Japan Alps and Kyoto guided walking tour :: Mountains of Central Japan

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Mountains of Central Japan
14 days Japan Alps and Kyoto

Highlights:

Four days hiking in the wonderful Hida range (the ‘Japan Alps'), from Kamikochi to Yari Peak and along the Omote Ginza ridge - classic mountain walking - Kenroku Park, Ninja Temple, the samurai district, and 21 st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in the historical city of Kanazawa - relaxing hot springs - Matsumoto Castle - Haku-san hike - Kyoto by day and night - important cultural and historical sites in the ancient capitals of Nara and Asuka - the mountain top village of Yoshino - guided tour of the huge cemetery and accommodation in a Shingon Buddhist temple on Mount Koya

Ryokan Cycling

Mountains cover about 80% of the islands of Japan . The North Alps of Honshu , the main island are the jewel in the crown, the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the smouldering necklace of peaks that lie along north-western Pacific rim . The alpine valleys of Kamikochi, situated in the Hida Range , were first explored as a climbing and hiking area by a British preacher from Derbyshire, Walter Weston. He climbed in these mountains between 1891 and 1894, and published “Mountaineering and exploration in the Japan Alps” in London in 1896. Weston, together with two Japanese climbers, established the Japan Mountaineering Club in 1906. Hiking in these mountains it is easy to understand why Weston was attracted to them. Kamikochi is so beautiful that the prestigious Imperial Hotel in Tokyo even has a branch there. It is one of the few areas of Japan that the Ministry of the Environment is seriously trying to conserve. Fortunately, most visitors only walk a mile or two beyond the road head, leaving nature beyond for the walkers and climbers.

Many mountains are considered sacred in Japan, and Haku-san is one of them. You will hike on the north side of the ‘ White Mountain ', which in summer is covered in spectacular Alpine flowers, and lit with autumn colours in late September. Haku-san is relatively difficult to get to by public transport and so is quieter than other hiking areas such as Kamikochi. Haku-san stands proudly to the west of the North Alps, and from it there are stunning views of the Alps on a clear day.

In the city of Kanazawa , an important cultural centre with an interesting history. you will stay in a family run minshuku in a well preserved area near the Asanogawa River. In Kanazawa we visit the Kenrokuen Gardens , the ‘ Ninja ' temple, and the old samurai district, stopping for lunch at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The local morning fish market, which we visit to buy ingredients for a picnic, supplies restaurants that serve some of the best seafood in Japan .

Equally interesting are the beautifully restored minka houses in the secluded mountain village of Shirakawago , where you will spend the night after walking on Haku-san. The village was appointed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. The steeply pitched thatched gasshozukuri (literally ‘like hands together in prayer') roofs, angled to withstand massive amounts of snow that fall every winter, are typical of many of the older farmhouses in this area of Japan . Although this is a conservation area, families live in these minka homes today, keeping alive traditions that might otherwise have disappeared.

Following four days of classic valley and ridge walking in Kamikochi you will visit Matsumoto, with its wonderful 16th century castle. From Matsumoto you will then continue your journey, via the Kiso Valley to Kyoto where we spend a night at a comfortable, traditional ryokan. After a couple of days exploring Kyoto , Nara, and sites around the first imperial capital of Asuka, you will continue into the cultural heart of Japan, staying in the ridge-top village of Yoshino, and in a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya. Local guides will lead walks in Kanazawa, Nara, and on Mount Koya .

As always, excellent Japanese food and accommodation is featured on this tour. You should expect to ‘go-Japanese' for a couple of weeks, and can look forward to meeting the locals and staying in typical mountain huts in great locations on a hike that one client described as ‘an awesome bit of walking'!

The last night is spent in dynamic Osaka.

Day 1 – 2 Kanazawa
Meet Osaka, transfer to Kanazawa, stay in minshuku in old Kanazawa

Day 3 Shirakawago
Drive to Shirakawago Village, short hike on Haku-San En route

Day 4 – 8 Kamikochi
Hiking in the Japanese 'Alps' around Kamikochi

Day 9 Matsumoto
See Matsumoto castle and drive to Kyoto

Day 10 Kyoto
Visit Ginkakuji Temple and an old merchant's house

Day 11 Nara
Nara Park and the great Todaiji temple, the largest freestanding wooden structure in the world

Day 12 – Yoshinoyama
Nara to Yoshinoyama via the burial mounds of Asuka village

Day 13 – 14 Mount Koya
Walking in Yoshinoyama, transfer to Mount Koya, overnight temple. An early rise at the temple to take part in a meditation session, a guided tour of huge cemetary, followed by a transfer to Osaka

Day 15 Osaka
Depart from Osaka airport

When we receive your booking we send you a dossier, which contains a suggested gear and clothing list. If you do have queries at this initial stage please contact us and we will be pleased to offer advice.

NARA, OSAKA : Comfortable, modern, downtown hotels. You will also stay in temples, traditional ryokan, and minshuku. Most have bathrooms with modern toilets and basins and, in most cases, large Japanese style bathrooms with communal single sex baths. Please note that single rooms are normally only available in hotels – where a single room supplement may apply.

All meals are provided.

Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but we cannot make absolute guarantees! Changes to the itinerary will normally be to introduce an improvement . Weather conditions, road and transport conditions, and the health of walkers can all contribute to changes. The guide will ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!

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