Oxalis Holidays : Mountains of Central Japan

Mountains of Central Japan

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Tour style Vigorous - 7 days of hiking from 3 to 8 hours per day on mountain trails with some prolonged climbs, steep in parts	Places visited: Kanazawa • Mount Haku-san • Shirakawago village • Japan Alps • Matsumoto • Kyoto • Osaka
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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

INTRODUCTION

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 21 st 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.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1 Meet in Kyoto

Overnight city centre hotel

Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 2 Transfer to Kanazawa

From Osaka we will drive to Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture via Omi Hachiman on Lake Biwa , where we will stop for lunch. Afternoon and evening to rest at minshuku in quiet neighbourhood beside the Asanogawa River . Soak in nearby baths before dinner.

Accommodation: Minshuku

Day 3 Kanazawa sightseeing

Kanazawa , ‘little Kyoto ', is a charming city, and one with a brilliant history. Kaga grew to power as territory under feudal lords in the 16 th century and Kanazawa itself, escaping heavy bombing during the Second World War, retains more original buildings than most other Japanese cities. Under Maeda Toshiie, a retainer of the military hero Oda Nobunaga, this region became the wealthiest in Japan in terms of its rice yield. Locals are justifiably proud of their city. Afternoon sightseeing will include Kenrokuen Gardens . Kenrokuen is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan (the name refers to the six attributes ( kenroku ) of a garden, based on a Chinese concept, of spaciousness, seclusion, ingenuity, antiquity, water, and beautiful views). You will have a guided tour of the amazing ‘Ninjadera' temple and the old samurai quarters in the afternoon.

You will stay in a minshuku near the quiet Higashi Chaya district in the heart of old Kanazawa . There is a chance to visit the local sento bathhouse in the early evening. Local families still use the sento.

The local seafood is first class, and will most likely have been landed in the morning and sold at the Omicho fish market down the road.

Accommodation: Minshuku

Day 4 Drive to Shirakawa-go village, short hike on Haku-san en route.

You will make an early start from Kanazawa this morning. Driving south, we will enjoy a walk on one of the northern ridges of Haku-san. Haku-san, or ‘ White Mountain ', is one of Japan 's three holy peaks and, as such, a site for religious training. Priests and pilgrims have been climbing the mountain for over a thousand years. The other two holy mountains are Tateyama and Mount Fuji . Covered in deep snow every winter, alpine flowers bloom here in the summer time.

From Haku-san you will drive to the village of Shirakawago . Your accommodation will be in one of the thatched minka farmhouses. The design of Japanese teahouses can be traced back to some of the architectural features of these rural homesteads. They can be very large, and at one time accommodate extended families of up to forty people. This village has been conserved as a UNESO World Heritage site, but families still farm locally and live in the minka . As in the minshuku and ryokan , you will eat fresh, local food, and sleep on futon on tatami mats.

Accommodation: Minshuku

Day 5 Drive to Kamikochi, start hike

Today, after a look around the village of Shirakawago , you will drive via Hida Takayama in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture to Kamikochi. Our trek into Kamikochi starts from midday afternoon. We follow the path along the Kamikochi valley floor, gradually ascending through forests of birch and pine, where you are likely to see Japanese macaque monkeys, as well as a wide variety of wild flowers and birds. The main path ends near Yoko Lodge, beyond which you get your first views of the pyramidal peak of Yarigatake . You will climb up through the Yarisawa Valley tomorrow.

Accommodation: Mountain lodge

Day 6 Hiking in Kamikochi

Today you will continue up the Yarisawa Valley and climb up to the mountain hut at 3,060m just below Yarigatake Peak . The hike will not take the whole day, and so you will have time to enjoy the views from the ridges around Yarigatake. If you feel energetic, you can climb (about 30 minutes) up to the top for a view of the sunset, although tomorrow, weather permitting, you will be up early to see the sunrise from the summit.

Accommodation: Mountain lodge

Day 7 Hiking in Kamikochi

An early rise for your climb up to Yarigatake Peak, the fifth highest peak in Japan and, on clear mornings, a point with one of the finest views. Mount Fuji can occasionally be spotted rising beyond the mountain ridges to the east, floating above a sea of mist and cloud. This is a popular spot so you won't be alone, but the short climb up ladders is definitely worth it. Your hike then turns east along a ridge known as the Omote Ginza and a succession of peaks to another mountain hut at Otensho. There are good views across to Yari and other mountains to the West. En route there one or two ladders and chains to help make walking safer.

Accommodation: Mountain lodge

Day 8 Hiking in Kamikochi

Today you will continue the walk along a wonderful ridge path to the Tsubakuro lodge, before descending from the mountain. You will stay overnight at Jonenbo ryokan at Hotaka hot spring.

Accommodation: Ryokan

Day 9 Matsumoto sightseeing, drive to Kyoto

In the morning you will visit Matsumoto Castle , one of the finest feudal castles in Japan . Beautifully proportioned and featuring black and white walls, the three donjons rise six storeys. You can climb the steep steps up to the top floor, stopping at the tsukimi yagura (moon-viewing platform) on the way. A helpful English-speaking guide will explain the castle's history. From Matsumoto the drive down to Kyoto is through the scenic Kiso Valley.

Accommodation: Ryokan

Day 10 Kyoto sightseeing, train to Nara

Kyoto is such a special place it would take years to see a fraction of its wonders. You will have a glimpse when you visit Nijo Jinya, an old merchant house. In the afternoon, after a noodle lunch, and a visit to Ginkakuji Temple , nestled in the foothills of eastern Kyoto , you will take a train to the older capital city of Nara.

Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 11 Nara sightseeing

This morning you will visit Nara Park and the great Todaiji temple. Todaiji's Daibutsu-den is the largest freestanding wooden structure in the world, and houses a 16-metre tall bronze image of the cosmic Dainichi buddha, containing 437 tonnes of bronze and 130kg of gold. Prior to being rebuilt three hundred years ago, the awesome structure was even bigger than it is today. In the afternoon you will visit a small, local sake brewery, and look around Naramachi, the old town. There will then be some free time to wander around and explore, shop, or just relax.

Day 12 Nara to Yoshinoyama via Asuka

Today you will continue your journey by train to Asuka, where we will hire bicycles for a guided tour. You will have lunch at a small aizome (indigo dyeing) craft-centre, run by an ex-HNK broadcaster. He makes buckwheat noodles and serves a delicious lunch. We then continue to the mountain-top village of Yoshino, where you will stay in a ryokan with wonderful Japanese-style baths.

Accommodation: Ryokan

Day 13 Yoshino walk, train to Mount Koya

This morning we will hike up through Yoshino to the Mikumari Shrine. Above this is the start of a pilgrim trail that continues south through the Omine mountains to Kumano. Returning to the village, we will see the marvellous Zaodo Hall at the Kinpusenji Temple (head temple for the shugendo ascetic mountain priest sect), before enjoying kuzu (arrowroot) noodles, a local speciality, for lunch. In the afternoon you will travel to Mount Koya by train and cable car.

Accommodation: Temple

Day 14 Walk Mount Koya, train to Osaka

You will rise quite early and have the opportunity to take part in a short, informal meditation session. After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of the huge cemetery under the cedar trees on Mount Koya . The local guide will explain who is buried where and what they were famous for - a real history lesson. The path leads to the mausoleum of Kukai, or Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon (Pure Word) Buddhism. After lunch we take the train to Osaka where we enjoy our farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 15 Tour ends

The tour ends today. You may fly out of Kansai Airport or stay a few days longer.

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ACCOMMODATION ON THIS TOUR

Yochiin Temple

A lovely shukubo (pilgrim's lodging) in Yoshino, part of a Bhuddist temple.

Sakoya

Sakoya is a classic ryokan in Yoshino, with its own inside and ouside hot spring baths made of cypress wood.

Other accommodation on this trip

Hiiragiya bekkan - a classic ryokan in the heart of Kyoto, flawless service and attention to detail

Yari-ga-take senso - perched high up in the Kita Alps (northern Japan Alps), below the peak of the same name.

Also

Kizuya Minshuku (Kanazawa) - a family-run minshuku in the centre of Kanazawa

Granvia Hotel (Kyoto) - a modern and comfortable 4-star hotel in the heart of Kyoto

ACCOMMODATION NOTES

We have chosen each accommodation carefully for their comfort, service and personal service. On several nights we use Japanese-style accommodation with shared bathrooms and toilets. These generally have seperate male and female bathing areas. Couples or those travelling together will have their own room, while single travellers may be asked to share with another member of the group (same sex only).

TOUR COMMENTS

"We’re thinking about returning to Japan sometime soon. And I guess a large part of the credit for that is down to Bob and his wonderfully varied and carefully thought out tour – so a BIG domo arigato gozaimass to Bob for all his hard work!"

N.Campbell

"Bob, we really thought you'd put together a great mix of things and places with some fantastic food and lovely local accommodation as well as some nice little surprises such as french cuisine lunch in Matsumoto. The mountains were great and your weather favour was unbeatable."

L. Sturch

"I had a stellar time Bob. I couldn't have hiked Japan without your helping hand. Talk about Japanese hospitality - you're not even Japanese!"

V.Moreno

"Bob, you're the best! Many thanks for the special details and treats you arranged for us in ryokan and the good Japanese food and different cultural experiences."

M. Takeda

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All domestic transport, accommodation, entrance fees, all meals are included.

Not Included are international Flights, drinks with meals.

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

There is a single room supplement of £250 per person, which will guarantee you a single room in hotels. We will request but cannot guarantee a single room in traditional Japanese accommodations.

GROUP SIZE

Maximum: 8 Clients Minimum: 5 Clients