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Follow in the footsteps of shoguns, samurai and merchants who once traveled on foot or horseback on a network of ancient “kaido,” or trails, linking the Imperial capital, provincial towns, and small villages that dot Japan’s Kiso Valley. From today’s cultural capital of Kyoto, home of 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, we’ll hike on rural paths to Mount Koya, home of more than 100 monasteries, and beautifully preserved post towns along the way, where you’ll sample local specialties, meet artisans, and enjoy the hospitality of villagers. If you want to combine walking with an insight into the history, culture, and society of Japan, then this is the perfect trip for you!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Japan on foot, with hikes to medieval towns, lush valleys, hot springs, and Shingon Buddhist monasteries
• Visit key cultural sites of the Imperial capital of Kyoto and tour bustling Tokyo
• Stay at traditional Japanese inns, including a night at a shukubo, a pilgrims’ lodging where you’ll dine on the renowned vegetarian cuisine of the Buddhist monks

Day 1 ~ Arrive in Kyoto.

Day 2 ~ Explore Kyoto: walk to nearby Ryoan-ji to see its famous rock garden and stroll the Philosopher’s Path along a canal lined with mature Sakura (flowering cherry trees).

Day 3 ~ A short train ride brings us to Miwa near Nara. Here we’ll hike along the Yamanobe-no-michi, which literally means ‘the path besides the mountain.’

Day 4 ~ This morning we travel along the scenic Nankai railway, which brings us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Koya, home to more than 100 monasteries, many of which host travelers in shukubo, or temple lodgings.

Day 5 ~ Tour the vast Okuno-in cemetery, with thousands of graves and memorials to feudal lords, shoguns, samurai, politicians and other luminaries. We then head by train to Akame, where a soak in a cedar wood hot spring bath awaits.

Day 6 ~ On to the Kiso Valley to hike the ancient Nakasendo Trail, one of two routes in the Edo period that linked Kyoto and what is now Tokyo. Several villagers have converted their machiya, traditional wooden houses of this region, into inns, where we’ll spend the night.

Day 7 ~ Continuing our journey along Nakasendo, we head to Nojiri via the route of your choice: a 13-mile hike or an abbreviated version (2.5-miles) with a train ride. Then a short train ride brings us to Kiso-Fukushima, where we’ll stay at the Koma-no-yu Ryokan.

Day 8 ~ A short train ride takes us to the post town of Yabuhara, where we climb to Torii Pass for a stunning view of the Kiso Valley. Mid-afternoon finds us in Narai-juku, one of the best-preserved villages on the route.

Day 9 ~ A short morning hike to the town of Hirasawa, renowned for its lacquer-ware artisans. We’ll stop in at one of their workshops before transferring to Tokyo.

Day 10 ~ Hit the highlights of Tokyo: Nihonbashi, the elegant Ginza shopping district, and the spacious park around the Imperial Palace as well as the Grand Meiji Shrine and the famous Shinjuku commercial area.

Day 11 ~ Depart Tokyo.

Photo Credits
©MTS Photo File