Back Door to the Japan Alps Tour
15 Days/13 Nights
- Introduction •
- Itinerary •
- Map •
- Inclusions •
- Gallery
- 2010 Dates & Prices •
- 2011 Dates & Prices •
- Download Tour PDF
- Optional Cultural Activities
Back Door to the Japan Alps Tour Detailed Itinerary
| Walking Level | Distance |
|---|---|
| Light | 0-2 miles in flat areas or 0-1 miles in hilly areas or with many stairs |
| Medium | 2-4 miles in flat areas or 1-3 miles in hilly areas or with many stairs |
| Heavy | 4-6 miles in flat areas or 3-5 miles in hilly areas or with many stairs |
Day 1: To Japan
Depart Home for Tokyo's Narita Airport.
(Travel: 12 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 2: Arrive Tokyo
You will lose a day flying to Japan due to crossing the International Dateline, and gain the day back when you fly home. You will be met at Tokyo's Narita airport by a Samurai Tours guide, who will escort you to the hotel in Tokyo. (Because of the lack of ryokans in the Shinagawa area, we will be staying at a western-style hotel.) After checking into the hotel we will have our welcome/orientation dinner. Dinner at the hotel included.
(Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 3: Travel to Magome
Before leaving Tokyo, you will need to prepare your luggage to transfer to Matsumoto. We start the day by traveling by Shinkansen (bullet train), express train and bus to the city of Magome. Magome and Tsumago were once major stops on the Nakasendo, a major highway through the Japan Alps built in the late 16th century. After the Tokkaido Highway was built in the early 17th century near the coast, Magome, Tsumago and the other towns along this highway became ghost towns. Tremendous efforts have been made recently to rebuild the memory and feel of these old settlements. After arriving in Magome and checking in, we will tour the Toson Memorial Musuem which documents the life of the writer Shimazaki Toson who became well-known in Japan writing about the city of Magome. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the town of Magome. Breakfast at the hotel, bento box lunch and dinner at the ryokan included.
(Travel: 3 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 4: Walk to Tsumago
After breakfast at the ryokan, we will arrange to have our overnight bags delivered from Magome to Tsumago (you will walk with day bags only), and we will walk the 5 miles from Magome to Tsumago along the route of the old Nakasendo highway. The old highway winds through quaint neighborhoods, old forests, along mountain streams and waterfalls as it makes it way to the historic city of Tsumago. There are even sections of the original highway still remaining. (For those who are unable to walk this far, you can take the bus either from Magome to Tsumago, or there is a bus available from the half-way point of the walk to Tsumago. All of the electrical and utility lines have been removed and placed underground in Tsumago. You will feel like you truly stepped into 17th-century Japan and Tsumago is often used for filming period movies and television shows. We will tour the Wakihonjin Okuya where the retainers of the feudal lord's party would stay, and the Honjin, where the feudal lords would stay. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the picturesque and charming village of Tsumago before checking into our ryokan. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan is included.
(Travel: 3 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy)
Day 5: Travel to Matsumoto
After breakfast at the ryokan, we travel by express train to Matsumoto. From the moment you step off the train and hear the announcement "Matsumotooooo," you will recognize you are someplace special. Matsumoto is unique because of its many beautiful Edo-period (17th-to-19th-century) Kura (warehouses) with their striking black-and-white contrasting latticework. Today these warehouses house restaurants and shops. After checking into the ryokan, we visit the Japan Ukiyoe (Woodblock Print) Museum. The museum is devoted to the widely popular woodblock prints of 17th- and 18th-century Japan. The family that owns the museum has more than 100,000 prints that are rotated monthly. There is also an excellent demonstration of how woodblock prints are made. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant included.
(Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Light)
Day 6: Matsumoto
In the morning, we tour the famous Matsumoto Castle. This beautiful castle is also known as Crow Castle because of its stark black walls. The castle was first built in 1504 and remodeled into its current form at the turn of the 17th century. Climbing to the top of the main tower, you will have a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon we will visit the nearby Daio Wasabi Farm. Here you can learn more about this Japanese condiment staple, while enjoying the many foods flavored with wasabi including ice cream. The farm is also famous for its river that flows though the farm with many watermills. The river appeared in the 1990 film, Dreams, by Akira Kurosawa in a segment called the "Village of the Watermills." Breakfast at the ryokan included.
(Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium)
Day 7: Yudanaka Onsen, Obuse, Nagano
We start the day by traveling to Yudanaka Onsen by trains and bus. Yudanaka Onsen in many ways is a smaller version of Yellowstone National Park, with its bubbling, steaming and sulfurous vents and pools. Here, we will delight in the famous "snow monkeys" of Japan. These Red-Faced "snow monkeys" only found in Japan, are world-famous for using the hot springs baths located in and around Yudanaka Onsen just like people. After visiting with the snow monkeys, we will visit the small, quiet village of Obuse. Obuse is where Hokusai, the famous wood-block artist spent his last years. Hokusai's "The Wave" is perhaps the most famous wood-block print and is practically synonymous with Japan. We will visit the Hokusai Museum documenting Hokusai's time in Obuse, but first we will stop at a local sake brewery where you can sample the local brew while enjoying lunch. After lunch, you can enjoy one of the local-specialty sweets made from horse chestnuts at one of the shops nearby. Later in the afternoon, we will return to Matsumoto by trains. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant included.
(Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Medium)
Day 8: Matsumoto, Travel to Kamikochi
The morning is free to explore the many warehouses. In the afternoon, we travel to Kamikochi by train and bus along an incomparable scenic route. Kamikochi, in the middle of the beautiful Chubu-Sangaku National Park, is only open from late-April until October because of the almost 30-feet of snow that falls in this area of Japan during the winter. As you approach Kamikochi, the valley opens onto a row of towering mountains, with the icy Azusa River flowing through the middle of the valley. In the morning before checking out, you will need to prepare your main luggage for transfer to Hirayu Onsen, and you will be traveling to Kamikochi with an overnight bag only. Breakfast and dinner at ryokan included.
(Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 9: Kamikochi
You may choose to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area on this free day. Or there are numerous gentle trails in the valley, and there are also many trails leading to the surrounding mountains for the more adventurous. After a hard day of hiking, you can unwind at the outdoor natural mineral baths at the ryokan. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan included.
(Travel: 2 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy)
Day 10: Travel to Hirayu Onsen
After breakfast, we travel by bus to Hirayu Onsen. It is said that Hirayu Onsen was first discovered by Takeda Shingen (the main character in the Akira Kurosawa movie Kagemusha - The Shadow Warrior is based on Takeda Shingen) when he was led there by a white monkey. The afternoon is free to enjoy the numerous outdoor baths, some along the mountain stream running through the middle of the onsen. You can walk to the 64 meter high Hirayu-otaki waterfall, or visit the Hirayu Folklore Museum in a straw house. This museum is unique because of its attached open-air bath. Or you can take the bus to Shin-Hodaka Onsen where you can ride the ropeway for a view of the surrounding mountains. Breakfast and dinner at ryokan included.
(Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Light
Day 11: Travel to Shirakawa-go
Today we travel to the valley of Shirakawa-go by two buses. Shirakawa-go is the home of many Gassho-zukuri (Praying Hand) style homes, which have been moved here from the surrounding area. These homes were first used as far back as the 18th century and are still being used today. We will get a chance to experience staying overnight in one of these thatched-roof homes. After arriving in Shirakawa-go, we will tour the Myozenji temple, built in the same style of architecture as the surrounding homes. We will also tour the Wada Home, the largest home in Shirakawa-go, as well as the Shirakawa-go Open Air Museum where 25 buildings from the surrounding area have been relocated. Before leaving Hirayu Onsen, you will need to prepare your luggage for delivery to Takayama. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan included
(Travel: 2 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 12: Travel to Takayama
After breakfast, we travel by by bus to Takayama. Takayama, in the middle of the Japan Alps, with its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, has managed to retain its traditional charm. After checking in, we visit the Sanmachi-suji district of Takayama, which consists of merchant homes dating back to the 16th century. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant included.
(Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Medium)
Day 13: Takayama
This morning will be spent at the farmer's market strolling past the vegetable stands and stalls selling herbs, pickles, and souvenirs. Be sure to sample the numerous options as we go. Afterwards, we will tour the Takayama-jinya, which was the governing office of Takayama and the surrounding area since the early 17th century. The afternoon is free to roam and explore Takayama. Visit the many temples and shrines, museums, rummage through antique shops, or relax at one of the sake breweries. Before leaving for the day, you will need to prepare your luggage for delivery to Tokyo. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan is included.
(Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Heavy)
Day 14: Return to Tokyo
We return to the Shinagawa area of Tokyo by express train and Shinkansen. In the evening we will have our "Sayonara" dinner. Breakfast at the ryokan and dinner at a local restaurant is included.
(Travel: 5 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 15: Sayonara
It's time to say Sayonara. You will travel by express train to Tokyo's Narita Airport for your flight home. (You will have time to tour around Tokyo before having to leave.) Breakfast at the hotel included.
(Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Light)