HOW TO CHOOSE A JAPANESE WOW-MAZING WALK WITH US
Life’s An Adventure offers 7 extraordinary walking tours through some of Japan’s most scenic and culturally rich regions. Here are our insider tips on how to choose your walk that will leave you with wow-mazing memories.
WE'VE WALKED THE TALK
For each tour, we have meticulously curated them to provide wow-moments, blending Japan’s natural beauty, historical significance, and immersive cultural experiences.
What’s more, you’ll be guided by our professional and passionate local guides that speak Japanese and English. They’ll enhance your walk experience with insightful stories about the region’s natural and cultural heritage, making it a deeply enriching adventure for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Let’s take a look at what makes each walk uniquely different to other tour company walks in Japan, and the wow-mazing experiences that are included in each itinerary.
1. WALK KUNISAKI SPIRITUAL TRAIL
The Kunisaki Peninsula is a hidden gem in Japan, known for its ancient Buddhist temples, forested mountains, and deep spiritual significance. This 7-day adventure takes you through remote mountain trails and offers unique cultural experiences.
Walk Highlights
- Mount Futago: Climbing the sacred mountain of the Kunisaki Peninsula, a spiritual experience enhanced by the tranquil forest surroundings and centuries-old temples.
- Rokugo Manzan Temples: Explore ancient Buddhist sites that date back to the 8th century, offering insight into Japan’s religious history.
- Onsen Experience: Relax in a traditional Japanese hot spring after a day of walking through rugged mountain terrain.
- Local Cuisine: Savor traditional Japanese meals prepared with local ingredients, adding a culinary wow to the spiritual journey.
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Traditional Japanese cooking class.
- Traditional Himeshima fox dance show and mask painting.
- Visit the famous Ryoai rice terrace and meet a rice farmer.
- Fire Ceremony with a monk.
- Traditional tea ceremony.
2. WALK MOUNT FUJI & IZU PENINSULA
This 8-day walk offers a comprehensive experience of Mount Fuji from various perspectives, along with the natural beauty of the Izu Peninsula.
Walk Highlights
- Mt Fuji Views: Marvel at panoramic views of Japan’s most iconic peak, whether it’s bathed in the morning light or framed by a vibrant sunset.
- Lake Kawaguchi: Walk around the serene Lake Kawaguchi, with perfect reflections of Mount Fuji in its waters.
- Owakudani Volcanic Valley: Experience the geothermal wonders of Owakudani, complete with hot springs and sulfur vents.
- Coastal Trails of Izu Peninsula: Walk along rugged coastal cliffs, with stunning ocean views and tranquil beaches.
- Japanese Ryokan Stay: Unwind in a traditional inn with a private onsen, offering a deep sense of relaxation.
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Unique Geisha Experience.
- Hakone Ropeway journey.
- Dogashima Cave Cruise.
3. WALK MICHINOKU COASTAL TRAIL
Stretching over 1,000 kilometers, the Michinoku Coastal Walk offers incredible ocean views, charming fishing villages, and remote wilderness. This 7-day tour covers some of the most scenic sections of the trail.
Walk Highlights
- Sanriku Fukko National Park: Hike through this stunning coastal park with dramatic cliffs, untouched beaches, and sweeping ocean vistas.
- Tsunami Memorials: Learn about the resilience of the local communities as you pass through areas rebuilt after the 2011 tsunami.
- Traditional Villages: Experience the charm of coastal fishing villages, with opportunities to meet locals and enjoy fresh seafood.
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Dockside Delights experience at Tanesashi.
- Afternoon Coastal Cruise.
- Lunch at a Fisherman’s Hut.
- Salt Making Experience
- Cultural and Reflective Stops.
- Afternoon Traditional Crafts Experience.
- Morning Coastal Cruise along Jodogahama cliffs.
- Explore Shiome Museum.
4. WALK KUMANO KODO
This 8-day pilgrimage takes you along the ancient Kumano Kodo trail, one of Japan’s most sacred routes.
Walk Highlights
- Nachi Falls: Visit Japan’s tallest waterfall, a sacred site that has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.
- Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine: Explore this grand Shinto shrine nestled in the forest, where spirituality and nature converge.
- Forest Walks: Walk through dense forests of cedar and cypress, with stone paths that have been trodden by pilgrims for over a thousand years.
- Onsen Hot Springs: Unwind in traditional Japanese hot springs after a day of walking.
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Kumano River Pilgrim Boat Cruise
- Mediation with a monk in Koyasan.
5. WALK NAKASENDO WAY
The Nakasendo Way is a historic trail that once connected Kyoto to Tokyo during the Edo period. This 7-day walk takes you through well-preserved post towns and lush valleys.
Walk Highlights
- Magome & Tsumago: Explore these beautifully preserved post towns, where time seems to have stood still since the 17th century.
- Kiso Valley: Walk through scenic valleys, forests, and traditional villages.
- Ryokan Stays: Spend the night in traditional inns, enjoying kaiseki dinners and the warmth of Japanese hospitality.
- Historical Walk: Trace the footsteps of samurai and merchants as you walk along cobblestone streets lined with ancient wooden buildings.
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremony & Kimonos, Kyoto.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine Walk, Kyoto.
- Sake experience, Kiso Fukushima.
- Japanese Woodblock Art Class.
6. WALK SHIN-ETSU TRAIL
Set in the heart of the Japanese Alps, this 7-day walk offers spectacular mountain scenery, forest trails, and cultural insights.
Walk Highlights
- Shinetsu Trail: Walk along this trail in the highlands of Nagano, with breathtaking views of mountains, forests, and farmlands.
- Local Farm Visits: Engage with local farmers and learn about traditional agricultural practices in rural Japan.
- Snow Monkeys: Witness the famous Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs at Jigokudani Monkey Park, a true “wow-moment.”
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Calligraphy Brush Meditation with a monk.
- Ninja Museum Experience.
- Nozawa Onsen Distillery.
- Togakushi Soba cooking experience.
- Kenji Temple and Onsen Tomago cooking experience.
7. BASHO TOHOKU
This 7-day walk takes you on the Narrow Road to the North, where you’ll experience the enchanting landscapes that inspired the legendary haiku poet Matsuo Basho which he chronicled in his travelogue, Narrow Road to the Deep North.
Walk Highlights
- Nature: Wander through ancient cedar forests, the majestic 100 metre deep Naruko-kyo Gorge, 1,200 year old alpine onsen villages, stunning coastal scenery and peaceful mountain summits.
- Ancient Walks: Hike a trail dating back to prehistoric times to visit the Satohama Historical Park, and its Satohama Shell Mound from the Jomon period, one of the largest in Japan.
- Temple Visits: See Motsu-Ji Temple’s serene twelfth-century Pure Land Buddhist garden, Plus, the UNESCO World Heritage Chuson-Ji Temple and its stunning Golden Hall.
- Cultural Insights: Learn about the historic Fujiwara clan and their influence on Hiraizumi and listening to a local folk song “Mogamigawa Funauta,” sung in the Yamagata dialect.
Included Wow-Mazing Experiences
- Boat cruise from Shirogama to Matsushima Bay.
- Traditional Dance performance at Momo no Yu.
- Private cruise of the dramatic dramatic Sagakei Gorge and coastal temples of Matsushima Bay.
- A cruise down the Mogami River.
- Learn about and create your own traditional Kokeshi Doll.
- Relaxing in private onsen baths.
WHERE WILL YOU GO?
Each of Life’s An Adventure’s Japan Wow-Mazing Walks offer unique wow-moments, from stunning natural landscapes to deeply immersive cultural experiences. To see our walk savings deals and to book your walk, click below.
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