Shoguns and Samurai

Central Japan is a region of tall mountain ranges and fast-flowing rivers. It wasn’t until recently that roads reached the remoter villages, and today many remain remarkably well-preserved, and evocative of centuries past. Our journey takes us through Japanese history from modern Tokyo, known as Edo during Japan’s period of rule by the Shoguns, to end near Kyoto, Japan’s capital for 400 years and the repository of much of the countries cultural heritage. From Tokyo we head first to Yudanaka Onsen hot spring where the famous “snow monkeys” come to enjoy the natural hot spring baths just like humans. In feudal times people travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo would use the Nakasendo way – the road through the central mountains – one of a network of ancient highways. We will visit one of the best preserved sections in the Kiso Valley, where the lovely villages of Tsumago and Magome have been immaculately restored.

Destinations:
Tokyo - Japan's ultra modern capital, shopping, bright lights and hidden temples,
Obuse - Day Trip - A small attractive town in Nagano Prefecture is home of the artist Hokusai famous for his woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e,
Yudanaka Onsen (Hot Spring) - Famous for it's snow-monkeys who warm themselves in the natural hot springs,
Narai - One of the 69 stations along the Nakasendo trail that has been preserved,
Magome - Another well preserved station along the Nakasendo trail where travelers from Edo to Kyoto could sleep and have a meal during their trip,
Takayama - A former enclave for skilled carpenters and artisans known for it's lacquer ware, pottery and furniture,
Shirakawa-go - Japanese thatchroof farmhouses and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kyoto - An ancient capital established in 794 AD and home of Japan's high arts including tea ceremony, calligraphy, poetry, and many others
Nara - Day Trip - established in 710 AD preceding Kyoto as Japan's capital, Nara is now a quiet town where you can stroll the park of historic treasures,
Mt Koya - a Buddhist temple complex located on a mountain surrounded by nature.

This 14 day tour begins and ends in Japan.

The price in 2012 is US$ 4,365, including all domestic transport, accommodation, entrance fees, breakfasts each morning & 10 evening meals. Not included are international flights, drinks with meals, lunches and 2 evening meals in Tokyo.

I hope the above has peaked your interest in this tour. If you have any questions or wish to sign up for a tour please Contact Us.

Day 1 – Tokyo
Meet at Narita International Airport and transfer to Tokyo. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner at a city restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 2 – Tokyo
Our first full day in Japan will be spent on a walking tour of Tokyo, visiting the elegant Ginza shopping district and the grand Meiji shrine. In the evening your tour leader will be on hand to help you with ordering dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 3 – Obuse & Yudanaka Hot Spring
Transfer to Obuse in Nagano Prefecture north-west of Tokyo. Visit the Hokusai-kan, woodblock print museum and Masuichi-Ichimura Saké Brewery. By road to Yudanaka Onsen, a hot spring village famous for its ‘snow monkeys’. N.B. Please note that there is a 25-minute walk along a level path to the 'snow monkey' hot spring.
Accommodation: Ryokan (Japanese inn)

Day 4 – Narai
Travel to the Kiso valley and the small town of Narai, an atmospheric example of a post-town on the ancient Nakasendo trail between Kyoto and Tokyo. Our accommodation will be an Edo-period house converted into a minshuku.
Accommodation: Minshuku (family run Japanese inn)

Day 5 – Magome
Continue to Tsumago, another of the post-towns on the former Nakasendo trail. Visit the folk museum, with exhibits on the old Nakasendo trail and the village. Travel by local bus to Magome, in time to check in to our minshuku, a lovely family-run inn with an antique irori (sunken Japanese hearth) and a bath made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood.
Accommodation: Minshuku (family run Japanese inn)

Day 6 & 7 - Takayama
Transfer to Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Explore the San-machi area with its rows of old merchant’s houses, some open as museums. In the evening we will try the local Hida beef, and perhaps some locally-brewed saké.
Accommodation: Ryokan (Japanese inn)

Day 8 Shirakawa-go
North-west of Takayama is the village of Ogimachi, within the Shirakawa-go area of the Sho-kawa valley. The village is home to a large number of gassho-zukuri houses, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. These large wooden houses have steep thatched roofs, designed to withstand heavy snow, and the term gassho-zukkuri refers to the shape of praying hands formed by the roofs. Inside, the houses could accommodate large extended families of up to sixty people. Our accommodation here will be in one of these traditional houses, and dinner will be served around the irori (sunken hearth).
Accommodation: Minshuku (family run Japanese inn)

Day 9 & 10 – Kyoto
We will leave the mountains today, travelling by bus to Takayama, and then by train to Kyoto. We will spend two days exploring Kyoto and its many temples, including a walk through Gion, the traditional geisha quarters. There will be a half-day free, so you can catch up on sending postcards, shop for souvenirs, take some time to do some more exploring.
Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 11 - Nara - Day Trip from Kyoto
The ancient city of Nara , which preceded Kyoto as Japan ’s capital from 710 to 784, is one hour south of Kyoto by train. We will visit the old merchant district of Nara-machi with its narrow streets, shops, cafes and restaurants. Next we will visit Todai-ji temple, with its bronze statue of Buddha , said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Return to Kyoto city centre hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 12 - Mount Koya
From the Nara plain we will travel by train along the scenic Nankai railway line to Mount Koya, a bowl-shaped valley filled with stands of cedar trees 800 metres up in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Since the 9th century, when the monk Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) founded the first temple and the shingon sect of Buddhism, Mount Koya has been a place of religious devotion and ceremony. Today there are more than 100 monasteries, many of which have shukubo (temple lodgings). We will stay in one of the elegant temples, run by the monks, and dine on shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). There will be a guided walk through the vast Okuno-in cemetery, with thousands of graves and memorials to feudal lords and other past luminaries.
Accommodation: Shukubo (temple lodging)

Day 13 - Tokyo
This morning you will have the opportunity to get up early to join in the Buddhist service at the temple. After breakfast we will check-out and return to Tokyo via Osaka.
Accommodation: Hotel (4*)

Day 14 - Tour Ends
Your tour leader will help you transfer to Tokyo's Narita Airport for your flight home.

Tour schedules are subject to change.
If any changes should be made it will be done in the best interest of the travelers.
Japan Roads will at all times aim to offer you the most interesting tour possible.

Tour Accommodation:
We have chosen each accommodation carefully for their comfort, service and personal service. On several nights we use Japanese-style accommodation with shared bathrooms and toilets. These generally have seperate male and female bathing areas. Couples or those travelling together will have their own room, while single travellers may be asked to share with another member of the group (same gender only).

Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara : Western style hotels.
Obuse, Narai, Magome, Shirakawa-go Takayama: Japanese inns (ryokan and minshuku)
Mount Koya: Buddhist temple.

Please note that single rooms are normally only available in hotels – where a single room supplement may apply. Single travelers may be asked to share a room (same gender) in Obuse, Narai, Magome, Takayama and Mount Koya.

Cuisine:
To make sure you get the most of your Japan experience, Japan Road tours offer a wide variety of Japanese cuisine to enjoy. You will have the chance to eat local specialties in small Japanese diners and sample some of the more 'refined' Japanese cuisine.

All breakfasts and 10 evening meals are included in the tour price.

Lunches and 3 evening meals in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara are not included for reasons of choice and convenience, but your tour leader will be available to help with recommendations and ordering.

Tour Guidance:
Full time services of a Japanese and English speaking tour leader.

This 14 day tour begins and ends in Japan.

If you have any questions about the tour, please feel free to Contact Us.

Tour schedules are subject to change. If any changes should be made it will be done in the best interest of the travelers.
Japan Roads will at all times aim to offer you the most interesting tour possible.