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Central Japan is a region of tall mountain ranges and fast-flowing rivers. It wasn&rsquo;t until recently that roads reached the remoter villages, and today many remain remarkably well-preserved, and evocative of centuries past. Our journey takes us through Japanese history from modern Tokyo, known as Edo during Japan&rsquo;s period of rule by the Shoguns, to end near Kyoto, Japan&rsquo;s capital for 400 years and the repository of much of the countries cultural heritage. From Tokyo we head first to Yudanaka Onsen hot spring where the famous &ldquo;snow monkeys&rdquo; come to enjoy the natural hot spring baths just like humans. In feudal times people travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo would use the Nakasendo way &ndash; the road through the central mountains &ndash; one of a network of ancient highways. We will visit one of the best preserved sections in the Kiso Valley, where the lovely villages of Tsumago and Magome have been immaculately restored.

Please note it may also be possible to end our Shoguns and Samurai tour early on Day 13 in Osaka.&nbsp;Please enquire&nbsp;for further details.

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Shoguns and Samurai

A small-group guided cultural tour exploring the highlights of central Japan

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The Nakasendo Trail linked Kyoto to Tokyo during Japan&#39;s feudal period. It was the &#39;road through the mountains&#39; (as opposed to the Tokaido route which travelled the Pacific coast) travelled by feudal lords and their retinues, samurai, merchants, and travelers. Along the route were 69 &#39;post towns&#39;, where weary travelers could rest before continuing on the next leg. Our journey will start in Tokyo, known as Edo during Japan&#39;s period of rule by the Shoguns. We will then spend four days walking along the Nakasendo. By day we will walk along the ancient route as it passes through beautifully-preserved villages along an easy path, and by evening we will stay in traditional country inns enjoying exquisite regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. Enjoy bathing in hot spring water after a day on the trails!

If you would like to experience these magical landscapes covered with snow, we offer a winter version of the Nakasendo Trail,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okujapan.com/trips/winter-nakasendo-trail">here</a>

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Nakasendo Trail

From Tokyo, visit the &#39;road through the mountains&#39; once traveled by feudal lords, staying in traditional country inns, enjoying exquisite regional cuisine and soak in natural hot springs before ending in Kyoto

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Opened in 2019, the Michinoku Coastal Trail was created as a joint effort by local governments to help the area rebuild after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Stretching over 1,000 km along the coastline of four prefectures, the Michinoku Coastal Trail offers some of the most beautiful and breathtaking views.&nbsp;

Our Michinoku Coastal Trail self-guided 6-day walking tour curates the best portions of the northern section of the trail. Walk with confidence, guided by our detailed maps and turn-by-turn walking directions, and supported by our Kyōto office.

Your walk begins in the town of Hachinohe and then heads south along the coast, alternating between sandy beaches, cosy hamlets, and forested trails. Coming into view often is the Pacific Ocean, dotted with stunning rock formations, sweeping cliffs, and gorgeous beaches. Just a sampling of the places you&rsquo;ll visit includes Kabushima Shrine, known as a breeding ground for thousands of black-tailed gulls; Samuraiishi or &lsquo;Samurai Rock&rsquo;, which gives you an impressive, panoramic view of the Sanriku coast; and Jōdogahama Beach, whose beauty has earned it a name that translates to &lsquo;paradise&rsquo;.

You&rsquo;ll also get to see the unique way of life, centred around fishing and the sea. This vibrant community has rebuilt in the wake of tragedy and continues to work to preserve and revitalize its traditional way of life. One of your nights will be in Fudai Village, which has an impressive story of survival during the earthquake and tsunami. You&rsquo;ll stay in a mix of family-owned traditional guesthouses and city hotels, &nbsp;with ample opportunities to try the local flavour, which boasts some of the freshest seafood &ndash; particularly sea urchin.&nbsp;

Your journey will end with sightseeing in Morioka, the capital city of Iwate Prefecture, before continuing your Japan trip or returning home. &nbsp;

Our fureai&nbsp;local experiences, allow you to meet and connect with local members of the community. When you show the special tag we provide to you at fureai points, you will receive a gift or experience, as well as a unique chance to learn a bit more about the area.&nbsp;

See below for a full itinerary of the tour, or send us an enquiry! We hope to see you on the trail soon.

Please note that this tour heavily features seafood due to the culture and cuisine of the region. As a result, we may be unable to accommodate diets that exclude fish and seafood.

Michinoku Coastal Trail self-guided walking 6 days

Curated sections of northern Japan&rsquo;s newest hiking trail, with walks along a rugged, dramatic coastline and through lush mixed forests.

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A place of profound natural beauty, the Michinoku Coastal Trail is Japan&rsquo;s newest long trail, situated in eastern Tōhoku and stretching over 1,000 km in total. A major focus of this tour is the revitalisation of communities that were devastated by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

The Sanriku Coast (nicknamed &lsquo;the Alps of the Sea&rsquo;) is a dramatic coastline running from southern Aomori prefecture to Miyagi prefecture. We&rsquo;ve curated the best parts of this trail, allowing you to walk through the most memorable areas, before continuing onto the next section via train, bus, and taxi.

With our fureai experiences, you&rsquo;ll be able to meet and connect with locals while getting more insight into the way of life along the Sanriku Coast.

Starting in the town of Hachinohe, you will travel south over sandy beaches, forested trails, and coastal paved roads, while staying in a delightful mixture of cosy guest houses run by locals and local hotels, enjoying the freshest varieties of seafood along the way. Particularly recommended is the uni sea urchin, which is a regional speciality.

The northern trailhead of the Michinoku is Kabushima Shrine, famous as a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls. It&rsquo;s the first of many commanding views over the Pacific Ocean that you will enjoy during your journey.

A highlight of our 7-day self-guided walking tour is a day spent walking to Cape Kitayamazaki, a coastline of cliffs and jagged rocks that reach up to 200 metres high. With three observation decks, as well as a descent that allows you to take in the majesty of the cliffs from below, there is no shortage of splendour here.

Other highlights include the Samuraiishi (Samurai Rock), which offers a panoramic view over the coastline, and Jōdogahama Beach, a magnificent, tranquil beach of white stones, blue water, and green pines, whose name means &lsquo;paradise&rsquo;.

Why not start planning your trip? See below for the full itinerary.

Please note that this tour heavily features seafood due to the culture and cuisine of the region. As a result, we may be unable to accommodate diets that exclude fish and seafood.

Michinoku Coastal Trail self-guided walking 7 days

Hike Tōhoku&rsquo;s Michinoku Coastal Trail and travel to the breathtaking Kitayamazaki Coast, where cliffs over 200 metres high stretch up over the ocean.

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The Nakasendo or &#39;Road through the Central Mountains&#39; was part of feudal Japan&#39;s network of highways. Travellers moving between Kyoto and Tokyo took several days to travel the Nakasendo, staying overnight in Juku post towns. Today&#39;s visitors can walk sections of the original route by day and stay in local inns by night.

All our&nbsp;self-guided Nakasendo Trail tours&nbsp;offer the opportunity to spend a leisurely second night at the comfortable Ryokan in Kiso-Fukushima, part-way along the trail. Please ask for information about our tour extensions; enjoy spectacular views of&nbsp;Mount Fuji&nbsp;from the Hakone hot spring area and the rural village of Oshino Mura, or the peaceful,&nbsp;agricultural community of&nbsp;Asuka&nbsp;at a charming Japanese inn or with a local family for a unique homestay experience.

Learn more about how our resident staff support our guests in interacting with locals in the village of Tsumago along the Nakasendo trail, and how we we foster relationships with, and contribute to the community by visiting our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okujapan.com/about-us/our-nakasendo-branch">local Nakasendo branch</a>&nbsp;page.

Daily luggage transfer is available as an optional extra service on some sections of the trail - read about luggage options&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okujapan.com/help/luggage-transfer">here</a>

<a href="https://static-oku.diqit.io/uploads/oku/nakasendoselfguided5days2023-1693886687168.pdf">Download PDF itinerary</a>

Nakasendo self-guided walking 5 days

Our best-loved Nakasendo Trail package is a 5-day hike perfect for hiking enthusiasts and those who wish to experience more of the Nakasendo. Enjoy hikes of 1 to 6 hours and visits to the most beautiful post towns.

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South of Japan&rsquo;s ancient capital of Kyoto and bustling Osaka lies the Kii Peninsula, the largest peninsula on Japan&rsquo;s main island of Honshu. The history of this region goes back more than 1,000 years and pilgrims ranging from emperors to common folk walked the trails. The Kumano Kodo is made up of these routes, including the Nakahechi, Kohechi, Iseji, Kiiji, and Ohechi.

Our 4-day Kumano Kodo tour is our shortest on this ancient pilgrimage, and introduces you to the classic Nakahechi route, weaving through forested mountains and small villages towards Hongu Grand Shrine.

After visiting ridgetop villages and peaceful countryside settlements, arrive in Hongu to visit Hongu Grand Shrine. Complete your journey from Hongu and arrive in Shingu, home of Hayatama Grand Shrine and Kamikura Shrine, a sacred place where it is believed the gods first descended before being enshrined.

You&rsquo;re supported by our team in Kyoto, our local Chikatsuyu office, and by our bespoke turn-by-turn walking instructions and topographical maps to guide you on your way, created by our team of hikers for you.

If you&rsquo;re looking for a condensed version of the Kumano Kodo experience, our 4-day self-guided tour will introduce you to many of its highlights, as you enjoy delicious local meals at your traditional Japanese inns and refresh yourself in onsen in between your hikes.

Have you walked the Camino de Santiago? You can obtain Dual Pilgrim status on our tour, or earn your credentials and obtain the status on your future Camino de Santiago trip.&nbsp;

Daily luggage transfer is also available along the Kumano Kodo trail as an <a href="https://www.okujapan.com/help/luggage-transfer">optional extra service</a>.

<a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/static-oku.diqit.io/uploads/oku/Kumano-self-guided-4days-2022.pdf">Download&nbsp;PDF Itinerary</a>

Kumano Kodo self-guided walking 4 days

A condensed version of the wonderful Nakahechi route, introducing you to the highlights of the Kumano Kodo. With 3 hikes of 2-7 hours, this tour offers more challenging options on day 3 for avid hikers and is eligible for Dual Pilgrim certification.

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The Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage located on the remote Kii Peninsula, its mysterious atmosphere further amplified by the high rainfall and resulting mist that hangs over the mountains and valleys. With a history going back more than 1,000 years, the Kumano Kodo has long been a pilgrimage walked by people from all levels of society, ranging from common folk to emperors.&nbsp;

This ancient pilgrimage is made up of several trails, including the Nakahechi, Kiiji, Iseji, Kohechi, and Ohechi. Our 6-day Kumano Kodo self-guided tour is our best-loved Kumano Kodo offering and explores the classic Nakahechi route, including the Ogumotorigoe Pass approach to Nachi Grand Shrine.&nbsp;

Walk village to village as you take in the scenery provided by the Kii Mountains, believed to be a sacred location that serves as the home of the gods. Try your hand at shinrinyoku (森林浴/forest bathing) and feel the serenity of the deep, forested walks and dreamy landscapes softly blanketed in fog. You will have ample opportunities to take in gorgeous mountain scenery, sample exquisite local cuisine, enjoy soaking in onsen hot springs to soothe you after a day of hiking, and visit all three of the Grand Shrines of Kumano.&nbsp;

You&rsquo;re supported by our team in Kyoto, our local Chikatsuyu office, and by our bespoke turn-by-turn walking instructions and topographical maps to guide you on your way, created by our team of hikers for you.&nbsp;

Have you walked the Camino de Santiago? You can obtain Dual Pilgrim status on our Kumano Kodo tours, or earn credentials and obtain the status on your future Camino de Santiago trip. &nbsp;

Daily luggage transfer is also available along the Kumano Kodo trail as an <a href="https://www.okujapan.com/help/luggage-transfer" target="_blank">optional extra service</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/static-oku.diqit.io/uploads/oku/Kumano-self-guided-6days-2022.pdf">Download PDF itinerary</a>

Kumano Kodo self-guided walking 6 days

Experience all of the best parts of the classic Nakahechi route on our best-loved offering. Suitable for hiking enthusiasts, enjoy village-to-village walking with 5 hikes of 2-7 hours. Eligible for Dual Pilgrim certification!

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Shikoku is Japan&#39;s fourth-largest island, home to some of the country&#39;s most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometres. Pilgrims, known as O-henro, traditionally covered the journey on foot over many weeks, staying overnight at Shukubo temple lodgings. Most modern travellers now travel from temple to temple by tour bus, but we have found sections of the original route which can still be enjoyed on foot.

On your Day 5, you may wish to&nbsp;try your hand at Sanuki Udon noodle-making. Please ask for information about tour extensions to the mountain-top temple town of&nbsp;Mount Koya&nbsp;with its monastery lodgings, or the&nbsp;UNESCO World Heritage of&nbsp;Miyajima Island, and Tomonoura Bay&nbsp;on the Setouchi inland sea.

Read about luggage options&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okujapan.com/help/luggage-transfer">here</a>.

<a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/static-oku.diqit.io/uploads/oku/Shikoku-self-guided-8days-2022.pdf">Download&nbsp;PDF Itinerary</a>

Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided 8 days

Mixed town roads (paved) and forest trails (unpaved) - the walk is strenuous at times, with days of up to 8 hours of hiking

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The Kansai region, situated at the centre of Japan&#39;s main island of Honshu, is home to three historic capitals: Kyoto, Nara and the smaller, lesser-known Asuka. &nbsp;All three have rich and varied histories. Our tour includes scenic and culturally significant hiking trails, as well as overnight stays in truly charming Japanese guesthouse or friendly farmstay in the rural community of Asuka.

Learn about this historic area of Japan and discover its cultural heritage on these less familiar walks.

You can opt to upgrade to a wonderful Machiya Townhouse in Nara.

Machiya are beautiful wooden townhouses that have seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to younger craftsmen and designers realising the cultural significance of such majestic, typically historic buildings.

Experience the rural lifestyle of the Japanese countryside in Asuka.

In this peaceful agricultural community, you stay overnight in a charming Japanese guesthouse or can stay with a local family for an immersive farm-stay experience.

We happily welcome younger walkers on to our trips with an accompanying adult. We offer a 10% price reduction for children (6-11) and an 80% price reduction for infants (0-5). &nbsp;Please contact us for specific hiking, meal or bedding enquiries.

<a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/static-oku.diqit.io/uploads/oku/Nara-self-guided-5days-2022.pdf">Download PDF itinerary</a>

Nara Ancient Capitals self-guided walking 5 days

Mixed town roads (paved) and forest trails (unpaved) - the walks are typically moderate, but strenuous at times, with days of up to 5 hours of hiking

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