postcard-perfect landscape of the beautiful flower fields, with temperatures mild and pleasant enough for you to do plenty of sightseeing in.
![Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/cwi4rHR5BTS1zbcyAQs4NqKs5owTcw1yrZiaQzWy.jpg?w=400)
Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter
Self-guided exploration of Eastern Hokkaido’s winter landscapes and wildlife Discover the pristine natural landscape of Hokkaido in this 7-day winter itinerary. Japan’s second-largest main island is a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers, with snow-capped mountain ranges, serene forests and deep crater lakes. Starting in Kushiro on the east coast, you’ll travel north, heading into the winter wilderness of the Akan-Mashu National Park. Visit UNESCO World Heritage nature reserves, experience spectacular snow-covered landscapes and spot rare wildlife unique to Hokkaido before ending your adventure on the unique Shiretoko Peninsula.
![Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/6cpioqp0DohhnGSHoQetiudMtLrOQw6LbEIiE5QE.webp?w=400)
Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto
Enjoy a day off in the ultimate tranquility of the countryside as you take a leisurely cycle along the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest in Japan. Using electric bikes that provide an effortless, refreshing ride, this course follows beautiful lakeside roads up to stunning scenes of step rice terraces. This is a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path tour in the countryside, showing a different side of Japan. Visit local shrines and wander along village streets free of the tourist crowds. Have a delightful lunch in the traditional home of a local farming couple. Instructed by the lady of the house, indulge yourself in preparing a delicious lunch (a vegetarian menu is also available) using the freshest local ingredients. We hope you will join us on this tour and its feast of discoveries!
![Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/ambs4f641VaUVqZ5PkGJ92sKR7ypDwLzpx8fv1hh.jpg?w=400)
Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto
The winter Nakasendo trail tour is a fully-guided tour suitable for anyone who can walk at a gentle pace for three to four hours in comfort. In general, the route is greatly undulating but it also includes some short, steeper climbs. The lower temperatures of winter include the probability of snow at some points along the route. Time to include both the Western and the Chinese New Year holiday periods, this tour provides modern-day walkers with a comforting taste of Edo Period Japan in winter. We cross several high passes, where encountering snow is likely, but the emphasis is on comfort and each day we find warm welcomes and surroundings in Japanese inns. Here, we can relax on one occasion around an open hearth fire and enjoy the excellent meals of locally sourced produce. Thermal hot spring baths are another feature of the Nakasendo trail. Always a joy and a great way to wind down at the end of any day, these are particularly enticing during the winter months.
![Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/tO2dzHWfmrjqoC2bYUNYy7wbItGiAKbwHNnujL1E.jpg?w=400)
Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail
The ancient pilgrimage to the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano spans as far back as 1,000 years ago and still continues today. The pilgrimage routes that crisscross Kil, Japan’s largest peninsula have become known as the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail. Pilgrims and tourists, alike, take on the route to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Throughout history, retired emperors, high-ranking officials, and other determined pilgrims have completed the pilgrimage. Today, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route spans through the Kii mountain range, making for an arduous journey. Though challenging, the paths wind through verdant forests and pass by and over cascading waterfalls and streams. In addition to providing a path between the shrines, the Kumano Kodo links Kyoto to the mountainous Kii region.
![Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/Me8VhRj6EXwgbWaMo6TxitaJmGO2X59clvlqhSKu.jpg?w=400)
Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto
A short small-group guided walking tour with three hikes of 3-6 hours of village-to-village – on the Nakasendo Trail. The Kiso Road is one of the most beautiful sections of the Nakasendo Way, our original tour that has become the classic walking tour in Japan. This short-stay, fully- guided walking tour follows the ancient Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley of central Japan and also reaches the high alpine Kaida plateau. Our route takes us into a world far removed from the modern bustle of Japan’s Megacities. We travel through some of the most picturesque and historic villages in the nation, stay in rural family-run Japanese inns and relax in Onsen thermal hot spring baths. Meals are a treat of Japanese cuisine, and because we are deep in the rural mountains of Japan, the ingredients include many locally grown vegetables, morsels foraged in the surrounding mountains and freshwater fish caught in the nearby streams and rivers.
![Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/QPIb1vrEQBl0zFTJpgRu3dcpfZwfwZ30agws9KwM.jpg?w=400)
Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour
You are introducing Japan’s southernmost Island; Kyushu. This part of the country offers a diverse landscape and unrivaled natural beauty in the form of hot springs, volcanoes, forests, mountains, and beaches. On this tour, you will start with sightseeing in Kyoto and experience several authentic Ryokan and Hot springs, the beautiful scenery of Takachiho Gorge, Hells of Unzen, and Mt. Aso, the bustling cities of Fukuoka and Nagaski and cultural activities such as Kimono fitting, tea brewing, and a rickshaw ride.
![From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/7lnz2p4AA6DzCjQHUAfCJrpxqDz9oPhMb80h6z6E.jpg?w=400)
From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains
A Japan small group tour spending twelve days discovering the cities, cultural and coastal highlights of this unique country. Any Japan cultural tour has to include metropolitan and historical greats such as Kyoto, but this holiday also steps off the tourist trail to visit the country’s lesser-known coastal treats such as Kojima and Yunotsu as well, reminding you that Japan is actually a collection of Islands with eclectic, exquisite landscapes, seascapes, and Eco Escapes. Using Japan’s famous railway system, including bullet trains, to travel from one place to the next, staying in traditional Ryokan and Minshuku inns and having plenty of opportunities to literally immerse yourselves in Japan’s cultural highlights, the Onsen or thermal spring baths, the itinerary reveals many layers of Japan’s history too.
![Family Adventure Tour Of The Treasures Of Japan’s Heartland](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/EDjAEz8vCLvI4hnng3wgmtu6uQQg9TOEH2H27FF5.jpg?w=400)
Family Adventure Tour Of The Treasures Of Japan’s Heartland
This tour allows children and their parents to discover the unknown side of Japan and to connect with the communities they explore. This 8-day adventure gives a deep insight into the Kansai area, offering exciting vistas of Japan from the urban delights of Kyoto to rural immersion in the communities of Asuka and Sasayama. This family tour draws deeply on Japan’s strong connections with the local communities and the people they know personally. It’s no secret that parents are happy when their kids are happy. They will be overjoyed to watch them learning the spirit and techniques of Wadaiko Japanese Taiko drumming, feeding free-roaming deer and creating their own pottery and paper lantern crafts.
![Nara Ancient Capitals](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/IRoPiU6mAnbhMjxdWBmjubHBABDhuDato6tUwoDZ.jpg?w=400)
Nara Ancient Capitals
With this tour, we want to show travelers the historic Kansai area through the lesser-known walking routes. This region, situated at the center of Japan’s main island of Honshu, is home to three historic capitals: Kyoto, Nara and the smaller, lesser-known Asuka. This 5-day self-guided tour features scenic and culturally significant hiking trails in the region. Asuka is an ideal location to experience the rural lifestyle of the Japanese countryside. In this peaceful agricultural community, our guests stay overnight in a charming Japanese guesthouse or can stay with a local family in an immersive farm stay experience. This family-stay allows travelers an in-depth experience of the local Japanese lifestyle.
![The charming Oki Islands](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/o7uAdjnyyg8ENwz42rtQCHhDHhkSZu8mJ997k1S7.jpg?w=400)
The charming Oki Islands
Oki is an Island archipelago in the Sea of Japan and a part of Shimane prefecture. Its total length is 40-80km and it includes Dozen Island, Nishinoshima Island, Nakanoshima Island, Chiburijima Island, and Dogo Island. These remote Islands with their rich culture and history are designated as National Geopark. The Oki Islands have separated from the mainland about 10-26 million years ago. Around 5.5 million years ago, it became a volcanic Island and 10,000 years ago, it became a solitary Island. Rowing the paddles of a Kayak allows you to experience the beautiful nature and dynamics of Oki. Relaxing activities such as fishing, diving, and Kayaking are abundant on Oki Island.
![Temples And Trails Of Shikoku](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/nzGQq7uQ2QjEmEs4LGRPCVWHEgFnmwP1SF9PNIrD.jpg?w=400)
Temples And Trails Of Shikoku
Our tour selects the best of the walking trails through lovely landscapes. We visit all four of Shikoku’s prefectures – Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south. Each region has its own distinctive character, foods and scenery. In addition to the pilgrimage trail, our journey includes the remote Iya Valley, deep in the heart of Shikoku. We begin our journey with a stay on Mount Koya, the hilltop temple complex on Honshu established by Kobo Daishi, and an important location for Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage devotees. Public transport in the rural areas of Shikoku is limited and we will travel mainly by private chartered vehicle, but we will still enjoy walking along the ancient route from temple to temple through countryside and forest. We will stay in traditional country inns enjoying regional cuisine prepared from local ingredients from the island, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the exceptional hospitality of our hosts.
![Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Walking](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/lzJufugPkGjlh5JS2PocY2TgJFxENgdRqVp5jD8L.jpg?w=400)
Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Walking
Spend 8 days walking and hiking Shikoku’s 88 temple pilgrimage trail, visiting historic Buddhist temples along the way. You’ll see pilgrims, easily identified by their white clothing and walking staff, who spend weeks on the trail, visiting 88 temples. As you explore castles, small villages, and larger communities, sample local specialties and stay in traditional inns or pilgrims’ lodgings, you will get a real taste o
![Mountain Spirits Tohoku](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/EbLJJEBuD09d0LLCd6yOi5dbvYtgrsWnMoRazGiH.jpg?w=400)
Mountain Spirits Tohoku
The Tohoku journey is a trip that brings you in contact with the people of Tohoku and its culture. Discover the charms of Tohoku- the spirit of the Samurai, magnificent temples co-existing with nature and unique local culture and food. Tohoku is famous for its rice, its sake, and its whiskey. Visit the Nikka whiskey distillery to learn about the craft and enjoy the idyllic surroundings. Tohoku’s pristine nature is on display in Oirase garage where you can stroll along the river as it winds its way from Lake Tawada into the forest. Bask in the beauty of Hirosaki, especially in cherry blossom season, and marvel at the stunning garages of Ichinoseki.
![Kyoto, Kiso Valley Japan Culture Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/nNj43iderkBldTLAoJvhb1mRRP9B4NbrsF8tHSgl.jpg?w=400)
Kyoto, Kiso Valley Japan Culture Tour
Self-guided tour beginning in Tokyo, via central Japan and the scenic Kiso valley, and ending in Kyoto This active 9-day itinerary takes you on a memorable journey through central Japan’s history and culture, from ultra-modern Tokyo to the historic imperial capital of Kyoto. In between, you’ll visit the famous gardens of Kanazawa, cycle through traditional thatched villages of the Hida region, walk portions of the ancient Nakasendo trail, and explore the preserved post towns of the Kiso Valley.
![Walking on Nakasendo Trail start from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/9tjyagvH524Z1k0bwRgbB4QE2ircHxPRAUBzvUFf.jpg?w=400)
Walking on Nakasendo Trail start from Kyoto
This is a fully-guided walking tour between the Nakasendo’s beginning in Kyoto and its end in Edo, modern-day Toyo. Walk Japan’s pioneering walking tour of Japan, the Nakasendo way provides a unique, intimate experience of Japan and its people. This tour explores one of Japan’s ancient highways, the Nakasendo, which literally means ‘ the road through the mountains’. It starts in Kyoto, one of Japan’s ancient capitals and to this day, the cultural epicenter of the nation, before following some of the best parts of the old road through rural countryside deep into the mountains of Japan’s Central Alp. Finally, we arrive in Tokyo, the glistening modern capital.
![Shoguns And Samurai, Imperial Kyoto and Nara](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/oNremMn9YHJIJqioLRUslwlxriaNzaFQbSFnb7Mn.jpg?w=400)
Shoguns And Samurai, Imperial Kyoto and Nara
A two-week-long, small-group tour around Japan’s cultural highlights with our expert and highly experienced local guide. This unique country’s culture and history are so rich, that even a two-week-long Japan culture tour will still only feel like an introduction, but this itinerary will immerse you deeply and quickly. Every day is different, with the likes of Imperial Kyoto and Nara, one day or the ancient Nakasendo Trail, where you can follow in the footsteps of feudal warlords through the mountains, on another. The trail is 500km long, but we will take on the Kiso Valley section visiting the traditional post towns of Magome and Tsumago further over the Magome Pass. Starting and ending in Tokyo, visiting its iconic sites and highlights, one of the high points of this Japan culture tour was on our last night before returning to Tokyo, and something that is in total contrast to its big city lights.
![The Nakasendo Trail – Walking Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/m5sJB2s0Me0O8255kwGg5R9VkaaVoMDiIuFXVVrW.jpg?w=400)
The Nakasendo Trail – Walking Tour
Self-guided walking 5 days Village-to-village walking on the Nakasendo Trail The Nakasendo is a historic walking route that connects 69 post station villages through the mountains between Kyoto and Tokyo. It is well maintained, however, there are moderate elevation changes as you trek through the mountains and valleys. This trek is ideal for anyone who regularly walks or hikes and is comfortable with walking for up to a full day with some climbing and descending. Don’t let this scare you away- the hospitality of the traditional family-owned inns and the enticing warmth of the hot springs at the end of a full day of trekking will soothe even the weariest travelers.
![Nakasendo And KamiKochi Further Walking Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/6r1bC5lIz0a68lgEHUXqC3NCSwySu2A9cx2KlB1W.jpg?w=400)
Nakasendo And KamiKochi Further Walking Tour
Village to village walking on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendo Trail, Kamikochi, and Oku-Hida Enjoy the best forest walks and Juku post towns on the feudal Nakasendo route, before heading into the Oku-Hida mountains to explore the biodiverse Kamikochi, ending the tour with excellent hiking and Onsen in Oku-Nikko. Spend more time in the Hida region with our Takayam extensively, visiting the UNESCO thatched-roof community of Shirakawa-go and the wonderful tea houses of Kanazawa. Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the Hakone hot spring area and the rural village of Oshino Mura, or the peaceful, agricultural community of Asuka at a charming Japanese inn or with a local family for a unique Homestay experience.
![Kumano Kodo Complete Walking Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/eGOZT6byZy49Lv1MCIy8IoDvp9JggQLrWtD46Fqa.jpg?w=400)
Kumano Kodo Complete Walking Tour
Self-guided Village-to-village, walking on the Kumano Kodo in 11 days The Kumano Kodo is an iconic network of long-distance walking trails. Get ready for an unforgettable village-to-village trek on the Kii Peninsula along sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Perfect for avid hikers, this self-guided tour will take you past thermal hot springs, grand shrines, and waterfalls as you walk in the footsteps of emperors. Our itineraries are flexible. Whichever route you take, you will enjoy hiking through ancient bamboo forests and mist-covered mountain terrain, staying at traditional Ryokan Inns, bathing in hot spring baths and of course taking time out at serene and sacred temples.
![Discover Winter In The Japanese Alps](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/oF5sXdOCYw41RG3OSgzaZn3T9A9AosyPHOLmKJOQ.jpg?w=400)
Discover Winter In The Japanese Alps
Self-guided tour through the Japan Alps, with snowshoeing, numerous Onsen hot springs and a local culinary experience. The Japanese Alps is a slow-paced region that has it all, without the crowds. Though readily accessible, the Japan Alps are still remote enough to have retained traditional lifestyles and architecture. When you add the unique opportunities that this tour offers, the result is an unforgettable experience. This 6-day winter tour starts in the city of Matsumoto and continues into the scenic Japanese alps for adventures like Snowshoeing tours, cable-car rides, and peaceful walks through snow corridors. Stay in traditional alpine villages like Nagano and Oku-Hida where you’ll sleep at Onsen Ryokan inns with relaxing hot springs. Visit the famous Japanese snow monkeys as they bathe in the outdoor baths, and enjoy some of the best outdoor baths in Japan while visiting Hirayu Onsen. End your trip by preparing and eating traditional Japanese cuisine with locals before enjoying a little retail therapy in the city of Takayama.
![Eastern Hokkaido in 8 Days](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/l96J8ukS4sjTVhfRnBU4BLzCXw7eqTVvWbXATFPV.jpg?w=400)
Eastern Hokkaido in 8 Days
Among the Japanese, Hokkaido has become synonymous with sensational food and stunning scenery in Japan. As the rest of the country heats up in the summer months, Hokkaido stays warm and temperate, ideal for hiking or relaxing by the crystal clear waters of the Island’s many caldera lakes. In the wintertime, the abundance of scenery offered in Eastern Hokkaido is enhanced when covered in pristine white snow, which has given plenty of opportunities for entertainment and winter sports in the area.
![Enchanted Snowscape: A Karuizawa Winter Adventure](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads//LqiAZsdDnNy2G6B84mgo36uIFveSqPMXkYTt8xZj.jpg?w=400)
Enchanted Snowscape: A Karuizawa Winter Adventure
Embrace the magic of a winter wonderland in Karuizawa with 'Enchanted Snowscape,' a journey that weaves together the exhilaration of snow-filled adventures and the tranquility of luxurious relaxation. Designed for families who seek both the thrill of wintry exploration and the comfort of elegant retreats, this experience promises to etch unforgettable memories onto the snowy canvas of Karuizawa. Witness the graceful flight of snowy owls under a moonlit sky and discover the joyous secrets of nature through snowshoeing. Each moment is a chapter in a story of enchantment and wonder. 'Enchanted Snowscape' is not just a trip; it's a passage into a realm where the beauty of winter is celebrated, and family bonds are strengthened under the spell of Karuizawa's snowy embrace.
![Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/S4AuuCJbhQXC4IQBELO3JTq6AWVCHS5mwOw49ggJ.jpg?w=400)
Wildlife and Mysterious Landcapes in Eastern Hokkaido
On this tour, guests travel from Kushiro to Hokkaido’s eastern pacific coast to the Shiretoko Peninsula, stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. Throughout the tour, you will see untouched nature, visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves, experience the spectacular landscapes formed by volcanoes, and enjoy the flora and fauna, especially to Hokkaido. This tour features relaxing Onsen hot springs after each day’s walk and wonderful regional cuisine is known to be some of the freshest in Japan, along with the opportunity to learn the history of Hokkaido’s indigenous peoples, the Ainu. You are sure to be surprised by how much nature has to offer, each location taking you one step deeper into the true nature of eastern Hokkaido.
![Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/CSCwqF2MXFfcg2eO5hnvBk2GRVUeP5yNa7edpMpv.jpg?w=400)
Eastern Hokkaido in 5 Days
If you’ve already explored the bustling streets of Tokyo, wolfed down bowls of ramen in Osaka, and are still craving a wholly different experience of Japan, traverse to its northern island of Hokkaido. Here, you’ll be greeted with a taste of the country unlike you’ve known. The island boasts six breathtaking national parks filled with primeval forests, mountains and volcanoes, Onsens, a fascinating Ainu indigenous culture, swathes of wildlife and possibly the world’s clearest and most beautiful lakes. For those who love the cold, snowy Hokkaido boasts of an insatiable array of winter activities you can try, including skiing on the world’s best ski slopes in Furano and celebrating its famous winter festivals. But if summer travels are your thing, the island forms into a postcard-perfect landscape of the beautiful flower fields, with temperatures mild and pleasant enough for you to do plenty of sightseeing in.
![Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/cwi4rHR5BTS1zbcyAQs4NqKs5owTcw1yrZiaQzWy.jpg?w=400)
Lake Akan to Shiretoko – Hokkaido Winter
Self-guided exploration of Eastern Hokkaido’s winter landscapes and wildlife Discover the pristine natural landscape of Hokkaido in this 7-day winter itinerary. Japan’s second-largest main island is a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers, with snow-capped mountain ranges, serene forests and deep crater lakes. Starting in Kushiro on the east coast, you’ll travel north, heading into the winter wilderness of the Akan-Mashu National Park. Visit UNESCO World Heritage nature reserves, experience spectacular snow-covered landscapes and spot rare wildlife unique to Hokkaido before ending your adventure on the unique Shiretoko Peninsula.
![Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/6cpioqp0DohhnGSHoQetiudMtLrOQw6LbEIiE5QE.webp?w=400)
Cycling Lake Biwa, Kyoto
Enjoy a day off in the ultimate tranquility of the countryside as you take a leisurely cycle along the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest in Japan. Using electric bikes that provide an effortless, refreshing ride, this course follows beautiful lakeside roads up to stunning scenes of step rice terraces. This is a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path tour in the countryside, showing a different side of Japan. Visit local shrines and wander along village streets free of the tourist crowds. Have a delightful lunch in the traditional home of a local farming couple. Instructed by the lady of the house, indulge yourself in preparing a delicious lunch (a vegetarian menu is also available) using the freshest local ingredients. We hope you will join us on this tour and its feast of discoveries!
![Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/ambs4f641VaUVqZ5PkGJ92sKR7ypDwLzpx8fv1hh.jpg?w=400)
Winter Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto
The winter Nakasendo trail tour is a fully-guided tour suitable for anyone who can walk at a gentle pace for three to four hours in comfort. In general, the route is greatly undulating but it also includes some short, steeper climbs. The lower temperatures of winter include the probability of snow at some points along the route. Time to include both the Western and the Chinese New Year holiday periods, this tour provides modern-day walkers with a comforting taste of Edo Period Japan in winter. We cross several high passes, where encountering snow is likely, but the emphasis is on comfort and each day we find warm welcomes and surroundings in Japanese inns. Here, we can relax on one occasion around an open hearth fire and enjoy the excellent meals of locally sourced produce. Thermal hot spring baths are another feature of the Nakasendo trail. Always a joy and a great way to wind down at the end of any day, these are particularly enticing during the winter months.
![Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/tO2dzHWfmrjqoC2bYUNYy7wbItGiAKbwHNnujL1E.jpg?w=400)
Kumano Kodo Links Kyoto Ancient Trail
The ancient pilgrimage to the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano spans as far back as 1,000 years ago and still continues today. The pilgrimage routes that crisscross Kil, Japan’s largest peninsula have become known as the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail. Pilgrims and tourists, alike, take on the route to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Throughout history, retired emperors, high-ranking officials, and other determined pilgrims have completed the pilgrimage. Today, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route spans through the Kii mountain range, making for an arduous journey. Though challenging, the paths wind through verdant forests and pass by and over cascading waterfalls and streams. In addition to providing a path between the shrines, the Kumano Kodo links Kyoto to the mountainous Kii region.
![Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/Me8VhRj6EXwgbWaMo6TxitaJmGO2X59clvlqhSKu.jpg?w=400)
Nakasendo Way: The Kiso Valley from Kyoto
A short small-group guided walking tour with three hikes of 3-6 hours of village-to-village – on the Nakasendo Trail. The Kiso Road is one of the most beautiful sections of the Nakasendo Way, our original tour that has become the classic walking tour in Japan. This short-stay, fully- guided walking tour follows the ancient Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley of central Japan and also reaches the high alpine Kaida plateau. Our route takes us into a world far removed from the modern bustle of Japan’s Megacities. We travel through some of the most picturesque and historic villages in the nation, stay in rural family-run Japanese inns and relax in Onsen thermal hot spring baths. Meals are a treat of Japanese cuisine, and because we are deep in the rural mountains of Japan, the ingredients include many locally grown vegetables, morsels foraged in the surrounding mountains and freshwater fish caught in the nearby streams and rivers.
![Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/QPIb1vrEQBl0zFTJpgRu3dcpfZwfwZ30agws9KwM.jpg?w=400)
Kyushu, Kyoto: Land Of Fire Tour
You are introducing Japan’s southernmost Island; Kyushu. This part of the country offers a diverse landscape and unrivaled natural beauty in the form of hot springs, volcanoes, forests, mountains, and beaches. On this tour, you will start with sightseeing in Kyoto and experience several authentic Ryokan and Hot springs, the beautiful scenery of Takachiho Gorge, Hells of Unzen, and Mt. Aso, the bustling cities of Fukuoka and Nagaski and cultural activities such as Kimono fitting, tea brewing, and a rickshaw ride.
![From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/7lnz2p4AA6DzCjQHUAfCJrpxqDz9oPhMb80h6z6E.jpg?w=400)
From Kyoto to Kojima in The Shadow Of Mountains
A Japan small group tour spending twelve days discovering the cities, cultural and coastal highlights of this unique country. Any Japan cultural tour has to include metropolitan and historical greats such as Kyoto, but this holiday also steps off the tourist trail to visit the country’s lesser-known coastal treats such as Kojima and Yunotsu as well, reminding you that Japan is actually a collection of Islands with eclectic, exquisite landscapes, seascapes, and Eco Escapes. Using Japan’s famous railway system, including bullet trains, to travel from one place to the next, staying in traditional Ryokan and Minshuku inns and having plenty of opportunities to literally immerse yourselves in Japan’s cultural highlights, the Onsen or thermal spring baths, the itinerary reveals many layers of Japan’s history too.
![Family Adventure Tour Of The Treasures Of Japan’s Heartland](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/EDjAEz8vCLvI4hnng3wgmtu6uQQg9TOEH2H27FF5.jpg?w=400)
Family Adventure Tour Of The Treasures Of Japan’s Heartland
This tour allows children and their parents to discover the unknown side of Japan and to connect with the communities they explore. This 8-day adventure gives a deep insight into the Kansai area, offering exciting vistas of Japan from the urban delights of Kyoto to rural immersion in the communities of Asuka and Sasayama. This family tour draws deeply on Japan’s strong connections with the local communities and the people they know personally. It’s no secret that parents are happy when their kids are happy. They will be overjoyed to watch them learning the spirit and techniques of Wadaiko Japanese Taiko drumming, feeding free-roaming deer and creating their own pottery and paper lantern crafts.
![Nara Ancient Capitals](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/IRoPiU6mAnbhMjxdWBmjubHBABDhuDato6tUwoDZ.jpg?w=400)
Nara Ancient Capitals
With this tour, we want to show travelers the historic Kansai area through the lesser-known walking routes. This region, situated at the center of Japan’s main island of Honshu, is home to three historic capitals: Kyoto, Nara and the smaller, lesser-known Asuka. This 5-day self-guided tour features scenic and culturally significant hiking trails in the region. Asuka is an ideal location to experience the rural lifestyle of the Japanese countryside. In this peaceful agricultural community, our guests stay overnight in a charming Japanese guesthouse or can stay with a local family in an immersive farm stay experience. This family-stay allows travelers an in-depth experience of the local Japanese lifestyle.
![Temples And Trails Of Shikoku](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/nzGQq7uQ2QjEmEs4LGRPCVWHEgFnmwP1SF9PNIrD.jpg?w=400)
Temples And Trails Of Shikoku
Our tour selects the best of the walking trails through lovely landscapes. We visit all four of Shikoku’s prefectures – Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south. Each region has its own distinctive character, foods and scenery. In addition to the pilgrimage trail, our journey includes the remote Iya Valley, deep in the heart of Shikoku. We begin our journey with a stay on Mount Koya, the hilltop temple complex on Honshu established by Kobo Daishi, and an important location for Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage devotees. Public transport in the rural areas of Shikoku is limited and we will travel mainly by private chartered vehicle, but we will still enjoy walking along the ancient route from temple to temple through countryside and forest. We will stay in traditional country inns enjoying regional cuisine prepared from local ingredients from the island, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the exceptional hospitality of our hosts.
![Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Walking](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/lzJufugPkGjlh5JS2PocY2TgJFxENgdRqVp5jD8L.jpg?w=400)
Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Walking
Spend 8 days walking and hiking Shikoku’s 88 temple pilgrimage trail, visiting historic Buddhist temples along the way. You’ll see pilgrims, easily identified by their white clothing and walking staff, who spend weeks on the trail, visiting 88 temples. As you explore castles, small villages, and larger communities, sample local specialties and stay in traditional inns or pilgrims’ lodgings, you will get a real taste o
![Kyoto, Kiso Valley Japan Culture Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/nNj43iderkBldTLAoJvhb1mRRP9B4NbrsF8tHSgl.jpg?w=400)
Kyoto, Kiso Valley Japan Culture Tour
Self-guided tour beginning in Tokyo, via central Japan and the scenic Kiso valley, and ending in Kyoto This active 9-day itinerary takes you on a memorable journey through central Japan’s history and culture, from ultra-modern Tokyo to the historic imperial capital of Kyoto. In between, you’ll visit the famous gardens of Kanazawa, cycle through traditional thatched villages of the Hida region, walk portions of the ancient Nakasendo trail, and explore the preserved post towns of the Kiso Valley.
![Walking on Nakasendo Trail start from Kyoto](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/9tjyagvH524Z1k0bwRgbB4QE2ircHxPRAUBzvUFf.jpg?w=400)
Walking on Nakasendo Trail start from Kyoto
This is a fully-guided walking tour between the Nakasendo’s beginning in Kyoto and its end in Edo, modern-day Toyo. Walk Japan’s pioneering walking tour of Japan, the Nakasendo way provides a unique, intimate experience of Japan and its people. This tour explores one of Japan’s ancient highways, the Nakasendo, which literally means ‘ the road through the mountains’. It starts in Kyoto, one of Japan’s ancient capitals and to this day, the cultural epicenter of the nation, before following some of the best parts of the old road through rural countryside deep into the mountains of Japan’s Central Alp. Finally, we arrive in Tokyo, the glistening modern capital.
![Shoguns And Samurai, Imperial Kyoto and Nara](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/oNremMn9YHJIJqioLRUslwlxriaNzaFQbSFnb7Mn.jpg?w=400)
Shoguns And Samurai, Imperial Kyoto and Nara
A two-week-long, small-group tour around Japan’s cultural highlights with our expert and highly experienced local guide. This unique country’s culture and history are so rich, that even a two-week-long Japan culture tour will still only feel like an introduction, but this itinerary will immerse you deeply and quickly. Every day is different, with the likes of Imperial Kyoto and Nara, one day or the ancient Nakasendo Trail, where you can follow in the footsteps of feudal warlords through the mountains, on another. The trail is 500km long, but we will take on the Kiso Valley section visiting the traditional post towns of Magome and Tsumago further over the Magome Pass. Starting and ending in Tokyo, visiting its iconic sites and highlights, one of the high points of this Japan culture tour was on our last night before returning to Tokyo, and something that is in total contrast to its big city lights.
![The Nakasendo Trail – Walking Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/m5sJB2s0Me0O8255kwGg5R9VkaaVoMDiIuFXVVrW.jpg?w=400)
The Nakasendo Trail – Walking Tour
Self-guided walking 5 days Village-to-village walking on the Nakasendo Trail The Nakasendo is a historic walking route that connects 69 post station villages through the mountains between Kyoto and Tokyo. It is well maintained, however, there are moderate elevation changes as you trek through the mountains and valleys. This trek is ideal for anyone who regularly walks or hikes and is comfortable with walking for up to a full day with some climbing and descending. Don’t let this scare you away- the hospitality of the traditional family-owned inns and the enticing warmth of the hot springs at the end of a full day of trekking will soothe even the weariest travelers.
![Nakasendo And KamiKochi Further Walking Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/6r1bC5lIz0a68lgEHUXqC3NCSwySu2A9cx2KlB1W.jpg?w=400)
Nakasendo And KamiKochi Further Walking Tour
Village to village walking on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendo Trail, Kamikochi, and Oku-Hida Enjoy the best forest walks and Juku post towns on the feudal Nakasendo route, before heading into the Oku-Hida mountains to explore the biodiverse Kamikochi, ending the tour with excellent hiking and Onsen in Oku-Nikko. Spend more time in the Hida region with our Takayam extensively, visiting the UNESCO thatched-roof community of Shirakawa-go and the wonderful tea houses of Kanazawa. Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the Hakone hot spring area and the rural village of Oshino Mura, or the peaceful, agricultural community of Asuka at a charming Japanese inn or with a local family for a unique Homestay experience.
![Kumano Kodo Complete Walking Tour](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/eGOZT6byZy49Lv1MCIy8IoDvp9JggQLrWtD46Fqa.jpg?w=400)
Kumano Kodo Complete Walking Tour
Self-guided Village-to-village, walking on the Kumano Kodo in 11 days The Kumano Kodo is an iconic network of long-distance walking trails. Get ready for an unforgettable village-to-village trek on the Kii Peninsula along sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Perfect for avid hikers, this self-guided tour will take you past thermal hot springs, grand shrines, and waterfalls as you walk in the footsteps of emperors. Our itineraries are flexible. Whichever route you take, you will enjoy hiking through ancient bamboo forests and mist-covered mountain terrain, staying at traditional Ryokan Inns, bathing in hot spring baths and of course taking time out at serene and sacred temples.
![Discover Winter In The Japanese Alps](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/oF5sXdOCYw41RG3OSgzaZn3T9A9AosyPHOLmKJOQ.jpg?w=400)
Discover Winter In The Japanese Alps
Self-guided tour through the Japan Alps, with snowshoeing, numerous Onsen hot springs and a local culinary experience. The Japanese Alps is a slow-paced region that has it all, without the crowds. Though readily accessible, the Japan Alps are still remote enough to have retained traditional lifestyles and architecture. When you add the unique opportunities that this tour offers, the result is an unforgettable experience. This 6-day winter tour starts in the city of Matsumoto and continues into the scenic Japanese alps for adventures like Snowshoeing tours, cable-car rides, and peaceful walks through snow corridors. Stay in traditional alpine villages like Nagano and Oku-Hida where you’ll sleep at Onsen Ryokan inns with relaxing hot springs. Visit the famous Japanese snow monkeys as they bathe in the outdoor baths, and enjoy some of the best outdoor baths in Japan while visiting Hirayu Onsen. End your trip by preparing and eating traditional Japanese cuisine with locals before enjoying a little retail therapy in the city of Takayama.
![Eastern Hokkaido in 8 Days](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads/tours/l96J8ukS4sjTVhfRnBU4BLzCXw7eqTVvWbXATFPV.jpg?w=400)
Eastern Hokkaido in 8 Days
Among the Japanese, Hokkaido has become synonymous with sensational food and stunning scenery in Japan. As the rest of the country heats up in the summer months, Hokkaido stays warm and temperate, ideal for hiking or relaxing by the crystal clear waters of the Island’s many caldera lakes. In the wintertime, the abundance of scenery offered in Eastern Hokkaido is enhanced when covered in pristine white snow, which has given plenty of opportunities for entertainment and winter sports in the area.
![Enchanted Snowscape: A Karuizawa Winter Adventure](https://admin.adventure.asia/storage/uploads//LqiAZsdDnNy2G6B84mgo36uIFveSqPMXkYTt8xZj.jpg?w=400)
Enchanted Snowscape: A Karuizawa Winter Adventure
Embrace the magic of a winter wonderland in Karuizawa with 'Enchanted Snowscape,' a journey that weaves together the exhilaration of snow-filled adventures and the tranquility of luxurious relaxation. Designed for families who seek both the thrill of wintry exploration and the comfort of elegant retreats, this experience promises to etch unforgettable memories onto the snowy canvas of Karuizawa. Witness the graceful flight of snowy owls under a moonlit sky and discover the joyous secrets of nature through snowshoeing. Each moment is a chapter in a story of enchantment and wonder. 'Enchanted Snowscape' is not just a trip; it's a passage into a realm where the beauty of winter is celebrated, and family bonds are strengthened under the spell of Karuizawa's snowy embrace.