Take a journey back in time from the technological wonders of modern Tokyo to the charm of ancient Japan. This trip is for those, who want to spend less time in big cities and experience more of authentic Japan, with its old traditions, and fascinating natural sceneries.

⛩ Capture the astonishing views of Mighty Mt. Fuji

⛩  Visit zen temples and bamboo groves in Kyoto

⛩ Take a cultural walk from village to village in the Central Alps on one of the most scenic historic routes of Japan - Nakasendo Trail (3 days)

⛩ Stay in traditional Ryokans, very charming and clean guesthouses, run by locals. Enjoy freshl home-made Japanese meals, and soak in onsens (hot springs baths)

⛩ Hike the ancient pilgrimage trail to Mt. Koya, Koyasan Monastery - one of the most important temple complexes in Japan, dedicated to the study and practice of esoteric Shingon Buddhism.

⛩ Spend a night in the monastery, and taste a monk's everyday lifestyle.  Koyasan is a place to contemplate, 1,200 years of history and natural beauty waiting to envelop you in their calming embrace. You can participate in religious ceremonies and meditation practices. 

⛩ Taste unique flavors of Japanese cuisine, cook your own sushi-lunch

⛩ Dine with Geisha 

⛩ Experiences: traditional kimono dressing

⛩ Feed free-roaming deers in Nara

⛩ Learn to navigate in the maze of Japan's public transportation network, ride bullet trains, and leave back home from Osaka

- Visa is not required for American passport holders. The passport should be valid for the entire days of stay in Japan

- We meet in Tokyo and leave from Osaka, You can arrive earlier or leave later, if you wish to spend more time exploring Tokyo & Osaka on your own

- Along this route, be ready for traveling by different means of public transportation (bullet trains, public shuttles). Private buses are offered too where possible.

- This trip is a cultural immersion into ancient Japan, its traditions, culture, and cuisine. However, this itinerary involves 3 days of hiking in the rural areas (Nakasendo trail) and a Pilgrimage one-day trail up to Mt. Koya (overnight stay at the monastery). 

- Participants should have previous hiking experience and be in relatively good physical shape. - Total hiking distance ~50km/31 miles in 4 days (MODERATE), plus walking in the cities. 

- There will be 4 days without access to your main luggage, you carry your own belongings (suggested medium-size backpack, up to 7-8kg, with outfit change only, the rest is provided)

At Koyasan Monastery:

- Vegetarian food ONLY is served 

- At Koyasan we stay at 2ppl sharing shukubo rooms with private bathrooms

- No WiFI available

About NAKASENDO TRAIL

- Level of difficulty- MODERATE

- This trail is considered more of a cultural walk through old Japan than a strenuous hike

- You should have some previous hiking experience and be in relatively good physical shape. 

- Daily hikes range up to 7 miles in length with elevation gains/losses of up to 1,400 feet

- Trails are composed of dirt  & stone-paved trails with some sections of stone steps.

- Nakasendo total hiking distance ~30km/19 miles in 3 days, hiking at low altitudes

Lodging in traditional Ryokans, tatami rooms, 2-3 ppl sharing, with private and semi-private bathrooms (towels, toiletries, and bed sheets are provided)

- WiFi and Laundry service are available at ryokans

- Porter service is not available on a trail, you should take essentials for 3 days and carry your own backpack, your main luggage will be transferred directly to Kyoto. No access to your main luggage is possible while on hiking days.

A 25% deposit is required at Registration. 

If the trip is canceled by Participant due to any personal reason, the following cancellation policy will be applied:

Cancellation outside of 121 calendar days before departure - registration deposit is fully refundable.

Cancellation 120 to 60 days before departure - registration deposit is non-refundable

Cancellation 59 to 31 calendar days before departure – 50% of the trip cost is non-refundable

Cancellation 30 to 0 calendar days before departure -  100% of the trip is non-refundable

Arrival in Tokyo on May 22, transfer to hotel (included).

On May 23rd, start exploring Tokyo with an expert on Japanese culture.

In about 4 hrs we will see the following sites:

Shibuya Junction, Hachiko Dog Monument, Shibuya Sky Observation Deck, Hamarikyu Garden, and more. 

After lunch, there will be free time for the optional visit to the Team Lab museum (admission is not included).

Hotel in Tokyo included on May 22 & 23 - B Asakusa Tokyo

With mighty Mount Fuji as its dramatic backdrop and the stunning Lake Ashi below, this park is magnificent from all angles!

Today's highlights include Lake Kawaguchiko, 398 steps up to Chureito Pagoda viewpoint, Ashinoko Skyline highway scenic drive with numerous photo-stops to capture the best postcard views of Mt.Fuji and the mountain region of Five Lakes.

Take a ropeway up to Owakudani Valley, a volcanic zone of steam vents and bubbling pools. 

Feel adventurous? Here you can taste black eggs, cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are blackened by the sulfur and which are said to prolong one's life by seven years!

Back to Tokyo in the evening.

Transport: Private Charter bus

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay at hotel B Asakusa Tokyo

We leave our hotel with our backpacks ready for 3 days of hiking the Nakasendo Trail  (our main luggage will be transferred to our next destination - Kyoto). Accompanied by a local guide, drive about 4 hours to the trailhead.

On the following days, we will be walking between the old post towns of Narai, Tsumago, and Magome,  charming local villages with restored wooden houses of the past era, where we can see rural life, craftsmen at work, rice paddies, and the old stone paving. We also get the opportunity to stay in traditional inns (ryokans) some of which are hundreds of years old and passed down from generation to generation.

We will stop for lunch on the way at the local taverns, and at the end of the day, we will enjoy homemade dinner at the ryokan, and relax in the onsen baths.

Walking distance of the day: 6.2km / 3.9 miles
Elevation gain/drop: 270m/885 feet ascent; 344m/1,128 feet descent
Time required: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave our ryokan after breakfast and take a short walk to the railway station, then take a 50-min train ride to the next destination.

On arrival, start walking along a lovely section of the Nakasendo Trail through delightful small settlements and rice fields to Tsumago, the living museum and best-preserved historic post-towns.

Check-in at the family-run guest house. Soak in the onsen baths made of cypress wood. Traditional dinner will be served. Overnight.

Walking distance of the day: 14km / 8.7 miles
Elevation gain: 344m/1,129 feet ascent; 723m/2,275 feet descent
Time required: 4.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's hike between Tsumago and our next destination Magome is one of the most scenic hikes in Japan and our last stop in Kiso Valley.

There will be time to eat lunch in Magome with its small shops along the picturesque main street.

After lunch, take a public bus to the train station (30 minutes) and a Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto (40 more min). 

Meet our local rep at the  Kyoto railway station on arrival and transfer by private charter bus to our western-style hotel in Kyoto conveniently located in the historic downtown close to main attractions and temples.

Evening free for exploring Kyoto on your own.

Overnight in hotel Rihga Gran Kyoto

Walking distance of the day: 8.3km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 430m/1,410 feet ascent; 326m/1069 feet of descent
Time required: 3 hours

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will head on a full-day guided walk to experience the elegant architecture and sublime religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital. We will explore stunning Zen rock gardens, colorful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto, walk through Kyoto's infamous tori gates and spot the fox statues at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, visit the Gion Geisha district, and have an exclusive dining experience in a company of authentic Geisha.

Today we will have a fun experience of wearing traditional kimonos and taking memorable group photos!

Back in the hotel, overnight Rihga Gran Kyoto

Meals included: B, L, D

Transport: private bus

If you want to go deeper into Japanese culture, you should try an overnight stay at the monastery on Mount Koya, living one day of your life as a Buddhist monk. 

You will come away with a very special feeling toward this holy mountain together with some wonderful memories. 

52 of the 117 temples in the area accept guests for overnight at shukubo (pilgrimage lodging), where we are going to stay during our visit to Koyasan Monastery.

After early breakfast, check out from hotel in Kyoto. 

Leave the main luggage at the hotel storage room, taking only change for an overnight stay at the monastery.

Travel by metro, bullet train, and public bus (around 3hrs total) to reach the trailhead.  Start hiking the historic pilgrimage trail to Koyasan Monastery.

Check-in at the temple guest rooms called "shukubo" in the late afternoon.

Dinner at the temple's dining room (vegetarian only).

Attend evening service and various temple ceremonies (optional): 

🙏 Ajikan “watching or meditating on the character A,” which symbolizes the Cosmic Sun Buddha,  or to try hand copying Buddhist sutras

🙏 Shakyo, hand copying the sutras as a form of meditation, can bring the practitioner peace of mind

🙏 Gomakito (or Homa) fire ritual, performed to destroy negative energies, detrimental thoughts, and desires, and for the making of secular requests and blessings

Overnight at shukubo rooms at the monastery.

Walking distance of the day: 9km/ 5-6 miles

Elevation gain: ~800m/ 2600 feet (TBC)

Time required: 4-5hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue experiencing the humble life of Buddhist monks. 

Explore Mt Koya, its temples, and hidden trails. 

Plan of the day:

⛩ Wake up & freshen up

⛩ 6:00 AM: Attend morning meditation service at the shrine (optional)

⛩ 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the dining area (vegetarian only), check out of the temple

⛩ 8:30 AM:  Visiting the most interesting temples and cemetery with a local guide. Hiking  Nenindo Trail (Women's Trail) 

Take a cable car ride down to the bus station. Take a train back to Kyoto.

Overnight in hotel Rihga Gran Kyoto

Waking distance of the day: 6-12km/ 4miles

Time required: 3-5hrs

Meals:  Breakfast

After early breakfast, check out and leave your luggage at the front desk (will be transferred to Osaka). Assisted by a local rep, drive to the railway station by private bus, and take an express train ride to Nara (1hr). 

Discover Nara, the ancient capital of Japan on a guided walk. 

Visit the emblematic 5-layer pagoda and Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan and home to the country’s largest Buddha statue. 

Then stop by Nara Park, the home to more than 1,000 free-roaming deers. You can feed them and take selfies with these friendly buddies. 

An amazing experience awaits! Cook your lunch, by participating in the sushi-making workshop! That will be so much fun! :)

Proceed to Osaka by train (45min).

Meet at the railway station and transfer to the hotel Otani Osaka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we will have time till about 2 PM to explore Osaka on our own before the departure flight back home.

Arrival in the United States on the same day Jun 1.