The Ultimate Adventure Through Japan

Konnichiwa – welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Haneda or Narita Airport, make your own way to your hotel (see FAQ for info on the shuttle service) which is located in the buzzing central district of Shinjuku, bursting with contemporary urban culture, towering skyscrapers and countless shops and restaurants. As this trip includes very little time in Tokyo, we strongly recommend that you arrive at least a couple of days earlier to adjust to the jet lag and to experience all the amazing attractions the world's largest metropolis has to offer. Meet up with your guide and fellow adventurers at 16:00 in the hotel lobby to go through your itinerary together, then head out to explore the narrow, winding alleys of Shinjuku's nightlife district, filled with cosy eateries and bars. Tuck into your first Japanese meal in a local izakaya (a Japanese style pub), then get some rest in preparation for the adventure ahead.

Escape bustling Tokyo after breakfast, and enjoy a comfortable 2.5-hour train ride towards the incredible Fuji Five Lakes area, journeying through lush mountain and forest scenery. Upon arrival in Kawaguchiko, travel by public transport to what is arguably Japan's most iconic viewpoint – Chureito Pagoda. Climb 400 steps up Mount Arakura to be rewarded (weather permitting!) with a sweeping panorama of the city below, with a backdrop of magnificent Mount Fuji. Take some time to enjoy the surrounding walking trails and viewing decks before you continue travelling to your next stop – the charming historic village of Oshino Hakkai, where traditional farmhouses sit among clear springs and ponds of meltwater from Mount Fuji. After a busy day of travelling and exploration, check in to your accommodation by Lake Yamanakako, the biggest of the Fuji five lakes.

Enjoy a laid-back day exploring beautiful Lake Yamanakako, the third-highest lake in Japan, offering majestic views of the Mount Fuji cone from multiple angles when the weather is clear. Set off on an easy bike ride along the easy trails that circle its shores, then hit the water for a bit of kayaking. At the end of the day, get ready for a rejuvenating experience as you'll visit a local onsen, (hot spring). Onsens are an integral part of Japanese culture which have been enjoyed for centuries for their therapeutic and relaxing properties. Soak in a variety of indoor and outdoor communal baths surrounded by a beautiful courtyard, with an incredible view over Japan's iconic mountain – bliss!

Get ready for an early start today as you'll be travelling on to Kyoto – once Japan's ancient capital – which retains much of its historic charm with atmospheric temples, sublime zen gardens, traditional teahouses and geisha roaming the alleys. Your journey there (taking approximately five hours) will involve a mix of public transport including the famous high-speed Shinkansen train, a must-do for a full immersion into Japanese culture. You might want to get yourself a bento-style lunch on the way to eat on the train – just like the locals do. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, start your exploration of the city with one of Kyoto’s most iconic shrines, Fushimi Inari, famous for its thousands of reddish-orange torii gates. Your guide will lead you on a hike through the amazing network of trails winding up into the hills, and you can snap a few artistic shots. Time allowing, walk through the Fushimi District, stopping for some (optional) tastings in traditional sake breweries before returning to your hotel for a good night's sleep.

Spend today exploring some of Kyoto's iconic sights as well as its lesser-known spots, while enjoying an introduction to Buddhism and Shintoism in Japanese culture – particularly relevant, given the places and trails you'll be hiking over the next few days. Start with a bike ride along the Kamogawa River up to the renowned Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion. Built over 500 years ago, this quintessential Zen temple is nestled in Kyoto's eastern mountains and is surrounded by sublime Japanese gardens dotted with ponds and moss. Next, take a short but steep hike up Mount Daimonji-yama, from where you’ll enjoy a great panoramic view of the city. On your way back to the hotel, walk along Philosopher’s Path, particularly scenic during the cherry blossom season. Back in town, the afternoon is yours for you to choose your own adventure – however active or relaxing you want it to be. Later on, don't miss a visit to the historic Gion area of town, where you might spot a geisha or two.

Escape the city today to hike the scenic natural area in the northwestern mountains of Kyoto. The trail starts from the charming mountain hamlet of Takao, following a river downstream through the mountains and valleys to Hozukyo, passing by two superb thousand-year-old temples, a crystal-clear water course and a magical waterfall. The area is stunning year-round, but becomes particularly picturesque in autumn with mind-blowing colours. After the hike, you may decide to catch a train and bus back to the city for some rest or you can hop off in the popular district of Arashiyama to spend the afternoon exploring the famous bamboo grove, relaxing in a few of the dozens of zen gardens, or mingling with hundreds of friendly, semi-wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys).

Today, you’ll be swapping the fast rhythm of city life for the serene beauty of Koyasan’s forested mountains – one of Japan's most sacred sites and the most important centre of Shingon Buddhism. Leave your hotel after breakfast and take a local train towards Mount Koya (on a journey of around 2.5 hours), where you'll alight to trek part of the Koya-san Choishi Michi trail, passing by the stone signposts (choishi) which stand every few hundred metres, which were placed to help the original pilgrims find their way. Reach the monastery complex and stroll around the serene grounds of Okunoin Cemetery, the final resting place of many of the nation’s most important historical and religious figures. Tonight you'll experience an overnight stay at a simple temple lodging (shukubo) where you can get a taste of a Buddhist monk's lifestyle: eating vegetarian cuisine (shojin ryori) and experiencing back-to-basics living, surrounded by peace and nature.

Awake early to join the monks for morning prayers, if you wish. Then, set off on a scenic journey (of approximately 4.5 hours) to Yunomine Onsen, weaving through the mountains. Tucked away in the Kii mountains of Wakayama, this remote mountain village hosts what is thought to be the oldest onsen in Japan. UNESCO-listed, it has a history dating back over 1,800 years. Hostels and inns here have long provided respite for trekkers walking the ancient Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, which you'll be following for the next two days. You’ll also get the chance to soak in these special medicinal waters after a walk around the village and a visit to Kumano Hongu Taisha – one of the three grand Shinto shrines on this unique pilgrimage trail.

Get up early this morning to hike part of the historic Kumano Kodo – one of only two World Heritage-listed pilgrimage routes on the planet. You'll be hiking the Nakahechi section, which traverses east into the mountains towards the Kumano grand shrines. From the 10th century, this route was extensively used by the Imperial Family on pilgrimage from Kyoto. After a short ride by public bus, begin a gradual ascent followed by a continuously undulating trail to the Sakura-toge Pass. You'll be surrounded by pristine, natural forest filled with beautiful cedar and cypress trees. Upon reaching the Hyakken-gura Peak, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the mountainous terrain of Wakayama. After that, the trail descends rapidly into the valley below to the small mountain village of Koguchi, nestled by the Akagi-gawa River, where you'll bed down for the night in a local inn.

Rise early and get ready for an epic full-day hike along the sacred Kumano Kodo trail. Today's hike will be a challenging one! (If you are not feeling up to it, there's always the option to take a local bus to the hike end point and explore the area by yourself, while you wait for the rest of your group.) The ascent from Koguchi has a fierce reputation, and for good reason: expect over two hours of steep ascent at a steady pace. The paths are uneven at times with roots, loose rocks and lots of stone steps. However, you'll be rewarded with some beautiful ups and downs, surrounded by forest and birdsong, until you reach the Funami-toge Pass and the remains of the old Funami-jaya teahouse, offering a brilliant view of the Pacific Ocean and the fishing village of Katsuura on a clear day. Continue mostly downhill for the rest of the trek to Nachi Kogen Park, then down to the Nachisan Sanctuary, where you'll finally reach the stunning Seiganto-ji Pagoda and Japan's tallest waterfall, with an uninterrupted drop of 133 metres surrounded by primaeval forest. Enjoy the sublime evergreen scenery – and a sense of accomplishment! – before heading to Kii Katsuura by bus in the late afternoon.

In the morning, visit the local tuna market, where fish from the cool waters of the Pacific is traded daily. Then hop on a train and rest your legs on the long journey to Osaka (approximately five hours). Check in to your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to relax and freshen up, before heading out for a walking tour with your guide around the famous Dotombori – the city’s most popular shopping, food and entertainment district. It is at night that this area really comes to life, with hundreds of neon lights and signs glowing in the streets. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a downtown restaurant and gaze out across the city as you toast the end of your unforgettable Japanese adventure!

It’s time to bid farewell to your guide and your group after breakfast; you are free to depart any time. If you have later onward connections, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception during the day. If you have the time, we thoroughly recommend staying on for a few extra days to explore more of this unique country. You can choose to fly back home from Kansai Airport near Osaka, or alternatively, hop on the 2.5-hour bullet train back to Tokyo and depart from there.