Discover Japan
In a country that has perfected the art of giving exquisitely wrapped gifts, it is not surprising that Japan proffers the prettiest of parcels to its visitors. With layers of natural and cultural heritage to be unwrapped on Japan tours, you can saunter easily between ancient walking trails such as Nakasendo or Kumano Kodo and traditional ryokan rural inns. Or between mountain top temples and a bed in a Buddhist temple.
Japan protects its treasures and traditions in a way that is surprising to many visitors who have expectations of karaoke and kitsch, matcha and manga. On walking holidays in Japan, swap ultra modern for unchanged traditions, relax in onsen bathhouses or contemplate the big picture at shrines and temples. We have both self-guided and guided walking holidays in Japan, but whichever you choose, you will be able to take your time and step back in time, in order to enjoy the country’s gifts graciously and wholly.
Popular tours in Japan
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Japan: where to go
Kumano Kodo walking trail
Japan’s ultimate spiritual trail, the Kumano Kodo, has carried pilgrims for centuries across the peaks and valleys of the Kii Peninsula, to worship at three magnificent Grand Shrines en route: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Hayatama Taisha. The Kii Mountains are still considered by many to be sacred landscapes, with nurture by nature dating back to Japan’s Heian period (794-1185) whether you were an emperor or commoner. This 258km walking route has various subsections and it’s the inland, mountainous Nakahechi section that attracts those seeking adventurous walking holidays in Japan. You can take this on as a self-guided trail over six days, or with a guided, small group tour over nine days. Or, if you like the idea of a nippy Nakahechi, there’s a winter walking option.
Nakasendo walking trail
Traditionally created so that 17th century feudal lords, samurai and traders could transport their missives and minions between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo), the Nakasendo Trail now has a more peaceful mission. To provide a slow, central mountain route through ancient forests, along ridges and mountain paths with views of the Japanese Alps, all dipping down to a collection of 69 ‘post towns’, such as Magome, Tsumago and Narai, still proudly hosting travellers in traditional ryokan inns. The traditional trail is 500km, but our self-guided and guided holidays cover a rich collection of Nakasendo highlights. And, given that many of us may only travel to Japan once in our lives, we have a rather tantalising guided trip that combines highlights of both the Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo trails.
Shikoku Island 88 Pilgrimage
Of Japan’s four main islands, Shikoku is the smallest but, for many, the most spiritual, with an ancient 1,000km trail that connects 88 Buddhist temples and shrines. You don’t have to visit them all, and our Shikoku walking holiday takes you to some of its most sacred and sweet spots, such as the place where Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism, chose to meditate. Or to the elevated Ryusuian Temple located on a hike up Mount Shosan-ji. You will explore some sweaty spots too, with natural hot spring baths a feature of this trip.
Kamikochi
This is part of our Nakasendo Trail holiday and a fitting finale. Uplifting too, as Kamikochi is gateway to the Chubu Sangaku National Park and its spectacular Hida Mountains. Kamikochi is a mountain resort tucked into a glacial basin fed by the crystal clear waters of the Azusa River. The river is the artery of the main Kamikochi Trail, with picnic places beside its larger ponds, traditional bridges to take you from one rocky shore to the other and snow-covered peaks beckoning adventurers to even greater heights.
Yamanobe-no-michi and Yagyu Kaido Trails
You can get a quick hit of quintessentially Japanese walking trails by combining the Yamanobe-no-michi and Yagyu Kaido Trails on Honshu Island, following a five day, self-guided itinerary. This region is packed with cultural heritage particularly in the ancient cities of Nara and Asuka, and the trails are perfect microcosms of this history. The Yagyu Kaido Trail, or Sword Master’s Road, was taken by swordsmen aspiring to join the much revered samurai Yagyu Jubei. The Yamanobe-no-michi Trail is one of the oldest in Japan with an array of shrines, persimmon farms, rice fields and forests en route.
Hokkaido
This is Japan’s second largest island and also its northernmost, turning it into a snowy adventure land in winter. Between January and March, this cultural adventure gives you an insight into the cultural heritage of the indigenous Ainu people, the natural heritage of Akan-Mashu and Shiretoko National Parks and also a chance to do some guided snowshoeing excursions. There will also be no shortage of steamy outside onsens so that you can sit back and breathe in all that beauty.
Japan: things to do
- Stay in a ryokan. We offer a range of accommodations on our walking holidays in Japan, but the most common is in ryokans, traditional rural inns, usually family-run in places that have hosted pilgrims and travellers for centuries. Ryokans are like a bento box of traditions, with tatami (straw) matting and futons laid out in plain rooms, yukato robes and slippers for your use and delicious Japanese dinners served in communal spaces. Ryokans, more often than not, have communal hot spring baths or onsens so you can fully immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Don’t be overwhelmed by their rituals. Ryokans rock.
- Immerse yourself in bathing culture. Chilling is also high on the Japanese agenda of mindful living. Hot springs or onsens feature on all our Japan tours, a relaxing tradition that is part of the Japanese DNA. They will have plenty of signs to show what the rituals are but, in short, they are gender segregated, you do strip off fully and you don’t wash in the bath itself. Always soap before you soak in Japan.
- Lighten your load. Although its cities are a sensory overload, we think that Japan is a great place to lighten your load. Which is why our walking holidays in Japan are not only self-guided but we also don’t organise luggage transfers for you, unlike most of our European walking holidays. We adhere to the Japanese way, using a well known and reliable national transfer service provider. They don’t always connect with you daily though, which means you just carry a few necessities, use your Japanese hosts’ traditional slippers and robes, and basically forgo ‘stuff’ for a few days.
- Eat Japanese food. Japan’s food is outstanding, it’s as simple as that. One thing you rarely hear from travellers is that they didn’t like the food in Japan. Whether it’s sushi or sashimi the Japanese favour local and seasonal, bentos make prize picnics and misos are restorative for all our ramblers. Don’t eat whale meat (unesu or onomi) though as it’s highly unethical, and vegan diets or gluten-free diets can still be tricky to accommodate.
Responsible travel tips
- Read up on Japanese codes of etiquette. They are polite, very forgiving and trusting people, so they won’t alienate you if you get it wrong, but they will be delighted if you get it right. And, in return, you won’t get overcharged, pick pocketed or scammed in Japan. It’s just not polite. Top of the manner menu is not wiping your face with a hot towel, never washing in the communal bath, not blowing your nose in public, learning how to bow and not feel strange, not tipping and never sticking your chopsticks vertically into your food.
- Low carbon travel in Japan is speedy and easy with its impressive network of shinkansen high-speed trains, and great value if you buy a seven day unlimited Japanese Rail Pass. One of the most popular routes with visitors is the Okaido shinkansen which runs west between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with extensions to Hiroshima and Hakata. On our Japan walking holidays, we will book your rail tickets from Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo to your starting point. For other information on train travel in Japan, check out the train geek guru, the Man in Seat 61.
- Although recycling is catching on in Japan, there is still a lot of single use plastic, much of which can’t be disposed of sustainably. This ties in with Japan’s gifting and wrapping traditions, and wanting to keep things neat and tidy, so letting go of this takes even longer than in some countries. Lead the way by bringing your own chopsticks instead of disposable ones, as well as a refillable tea cup and avoiding vending machines packed with plastic. The good news is that all tap water is drinkable in Japan, so you can refill water bottles easily.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
Many people can visit Japan without a visa for short-term stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Residents of 71 countries can travel there on this basis, and you can see the full list of these at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In short, it includes people from the USA, Canada, UK, EU countries, many Latin American and Caribbean countries and a handful of Asian countries. Nationals of China, Russian, India, Vietnam and the Philippines are amongst those who need a visa, with the full list available here. To double check whether you need a visa, use the visa tool below.
FAQs
Japan is always a joy but it can also get jam packed at certain times of year. So the better question might be, when should I not go to Japan? This is mainly because traditional and religious festivals are big times for Japanese people to holiday at home, and so places can get very busy. For many more details of festivals see our Best time to go to Japan blog. When it comes to timing our main tours, however, here they are in brief: if you want to take on the iconic Kumano Kodo Trail, our most popular self-guided holiday runs from the end of April until the end of October, and the guided one from April until November. We also offer the opportunity to walk the Nakahechi section of the Kumano Kodo in winter, between late December and February. Imagine taking in the Grand Shrines and traditional villages in the snow, with steaming thermal baths at the end of the day?
With the other great walking adventure, Nakasendo Trail, our tours run from the beginning of May until the end of October, as it gets pretty cold here in winter. Although our guided one also extends the season to November. At the beginning of May you can catch the end of the famous cherry blossom season too, which you can read more about in the same aforementioned blog. If, however, you want to combine highlights of the Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo Trails, this small group holiday runs from March to November.
Japan’s land area stretches from the northernmost island of Hokkaido, to the subtropics of Okinawa. So there are big differences depending on which island you’re visiting. However, our most popular walking holidays, the Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo Trails, are both on Japan’s largest island of Honshu. On the Kumano Kodo Trail, there is a short typhoon season in September and October, but they rarely hit land and local people are prepared for such events. In spring and autumn, daytime temperatures range from 10-15C, going up to between 18-24C in summer months, so it’s not too hot, although it does get sticky.
With the Nakasendo Trail, May is popular when average temperatures are 19C but can dip to single figures at night. It stays in double figures in June at night, rising to 25C during the day. Summer brings some seriously hot and humid climes, with temperatures as high as 35-40C in July and August so you really need to start early each day. However, you will find shade along the way as most of the trail is through forest. Similar to the Kumano Kodo Trail, there is a short typhoon season in September and October, but more common at sea than on land. During September and October, average daytime temperatures are 25C and 18C respectively and the autumn leaf shows just add to the already spectacular scenery.
Our Shikoku walking holiday takes you to the eponymous island which is Japan’s smallest. In summer it sizzles, with temperatures hitting the 30C mark. Temperatures are between 19-23C in spring and don’t drop below 20C in autumn much either. You can get rain here any month of the year, as it is in an Oceanic climate zone.
If you’d like to travel to the northernmost island of Hokkaido, our Winter adventure runs between January and March, when there’s snow, ice and all round winter whiteness, with temperatures ranging from -12C to -4C, the coldest month being January, and by March you can get past the zero mark and get as high as 3C. It’s well equipped for the conditions though.
Low carbon travel in Japan is speedy and easy with its impressive network of shinkansen high-speed trains, and great value if you buy a seven day unlimited Japanese Rail Pass before travelling. On our walking holidays, we will book your rail tickets from Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo if they are needed. For more information on train travel in Japan, check out the train geek guru, the Man in Seat 61.
Japan is not your typical family holiday for many people, however, it’s an extremely safe and welcoming country, and your every need is catered for. So, although it might not be an obvious destination, travelling here can be a very heartwarming experience for families. And bonding, as you get to grips with a very different culture, some superb food and adventurous experiences. All travellers are treated with the utmost respect in Japan, and especially so when travelling as a family. As all of our holidays are walking trails, however, they are more suitable to teenagers who have experience with hiking. Our Exploring winter in Hokkaido adventure is a very exciting alternative way to spend the February half-term breaks.
We’re delighted that the vast majority of our walking holidays in Japan are open to solo travellers. Given that many of them are pilgrimages, the concept of solo retreats is not new to Japan, and you will be welcomed wholeheartedly everywhere you go. Japan is also famously safe for travellers, and so that is reassuring to anyone who feels wary of going it alone. Please note that a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. We also have three guided, small group trekking trails on the Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi) Trail, the Nakasendo Trail, and the Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo Trail combo, which suit solo travellers who’d like to travel with like-minded individuals.
Yes, tap water is safe to drink everywhere in Japan. The country follows strict health standards, ensuring clean and safe water and they are proud of its mountain spring quality. Which is why it’s always available in restaurants free of charge. So don’t hesitate to ask. If you are hiking in mountain areas, and want to drink from streams, we recommend investing in a filtered water bottle to ensure water is free of any toxins.
Japan has excellent healthcare with no major health risks and it is also rabies-free. No vaccinations are required, but the WHO recommends routine vaccines such as tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella before travelling. Ticks can be a problem when hiking in Japan, so you do need to take precautions. Wear long sleeves and trousers, and tuck your trousers into hiking socks when possible. Lyme disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) are both tick-borne, so always check yourself fully after hiking and carry a tick remover with you too, so that you can catch them quickly.
Always make sure that you have suitable health insurance to suit your adventure travel especially as medical care in Japan is expensive. There is an excellent pharmacy system (yakkyoku) in Japan, and you can bring one month’s supply of your prescription medication into the country. Please note that there are some medications that are illegal to bring into the country, some obvious and others less obvious, such as those containing Pseudoephedrine (in some cold and flu medications) and Codeine. Make sure you have all prescription medicines in their original packaging and also, ideally, have a note explaining their purpose from your doctor. For more information, see here.
Please note that in Japan, people are culturally very sensitive to spreading germs and were wearing masks long before many Europeans. So please respect this and always cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze and then use hand sanitiser.
As with all international travels, it’s always worth getting up to date information at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for UK travellers or similar foreign office advice in your home country.
Of course, this depends on the region that you are visiting but as with most of our adventures, you may be exploring remote terrain where weather conditions may be unpredictable. For that reason, we have a detailed blog, What to pack for a hiking trip. You may want to pack swimwear for Japanese bath houses, although many of them are clothes-free. See our blog on Onsen etiquette for more details.
Overtourism is an issue in many parts of the world, and although we are all for people having adventures, we’re aware that some places just need to put the brakes on. Japan has been slower to come across these issues, but tourism growth is now kicking in big time. As mentioned in the ‘best time to go’ section above, it’s good to avoid key cultural holidays as the traditional trails can get busy during those times. The main problems are at the key sites in Kyoto and also at Mount Fuji, although the latter doesn’t feature on our tours. The other significant impact is around increased numbers of tourists disrespecting local cultural norms, miscommunicating or being irresponsible with their photography. We’re glad to say that our travellers are switched on to being culturally and socially aware.
The rules and rituals around Japanese etiquette are complex, and as it’s Japanese culture that entices so many of us, we recommend reading more in depth books on responsible communication while travelling in Japan. However, one aspect of Japanese culture is that people are inherently polite, very forgiving and trusting people, so they won’t alienate you if you get it wrong, but they will be delighted if you get it right. And, in return, you won’t get overcharged, pick pocketed or scammed in Japan. Why? Because it’s just not polite.
Top of the manner menu is not wiping your face with a hot towel, never washing in the communal bath, not blowing your nose in public, learning how to bow and not feel strange, not tipping and never sticking your chopsticks vertically into your food. This is because, in Japanese tradition, a bowl of rice is left by bereaved people for their lost ones, with the chopsticks sticking up vertically. So it’s considered bad luck to do it at any other time, and disrespectful. And while we’re in Japan, arigato gozaimasu is the formal way to say thank you, or the more casual way is shortening it to arigato. If you’re using a Japanese public bath, or onsen, there are a whole other set of rules, which we discuss more in this blog.
Our main winter tour is in Hokkaido. This is Japan’s second largest island and also its northernmost, turning it into a winter adventure land in winter. Between January and March, this cultural adventure gives you an insight into the cultural heritage of the indigenous Ainu people, the natural heritage of Akan-Mashu and Shiretoko National Parks and also a chance to do some guided snowshoeing excursions. We also offer the opportunity to walk the Nakahechi section of the Kumano Kodo in winter, between late December and February. In addition, our Walking the Yamanobe-no-michi and Yagyu Kaido Trails holiday is open all year round.
We always endeavour to ensure that your accommodations are aware of any dietary needs when we book your trip. However, traditional cuisine is very much part of the culture in Japan. Vegetarian options are available, but limited and it can be difficult to cater for vegan or gluten-free diets due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and soy sauce used in Japanese cuisine. Being dairy-free is much more commonly catered for, however.
It’s the Japanese yen, and each yen is divided into 100 sen. The symbol is ¥ and the currency code, when you’re looking for exchange rates etc, is JPY. Surprisingly in this land of tech, cash is still very popular for buying things, so always have some to hand, including coins for lockers, shrines and for purchases in small shops.
Notoriously pricey, Japan isn’t as bad as you might imagine, especially with the increased cost of living in Europe, the US and many other parts of the world in recent times. Of course your accommodation, breakfast and most internal transport is included in the price of our tours, as well as many dinners. Such as on our Kumano Kodo guided tour, where dinner is included on eight nights, or this Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo one, where there are four lunches and eight dinners included. Or our Shikoku Pilgrim Trail, where there are seven dinners included. For lunches and dinners when paying locally, it’s good to set aside around $7 for a bowl of ramen, about the same for okonomiyaki pancakes and between $2.50-4.50 for street snacks. A mid-range sushi meal is around $20, a set lunch $10 in a standard restaurant and, if you want to splash out at a good izakaya, be prepared to hand over at least $50 for dinner and a drink.
When it comes to tipping, it’s not, as the iconic song goes, big in Japan. In fact, it’s downright awkward. What is big, however, is the ingrained pride in providing infallible hospitality. Consequently, tips are never expected and can actually cause serious offence. Taking pride in your job, craft or contribution to society runs deep in Japan. There’s even a word for it: shokunin kishitsu, which means craftsman’s spirit, and saying thank you, arigato gozaimasu, is the biggest tip you can give, especially when you then bow. However, times are changing and one development is when you stay at a ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn. It’s now acceptable to leave money at the end of your stay there, for a member of staff who has prepared your food and bed. Never give them the money in person, however. Sometimes an envelope is left for this purpose and, if not, it’s a good idea to bring some pretty envelopes with you for that purpose. Pretty goes down well, and a pretty sum of around ¥1,000 per person does too.
It’s very good and freely available in most main hotels, cafes and public transport hubs. However, you will often have to fill in complicated forms to get access. Downloading the Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect app speeds up this process. In remote areas, or in traditional accommodation such as ryokans, there isn’t always such a good service. Which in many ways is a great thing, as these are places to experience a slow and mindful travel experience. However, Japan also has a nifty Pocket Wifi device, which is a small, portable router that allows you to connect to mobile networks and gives a generous amount of data. You can often rent them at airports upon arrival, where you can also buy local e-Sims for data.
