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Japan Alps & Kyoto
16 Days/15 Nights - Gateway: Tokyo
Standard Tour: from £1679pp
Superior Tour: from £2319pp
Rail & car upgrades also available.
Prices valid for 2009. Peak supplements may apply.
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Take a leap off the tourist track and discover the crisp moun tain air and clear blue skies of Japan’s little known Alpine region, an area of mountainous beauty that few Japanese even get the chance to visit! This 13 night trip begins in the buzzing neon of Tokyo from where you travel to the hiking trails in the shadow of Japan’s most evocative image, Mount Fuji, leaving the chaos of the cities well behind. In summertime this famous landmark opens to climbers - only the truly adventurous need apply! |
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
You will be met at the exit to customs and transported by airport bus to the buzzing mini-metropolis of Shinjuku Station area in Tokyo, 5 minutes walk from your hotel. Shinjuku is where the neon glow of the shopping and entertainment districts sit side-by-side with the soaring skyscrapers of Tokyo’s Metropolitan Government Buildings to create a unique, vibrant and fascinating district that has been the setting and inspiration for many Hollywood movies.
Accommodation: Kadoya - Classy small business hotel in the heart of Shinjuku |
Day 2: Full day tour of Tokyo
Today will begin with breakfast at your hotel after which you will be met in the lobby by a private guide who will accompany you for 8 hours on a tour of the city using public transport. Your guide will have suggestions for the day and will show you some of the city’s major highlights as well as visiting any sights you especially wish to see. For dinner choose from Tokyo’s 40,000 restaurants, from cheap and cheerful street noodle stalls to exquisitely presented Kaiseki meals served by kimono clad waiting staff. There is something to suit every taste and budget. |
Day 3: Travel to Fuji Five Lakes
Today you will take a step away from the drama of Tokyo and head by highway bus to the stunning Fuji Five Lakes area. What trip would be complete without witnessing the remarkable sight of Japan’s most famous landmark, Mt. Fuji, rising from behind the clouds? The mountain is so sacred that it is said to be every Japanese person’s dream to view the fondly named ‘Fuji-san’. You will have the rest of the day to visit the hidden caves at the foot of Fuji or simply to relax in your hotel’s hot spring bath whilst taking in the view.
Accommodation: Sunnide Village - Charming lakeside hotel with stunning views |
Day 4: Full day Fuji Five Lakes
A full day to explore the area. During July and August you have the option to climb the sacred peak - if you can handle the challenge! It’s not for the faint-hearted and as the old proverb says, “it is a fool who never climbs Fuji, but a bigger fool who climbs twice”! The Fuji Highland theme park is packed with exhilarating rides, Mt. Fuji providing an awe-inspiring back drop - a brilliant photo opportunity from the world’s fastest roller coaster. If less hair-raising activities are more to your liking, take a lake-side walk or perhaps visit the nearby kimono museum to get a close-up look at how these beautiful items are made. |
Day 5: Travel to Matsumoto
Express trains will whisk you through the mountains to Matsumoto, home to one of only twelve remaining samurai castles. A visit to the beautiful ‘Black Crow Castle’ is essential and there is also an interesting choice of local cuisine to sample, including soba noodles with mountain vegetables, raw horse meat, and bee larvae! Matsumoto is a city with a rich educational and artistic herit age and the Ukiyoe wood block print museum, Kaichi Gakko old school building and museum of folklore are all well worth visiting.
Accommodation: Tokyu Inn - Standard class hotel with modern facilities |
Day 6: Travel to Norikura
A short train journey and then highland bus will take you further into the awe-inspiring Japan Alps and onto the Norikura plateau, located at an altitude of 1400 metres. A variety of hiking courses will take you between the stunning waterfalls and naturally formed lakes all set against the backdrop of the imposing mountain range. Changing with the season, the scenery is most striking in autumn when the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold.
Accommodation: Mitakeso - Lodge style Japanese ryokan with fantastic food |
Day 7: Full day Norikura
A forty minute journey by shuttle bus will take you to Tatamidaira, the small mountain top area at the top of the Alpine ridge. From here several gentle walks are available, or for the more energetic, a two hour ascent of Kengamine. The panoramic view from the 3026 metre summit is one to take your breath away, literally! At the end of a hard day’s hiking a feast awaits you at dinner followed by the chance to lie back, relax, and stare at the stars from the soothing, cloudy, mineral-rich waters of the ryokan’s outside hot spring baths. |
Day 8: Travel to Kamikochi
This morning’s bus journey will take you through dramatic gorges, steam rising from the bubbling springs that lie all around, before you enter a long, steep tunnel, cutting through a mountain and into the national park. When you emerge a stunning river valley awaits you, surrounded on all sides by the towering mountain peaks. Without doubt one of the most magical places to visit in all Japan, a stay in Kamikochi is a chance to lose yourself in the beauty of an unspoilt natural landscape. With accommodation on the banks of the river, this is sure to be a true trip highlight.
Accommodation: Nishiitoya Sanso - Good quality ryokan on the banks of the river |
Day 9: Full day Kamikochi
With a full day available you may choose to attempt one of the mountain hiking trails up to the peaks which overlook the valley area. Get an early start and you will be rewarded with amazing views and cool fresh air from 3000 metres. Easier hikes along the valley are also available - keep an eye open for the wild monkeys! Your day will end with another delicious meal in the hotel. |
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Day 10: Travel to Takayama
From Kamikochi you will travel by highway bus to the historic town of Takayama. This afternoon head up to the Hida Folk Village. The thatched roof houses here give you a sense of what life was like in days gone by for Japanese farmers and craftsmen in what used to be a very remote and often inaccessible rural region of Japan.
Accommodation: Best Western - High class hotel in the centre of town |
Day 11: Full day Takayama
After breakfast head out to the morning farmers’ markets and try some of the local produce brought in from all over the region. There are many sightseeing options including the museum housing floats from Takayama’s famous festival, some impressive merchants’ houses and the former local government offices where free English speaking guides are often available. For lunch try some of the delicious Hida beef along with some locally farmed vegetables, perhaps followed by a visit to some of the sake breweries for a taste of the local tipple! |
Day 12: Travel to Kyoto
The Limited Express train will take you down through the mountains and into Nagoya where you will jump on the ultra fast Bullet train to Kyoto. The incredible and ultra-modern station building announces your arrival into this most famous of Japanese cities and is in itself an essential part of any Kyoto sightseeing trip. The afternoon will be free to start exploring part of the city. Considered one of Japan’s best loved temples, Kiyomizu-dera is a stunning wooden structure set high on a hill side overlooking the city. The surrounding streets are a warren of old buildings housing shops, tea houses and restaurants to mingle in and out of before heading back to your ryokan for a sumptuous dinner of traditional Kyoto Kaiseki cuisine.
Accommodation: Izuyasu Ryokan - A family run Japanese style inn.
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Day 13: Full day Kyoto
Kyoto is the Imperial Capital of Japan and, and having been spared the blanket bombing of the war, retains in places much of its original character and charm. Just wandering among the old temples and shrines brings you closer to the heart of the city and to understanding something of the ancient culture and rituals that defined Japan before the modern era. |
Day 14: Excursion day / Kyoto
ou have another full day to explore Kyoto or you may like to take up the option to make a day trip to another destination. Nara, lying just 40 minutes south east of Kyoto is always a popular choice with the rambling deer park and, at its centre, Todai-ji temple housing a huge bronze statue of Buddha. The electric city of Osaka (30mins), historic castle town of Himeji (1hr) and the atomic bomb city of Hiroshima (2hrs) are also other enticing possibilities. |
Day 15: Return to Tokyo
The neon glow of Tokyo beckons as you take a scenic train ride down through the mountains and then the ‘Bullet Train’ back to the throbbing capital of Japan. Catch up on some last minute shopping or catch some traditional theatre. Whatever it is you want to do on your last day, Tokyo will surely offer it!
Accommodation: Kadoya Hotel |
Day 16: Departure
The end of your Alpine trip. For the transfer back to Tokyo Narita Airport we will supply you with vouchers for the airport bus service from the nearest station to the airport. |
Please Note: The Japan Alps package is NOT
available for start dates between 1st November
and 20th April due to the closure of Kamikochi. |
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15 night tour includes breakfast, 6 evening meals, transport, meet and greet, airport transfers, full day guiding in Tokyo and complimentary info pack. All prices are based on twin share (excluding international flights, entrance fees, local transport & baggage handling). |
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