Takayama and the Nakasendo Trail
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Highlights:
Head to the hills for a Japan adventure like no other. Visit the ‘Alps’ of Japan to discover pristine alpine towns filled with history and culture. Spend two nights in charming Takayama, cycling through the Hida Alps exploring Shirakawago’s UNESCO farmhouses, trek along the Nakasendo Trail, an ancient trading route, passing through well-preserved post towns and enjoying the tranquility.
Explore ancient castles, encounter bathing monkeys and enjoy views of the Japan Alps in Matsumoto. Take a scenic train journey and soak in mountainside onsen while enjoying breath-taking landscapes at every turn.
Head to the hills for a Japan adventure like no other. Visit the ‘Alps’ of Japan to discover pristine alpine towns filled with history and culture. Spend two nights in charming Takayama, cycling through the Hida Alps exploring Shirakawago’s UNESCO farmhouses, trek along the Nakasendo Trail, an ancient trading route, passing through well-preserved post towns and enjoying the tranquility.
Explore ancient castles, encounter bathing monkeys and enjoy views of the Japan Alps in Matsumoto. Take a scenic train journey and soak in mountainside onsen while enjoying breath-taking landscapes at every turn.
SKU:
Explore: TAKAYAMA AND THE NAKASENDO TRAIL
Customizable Itinerary - 11 Days (from $3,643 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
You board your aircraft for the flight to Tokyo.
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
Upon arrival in Tokyo an Ultitude representative will be on hand to facilitate your transfer to your hotel in the city. Many flights from the USA arrive in the early evening but regardless of arrival time the rest of the day is left open to allow you to unwind.
Day 3: Highlights of Tokyo
Meet up with your guide at the hotel to visit some of Tokyo’s major attractions. Start at Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden whose wide collection of seasonal flowers makes it one of the most visited gardens in Toko. Take a break at Nakajima-no-Ochaya and enjoy a cup of freshly made green tea as the guide describes the history of the chado tea ceremony. From there you board a boat for a scenic cruise to Asakusa the old Geisha district featuring many traditional shops. Finish the visit at the Meiji shrine which is close to Harajuku and Omotesando two of the city’s shopping districts.
Breakfast
Day 4: Matsumoto and its Castle
Today you will travel to Matsumoto, a small castle town surrounded by rice fields, vineyards, wasabi farms and the great Japan Alps. After checking into your hotel you have the afternoon to explore the town. Visit Matsumato Castle, one of only twelve remaining original castles in Japan. It is known for its black exterior, red arch bridge and the spectacular background of the Alps. Close to the castle is Nakamachi-dori a historical merchant district with well-preserved old buildings, including some storehouses characterized by their think, white-painted walls.
Breakfast
Day 5: Visiting the Snow Monkeys
After breakfast your guide will take you to Jigokudani Park to view the famous snow monkeys which live in large social groups in the park. Although most plentiful in the winter when they use the hot springs to stay warm, they can be seen at other times of the year.
Breakfast
Day 6: Walking the Nakasendo Trail
You start your journey through the Nakasendo in the Kiso Valley, one of the “Five Routes” that branched off the capital Edo (Tokyo). The trail that runs from Magome to Tsumago is perhaps the most popular section of the trail. The journey will take about three hours with restrooms and tea and coffee available along the way. You arrive in Tsumago one of the well-preserved post towns that flourished during the Edo period. In its Golden Era, merchants, nobles and prominent people frequently passed through for trade and other formal appointments. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing hot springs bath before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Train to Takayama
Make your way to Nagiso station where you board a train for Takayama, a small town nestled high in the Hida Alpine region of Gifu Prefecture. While in Takayama you will be staying at a traditional Japanese-style inn called a ryokan. In the afternoon we recommend strolling in the shitamachi where the streets are lined with century-old merchants’ homes and sake breweries. Stop by one of the breweries for a taste or line up for the famous Hida beef sushi at one of the specialty food stalls. In the evening enjoy a typical multi-course kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Day trip To Shirakawago
Today your driver will be waiting to drive you to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri translates as “constructed like hands in prayer” which is represented through the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs. This architectural style developed over many generations. The roofs were constructed without any nails and the steeple roofs are designed to withstand large amounts of snowfall. These houses are private homes but some are open to the public. In the afternoon continue to Kanazawa, a castle town that thrived in the 17th Century as the center for culture and the arts.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Takayama to Kyoto
After a leisurely breakfast you will board a train for Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital. The city is home to around 2,000 shrines and temples including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and, unlike other major cities, avoided the heavy bombing of World War II. Upon arrival in Kyoto you will be transferred to your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 10: Cycling through Kyoto
Today you get to immerse yourself in the pace of life in Kyoto. Meet your guide and pick up your bike for a full day tour that will take you about 12 miles on the bike so a leisurely pace over 8 hours. Start your tour with a visit to Nishi Honga-Ji Temple one of the largest temple complexes in the city. From there you cycle to Nijo Castle, one of the few remaining original castes in Japan. After a visit to the castle and some lunch you continue to Kinkaku-Ji Temple also known as the Golden Pavilion because of its covering in gold leaf. Originally built as a retirement villa of a Shogun, it was later reopened as a Zen Buddhist temple. Right next door is Ryoanji which is famous for its rock garden. Finish the day in the scenic Arashiyama, famous for its serene bamboo forest, massive temples and vibrant dining and shopping alleys. You may want to have dinner here as a farewell treat to your adventure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Return to USA
Your morning is free until your transfer to Osaka’s Kansai airport for your return flight to the USA arriving back the same day.
Breakfast
You board your aircraft for the flight to Tokyo.
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
Upon arrival in Tokyo an Ultitude representative will be on hand to facilitate your transfer to your hotel in the city. Many flights from the USA arrive in the early evening but regardless of arrival time the rest of the day is left open to allow you to unwind.
Day 3: Highlights of Tokyo
Meet up with your guide at the hotel to visit some of Tokyo’s major attractions. Start at Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden whose wide collection of seasonal flowers makes it one of the most visited gardens in Toko. Take a break at Nakajima-no-Ochaya and enjoy a cup of freshly made green tea as the guide describes the history of the chado tea ceremony. From there you board a boat for a scenic cruise to Asakusa the old Geisha district featuring many traditional shops. Finish the visit at the Meiji shrine which is close to Harajuku and Omotesando two of the city’s shopping districts.
Breakfast
Day 4: Matsumoto and its Castle
Today you will travel to Matsumoto, a small castle town surrounded by rice fields, vineyards, wasabi farms and the great Japan Alps. After checking into your hotel you have the afternoon to explore the town. Visit Matsumato Castle, one of only twelve remaining original castles in Japan. It is known for its black exterior, red arch bridge and the spectacular background of the Alps. Close to the castle is Nakamachi-dori a historical merchant district with well-preserved old buildings, including some storehouses characterized by their think, white-painted walls.
Breakfast
Day 5: Visiting the Snow Monkeys
After breakfast your guide will take you to Jigokudani Park to view the famous snow monkeys which live in large social groups in the park. Although most plentiful in the winter when they use the hot springs to stay warm, they can be seen at other times of the year.
Breakfast
Day 6: Walking the Nakasendo Trail
You start your journey through the Nakasendo in the Kiso Valley, one of the “Five Routes” that branched off the capital Edo (Tokyo). The trail that runs from Magome to Tsumago is perhaps the most popular section of the trail. The journey will take about three hours with restrooms and tea and coffee available along the way. You arrive in Tsumago one of the well-preserved post towns that flourished during the Edo period. In its Golden Era, merchants, nobles and prominent people frequently passed through for trade and other formal appointments. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing hot springs bath before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Train to Takayama
Make your way to Nagiso station where you board a train for Takayama, a small town nestled high in the Hida Alpine region of Gifu Prefecture. While in Takayama you will be staying at a traditional Japanese-style inn called a ryokan. In the afternoon we recommend strolling in the shitamachi where the streets are lined with century-old merchants’ homes and sake breweries. Stop by one of the breweries for a taste or line up for the famous Hida beef sushi at one of the specialty food stalls. In the evening enjoy a typical multi-course kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Day trip To Shirakawago
Today your driver will be waiting to drive you to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri translates as “constructed like hands in prayer” which is represented through the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs. This architectural style developed over many generations. The roofs were constructed without any nails and the steeple roofs are designed to withstand large amounts of snowfall. These houses are private homes but some are open to the public. In the afternoon continue to Kanazawa, a castle town that thrived in the 17th Century as the center for culture and the arts.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Takayama to Kyoto
After a leisurely breakfast you will board a train for Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital. The city is home to around 2,000 shrines and temples including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and, unlike other major cities, avoided the heavy bombing of World War II. Upon arrival in Kyoto you will be transferred to your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 10: Cycling through Kyoto
Today you get to immerse yourself in the pace of life in Kyoto. Meet your guide and pick up your bike for a full day tour that will take you about 12 miles on the bike so a leisurely pace over 8 hours. Start your tour with a visit to Nishi Honga-Ji Temple one of the largest temple complexes in the city. From there you cycle to Nijo Castle, one of the few remaining original castes in Japan. After a visit to the castle and some lunch you continue to Kinkaku-Ji Temple also known as the Golden Pavilion because of its covering in gold leaf. Originally built as a retirement villa of a Shogun, it was later reopened as a Zen Buddhist temple. Right next door is Ryoanji which is famous for its rock garden. Finish the day in the scenic Arashiyama, famous for its serene bamboo forest, massive temples and vibrant dining and shopping alleys. You may want to have dinner here as a farewell treat to your adventure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Return to USA
Your morning is free until your transfer to Osaka’s Kansai airport for your return flight to the USA arriving back the same day.
Breakfast
