Japan Walking & Hiking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $9,499 - $10,549 /person

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

Japan Walking & Hiking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2024: May-Jun, Sep-Nov 2025: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct

From $9,499 - $10,549 /person

The Alps to Imperial Kyoto

In Japan, the line between ancient and modern is often so blurred that one becomes a traveler through time. Vibrant markets and 7th-century shrines. Alpine hiking and tidy remote tea houses. A world of natural beauty combined with enduring culture—grace and tradition unlike anywhere else. Experience this incredible country on our Japan Walking & Hiking Tour.

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Highlights

  • Visit sacred temples, historic mountain villages and the sublime Kamikochi National Park, one of the country's most celebrated landscapes
  • Dive deep into Japanese culture with our local guides as they introduce you to time-honored customs and ceremonies, including a private maiko performance​
  • Savor the delicate flavors of fresh edamame, mochi, soba noodles and sushi—and sip superb sake at a favorite brewery
  • Hike the stunning Alps and stay in a classic ryokan with open-air hot tubs and tatami-matted flooring
Israel & Jordan Walking and Hiking Tour map

Japan

Start Tokyo

End Kyoto

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Days 1-2

Description

Hike amid the ever-changing landscapes of the Japanese Northern Alps • Explore the alpine scenery of Kamikōchi, a spectacular slice of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park • Take in the gorgeous setting of traditional mountain villages • With a backdrop of dense birch and larch forests and soaring snow-blanketed peaks, this area is among Japan's most celebrated • Savor delicious Japanese specialties • Walk along beautifully crafted wooden suspension bridges that span rushing streams.

Accommodations

Nights 1-2

Kamikōchi Hotel Shirakabaso
Kamikōchi
Premiere Hotel

A one-of-a-kind alpine oasis nestled alongside the luminous Azusa River, with unforgettable views of the Hotaka mountain range.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 3-4

Description

Walk on the famed Utsueshijuhatsu Falls trail, where 48 cascading falls await • You're in for a treat with a private sake tasting and brewery tour • Enjoy a relaxing soak in an open-air hot tub (or onsen) • Experience unique hospitality and atmosphere at a superb ryokan.

Accommodations

Nights 3-4

Hidatei Hanaougi
Takayama
Premiere Hotel

Highlights of this ryokan include beautiful timber architecture, traditional hospitality and natural hot spring baths.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 5-6

Description

Explore 17th- and 18th-century merchants' houses and shops in Takayama's old quarter • Peruse the city's bustling street market stalls for a one-of-a-kind souvenir • Take a scenic journey to Kyoto aboard a bullet train • Follow a wooded path along the crystal-clear Kiyotaki River • Visit Buddhist temples and a beautiful Shinto shrine • Partake in a traditional tea ceremony.

Accommodations

Nights 5-6

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Ukyo-Ku
Premiere Hotel

An intimate Japanese-style haven set along the serene Hozu River and surrounded by woodland. (spa) 

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 7-8

Description

Behold views of Kyoto from a summit above the city • Be entertained by a maiko (apprentice geisha) during a Japanese lunch • Walk through quiet forests and pass by bright orange torii, the iconic gates found at the entrance to sacred Shinto sites.

Accommodations

Night 7

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto
Premiere Hotel

Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations

Even at five-star, Western-style hotels in Japan, the local preference for ordered, austere aesthetics is prioritized. This means simple rooms with fewer amenities than one might find at a typical Backroads Premiere Hotel and an emphasis on tranquility and refined onsen (Japanese-style spas).

Meals

A typical Japanese meal is comprised of several small plates with a range of vegetables, meat and seafood, with a focus on seafood and beef. It is not common in Japanese restaurants to make substitutions and in most cases restaurants do not offer additional choices beyond their set menus. You'll find that Japanese cuisine is not well-suited to celiac or vegetarian diets.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

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From $9,499 - $10,549 /person

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Hotels

World-Class Hotels

Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-2

Kamikōchi Hotel Shirakabaso
Kamikōchi

Premiere Hotel

A one-of-a-kind alpine oasis nestled alongside the luminous Azusa River, with unforgettable views of the Hotaka mountain range.

Nights 3-4

Hidatei Hanaougi
Takayama

Premiere Hotel

Highlights of this ryokan include beautiful timber architecture, traditional hospitality and natural hot spring baths.

Nights 5-6

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Ukyo-Ku

Premiere Hotel

An intimate Japanese-style haven set along the serene Hozu River and surrounded by woodland. (spa) 

Night 7

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Premiere Hotel

Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)

From $9,499 - $10,549 /person

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From $9,499 - $10,549 /person

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Dates & Prices

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

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Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

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From $9,499 - $10,549 /person

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