Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Active Adventures in Japan Hike and Bike Honshu’s Highlights
Japan – Tokyo – Hida Furukawa – Tsumago – Kyoto – Kumano – Katsuura – Osaka – Onomichi
Your active Japan adventure begins with three nights in Tokyo. From discovering hidden gems with a local guide to climbing nearby Mount Takao, your time in the vibrant capital will fly by.
Next, ride the bullet train to Hida and spend a couple of days cycling and exploring the beautiful Japanese Alps. Then head to historic Tsumago to wander the ancient Nakasendo path before catching another bullet train to culture-rich Kyoto. With three nights here, there’s plenty of time to see the sights, enjoy a tea ceremony, go on a private tour and hike up Mount Daimonji.
Set your sights on the Kumano region next, where for the next two days, you’ll walk along another ancient path: the Kumano Kodo. Hike past forests, temples and waterfalls, relaxing your limbs in atmospheric onsens (hot springs) along the way.
The fun (and feasting) continues in Osaka. Hop on another bullet train and enjoy a whistlestop tour and an overnight stay in the city, then travel to the coastal city of Onomichi for two nights. Here, we can arrange for you to pedal the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, a spectacular island-hopping trail before zooming back to Tokyo for the final night of the trip.
Safe to say, all those miles call for some serious sustenance, so keep the sushi coming and the ramen bowls brimming...
Itinerary
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Tokyo’s neon lights and iconic sights beckon, so head to the airport early for your flight east. You’ll be airborne for just under 14 hours, touching down early the next morning, Tokyo time. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away to your hotel in the heart of the city; your base for the next three nights, complete with views of Tokyo’s glittering skyline.
The best way to tackle your jet lag is to head out and about to discover the city at your own pace (don’t worry, you’ll have time for some shut-eye later). Whether you’d rather window shop in upscale Ginza, wander the Imperial Palace East Gardens or work your way through the city’s galleries and museums, our Dossier is full of insider intel.
And for dinner, why not ask your clued-up Concierge for their favourite sushi spots. Time to put those chopstick skills to the test...
Tuck into a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, then meet your local guide for a whistlestop walking tour around the city.
Your guide will take you to their favourite local haunts, as well as famous Buddhist temples (like Senso-ji) and Shinto shrines (like Meiji-Jingu). Then, discover Tokyo district by district, from fashion-forward Harajuku, where cosplay street styles are all the rage, to the anime-obsessed Akihabara, where electronic stores and retro gaming arcades are a wonderland for any self-confessed tech nerds.
Fancy yourself a history buff? Or a fashion fanatic? Just let your guide know what you’re most interested in seeing and they’ll tailor the tour just to you.
It's up to you how to spend the rest of the day. Perhaps wander the streets of the old town, Yanaka, visit Shinjuku Gyo-en botanical garden, take a boat cruise down the Sumida River or discover the museum district, Ueno. And if Tokyo’s nightlife tempts you this evening, consult our Concierge for the best bars in town (karaoke included…).
After Tokyo’s dizzying sights, a dose of nature might be just what you need. We recommend catching the train from Shinjuku to nearby Mount Takao – the most climbed mountain in the world – which is just under an hour away.
It takes around one and a half hours to reach the peak on foot, or alternatively, you can ride up the mountainside in a cable car. From the summit, on a clear day, you can enjoy views of Tokyo, Yokohama and even Mount Fuji in the distance. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Yakunoin temple and sample delicious dango (mochi dumplings) here too.
Hop on the train back to the capital in time for some early evening drinks and toast to your time in Tokyo. Perhaps you’ll revisit a favourite restaurant or seek out some regional delicacies at dinner.
Wave goodbye to Tokyo this morning (for now) as the next leg of your journey begins. Hop on the country’s most iconic mode of transport, the bullet train, and whizz west to Nagoya, where you’ll change trains and continue to Takayama. From here, it’s one last local train to Hida Furukawa, your final destination (consider your Japanese rail initiation well and truly complete).
When you arrive, settle into your charming guesthouse – your home away from home for the next two nights. Then, take some time to explore your new surroundings, roaming lantern-lit alleyways, rolling rice paddies and farmland cultivated by local families for generations.
Cattle farms also dot the countryside, with locally reared Hida beef among the town’s tastiest claims to fame. Our suggestion for dinner? Scout out a local restaurant and see what all the fuss is about...
The best way to explore the Hida region? By bicycle. Hop on two wheels and pedal through Satoyama, set in the heart of the Japanese Alps, with your guide leading the way.
Watch bountiful rice fields and traditional farmhouses roll by as your guide gives you the lowdown on local life and ancient folklore, which champions living in harmony with the land, preserving the delicate balance between man and nature.
It all sounds rather zen, but that pedal power is bound to work up a sweat. Luckily, your guide knows all the best spots to catch your breath (and admire the views). And when hunger inevitably strikes, they’ll know just the place for a well-deserved bite to eat.
Back in Hida Furukawa, the afternoon is all yours. We recommend going for a stroll past incense-swirled temples, sake breweries, the Setogawa Canal (full of giant carp in the warmer months) and Furukawa’s festival museum. Then mooch around the markets for handcrafted trinkets – something for the souvenir shelf, perhaps?
It’s time to hit the next stop on the itinerary, so board the one-hour train heading south to Takayama. When you arrive, pick up your hire car and set off on the two-hour drive to Tsumago, tuning into our destination-specific playlist along the way. Let the singalong commence...
Tsumago takes its Edo Period ambience seriously. Power lines are hidden from view and cars are banned from the main roads during the daytime to best showcase the traditional buildings and flagstone streets.
You’ll spend two nights in a charming hotel located just outside the town among lush rolling hills. Settle in for dinner before cosying up in the lounge (preferably by the window – those forest views deserve a good ogle). A soothing cup of tea and a few chapters of your holiday read should round off the evening rather nicely.
Lace up your walking boots this morning and follow in the footsteps of samurai and merchants along the ancient Nakasendo path which connects the villages of Magome and Tsumago.
Catch a local shuttle bus to the starting point, then amble through the forest, with the rushing Metaki and Otaki waterfalls adding a little extra oomph to the scenery. Enjoy a well-deserved lunch in the preserved town of Magome then start making your way back (if you don’t fancy the walk, there’s always the bus).
Back in Tsumago this afternoon, perhaps unwind with a dip in the nearby hot springs. The naturally warm waters are perfect for soothing tired legs.
For dinner, follow the irresistible aromas into town and feast on local delicacies like Shinshu apple Wagyu and Shinano snow trout – quite the reward after smashing your step count out the park today.
Buckle in this morning for the one-and-a-half-hour drive to Nagoya, where you’ll drop off your hire car before boarding the bullet train for a speedy 30-minute journey west towards the ancient city of Kyoto.
When you arrive, make your way to a charming guesthouse – your peaceful retreat for the next three nights, located in the heart of the city. Settle into your cosy room and squeeze in a quick catnap if needed. Otherwise, we recommend making the most of the remaining day and exploring the local area.
We recommend visiting Gion, the old Geisha district of Kyoto, characterised by its traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. Stroll past quaint shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), walk along the willow tree-lined Shirakawa Canal and then find a delightful dinner spot to round off the evening.
Rise and shine early this morning, then meet your local guide for a greatest-hits tour of Kyoto.
Well versed in all things Kyoto, they’ll take you to all the city’s big hitters as well as its unsung gems. With more than 1,600 Buddhist temples to choose from, tick off standouts like Ninna-ji and Kinkaku-ji before exploring the beautifully preserved Higashiyama district. Culture buffs are in for a real treat...
All that sightseeing calls for a cuppa, but this is Kyoto, so your afternoon brew is a rather ceremonial affair. Step inside a traditional house, complete with peaceful gardens, for a chanoyu tea ceremony rooted in ancient Buddhist traditions. Learn about the carefully choreographed rituals behind preparing and serving tea, where every moment celebrates harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity of mind. Hopefully, you’ll emerge feeling suitably zen.
Standing 1,500ft tall, Mount Daimonji offers some of the best views over Kyoto. Polish off a strong cup of Japanese matcha because today you’re hiking high up its slopes.
Meet your local guide, who knows every twist and turn of the two-hour trek up the mountain. Of course, it wouldn't be a Kyoto adventure without a temple or two thrown into the mix, so make a stop at Nanzen-ji, where worshippers adorn the grounds with offerings of fruit and flowers.
When you reach the summit (phew), you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over Kyoto, as well as hot tea and snacks. Then, it’s time for the one-hour descent – you'll soon realise just how many steps you tackled on the way up.
End your walk with something shiny, and by that we mean Ginkaku-ji (aka the Silver Pavilion). Admire its ‘Sea of Silver Sand’, a meticulously maintained dry sand garden that is designed to shimmer in the moonlight.
Back in Kyoto this evening, follow the lantern-lit streets in search of a kaiseki dinner (a multi-course feast) before returning to your hotel for the night.
By now, you’re a pro at train travel, so you know the routine. Make your way to Kyoto Station and hop back on the Shinkansn train, zooming towards Shi-Osaka. From here, you’ll take a local train to Kii-Tanabe, a roughly two-and-a-half-hour journey south.
Kii-Tanabe is the gateway to the Kumano region, so feel free to make a pitstop at one of the local restaurants before catching a bus to Kawayu Onsen, a small hot spring town located around a two-hour journey away.
When you arrive, make your way to your hotel for the night, overlooking the Oto River. After a jam-packed day of travel, retreat to your room, order in something delicious and unwind with that anime you’ve been meaning to watch.
Pilgrims from across the globe have long travelled to this region of Japan to follow the sacred trails of the Kumano Kodo, and today, you’re joining their ranks.
After a hearty breakfast, board the bus to Hosshinmon-oji, the starting point of the trail that leads to Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the three grand shrines in Kumano Kodo.
Hike along this four-mile route through forested paths, stopping to admire the rolling views along the way and snap plenty of photos. When you’ve explored the shrine (and tucked into your lunch box), continue on towards Oyunohara, the site of the largest torii gate in Japan, set among brilliant green farmland and hills.
If your legs are weary, hop back on the bus to the next destination, Yumiomine Onsen. Otherwise, continue the hike towards this hot spring village, where you’ll be spending the night (and soothing your aching limbs in the atmospheric baths).
Fuel up with breakfast before catching the bus to the Shingu area this morning. Here, bump up your sacred-site count at Hayatama Taisha, a grand shrine dedicated to one of the gods believed to have discovered Japan, as well as nearby Kamikura-jinja Shrine and Gotobiki-wa Rock.
Stop for a bite to eat before hopping on the next train or bus from Shingu to Daimon-zaka, where you can climb the 2,000ft-high staircase at the foot of Mt. Nachi.
Fancy looking the part? Rent traditional Heian dress before climbing the steps up to one of Japan’s most sacred pilgrimage sites: Kumano Nachi Taisha. This Shinto shrine is located hallway up the mountain and is backdropped by Nachi Falls, the tallest waterfall in the country, so prepare for some seriously beautiful views.
Majestic sights marvelled at, board the bus for the short 12-minute ride to Nachi-Katsuura, a quaint fishing village where you’ll spend the night in a seaside ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). Sink your teeth into some fresh seafood before unwinding in the outdoor baths overlooking the bay – quite the tonic after a day on the trails.
Another day, another adventure. It’s back on the rails this morning for the four-hour journey to another Japanese mega metropolis: Osaka.
Pulling into the city around lunchtime, make your way to your hotel where you’ll stay for one night. Drop your bags and spend the afternoon wandering around the neighbourhood, where the glow of an arcade or two might just lure you inside to give it your all to win your favourite anime figure...
As night falls, Osaka (renowned as the nation’s kitchen) comes alive. And what better way to experience it than with a street food tour? With a clued-up local leading the charge, dive into the dizzyingly-busy Shinsekai district, a neon-lit neighbourhood dating back to the early 1900s.
Duck into characterful eateries and sizzling street-food joints, feasting your way through Osaka’s foodie favourites, from takoyaki (octopus dumplings) to kitsune udon (the local tofu noodle specialty). And afterwards, why not let your hair down and enjoy the city’s famed nightlife? The karaoke bars are just around the corner, best enjoyed after some sake...
After a whirlwind stop in Osaka, head to the station and make a beeline for Japan’s famously well-stocked vending machines which dispense everything from piping-hot coffee to ice-cold fizzy drinks at the press of a button. Stock up on snacks, then travel one-and-a-half hours by train to Onomichi, riding the bullet train to Fukuyama before switching to a local train for the final stretch.
When you arrive in this photogenic port city set on the Seto Inland Sea, check in to your hotel for the next two nights and enjoy a little downtime before heading out to explore.
Perhaps follow the Temple Walk, which takes you past 25 historic temples, or let Onomichi’s literaty greats do the wooing along the poetry-engraved Literature Path. More of an art aficionado? Make for the Art Museum, designed by architect Tadao Ando. Then round off the day watching the sunset at Senko-ji Park, where panoramic views across the city and surrounding islands are sure to spark plenty of oohs and aahs.
Time to put that pedal power to good use once again, so start the day with some super sweet Japanese pastries – the perfect pre-cycle fuel.
Sugar rush now in full swing, hop on two wheels and hit the Shimanami Kaido – a 43-mile-long bicycle trail that traverses six islands in the Seto Inland Sea between Onomichi and Shikoku.
Pedal past lush greenery, charming towns and secluded coves; pausing along the way at Kojo-ji temple, Setoda Sunset Beach and the Oyamazumi-Jinja sanctuary. It’s up to you how much of the route you complete, but intermediate cyclists can comfortably complete the trail in a day. And if your legs have had enough? Ferries and buses offer an easy way forward, with bike-return stations dotted across each island.
Back at your hotel this afternoon, continue your culinary discoveries with another Japanese classic: a steaming, aromatic bowl of ramen. Chopsticks at the ready...
Bid a fond farewell to Onomichi this morning and take the local train to Fukuyama, where you’ll board the final bullet train of the trip back to Tokyo, a journey that takes around four hours.
Back in the big city, return to where it all began and check in for the night at the hotel you started your holiday in. The rest of the afternoon is all yours, so perhaps tick off any last sights on your wish list, whether it’s the Tsukiji Fish Market or the Shibuya Crossing.
Alternatively, simply soak up the electric atmosphere as flashing lights and towering billboards illuminate the streets. Look up and larger-than-life 3D displays spring into action, from playful cats to Godzilla himself looming overhead, while go-karts whizz through the traffic below. Only in Tokyo...
And for dinner? Make a beeline for that conveyor-belt sushi joint you haven’t stopped thinking about since you were last here...
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your sushi and sake-filled active adventure has to come to an end. Wolf down one final Japanese breakfast, before your private transfer to Haneda Airport. Here, have a good mooch around duty-free for some last-minute souvenirs before boarding your direct flight back to the UK, which is just shy of 14 hours long.
You’ll have plenty of time to catch some shut-eye and reminisce over all the amazing sights you’ve seen. We could think of worse times to start planning your next trip away…
Why visit Japan with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Japan
- Our local Concierges
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