Best of Japan Alps

Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you. The Japan Alps epitomizes the extremes and contradictions of Japan today. The densely populated coastal belt region, including the megalopolis cities of Tokyo and Osaka, is a stark contrast with the beautiful natural scenery of the mountainous central region. Though readily accessible, the Japan Alps are still remote enough to have retained traditional lifestyles and architecture. The Japan Alps is a slow-paced region that has it all, without the crowds. The castle town of Matsumoto, with its striking “Crow Castle” is sure to please with its numerous 17th-century warehouses. You will feel like you have stepped back into 16th-century Japan in the small, mountain village of Tsumago. The stunningly beautiful mountain valley of Kamikochi has some of the best hiking in Japan. The quaint town of Takayama with its farmer’s markets invites exploration. The old farmhouses at Shirakawa-go will give you a glimpse of the way of life in 17th-century rural Japan. Visit with the famous Japanese Snow Monkeys as they enjoy the outdoor baths. After clearing customs and immigration (which can take up to an hour and a half due to increased tourism to Japan), you will be met at Tokyo’s Narita Airport by a Samurai Tours meeting assistant. The meeting assistant will then purchase a limousine bus ticket for you and help you board the bus to the hotel. No meals are included. Travel: 1-1/2 Hours; Walking: Light Before leaving Tokyo, you will need to prepare your luggage to transfer to Matsumoto. After breakfast, you will start the day with a Welcome/Orientation meeting. We start the day by traveling by Shinkansen (bullet train), express train and bus to the city of Magome. Magome and Tsumago were once major stops on the Nakasendo, a major highway through the Japan Alps built in the late 16th century. After the Tokkaido Highway was built in the early 17th century near the coast, Magome, Tsumago and the other towns along this highway became ghost towns. Tremendous efforts have been made recently to rebuild the memory and feel of these old settlements. After arriving in Magome and checking in, the rest of the afternoon is free. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at the ryokan included. Travel: 3 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light After breakfast at the ryokan, we will arrange to have our overnight bags delivered from Magome to Tsumago (you will walk with day bags only), and we will walk the 5 miles from Magome to Tsumago along the route of the old Nakasendo highway. The old highway winds through quaint neighborhoods, old forests, along mountain streams and waterfalls as it makes its way to the historic city of Tsumago. There are even sections of the original highway still remaining. (For those who are unable to walk this far, you can take the bus either from Magome to Tsumago, or there is a bus available from the half-way point of the walk to Tsumago.) All of the electrical and utility lines have been removed and placed underground in Tsumago. You will feel like you truly stepped into 17th- century Japan and Tsumago is often used for filming period movies and television shows. First we will tour the Tsumago History Museum where we will learn the fascinating history of Tsuamgo and the surrounding area. Next we will tour the Wakihonjin Okuya where the retainers of the feudal lord’s party would stay, and the Honjin, where the feudal lords would stay. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the picturesque and charming village of Tsumago before checking into our ryokan. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant are included. Travel: N/A; Walking: Heavy After breakfast at the ryokan, we travel by express train to Matsumoto. From the moment you step off the train and hear the announcement “Matsumotooooo,” you will recognize you are someplace special. Matsumoto is unique because of its many beautiful Edo-period (17th-to-19th-century) Kura (warehouses) with their striking black-and-white contrasting latticework. Today these warehouses house restaurants and shops. After lunch, we tour the famous Matsumoto Castle. This beautiful castle is also known as Crow Castle because of its stark black walls. The castle was first built in 1504 and remodeled into its current form at the turn of the 17th century. Climbing to the top of the main tower, you will have a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding mountains. Breakfast and dinner at the accommodations and lunch at a local restaurant included.. Travel: 3 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium Before leaving the accommodations, you will need to prepare your main luggage to be sent to Hirayu Onsen. You will be traveling to Kamikochi and Hirayu Onsen with an overnight bag only. You will need to prepare enough items for three days/two nights. In the morning we will visit the nearby Daio Wasabi Farm. Here you can learn more about this Japanese condiment staple, while enjoying the many foods flavore