Classic: Backroads of Japan (AJMS)
Countries Visited: Japan
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 15, avg 12
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodations: Hotels and traditional guesthouses/onsens (11 nts).
Highlights
Experience the bustle of modern Tokyo, visit the Zenkoji temple in the Japanese Alps, discover the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs, cycle the Kibi Plains, explore Kyotos temples.
Description
Tokyo and Kyoto-the modern and imperial capitals of Japan, respectively-represent the perfect merger of the ancient and the contemporary. On this trip, you'll thoroughly explore both and everything in between, from traditional villages and miles of rice fields to ancient temples and the stunning vistas of the Japanese Alps. Snow monkeys, geishas, the teeming pedestrian scrambles of Tokyo's Shibuya district, and the impossibly friendly staff of your traditional ryokan are just a few of the locals you'll meet and never forget.
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 15, avg 12
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodations: Hotels and traditional guesthouses/onsens (11 nts).
Highlights
Experience the bustle of modern Tokyo, visit the Zenkoji temple in the Japanese Alps, discover the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs, cycle the Kibi Plains, explore Kyotos temples.
Description
Tokyo and Kyoto-the modern and imperial capitals of Japan, respectively-represent the perfect merger of the ancient and the contemporary. On this trip, you'll thoroughly explore both and everything in between, from traditional villages and miles of rice fields to ancient temples and the stunning vistas of the Japanese Alps. Snow monkeys, geishas, the teeming pedestrian scrambles of Tokyo's Shibuya district, and the impossibly friendly staff of your traditional ryokan are just a few of the locals you'll meet and never forget.
Call (888) 825-2779 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13004779
- Tour Operator
- G Adventures
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Tokyo | Day 1 Tokyo There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting |
| Day 2 | Tokyo | Day 2 Tokyo Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through Yoyogi Park and Harajuku. Included Activities: Orientation Walk |
| Day 3 | Tokyo | Day 3 Tokyo Enjoy a free day to experience the city or venture out to Mt Fuji. |
| Day 4 | Naganoshi | Day 4 Tokyo/Nagano-shi Journey to the Japanese Alps and Nagano, host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Visit the historic Zenkoji Temple. Included Activities: Zenko-ji Temple Transport: Bullet train (3.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 5 | Matsumoto | Day 5 Nagano-shi/Matsumoto Matsumoto is a quaint castle town featuring one of Japans most treasured castles. Included Activities: Jigokudani Monkey Park Visit Transport: Train (1.50-2.00 hours) |
| Day 6 | Takayama | Day 6 Matsumoto/Takayama Visit one of Japans most treasured castles maintaining its original wooden interior and stone exterior. Explore the castle where 16th century samurai once roamed. Continue past the mountains, rice fields and traditional homes to Takayama. Discover the traditional Japanese way of life in a family-run guesthouse. Included Activities: Matsumoto Castle Transport: Local bus (3.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 7 | Takayama | Day 7 Takayama (1D) Visit the `Praying Hand' houses, huge thatched homes and well-preserved Edo samurai era dwellings nestled beneath the mountain peaks. From the Hida No Sato Folk Village to saki tasting at local traditional brewery Takayama offers a great opportunity for exploration. With free time in the afternoon opt to walk a forested trail, go for a bike ride, have a nap on the Tatami mats at the Ryokan or relax in a Japanese Onsen (hot spring) before enjoying a traditional dinner together as a group. Included Activities: Hida no Sato (Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village) Visit Sake Street Visit |
| Day 8 | Kurashiki | Day 8 Takayama/Kurashiki (1B) Get a real glimpse of old Japan at Kurashiki, a picturesque town in central Japan which has retained much of its old world charm with beautifully preserved black and white walled merchants' homes and storehouses. Many of the storehouses have been converted into museums, souvenir stores, boutiques and cafEs. Most famous among the museums are the Ohara Museum of Art and the Museum of Folkcraft. Transport: Bullet train (5.50-6.50 hours) |
| Day 9 | Kurashiki | Day 9 Kurashiki Enjoy a bike tour through the Kibi Plains, surrounded by rice fields and ancient burial grounds. On this scenic ride, glide past shrines and temples and get a glimpse of rural Japanese life. Included Activities: Bicycle Tour of the Kibi Plains |
| Day 10 | Kyoto | Day 10 Kurashiki/Kyoto Journey to Kyoto and visit some of the most magnificent temples in the country, dating back centuries. There are said to be 2,000 temples, shrines, palaces, museums and traditional gardens in Kyoto. Included Activities: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Visit Transport: Bullet train (2.50-3.00 hours) |
| Day 11 | Kyoto | Day 11 Kyoto Spend the morning discovering Buddhist, Zen, and Shinto nuances in some the beautiful Kiyomizu Temple (Love Temple) and the breathtaking Chion-in Temple. Opt to explore more zen gardens, palaces, and temples in Kyoto or venture to nearby Osaka. Another option further afield is to visit the peaceful gardens and ancient temples of Nara, home of Japans largest Buddha. Included Activities: Kiyomizu Temple Visit Chion-in Temple Visit |
| Day 12 | Kyoto | Day 12 Kyoto Depart at any time. Included Activities: Departure Day |
- Disclaimer
Local Flights: N/A
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
