Japan Alps to Sea Deluxe Walk & Cycle 8D7N, Fully Guided

Travel from Tokyo Station to Matsumoto Station by train (train tickets is at your own expense). The train journey takes about 2.5hrs - 3hrs.

Suggested Train: 11:24am departs from Tokyo Station to Matsumoto Station via Nagano. Arrives at Matsumoto Station 1:52pm.

Upon your arrival, a reserved private taxi is waiting for you and will transfer you to your accommodation in Okuhida Onsen.

Check in and relax.

Okuhida Onsen-go area is situated at the base of the Japan Alps, and the onsen has some of the most dramatic settings you will find anywhere in Japan.

Stay in a luxury Japanese ryokan - Katsuragi-no-sato tonight. With a history of about 150 years, this luxury ryokan offers spacious Japanese-style amazing mountain villas with tatami (woven-straw) floors and a traditional Irori hearth. Once we entered the property, we felt that we were being pulled into old-Japan. The stately architecture, interior and furniture create a traditional impression.

Your dinner tonight is local special dining experience set by irori fireplace, which has been enjoyed since ancient times in Okuhida. Taste the delicious charcoal-grilled Hida beef, which is famous in Japan.

Your room has a private hot spring bath, so you can soak and relax this evening.

Room Style: Japanese

Bed Type: Futon

Bath Type: Indoor/outdoor onsen

Toilet: Ensuite western style

Enjoy morning bath and breakfast. Your guide will collect you from your accommodation and take you on an amazing walk in Kamikochi.

Kamikochi is a remote mountainous highland valley within the Hida Mountain range and is the crown jewel of the Japanese Alps. This is a very popular place for mountain trekking. You have three walking options to choose to fit your fitness levels.

Option 1 walking distance: approx. 4.2 km, 1.5 hours. Route: Taisho Pond - Tashiro Marsh Wetland - Hotaka and Tashiro Bridge - Azusa River - Kappa Bridge

Option 2 walking distance: approx. 10.5 km, 3 - 4 hours. Route: Taisho pond - Tashiro Marsh Wetland - Hotaka and Tashiro Bridge - Azusa River - Myojin Bridge - Myojin Pond- Dakesawa Marshland - Kappa Bridge

Option 3 walking distance: approx. 13.3 km, 5 - 6 hours. Route: Kappa bridge - Furu Pond - Tokusawa - Myojin/Myojin Pond - Nature Tour Track - Dakasawa Marshaland

Each course will take you to some of the best scenic spots in Kamikochi and you can fully appreciate nature.

Main Scenic Spots:

Kamikochi Walk Kamikochi

Taisho Pond is one of the most popular scenic points in Kamikochi. It was formed in the year 1915 when the volcano Yakedake (still active) erupted and formed a natural dam on the Kamikochi River. The reflections of Mt. Hotaka and Yakedake beautifully appear on the surface of pond against clear sky.

Kamikochi Walk

Passing Taisho Pond and following hiking trail in the deep forest for a short distance, Tashiro Pond suddenly appears. one of Kamikochi's most scenic spots, is a small pond surrounded by marshland. Clear water reflects beautiful sky and towering mountains. Various wild flowers covers the edge of the pond in every season.

Tashiro Bridge & Hotaka Bridge are both well-designed and environmentally-friendly bridges, made of Japanese larch and cypress. The magnificent view of Yakedake and Hotakadake can be seen from the shoal of Azusa River between Tashiro and Hotaka Bridges.

Kamikochi Azusa River Kappa Bridge

Kappa Bridge is a wooden suspension bridge and known as a symbolic presence of Kamikochi situated in the center of Kamikochi. A perfect observation desk where you can overlook the stunning Japanese Alps including summits of Nishihotakadake, Okuhotakadake and Myojindake, towering mountains over 3000 meters above sea level. Look toward the downstream, Yakedake with slight smoke coming out from its volcanic activity.

Kamikochi Myojin Pond

Walk along Azusa River from Kappa Bridge for about one hour, you will reach Myojin Pond. The crystal clear water is always spring out from under ground and have great significance to the Shinto religion which holds nature as a central object of worship. The scenery of Myojin Pond is reminded of Japanese Zen garden with Hotaka Shrine Inner Alter located by the pond, bamboo bush along the lakeside, and the reflection of Mt. Myojindake and natural rocks spotted on the lake.

Your guide will drop you off at your Takayama accommodation. Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama, an old folk house-style inn built using traditional construction methods, is the most luxurious Japanese inn at Hida Takayama. The secluded ryokan has 17 guest rooms. Each room is distinctive including a room with an open air bath on the open terrace where you can experience one of Hida Takayama's four seasons. The hot spring water helps beautify the skin.

Room Style: Japanese or Western

Bed Type: Futon or Twin Beds

Bath Type: Private onsen

Toilet: Ensuite western style

Walking distance: approx. 2 - 4 km. Cycling distance: approx. 22 km, 3.5 hours

The guide will pick you up from accommodation and take you for a leisure walk in Takayama in the morning.

Due to its previously inaccessible location nestled high in the mountainous Hida alpine region, this beautifully preserved town was cut off from the rest of Japan, allowing it to develop its own unique culture. Takayama is an intimate place and the center of the town has a quiet, rustic charm.

The surrounding forests provide fine timber for building traditional houses and for the simple utensils and lacquer ware that have been made in Takayama for hundreds of years.

The skillful carpenters of Hida are said to have built the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and many temples in that city, as well as in Nara. The district called San-machi Suji, the traditional home of Takayama merchants and sake brewers, has been preserved in almost exactly the same state as 200 or 300 years ago. You can see the old houses with latticed bay windows standing in a row.

After lunch, enjoy countryside cycling in Hida. The 3.5 hour guided cycling tour takes you to explore a rustic countryside that is blessed with lush greenery and a landscape dotted with farm houses and sprawling rice fields. You'll also have an opportunity to visit the local market and mingle with locals.

Return to your accommodation.

Room Style: Japanese or Western

Bed Type: Futon or Twin Beds

Bath Type: Private onsen

Toilet: Ensuite western style

Your guide will meet you at your accommodation and take you to the beautiful village of Shirakawa-Go by private car.

Your guide will show you around the village, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukkuri translates as 'Praying Hands', as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, and are designed to withstand the heavy snows which fall in the region. You’ll have the chance to step inside one of these to see how the Japanese of old lived.

Have lunch at a local restaurant and sample Shirakawago's specialty - soba noodles.

Then you will head to the Tateyama Alpine Route by private car and local public bus. The Alpine Route can only be completed using public transport.

First, you will board a tunnel bus for 5 mins to reach Kurobe Dam, the tallest dam in Japan at 186 metres and which supplies hydroelectricity to the Kansai region many miles away. You and your guide will stroll along the dam and admire the mountainous views. The walk takes around 1 hour 50 mins.

Next, you will take a cable car and a ropeway up to Daikanko, you’ll break at Kurobedaira for lunch. This is a spectacular part of the route, offering wonderful views of the mountains. In autumn, the views of the red leaves on the mountain are stunning. When you reach Daikanko, you'll take a trolley bus to Murodo where the snow corridor can be seen in Spring.

The rest of the day you can enjoy some light hiking on one of the many trails in the area. You have options to climb Mt Tateyama or take the path around the pretty Mikurigaike Pond.

Your guide will take you to your accommodation, located at the highest altitude of any hotel in Japan, giving you an unique opportunity to view the stunning Alps towering some 3,000 meters tall.

Enjoy Japanese dinner tonight.

Room Style: Western

Bed Type: Double or Twin Beds

Toilet: Ensuite western style

This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel bright and early and together you will continue along the Tateyama Alpine Route. You have options to catch bus from Murodo to Bijodaira, the gateway back down the mountain or you are up for an adventure, we recommend hiking from Murodo to Midagahara.

First you will hike from Murodo to Tengudaira, a pretty, relatively flat hike of around 1 hour that crosses through beautiful meadows that burst into bloom in summer. You can also enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Tsurugidake.

From Tengudaira you can descend down the mountain via an ancient pilgrimage route, allowing you to get a sense of the Alpine Route's spiritual history. This hike is around 2 hours 30 mins and is a little more challenging, but you are rewarded with the beautiful Midagahara, a wetland 2000 metres above sea level. There is a 40 minute walking loop around some beautiful boardwalks here which will allow you to enjoy beautiful flowers in summer and striking red shades in autumn. Keep an eye out for the wild Japanese Macaques that make their home here.

Overnight in Toyama. Dinner is at your own arrangement tonight.

Room Style: Western

Bed Type: Double or Twin Beds

Toilet: Ensuite western style

* Note: The Alpine Route hiking is only available from June - Mid October. Outside the walking season, today’s itinerary will be replaced with guided tour in Kanazawa (visiting Kenroku garden, Samurai residence, Ninja temple…) Accommodation will be at ANA Crowne Plaza (5 star) for Day 4 & 5.

Cycling distance: approx. 20 km

Your guide will meet you at hotel and escort you to Notojima, a volcanic island in the Nanao Bay portion of the Sea of Japan.

In the afternoon, you will cycle on Notojima Island with a local English guide along the coast of the island. If the weather is nice, you can enjoy ocean with the backdrop of the Japanese Alps.

Discover and connect to Japanese countryside as you cycle around Notojima Island. Notojima is a rich source of traditional Japanese culture. People's lives are supported by the rich biological resources, both from the land and the ocean. Local residents have been carrying out fishing and farming in a self-sustaining way for a long period of time and we can still observe such lifestyle here in Notojima.

Your accommodation tonight is a luxury ryokan built in 1885, situated on a hill with beautiful views of the sunset. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the open-air bath on your room balcony overlooking Hugetsu Sea.

Enjoy kaiseki cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from the sea and mountains.

Room Style: Japanese

Bed Type: Futon

Bath Type: Private open-air bath

Toilet: Ensuite western style

The rugged, hilly Noto Peninsula is extending north and south. The northern part of the peninsula is called Oku-Noto, whose center is Wajima, is most famous for its traditional Japanese handicraft Wajima-nuri lacquerware, its Morning Market, and the nearby Senmaida rice terraces.

Wajima's Morning Market (Asaichi in Japanese) is the city's most famous attraction, believed to date back over a thousand years.

A few kilometers outside of Wajima are the Senmaida Rice Terraces. It's 1004 tiny rice fields on a single slope stretching down to the sea. The Senmaida Rice Terraces are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their long agricultural tradition.

Drop you off at your accommodation, another luxury ryokan boasting a stone sauna and a hot-spring bath with ocean views. Rooms feature tatami mats, lacquer ware, and Japanese paper decor.

Your room has ocean views and private bath.

Room Style: Japanese

Bed Type: Futon

Bath Type: Private open-air bath

Toilet: Ensuite western style

You will be transferred to Noto airport to meet your departing flight.

ANA operates two flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Noto Airport. Flight duration is about one hour.