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Our walking tours combine the best of Japan's cultural destinations with off-the-beaten-track walking or hiking. Our walking trips vary from easy to strenuous, but they all offer the visitor a wonderful opportunity to see Japan from a perspective bypassed by most foreigners. From village-to-village walking along the Kiso Valley or hiking the volcanoes of Kyushu, the countryside will unfold before your eyes, affording a truly up-close experience. Walking in Japan is made all the more civilised by the abundance of natural hot springs, and freshest Japanese food, beatifully prepared by your host.
If you unsure of the right trip for you, please contact us!
Nakasendo Trail
Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara 12 days
Easy/moderate - 4 days of village-to-village walking from 2 to 5 hours per day on flat paths and mountain trails with some moderate ascents
2010
11 - 22 April
16 - 27 May
25 October - 5 November
2011
18 - 29 April
10 - 21 May
26 July - 6 August
25 October - 5 November
Highlights: Four days of village-to-village walking on the old Nakasendo trail – Imperial Nara and Kyoto – modern Tokyo - the mountaintop village of Yoshino - visit sacred Mount Koya and stay in a shukubo (temple lodging) – relax in the bath at a lovely hot spring ryokan – travel on the bullet train
Mountain Spirits
Tokyo and Northern Japan 13 days
Moderate - 6 days of walking and hiking from 2 to 5 hours per day on flat paths and mountain trails with some climbs
2010
19 - 31 July
26 September - 8 October
2011
22 July - 3 August
25 September - 07 October
Highlights: Ultra-modern Tokyo – the UNESCO World Heritage site of Toshogu shrine at Nikko – spectacular walking in the Oze marshland – accommodation in traditional ryokan – natural hot spring baths – a temple stay in the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan – gentle walks and cycling in the Tono valley – Samurai houses and gardens at Kakunodate – relax in the milky-white waters of the remote Nyuto hot spring – travel on the bullet train
Land of Fire
Kyoto, Nara and Kyushu and Hiroshima 15 days
Easy/Moderate - 6 days of walking from 1 to 3.5 hours per day on flat paths and mountain trails with some moderate ascents
2010
13 - 27 April
9 - 23 October
2011
2 - 16 April
3 - 17 October
Highlights: Imperial Kyoto and Nara – Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest active volcanoes – Samurai houses and castle at Obi – Traditional Yokagura dances at Takachiho – Hot sand baths on the beach – Accommodation in traditional ryokan – natural hot spring baths – UNESCO World Heritage site fo Yakushima Island – Hiroshima
Imperial Pilgrimage
Kyoto, Nara and the Kii Peninsula 15 days
Moderate/Strenuous - 5 days of walking from 2 to 8 hours per day on mountain trails
2010
02 - 16 May
17 - 31 October
Highlights: Exploring the Kii mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and walking part of the old pilgrimage route to the great Kumano shrines - Staying in Buddhist temples on Mount Koya and in Nachi - Accommodation in old hot spring villages - Staying in lovely old ryokan in the mountain top village of Yoshino and in Kyoto -Exploring the old capitals of Asuka and Nara - A walk through countryside along the Yamanobe-no-michi – Kyoto highlights - Meeting friends and locals along the way
Mountains of Central Japan
Exhilirating trekking in the Japan Alps 15 days
Vigorous - 7 days of hiking from 3 to 8 hours per day on mountain trails with some prolonged climbs, steep in parts
2010
27 June - 11 July
12 - 26 September
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
Please see also our self-guided walking trips - customisable to your level of walking and you can start them on any day.
Fully Tailored Itineraries:
We can also arrange tours to suit your dates or even put together a trip customised to your needs, with or without an element of walking or hiking. Please fill out our quotation page to discuss your requirements.
Newsletter
About 4 times a year we send out an email newsletter with information about new trips, stories from past trips, and general news about our destinations. If you would like to receive this newsletter please enter your email address on our newsletter page.
