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Back Roads of Japan

11 Days
From CAD $4,371 Was CAD $5,829

Best Rate
Guarantee

Trip Type
Small Group

Activity Level
Average

Rating

(20 reviews)

Experience Overview

Wander off the beaten path away from Japan's big cities and popular sites with this 11-day tour that takes you to destinations that are often overlooked. Visit the treasured castle of Matsumoto and learn about samurai culture, explore the quaint city of Hagi by bicycle, and settle in at a community homestay to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Of course, there's time before and after to explore Tokyo and Kyoto, making this trip a well-rounded glimpse into Japan's past and present.

Highlights

Spot snow monkeys in Nagano
Explore a 16th-century samurai castle
Cycle through the rural town of Hagi
Experience a homestay in a traditional Japanese community.

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Trip Details

Product Code: 1531

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Budget

Transport: Bus, bullet train, local train, bicycle, subway, walking.

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Classic

Supplier Code: AJBR

Starts: Tokyo, Japan

Finishes: Kyoto, Japan

Duration: 11 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical rating: Average

Includes

Activities

Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay, Hagi Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson, Mihomisumi
Modern Tokyo walking tour
Zenkoji Temple visit (Nagano)
Jigokudani Monkey Park visit (Nagano)
Matsumoto Castle visit
Hagi Community Homestay welcome ceremony
Hagi cycling tour
Tottori sand dunes visit
Tottori fish market visit
Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine visit
Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days)
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels (8 nts), Homestay (2 nts, multi-share).

3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

Bus, bullet train, local train, bicycle, subway, walking.

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4371 (CAD $397 /day)

Itinerary

Day 1: Tokyo

Arrive to your start hotel before 4:00 pm and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting in the evening around 6:00 pm.
There are no activities planned today until your evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel En Michi

Day 2: Tokyo

Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through to Harajuku.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Join your group for a guided orientation walk as you explore eclectic and modern Tokyo.Accommodation - Hotel En Michi

Day 3: Tokyo/Nagano

Journey to Nagano, located in the Japanese Alps and host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Discover the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and watch Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Activity - Visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys can be seen bathing in the natural hot springs. The pool where most of the monkeys soak is man made, fed by the hot springs. Along the walking paths up to the pools other monkeys tend to stop and watch visitors curiously.Accommodation - Hotel Nagano Avenue

Day 4: Nagano

Enjoy a day-trip to quaint Matsumoto and visit one of Japan's most treasured castles. Return to Nagano and explore historic Zenkoji Temple.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.Activity - Stop at the castle of Matsumoto one of Japan's most treasured castles, maintaining it's original wooden interior and stone exterior. Explore this castle where 16th century Samurai once roamed before venturing out with the group to wander Matsumoto's ancient streets and or dine in a traditional storehouse.Transport - Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.Activity - Visit the Buddhist temple of Zenkō-ji, one of the last remaining pilgrimage sites. Built in the 7th century, the city of Nagano was built around the already standing structure.Accommodation - Hotel Nagano Avenue

Day 5: Nagano/Otsu

Travel to Otsu in Shiga prefecture, located on the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. Settle in and relax with a stroll around this picturesque lake before heading out to enjoy a delicious bowl of Ramen for dinner.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Biwako Otsu Prince

Day 6: Otsu/Hagi

Grab a quick breakfast before heading off, on a long travel day. In the late afternoon, arrive in the quaint city of Hagi, a former castle town that boasts feudal architecture. Take part in a welcome ceremony with the local residents, and meet your host family at a community homestay, a G Adventures for Good project. Get to know each other as you enjoy dinner together.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Get to know a local family at this G Adventures for Good-supported community homestay in Hagi, a farming, fishing and historical heritage town. In recent years, due to the rapidly aging population and limited income opportunities in many of the rural areas of Japan, many community members have had to leave Hagi in order to make a living. Learn about local history and customs, and enjoy a home-cooked meal with your hosts.Accommodation - Homestay in Hagi

Day 7: Hagi

Explore rural Hagi on a guided morning cycle, spotting samurai architecture along the way. On return, experience authentic Japanese countryside life. Return to your homestay in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner with your host family.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore Hagi on a cycling excursion led by your CEO. Enjoy the slow pace of life as you pedal past the city's samurai era architecture, and cycle along the Japanese Sea.Activity - Get to know a local family at this G Adventures for Good-supported community homestay in Hagi, a farming, fishing and historical heritage town. In recent years, due to the rapidly aging population and limited income opportunities in many of the rural areas of Japan, many community members have had to leave Hagi in order to make a living. Learn about local history and customs, and enjoy a home-cooked meal with your hosts.Accommodation - Homestay in Hagi

Day 8: Hagi/Tottori

Bid farewell to your host family after enjoying breakfast together. Later, travel to Miho-misumi by train, taking in scenic views along the way. Learn the art of making "washi," a UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese paper, then enjoy a Japanese lunch along the beautiful coastline before continuing to the seaside town of Tottori.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Activity - Learn the traditional art of "washi" paper making. Take home your handmade washi as a memento.Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Accommodation - New Otani Tottori

Day 9: Tottori/Kyoto

Spend the morning exploring Tottori's scenic sand dunes, some reaching 50m (164 ft) in height. After, visit the local fish market and opt for a fresh seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, travel to Kyoto for two nights in the traditional heart of Japan.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Located along the coast of the Sea of Japan, the Tottori Sand Dunes (or "Tottori Sakyu") were formed thousands of years ago when sand was washed away from a nearby river. Walk amongst the dunes and opt to climb one to take in scenic views of the coastline.Activity - Check out Tottori's harbour fish market, home to fresh seafood and some of Japan's best crab. Walk amongst the stalls and watch the locals in action. Opt to try a tasty dish in the market's restaurant section.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya

Day 10: Kyoto

Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for an impressive 10,000 red torii gates. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this picturesque city. Opt to experience zen gardens, teahouses, shrines, and local gift shops – and maybe even spot a real-life geisha.
Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples, including some of the most magnificent in the country, dating back centuries. Use free time to continue exploring, the options are endless – the city also boasts museums, castles, and traditional gardens – or opt to visit neighbouring Nara or Osaka.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area.Free_time - Explore more of this cultural hub.Accommodation - Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya

Day 11: Kyoto

Depart at any time.
We highly recommend booking post-nights to explore more of this beautiful city.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

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Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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Reviews

Simon B. - Traveled, November 2023

Great trip at a decent price, but it's always wise to look at other offers and compare.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023

Jye W. - Traveled, November 2023

Mack! He was an absolute legend. He went above and beyond and all of the place we stayed were close to the transport. The hotels were great and the itinerary was accurate.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023

Chi-Hung Y. - Traveled, November 2023

Good unique experience, but can mostly organize yourself

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023

Lisa Z. - Traveled, November 2023

Easy to arrange, pressure taken away having a guide managing moving and exploring.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023

Lauren W. - Traveled, November 2023

The tour was fantastic, providing access to destinations and experiences of the Japanese culture outside the typical touristy areas.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023

Fiona S. - Traveled, November 2023

The home stay element is unique.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023

Robert L. - Traveled, November 2023

Very well organized trip with an exceptional guide.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2023

Karen D. - Traveled, November 2023

Having now had 2 trips with G Adventures for our family group, our fabulous and expert guides took the pressure off us and organized everything and were also extremely accommodating when we wanted a little flexibility.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2023

Jonathan L. - Traveled, October 2023

Very well organized.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2023

Beatrix N. - Traveled, October 2023

small group