

Daily Mileage: 2-6 Miles Daily
8 Days
Starting From
$7,598
10 Days
Starting From
$8,648
per person, double occupancy
Want more from your experience?
Add an ExtensionTradition permeates Japanese life. You’ll find it in the precise choreography of a tea ceremony or the colorful, stylized theatricality of a geisha at your ryokan (traditional inn) in Kyoto. Step onto Japan’s ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail and you’ll sense it all around you. In centuries past, Japanese emperors walked this route from temple to temple, seeking transcendence through physical exertion. Now you’ll follow in their footsteps, climbing timeworn stone staircases through forests dense with ferns and moss, watched over by jizo, Japan’s guardian deity of travelers. Enlightenment still lies around every bend, as simple as sunlight filtering through massive cedars—or the hot-spring-fed onsen baths and exquisitely presented organic meals that greet you every evening of this Japan walking tour.
Itinerary
Sat, Oct 22 to Mon, Oct 31 - 2022
Show Itinerary:
All you have to do is get to the airport. On our Flight + Tour Combos, we’ll take care of the rest, handling all the logistics, so you can travel with peace of mind. Spend your first night aloft and arrive refreshed for an unforgettable trip.
A Country Walkers representative will greet you at the airport to start your adventure off right. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your hotel in Kyoto. From your centrally located hotel, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Gion District; 5 to 6 miles, easy
After enjoying an included breakfast, your guides meet you in the lobby of The Celestine Hotel Gion at 9:00 a.m. They will be wearing Country Walkers shirts. After a brief introduction to the group, your adventure begins. Please be dressed for walking.
Your Japan walking tour begins in Kyoto, now Japan’s seventh-largest city and the imperial capital for more than 1,000 years. Kyoto is considered the repository of Japan’s most important and stunning historical sites—gardens, temples, palaces, traditional neighborhoods—preserved over the centuries, surviving both natural disasters and war. Many of these sites are accessed via foot or subway (often the fastest and most efficient form of transportation within Kyoto)—offering an authentic immersion in Japanese daily life.
You begin your exploration of this fascinating city with a tour of the 17th-century Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the former residence and seat of power of the Tokugawa shoguns. One of the best examples of Japanese feudal architecture, the castle is protected by several rings of defensive moats and walls. The central Ninomaru Palace boasts five separate buildings and is known especially for its “nightingale floor” alarm system that squeaks like a flock of birds when walked upon. Beautifully painted sliding doors by artists of the Kano school separate the many rooms lining the palace’s polished wood corridors.
After lunch in Gion, you continue to Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is known for its rows and rows of vermilion torii (gates) that snake up the hillside to the upper levels. This evening, your formal welcome is a private dinner hosted in a local ryokan (traditional inn), where you are attended by a maiko (apprentice geisha), geiko (full-fledged geisha), and a shamisen (a three-stringed traditional musical instrument) player.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5 miles, easy
This morning begins with a guided walking tour of the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, whose narrow lanes are lined with wooden houses, traditional shops, and restaurants. You’ll stroll the tranquil, cherry tree-lined “Philosopher’s Path,” a favored place of the famous philosopher Nishida Kitaro. Afterward, make your way to Nanzen-ji Temple, a large complex in Kyoto’s forested Higashiyama hills. Originally an emperor’s retirement villa, it became a Zen temple in the 13th century and has a number of gardens and sub-temples throughout its extensive grounds. Here, you’ll also find a perfect example of a meditative Zen rock garden, with carefully raked stones and a mini landscape, overlooked by a covered viewing walkway for seated contemplation. Next you enter the bustling Nishiki Market in the center of Kyoto, a centuries-old covered shopping street with a wide range of Japanese foods offered from minuscule stalls and full-sized shops. It’s the perfect chance to try the variety of Japanese snacks—some sweet, some salty, some both!
Later, a visit to Murin-an, a modern Japanese garden masterpiece constructed between 1894-1896. Designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1951, you’ll have the chance to participate in a tea ceremony. You’ll learn about this ritual, one that is central to Japanese culture, with its precise steps, particular type of tea, and beautifully minimalist pottery from a local tea master. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon with time to enjoy its facilities before dinner on your own, choosing from one of the many restaurants in town.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
5 miles, easy
Your day begins with a transfer of about one hour by private coach to the historical city of Nara. Boasting eight sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, after Kyoto, Nara is the Kansai region’s second city of immeasurably valuable historic treasures. Although Nara served as Japan’s first imperial capital only briefly (from 710 to 784), this short period saw a flourishing of artistic expression and an influx of Buddhism from China—still visible today in its many temples and shrines. Its location and history also saved Nara’s structures from the many manmade and natural disasters that destroyed other parts of Japan. Todai-ji Temple, defined by superlatives—the world’s largest bronze statue and, until recently, the world’s largest wooden structure—is truly awe-inspiring in scale and artistry. Also within the Todai-ji compound is tranquil Nigatsu-do Hall, where an annual Buddhist rite has been performed since the year 752. Afterward, you stroll through Nara’s famous park, where mixed forest and open meadow extend broadly over a hill, sharing its trails with a thousand-plus tame deer. These creatures are considered messengers of the deity of the nearby Kasuga Taisha Shrine and are revered as national treasures. Return to your hotel with time to enjoy its elegant atmosphere and relax with tea or a cocktail in the inviting bar before gathering for dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4 miles, moderate, 820 ft. ascent and 165 ft. descent
You depart this morning for a three-hour drive via private coach to the Kii Peninsula, the region stretching south of Nara. Your destination is the beginning of the Nakahechi Route—part of the network of ancient pilgrimage trails known as the Kumano Kodo, or Kumano Ancient Trail.
Along with the Camino de Santiago, these are the only two historical routes that are UNESCO World Heritage sites in their entirety. The Kumano Kodo grew from the 11th-century pilgrimages made by emperors from Kyoto. A landscape of verdant slopes, lush deep valleys, and rushing streams, Kumano—part of the mountainous Kii Peninsula—has been a sacred site associated with nature worship since prehistoric times. A tradition of pilgrimages grew out of the Shugendo religion that appeared here in the 7th century. Drawing from aspects of imported Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism along with native Shintoism, Shugendo practitioners believed that physical endurance was the path to enlightenment, and embarked on long hikes in remote mountains and other physical tests. Along the way, you’ll see jizo (small statues) that were erected over the many centuries to protect travelers along the earthen, and sometimes stone-cobbled, path. Nowadays, the walking routes are more accessible, and walking distances can be customized with transportation. Today, you follow the pilgrimage route from the small village of Chikatsuyu to Kobiro Touge, through forests of sugi (Japanese cedar). Your Japan hiking tour has you ascending on the trail to Nonaka and Tsugizakura-oji, one of the many small shrines along the route, before finishing at Kobiro Touge. In addition to the small shrines and torii gates, you’ll pass the sites of old cha-ya (teahouses), which served as rest stops for pilgrims right up until the early 20th century. After the walk, travel to your intimate inn in Takahara, renowned for its unsurpassed views.
Experience genuine Japanese hospitality at a multi-course evening meal of locally sourced organic ingredients—dishes of grilled fish and meat, vegetables, pickles, rice, and miso soup served in a myriad of pottery and lacquerware. A soak in the hot-spring baths is the perfect way to relax after the walk and the day’s travels.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4 miles, easy to moderate, 395 ft. ascent and 1,180 ft. descent
Awakening to mountain serenity and a traditional breakfast, you travel to Hosshinmon-oji. Here, you’ll pick up the Kumano Kodo trail to walk the final scenic section to Hongu Grand Shrine, first passing through several ridgetop villages. The symbol of Hongu Grand Shrine is the mythological three-legged raven, which represents the three shrines that pilgrims were required to reach for their pilgrimage to be considered complete: the Hongu, Nachi, and Hayatama. According to the legend, the three-legged bird was sent to guide Emperor Jimmu on his journey from Kumano to the Yamato Plain.
Today, you may have the opportunity to meet a yamabushi—a priest of the Shugendo faith who will share some of the tenets of the faith, including their special feats of endurance. Time permitting, we will also walk to the Oyunohara torii gate that marks the ceremonial approach to the shrine. After visiting the shrine, a short drive returns you to your inn in Takahara, where you may wish to enjoy a pre-dinner soak in the hot-spring baths while taking in the stunning surrounding vistas.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3 miles, easy to moderate, 600-ft. descent
Following a satisfying breakfast, you’ll travel to the Kumano River, where you board a private boat to embark on a 90-minute gentle float trip in a traditional wooden flat-bottom boat. Running the length of the Kii Peninsula, pilgrims used this route in medieval times to get from the Hongu Grand Shrine to the Hayatama Grand Shrine (one of the three required pilgrim destinations) at Shingu on the coast. The river is considered sacred, and you are sure to gain a unique perspective of the Kumano Kodo’s spiritual landscape as you admire the gorgeous surrounding scenery
After you leave the boat, another short drive brings you to Maruyama Senmaida; this is an impressive system of terraced rice fields developed by farmers over more than 200 years. Descend a narrow road among the small pools, learning about rice cultivation along the way. A fitting picnic beside the rice paddies includes onigiri (rice balls with fish, vegetables, or seaweed), local homemade pickles, and green tea. In the later afternoon, return to your ryokan with time to relax before dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2 to 3 miles, easy
Depart Takahara this morning and travel approximately three hours to Mount Koya. At an elevation of almost 3,000 feet, this group of eight peaks, high in the mountains of Wakayama between the Kumano Kodo and Osaka, is a popular day-trip destination for many Osakans. The sprawling Mount Koya temple complex, founded in the 9th century by the priest Kobo Daishi, is the center of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. It has grown into a town with over 100 temples, a university, and a large historical cemetery full of fascinating sculptures and memorials. Stroll the grounds and visit Oku-no-in, the shrine to Kobo Daishi, and stroll through the surrounding cemetery that holds the tombs of many historical Japanese figures.
From Mount Koya, you continue the drive to Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city. Known today for its distinct local accent and foodie culture, it has long been associated with merchants and trading. Unlike nearby Kyoto, Osaka was targeted in World War II bombing, and its buildings are mainly modern and 20th-century vintage. Upon check-in, you have free time to explore or enjoy your hotel’s amenities, before meeting for a farewell dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After your final tour night in Osaka, you travel to Kansai International Airport via limousine bus, using a pre-booked ticket provided by a Country Walkers representative. The bus stop is easily accessible from your hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Mon, Oct 24 to Mon, Oct 31 - 2022
Show Itinerary:
Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Gion District; 5 to 6 miles, easy
After enjoying an included breakfast,your guides meet you in the lobby of The Celestine Hotel Gion at 9:00 a.m. They will be wearing Country Walkers shirts. After a brief introduction to the group, your adventure begins. Please be dressed for walking.
Your Japan walking tour begins in Kyoto, now Japan’s seventh-largest city and the imperial capital for more than 1,000 years. Kyoto is considered the repository of Japan’s most important and stunning historical sites—gardens, temples, palaces, traditional neighborhoods—preserved over the centuries, surviving both natural disasters and war. Many of these sites are accessed via foot or subway (often the fastest and most efficient form of transportation within Kyoto)—offering an authentic immersion in Japanese daily life.
You begin your exploration of this fascinating city with a tour of the 17th-century Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the former residence and seat of power of the Tokugawa shoguns. One of the best examples of Japanese feudal architecture, the castle is protected by several rings of defensive moats and walls. The central Ninomaru Palace boasts five separate buildings and is known especially for its “nightingale floor” alarm system that squeaks like a flock of birds when walked upon. Beautifully painted sliding doors by artists of the Kano school separate the many rooms lining the palace’s polished wood corridors.
After lunch in Gion, you continue to Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is known for its rows and rows of vermilion torii (gates) that snake up the hillside to the upper levels. This evening, your formal welcome is a private dinner hosted in a local ryokan (traditional inn), where you are attended by a maiko (apprentice geisha), geiko (full-fledged geisha), and a shamisen (a three-stringed traditional musical instrument) player.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
5 miles, easy
This morning begins with a guided walking tour of the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, whose narrow lanes are lined with wooden houses, traditional shops, and restaurants. You’ll stroll the tranquil, cherry tree-lined “Philosopher’s Path,” a favored place of the famous philosopher Nishida Kitaro. Afterward, make your way to Nanzen-ji Temple, a large complex in Kyoto’s forested Higashiyama hills. Originally an emperor’s retirement villa, it became a Zen temple in the 13th century and has a number of gardens and sub-temples throughout its extensive grounds. Here, you’ll also find a perfect example of a meditative Zen rock garden, with carefully raked stones and a mini landscape, overlooked by a covered viewing walkway for seated contemplation. Next you enter the bustling Nishiki Market in the center of Kyoto, a centuries-old covered shopping street with a wide range of Japanese foods offered from minuscule stalls and full-sized shops. It’s the perfect chance to try the variety of Japanese snacks—some sweet, some salty, some both!
Later, a visit to Murin-an, a modern Japanese garden masterpiece constructed between 1894-1896. Designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1951, you’ll have the chance to participate in a tea ceremony. You’ll learn about this ritual, one that is central to Japanese culture, with its precise steps, particular type of tea, and beautifully minimalist pottery from a local tea master. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon with time to enjoy its facilities before dinner on your own, choosing from one of the many restaurants in town.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
5 miles, easy
Your day begins with a transfer of about one hour by private coach to the historical city of Nara. Boasting eight sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, after Kyoto, Nara is the Kansai region’s second city of immeasurably valuable historic treasures. Although Nara served as Japan’s first imperial capital only briefly (from 710 to 784), this short period saw a flourishing of artistic expression and an influx of Buddhism from China—still visible today in its many temples and shrines. Its location and history also saved Nara’s structures from the many manmade and natural disasters that destroyed other parts of Japan. Todai-ji Temple, defined by superlatives—the world’s largest bronze statue and, until recently, the world’s largest wooden structure—is truly awe-inspiring in scale and artistry. Also within the Todai-ji compound is tranquil Nigatsu-do Hall, where an annual Buddhist rite has been performed since the year 752. Afterward, you stroll through Nara’s famous park, where mixed forest and open meadow extend broadly over a hill, sharing its trails with a thousand-plus tame deer. These creatures are considered messengers of the deity of the nearby Kasuga Taisha Shrine and are revered as national treasures. Return to your hotel with time to enjoy its elegant atmosphere and relax with tea or a cocktail in the inviting bar before gathering for dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4 miles, moderate, 820 ft. ascent and 165 ft. descent
You depart this morning for a three-hour drive via private coach to the Kii Peninsula, the region stretching south of Nara. Your destination is the beginning of the Nakahechi Route—part of the network of ancient pilgrimage trails known as the Kumano Kodo, or Kumano Ancient Trail.
Along with the Camino de Santiago, these are the only two historical routes that are UNESCO World Heritage sites in their entirety. The Kumano Kodo grew from the 11th-century pilgrimages made by emperors from Kyoto. A landscape of verdant slopes, lush deep valleys, and rushing streams, Kumano—part of the mountainous Kii Peninsula—has been a sacred site associated with nature worship since prehistoric times. A tradition of pilgrimages grew out of the Shugendo religion that appeared here in the 7th century. Drawing from aspects of imported Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism along with native Shintoism, Shugendo practitioners believed that physical endurance was the path to enlightenment, and embarked on long hikes in remote mountains and other physical tests. Along the way, you’ll see jizo (small statues) that were erected over the many centuries to protect travelers along the earthen, and sometimes stone-cobbled, path. Nowadays, the walking routes are more accessible, and walking distances can be customized with transportation. Today, you follow the pilgrimage route from the small village of Chikatsuyu to Kobiro Touge, through forests of sugi (Japanese cedar). Your Japan hiking tour has you ascending on the trail to Nonaka and Tsugizakura-oji, one of the many small shrines along the route, before finishing at Kobiro Touge. In addition to the small shrines and torii gates, you’ll pass the sites of old cha-ya (teahouses), which served as rest stops for pilgrims right up until the early 20th century. After the walk, travel to your intimate inn in Takahara, renowned for its unsurpassed views.
Experience genuine Japanese hospitality at a multi-course evening meal of locally sourced organic ingredients—dishes of grilled fish and meat, vegetables, pickles, rice, and miso soup served in a myriad of pottery and lacquerware. A soak in the hot-spring baths is the perfect way to relax after the walk and the day’s travels.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4 miles, easy to moderate, 395 ft. ascent and 1,180 ft. descent
Awakening to mountain serenity and a traditional breakfast, you travel to Hosshinmon-oji. Here, you’ll pick up the Kumano Kodo trail to walk the final scenic section to Hongu Grand Shrine, first passing through several ridgetop villages. The symbol of Hongu Grand Shrine is the mythological three-legged raven, which represents the three shrines that pilgrims were required to reach for their pilgrimage to be considered complete: the Hongu, Nachi, and Hayatama. According to the legend, the three-legged bird was sent to guide Emperor Jimmu on his journey from Kumano to the Yamato Plain.
Today, you may have the opportunity to meet a yamabushi—a priest of the Shugendo faith who will share some of the tenets of the faith, including their special feats of endurance. Time permitting, we will also walk to the Oyunohara torii gate that marks the ceremonial approach to the shrine. After visiting the shrine, a short drive returns you to your inn in Takahara, where you may wish to enjoy a pre-dinner soak in the hot-spring baths while taking in the stunning surrounding vistas.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3 miles, easy to moderate, 600-ft. descent
Following a satisfying breakfast, you’ll travel to the Kumano River, where you board a private boat to embark on a 90-minute gentle float trip in a traditional wooden flat-bottom boat. Running the length of the Kii Peninsula, pilgrims used this route in medieval times to get from the Hongu Grand Shrine to the Hayatama Grand Shrine (one of the three required pilgrim destinations) at Shingu on the coast. The river is considered sacred, and you are sure to gain a unique perspective of the Kumano Kodo’s spiritual landscape as you admire the gorgeous surrounding scenery
After you leave the boat, another short drive brings you to Maruyama Senmaida; this is an impressive system of terraced rice fields developed by farmers over more than 200 years. Descend a narrow road among the small pools, learning about rice cultivation along the way. A fitting picnic beside the rice paddies includes onigiri (rice balls with fish, vegetables, or seaweed), local homemade pickles, and green tea. In the later afternoon, return to your ryokan with time to relax before dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2 to 3 miles, easy
Depart Takahara this morning and travel approximately three hours to Mount Koya. At an elevation of almost 3,000 feet, this group of eight peaks, high in the mountains of Wakayama between the Kumano Kodo and Osaka, is a popular day-trip destination for many Osakans. The sprawling Mount Koya temple complex, founded in the 9th century by the priest Kobo Daishi, is the center of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. It has grown into a town with over 100 temples, a university, and a large historical cemetery full of fascinating sculptures and memorials. Stroll the grounds and visit Oku-no-in, the shrine to Kobo Daishi, and stroll through the surrounding cemetery that holds the tombs of many historical Japanese figures.
From Mount Koya, you continue the drive to Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city. Known today for its distinct local accent and foodie culture, it has long been associated with merchants and trading. Unlike nearby Kyoto, Osaka was targeted in World War II bombing, and its buildings are mainly modern and 20th-century vintage. Upon check-in, you have free time to explore or enjoy your hotel’s amenities, before meeting for a farewell dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
End your Japan hiking tour with a well-earned, leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Bid farewell to your guide and depart for nearby Kansai airport or Osaka train station for your onward travel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Japanese tradition blends with modern style at the Celestine Kyoto Gion, where rooms with simple, nature-inspired décor are paired with modern amenities like in-room WiFi and A/C. Enjoy green tea in your room, served from an elegant tea set, or head to the hotel’s exclusive guest-only lounge to relax with a drink or a snack. The on-site restaurant, Yasaka Endo, serves up savory meals made from kyo-yasai – vegetable varieties unique to Kyoto. Take a bath in your room to soak away fatigue, or visit the hotel’s traditional Japanese bath house, overlooking a serene garden. This accommodation is available on limited departures.
Nara Hotel
This grand historical hotel, built in 1909 during Japan’s Meiji era, has retained its Old World elegance and sophistication in the original main building. A true fusion of European and Japanese décor, guest rooms combine both stylings in their design along with modern comforts like WiFi and air conditioning. Surrounded by manicured grounds and gardens contiguous with Nara’s park-like setting, the hotel offers on-site dining that includes a signature French restaurant, a traditional Japanese restaurant, a lovely tea lounge, and a classic wood-paneled bar.
Organic Hotel Kiri-no-sato-Takahara
Overlooking the Hatenashi Mountain Range, the Organic Hotel Kiri-no-sato-Takahara is situated directly on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage walking route at about 900 feet and thus has some of the best views in the Kumano region. Simple and comfortable guestrooms have mountain views and are either Japanese-style with tatami-mat floors, futons, and low furniture or Western-style with twin beds. Traditional meals of local organic cuisine are served with multiple courses in the dining room overlooking mountains and terraced hillsides. A traditional onsite onsen bath is fed with hot-spring water.
Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
Every room at the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel is spacious and elegantly designed, with modern amenities including WiFi and air conditioning, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the city. Occupying the top floors of the 60-floor Abeno Harukas cultural complex, the adjacent public spaces also enjoy endless panoramas, such as the 57th-floor restaurant with its 360-degree views and its mix of Japanese and international cuisine, and the open-air outdoor plaza atrium on the 58th floor.
2022 Post-Tour Extension - Tokyo
2 Nights From $1048
per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $548
This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, your pre-booked taxi will take you from the hotel to Shin-Osaka station. You travel using a pre-booked Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket provided to you by a Country Walkers representative. You are met upon arrival at Tokyo station. Please look for a representative holding a Country Walkers sign. You are then taken to your hotel.
Lunch and dinner are on your own today. We provide detailed city information to help you plan your day.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Your Tokyo extension concludes following an included breakfast at your hotel. Onward travel to your departure airport is not included but the hotel concierge can assist with booking an appropriately timed limousine bus.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's Included | Flight + Tour Combo | Tour Only |
---|---|---|
Exceptional boutique accommodations | ||
All on-tour meals except 1 dinner | ||
Local guides with you throughout tour | ||
Local wine and/or beer with dinner | ||
Entrance fees and special events as noted in the itinerary | ||
Travel assistance available 24/7 provided by Allianz | ||
Roundtrip airfare | ||
One extra night in Kyoto | ||
Airport car service for arrival & departure | ||
Pre- and post-tour breakfasts | ||
Business-class upgrades available |
Dates & Prices
Departing Airport :
Select Year :
Flight + Tour Combo
10 days, includes round-trip international airfare , airport shuttle, and additional hotel nights with included breakfast.
Single Supplement: From $1,698
Sat, Oct 22 - Mon, Oct 31, 2022
From
$8,648
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineSelect Year :
Tour Only
8 Days. Includes walking vacation only.
Single Supplement: From $1,398
For more information, call: 800-245-3868
Please note: Special savings cannot be combined with any other offer. Standard Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing this trip. Prices include all airline surcharges and Government taxes and fees. Ask our Tour Consultants for details. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. Prices are based on preferences selected above, including meals and sightseeing as specified in What’s Included. All prices are subject to change. Departure dates and prices shown may be updated several times daily, and apply to new bookings only.
Our 16 CW trip with the usual high quality guides. The accommodations were not the usual quality with high rises instead of boutique hotels and a dirty traditional stay.
Michael, Tehachapi, CA
Japan: Kyoto, Nara & the Kumano Kodo
This trip exceeded our expectations. The guides, accommodations, hikes and cultural experiences went way beyond our expectations. We fell in love with Japan.
JoelT, Wilmington, NC, USA
Japan: Kyoto, Nara & the Kumano Kodo
Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.
Kana Hattori
Kana Hattori was born in Nagoya, raised in Kobe, and studied in Kyoto and the United States. A student of the traditional Tea Ceremony and the philosophy of Zen, living in the moment has always been a core tenet of her life. Kana loves to sing, regularly giving concerts, and is passionate about traditional Japanese culture. She looks forward to sharing her extensive knowledge with our guests through her guiding.
Kozue Hisaoka
Born on the island of Kyushu, Japan, Kozue Hisaoka lived in the United States as an exchange student in high school and now resides in Tokyo. Kozue managed to plan and execute an impressive around-the-world trip with her family, fulfilling her passion for travel and exploring the cultures (and cuisine, especially!) outside her native Asia. When not introducing the nature and culture of Japan to visitors through her guiding, she enjoys cooking, cycling, gardening, and flower arranging.
Kaoru Teshima
Kaoru Teshima was born in Kyoto, moved to Osaka, and, after 10 years living in London acting as a tourist, student, amateur flautist, and Japanese language tutor, she returned to Japan and currently lives in Nara. She has been guiding on a volunteer and professional basis for many years and considers the revered Tea Ceremony a valued hobby. In addition, she continues to teach Japanese and enjoys Latin dance.
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