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Walking
Small Group Walking Tours, Japan
Walking Tours of Japan include a collection of unique, light walking tours through the cities, towns, and the amazing pristine wilderness of Japan.
2024 & 2025 Walking Tours of Japan are an invitation to you to explore one of the world’s most beautiful countries on foot in a whole new way. With a light day pack and led by an experienced local guide these walks provide a unique a local perspective on historical sites, breathtaking natural environment, and delightful culture.
Each walk is designed to create a more relaxed new traveling experience. You’ll have the time to investigate the hidden gems of Japan’s cities and villages and to savor the unexpected views in the countryside without the pressing crowds.
These refined modern style walking tours in Japan also offer you the opportunity to experience the best parts of some of Japan’s most spiritual pilgrimage walks, such as the Three Mountains of Dewa or Togakushi in Nagano. There is the sheer beauty of Kamikochi and the timeless Nakasendo Way.
Walking Tours of Japan aim to offer walks of 6-10 kms and often and option to extend if the guests are keen.
Tour Type
Signature
Our Signature tours offer the most comprehensive cultural exposure.
Discovery
Our Discovery tours provide up-and-close encounters with traditional life and natural landscapes into the more remote regions of Japan.
Comfort
With a focus on comfort and ease, our Comfort tours deliver an authentic experience with a few extra creature comforts to make for a more relaxed and supported trip.
Seasons
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11 day tour
2025 Walking Tour of Nakasendo and Takayama
Unforgettable hiking on the Nakasendo Way – Japan’s most scenic walking route. The 11-Day guided tour also includes the historic town of Takayama.
Next Departure 7th Nov, 2025
8 day tour
2025 Walking Tour of Nagano & Japan Alps
This walking tour takes you to some of Japan’s most pristine and stunning remote landscapes, with the Japanese Alps high above you and at the peak of autumn too. The brilliant autumn colours will take your breath away on a variety of short walks (8-10km) through the national parks and small villages.
Next Departure 12th Oct, 2025
13 day tour
2025 Spiritual Walks of Northern Japan
2025 Spiritual Walks of Northern Japan takes you through spiritual mountains, national parks ablaze in autumn colours and authentic onsen villages. An ideal opportunity to be stunned by the beautiful Japanese rural landscapes and the warm traditional hospitality of northern Japan.
Next Departure 12th Oct, 2025
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Walking Tours Features
2024 and 2025 Season of Japan Walking Tours
There are three Walking Tours of Japan in the 2024 season, each with a special theme.
The Walking Tour of Nagano and Japan Alps includes a day in Togakushi, an ancient pilgrimage route as well as walks in pristine Kamikochi. October departure will show you early autumn sceneries in the alpine environment.
The highlight of the Spiritual Walk of Northern Japan is a shugendo training an spiritual pilgrimage walk on the Three Mountains of Dewa.
The Walking Tour of Nakasendo and Takayama features a walk on the ever-popular Nakasendo Way, together will culturaly rich region of Takayama.
Why travel with us
At Journey to the East we are committed to providing authentic and most memorable experiences in Japan – for both Small Group Tours and custom-built Private Tours. Whether it is your first visit or you have been several times to Japan, you will always find something new and have special experiences with Journey to the East. Our travel style is chosen to immerse you in the culture and landscape of the country and expose you to a rich variety of unique experiences.
We do this by taking you beyond the tourist hotspots to explore the lesser-known parts of Japan. Our tours are designed to strike the right balance between the classic highlights and local secrets, the urban and the rural, the historic and the contemporary, and in doing so, reveal the true heart of Japan.
With Journey to the East, you will have fun and be safe on your deeply rewarding journey through this endlessly fascinating country!
We are specialists that just handle tours within one country, Japan. Whether you are from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand or beyond we meet you at the airport upon arrival into Japan and ensure a smooth and stress-free time in a foreign land.
Accommodation styles
Ryokans
Ryokans is a Japanese style accommodation, mostly consists of Japanese style rooms with tatami matt floor and futon bedding, and private ensuite. Some ryokans have a western style room with beds. A Japanese style room always has a low table and flat cushions to sit on, but the room may or may not have chairs. Most ryokans have an additional large public bath for guests and includes kaiseki style dinner. Breakfast can be Japanese style (rice, miso soup, fish etc.) or western style buffet.
Western Style Hotels
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Minshuku
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Shukubo (temple lodging)
The vast majority have Japanese style rooms and shared bathroom although there are limited number of temples with a western bedroom with ensuite. The stay at shukubo includes Buddhist vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Dinners are served early, around 5pm. They are run by monks, and facility and services are basic. Guests can attend morning service in the main hall.
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