On arrival in Tokyo you will be transferred to your hotel. There will be a group briefing this evening with your guide at the hotel followed by a visit to a delicious local restaurant for your first true Japanese meal.

Meals:  D

Today, we will visit the main highlights of the city. We start in Asakusa - an old part of the city, formerly an entertainment district, but now famous for the Sensoji Temple and the many shopping streets that line its surroundings, reminiscent of the old times (post war construction). Sensoji Temple is one of the most famous in Tokyo, tracing its origins back to the 7th century. We then head to Harajuku, the mecca for teenage fashion, some whacky and extreme styles on display, with many trendy shops, food stands and stores for the young. On the opposite side of the tracks is Meiji Shrine, one of the most important shrines in Japan, which provides a striking contrast to busy Harajuku, in its serenity, nestled within a park. Finally we visit Shibuya, which is famous for its iconic scramble crossing, one of the largest in the world, but also a popular neighbourhood for shopping and entertainment, especially among the youth.

Meals:  B,D

Before we check-out, we will be shipping our main large piece of luggage to Matsumoto. Please pack your daypack to carry your essentials for the 2 nights before you are reunited with your main luggage. After breakfast, we’ll be visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market, formerly one of the biggest fish markets in the world. Apart from the seafood stores and restaurants, you’ll find many shops that also sell non-seafood treats and snacks. We’ll then travel to Kawaguchiko, a resort town that lies at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

Meals:  B,D

Today is our first day where we stretch our legs and get a good workout on a hike up Ashiwada Mountain. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to enjoy a view of Mt. Fuji in the distance. After the hike, if time is on our side, we’ll visit a small village nearby that is the site of several traditional thatched roof houses. Hiking distance: 7 km (4.3 mi) + 500 m (1500 ft)

Meals:  B,D

We travel to Matsumoto, a city set further inland by the Japanese Alps. After we arrive and drop our bags off at the hotel, we’ll take a walk to the center of town and visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the few remaining original castles in Japan. A short walk from the castle is the old town center, with its many former warehouse buildings that date back to the Edo Period.

Meals:  B,D

Today is our second hike of our trip. Before we leave the hotel, we’ll ship our luggage yet again to Kyoto, our next destination. On our hike today, we’ll visit a couple of towns that lie on the Nakasendo highway, one of the old routes that linked Edo (Tokyo) with the city of Kyoto. We’ll walk through some wooded areas, on paths partially paved with cobblestones from the days of old, as well as historically preserved post towns that provide a glimpse of Japan 300 years ago. In the afternoon, we’ll then make our way to Kyoto by train. Hiking distance: 8 km (5 mi) + 250 m (750 ft)

Meals:  B,D

Our third walk of the tour will be a city walk, starting from the Ginkakuji Temple up in the north of the city, at the eastern edge of the city. This zen temple has an impressive garden on its grounds. We then stroll along the Philosopher’s Path to our next stop : Nanzenji Temple, an important zen temple in Japan. We will move on to the Heian Shrine dating back to the 8th century, that boasts an impressive huge torii gate. In the afternoon, we’ll move further south to the old town, that is, Ninnenzaka and Sannenzaka, one of the iconic neighbourhoods of Kyoto, and a preserved district. We’ll finish off the walk with a visit to the adjacent Gion district, which is famous for its Geisha houses. Hiking distance: 7 km (4.5 mi)

Meals:  B,D

Today is our last hike in Kyoto, which will feature more of the nature that lies next to the Arashiyama district. Our hike will start along the Hozogawa River, and we’ll enjoy the walk on the path with the river on one side and the forest on the other before climbing up a hill and into the woods that lead to Arashiyama. Once we get back to town, we’ll walk through the famous Bamboo Grove before we make our way to the Monkey Park. Hiking distance: 7.5 km (4.7 mi) + 280 m (840 ft)

Meals:  B,D

Before we say our goodbyes to Kyoto, we’ll ship our luggage one last time to Osaka in the morning. On our train journey to Nara, our first stop is Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its many torii gates. Once we get to Nara, we’ll visit Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden buildings that holds a huge statue of Buddha. You’ll also encounter the furry locals in this town, the Nara deer, that freely roam the city.

Meals:  B,D

Our last hike of the tour is on an ancient path - the Yamanobe no Michi. Today’s walk will feature the Japanese countryside - fruit farms and a few temples and shrines that dot this area along the way. After our walk, we’ll travel to the city of Osaka and celebrate the tour with a final dinner in the heart of the neon city. Tonight we have our farewell dinner and reflect on a fun week spent in Japan. Hiking distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) + 200 m (600 ft)

Meals:  B,D

This is our last day of the tour. An airport transfer by coach will be arranged to take you to the airport for your flight out.

Meals:  B