Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail

Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail
Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail


(10 reviews)

From:

CAD $8,010

12 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Easy

Discover Japan on our walking holiday that ticks off the must-sees, explores its beautiful landscapes and takes you off the beaten path, too. See a new side of Tokyo on an urban hike through the sprawling capital before heading into the mountains to uncover relics from the Edo period.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 07 Sep 2025

Experience Overview

Discover Japan on our walking holiday that ticks off the must-sees, explores its beautiful landscapes and takes you off the beaten path, too. See a new side of Tokyo on an urban hike through the sprawling capital before heading into the mountains to uncover relics from the Edo period. Finish up with a four-day hike along the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage trail connecting Shinto shrines. Along the way, refuel with authentic Japanese cuisine and unwind in the onsen at a traditional ryokan.

Nakasendo Way - Hike between historic post towns on a highway once travelled by samurai and itinerant merchants.

Kyoto - Explore the temples and tea houses of Japan's historic capital on foot.

Traditional accommodation - Experience a Japanese rite of passage, sleeping on a futon and washing in a hot spring bath at a traditional ryokan inn.

Highlights

Hike along forested pilgrim trails between ancient shrines|Explore the temples and gardens of historic Kyoto and Nara on foot|Enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine and accommodation

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 20393

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: BoatPublic BusTrain

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Tour OperatorTour Operator: Explore Worldwide

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: WJP

StartStarts: Japan

FinishFinishes: Japan

DurationDuration: 12 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical Rating: Easy

Includes

Explore Tour Leader

Accommodation

  • Sunroute Asakusa Hotel
  • Iroha Grand Hotel
  • Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
  • Yunomineso
  • Hotel & Renta Car 660
  • Shin-Osaka Washington Hotel Plaza

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $8,010 ($668 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1-Join trip in Tokyo; welcome meal

Our tour starts today in Tokyo, Japan's ultra-modern capital. A sprawling metropolis, Tokyo is one of the world's most populous cities and a dazzling blend of traditional culture and all things new. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting. If some of the group are arriving on later flights, the main introductory briefing will take place on the morning of Day 2 with everybody present. After the welcome meeting, we'll head out to dinner (included) at a nearby local restaurant where you'll have the chance to sample various types of 'izakaya' style Japanese cuisine. There are no other activities planned today. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). The city centre is around an hour away from Haneda Airport and one hour and 30 minutes from Narita. For your arrival transfer, you'll be met in the arrivals hall at Tokyo Airport. Please look out for your name on a signboard and/or an Explore signboard. You'll be transferred to the start hotel by public shuttle bus, which may stop at up to two other hotels, before dropping you at the joining hotel where you'll meet the rest of the group. Please note, while our itinerary gives us one full day in Japan's capital, there's a lot to pack in. If you really want to get to grips with Tokyo's sites, we recommend adding additional nights to your trip pre-tour. Japanese hotels have strict rules regarding check in and all customers are required to wait until 3 PM for room access. You will be able to store your luggage while waiting but if you require an early check in, then you should request this at the time of booking. We do not guarantee this will be possible and depending on availability an extra fee will be charged.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Sunroute Asakusa Hotel
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - No
  • Dinner Provided - Yes
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Dinner

2
Day 2-Walking tour of Tokyo including less-visited neighbourhoods

This morning, we'll head out to explore this thriving metropolis on a walking tour that will take in some of the residential and more traditional neighbourhoods of the city - Nippori, Yanesen and Nezu, for a glimpse of life in Tokyo far away from the neon lights of the business district. We'll end up in Ueno with time spare to explore the market and pick up some lunch. The afternoon is left free to explore further. You'll be provided with an IC transport card which gives you unlimited travel on public transport around the city. Possible destinations include the Meiji Shrine and Shinjuku area, where the latest electronic gadgets dazzle from glowing shopfronts, or a boat ride along the Sumida River for a more relaxing experience. Today's walking tour will cover approximately 8 kilometres/5 miles and will take around four hours.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Sunroute Asakusa Hotel
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

3
Day 3-Express train to Matsumoto; visit the impressive castle

We'll depart from Shinjuku train station (reputedly the world's busiest) on a scenic journey through the Japanese Alps to Matsumoto this morning. Flanked on each side by mountains, Matsumoto is best known for its 500-year-old castle - the oldest castle in Japan. Known as 'Crow Castle' due to its black, sombre appearance, it has retained its original wooden interior. The fascinating design includes a moon-viewing pavilion, a hidden floor for the castle's protecting samurai and various booby traps to aid its defence. After exploring the castle and its grounds, we'll have time to stroll through the town's historic quarter. For art lovers, there's also the option to visit the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, which includes collections from local Yayoi Kusama. To make today's journey by train easier, we'll make use of Japan's excellent luggage forwarding services and send our main luggage to Kyoto. You'll need to pack your overnight things in your daypack.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Iroha Grand Hotel
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

4
Day 4-Hike on Nakasendo Way from Magome to Nagiso; bullet train to Kyoto

We'll have an early start this morning as we catch a train to Nakatsugawa. From here, it's a journey of around 30 minutes by public bus to Magome in the tranquil Kiso Valley, running alongside the Central Alps. We'll hike from here along a section of the Nakasendo Way, a historical trail that connected Kyoto to Edo (now modern-day Tokyo). The Nakasendo's origins date back to the Edo Period (1603-1868) when the Japanese Shogun created a comprehensive communications network of roads to help stabilise and rule the country. Towns like Magome and Tsumago, which we'll also pass through on the hike, were post towns, providing accommodation and supplies for travellers on the route, an eclectic mix of soldiers, merchants, and monks among them. These towns have been lovingly preserved to retain their Edo-period details and the streets are lined with traditional wooden buildings. Our hike today takes us on a mainly stone-paved, undulating path through beautiful countryside and small hamlets to Nagiso. We'll catch an express train from Nagiso to Nagoya, then change to the super-fast shinkansen (a.k.a. the bullet train) that speeds us on to our base for the next three nights, the one-time historic capital of Japan - Kyoto. Today's 12-kilometre/7.5-mile walk is expected to take around four hours and 30 minutes with a total ascent of 450 metres/1,476 feet and descent of 610 metres/2,001 feet.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

5
Day 5-Walking in Kyoto including Philosophers Way and temple visits

At the heart of Japanese culture and influence for over 1,000 years, Kyoto was the epicentre of events that shaped the history of Japan. One of the only major cities to survive the extensive bombing of WWII, the Imperial city boasts more than 2,000 temples and shrines, many set in landscaped gardens, making this captivating city the cradle of all things uniquely Japanese. Today, we'll head to the north of the city to spend a full day walking and sightseeing in the Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains. This is one of the city's best-preserved historic districts. Walking among the narrow lanes, wooden buildings, and traditional merchant shops, we can catch a glimpse of what the old capital city must have been like. In the morning, we'll follow the Philosophers Path, along a cherry tree-lined canal, stopping to visit some of the city's most important temples including the Silver Pavilion and the Eikando and Nanzenji temples. The route is named after the influential 20th-century philosopher Nishida Kitaro who walked here in his daily meditation. In the afternoon, we'll continue to the Heian Shrine, a reconstruction of part of the Imperial Palace as it would have looked 1,200 years ago. The shrine is known for its beautiful traditional Japanese garden which contains multiple ponds in which tortoises, egrets, koi carp and other wildlife can be spotted. The remainder of the afternoon is left free. You may choose to visit Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, located just across from Heian. Today's 12-kilometre/7.5-mile walking tour is expected to take around seven hours including time spent sightseeing.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

6
Day 6-Train to Nara; walking tour around the city's parks and temples. Visit Uji green tea growing capital

We'll spend today in Japan's first capital Nara, travelling there by train (in around 50 minutes) and exploring on foot. Perhaps one of Japan's friendliest and greenest cities, Nara sits on the edge of a sprawling park that provides a picture-perfect backdrop for the city's magnificent temples and shrines. Nara is known for the 1,200 deer that roam free in the streets and parks. Believed to be messengers of the gods, the deer are protected by city law. We'll take in the best of the town's sights including the world's largest Bronze Buddha at the magnificent Todaiji temple and the shrine of Kasuga Taisha. Back on the train we next visit Uji, famous for growing the highest quality of green tea, whose finest leaves are milled into a fine powder and used for matcha. We'll visit Byodoin Temple, a striking example of Buddhist Pure Land architecture, which features on the ten yen coin. After a chance to try some matcha sweets and ice cream, we'll return to Kyoto. Today's 10 to 12 kilometre/6.2 to 7.5-mile walking tour is expected to take around six to seven hours including time spent sightseeing.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

7
Day 7-Train to Kii Peninsula; hike through ancient forest to Takahara

Today, we'll head into rural Japan and the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, much of which is covered by dense rainforest. Travelling first by train and then by bus, we'll arrive at the small village of Takijiri-Oji, the starting point for our hike on the Kumano Kodo. Kumano Kodo is the name given to a network of pilgrimage routes that connect three great Buddhist shrines: Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha - known collectively as the Kumano Sanzan. Emanating from these three shrines, various pilgrimage trails trace their way through dense forest and across high mountain passes and stunning valleys, linking the various sacred sites of the area. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004, the Kumano Kodo remain in use as pilgrimage routes to this day. Our hike this afternoon takes us through an ancient forest filled with giant camphor trees and sacred caves to Takahara, a ridge-top settlement at around 300 metres/984 feet known locally as 'Kiri-no-Sato' (village in the mist) thanks to the blankets of mist that create a sea of clouds over the valleys below. After the walk, it's a short drive to our base for the next three nights in Tanabe, a hot spring town located along a river. The Yunomineso is a ryokan where we'll stay in Japanese-style rooms (twin-share or single rooms). The futon beds are rolled out each night on the traditional tatami mat (woven soft igusa straw) flooring. Generally, the rooms are simply decorated with a low table to sit around, a scroll or picture in an alcove and a Japanese tea set. Shoes are taken off in the entranceway to the room. All of the rooms have an en-suite toilet and washbasin. In true Japanese style, bathing is in traditional same-sex communal baths or onsen that are used after washing yourself by hand-held shower in the same communal area. Two private baths can be used if available but cannot be pre-booked. We'll include luggage forwarding today to ship our main luggage to Tanabe. Our bags won't arrive until tomorrow, so you'll need to pack your overnight things in your daypack for the first night in Tanabe. Today's 5 kilometre/3 mile walk is expected to take around two-and-a-half hours with a total ascent of 430 metres and descent of 200 metres.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Ryokan
  • Accommodation Name - Yunomineso
  • Grade - Simple
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - Yes
  • Lunch Provided - Yes
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

8
Day 8-Kumano Kodo walk with sweeping countryside views

This morning, we'll return to Takahara by minibus. We have a longer hike ahead of us to Chikatsuyu, a route that takes us past the ruins of the Uwada-jaya Teahouse and across the Hashiori-toge Pass, with its iconic Gyubadoji statue of one of the first pilgrim emperors. We'll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding countryside from various points along the way and enjoy an included lunch at a rest station en route. Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take around six hours with a total ascent of 590 metres/1,936 feet and descent of 640 metres/2,100 feet.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Ryokan
  • Accommodation Name - Yunomineso
  • Grade - Simple
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - Yes
  • Lunch Provided - Yes
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

9
Day 9-Walk on the Kumano Kodo to Hongu shrine

Today's hike takes us over the mountains from Hosshinmon to the Hongu Taisha, at the very heart of the Kumano Kodo and the region's most important shrine, serving as the head shrine for over 3,000 Kumano shrines across Japan. It's also known for its huge torii gate, the largest in Japan, dwarfing the pilgrims passing under it. After completing today's hike, we'll have the chance to pay a visit to the Hongu World Heritage Centre next to the shrine, an information centre for all things Kumano related which also houses an exhibition on the area. Returning to Kawayu Onsen by bus, we'll have a final chance for a rejuvenating dip in the hot spring waters this evening. Today's 7-kilometre/4.4-mile walk is expected to take around three hours and 30 minutes with a total ascent of approximately 600 metres/1,969 feet and descent of 950 metres/3,117 feet. Please note, it's possible to take a public bus for part of today's route if you'd like to shorten the length of the walk.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Ryokan
  • Accommodation Name - Yunomineso
  • Grade - Simple
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - Yes
  • Lunch Provided - Yes
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

10
Day 10-Kumano River boat trip to Hatayama shrine; train to Kii-Katsuura

We'll take a break from walking today and start the day with a leisurely boat trip along the Kumano River to Hatayama Taisha, the second of the three great Kumano shrines. This is how pilgrims traditionally approached the shrine, which is located near the river mouth. The nature in and around the shrine is an integral part of this grand shrine's precincts and annual rituals. We'll have time to explore here before continuing a short distance by train to our destination for the night, the coastal town of Kii-Katsuura. Once a quiet fishing port, the town's fortunes changed when an abundance of hot springs were discovered here. Kii-Katsuura's other attraction is the early-morning fish market, which you might like to visit tomorrow. Again, our main luggage will be forwarded, this time to Osaka and we'll travel with our day bags today and you'll need to pack your things for an overnight stay.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Hotel & Renta Car 660
  • Grade - Simple
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - Yes
  • Lunch Provided - Yes
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

11
Day 11-Hike to Nachi shrine; train to Osaka

This morning, we'll take a bus to Daimonzaka Chushajo, from where it's around a one-hour walk to the Kumano Nachi Taisha, the last of the Kumano Kodo's three great shrines. This walk takes you part of the way along the Daimonzaka, an impressive 600 metre/1,969 feet cobbled stairway with a total of 267 stairs, lined with towering Japanese cedar and bamboo groves. Nachi Taisha, the culmination of today's walk, boasts a magnificent red pagoda and stands against the striking backdrop of Nachi-no-Otaki, Japan's tallest waterfall. We'll take some time to marvel at this amazing sight before taking the bus back to Kii-Katsuura Station. At the station, we'll hop on the train for a four-hour journey to our final destination, Osaka - Japan's second city. The food capital of Japan, Osaka is one of the best places to get a taste of local cuisine - whether it's octopus balls from a street-side stand, okonomiyaki savoury pancakes (a regional speciality), or some of the best sushi in the world. Today's 3-kilometre/1.9-mile walk is expected to take around one hour with a total ascent of 50 metres/164 feet and descent of 200 metres/656 feet. Please note, our itinerary allows for limited time in Osaka, if you'd like to explore more of the city, we recommend adding additional nights to your trip.
Accommodation:

  • Type - Hotel
  • Accommodation Name - Shin-Osaka Washington Hotel Plaza
  • Grade - Comfortable
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

12
Day 12-Trip ends in Osaka

The trip ends after breakfast this morning at our hotel in Osaka. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Osaka at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from either Kansai International Airport (KIX) which is approximately one hour by train or Osaka International Airport (ITM) which takes around an hour by shuttle bus. The transfer will be unescorted and on public transport (metro and train or airport limousine shared shuttle bus) - your tour leader will give you your tickets and all of the information you need. If you have time to spend here, Osaka has all the galleries and museums you'd expect of a large city including the unusual Instant Ramen Museum where visitors can have a go at creating their own cup noodles! It's also worth taking a walk around the Namba area, one of Osaka's most vibrant and interesting districts where kilometres of covered arcades, crisscrossed by canals and rivers, open up to back streets filled with history and small shops.
Accommodation:

  • Type -
  • Accommodation Name -
  • Grade -
  • All Inclusive - No
  • Any Meal Provided - Yes
  • Breakfast Provided - Yes
  • Dinner Provided - No
  • Lunch Provided - No
  • Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast

Similar Tours

Japan: Koya-san & Kumano Kodo Trek

8 Days from CAD $3,335

Walk the Grampians Peaks Trail

6 Days from CAD $3,010

Japan's Kumano Kodo

14 Days from CAD $5,349

Walk the Nakasendo Trail

11 Days from CAD $6,660

Walk the Kumano Kodo

11 Days from CAD $6,585

Classic Japan

11 Days from CAD $5,112

Premium Highlights of Japan

9 Days from CAD $4,995

Tour Operator

Explore Worldwide

A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.

In Business Since 1981

Reviews

 

Judy   -  Traveled, May 2025

This trip revealed several layers of Japan’s historical and current urban and natural landscapes, all under the expert guidance of our enthusiastic tour leader, David Lam. David was exceptionally well organized, always had a Plan B option (rarely needed), took us to neat restaurants (e.g., savory Japanese pancakes at Okonomiyaki Ranban in Wakayama), and clearly enjoys being a guide and showing off Japan to newcomers. He set up a WhatsApp page for our group at our first meeting, and it was a great resource for logistical info, weather updates, and for us to post photos and notes of the trip. Our group of 10 participants (from four countries) spanned a nearly 50-year age range, and everyone got along remarkably well. The last four full days of the trip were my favorite. I loved being out in nature on our hikes of the Kumano Kodo trail, which were led by Jennifer Fujino and her assistant guides (including Asai Tomoko) on separate days (David stayed with us, too). Jennifer told us several stories of this pilgrimage route and the religious beliefs that people continue to practice in this area. On the trail, we listened to a variety of songbirds and saw snakes, frogs, little orange crabs, and lush vegetation in this beautiful area; we even tried forest bathing! I also liked going on a small boat ride of the Kumano River to Hatayama Shrine on Day 10 of the trip. We had our most spectacular weather on Day 11, which included visiting the Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, adjacent Seiganto-ji Temple, and Nachi-no-Otaki waterfall (Japan’s tallest). After a scenic (but stuffy) train ride to Osaka, we continued the fun on Day 11 with an interactive dinner at a small Korean BBQ (where we cooked our meat/seafood on a little grill in front of us). Afterwards, we happened upon a Buddhist fire ceremony, and we ended the evening in the Namba entertainment district, which was full of bright lights, oversize sea creatures scaling buildings, and an abundant supply of multi-flavor KitKats that I bought to bring home to friends. As much as I liked this trip, there were a few things I was not as keen on: 1) I personally could have skipped Tokyo or spent less time there as I am not a big city person; my single room at the Sunroute Asakusa Hotel was a dismal cracker box with a running toilet that the hotel staff did not care to fix (jiggling the handle worked for a while), and the breakfast was not very good (I picked up grocery items at a nearby supermarket for my 2nd breakfast); 2) we went to a lot of shrines and temples, and I would have appreciated scaling that back some to go on more nature hikes; and 3) as a retired scientist, I have some strong opinions about the unsustainably large population of protected sika deer, considered sacred, in Nara. These deer are being treated like petting zoo animals, instead of wild animals, and I observed several deer aggressively chasing or biting the clothing of tourists who were not giving them enough of the special crackers one can purchase to feed them. These deer can transmit several diseases to humans, including Lyme disease from ticks that may travel from the deer to someone petting or hugging it. Explore guides should inform participants of these risks and insure that they wash their hands after touching the deer. On a positive note, it was a heartwarming moment to see a baby fawn being born and later taking its first steps at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/09/2025

 

Lisa   -  Traveled, May 2025

Japan's culture, people, and exquisitely prepared food make Japan a must-visit destination. Our guide, David Lam made our trip extra memorable. David's local expert knowledge, excellent communication and organization skills greatly enhanced our experience.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/02/2025

 

David   -  Traveled, May 2025

Good mix of touristic sightseeing and trail hiking. Public transport was extremely efficient and well-organised. Tour leader David Lam was absolutely excellent, knowledgeable about the temples, shrines, Japanese culture and history, very efficient at logistics, and just an all round nice guy. Pace of trip was not too frantic, so lots of free time to explore or relax.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/01/2025

 

Paul   -  Traveled, May 2025

Great trip with an excellent tour leader and local guides. The highlight for me was the trek on the Kumano Kodo trail and visiting the Shrines and Temples. Food was great too.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/02/2025

 

Anonymous   -  Traveled, May 2025

Nice walk in the Nakasendo trail and The Kumano trail. The walk in Nakensado could be longer, 2 days for example; the day in this portion of the trip feels like a long day train trip between Matsumoto and Kyoto. One more day in the trail of the Kumano would have been nice also. It feels like I missed something in Kyoto, Gion for example or the bambou forest but with the amount of tourists in this region it might be the reason why it is shorted down Kyoto. Be prepared to eat fish…..

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/20/2025

 

  -  Traveled, December 2024

It was good but not great. There could have been more walking particularly on Nara day. It would have been great to have had a Japanese guide rather that a local to explore the culture more. Kii katsura was the worst hotel that we stayed at whilst in Japan for a month,

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/04/2024

 

Brian and Diana Kelly.   -  Traveled, October 2024

Started our dream knowing we wanted to do some walking in Japan not quite realising that the whole experience would be so much better than our dreams. The combination of our tour guide, David Lam, Explore and a fabulous group of people made for a wonderful experience full of surprises and bonuses that far surpassed what we had been dreaming of. David our tour leader was exceptional - thorough, considerate, punctual and knowledgeable and made the trip not just a holiday but an exceptional experience for our first trip to Japan. Thank you David Lam Thank you Explore and Thank you to our fellow participants, now friends.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/12/2024

 

Anonymous   -  Traveled, November 2024

Our Explore Japan walking trip was amazing, made even better by our fantastic guide, David Lam. We enjoyed tours of common sights and lesser known areas, experienced traditional food and local delicacies, hiked well known routes and those off the beaten track. Our guide offered amazing optional sights and dinners, provided great regional knowledge and was essential for navigating transportation. A dream vacation come true!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/14/2024

 

Jane   -  Traveled, October 2024

A packed itinerary that ran like clockwork due to David's organisational skills. David also included optional highlights and booked meals for anyone in the grouo to join in with, which enhanced our experience. Japan is an amazing country, this trip gives a good introduction with the variety and contrast of cities and countryside.. The Ryokan experience was great with the Onsen a must! A great trip, great group of fellow travellers and a great guide with good local knowledge Would reccomend, but bear in mund it is a full on trip!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/12/2024

 

Susan  -  Traveled, November 2024

The Walk Japan tour was excellent in many ways. I learned so much about Japan history, culture and modern day life. David Lam, our tour guide, was very organized, communicated very well keeping us informed and on schedule. The accommodations were comfortable and in good locations, especially the hotel in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. Hiking the Kumano Kodo trails and our stay at the onsen were highlights.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/14/2024

Download a personalized trip brochure!

Why Choose Us?

We Work for You

Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!

Our Products

We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.

Escapes Cares

We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.