Discover the hospitality and beauty of rural Japan, exploring Lake Biwa and the mountains and villages of central Honshu. Along with natural wonders, experience village life, Japanese hot springs, regional cuisine, traditional arts and craft. This is an intimate and experiential tour of central Japan that allows you to fully immerse in the culture and get to know the local people.
After arriving on the legendary bullet train from Tokyo, the gardens and temples of Kyoto are your starting point. To the north east is Lake Biwa, where traditional fishing techniques are still practiced and local farmers harvest soba (buckwheat). In the mountains of Gifu prefecture, the famous Shirakawa-go villages are a World Heritage site. Over 100 large farm houses are built in a special architectural style designed for large households and to survive severe snowy weather.
Further south, walk trails that link the “post villages” along the ancient Nakasendo Highway, a trading route that linked Kyoto to Edo (present day Tokyo). In the mountain villages, meet the local people and enjoy country hospitality while the peach flowers bloom. A visit to Mt. Fuji makes for an impressive finale before the tour ends in Asakusa, Tokyo.
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