Experience Overview
It’s easy to forget that Japan stretches over 2,000 miles, and there’s way more to explore beyond the typical tourist spots. This 10-day island-hopping adventure kicks off in Kyoto before heading southwest to the paradise of Ishigaki Island. After soaking in the history and charm of Kyoto, make your way to Okinawa for thrilling day hikes, sea kayaking, and cycling through Yambaru National Park, Taketomi, and Iriomote Islands. Recharge with Okinawa’s famous lifestyle and delicious cuisine — known for helping locals live some of the longest, healthiest lives on the planet. Get ready to explore Japan in a whole new way.
Highlights
- Trek through Kyoto on the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine hike
- Kayak to white sand islands off the coast of Yanbaru National Park
- Ride on a traditional Sabani boat through the crystal blue water of Okinawa.
Trip Details
Product Code: 20551
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Plane, local train, walking, private vehicle, gondola, public bus, bicycle, local metro.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Active
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: AJIN
Starts: Kyoto, Japan
Finishes: Ishigaki, Japan
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Kurama to Kibune trek & shrine visits
- Fushimi Inari Taisha hike
- Ibe-dake Forest Trail Trek
- Yasuda Sea Kayaking excursion
- Traditional Sabani Boat tour
- Taketomi island cycling excursion
- Mangrove kayak and hike on Iriomote Island
- Internal flights
- All transportation to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel (9nts).
- 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
- Plane, local train, walking, private vehicle, gondola, public bus, bicycle, local metro.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4929 ($493 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Kyoto
Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome briefing and an optional dinner in Kyoto.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Day 2: Kyoto
Start your Kyoto based explorations with one of the iconic hikes outside the Kyoto downtown area. Hike from Kurama village to Kibune-two villages that mark the start and endpoint of the hike. As you wind your way through the canopied forest, visit the Yuki shrine and Kurama-dera temple.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Transfer by train and subway to Kurama Station and begin your CEO-led hike. Walk between these two picturesque, quaint villages in the Kitayama Mountains and follow the stone steps up into the verdant, mist-shrouded forests. Pass through the highland and visit smaller temples and search for spring water outlets flowing down the trail. Stop along the way at the Kurama-dera Temple—located atop the mountain with stunning views of the countryside, Yuki Shrine, Maoden, ending at Kibune Shrine. The total hike time will be 2.5 hours for a total of 3.9km and a total elevation gain of 584m.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Day 3: Kyoto
The final day in Kyoto begins with the iconic visit to Fushimi Inari shrine. Walk for around 2 hours under the vibrant torii gates as you make your way along the various trails. Although this is a popular activity, it's worth it for the expansive views across Southern Kyoto.
Spend the afternoon at leisure in Kyoto.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Hike up Fushimi Inari through 10,000 stunning torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha). The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area. The hike up is about 2 hrs.Free_time - Enjoy a free afternoon in the beautiful town of Kyoto.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Day 4: Kyoto to Yanbaru National Park
Let the island hopping begin. Board a domestic flight bound for Naha airport, in Okinawa. Naha is the main gateway for travelers in and out of Okinawa. Upon arrival, hop onto a private transport and make your way north towards Yanbaru National Park. This area is not popular on the tourist route due to its more remote location, and indeed feels a bit like a hidden gem.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Free_time - Spend a free evening after arriving to Okinawa.Accommodation - Ada Garden Hotel
Day 5: Yanbaru National Park
Embark on a guided walk through part of Yambaru Forest, spotting native flora and fauna on the Ibe-dake Forest Trail Trek. After a picnic lunch, head towards to the seaside and join your local guide on a guided sea kayaking excursion to Yasuda island. After a busy day, enjoy a dinner out together.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Trek along the Ibe-dake forest path through the Special Wildlife Protection Area and learn about the history and ancient wisdom of protecting this precious forest.Activity - Kayak to the uninhabited island of Yasuda off the coast of Yanbaru. Taking about 30 minutes one way, we'll glide over pristine reef and through crystal clear water, clear enough to see the colorful coral and bright fish. Explore Yasuda island's white sand and relax on the beach, where sea turtles sometimes visit, before paddling back to the coast.Accommodation - Ada Garden Hotel
Day 6: Kunigami/Ishigaki
Another day, another island. Today, head even further south to Ishigaki island. Still part of Okinawa, Ishigaki technically sits closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan. Join your CEO and fellow travelers for a delicious dinner sampling famous Okinawan ryōri (food).
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Free_time - Spend a free evening in Ishigaki before a group dinner.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 7: Ishigaki
In the Hirakubo Peninsula in northern Ishigaki, hop aboard a Sabani, the traditional Okinawan sailboat, and cruise along the shores of the peninsula. Hop into the water to snorkel if you choose, or just admire the stunning untouched environment. These boats are hand carved in the traditional way from hollowed logs, and only hold 6 persons per boat. Enjoy this rare opportunity to enjoy a piece of Okinawan cultural heritage. During the paddle, we'll jump out of the boat for a chance to snorkel out above the coral reef.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Climb aboard a traditional wooden Sabani Boat. Local to Okinawa, we'll sail in this dugout-cedar boat and have a chance to snorkel in the blue water through colorful reefs.Activity - Jump out of the traditional Sabani boat with a snorkel mask and fins.. Glide above the tropical coral reefs and admire the colorful life below the sea. Your sabani boat guide will point out some of the amazing things you may see like puffer fish, sea stars or maybe even a sea turtle!Free_time - Spend your afternoon at leisure in the Ishigaki Port area.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 8: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
The island hopping continues as you head west again towards Iriomote island. Spend the day kayaking in a mangrove area, spotting birds and local flora you can only find in this area. After an epic day exploring the island, choose to join your CEO and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner back in Ishigaki.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Glide through the Mangrove forest waterways in a kayak and learn about the importance of these amazing trees. You'll have the chance to observe the unique wildlife that the Mare and Hinai Rivers' ecosystem supports.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 9: Taketomi Island
Just off the coast of the Ishigaki Port area is Taketomi Island, part of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Surrounded by coral reef, the island is actually constructed of coral walls and structures, creating a unique architectural look within Japan. The central Ryukyu village is the most well known feature of the island, full of red tiled roof buildings and tropical flowers. There are plenty of ways to explore Taketomi, but in true G Adventures style we opt for a bicycle to be able to zip around and see as much as possible.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Activity - Hop on a bicycle and explore Taketomi's noteworthy stops. Starting at the Yugafu-kan cultural center, we'll then bike to Nishi Pier for a perfect view of the sea, to the white sands of Kondoi Beach for a swim and a snorkel, and to the traditional village of Taketomi. This tour will bring you to experience the picturesque beaches of the island and its well preserved history.Accommodation - Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki
Day 10: Ishigaki
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Andreas - Traveled, September 2024
It was all we expected and really enjoyed it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/06/2024
Tyler - Traveled, September 2024
Tour group was fantastic. Emi the tour guide was so helpful, went above and beyond. Felt like you were with friends rather than a stranger. The hostels and other living arrangements were very nice, not at all like the reputation that hostels have in the rest of the world. Emi, the tour guide offered so many extra things to do for the group. Tea ceremonies, ninja experiences, etc. She also gave some great recommendations for places to go and things to do on your own. Two of my favorite things I did on this trip, the Kabuki theatre and the sanjusangendo temple, were her recommendations. The only thing I regret is not going on the longer tour so I could have more fun with the group. The description on the site does not do the tour justice. This tour is great for making new friends and having fun experiences in Japan.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
YOLANDE - Traveled, August 2024
Itinerary was good but woul be better with an extra day or 2 to really appreciate the places especially Koyosan and Hakone. Our guide was super! Helpful and pleasant he was a source of knowledge and looked after us.Hotels were generally okay to good. The activities were interesting but perhaps have some extra pay extra such as a cooking class. Maybe explain beforehand about the luggage packing for the night and next day. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is physically fit as there is much walking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/06/2024
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