Beautypically

Basic travel information

Welcome to embark on an unforgettable journey into Japanese culture, combining old traditions with a modern local lifestyle. During the Empire, the Nakasendo route connected the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. Along the route, numerous villages were born, whose traditional inns still host travelers today through beautiful scenery and well-preserved local culture.

The Nakasendo hike runs from village to village for four days. In autumn, the stunning colors of autumn paint the surrounding landscape, while in spring you can admire the colorful blooms. We sow in hot springs, enjoy the hospitality of traditional inns and fabulous local cuisine. Luggage is traveled separately by vehicles, all you need for the excursions is hiking equipment, while the inns offer traditional outfits with footwear for a comfortable evening.

Before hiking, we will explore the modern metropolis of Tokyo. The trip is crowned by a visit to the temples and markets of Kyoto, the old capital of Japan.

Itinerary

DAY 1 – HELSINKI – TOKYO

We will fly overnight to the capital of Japan.

DAY 2 – TOKYO

We arrive in Tokyo in the morning, staying in the city center. Free time to admire the life of the modern metropolis, in the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner. (I)

ACCOMMODATION AT
SHIBA PARK HOTEL OR SIMILAR

DAY 3 – TOKYO

Today we do a city tour on foot and by metro, with which we get to know e.g. peaceful gardens, the hustle and bustle of the city and shopping. (A)

ACTIVITIES
TOKYO CITY TOUR

ACCOMMODATION AT
SHIBA PARK HOTEL OR SIMILAR

DAY 4 – TOKYO – KISO

We begin our hiking trip by moving to the remote Kison Valley. We walk to Kiso-Hirasawa, known for its traditional lacquer work, from where we hiked a few kilometers to the cozy traditional village of Narai. Accommodation in an inn run by a local family. In the evening we also visit local Shinto temples. (OH)

ACTIVITIES
HIKING

ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE

DAY 5 – YABUHARA

The 8-kilometer walk of the day takes us in beautiful scenery along nature trails to Tori over the gorge to Yabuhara, from where we take a train to Kiso-Fukushima station. We explore the village before transporting to a traditional ryokan where, in addition to accommodation, you can bathe in the hot springs of nature. (OH)

ACTIVITIES
HIKING

ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE

DAY 6 – TSUMAGO

Today, we first travel by train and then walk 15 miles through rice fields, woodlands, bamboo groves and small villages to the historic village of Tsumago, which residents have preserved from decay to the delight of tourists. (OH)

ACTIVITIES
HIKING

ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE

DAY 7 – MAGOME – KYOTO

The last day of walking will take you to the most famous 6 km section of the Nakasendo route to Magome. After lunch and exploring the village, we continue on a bullet train to Kyoto, where we will stay for the rest of the trip. With a population of 1.5 million, Kyoto is a city of a suitable size to shop and admire Japanese urban culture. It is also a historically significant city in Japan and offers some of the most famous cultural experiences in the country. (A)

ACTIVITIES
HIKING

ACCOMMODATION AT
HEARTON HOTEL / APA GION HOTEL OR SIMILAR

DAY 8 – KYOTO

We take a full day trip to the temples and attractions of the old capital of Japan. The country’s most magnificent Zen gardens, Shinto and Buddhist Shrines, scenic sites and the legendary Golden Pavilion will be explored. (A)

ACTIVITIES
CITY TOUR

ACCOMMODATION AT
HEARTON HOTEL / APA GION HOTEL OR SIMILAR

DAY 9 – KYOTO

Free time in Kyoto, the opportunity to shop or enjoy the atmosphere of the city in peace. (A)

ACTIVITIES
FREE DAY

ACCOMMODATION AT
HEARTON HOTEL / APA GION HOTEL OR SIMILAR

DAY 10 – OSAKA – HELSINKI

Transfer to Osaka airport and return flight home. (A)

MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST [L] LUNCH [I] DINNER

Additional information

We fly to Japan on Finnair’s direct scheduled flights. The airline has the right to change its schedules, so do not book any connecting flights until you have received your flight tickets.

Group size: 8-18 people

Accommodation on the way

During the hiking program, we stay in traditional Japanese inns, with futons in the rooms as needed. Bathrooms, often also traditional bathrooms and toilets, are shared. Men and women have their own bathrooms. Hot baths, shared dinners, the hospitality of the hosts, and a cozy environment often make accommodations a highlight of Japanese travel.

Note: Single rooms cannot be guaranteed during the hike. Single room in Tokyo and Kyoto for extra charge.

The price of the trip includes

• Flights to
• Airport transfers
• Accommodations
• All transportation mentioned in the itinerary
• Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
• Entrance fees for guided tours
• Services of a Finnish-speaking tour guide and an English-speaking local guide
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary
• Airport taxes

The price of the trip does not include

• Travel insurance
• Visas
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Food drinks
• Personal expenses
• Local airport taxes or possible exit fees not included in the ticket price
• Office expenses 10 € / person

Preparation:

There are no actual fitness requirements for the trip, but the program is designed for anyone interested in hiking. The most important thing is that our customers feel that they have received the right amount of challenge for the trip. Day mattresses are mostly short and include plenty of rest breaks. Most of our hiking groups consist of first-time and basic Finns, young to retirees. We recommend that you go for regular walks, for example, because the better your physical condition, the more you enjoy our hiking trips.