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
Nara Ancient Capitals self-guided walking 5 days
Nara Ancient Capitals self-guided walking 5 days
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January 2024
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Tour details
Nara Ancient Capitals self-guided walking 5 days
x1 traveller
USD 0
Single room additional charge
USD 280
TOTAL
USD 0
If you would like to do multiple tours in one trip or have a question about any of our tours, do not hesitate to contact us with the button below.
- Duration: 5 days
- Trip level:Active
- Availability: Recommended from January to December
- Type:Self-guided
- Price: USD 1,280(Price per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a room)
Highlights
- Walking along the historic Yamanobe-no-michi and Yagyu Kaido trails near Nara
- Hike the cultural Asuka Monuments route and the forested nature trail to Tanzan Shrine
- Marvel at the historic treasures of the ancient capital of Nara
- See the beautiful terraced rice fields of Asuka-mura by bicycle
- Relax in a friendly family homestay or a traditional Minshuku guesthouse for two nights in Asuka-mura
The Kansai region, situated at the centre of Japan's main island of Honshu, is home to three historic capitals: Kyoto, Nara and the smaller, lesser-known Asuka. 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). Please contact us for specific hiking, meal or bedding enquiries.
What is included
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4 nights at Japanese-style or Western-style accommodation |
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4 breakfasts and 2 dinners |
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Round-trip train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka |
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Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions |
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Detailed maps |
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Local support by telephone |
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Our Preparing for Your Trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks |
What is not included
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Flights |
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Airport transfers |
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Drinks and meals not included in itinerary |
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Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver |
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Rental bicycles |
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Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy |
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Daily luggage transfer |
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Asuka
Head by train from Kyoto or Osaka to Asuka on the southern edge of the Yamato Plain. This peaceful agricultural community is an ideal location to experience the rural lifestyle of the Japanese countryside. We recommend our Asuka Monuments walk for your first day here. The walk gives a perfect introduction to the history and landmarks of the village. Overnight at a minshuku or a friendly family homestay.
Walking distance: 9 km / 5.5 mi (plus optional Iwaido detour)
Elevation gain: 420 m / 1,375 ft of ascent and 425m / 1,390 feet of descent (plus optional Iwaido detour)
Time required: About 4 hours of optional walking
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Hike to Tanzan Shrine
On your second day in Asuka, there is the opportunity to explore the village further. For a more active day, follow our walking directions along the route to Tanzan Shrine. Wind your way along the pretty roads of this agricultural community and then head up along a forest trail to the atmospheric shrine.
Overnight at a minshuku or friendly family homestay.
Walking distance: 13 km / 8 mi
Elevation gain: 530 m / 1,730 ft of ascent; 300 m / 985 ft of descent
Time required: About 5 hours of optional walking
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Hike the Yamanobe no Michi in Nara
This morning you can rent bicycles to visit Asuka’s wonderful terraced rice fields. Afterwards, travel by train to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. Established in 710 and then known as Heijo, Nara abounds in cultural heritage, with many historic treasures and easy access to wonderful nature.
You may instead choose to make an earlier start from Asuka and hike the historic Yamanobe no Michi trail before arriving at your accommodation in Nara this evening, a centrally located Nara hotel.
Walking distance: 16 km / 10 mi
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 5 hours of optional walking
Accommodation: Western-style or Japanese-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Hike the Yagyu Kaido in Nara
Today there is a chance to undertake the Yagyu Kaido hike from Yagyu Village back to Nara, following in the footsteps of warriors who took this route to the sword-making village of Yagyu. The full hike is a challenging 20 km, but we offer a shorter 12 km option from Enjo-ji Temple, too. Both hikes end with a wonderful stroll through Nara Park, with its famous deer and temples. Overnight at a centrally located Nara hotel.
Walking distance: 11.7 km / 7.3 mi
Elevation gain: 240 m / 790 ft of ascent and 535 m / 1755 ft of descent
Time required: About 5 hours of optional walking
Accommodation: Western-style or Japanese-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Enjoy sightseeing in Nara
Explore more of Nara before heading onwards by train. Spend the day visiting important cultural spots including Todai-ji and Horyu-ji temples and visit the carefully preserved Edo-period merchant district of Nara-machi and Isuien Garden.
The tour ends with your train journey back to Kyoto or Osaka. You can use our train tickets to board a morning train, or you can enjoy a full day in Nara and travel onwards in the late afternoon or early evening.
Meals: Breakfast
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