Mountains of Central Japan
One of our original tours, one we’ve been running since 2014.
Starting in Tokyo, the tour route is to the North Japan Alps and Hida Mountains to Shirakawago where we stay in a mountain village farmhouse, then on to Kanazawa. One of our most popular itineraries, this trip will appeal to those who enjoy mountain hiking. In addition to great hikes, there is plenty of time to learn about and experience many aspects of Japanese culture along the way.
Autumn Gold
Exceptional experiences and a real touch of luxury as you travel through the mountains of central Japan on this plush 7 night autumn tour. Very comfortable lodgings at traditional ryokans on natural hot spring onsen, and excellent Japanese food. One night in a Zen temple in the mountains. The itinerary includes several walks.
Roof of Japan
This mountain hiking trip is a classic trek, one of the finest long distance hikes in Japan. It’s rated strenuous. You need to be experienced and prepared to hike long, tough mountain days. It’s hut-to-hut, off road. There’s no need to carry food, bedding, or tents, as we’ll use the amazing network of mountain huts in the North Japan Alps. If there’s one challenging, long-distance hike you’d like do in Japan, this is it! Many of our clients have hiked around the world, but not considered Japan or even considered a trek like this here possible.
Peak Challenge
If you’re interested in a couple of strenuous climbs, but only have a few days during your Japan trip to do them, we’d recommend this plan. The first ascent is of magnificent Kaikomagatake (one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains) and Senjogatake, and the second Mount Fuji. Start and finish in Tokyo, with a night in Matsumoto between the mountain hikes.
You must be experienced and prepared for strenuous mountain hiking.
National Park Hiking on Honshu
A journey in a broad sweep through the mountains west of Tokyo in the centre of Honshu, the main island, with great hikes in the Oze and the Joshin’etsu National Parks. The trip features Nikko, the Oze upland marshes, Minakami Onsen, and Matsumoto, before returning to Tokyo. Superb accommodation en route.
The Old Salt Road
A new itinerary featuring an old road or kaido, a Shio no Michi routes which connected the Sea of Japan to the north, and the Pacific in the south, to the province of Shinano (present-day Nagano Prefecture). Salt for preserving foods was carried along these roads for processing in the Nagano area.
The routes in Northern Nagano are called the Chikuni Kaido.
North Japan Alps
With some of the best mountain hiking routes in Japan, this short trip follows one of the best in the North Japan Alps. Starting from the Kamikochi Valley, the trail climbs steeply to follow ridges and peaks along what the Japanese call the Omote Ginza route.
Accommodation is in mountain huts on trek days.