Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Travel back in time to an era of traditional Japanese life on this nostalgic four-day, three-night tour of the central Japanese countryside. Takayama and the Noto Peninsula are two “must see” regions in Japan, and if you’re the crafty type, you’ll love these places. Set in a beautiful, tranquil, mountainous area, you’ll experience culture in the midst of stunning surroundings. On this tour you’ll also visit Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Yamanaka Onsen.

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

• Takayama: Take a rickshaw ride around Takayama’s Old Town to see the sights on three wheels.

• Local Crafts: Shirakawago Gassho-zukuri is where you’ll find artisans weaving straw baskets and hats, and making pottery.

• Textiles: Spend time at Nagamachi Yuzen-kan studio and learn how to paint beautiful patterns onto traditional silk kimonos.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Takayama

It’s day one of your Japanese countryside tour, and this morning you will head to Kyoto station to board the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya. Hop off and transfer to a limited express train for Takayama - situated in the Japanese Alps. Upon your arrival, visit Yatai Kaikan Hall, home to amazing floats used in the city’s two annual seasonal festivals. Stock up on Hida folk crafts, such as lacquered bowls, wood carvings, and other items at the Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum before finishing up the day with a leisurely walk down Kami Sannomachi Street. This street is in the heart of the city’s Old Town area, and if you’re tired from a big day, consider taking a rickshaw ride. There are many lovely historic buildings in this area and many homes are open to the public, which provide valuable insight into the former living quarters of the local merchants. Head to your hotel for a restful night’s sleep.

Hotel Options
About

Travelers looking for the experience of staying in a Japanese ryokan - a traditional inn - will be blown away by Wanosato, a luxury ryokan and wilderness retreat just outside of Takayama. Located on a large property with a gentle stream running through it, this hotel will allow guests to totally relax from their day-to-day life or their busy days of traveling, with a relaxing garden and hot tub ready to soothe away any stresses.

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 2

Takayama

Rise early this morning for a visit to the Takayama Morning Market. Local markets are a great introduction to life in the town, and this one is stocked with vegetables, fruits, and mountain herbs. Next, drive past the majestic Lake Miboro and head to the former Toyama Family Residence. The home was built in 1927 and is representative of the Gassho style. Take notice of the stunning scenery as you arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago Gassho-zukuri, a village of ancient farmhouses. Once you’ve had a good look around here, it’s time to visit Gokayama to learn the art of Japanese paper making. Create your own special sheets of paper using ancient techniques using shredded bark from a mulberry tree. Head back to Takayama and enjoy another relaxing night as day two of your trip draws to a close.

Takayama
Takayama

Day 3

Kanazawa

Today you’ll visit one of the most famous gardens in Japan-- Kenroku-en. The gardens are home to an impressive 8,700 trees and the oldest fountain in Japan, which is powered by natural pressure. Next, make your way to Nagamachi Yuzen-kan, the only studio in the area where you can see silk kimono patterns being painted. Give it a try yourself’; it’s great fun! No trip to Japan would be complete without sampling Japanese green tea. Sample a few types at Higashi Chaya Street before going to Beniya Mukayu and relaxing in the hot springs this evening.

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.

See Hotel
Beniya Mukayu Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Departure

Have a relaxing morning on your fourth and final day of this exciting tour in a fabulous area of Japan. Catch a flight and a train and you’ll arrive back to Osaka in no time at all. Safe travels on the next part of your journey!

Suggested Hotel For Days 1–2

Wanosato

Wanosato

Travelers looking for the experience of staying in a Japanese ryokan - a traditional inn - will be blown away by Wanosato, a luxury ryokan and wilderness retreat just outside of Takayama. Located on a large property with a gentle stream running through it, this hotel will allow guests to totally relax from their day-to-day life or their busy days of traveling, with a relaxing garden and hot tub ready to soothe away any stresses. Breakfast is made to order every day, and in the evening guests can opt to eat at the traditional Japanese restaurant on site, where only the freshest cuisine is served, including 'sansai' (mountain vegetables), 'wasakana' (river fish), Hida beef, and locally-distilled sake. Guests may choose to stay in a standard room or in a multi-room villa with a private garden, perfect for a larger group or family. Guests looking for peace and relaxation, to soak in history and nature, will have a holiday to remember at Wanosato. 

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

Beniya Mukayu
Preferred Hotel

Beniya Mukayu

Quaint Yamashiro Onsen in Kaga, about an hour from Kanazawa, is a place famed for hot springs dating back 1,300 years, and nowhere is this history better experienced than at Beniya Mukayu, a haven of peace with a Zen-like atmosphere. This ryokan, traditional Japanese inn, has 16 rooms facing the unique forest garden, all featuring minimalistic contemporary interior design and private outdoor hot spring baths. A stay at Beniya Mukayu is a holistic experience; starting with a tea ceremony by the ryokan’s owner Mr. Nakamichi your stay can be a cultivated lesson in Japan’s many methods of relaxation. Other highlights include: signature Yakushiyama treatments and amenities based on hot spring water and medicinal herbs at the Entei spa; Japanese kaiseki meals served at the Horin restaurant, all made with the finest ingredients from a wide range of locally sourced products. From Kanazawa, Beniya Mukayu is a one-hour drive or a 30-minute express train ride followed by a 15-minute car ride.
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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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Couple from Melbourne Australia, clients of ETM Group.

Couple from Melbourne Australia, clients of ETM Group.

Even though we had to change our plans at the last minute, the revised itinerary you put together was more than perfect.

Japan

A Couple from San Francisco

A Couple from San Francisco

The guides and drivers were very knowledgable about the areas and took care of us well

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A Family from Florida

We had such amazing and varied experiences that it is almost hard to put into words.

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