Japan Walking & Hiking Tour
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
Japan Walking & Hiking Tour
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
2025: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
The Alps to Imperial Kyoto
In Japan, the line between ancient and modern is often so blurred that one becomes a traveler through time. Vibrant markets and 7th-century shrines. Alpine hiking and tidy remote tea houses. A world of natural beauty combined with enduring culture—grace and tradition unlike anywhere else.
Highlights
- Visit sacred temples, historic mountain villages and the sublime Kamikochi National Park, one of the country's most celebrated landscapes
- Dive deep into Japanese culture with our local guides as they introduce you to time-honored customs and ceremonies, including a private maiko performance
- Savor the delicate flavors of fresh edamame, mochi, soba noodles and sushi—and sip superb sake at a favorite brewery
- Hike the stunning Alps and stay in a classic ryokan with open-air hot tubs and tatami-matted flooring
StartTokyo
EndKyoto
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Hike amid the ever-changing landscapes of the Japanese Northern Alps • Explore the alpine scenery of Kamikōchi, a spectacular slice of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park • Take in the gorgeous setting of traditional mountain villages • With a backdrop of dense birch and larch forests and soaring snow-blanketed peaks, this area is among Japan's most celebrated • Savor delicious Japanese specialties • Walk along beautifully crafted wooden suspension bridges that span rushing streams.
Nights 1-2
A tranquil retreat nestled in the Hida Mountains featuring rejuvenating onsen (hot spring baths) and beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. (spa)
Days 3-4
Walk on the famed Utsueshijuhatsu Falls trail, where 48 cascading falls await • You're in for a treat with a private sake tasting and brewery tour • Enjoy a relaxing soak in an open-air hot tub (or onsen) • Experience unique hospitality and atmosphere at a superb ryokan.
Nights 3-4
Highlights of this ryokan include exquisite timber architecture, traditional hospitality and natural hot spring baths.
Days 5-6
Explore 17th- and 18th-century merchants' houses and shops in Takayama's old quarter • Peruse the city's bustling street market stalls for a one-of-a-kind souvenir • Take a scenic journey to Kyoto aboard a bullet train • Follow a wooded path along the crystal-clear Kiyotaki River • Visit Buddhist temples and a beautiful Shinto shrine • Partake in a traditional tea ceremony.
Nights 5-6
An intimate Japanese-style haven set along the serene Hozu River and surrounded by woodland. (spa)
Days 7-8
Behold views of Kyoto from a summit above the city • Be entertained by a maiko (apprentice geisha) during a Japanese lunch • Walk through quiet forests and pass by bright orange torii, the iconic gates found at the entrance to sacred Shinto sites.
Night 7
Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Even at five-star, Western-style hotels in Japan, the local preference for ordered, austere aesthetics is prioritized. This means simple rooms with fewer amenities than one might find at a typical Backroads Premiere Hotel and an emphasis on tranquility and refined onsen (Japanese-style spas).
A typical Japanese meal is comprised of several small plates with a range of vegetables, meat and seafood, with a focus on seafood and beef. It is not common in Japanese restaurants to make substitutions and in most cases restaurants do not offer additional choices beyond their set menus. You'll find that Japanese cuisine is not well-suited to celiac or vegetarian diets.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
A tranquil retreat nestled in the Hida Mountains featuring rejuvenating onsen (hot spring baths) and beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. (spa)
Nights 3-4
Premiere Hotel
Highlights of this ryokan include exquisite timber architecture, traditional hospitality and natural hot spring baths.
Nights 5-6
Premiere Hotel
An intimate Japanese-style haven set along the serene Hozu River and surrounded by woodland. (spa)
Night 7
Premiere Hotel
Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
