Example Itinerary

Active Japan - Hiking and Biking Extraordinary Japan

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Trekking, Bicycling
Destinations
Japan

This 10-day itinerary is a fascinating look into the ancient culture and spirituality of Japan, visiting some of the most beautiful and iconic structures in the country - all while cycling and trekking through the bamboo forests and mountain passes of the region. As you venture through one picturesque location after another, you will take classes in Buddhist scripture and meet the artisans responsible for preserving the ancient arts and crafts of Yamanaka town. This really is a path that leads directly to the heart of Japan, opening up the history and anthropology of the region like never before.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Great Outdoors: Trek and cycle through the stunning scenery of Shimanami Kaido, an impressive 37-mile cycling expressway that connects Onomichi, Hiroshima and Imabari, Ehime, and nine of the Geiyo Islands.

• Landscape Gardens: Kenrokuen Garden, also known as the Garden of Six Sublimities, is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan and perfect for a stroll any time of year, as plants have been carefully selected to showcase blooms for every season.

• Spirituality: Learn the ancient art of Buddhist chanting at Kokedera Moss Temple.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Kyoto

Start your adventure by enjoying the highlights of Kyoto and explore Gion, the charming and historic district home to many traditional teahouses, where in the evenings it is common to see the colorful local geisha as they head to and from work. Stroll along the Philosopher’s Walk, a mile-and-a-half-long road which takes you into the cultural heart of Gion as you pass several temples, shrines and side streets lined with coffeehouses, boutiques and craft shops. End your ambling at Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion), a Zen temple along Kyoto’s eastern mountains (Higashiyama), then visit Kinkaku-ji, or the “Golden Pavilion” - one of Kyoto’s most iconic images. Located in the western reaches of the city, the temple was built as a retirement villa by one of the Ashikaga shoguns in the 15th century - the ideal spot to enjoy a private tea ceremony.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Nature: Aman Kyoto's palette is the inviting green of forest scenery and the warm, woody tones of shelter. So aligned with its surroundings, the hotel changes with the seasons; Taka-An's menu puts the spotlight on seasonal produce, while the floor-to-ceiling windows showcase how the passing months shape the landscape.

Culture: Kaiseki banquets, matcha and mochi afternoon tea, tranquil and contemplative gardens, indoor and outdoor onsen bathing facilities, options for futon bedding and tatami mat flooring – the entire property has been designed with an immersion in both nature and culture in mind, so guests can experience true Japanese hospitality.

Wellness: A stay at the Aman Kyoto is not just a quiet retreat to return to after a day of sightseeing in Kyoto, but also an oasis designed to replenish the body and mind. The in-house spa specializes in Shiatsu massage, onsen pools are fed by the mineral-rich waters of local hot springs, while private yoga sessions in a forest clearing release stress and tension.

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Aman Kyoto Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Nestled at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain, alongside a thousand-year-old ikeniwa pond, Four Seasons Kyoto is located just ten minutes from Kyoto’s city center, within the temple district, making it an ideal base from which to explore the nearby shrines and historic landmarks, as well as the more modern attractions of Japan’s elegant former capital.

History: Having opened it’s doors in October 2016, Four Seasons Kyoto - the second site for the Four Seasons brand in the country - may have been five years in the planning, but the atmosphere of urbane tranquility of the Zen inspired interiors has made an indelible impression on a city known for its sense of style and sophistication.

Service: Four Seasons Kyoto provides the very best in round-the-clock luxury service, complete with 24-hour concierge and room service, manned with English-speaking staff ready to cater for to guests’ wants and needs.

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Four Seasons Kyoto Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Sitting on the serene banks of the stunning Kamogawa river within walking distance of several famous streets and popular sights, this hotel couldn’t have a more perfect location. Plus, it’s only a 20-minute taxi ride from the Kyoto airport.

History: Paying homage to rich Japanese culture, the fourth Ritz-Carlton in Japan opened in Kyoto in February of 2014.

Service: Guests can count on dependable, high-level service at the Ritz-Carlton, where a luxury experience is guaranteed, complemented by extremely helpful staff.

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Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Preferred Hotel
About

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is tucked away next to Nijo-jo Castle, at the Kyoto home of the Kitake, a branch of the Mitsui Family. This land has been in the care of the family for more than 250 years.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Map

Kyoto

This morning, hike to Arashiyama bamboo forest, one of Japan’s most well-known woodlands, and venture onwards to nearby Kokedera Moss Temple - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal household - now famous for its collection of over 100 different varieties of moss, which envelops the entire site in a blanket of vibrant green. Visits here are by strict invitation only in order to help preserve the delicate nature of the moss. Afterwards, drive to the base of Mount Atago, on the western side of Kyoto. Standing at over 3,000-feet high, the mountain (sacred in the Shinto religion) is home to the Atago shrine - founded at the beginning of the eighth century, and dedicated to the prevention of natural disasters and fires; patrons can even buy charms of protection for their homes here. This area of Kyoto is an important area of worship for several groups of Mountain Ascetics - the Shugenja and Yamabushi - who practice a mix of Buddhism, Shintoism, and Animism.

Kyoto
Kyoto

Day 3

Map

Kyoto

It is a relatively early start this morning for the Kurama-dera Temple Hike. Take a car to Kurama, a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City; surrounded by forested mountains, this quaint village is very popular amongst the locals as a spot for a relaxing getaway. Hike two to three hours through the cedar wood forest to the temple (the hike can be steep at times) and along the trail you will find waterfalls, bridges, bamboo groves and a Shinto shrine called Yuki Jinja. Kurama-dera Temple itself has a fascinating history, steeped in myth and legend, and is one of the few temples in modern Japan to maintain an air of true spirituality enhanced by the heavenly views of the valley below. If you wish to continue the trek, behind the temple’s main building the hiking trail extends through the forest, past several other temple structures and onto Kibune, a small town in the neighboring valley - this occasionally steep walk takes about an hour to complete.

Day 4

Map

Hiroshima

Depart Kyoto by Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) for Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, and to the memories of the bomb's direct and indirect victims. Here you are welcome to ring the Peace Bell, whose tolling sounds regularly throughout the park. The Peace Memorial Park is also steward to the Flame of Peace - not be extinguished until all nuclear weapons have been banned. The Peace Memorial Museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, is essential for those who wish to learn more about the bombing of Hiroshima; artifacts such as a watch stopped at 08:15 (the time the bomb Struck Hiroshima) and a child’s melted tricycle really draw to attention to the personal, human side of the event. Following lunch, take a ferry to Miyajima Island - one of the most scenic spots in Japan - believed by many to be an Island of the Gods, and the location of the iconic Itsukushima Shrine.

Hotel Options
About

Boasting a fascinating history, Iwaso has been welcoming VIPs from every corner of the world since it first opened its doors 150 years ago. The hotel is ideally-located, near UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine, while being surrounded by the eye-catching colors of nature, which change throughout the seasons.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Designed according to the classic Japanese principle of understated elegance, the Sekitei Hiroshima is a ryokan, or traditional hot-springs inn, located on the island of Miyajima. It boasts twelve, traditionally-designed Japanese rooms overlooking a large, well-manicured garden, and several recently renovated public baths.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Hiroshima
Hiroshima

Day 5

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Matsuyama & Imabari

This morning take the ferry to the island of Shikoku and visit Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s twelve “original castles” which have survived from the Edo period, and witness elevated views of the city and the Seto Inland Sea. Then take a stroll around the atmospheric Matsuyama Old Town; separated from the rest of Matsuyama by the Miyamae River, Old Town was once an independent port, but became a part of Matsuyama as the city expanded. Visit Ishiteji Temple, located near Dogo Onsen to the northeast of Matsuyama's city center; this sprawling compound boasts several halls and holy buildings, a three-storied pagoda, various statues and a unique inner temple connected to the main grounds via a cave, and is one of the 88 temples that makes up the Shikoku pilgrimage route.

Hotel Options
About

Transformed in a recent refurbishment by Japanese super-star architect, Tadao Ando, the seven suites of Setouchi Retreat Aonagi, on Japan’s smallest island Shikoku, are at the cutting-edge of modern interior design. As an example of what has become known as minimal luxury, the white-on-white palette combined with blonde wood, and the simple lines of the stylish fittings and furnishings, ensure Setouchi Retreat Aonagi is at the very pinnacle of this sophisticated philosophy.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Map

Matsuyama & Imabari

Today, take part in the thrilling Shimanami Kaido Cycling route, where you can ride the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, connecting Honshu and Shikoku Island. The route consists of dedicated pedestrian and bike lanes, which run alongside the highway itself, and is a spectacular 40-mile road-and-bridge network connecting Japan's main island with Shikoku, incorporating six smaller islands in the process. The sublime scenery of the Shimanami Kaido makes this one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world and provides photo opportunities galore - local lighthouses, shrines and natural wonders - that most travelers zip past in their cars. Once you have crossed the full 40-mile bridge route, a support vehicle will drive you back to Matsuyama and your hotel, where you can relax for the evening.

Matsuyama & Imabari
Matsuyama & Imabari

Day 7

Map

Matsuyama & Imabari

Matsuyama is home to eight of the 88 Buddhist temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and you can often see pilgrims dressed in white making their way between the temples. Take part in the pilgrimage with a drive to the mountain plateau of Kuma Kogen (“Bear Plateau”) and the start of today’s hike in the forest setting of Daihoji (Temple 44), then begin the hike to Iwayaji (Temple 45) following the mostly even trail onto the small village of Shimohatanokawa. The route continues through rural landscapes and woodlands before dropping gently into an isolated valley before ascending once again into the forested hills; amble along ridge tops before beginning a final descent to the mountain temple of Iwayaji. After the hike, travel by vehicle back to Matsuyama to retire for the night.

Day 8

Map

Kanazawa

Today visit the famed Kenrokuen garden, where you can wander through the beautiful landscaped garden, known as the “Garden of Six Sublimities”. Dating to the early 1600’s, Kenrokuen is one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan,” and is considered by many to be the finest in the country. This classic Japanese strolling garden, includes hills, ponds, rocks, moss, and tea houses, is best experienced by walking through its stately grounds. In the afternoon visit Kanazawa castle, an Edo period fortress which served as the Kanazawa University campus for several decades. While many of the majestic buildings were lost to fires throughout the centuries, the castle is now being rebuilt to ancient specifications. Today, the lush grounds of Kanazawa Castle are a lovely, scenic park that is especially beautiful during spring’s cherry blossom season, and fall. The walking tour will culminate with a visit to Nomura-ke, a samurai residence painstakingly restored to the specifications of its 17th-century heyday. Afterwards, explore Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya district (the “eastern tea” neighborhood), which is a designated National Cultural Asset in Japan. This area is perhaps the best example of Kanazawa’s dedication to the preservation and re-creation of the architecture and culture of the Edo period.

Hotel Options
About

Conveniently located close to Kanazawa Train Station, the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa is comprised of 253 rooms and suites in a modern, high-rise property. Accommodations range over eight room types and three suite types, all decorated in a playful, modern style with eye-catching artwork.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kanazawa
Kanazawa

Day 9

Map

Kaga Onsen

This morning, check out and meet your guide in the lobby for private transfer to Mount Hakusan National Park (approximately two and a half hours). At the park, meet your expert mountain guide for a guided trek through the trails. Along with Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama, Hakusan is one of the Three Sacred Mountains of Japan. The mountain has been a place of pilgrimage and worship since the eighth century and renowned for its natural beauty. The park spreads across four prefectures and covers 185 square miles of protected, primal landscape. The park ranges from temperate to alpine climate zones, giving it a rich diversity of vegetation as well as wildlife - with animals such as the golden eagle, Asiatic black bear, and Japanese macaque all calling the park home. After you’ve finished hiking, drive two hours to the Kaga region to check into a luxury ryokan and enjoy a much needed onsen experience.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This ryokan is located in one of Japan's most picturesque areas, within a short distance of tourist sites such as Kanazawa and Shirakawa go.

History: Beniya Mukayu is perched on the hillside of Yakushiyama, a sacred place of Hakusan Mountain Buddhist worship, on the same premises where in old times there used to be a temple for monks to study Buddhist scriptures and cure people with hot spring baths and medicinal herbs.

Service: The owners of this boutique ryokan, Mr. and Mrs. Nakamichi, and the staff provide warm, personalized service to each guest.

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Beniya Mukayu Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located along the Kakusenkei Gorge and a short distance from Koorogi Bridge, guests of the Kayotei have ample opportunity to view picturesque surroundings.

Intimacy: All 10 sukiya style suites are meticulously decorated to inspire a deep feeling of serenity in guests.

Authenticity: From accommodations to cuisine to the opulent bathhouses, the staff has worked hard to ensure guests can enjoy an unadulterated, traditional Japanese experience.

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Kayotei Preferred Hotel

Day 10

Map

Kaga Onsen

Enjoy a leisurely day visiting local artists and craftsman, who strive to maintain the traditional art forms of Japan in this quaint and charming town. Witness a Kutani porcelain master’s studio and private gallery, a wooden furniture artist’s studio, Japanese washi-making studio, maki-e lacquerware studio and a tatami mat-maker’s workshop.

Kaga Onsen
Kaga Onsen

Day 11

Map

Departure

Return to Tokyo or Osaka and onto your next destination.

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