Japan by Trail: An Active Journey featuring the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

Depart on an overnight flight to Osaka and transfer to your hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy the day to explore on your own, then meet your trip leader and fellow travelers at a welcome briefing. Take a short walk through the neighborhood before enjoying dinner with the group. (D)

Walking: 1 mile on mostly flat city streets.

Delve into the heart of old Kyoto, a World Heritage site of glorious temples and palaces built when the city was Japan’s imperial capital. Start your visit at the iconic Kinkaku-ji temple, a 14th-century Zen Buddhist temple known as the Golden Pavilion for its shimmering coat of gold leaf. Then head to Gion, Kyoto’s first and oldest geisha district, and gain insight into revered geisha and maiko traditions on a guided walk. Stop at Yasaka, a Shinto shrine that dates back to 600 AD and now hosts the Gion Matsuri, a famous summer festival. Venture into Nishiki Market to experience the culinary delights of "Kyoto's Kitchen." Find a variety of seasonal foods and local specialties including Japanese sweets, pickles, seafood, and traditional snacks; and enjoy lunch at the market. Later, take part in a Japanese tea ceremony held in one of the city’s traditional Machiya-style houses. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)

Walking: 3 miles on mostly flat city streets.

A morning rail journey brings you to Takamatsu, on the island of Shikoku. For more than a thousand years, pilgrims from across Japan have traveled here to walk the Shikoku Henro, a pilgrimage circuit linking 88 temples in which the ninth-century Shingon Buddhist monk Kūkai (also known as Kōbō Daishi) spent time or trained. The full route spans over 745 miles and takes up to six weeks to complete in full. During ;three days of hiking on the Shikoku Henro, visit seven temples along the trail's "last mile" in Kagawa Prefecture. From the train station in Sakaide, transfer by private vehicle to Negoro-ji (temple 82), enjoying a packed lunch en route. See a collection of thousands of Kannon statues, and take in sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea from a scenic viewpoint. Then set out on an afternoon hike to temple 81, Shiromine-ji. This evening, sit down to a multi-course kaiseki dinner at your ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn. (B,L,D)

Walking (morning): 1-2 miles around temple 82, mostly flat along paved and rocky paths with stairs to reach the temple.

Hiking (afternoon): 3 miles to temple 81 with gradual elevation gain/loss along mossy forest trails and uneven, rocky terrain.

Set out on a series of hikes connecting temples 84 to 86 on the Shikoku Henro. First, walk along a winding country road to Yashima-ji (temple 84), believed to have been founded in the eighth century. The temple complex also houses buildings from the medieval Kamakura period, as well as stone statues dedicated to tanuki, or raccoon dogs, a beloved fixture of Japanese folklore. Your hike continues to Yakuri-ji (temple 85), dedicated to Kangiten, the deity of bliss. Follow the trail as it ascends the mountain and emerge at a lookout point over the Sanuki Plain. Along the way, enjoy a udon noodle lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Shido-ji (temple 86) and admire its traditional garden, considered a masterpiece of the Muromachi period. Return to Takamatsu by private vehicle to check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)

Walking: 2-3 miles around each temple complex, mostly flat along paved and rocky paths.

Hiking (morning): 2 miles to temple 84, mostly uphill along country roads with switchbacks (21 degree slope).

Hiking (afternoon): 1-2 miles to temple 85, mostly uphill along country roads (25 degree slope). Alternatively, travelers can opt to take a funicular ropeway to temple 85 (at own cost). For those who wish to shorten their hikes, a support van will meet the group at different points along the way.

After breakfast, transfer to the day’s starting point near Nagao-ji (temple 87), founded in the 700s and restored during the Edo period. Take a walk around the temple grounds before joining the trail for the hike to Ōkubo-ji (temple 88), the final stop for most pilgrims and the end of the Shikoku Henro. This mountainous segment of the trail mostly follows paved paths, and you’ll make several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery including Tawa Shrine and Hirunejo point. After a picnic lunch, continue to Ōkubo-ji point before making the final descent to temple 88. You may opt for a shorter hike today, completing the final leg by vehicle after lunch. Following a full three days on the trails of Shikoku, take the& afternoon and evening to relax at your hotel. (B,L)

Hiking: Up to 9 miles, comprised of paved paths along country roads with several ascents and a final descent into the valley, as well as exploration of temple complexes. For those who wish to shorten the distance, a support van will meet the group at different points along the way.

Board a morning ferry to Naoshima Island and spend the day immersed in Japan's contemporary art scene. See outdoor artwork at Miyanoura Port and Naoshima Pavilion, and trace the life and works of Yayoi Kusama, whose Red and Yellow Pumpkins are on display on the island.  Witness how local artists have transformed empty homes into unique artistic creations through the Art House Project. Walk to several of the projects, including the Go'o Shrine and Ishibashi. Visit Gokaisho, inspired by the Japanese game of "go," and enjoy lunch at a restaurant near the town of Honmura. In the afternoon, admire the inspired architecture of two sites designed by renowned architect Ando Tadao: Chichu Art Museum, home to works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and others; and Benesse House, a hotel-museum known for its intriguing interplay of light and dark. Take the ferry to Honshu and travel to your hotel in Okayama. (B,L)

Walking: 2-3 hours on mostly flat paths, paved roads and art sites.

Pay a morning visit to Korakuen Garden, established in the 1700s and considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Take the local train to Kurashiki and go for a short guided walk through the Bikan Historic Quarter, where white walled houses and willow trees line the Kurashiki River. Set out from Soja on a bike ride across the Kibi Plain through timeless rural scenes of paddies and farming villages, passing several important shrines and burial mounds along the way. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure before heading back to Okayama for an afternoon at leisure before meeting for dinner. (B,D)

Walking: 2 hours on mostly flat paths.

Biking: 10 miles on mostly flat terrain.

Board the Shinkansen bullet train bound for Tokyo. Set out on an excursion to the ancient grounds of Asakusa and visit Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, founded in 645 AD. Discover curiosities and local culture on a walk along the famous Nakamise shopping street — a quintessentially Tokyo experience. After checking into your hotel, gather for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Walking: 2.5 hours on mostly flat city streets.

After breakfast, embark on a day excursion to the foothills of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. Take in views of this iconic peak (weather permitting) from a variety of stunning angles: looming above the placid waters of Lake Kawaguchiko, and framed by cherry trees and a five-story pagoda at Arakurayama Sengan Park. Savor a noodle lunch at a local restaurant and visit Oishi Park to view seasonal flowers, then take a scenic ride on a “ropeway” cable car or opt to walk along the lakeshore. On the banks of Lake Saiko, step back in time in the open air museum of Iyashi No Sato, where thatched roof houses and artifacts offer a glimpse of Japanese life in centuries past. Return to Tokyo and toast your experience at a farewell dinner.  (B,L,D)

Walking: 3 hours of short walks on paved roads and trails.

Note: Please be advised that views of Mt. Fuji are subject to local weather conditions, and cannot be guaranteed during your tour.

After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)