Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinoku Coastal Trail

Arrival into Japan is via Kyoto, the nation's cultural capital for more than a millennium. After settling into the hotel in the city's Higashiyama district, the best way to acclimate is a short walk to get your bearings and stretch your legs after the flight. The evening is for relaxing ahead of the journey's start.

A local train and subway ride leads north of the city to the Kitayama mountains, a quiet contrast to Kyoto's urban core. The day's hike begins at Kurama village, following a forested path of stone steps and spring water outlets to the neighboring village of Kibune. Along the way, the route passes the mountain-top Kurama-dera temple and the Kifune shrine, deep in the canopied forest.

The afternoon is spent back in Kyoto for a walking tour through Gion, the city's historic geisha district. Main luggage is forwarded overnight via a luggage service, a common and highly efficient Japanese system that avoids hauling large bags on crowded trains.

The morning begins by boarding a shinkansen (bullet train) for the five-hour journey north to the Akita prefecture. Lunch is a classic Japanese bento box, eaten on board as the scenery of central Honshu passes by at high speed. The destination is Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, known for its startlingly blue, clear water.

The afternoon presents a choice. One option is to explore the lake's placid surface by kayak, taking in views of the volcanic Mt. Akita-Komagatake. The other is a relaxing cycle tour through the surrounding rice paddies and mountainside communities, getting a feel for the region's quiet, rural pace.

Today is a deep dive into the specific crafts of the Akita region. The morning begins in a family-run studio for a hands-on workshop in kabazaiku, the unique local art of using wild cherry blossom bark to create small, intricate goods. From the studio, the route continues to Kakunodate, a town founded in 1620 that still preserves its samurai and merchant districts, which can be explored at your own pace. Later, visit the sake brewery run by the Suzuki family for 330 years, representing 19 generations of brewing history. The traditional rooms above the brewery house historic family heirlooms, including samurai armor and 17th-century art. Afterward, check into the Tazawako Rose Park Hotel.

After a quiet morning, the short journey runs from Lake Tazawa into the mountains to the village of Nyuto Onsen. This small mountain village is home to seven historic ryokan properties, each with its own natural hot spring source. The afternoon is spent exploring the Nyuto area on an e-bike, pedaling through forests to see the hidden inns at the base of Mt. Nyuto and learn about the history of the healing waters. In winter months (Nov-Apr), a walk replaces the e-biking. The day's purpose is to slow down and embrace one of Japan's oldest rituals. The evening is spent at Taenoyu Ryokan, soaking in the property's natural hot spring onsen baths and enjoying the tranquility of this remote mountain setting.

An overland journey of three to three and a half hours leads to the coast of Iwate prefecture and the village of Fudai. This community was famously spared the devastation of the 2011 tsunami thanks to a high seawall built decades earlier by a forward-thinking mayor. A walking tour of the village shares stories of the event and the history of the village, which remains remarkably preserved. From the village, a steep, 1.6-kilometre hike leads up to the Unotori Mountain Shrine, where younger community members keep the tradition of kagura ritual dance alive. The day concludes at The Park Hotel Jodogahama with a five-course, French-inspired dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients, a modern culinary note in a deeply traditional region.

Today's focus is the Michinoku Coastal Trail, a 1000-kilometer path created as a story of community resilience and recovery after the 2011 tsunami. The day's trek covers a picturesque nine-kilometer section of the trail, starting at Kurosakiso and following the rugged coastline with its views of the Pacific crashing into rocky sea caves. The four-hour hike is guided by local experts who know the terrain intimately.

After the hike, the perspective shifts from the clifftops to the water. Boarding a small 'sappa' fishing boat, you'll cruise along the shoreline, getting a close-up view of the dramatic coastal geology. The local fishermen who operate the boats share stories of their daily life and the generations of families who have worked these waters.

The final morning in Iwate is for a walk on Jodogahama Beach, a striking landscape known for its distinctive, sharp, white rock formations that jut from the clear blue water. It is a last breath of sea air before the journey to Morioka station to connect with the afternoon shinkansen. To ensure a seamless, unencumbered arrival, the overnight takkyubin luggage forwarding service sends the main bags ahead to the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo. The bullet train ride south to Tokyo marks the major transition, leaving the quiet, rural north behind for the world's largest metropolis.

A day of contrasts, navigating Tokyo's layered identity through a combination of train rides and extensive walking. The morning is dedicated to old Tokyo in the Asakusa district, exploring the grounds of Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, and the lively streets of its historic entertainment district.

After lunch, the focus shifts to the modern city. The route connects several iconic sites: the serene forest and towering torii gates of the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the vibrant youth culture of Harajuku's Takeshita Street, and the famous, mesmerizing flow of the Shibuya Scramble crossing. It's a full-day immersion into the energy and scale of the capital.

The final full day offers a choice between two distinct Japanese experiences. The first option is a day trip out of the city, taking a train to the Kawaguchiko area for a lakeside walk with classic views of Mount Fuji. The second option is to remain in Tokyo for a deep dive into its food scene with a local guide, exploring the old-school Yanaka shopping street, sampling ramen, and visiting a cafe in a 100-year-old house. The day concludes with a farewell dinner for the group in downtown Tokyo.

The journey through Japan's past and present concludes in Tokyo. After a final breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for any last-minute souvenir shopping or transfers to the airport for departure at any time.