March Tour: Wednesday 3/16/2022
April Tour: Sunday 4/3/2022

Welcome to Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan. We will assist you with entry details such as currency exchange, phone and wifi services, and activating your rail pass. After arriving at our hotel, we’ll take a quick break and then gather together for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant in Ginza.

Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Hotel or equivalent, 2 nights
Transportation: 45 minutes
Meals: Dinner

March Tour: Thursday 3/17/2022
April Tour: Monday 4/4/2022

We will tour the famous Tsukiji Fish Market to familiarize ourselves with the ingredients of Japanese cuisine, then enjoy sushi for lunch. The afternoon is reserved for a walking tour of the Imperial Palace Garden, which is a former Edo castle site and a current Japanese Imperial Family residence.

Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Hotel or equivalent
Transportation: 15 minutes
Walking: Fish Market 2 hours & Imperial Palace Garden 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Luggage: transfer to Matsumoto

March Tour: Friday 3/18/2022
April Tour: Tuesday 4/5/2022

Today we will take trains to Lake Kawaguchi on Mt. Fuji. Before arriving at Lake Kawaguchi, we will take a short hike up Mt. Arakurayama Sengenji for a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji. In the afternoon, we will take a ropeway or hike near our ryokan. Tonight, we will stay at a ryokan (a traditional inn), relax in hot springs, and enjoy a kaiseki multi-course dinner made from locally sourced ingredients.  

Accommodations: Ubuya Ryokan or equivalent
Transportation: 3-4 hours
Hiking: 2 hours (1.7 miles of steep hill plus optional additional walking)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

March Tour: Saturday 3/19/2022
April Tour: Wednesday 4/6/2022

Today we will travel to Matsumoto, a picturesque castle town, a cultural destination, and home to one of Japan’s finest feudal era castles. We’ll tour the castle and explore the astonishing architecture and learn about the history of Japan’s feudal era. 

Matsumoto is also an arts and crafts town. It is situated on a plain in Japan’s Southern Alps and is the starting point for hiking and trekking. Enjoy an afternoon walk along Nakamichi, a charming Edo-era merchant street, and along the river where sakura blossoms are spectacular.  

Accommodation: New Richmond Hotel or equivalent, 3 nights (Laundry service available)
Transportation: 3 hours
Walking: 1-2 hours
Meals: Breakfast

March Tour: Sunday 3/20/2022
April Tour: Thursday 4/7/2022

Today we will hike the Nakasendo trail in the Kiso valley with a local guide. Nakasendo trail was one of the five Edo period routes connecting Edo to Kyoto in Japan and totaled over 300 miles. We will hike the Magome-Tsumugi trail nestled in the valley, visit a nearby waterfall, then walk back to the train station.  

Accommodation: New Richmond Hotel or equivalent
Transportaion:1-2 hours
Hiking & Walking: 3-4 hours (well maintained stepping stones with gentle slopes)
Meals: Breakfast

March Tour: Monday 3/21/2022
April Tour: Friday 4/8/2022

Today is a day for catching up or doing  optional activities. Some possible optional activities include:

• Visit a wasabi farm (30 minutes by taxi) 
• Visit Ishii miso brewery (within walking distance)
• Visit Matsumoto City Museum of Art (Matsumoto is the birthplace of the internationally acclaimed artist Yayoi Kusama) (Within walking distance)
• Ukiyo-e Museum (“pictures of the floating world,” a collection of 17-19th century woodblock prints) (15 minutes by taxi)
• Folk Art Museum of Matsumoto (20 minutes by taxi)
• Half-day hike

We will gather as a group for a farm-to-table dinner tonight.  

Accommodation: New Richmond Hotel or equivalent
Transportation: None
Hiking: None
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Luggage: transfer to Hiroshima

March Tour: Tuesday 3/22/2022
April Tour: Saturday 4/9/2022

We will take a journey to Wakayama, the starting point of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail and home of Koyasan, a thousand-year-old Buddist settlement (UNESCO World Heritage Site). We will stay two nights at the temple.  Our evening meal will be served in the temple’s dining hall. It will be Shojin Ryori, a traditional vegetarian meal, carefully prepared using long-established methods to bring out the best flavors of local vegetables and grains. Admire the artful presentation and savor the delicate and delicious vegetarian flavors as you relax in the tranquility of the Zen lifestyle.  

Accommodation: Shukubo (temple-stay), 2 nights
Transportation: 6-7 hours
Hiking: None
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

March Tour: Wednesday 3/23/2022
April Tour: Sunday 4/10/2022

Today we will get up before daybreak to join the Buddhist monks in their morning prayers, a spiritual experience. After breakfast at the temple, we will hike the Women’s Pilgrimage Course, to Okunoin, one of Japan’s most sacred places and a popular pilgrimage spot. 

Accommodation: Shukubo (temple stay)
Transportation: 30 minutes
Hiking: 7 km/2 hours (mountain hike up-and downhill) plus 2 km on a paved path
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

March Tour: Thursday 3/24/2022
April Tour: Monday 4/11/2022

Today we will descend Mt. Koya on foot, hiking down Choishi Michi, a 24 km forest trail marked by 180 stone signposts (choishi). Along the trail, there are resting stations with refreshments available. A shorter hike is possible for those who wish not to hike the whole way.  

Accommodation: TBD
Transportation: 30 minutes – 1 hour (depending on how far you choose to hike)
Hiking: 24 km/6-7 hours (narrow forest trail, downhill)
Meals: Breakfast 

March Tour: Friday 3/25/2022
April Tour: Tuesday 4/12/2022

We will transfer to Hiroshima in the morning: Sadly, Hiroshima is best known for the atomic bomb and the Peace Museum, but in Japan, Hiroshima is famous for its excellent oysters and casual street food, like yakisoba and okonomiyaki. Enjoy the fresh seafood and street food Hiroshima has to offer. 

After lunch, we will take a walking tour of Hiroshima including the Peace Memorial Museum, the park, and Orizuru Tower.  

Accommodation: TBD, 2 nights
Transportation: 3 hours
Walking: 2-3 hours of city walking
Meals: Breakfast
 

March Tour: Saturday 3/26/2022
April Tour: Wednesday 4/13/2022

Today is reserved for all-day hiking outside Hiroshima at Mt. Mitaki, a hidden gem of Hiroshima’s in the mountains. You will encounter numerous statues of Buddha and Jizo (protector of women, children, and travelers) scattered throughout the mountainside. Enjoy a waterfall, a Japanese-style garden, and beautiful scenery.

Accommodation: TBD
Transportation: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Hiking: 2-3 hours of hiking and walking, some steep hills
Meals: Breakfast
Luggage: transfer to Kyoto

March Tour: Sunday 3/27/2022
April Tour: Thursday 4/14/2022

Today we will visit Miyajima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, home of Itsukushima Shrine and its “floating” torii gate.  We will visit the shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and hike or take the ropeway up Mt. Misen for a stunning view of the inland sea. For dinner, relax and enjoy a seafood course meal.  

Accommodation: Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto or equivalent
Transportation: 1-3 hours
Hiking: 2-3 hours of hiking and walking, some slopes, forest
Meals: Breakfast & Seafood Kaiseki Dinner

March Tour: Monday 3/28/2022
April Tour: Friday 4/15/2022

Welcome to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. We will be in Kyoto for three days to embrace the history and the culture of Japan.   

After arrival and lunch, we will stroll through the Nishiki Market and head to Kiyomizu temple for a self-guided tour and shopping.  

Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Shijyo or equivalent, 3 nights
Transportation: 3 hours
Hiking: some walking
Meals: Breakfast

March Tour: Tuesday 3/29/2022
April Tour: Saturday 4/16/2022

Today is reserved for an all-day guided tour of Kyoto, a cultural encounter with ancient Japan.  Visiting historical sights such as the Philosopher’s path, the Silver Pavilion, Nijojo, and Kinkakuji. Enjoy a simple and delicate local lunch and afternoon tea ceremony in a traditional tea garden.  

Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Shijyo or equivalent
Transportation: Micro-bus for sightseeing
Hiking: some walking
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

March Tour: Wednesday 3/30/2022
April Tour: Sunday 4/17/2022

Today is the last day we will spend as a group.  It is reserved for an all-day self-guided hiking and walking trip in Kyoto.  We are available to help you navigate the town. Optional hiking and tours:

• Mt. Kurama
• Kiyotaki
• Mt. Daimonji
• Gekkeikan Sake Brewery tour
• Fushimi Taisha (Fox Shrine)

We will gather as a group for the last time for a performance dinner and conversation with traditional Maiko.  

Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Shijyo or equivalent
Transportation: None
Hiking: optional
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (with performance)

March Tour: Thursday 3/31/2022
April Tour: Monday 4/18/2022
We are heading back to Tokyo for those who have planned an afternoon departure.  Please contact me if you prefer to leave from Kansai International Airport.  We hope you will have had an incredible journey, and we wish you safe flight home.  

Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: 3 hours to Haneda International Airport.