Kyoto, Kiso Valley Japan Culture Tour

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.