Historic Sites & Hidden Gems Tour

Today, from Shin-Osaka station you will board the Shinkansen for Hiroshima. This trip will take you traveling about 340km. En route, keep your eyes out for the beautiful Seto Ohashi bridge and Himeji Castle, they are sights you won't want to miss! Journey time is around 90 minutes.

Full Day Guided Tour in Hiroshima & Miyajima

Today, you can enjoy the luxury of having a private English speaking guide be at your disposal for 8 hours. They will meet you at your hotel this morning to assist you in exploring Hiroshima and the nearby Miyajima Island. This service will give you the opportunity to truly make the most of your experience here. You may wish to start in Hiroshima, but if you have already done your sightseeing in the city, then you can head straight out to the island, if you would like. After plenty of time to discover and admire the many sights and soak up the atmosphere of the magical island, you will return to Hiroshima with your guide. (This service is on a private basis.)

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a city that needs little introduction. It is, of course, notorious as the site of one of two atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War. Despite its tragic past, Hiroshima is now a bustling and vibrant city, which has risen from the ashes. The Peace Park and Museum are a poignant reminder of the reason for Hiroshima's fame and everyone should spend an afternoon in this part of town. Other attractions in Hiroshima include the charming Hiroshima Castle, the pristine Shukkei-en Gardens and the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of Art. Make sure to sample the popular local food, "okonomiyaki", which literally means, "what you like". You select your own ingredients and cook the cabbage-based pancake-style dish yourself, over a hot plate at your table.

You will take the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka. The journey from Hiroshima takes around 1.5 hours. We will be supplying you with Nozomi Super Express Ordinary tickets for this journey.

From Osaka Nanba Station you will take a limited express train to Mount Koya. Journey time is 95 minutes and the ticket includes the short ride at the end on the Koya-san cable car. It's a scenic journey as you travel from the urban hustle and bustle of Osaka out into the Wakayama countryside.

Mount Koya

Mount Koya, known as "Koya-san" in Japanese, is one of the holiest mountains in the entire country. The plateau at the top of the mountain is home to more than 100 temples and monasteries. Koya-san is the headquarters of the Shingon sect, an esoteric school of Buddhism, which has over ten million members and 4,000 temples in Japan. There has been a religious community here since 816, back when it was founded by a monk named Kukai, after he returned from two years of studying in China. Koya is a very peaceful and beautiful wooded area, that features some lovely walking trails. The atmosphere is enchanting, making this off the beaten path destination, the perfect place to unwind and relax.

Today you will be picked up from your Mount Koya accommodation by a driver who will take you by private car on to Kii-Tanabe, the access point for the Kumano Kodo region. Journey time is around 2 hours.

Kumano Kodo Orientation

Welcome to the Kumano Kodo! We will arrange for you to meet an English speaking member of staff at the fantastic tourist information center next to Kii-Tanabe Station. The representative will be familiar with your itinerary and will talk you through the route to make sure you are confident about the walking ahead. You will also be given relevant maps and bus timetables, and up to date information regarding the weather and hiking conditions on the ground. This is a great opportunity to meet a knowledgeable local who will welcome you to the area, ensuring your hiking runs as smoothly and safely as possible. The orientation will last 20 to 30 minutes.

Fishing is the main industry in Kii-Tanabe and consequently there is some fantastic seafood on offer here. We recommend grabbing lunch in one of the small restaurants in the Ajikoji district by the station (meal will be at your own expense). Staff at the tourist information center will give you their recommendations!

After exploring the city, you will continue onward to the next leg of your journey. From Kii-Tanabe Station you will need to pay on the day for the bus to the small village of Takijiri-Oji, where you will pick up one of the Kumano Kodo hiking trails. The bus departs at 12:25 PM and arrives at 1:02 PM. As these bus tickets cannot be bought in advance, you will need to pay 960 yen per person for this journey.

There's no need to carry your luggage on your backs as you hike the Kumano Kodo. Instead, we will arrange luggage shuttle transfers for each leg of the hike. On arrival at Takijiri-Oji, please drop your bag off at the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Center and from there, we will arrange for it to be sent ahead to your accommodation in Takahara, where you will stay tonight. Please note that a maximum one bag per person can be transferred by the luggage shuttle service.

This afternoon's walk is 3.7km and will take around 2 hours; a good introduction to the pilgrimage trails and a chance to warm up your legs ahead of some longer walks to come. The walk from Takijiri-Oji to the village of Takahara, where you will stay tonight, involves a steep climb through native and planted forest. Around 15 minutes into the climb, there is a set of large boulders. Some of these form a cave called Tainai-kuguri, where you can test your faith by climbing through the crack at the far end. Another boulder, the Chichi-iwa rock, is associated with a local legend. You'll also pass by the Takahara Kumano-jinja shrin, which is one of the oldest buildings along this section of the pilgrimage route and features giant camphor trees.

Takahara

Takahara is a small ridge-top settlement approximately 300m above sea level which overlooks the Hatenashi mountain range. It's known locally as "Kiri-no-Sato" (village in the mist) thanks to the blankets of mist which create a sea of clouds over the valleys below. In the Edo era (1603~1868) the pilgrimage route, which followed the Tonda-gawa River was redirected to cross over the Shiomi-toge pass. Subsequently, Takahara became a post town, home to a relay station and "Hatago" inns servicing pilgrims to Kumano and those on the Thirtythree Kannon pilgrimage of the Western Provinces.

Today, you have a long, but scenic walk ahead of you. Please leave your luggage at your accommodation in Takahara this morning and we will arrange for it to be picked up and transferred to your next accommodation in Nonaka, where you will stay tonight. Please note that a maximum of one bag per person can be transferred by the luggage shuttle service.

Today, you will be hiking 14 km, which will take on average 6 to 7 hours. The trail from Takahara continues to climb into the mountains from the east end of the tiny settlement. About 1.5 hours into the walk you will reach the Jujo-oji clearing, a popular spot for picnic lunches. The highest part of this trail is the remains of the Uwada-jaya Teahouse (~690 meters above sea level). The trail then descends quickly, past the Three-Fold Moon Viewing area, to the creek by Osakamoto-oji. The next section of the trail takes you over the Hashiori-toge Pass, where the small Gyuba-doji statue is located. This statue shows Kazan, one of the first abdicated emperors to pilgrimage to Kumano, sitting on a horse and cow. The trail descends down a cobblestone staircase, to a viewpoint of the Chikatsuyu Village below.

The final section today follows the old highway through Chikatsuyu Village, along the south side of Mount Takao, gradually climbing over 200 meters in elevation. If you need a break, to the northwest of the Chikano Elementary School is the lovely Cafe Bocu, a macrobiotic restaurant. In the shrine grove of Tsugizakura-oji are the massive Nonaka-no-Ipposugi cedar trees. The shrine grove and its old-growth trees were saved from destruction by Minakata Kumagusu during the early 20th century.

Nonaka

Nonaka is a pretty little hamlet in the Nakahechi region of the Kumano Kodo. The settlement perches on tiered terraces on the side of a mountain, with lovely views over the valley below. Nonaka-no-Shimizu, a natural spring is known as one of Japan’s 100 famous waters.

For your convenience, we have arranged for your luggage to be shuttled to your next accommodation in Yunomine Onsen today. Please note that a maximum of one bag per person can be transferred by the luggage shuttle service.

Today, you have a choice of how much you would like to hike, as there are bus options that can help cut down the distances significantly. The full day hike would include covering nearly 21 km over some tricky terrain. However, you can reduce this by starting or finishing with a bus...or even both, if you would like!

This full day hike is on pavement to Kobiro-toge Pass and then on unpaved mountain trail to Hosshinmon-oji. From Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha, the trail switches between forest trail and paved road through settled areas. There are no restaurants along the way, so it is best to bring a packed lunch. The creek beside Jagata Jizo and Mikoshi-toge are common lunch stops. The total hike from Nonaka to Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine will take 7 to 8 hours.

After exploring the Kumano Hongu Taisha area, you can take a local bus on to your ryokan in Yunomine Onsen. We recommend taking the 4:58 PM bus, which will get into Yunomine at 5:09 PM. This leaves plenty of time to have a look around the town, before enjoying dinner and a relaxing hot spring bath at your ryokan. You will need to pay 300 yen per person, on the day for this bus. Alternatively, you might prefer to walk along the Dainichi-goe Trail to Yunomine Onsen, a 3.5km trail, which will take around 90 minutes.

Yunomine Onsen

The beautiful hot spring resort of Yunomine Onsen is one of the oldest spa towns in Japan as natural, thermal waters were discovered here over 1,800 years ago. For a thousand years pilgrims have stopped in Yunomine to bathe in the waters, purifying themselves before journeying on foot to Kumano Hongu Taisha, the sacred shrine in the centre of Kumano Kodo. Today, Yunomine is a collection of quaint bath houses and ryokans along a small creek. Above the river in Yunomine, sits Tsuboyu, a small rock hot spring bath in a wooden cabin. This is the only UNESCO World Heritage onsen in Japan that visitors can bathe in.

This morning, we will arrange for your luggage to be collected from your Yunomine Onsen ryokan and delivered to your accommodations in Kii-Katsuura around 6:00 PM this evening. Please note only one piece of luggage is allowed per person.

Today, you will take a boat ride down the Kumano River. You must first take a local bus from Yunomine Onsen to the Hitari bus stop where you will meet the boat. The bus leaves Yunomine Onsen at 8:50 AM arriving at Hitari by 9:23 AM. You will need to pay on the day for this bus, which will be approximately 920 yen per person.

Traditional Boat Cruise on Kumano River

The Kumano River, which runs from north to south bisecting the Kii Peninsula, has long played a vital role in the region as a transport link connecting mountain communities. Traditionally pilgrims traveled by boat between two of the three main shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hatayama Taisha at the river mouth.

Today we’ll arrange for you to join a 90 minute cruise along the most scenic stretch of the river from Hitari to Kumano Hatayama Taisha. You’ll travel as the pilgrims did in a narrow open topped boat, although these days the boats have a small motor attached! The cruise takes you through steep gorges and past several waterfalls. The boat will dock beside Kumano Hatayama Taisha around 11:30 AM and from there you can explore the shrine. (This service is on a group basis.)

After the boat ride, a local line train will take you from Shingu Station to Kii-Katsuura at the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula. Journey time is approximately 20 minutes.

Kii-Katsuura

Kii-Katsuura is where the Kumano Kodo meets the Pacific Ocean. Once a quiet fishing port, the town’s fortunes changed when an abundance of hot springs were discovered here. Kii-Katsuura's main attraction is the early morning fish market. On a smaller scale than Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, it’s interesting to see the morning tuna auction; an impressive showcase of the morning's catch.

A short bus ride will take you from Kii-Katsuura Station to Daimonzaka Chushajo. This is the starting point for a lovely walk of around an hour to one of the three main shrines in this region, Kumano Nachi Taisha. We suggest taking the 8:55 AM bus, which will get to Daimonzaka Chushajo-mae by 9:14 AM. This bus will cost 420 yen per person, which you will pay for on the day. If you don't fancy the walk, you can stay on the bus all the way to the shrine.

The best approach to the last of the Kumano Kodo's three main shrines, is on foot. The walk from the bus stop at Daimonzaka Chushajo to Nachi Taisha Shrine and the waterfall is 1.5km and will take around an hour. The journey begins with Daimonzaka, a cobblestone staircase. It's a bit of a climb, but worth it for the views of Nachi from the top!

After exploring Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine and the waterfall, you will need to take a short bus ride on to Kii-Katsuura, where you will stay tonight. You will need to pay on the day for this bus, which costs 620 yen. We recommend taking the 11.46am bus which will get to Kii-Katsuura Station by 12.10 PM.

From Kii-Katsuura, you will take a limited express train around the peninsula to Shin-Osaka Station. Journey time is just under 4 hours.

From Shin-Osaka you'll be boarding the Shinkansen for the journey to Tokyo. Look out for the fantastic Kyoto and Nagoya station buildings en-route as well as a glimpse of Mt. Fuji if you are lucky!

Tokyo

One quarter of all Japanese live in Tokyo or the near vicinity and with a population of over 12 million inhabitants, Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world. With its huge skyscrapers, underpasses, overpasses and crowds of pedestrians, Tokyo may not seem the most attractive city on the surface, but the city has a vibrant charm all of its own. The street level detail is what makes Tokyo such an incredibly interesting place to explore and at every turn you will be met with an array of sights, sounds and smells to enliven the senses. The city has many major sights to visit such as Senso-ji Temple in the old downtown area of Asakusa or the fashion hub of Shibuya from where all new trends are said to emanate. All in all a stay in Tokyo is to experience one of the world's most vibrant and interesting cities; a capital hurtling headlong into the future while maintaining its links with the traditions of ancient Japan.

Tokyo Full Day Guided Tour

Today, you will be taken on a full day private tour of the city with a local guide. In order to get a real feel for Japan's capital, you will travel by public transport, just like the locals. On this fascinating introduction to Tokyo, you will have the chance to explore the classic highlights and best kept secrets. Following in the footsteps of your expert guide, you will discover the exclusive features of Tokyo, known only to locals. You are free to set the pace of the day to be as busy or relaxed as you want, as you get to grips with the excellent transport network.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel around 9:00 AM this morning, or any other time you may prefer. Rather than making a fixed itinerary in advance, you will have full flexibility to select the attractions and activities that interest you. This means that you will need to pay for any entrance fees on the day of your tour, in addition to your transport costs. In order to make the most of this experience, please let us know if you have any specific areas of interest, and we will pass that on to your guide in advance. Around 5:00 PM, your tour will end either back to your hotel, or anywhere else in the city that you may wish to spend the evening. (This service is on a private basis.)

Tokyo: Full Day Guided Tour

Today we will arrange for you to meet one of our Insiders who will take you on a day tour of Tokyo. Hand-picked for their passion and knowledge, our Insider experts come from a range of backgrounds – from born-and-bred locals to people hailing from all over the English-speaking world who have chosen to make Japan their home. Your Insider will meet you at your hotel at 9am and from there the sightseeing itinerary is completely flexible. You could visit Tokyo's classic sights and museums, or perhaps you're looking for something a bit different! Instead of ticking off the must-see temples, why not meander through residential neighborhoods and check out some fashionable, new cafes. Or you could explore a video arcade or delve into a Japanese supermarket.

Whatever your interests, our Insiders are experienced professionals who can answer your questions and provide insight on everything from pop culture, restaurants and transportation to what it's like to live in modern Japan. At the end of the day (usually around 5) your Insider will drop you back at your hotel or somewhere in the city if you prefer to continue exploring. Please note that you will need to pay on the day for lunch
and any entrance fees. You can use your IC card for local transport.(This service is on a private basis.)

For the journey between Tokyo and Osaka you will be travelling by Shinkansen. We will be supplying individual Nozomi Super Express, Green tickets for this journey. Green Car is a luxurious way to travel with extra wide heated seats, carpeted foot rests, blankets and a power socket and in-seat music channels available. The Tokaido Shinkansen line was the first of Japan's famous 'Bullet' Train lines to open and traverses the 343 miles between Tokyo and Osaka. When the 00 series trains with their distinctive bullet-shaped noses first started running in October of 1964 (just in time for the Tokyo Olympics) journey time to Osaka was over 4 hours. Today the same trip can be done in just 2 hours 35 minutes! Keep a look out of the right hand windows of the train for Mt. Fuji. But don't be disappointed if you can't see her as she is a notoriously shy mountain.

Sadly, your adventure in Japan must come to an end today. You will be met at the lobby of your hotel by your private driver, for a smooth and relaxing transfer to the Osaka Kansai International Airport. Journey time is about one hour.

We hope you had an incredible experience and are leaving with irreplaceable memories. We wish you safe and pleasant travels onward! (This service is on a private basis.)