Backroads of Japan

15 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Our trip combines hiking ancient pilgrimage trails with visits to modern cities. The traditional, family run inns we stay at are a definite highlight. No wonder it is our most popular Japan itinerary
$6,426
From$5,860
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Wander the bustling streets of Tokyo, Japan's capital city
    • Behold the iconic, perfectly formed Mt Fuji and its glistening five lakes
    • Hike through postal towns & forest trails on the Nakasendo Way
    • Be enthralled by the world class attractions of Kyoto, incl the geisha district and The Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji
    • Savour Japanese delicacies with many included meals
    • Explore and experience the markets of Osaka
    • Walk along ancient pilgrim trails leading to the sacred peak of Omine in Nara

What's this trip about?

    Our trip combines hiking ancient pilgrimage trails with visits to modern cities. The traditional, family run inns we stay at are a definite highlight. No wonder it is our most popular Japan itinerary

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 14 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityTokyo
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

Destinations

Attractions

  • Kawaguchiko
  • Kyoto
  • Nara
  • Osaka
  • Tokyo
  • Tsumago

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 14

Trip includes

    • 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 8 dinners
    • Comfortable accommodation on twin share basis
    • Traditional 'ryokan' inns
    • Expert bilingual guide
    • Luggage transfers as listed in the itinerary
    • Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
    • All transportation by public train, public bus and taxi
    • Medical kit

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive Tokyo

On arrival you will need to make your own way to the group hotel. We will have an important tour briefing at approximately 6.00pm, so please check with reception for the exact time and location. Following the meeting your guide will take you to a local restaurant (mea...

Day 2 Explore Tokyo, to Fuji Five Lakes

After breakfast we head off to explore a small part of this incredible city. We begin with a subway trip to the Tsukiji Outer Market'. From the market we continue to Tokyo's downtown area near Sumida River where we visit Sensoji Temple - the oldest temple in Tokyo, an...

Day 3 Hiking in the Kawaguchiko area

After breakfast, we will head out for today’s guided hike. Your guide will select the best trail for the group. This might be a trail at the base of Mount Fuji or climbing one of the lower mountains in the area. Ideally, Mount Fuji will show itself (weather permitting...

Day 4 Travel to Kiso Valley

A series of train journeys through the morning will get us to Tsumago, one of the historic mountain-bound towns of Kiso, an historic trade route through a thick-forested valley. Our base in Tsumago, is a town preserved more or less as it stood in the 18th century. Ki...

Day 5 Old Nakasendo Highway, train to Kyoto

We spend the day hiking along the ancient Nakasendo Way which connects the old capital Kyoto, to the new capital, Tokyo. Magome and Tsumago, the southernmost post towns have single main streets that are lined with shops selling traditional foods and local crafted good...

Day 6 Visiting Kyoto’s Temples

There is a great deal to see by day in Kyoto, and the content of our days here may be re-shuffled to optimise weather conditions and local events from the busy communal calendar of festivities. The highlights of today’s guided tour will be visiting at least two of the...

Day 7 Climb Mount Daimonji

The low lying plains and river scenery of the Kyoto Basin have been the stage for some of the most edifying and poignant episodes in Japanese lore. A guided climb to the lookout atop the mountain known colloquially as Daimonji will give us a bird’s eye view of history...

Day 8 In Kyoto free exploration

Essentially a free day for you (non guided), today you will have the opportunity to explore this fascinating city at your own pace. You may want to catch up on some shopping, write some postcards, or just reflect on the experience of recent days by the bank of the Kam...

Day 9 Hike & Train to Asuka

Following an early breakfast we board our train to the Nara Basin (our main luggage will be forwarded to Dorogawa). Gradually leaving suburbia behind, we can now look forward to the next couple of days of our walking adventure. In the 6th Century the first mainland As...

Day 10 Hike Japan's oldest path in Asuka

In the morning we will hike through the historic Asuka region, along trails connecting mysterious domed tomb mounds and several of Japan’s oldest temples. The remnants of the Asuka Period that remain today are mostly limited to stone monuments and archaeological excav...

Day 11 Hike & Bus to Dorogawa

The trail we follow out of Yoshino today weaves through mountains thick with cherry trees, and as we climb higher these mix with fir, pine, and cedar. We will stop to rest at wayside shrines and panoramic mountain passes as we follow a famous pilgrim trail to Omine. ...

Day 12 Hiking around Dorogawa

Today we explore the riverside trails and mountain passes surrounding the village of Dorogawa. Your tour leader will choose a route to walk depending on the weather conditions and season and you are welcome to join him or her, or explore on your own. For those wishin...

Day 13 Mitarai Gorge, travel to Osaka

Following a river this picturesque walk through Mitarai gorge takes us up some steep stairs and across a few suspension bridges. During early summer the gorge is a mass of bright green leaves which change to various shades of red and yellow with the on set of autumn. ...

Day 14 In Osaka

This morning we will explore some of the sights in Osaka’s Namba area, for example Kuromon market - a market for fish, fruit, vegetables and other foods which has been open since the mid-Taisho period (1912-1926) – or Sennichimae Doguya-Suji, a narrow street with many...

Day 15 In Osaka, trip concludes

The trip concludes today after breakfast. For those travelling to the Kansai International Airport the journey takes approximately 90mins. From Osaka to Tokyo Narita International Airport, takes the best part of 5 hours.

meals : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,860
Price per day$391
Last Updated: 4/9/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
11 May 2025
25 May 2025
$5,860
07 Sep 2025
21 Sep 2025
$5,860
21 Sep 2025
05 Oct 2025
$5,860
05 Oct 2025
19 Oct 2025
$5,860
02 Nov 2025
16 Nov 2025
$5,860
16 Nov 2025
30 Nov 2025
$5,860
22 Feb 2026
08 Mar 2026
$6,190
01 Mar 2026
15 Mar 2026
$6,190
15 Mar 2026
29 Mar 2026
$6,190
29 Mar 2026
12 Apr 2026
$6,190

World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we cannot match you up, we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The single supplement on this trip can be applied to 9 of the nights in 4 destinations only - Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, Osaka and is subject to availability. Please refer to our website for the additional cost.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,618
Great
221
Average
8
Disappointing
1
Terrible
4
C

Claire Ashby

Dec 2024

This was a fantastic adventure with a well designed itinerary

Japan is a fascinating country and highly recommended.

C

Carmel Mckenna

Dec 2024

Would totally recommend the Backroads of Japan trip

..a well balanced itinerary and excellent guide!

C

Christopher Hartley

Nov 2024

Very well organised

Guide was excellent. Had had a wonderful time

E

Elizabeth Hartley

Nov 2024

A wonderful combination of big cities and backroads, seamlessly organised

Plenty of free time to explore what i wanted and and...

M

Michael Luisi

Nov 2024

Guides were excellent and group size was great

Saw a lot of places I otherwise wouldn't have.

Write a Review

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare, visa and travel insurance (compulsory)
    • Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
    • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
    • Arrival and departure transfers

Accommodation

  • 9 nights hotel
  • 5 nights traditional inns
Requirements
These adventures involve trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 4,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Be prepared for short hiking sections of steep incline and descent in parts. * Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake. Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).,
Travel Insurance
We require that you take out a personal travel insurance policy to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. A suggested policy is enclosed with these notes. If you take out an alternative policy, we need to be advised of the details. It is your responsibility to ensure any and all pre-existing medical conditions are adequately covered by your insurer. Please note: if you choose credit card cover, in our experience, this may not insure against high cost needs. For example; helicopter emergency evacuation. If you do decide to choose credit card coverage, please check all policy details thoroughly. You should always carry your travel insurance policy, emergency card and photocopies of your passport and cash cards with you during your trip.
Visa requirements
Please check visa requirements with your reservations consultant*
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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