Adventure on Ancient Trails - Absolute Asia Tours

On arrival in Japan, you'll be met by our representative, who will accompany you to your hotel.

Meet your guide and set off for a walking tour of Tokyo’s historic Shitamachi district, which boomed during the Edo era (1603 - 1868). You'll wander through the city’s oldest Geisha district, visit a drum museum to have a bash at playing some traditional instruments, and stroll down Kappabashi-dori - the well-known street that sells nothing but kitchenware and the famous life-sized replicas of food which Japanese restaurants often display instead of menus. Explore shops selling kimono, traditional sweets and crafts, and take in stunning views of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Drop in to the Edo Shitamachi Traditional Craft Museum, before paying your respects at Senso-ji (‘Asakusa Kannon’), which - at nearly 1,400 years old - is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist site. Stop to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before being driven to Ueno, which was the wealthiest district in Japan during the Edo period. This afternoon's walk will take in Jomyo-in, a temple containing 84,000 Jizo (Bodhisattva) statues, and the historic Kane-ji temple, along with some of Tokyo’s most famous museums in Ueno Park. Finish your tour at Ameyoko-cho, which was a black market after World War II and is now one of Japan’s few remaining outdoor markets. It's the ideal spot for tea and yakitori, and possibly a cold beer - the first round is on us!

Your day will be at leisure until 5pm, when you’ll meet your guide for a tour of Tokyo’s vibrant culinary scene. Over the course of the evening you’ll visit a variety of venues, from tiny izakaya pubs to street-side stalls, each distinctive in their atmosphere and food offerings.

Travel to Kamikochi for a trek through some of Japan's most beautiful mountain scenery.

We recommend starting your walk from Taisho-ike Pond, which reflects the Hotaka Mountain Range and Mt. Yakedake, an active volcano which stands at around 2,455 meters above sea level. Admire the extremely picturesque views from Kappa-bashi Bridge, before taking the trail to Myojin-bashi Bridge, the gateway to Hotaka-jinja Shrine and Myojin-ike Pond. There is also a small restaurant here where you may wish to have lunch.

Take the train through the Central Japanese Alps to Tsumago, where you'll follow in the footsteps of samurai lords on a five mile hike along the Nakasendo Way. You'll be walking along the actual old stone road which connected Edo to Kyoto - one of five trails that crossed central Honshu during the Edo era. This well maintained section of the trail is beautiful, and truly evocative of historic Japan. Walk at a leisurely pace through the countryside, passing local houses, waterfalls, forest and farmland, before arriving at another post town to rest and enjoy the mountain views before being driven to Tsumago, hopefully having built up a good appetite for the traditional multi-course kaseiki feast which will be served by your ryokan hosts.

Catch a train through the scenic landscape to Takayama, where you will be staying in a traditional Japanese-style ryokan - an inn with tatami mat flooring, futon beds, and hot spring onsen baths. For dinner, a traditional multi-course kaiseki will be served, and will feature some of Takayama’s famous cuisine, including local vegetables, miso, and last but not the least, Hida beef, which rivals the better-known Kobe beef.

Meet your guide for a walking tour of the Sanmachi Suji district in Takayama's old town. The area is particularly well preserved, its streets lined with traditional houses, shops and restaurants. Some of the old merchant’s homes are open to the public, and will give you an insight into Takayama’s rich history and culture. Takayama also has a thriving food scene with unique local dishes that are not found elsewhere in Japan. You will visit several food shops, some of which have been in business for generations, to taste these local delicacies. Another speciality of the region is sake, and several old sake breweries can be found in the old town, recognized by balls made of cedar branches hung over their entrances. Sake sampling will also be included during the morning. After your walk, you'll be driven out of Takayama for an afternoon of cycling through the region’s stunning landscape, along trails past waterfalls and the typical thatch-roofed houses that make this area so famous. There will be plenty of opportunities to get off the bikes, hike the trails, and photograph the impressive scenery.

Step aboard the shinkansen for the journey from Osaka to Kyoto, where the remainder of your day will be at leisure to begin exploring the city.

Explore Kyoto on two wheels, cycling with your guide through the Miyagawacho and Gion geisha districts, hoping to see a geisha or apprentice as they dash between appointments. Continue along the Shirakawa canal, which is lined with weeping willows, pass traditional Kyoto style tea houses, and pause at the Imperial Palace Park for some time relaxing amongst its wide avenues, abundant trees and beautiful lawns, before cycling back along the Kamo River bank. After the tour has ended you can keep you bike for a while longer if you wish to explore at leisure.

Take a quick train journey out of town to huge Lake Biwa, a UNESCO wetland site which is a crucial habitat for fish and birds. Experience the Japanese agricultural lifestyle as you pedal your electric bike along beautiful lakeside tracks, through ancient villages, and past the rice fields, to meet the people who farm this landscape. After you’ve met the farmers and helped them with a little planting or harvesting, you’ll get the rare opportunity to visit a local Biwan family for a delicious home-grown, home-cooked lunch. Having had your fill of lunch, cycle gently back with a lake breeze to keep you cool, and the impressive Hira mountain range in the background.

Catch the train to Kii-Tanabe Station, where you'll meet your guide for a brief orientation on Kumano Kodo, its history, and a more detailed explanation of the pilgrimage trails. You may wish to pause for a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants before hopping on the bus to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest and most historical hot spring resorts in Japan, built around springs discovered almost 2,000 years ago. It's said that pilgrims of yore stopped here for cleansing before praying at the Hongu Taisha shrine. Your accommodation tonight will be in one of the traditional inns of Tsubo-yu, a small hot spring enclosure built along the river, and one of the oldest in the country. Legend has it that Tsubo-yu's waters healed and revived one of Japan’s legendary warriors when he was brought, wounded, to Yunomine for refuge. There's certainly nothing like a hot spring bath after a tough samurai adventure...

Catch the bus to Hosshinmon-oji, the starting point of the trail that leads to Kumano Hongu Taisha (one of those three significant shrines). This 4 mile trail passes through a scenic landscape of forested hills and small farming villages, with stunning views from a couple of observation points. End your hike at Kumano Hongu Taisha, which is dedicated to the worship of the forests in Hongu. It is also the head shrine of the 3,000 Kumano shrines throughout Japan. Descend from the shrine’s stone steps and walk to Oyunohara, the site of the largest torii gate in Japan, and the original location of Hongu Taisha. Catch the bus to Kawayu Onsen, a unique hot spring where geothermal waters collect beneath the cool Ota River and bubble up through it and the surrounding river bed, meaning you can dig your own hot bath by the river!

Take a trip along Kumano-gawa River on a traditional boat. For over a millennium, pilgrims have been crossing this river to visit Hayatama Taisha in Shingu. The 90 minute boat ride lets you experience the more sedentary side of Kumano Kodo, which can be refreshing after a day of hiking through the mountains. While in Shingu, visit Hayatama Taisha, another Kumano Sanzan grand shrine. Catch the bus from Shingu Station to Katsuura, a small yet popular fishing village on the Pacific coast, where you can - if you wish - spend the evening discovering the somewhat less spiritual pursuits of excellent seafood dining, bars and karaoke.

Catch the train to Osaka, check in to your hotel and meet your guide in Dotonbori for a delicious streetfood tour. Advised by your expert local guide, explore the backstreets and buzzing markets, sampling popular Japanese snacks and local delicacies. Osakans are especially proud of takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (pancake with cabbage, pork, ginger, nori, and sauce). You'll also visit a sushi bar to sample fresh sushi and chat with the chef, with your guide as interpreter. Your gourmet journey will conclude with a cold local brew at one of the neighbourhood’s small stylish bars. Your guide can recommend a restaurant for dinner, if you'd rather not head straight back to your hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.