10-Nights Walking Japan from $7,995

Itinerary Details

MT Sobek: Japan Kyoto to Tokyo Walking

Day 1 Arrive in Kyoto
Welcome to Japan! Meet the group at the hotel in Kyoto and convene for a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the city center. With over 1,000 Buddhist temples, sublime gardens, and excellent cuisine, it's easy to see why Kyoto has been voted Travel+Leisure's Best Overall City two years in a row!
Accommodation: Hotel Vischio Kyoto
(D)

Day 2 Explore Kyoto’s Magnificent Temples & Gardens
Public transportation by local train and bus within Kyoto
8 hours/5-6 miles city walking with negligible elevation gain or loss
This morning transfer to Arashiyama, a beautiful area in northwest Kyoto known for spring cherry blossoms, dramatic autumn foliage, forested mountains and Togetsu-kyo Bridge over the Katsura River. Visit the famous bamboo groves and Tenryu-ji Temple. Enjoy time in the vicinity for an early lunch on your own, then gather and continue on to Ryoanji to see its famous rock garden. Then, head to the extraordinary 14th Century Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion - named for its top two stories covered in gold leaf. Explore the Zen Buddhist temple's magnificent Japanese strolling garden and mirror pond before returning to our hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Vischio Kyoto
(B, D)

Day 3 Travel the Scenic Nankai Railway and Follow the Pilgrim’s Trail to Koyasan
4 hours total by local trains, cable car & bus (multiple segments)
3-4 hours/4-5 miles walking between modes of transportation and at Okuno-in cemetery
Travel by a series of trains then by cable car and bus to Koyasan, a bowl-shaped valley filled with stands of cedar trees 2600 feet up in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Since the 9th century, when the priest Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) founded the first temple and the shingon sect of Buddhism, Koyasan has been a place of religious devotion and ceremony. Today there are more than 100 monasteries, many of which have shukubo (temple lodgings). Visit Kongobu-ji temple and enjoy a guided walk through the vast Okuno-in cemetery, with thousands of graves and memorials to feudal lords and other past luminaries before arriving at one of the elegant shukubo (pilgrims' lodgings), run by the monks, and dine on shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Your main suitcase will be transferred by courier this morning from Kyoto, and you will be without your luggage for two nights; you'll need a smaller duffel and/or daypack to carry your essentials for two nights.
Accommodation: Eko-in
(B, L, D)

Day 4 Ride the Train to Nara
4 hours total by local bus, cable car, and trains (multiple segments)
2 hours/3 miles walking plus 2 hours/2 miles hiking with 730' elevation gain & 730' loss
This morning you will have the opportunity to get up early to join in the Buddhist service at the temple. After breakfast travel onward by bus, funicular and then connecting trains to Nara. On a much smaller scale than Kyoto, Nara was established in 710 AD as Japan's capital, and is home to the famous Nara park, where the semi-tame deer roam. Walk to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a Shinto shrine established in the 8th century. Stone lanterns line the path to the entrance, and inside hundreds of bronze lanterns hang from the building. Continue with a hike up a series of stairs and inclines to the summit of Mount Wakakusa for a marvelous view of the city (guests are welcome to do just a portion of this climb and turn back earlier to await the group at the bottom if they prefer).
Accommodation: Piazza Hotel Nara
(B, L)

Day 5 Explore Nara and the Kiso Valley
5 hours total by local buses and trains (multiple shorter segments)
3-4 hours/4-5 miles walking between modes of transportation and at Nara's Todaiji temple
This morning, begin with a visit to Todaiji Temple—an architectural marvel and the world's largest wooden building—home to one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues. Afterwards, journey by local train to Kyoto then by bullet train and another local train to the scenic Kiso Valley, where the ancient Nakasendo trail winds through the mountains. Once a vital route connecting Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo), the Nakasendo—meaning "road through the mountains"—is lined with well-preserved post towns. Thanks to the dedication of local residents, many traditional machiya (traditional wooden houses) have been lovingly restored and transformed into welcoming inns. Settle into your own Japanese-style inn in time for dinner, where your luggage, transferred from Kyoto, will be waiting.
Accommodation: Shinchaya
(B, L, D)

Day 6 Discover Magome & Hike a Forested Trail to Tsumago
Short transfers by private van
4-5 hours/6 miles hiking with 1,070’ elevation gain & 1,400’ elevation loss
Explore the small town of Magome before walking over Magome Pass (2,625') to the village of Tsumago-juku. The trail rises gently, passing through another small village before reaching Magome Pass and then descending on a mixed paved and dirt trail through forest to Tsumago-juku. This small village has many restored machiya houses lining the main street, and there are small shops selling local crafts as well as snacks such as gohei-mochi, rice paste covered in miso and nut-based sauce. After sightseeing in Tsumago, take a short ride to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Keigetsu
(B, L, D)

Day 7 Follow the Old Nakasendo from Nagiso to Nenoue Toge
2-hour private transfers
5-6 hours/8 miles of hiking with 2129’ ascent and 750’ descent
Today you'll continue your journey through the Kiso Valley and along the Nakasendo, walking a forested route from Nagiso to Nenoue Touge. Enjoy the lovely trail along empty country lanes and paths that weave their way beside rice fields and the gardens of village houses. From Nenoue Toge (where the trail turns into paved road) travel by private vehicle to Kiso Fukushima. and stay at a ryokan with its own hot spring. There are more than three thousand named hot springs in Japan, fed by Japan's abundant volcanic activity. Soak your muscles after your hike with a quintessential Japanese onsen experience! Your main suitcase will be transferred by courier to Tokyo, and you will be without your luggage for two nights; you'll need a smaller duffel and/or daypack to carry your essentials for two nights.
Accommodation: Komanoyu
(B, L, D)

Day 8 Climb to Torii Pass & Explore Narai-juku Village
15-minute train ride
3-4 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,130’ elevation gain & 885’ elevation loss
After a short train ride to Yabuhara, climb to Torii Pass, with good views over the Kiso Valley. In early spring, snow may dust on the mountaintops, but from mid-April onward the scenery is lush, green forest. Come early afternoon arrive in the well-preserved village of Narai-juku. Your ryokan dates back over 200 years and is typical of the merchant houses that line the village's main street. Take time to explore the atmospheric village, and perhaps try one of the local specialties.
Accommodation: Iseya
(B, L, D)

Day 9 Walk the Nakasendo from Narai to Hirasawa, Transfer to Tokyo
3.5 hours total by train (changing trains twice)
2 hours/3 miles walking
After breakfast in Narai-juku, set out for a short walk to Hirasawa, renowned for its lacquer-ware artisans. Stop in at a workshop and meet local artisans before a 3.5-hour train journey to Tokyo (changing trains twice en route). Check in to your Tokyo hotel, where the luggage transferred from Day 7 will be waiting for you. Enjoy free time to explore, before dinner at your leisure.
Accommodation: Celestine Tokyo Shiba
(B, L)

Day 10 Tour Tokyo’s Top Sights
Public transportation by local train and subway within Tokyo
8 hours/5-6 miles city walking with negligible elevation gain or loss
Today's Tokyo tour includes walks around Nihonbashi, the elegant Ginza shopping district, and the Imperial Palace. The contrast of the Imperial Palace's large grounds, deep moat, and historic buildings with downtown Tokyo's modern office buildings reflects Japan's twin identities of modernity and tradition. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own, then visit the Meiji Shrine, a beautiful place of quiet reflection located within an evergreen forest. Also stop briefly to see the bustling entertainment area of Shibuya. Return to the hotel before your farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Celestine Tokyo Shiba
(B, D)

Day 11 Depart from Tokyo
Pre-booked shared taxi transfers to Narita and Haneda airports
Transfer by pre-booked shared taxi to either Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, according to your homeward-bound flights.

(B)