Best of the Japan Alps & Central Japan Tour
14 Days/12 Nights
- Introduction •
- Itinerary •
- Map •
- Inclusions •
- Gallery
- 2011 Dates & Prices •
- Download Tour PDF •
- Optional Cultural Activities
Best of the Japan Alps & Central Japan 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 lose a day flying to Japan due to crossing the International Date Line, and gain the day back when you fly home. You are met at Tokyo's Narita Airport by a Samurai Tours guide, who escorts you and the group to the ryokan in Tokyo. After checking into the ryokan, we have a relaxing dinner of Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancakes) at a small local restaurant. Dinner at a local restaurant is included.
(Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 3: Tokyo
After breakfast, you will meet with the licensed, English-speaking guide who will escort you by subway to the Tsukiji Fish Market. This market is the largest in the world, and it is estimated that 20% of all of the fish caught in the world passes through this market. Next, we will take the subway to Roppongi Hills, where we will visit the Tokyo City View. From the observation deck on the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Building, you will get a bird's eye view of Tokyo while also getting oriented to Tokyo, and a glimpse as to just how large Tokyo really is. On a clear day you might even see Mt. Fuji. Afterwards, we travel by subway to the famous Ginza district, the most expensive real estate in the world where we will first stop for a lunch of Kushiage (fried meat, fish and vegetables on bamboo skewers). After lunch, you will have some free time to wander through the numerous boutiques and department stores. Or visit the Nissan and BMW showrooms to see the latest auomobile technology. Or explore the Sony Building where you will find many of Sony's products on display, some of which aren't on the market yet. Next, we will travel by train to the Akihabara District. Due to the many large electronics stores, for a long time Akihabara has been known as "Electric Town". But recently, the Akihabara area has become a popular gathering site for "Otaku" (Japanese slang meaning freak, geek or nerd), and has become known as the center of manga, anime and cosplay (costume play) pop sub-cultures. The tour will begin at Yodobashi Camera (the largest electronics store at Akihabara), and then proceed to Radio Kaikan (manga and anime collectibles), Tsukumo Robot Kingdom, canned oden vending machines and Kachapon Kaikan (Over 300 machines selling toys in plastic capsules. Very popular in Japan!) The tour of Akihabara will end after the guide takes you to one of the popular "Maid Cafes" for a relaxing drink and/or snack (not included) and helps you order. In the evening, we will enjoy a Kaitenzushi dinner. (Kaitenzushi literally translates to Sushi-go-round.) The sushi moves by on a conveyor belt, and you grab what looks good. Breakfast at the ryokan, lunch and dinner at a local restaurant included.
(Travel: 1 3/4 Hours; Walking: Heavy)
Day 4: Yamanouchi, Matsumoto
We will travel by Shinkansen, express train and bus to the Yamanouchi area. Here, at the Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley), we will delight in the famous "snow monkeys" of Japan. These monkeys are world-famous for using the hot springs baths. The Red-Faced "snow monkeys" are only found in Japan, and during the entire year, the monkeys enjoy using the baths, just like people. We will return by bus and express train to the city of Nagano, where we will travel by express train to the city of 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. Before leaving Tokyo, you will need to prepare your luggage to transfer to Matsumoto. Breakfast at the ryokan is included.
(Travel: 8 Hours; Walking: Medium)
Day 5: Tsumago
Today we visit the historic village of Tsumago. Tsumago was once a major stop on the Nakasendo, a highway through the Japan Alps. After the Tokkaido Highway was built near the coast, 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. All of the electrical and utility lines have been removed and placed underground. You will feel like you truly stepped into 17th-century Japan. We will tour the Honjin, where the daimyo (feudal lords) would stay, the Wakihonjin where the higher-level samurai would stay and the Rekishi Shiryokan, a museum documenting the history of Tsumago and Kiso Valley (the surrounding river valley). Before returning to back to Matsumoto in the late afternoon, you will have some free time to explore Tsumago on your own. The evening is free back in Matsumoto. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant is included.
(Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Heavy)
Day 6: Matsumoto, Kamikochi
In the morning, we begin at 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. Next we will 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. 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 Takayama, and you will be traveling to Kamikochi with an overnight bag only. Breakfast and Kaiseki-style dinner at the ryokan are included.
(Travel Time: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium)
Day 7: 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 Kaiseki-style dinner at the ryokan are included.
(Travel: To be determined; Walking: To be determined)
Day 8: Kamikochi, Shin Hotaka Onsen, Takayama
After breakfast, we travel by bus to Shin Hotaka Onsen, where, weather permitting, we will enjoy the scenery from the Shin Hotaka Ropeway. From the top of the ropeway at 2,200 meters (about 7,000 feet), you can get a beautiful view of the surrounding Japan Alps. After the ropeway, we will continue 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. Breakfast at the ryokan is included.
(Travel Time: 3 Hours; Walking: Light)
Day 9: 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 day's planned tour ends when the guide takes you to the San Machi Suji district, which consists of merchant homes dating back to the 16th century. The rest of 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. A Kaiseki-style dinner will be served at the ryokan in the evening. Breakfast and Kaiseki-style dinner at the ryokan are included.
(Travel: N/A; Walking: Medium)
Day 10: Shirakawa-go/Kanazawa
After an early breakfast, we take a highway bus to the valley of Shirakawa-go. 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 stop for a short time to tour the open-air museum where you can explore 25 of these traditional farmhouses. Following an enjoyable lunch and some free time to explore in the afternoon, we catch another bus to the city of Kanazawa. Kanazawa, located on the northern coast of Japan, was once controlled by one of the wealthiest families in Japan, the Maeda Clan. They were admirers and sponsors of many traditional arts, and these arts flourished under their sponsorship. Many of these arts are still being practiced today in Kanazawa. Before leaving Takayama, you will need to prepare your main luggage for transfer to Kanazawa. We will be traveling to Kanazawa with an overnight bag only. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant are included.
(Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium)
Day 11: Kanazawa
We begin the day touring the Kenrokuen Garden. This garden is considered to be one of the three best gardens in Japan and was initially constructed in the 17th century. After enjoying the garden, we tour the Kanazawa Handicrafts Museum to learn how the local Kanazawa handicrafts are made. After lunch we will be visiting the Ninja Temple. The name is misleading because it was not associated with Ninjas. The temple was built by the ruling feudal lord family of the Kanazawa area (the Maeda clan), and while not actually associated with ninjas, the temple earned its nicknamed because of its many deceptive defenses. Because the shogun imposed strict building restrictions as one way of weakening his regional lords, the temple was designed to circumvent the restrictions and serve as a disguised military outpost. It was built with considerable defenses and escape routes, hidden tunnels, secret rooms, traps and a labyrinth of corridors and staircases so that its defenders could escape and alert the castle in the event of an attack. The rest of the afternoon is free. Visit the Kutani Pottery Kiln, where you can watch artisans making the local Kutani pottery, noted for its vibrant color-schemes. Tour the Naga-machi District. This area of Kanazawa was the former living quarters of the samurai that served the local warlord in Kanazawa as far back as the 17th century. Visit the Saihitsuan Yuzen Silk Center, where you can observe demonstrations of Yuzen silk painting, a centuries-old technique used for decorating kimonos. Or visit the Higashi-no-Kuruwa pleasure quarter, an active geisha district. A local, licensed, Japanese guide joins us for the day in Kanazawa. A Kaiseki-style dinner will be served at the ryokan in the evening. Breakfast and kaiseki-style dinner at the ryokan are included.
(Travel: 30 minutes; Walking: Heavy)
Day 12: Kyoto
In the morning, we travel by express train to the city of Kyoto. Before leaving in the morning, you will need to prepare your main luggage for delivery to Kyoto. After dropping off the overnight bags at the ryokan and returning to Kyoto station for lunch, we will meet with the licensed, English-speaking guide and travel by subway and taxi to Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto's, as well as Japan's, most recognizable attractions. The gleaming building covered in gold leaf seems to float on the aptly named Mirror Pond, especially on a sunny day. Next, we travel to Nijo Castle by bus. Built in 1603, it was the Kyoto home of Tokugawa Ieayasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun. The outer reaches of the structure, with its double moats, massive walls and watchtowers looks like any other Japanese castle in Japan. The interior is in stark contrast to not only other Japanese castles, but the normally, austere interiors of other Japanese structures in general. The ostentatious style of construction was intended as a demonstration of Ieyasu's prestige, and to signal the demise of the emperor's power. The finest artists of the day filled the castle with delicate transom woodcarvings and paintings by the Kano School on sliding doors. One of the castle's most intriguing features is the so-called "nightingale" floors. To protect the Shogun from real or imagined enemies, these floorboards creak when stepped on. After touring Nijo Castle, we return to the ryokan by bus. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant are included.
(Travel Time: 3 Hours; Walking: Medium)
Day 13: Kyoto
After breakfast, we start the day at Kiyomizu-dera with a local-licensed Japanese guide. Literally translating to "Pure Water Temple", Kiyomizu-dera is located high on a hillside, offering panoramic views of Kyoto. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple was originally established in the eighth century, however, the current buildings date back to the early 17th century. Below the main hall is the Otawa-no-taki (Otawa Waterfall), the name-sake of the temple. There are three streams of water pouring from the hillside. It is believed that drinking the water from these three streams will give you wisdom, health and longevity. However, you can only choose one. To drink more than one is considered greedy. We will then take a leisurely stroll along the San-nen-zaka (Three Year Slope) and Ni-nen-zaka (Two Year Slope) in the Higashiyama District. Here, the narrow, twisting cobblestone-paved alleys lined with shops selling traditional Japanese handicrafts are reminiscent of a time past. After a short taxi ride to downtown Kyoto, you will have an opportunity to walk along the Nishiki-koji Open Air Market. Also known as Kyoto's Kitchen, the Nishiki-koji covered shopping arcade was established 400 years ago. This is where many restaurants and ryokans come to buy that day's meals. While you will probably not recognize many of the foods on sale here, a visit to the market is worthwhile just for the atmosphere, and the many cries of "Irasshimase!" (Welcome!) are heart-warming. There are vendors selling fish, flowers, eggs, pickled vegetables, fruit, vegetables, takeout foods, crafts, specialty foods and much, much more. After a relaxing lunch at a noodle shop, we walk to the Yasaka Shrine district for a tea ceremony. The stylized and regimented Japanese tea ceremony has been performed the same way for over 400 years. Once considered standard training for Samurais, today the tea ceremony is enjoyed by the modern Japanese as a means of relaxation. The English-speaking tea master will explain the history and the concepts behind the tea ceremony. You will also be given an opportunity to make tea yourself. We will then have a walking tour of the Gion and Pontocho Geisha districts, two of the five geisha districts in Kyoto. Later we will walk to a restaurant where we will have our "Sayonara" dinner of shabu-shabu, tempura and sushi. During dinner a "Maiko" (Geisha in training) will join you for a private Maiko dinner party. She will perform a traditional Geisha dance, pose for pictures with you, and answer any of your questions. After returning to the ryokan by taxi, the rest of the evening is free. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch and Kaiseki-style dinner at a local restaurant included.
(Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Heavy)
Day 14: Home
It's time to say, "sayonara" (goodbye). You will be escorted from the ryokan to the Kyoto train station. From there, you will take the Shinkansen and Express train on your own to Tokyo's Narita Airport, or an express train on your own to Osaka's Kansai Airport.
(Travel: 1 to 4 Hours; Walking: Light)