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Hiking Journey of Japan

Hiking Journey of Japan


Small Group Journey

Tokyo > Mt. Fuji > Matsumoto > Wakayama > Hiroshima > Miyajima > Kyoto

Explore Japan next spring for an unforgettable hiking experience highlighting Japan’s landscape, history, culture, and cuisine. 

This 16-day hiking tour combines the best of Japan with hiking and walking: stroll through the merchant path of Kiso valley, trek to the thousand-year-old pilgrimage sites of Mt. Koya, climb Mt. Misen on Miyajima island in the Seto Inland sea, and explore other beautiful off-the-beaten-path. 

Guided by Koshiki Yonemura, a native of Japan and a co-founder of Tanpopo Journeys, and Larien Bieber, a longtime hiking leader and an expert world traveler, our journey starts in Tokyo, a thriving modern metropolis. From there, we will quickly move out to rural Japan, where we will see Mt. Fuji’s authentic beauty, experience history at Matsumoto castle, and visit the coastal city of Hiroshima and the ancient capital of Kyoto. We will meet local guides who will share with us experience and wisdom, which will change how you see Japan and its relationship with nature.  

Enjoying the delicious cuisine of Japan paired with regional sake, relaxing in the natural hot springs, savoring a multi-course kaiseki dinner, and staying in a traditional ryokan are all part of this spiritual journey. Let’s indulge all our five senses as we travel together to see and feel the uniqueness of this country and culture, and create memories.

Japan Hiking Journey

Travel Details

Dates:
March Tour: 3/16 – 3/31/2022
April Tour: 4/3 – 4/18/2022

Price:
$6899 per person, double occupancy
$200 additional fee for those leaving Kyoto to Tokyo on the last day

What’s Included:
hotels, local transportation
24 meals
guide/interpreter
fees for activities listed
transportation to hotel on the first day of tour

What’s Not Included:
travel or medical insurance
flight to/from Japan
personal spending including:
shopping, alcohol, laundry, some meals

Contact:
koshiki yonemura
651-734-3923
koshiki@tanpopojourneys.com

REserve Your Space

Highlights

  • Welcome Dinner
  • Take a tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market and have fresh sushi for lunch
  • Walking tour of Imperial Palace Garden
  • Hiking in Mt Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi
  • Ryokan-stay: hot spring & kaiseki dinner
  • Tour of Matsumoto castle
  • Guided hiking on Nakasendo trail in Kiso Valley
  • Visit wasabi farm & miso brewery (optional)
  • Shukubo/temple stay at Mt. Koya, shojin ryori & morning prayer
  • Hike Women’s Pilgrimage Road & Okunoin
  • Hike Choishi Michi
  • Sightseeing in Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Museum & Park
  • Hike Mt. Mitaki in Hiroshima
  • Visit Miyajima Island: Itsukushima shrine & floating gate (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
  • Tour Nishiki market
  • Private dinner and performance by Maiko in Gion
  • Guided tour & hike in Kyoto

Ideal trip for:

Solo Traveler , Friends , Couples

Itinerary

Day 1 > Welcome Dinner

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.

Tokyo with Mt. Fuji

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

Day 2 > Tsukiji Fish Market & Imperial Palace Garden

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.

Tsukiji Market Tour

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

Day 3 > Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi

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.  

View of Mount Fuji

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

Day 4 > Matsumoto City

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

Day 5 > Nakasendo trail

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

Day 6 > Optional activities in Matsumoto

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.  

Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin

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

Day 7 > Mt. Koya

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.  

Shojin Ryori


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

Day 8 > Hike Women’s Pilgrimage & Okunoin Route

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

Day 9 > Hike Choishi Michi

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.  

Komamo Kodo

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 

Day 10 > Hiroshima sightseeing

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.  

peace museum hiroshima

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

Day 11 > Hiking Mt. Mitaki in Hiroshima

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.

Jizo


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

Day 12 > Miyajima Island

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.  

Miyajima


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

Day 13 > Kyoto

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

Day 14 > Kyoto sightseeing

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.  

kinkakuji

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

Day 15 > Self-guided hikes in Kyoto

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.  

Maiko, Gion


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

Day 16 > Morning Departure

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.

The itinerary is subject to change until all bookings are finalized. Itinerary will be updated in October, 2021.

Your Guides

Koshiki Yonemura

Hi, my name is Koshiki. I am a Japan specialist and a travel advisor, and have 20+ years of hospitality experience. I lead numerous special interest tours to Japan, including textile, food, arts and culture, and sports event such as Nagano Winter Olympic. My role as a guide is to help and assist you through your journey to Japan and present knowledge of its textile and culture with personal and attentive service so you can experience the best of what Japan has to offer.

Lucas Bio
Lucas Erie

My passion for Japan started when I had the chance to begin my Japanese studies in middle school. After graduating from Bowdoin College with a BA in Asian Studies, I moved to rural Wakayama to teach English and fell in love with hiking Japan’s remote trails. I later moved to Kyoto to continue my Japanese studies, where I enjoyed exploring the city’s rich history and surrounding mountains. I currently live in St. Paul, escaping whenever possible to the North Shore of Lake Superior for camping and hiking.

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Travel Arrangements:

Please book a round-trip flight to Haneda International Airport in Japan. There are many direct flights from the United States for hassle-free travel.  Please be informed of any updates on travel restrictions.  

Suggested Arrival Date for March Tour: 3/15 or 3/16/2022
Suggested Arrival Date for April Tour: 4/2 or 4/3/2022

Luggage:

Please bring one suitcase that you can manage yourself, preferably a carry-on size, and a day bag or backpack for hikes or overnight trips when our luggage is being forwarded to our next hotel. 

Dress:

Bring comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots as we hike through forests and on dirt paths. You will also want to bring another pair of shoes for city walking. For the April tour, a light jacket or a windbreaker is always good to have as the weather changes frequently.  For the March trip, please bring additional layers.  We recommend you pack a waterproof jacket or a small folding umbrella.  There is no dress code for any places listed in this itinerary; however, you may choose to have a nice outfit for dinner and sightseeing as people in Japan tend to dress less casually for everyday occasions. There will be laundry service and coin laundry available at our hotels in Matsumoto, Hiroshima, and Kyoto.   

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