Japan Walking and Culinary Tour

Upon reaching Narita International Airport, our guide will be there to greet you, and we have already arranged a group transfer to transport you to your accommodation. Time permitting (depending on flight schedules) venture into the captivating streets of the city for a brief exploration and to enjoy a delightful dinner. Our welcome dinner is scheduled for tomorrow, as it aligns better with the arrival time of our flight.

Meals included: None

(We recommend travel on Air New Zealand flight NZ99. Departs Auckland at 8.50am, arrives Tokyo at 4.50pm)

This morning begins at the lively Tsukiji Outer Market, where fresh seafood from Toyosu is still sold. Then, we explore the charming backstreets of Yanaka and Nezu—local favourites full of traditional shops and snacks—before visiting the historic Nezu Shrine. Next, we head to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Surrounded by a peaceful forest of over 100,000 trees, it’s a serene escape in the heart of Tokyo. This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner.

Meals included:  Breakfast and Welcome Dinner

We travel by train to Kanazawa, once home to the powerful Maeda Clan and known for its rich culture and refined cuisine. For lunch, we join a hands-on temari-sushi class before visiting Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens, once part of Kanazawa Castle. In the evening, we enjoy a delicious seafood dinner featuring local specialties.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We begin the day with a guided foraging walk, learning to identify and harvest seasonal mountain plants (sansai), a tradition still valued in the region. Then we travel to the UNESCO-listed village of Gokayama, known for its unique gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs. Here, we experience local life and take part in a hands-on washi paper-making workshop using traditional techniques.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, we visit Shirakawa-go to learn about the iconic gassho-zukuri houses, including a visit to one now serving as a museum. We then travel to Takayama, where we explore the charming old town on foot. If open, we’ll visit a former merchant’s house museum (closed Tuesdays, with an alternative activity offered if needed).

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Today we immerse ourselves in the flavours and charm of the Hida region – through fresh produce, charming townscapes and local sake! We start at a lively morning market before visiting a local sake brewery to learn about traditional brewing and enjoy a tasting. Then it’s on to the scenic town of Hida Furukawa, known for its canals, white-walled storehouses, and relaxed pace.

Dinner is not included — why not try the region’s renowned Hida Beef?

Meals included: Breakfast

We leave Takayama this morning and begin the hiking portion of the trip. We travel to the biodiverse wetlands of Kamikochi. Our hike today is gentle and gives us the chance to enjoy our surroundings. After the hike we travel to our Onsen accommodation for the evening.

Walking distance: 10.2km
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 3-4hrs

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning, we’ll explore Matsumoto and visit its famous castle before making our way to Kiso-Hirasawa to begin our walk. Known for its lacquerware, we may be lucky enough to see some craftsmen at work. From here we begin our short walk to Narai where we stay in a traditional minshuku for the evening.

Walking distance: 2.5km
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 1 hour

Accommodation: Minshuku Iseya (Family-run Guesthouse)
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

We leave the beautiful post town of Narai this morning and begin our walk over the evocative Torii pass. From here, we continue onto Yabuhara and continue our journey by train and taxi to O-Tsumago. Our accommodation for this evening is in traditional minshuku, where we’ll enjoy a seasonal, locally sourced multi course feast.

Walking distance: 6.2km
Elevation gain: 270m ascent; 344m descent
Time required: 3 hours

Accommodation: Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse)
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

From Tsumago we walk to Magome, our last stop in the Kiso Valley. The trail from Tsumago to Magome is the most beautiful and best-preserved part of the Nakasendo Trail. There will be time to eat lunch in Magome and explore the many small shops along the picturesque main street. You might also try gohei-mochi, skewered sticky rice covered in a sweet paste of miso, sesame and walnuts. We will travel by regular train and then Bullet Train to Kyoto, connecting onwards to Nara, where we check in to our western-style hotel.

Walking distance: 8.3km
Elevation gain: 430m ascent; 326m descent
Time required: 3 hours

Meals included: Breakfast 

This morning, we take a guided walk through Nara, a city rich in history and culture, with eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many are located within or near Nara Park, home to over a thousand freely roaming deer. We’ll visit two of the most iconic sites: Kasuga Taisha Shrine, known for its lantern-lined paths, and Todai-ji Temple, where the vast wooden Great Hall houses a 16-metre bronze Buddha. After our visits, enjoy some free time to stroll through the old town, visit a tranquil Japanese garden, or simply relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

Meals included: Breakfast

We take a scenic train ride to Koyasan, a sacred mountain town surrounded by cedar forests and home to over 100 monasteries. We stay overnight in a temple lodging, dine on traditional shojin-ryori vegetarian cuisine, and visit Kongo-buji Temple and the atmospheric Okuno-in cemetery. Tomorrow, there’s an option to join the early morning Buddhist service. Tomorrow morning, there is an opportunity to rise early and join the Buddhist morning service.

Accommodation: Shukubo (Pilgrims Lodging)
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

We begin with a serene walk through Okuno-in Cemetery, the sacred resting place of Kobo Daishi. Then we travel by train to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart. In the afternoon, we take part in a traditional tea ceremony, learning the rituals behind this timeless practice. In the evening, we explore Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district, where we may spot a Geiko (Kyoto’s term for a geisha) or Maiko (an apprentice) on their way to an engagement.

Meals included: Breakfast 

We start the day at Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s bustling food hub, where we wander through stalls filled with local produce and specialties. Then, we take part in a hands-on experience learning to cook rice the traditional way using an okudosan—a wood-fired stove once central to every Japanese home, now a rare and cherished tradition. In the afternoon, we explore Arashiyama, strolling through the iconic Bamboo Grove, with time to visit Tenryu-ji Temple or take in the views from Togetsukyo Bridge, depending on the day’s pace.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day at leisure to explore Kyoto. Whether visiting some of its iconic temples or shrines or exploring the local shops to pick up some souvernirs to take home, Kyoto is a city that will never find us bored!
Dinner at leisure not included.

Meals included: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner

After breakfast, we board the bullet train to Hiroshima, enjoying scenic views along the way. A short ferry ride takes us to Miyajima Island, home to the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and its famous “floating” torii gate. In the afternoon, we return to the mainland to visit Peace Memorial Park. In the evening, we come together for a memorable farewell dinner to reflect on our journey.

Meals included: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner

After breakfast, our journey comes to an end. Rail tickets are provided for your transfer to Narita Airport in time for your evening flight.

If you wish, you may visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which opens early at 7:00 am for a quiet, reflective experience before departure.

Meals included: Breakfast

(We recommend travel on Air New Zealand flight NZ90, departing Tokyo at 8.00pm, arrives Auckland at 9.25am (following morning))