Travelpack

Other Departure: Manchester - £6069pp

Deposit: £350pp/Based on 2 adults sharing

Travel Date: 10 March 2024 (Alternative Dates Available)

Highlights: Tokyo - Nakasendo - Shimanami Kaido - Kyoto- Shingu - Koguchi - Toba - Osaka

Please Note: Regional Departures are Available but will require a pre-stay

Itinerary:
Sun 10 Mar 24 - Tokyo
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Tokyo bursting with contemporary urban culture, this chaotic city has fascinating museums and world-class shopping as well as neighborhoods full of restaurants and karaoke bars. As this trip spends very little time in Tokyo, we recommend you arrive a few extra days before your trip if you want to experience all it has to offer. Your Japan active adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, but before then, you can arrive at any time during the day. If you do have time, you might like to check out the mania of Shibuya Crossing, or stroll around the hip Harajuku neighborhood its up to you! After the meeting, why not get some of your travel crew together for an optional dinner at a local restaurant your group leader will know of some delicious places to go.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
Tokyo - Tokyo After 5 Urban Adventure
Tokyo - Kanpai Tokyo: Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Urban Adventure
Tokyo - A Tour Through Tokyos Kitchen (with World's Largest Fish Market) Urban Adventure
Tokyo - Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities Urban Adventure
Tokyo - Get in the Spirit: Tokyos Temples & Shrines Urban Adventure
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: It's very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Mon 11 Mar 24 - Nakasendo (Hiking)
Say goodbye to Tokyo this morning and hop on a train towards the Nakasendo Way (approximately 3.5 hours). The Nakasendo is a historic network connecting post stations, or shukuba, between Tokyo and Kyoto in the Edo period. Today, you'll tackle a section between two of these post towns Tsumago and Magome. You'll walk a well-maintained and marked trail through the forested countryside and right past traditional houses of the time. Both Tsumago and Magome were towns where weary travelers would rest during their journey along the Nakasendo Way, and tonight you'll get the chance to stay in a local guesthouse in town.
Accommodation
Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
Tsumago - Waki Honjin
Nakasendo Trail - Magome to Tsumago hiking
Meals Included: Dinner
Special Information: Today's hiking distance is approximately 9 kilometers and will take about 2.5 hours at an easy pace. Please note that today you may either stay at Tsumago or Magome depending on the availability of the guesthouses in the area. As you travel on public transport for the next few days, we'll forward your big luggage to Onomichi while you take a smaller bag with you to Tsumago. 1 x piece of luggage is included in our luggage forwarding service. If you have extra luggage you'd like to be forwarded from Tokyo to Onomichi, the cost will be about 1800-2300 JPY depending on the size. Your Leader will be able to advise the exact amount whilst on your trip.

Tue 12 Mar 24 - Nakasendo / Onomichi (Hiking)
An early morning start today takes you on a short hike along another section of the Nakasendo trail to Nagiso station. Then take a regional train plus a shinkansen (bullet train) to Furukawa, connecting to a local train bound for Onomichi (total travel time approximately 5 hours). Onomichi is the beginning of the famous Shimanami Kaido cycling track and the town is associated with a great number of great Japanese literary figures. There are various temples, pagodas, and parks that you can explore on a couple of pleasant walks that connect them, the most popular being Temple Way. After arriving mid-afternoon in the city, you might like to get your cultural fix with a walk along Temple Way, or instead head to Senkoji Park, where you'll get a birds-eye view of the city and the Inland Sea. If you're lucky enough to be in Japan in the springtime, cherry blossoms bloom in the parks here! Tonight, why not head into town and grab a ramen dinner in one of the laneway restaurants these delicious soupy noodles are what Onomichi is known for.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Special Information: The morning hike along the Nakasendo Trail is about 5 km (approx. 1-1.5 hours)

Wed 13 Mar 24 - Shimanami Kaido / Onomichi (Cycling & Kayaking)
Wake up in Onomichi ready to take on a section of the Shimanami Kaido. This 60 km cycle path connects 6 small islands on the Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku. Today, you'll ride across three of the connecting islands, arriving on Ikuchijima around midday. The cycling paths are well established, and you'll pass by cafes, shrines, and small beaches, getting to see the stunning vistas of the dotted islands and tiny fishing villages on the Setouchi Inland Sea. In the afternoon, swap your bike for a kayak and start paddling from the Sunshine Beach area of the island. Later on, catch a ferry back through to Onomichi Port (approximately 40 mins), before a relaxing evening.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Onomichi - Shimanami Kaido cycling
Ikuchijima Island- Sea Kayaking
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: Today's cycling distance is approximately 35 kilometers, and you will stop along the way to visit sections of the islands. The sea kayaking activity will take approximately 1.5 hours.

Thu 14 Mar 24 - Kyoto (Hiking)
Continue your Japanese journey with a local train and Shinkansen to Kyoto (approximately 3 hours). Originally founded as Heian-kyo tranquility and peace capital in AD794, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years before the emperor and government relocated to Tokyo. Because of this, Kyoto is rich in history, with over 2000 temples, shrines, and gardens. After dropping your bags off at the accommodation, head with your group to Fushimi Inari Shrine one of the quintessential images of Japan. Famous for its thousands of reddish-colored torii gates, get lost in one of the networks of trails, and be sure to snap a few artistic shots. Follow your leader to hike up the hill, away from most of the crowds, so you get the best view and most peaceful feel of the place. Later on, join your leader on a visit to the historic Gion area of town, where you might spot a geisha!
Accommodation
Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: The Fushimi Inari hike is a 5 km round trip

Fri 15 Mar 24 - Kyoto (Hiking)
Head with your group to Ginkakuji, also known as the Silver Pavilion. Built more than 500 years ago, this structure, surrounded by intricate Japanese landscape architecture, was modelled off the Golden Pavilion, Kinakuji. From Ginkakuji, get more active for a hike up Mt Daimonji-yama one of the best short hikes in Kyoto. From the top, youll get a panoramic vista of the city and, on a clear day, a view all the way over to Yoshida-yama Hill. Once you're back in town, the afternoon is yours to choose your own adventure, however active or relaxing that may be. Perhaps check out Kyotos Kitchen at Nishiki food markets, take a visit to Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace, or get lost in the zigzagging lanes of the traditional Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka districts. Better yet, rest up in one of the sentos (traditional bath houses) in the city an experience you must have at least once in Japan.
Accommodation
Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Kyoto - Mt. Daimonji-yama hike
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: Today's hike will take approximately 2.5 hours (return).

Sat 16 Mar 24 - Kyoto (Cycling)
It's cycling time again! Pick up your rental bikes and start exploring Kyoto on two wheels. Stop at Tofukuji Temple first, then cycle along the beautiful Kamogawa River to Demachiyanangi, stopping at Daitokuji Temple. Learn about Zen Buddhism and get your zen on here, before hopping back on the saddle and continuing to the Kinkakuji Temple also known as the Golden Pavilion. Finish today's cycling after rejoining with Kamogawa river on the way and back to the bike shop.
Accommodation
Hotel/Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
Kyoto - Kyoto Cycling
Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Kyoto - Daitokuji Temple
Meals Included : There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: Today's cycling distance is approximately 29 kilometers and will take about 8 hours in total.

Sun 17 Mar 24 - Shingu/Koguchi
Swap the bike for Japan's rail network and continue on the train to Shingu. Visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine one of the 3 main shrines that are part of the Kumano Kodo network. After you've had a look around, visit Kamikura Shrine one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Shingu, which has a stunning view over Shingu city and out to the Pacific ocean. Change to a local public bus here to Koguchi, where you will rest for the night and get ready for tomorrow's hike.
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
Shingu - Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine
Meals Included : There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: As you travel on public transport for the next few days, we'll forward your big luggage to Kii Katsuura while you take a smaller bag with you to Koguchi. 1 x piece of luggage is included in our luggage forwarding service. If you have extra luggage you'd like to be forwarded from Kyoto to Kii Katsuura, the cost will be about 1800-2300 JPY depending on the size. Your Leader will be able to advise the exact amount whilst on your trip.

Mon 18 Mar 24 - Koguchi/Kii Katsuura (Hiking)
It'll be an early start, as today you'll hike part of the famous Kumano Kodo, one of the only two World Heritage-listed pilgrim routes in the world. The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that connect three major religious sites known collectively as the Kumano Sanzan. Throughout the centuries, the pilgrim route has been used by imperial families and the nobility, warriors, and common folk as part of their spiritual practice, and reflects a mixture of indigenous Shinto beliefs as well as Buddhist influences. For the first 2.5-3 hours, it's an uphill climb that rises over 800 meters. After reaching the Echizen-toge Pass, follow the forest ridge for another couple of kilometers until you reach the highest point, Funami-jaya Teahouse at 868 m. From here, it is another 4.4 km to Nachi Taisha, which is mostly downhill. Once you've arrived, take a visit to Nachi Taisha another of the 3 Kumano shrines, as well as Nachi Falls. Then, take a bus down to Kii Katsuura for the night.
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
Kumano Kudo - Hiking
Kumano Kodo - Kumano Nachi Taisha
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Special Information: Today's hiking distance is approximately 15 kilometers on mountain trails and will take about 7-8 hours. This is a challenging hike, known to locals as a 'body breaking slope'. If you are not up to the hike today, there's an option to take the local bus to Nachi Falls, explore that area by yourself and meet the group when they get there. Once you start the hike, it will be very difficult to turn back.

Tue 19 Mar 24 - Toba
Take the train to Toba. Toba is the perfect place to wind down after a few days of hard work of hiking, cycling, and kayaking. On arrival, your leader will take you on a short orientation walk in the old town of Toba and give you the option to have a fresh seafood barbecue for lunch oysters, anyone? In the afternoon, visit the famous Mikimoto Pearl Island Museum. Toba's claim to fame is as the birthplace of the cultured pearl industry and here you'll be able to witness how Ama divers (female pearl divers) collect pearls in the traditional way. In the evening, maybe check out the onsen in your hotel there's no better way to relax tense muscles than soaking yourself in hot springs with an amazing view over the bay area.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Toba - Mikimoto Pearl Island Museum
Meals Included: Breakfast

Wed 20 Mar 24 - Osaka
In the morning, hop back on the train and return to Osaka. Arrive in Osaka around lunchtime and go on a walking tour with your leader to the famous Dotombori district which is a popular shopping, food, and entertainment district of the city. At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the famous Glico Running Man sign and Kani Doraku crab sign.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Osaka - Dotombori District walking tour
Meals Included: Breakfast

Thu 21 Mar 24 - Osaka
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time of the day. Hotel check-out time is usually around 10 am, however, if you have later onward connections, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception during the day.
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Offer Includes

Meal Plans