8 DAYS TRAILS OF JAPANESE ALPS

Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Upon your arrival in Haneda Airport,you will be transferred to the train station, where you will take a shinkansen to Nagano station. Upon arrival at Nagano, make your way to your accommodation located within walking distance from the Nagano station.

Transfer: Nagano to Matsumoto

You will be transferred by car to Matsumoto.

Highlights of Matsumoto

Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour visiting the 16th century Matsumoto Castle and Nakamachi Street with its traditional black-and-white kura storehouses.

Option 1: Nakasendo Trail 

Follow the ancient Nakasendo Trail (1-2h) across quaint villages and valleys from Tsumago-juku to Magome. Open year-round, but recommended in April to June and September to November.

Option 2: Kamikochi National Park

You will be transferred via private vehicle to trek Kamikochi National Park (5-6h, open from April to November). The park is home to a diverse collection of alpine flora, monkeys and birds waiting to be spotted, and is especially beautiful during the turning of leaves in autumn, which peaks around mid October.

Option 3: Norikura-Kogen 

If your visit falls between December to March, you may embark on a daytrip to Norikura-Kogen for snowshoeing.*

*Additional costs apply

Takayama's Best

You will be transferred from Matsumoto to Takayama with sightseeing at Okuhida.

Splendour of Okuhida

Located in the central region of Gifu, which is an area known to lead the county in stunning mountainous surroundings and incredible natural landmarks, Okuhida Onsen is known for its intense healing waters as well as its abundance of rotenburos (outdoor open-air baths) where you can breathe in the fresh air under the starry night sky as you soak in the steaming hot spring. Depending on the season, you can get a spectacular view by riding the Shinhotaka Ropeway and doing some light hiking.

Takayama’s Best

Enjoy a rickshaw tour of Sanmachi Historical Street followed by a visit to the Edo period Takayama Jin’ya. Conclude with sake tasting at Harada Sake Brewery.

Off-the-Beaten to Hida Furukawa

Hida Furukawa, somewhat of a quieter baby sister to the more popular Takayama city, is a quaint, traditional town located in the mountainous region of northern Gifu.

Transfer: Takayama to Kanazawa

Today, we will en-route via alpine villages before transferring to your accommodation in Kanazawa.

Option A: Shirakawa-go

En route via Shirakawa-go (UNESCO) with a visit to the open-air museum (2h) for a closer look at the traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouses with distinctive triangle roofs built to resemble the hands of praying Buddhist monks.

Option B: Gokayama

En route via Gokayama (UNESCO). This quaint little village nestled in the Japanese Alps has charmed many tourists with the way it has preserved most of its traditional way of life, with its gassho-zukuri houses built with triangular thatched roofs resembling hands clasped in prayer, and with an attic suited for raising silkworms - as the most conspicuous evidence.

Ancient Charms of Kanazawa

We devote the entire day to explore Kanazawa’s bustling culture aboard taxi. Visit Kenrokuen (one of Japan’s most scenic landscaped gardens) and the Edo-period Omicho Fresh Food Market where you may try Kaisendon sashimi assortment (own expense), as well as Nagamachi Samurai district and Nomura Samurai House with its ancient artefact displays. You will also make a stop at Higashiyama Geisha district, which preserves its 1820 feudal heritage and wooden latticework. We will visit Kaikaro teahouse to experience the traditional Chaya where Geisha still entertain their guests.

Transfer: Accommodation to Airport

Today, you will be transferred to Komatsu Airport for your flight home.

For those with more time, we recommend extending 2-3 more days to visit Kaga and Hakusan.