Central Japan Onsen

Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you. Visiting an onsen is the Japanese version of the good life. At Japanese onsens, you will enjoy excellent food and experience the famous Japanese hospitality. And don’t forget the Japanese baths. The Japanese have raised bathing to a whole new level, and they are an important experience that should be included in every visit to Japan. And in between all of this, we will be visiting some of Japan’s most remote sightseeing destinations. If you like Japanese food and enjoy the Japanese baths, this tour should not be missed. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims from the Kyoto Imperial Court 1,000 years ago as you visit the Kumano Sanzan, the ultimate destinations of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. Soak in the waters of Kii-Katsuura Onsen with its sea-side cave bath. Visit the city of Takayama in the middle of the Japan Alps. With its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, Takayama has managed to retain its traditional charm. Stroll through Takayama’s farmer’s market, sampling the numerous options from vegetable stands and stalls selling herbs, pickles, and souvenirs. Relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Kamikochi, with its numerous gentle trails. And last, but not least, enjoy the waters of Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s most famous onsen. It is blessed with large volumes of high-quality hot spring water said to cure every illness but lovesickness. Kusatsu has the largest natural flow of hot spring water in all of Japan, much of which surface at the Yubatake in the town center. The sulfurous, highly acidic waters have been considered among Japan’s best for centuries, and the resort town has constantly occupied a top spot in onsen rankings. It is difficult to beat Kusatsu in terms of the quality and quantity of its waters. PLEASE NOTE: Tattoos in Japan are stigmatized, and therefore tattoos are not widely accepted at onsen baths in Japan. If you have tattoos, you may not be allowed to use the baths. Hosshinmonoji, Walk to Hongu Taisha, Hongu Taisha, Oyunohara, Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Center Hayatama Taisha, Kamikura Shrine Diamonzaka, Nachi Taisha, Nachi Waterfall Nachi Taisha, Nachi Waterfall Takayama Morning Markets, Takayama Jinya, Sanmachisuji District After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met at Tokyo’s Narita Airport or Haneda Airport by a Samurai Tours meeting staff member. They will help you board the bus to the hotel. After checking in, the evening is free. No meals are included. Travel: 1 to 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light After breakfast, we will begin with a welcome/orientation meeting. We will then travel Shirahama Onsen, a well-developed onsen resort 100 kilometers south of Osaka. Its popularity as an entertainment destination and its proximity to Osaka caused Shirahama to become one of Japan’s three biggest onsen resorts, along with Beppu on Kyushu and Atami on the Izu Peninsula. The main attraction is the 500-meter long white sand beach. Before leaving Tokyo, you will need to send your main luggage to Kawayu Onsen. You will need to take whatever you will need for two days/one night with you. Breakfast and dinner at the accommodations are included. Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Light After breakfast, we will visit the Sandanbeki. The Sandanbeki consists of three steep cliffs with a large network of caves at water level. An elevator is taken down to the caves, which has a shrine inside and a network of tunnels. Next, we will visit Senjojiki is Japanese for “One Thousand Tatami Mats”, which describes the appearance of these flat, sheet-like rocks. The Senjojiki are located along the coast, and visitors can walk out onto them.We will finish the day at Shirahama beach. The name Shirahama is Japanese for “white beach”, and refers to the resort’s other major attraction, a 500 meter long sand beach. Breakfast and Dinner at the ryokan is included. Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Heavy After checking out of our accommodation, we will begin our adventure along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, a 1,000-year-old pilgrimage route frequented by Kyoto Imperial Court members during the Heian Period. We will stop at Takijiri-oji, Chikatsuyu-oji, and Tsugizakura-oji, three main stops along the pilgrimage. After checking in, you will receive your luggage. And then you are free to enjoy the baths next to the river. Breakfast and dinner at the accommodations included. Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium After breakfast we will travel to Hosshinmon-oji. The Hosshinmon-oji was one of the five most important Oji along the Kumano Kodo because it was considered the entry into the sacred area around the Hongu Shrine (Oji were important places of worship along the Kumano Kodo). We will walk the relatively easy 7 km (5 miles) to the Hongu Taisha Shrine. The first half of the walk is through small villages, but the second half of the walk is through a secluded, forested area. At the Hongu Taisha, our first shrine of the Kumano S