Daily Itinerary

Day 1
Kon'nichiwa and welcome to Tokyo! More than any one sight, this buzzing capital city is your first stop on your incredible Japanese journey. Once you’ve checked into your centrally hotel and freshened up, why not head out on foot and grab your first incredible Japanese meal.

Days 2 to 3
Check out of your Tokyo hotel this morning, don’t worry you will be back at the end of your Quest with more time to see what the city has to offer. A short 1-hour train ride will have you arriving at Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Hakone is a beautiful mountainous town known for its hot springs resorts and views of the iconic volcano Mount Fuji. Spend two nights in the picturesque town exploring highlights like serene onsen, world-class art museums, the Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi and the iconic Mt. Fuji, to name a few.

Day 4
Rise and shine early this morning, today you make the 3 hour train journey from Hakone to Kyoto. Sublime Zen gardens, mysterious Buddhist temples, colourful Shinto shrines and graceful geisha await your arrival, Kyoto is the quintessential image of Japan you see when you close your eyes and yours to explore for the next 3 nights.

Day 5
This morning set out on a culinary discovery of Kyoto with your included morning walking tour in Gion with breakfast at Nishiki Market. Start out the tour by enjoying the fresh, morning air while walking through Gion. A local tour guide will show you around the calm and quaint morning of Kyoto. 

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere which is a big contrast to the vibrant energy at night. After a healthy little walk, you will visit a shrine that is loved by locals. Once arrived at the market savour a one of a kind Japanese breakfast along with tasting 4 to 5 exquisite dishes selected by your local guide. Nishiki Market has over 400 years of history and has been loved by locals as the "Kitchen of Kyoto" for a long time.

Your local and knowledgeable guide will provide you with valuable information that you cannot get from an ordinary sightseeing tour. You will be finished by lunch time where you can continue to explore the market on your own or head off to see more of Kyoto.

Day 6
Spend your last full day in Kyoto exploring the sights you haven’t seen yet, perhaps a visit to some of the Buddhist temples, the Shinto Shrines, one of the gardens or maybe even try a tea ceremony? The town is your oyster, soak up all the beautiful culture it has on offer.

Day 7 to 10
Today you leave Kyoto and start your 5 day self guided Nakasendo Way Walk. A 2 1/2 hour train trip from Kyoto will have you arriving at Nakatsugawa where you will commence your walk. Your included luggage transfer will take the hassle out of this village to village walking trail. You will also have a detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions, topographical maps and local support by telephone throughout. An easy to moderate walk, the longest days have 6 hours of walking. Other days have 1 to 3 hours of walking, giving time for sightseeing in the lovely old Nakasendo post towns en route. The first parts of the route follow the Kiso Valley, and have some gentle climbs over low passes. Along the way you will journey through the picturesque Kiso Valley and Karuizawa, bathe in the thermal waters at a hot-spring, see Matsumoto castle, hike country trails and quiet rural roads and enjoy stays in Japanese inns.

Day 11
Today is the final day of your walk, make the journey from Karuizawa to Yokokawa. From Yokokawa, board the local train to Takasaki and change there for your ride on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Tokyo. The train journey takes around two hours and you will arrive in Tokyo in the late afternoon or early evening. Check into your centrally located Tokyo hotel and enjoy a night of R&R, you’ve just completed the Nakasendo Trail!

Day 12
Back in the bright lights of Tokyo, you have another two full days to see all the sights you didn’t have a chance to on your last quick stop here. Tokyo has so much to do and see, you could spend a year here and still discover new places! Whether its a day shopping in Harajuku, a trip to the Tsukiji Market, lunch in a kitten cafe or exploring a Manga or animation museum, today is yours to explore and play in this amazing city. Why not head to a local ramen restaurant for dinner tonight and hit a sake bar afterwards? When in Tokyo, do as the locals do!

Day 13
It’s your last full day in Tokyo today so seize the day and head out this morning for breakfast and tick off the last things on your to do list. This afternoon join an expert local guide for your included Tokyo After 5 Food Tour! Savour legendary, iconic Tokyo flavours and dishes. Devour yakitori at a street yakitori bar. Enjoy Monja-yaki in the neighbourhood where it originated -MonjaTown. Visit a confectionery shop and learn about wagashi. This and more awaits you on this incredible 3-hour culinary tour.

Day 14
As you check out of your Tokyo Hotel, your “Highlights of Japan with Nakasendo Way Walk” Quest comes to an end. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr Seuss.

Not ready to go home yet?

You can continue travelling by adding free time, extending your journey or enjoying another Quest.
We will help fit Quests and extra travel together to ensure you take advantage of your already included airfares and the add-on component pricing.