If you want to visit Japan but cannot book one of our scheduled guided trips because of the dates, or you just prefer to walk without a group, then our self-guided walks may be for you. We offer two carefully-created itineraries, for walking routes that we know intimately. Walking by yourself in rural Japan is not for everyone; you will need a degree of self-reliance and you need to be able to use a map, but it could be one of the most rewarding trips you ever take. Even though many rural inns speak little English, you will have wonderful memories of staying at small country inns with your hosts, and seeing Japan at your own pace. Trails are generally very-well maintained and well-signposted. Our itineraries are designed to combine great walking with sightseeing and to show you more of Japan than you might otherwise get to see. We understand few people will visit Japan solely to walk, but walking is an excellent way to see more of Japan.
We will be happy to discuss customising these to your plans, by adding extra walking days or giving you easier options. Our standard trips include days before the walk in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto with two days of private guiding, a Japan Rail Pass to get you to your walking route, and all your accommodation and most meals included. |
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What to expect:
Please see each tour below for details of the level of walking. As with our guided trips, we have selected the best available inns along the walking route. Mostly run by local families, you will be dining on fresh local cuisine home-made each day, and sleeping on tatami mats in traditional buildings.
You will need to be reasonably fit and carry the correct gear. Our self-guided walks are not technically difficult and are mostly on village paths and forested trails - no alpine treks! - but as with any walk in the countryside thorough preparation is very important. Don't hesitate to ask, we will be happy to answer your questions.
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The Nakasendo was one of the five major highways linking Edo (as Tokyo was then called) to the provinces. Established by the Tokugawa Shoguns, the Nakasendo - the road through the mountains - weaves its way along the mountain valleys that sit between Tokyo and Kyoto. Our walk concentrates on a lovely 4-day section in the Kiso Valley, where the best preserved post-towns - known as juku - are found. Level: easy/moderate 2 - 6 hours walking per day
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The Kumano kodo are a series of pilgrimage routes which became popular from the 11th century amongst the nobility in Kyoto. The routes originally connected Kyoto with the three grand shrines of Kumano, in the remote Kii Peninsula. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this route offers four wonderful days of varied walking along village paths, forested mountains trails, visiting mountain-top villages, soothing hot springs, and sacred temples, before finishing at Nachi shrine on the coast. While the mountains are not high, and the trail is well-maintained and well-marked, there is a considerable ascent and descent, so we rate this as a strenuous walk. Level: strenuous 4 - 8 hours walking per day (easier options possible)
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Walking route map:
The map shows the two walking routes. The grey lines show the full historic route, however we have selected the best sections, those areas which have escaped the urban sprawl near towns and cities and which have remained nearest to the original scenery. These sections are shown in colour. It is possible to vary the length and level of the walks, by using local buses to bypass long or harder sections, please see the relevant route page.
There are other historic trails and walking routes in Japan, for example the Yamanobe-no-michi south of Nara, and these can also be incorporated into a self-guided walking tour. Please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your adventure in Japan!
