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
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 Mount Koya
4 hours total by local bus, cable car, and train (broken into shorter segments)
3-4 hours/4-5 miles walking between modes of transportation and at Okuno-in cemetery
Travel by bus, cable car and train to Mount Koya, 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, Mount Koya 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 train (broken into shorter segments)
2 hours/3 miles hiking plus 1 hour additional walking between modes of transportation
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 funicular and 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 to Mount Wakakusa for a walk that provides a view of the city.
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 visit Todaiji temple - the world's largest wooden building - which houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha. Then travel by bus and train to the Kiso Valley, part of the ancient 'Nakasendo' trail passes through the valley, linking Kyoto and Edo (medieval Tokyo). Meaning 'road through the mountains', the Nakasendo has villages known as 'post towns' located along its route. Many of these have been preserved through the effort of the local residents, and it's a treat to enjoy the hospitality of villagers who have converted their traditional 'machiya' houses into inns. Arrive at your Japanese style inn on time for dinner. Your luggage transferred from Kyoto will be waiting for you.
Accommodation: Hotel Hanasarasa
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Discover Magome & Hike a Forested Trail to Tsumago
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 Tsumago to Nenoue Toge
30-minute or 45-minute train ride
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
45-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 hiking plus 1-2 hours/2 miles walking between modes of transportation
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
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. Continue to Harajuku to enjoy free time for lunch on your own, then visit the Meiji Shrine, a beautiful place of quiet reflection located within an evergreen forest. Walk along the fashionable, tree-lined Omotesando — the Champs-Elysees of Tokyo — to 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)
