Visits to the Japanese Countryside
non-traditional travel in traditional Japan
non-traditional travel in traditional Japan
Leave the planning to us!
Welcome to Japan, land of Endless Discovery...
Who would enjoy these trips?
These are tours for the experienced, culturally sensitive, flexible and adaptable traveler who wants to experience real people in real places and come away with a clearer, deeper understanding of the land, its people and their culture. These are not for the tourist accustomed to traveling around in a glass bubble tour bus with 40 others, staying in 5-star hotels and dining on steak in their restaurants every night. No buffet meals here.
This is "grass roots" travel, among the people, in the Japanese countryside.
What to expect.
Participants use local transportation (buses
and trains) and have accommodations in minshuku (bed and breakfast) and ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in the style of budget-minded Japanese touring in their own country. There are no tour buses here to pick you up and take you from one "famous" place to another in each location, so expect up to five miles of walking each day in villages, towns and cities; hiking trips average 8-10 miles per day. What you will experience is the warmth and generous hospitality of Japanese countryside people in some memorable places off the main tourist routes.
What's included?
Land transportation, guide and entry fees, accommodations and all meals, except lunch, are included. This is countryside, people-to-people travel, avoiding the big cities and the usual, crowded, tourist destinations.
You might be invited to help carry the mikoshi during the Kumano Hongu Taisha Matsuri spring festival.
This is a usual minshuku dinner. Remember to
clean your plate(s).
clean your plate(s).
Japan is back open for business, especially in these tour destinations. These areas were not affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami. They are totally safe to visit, no radiation concerns.
Jack Sanders
2012 Tour Schedule - see individual tours for details
Jack Sanders
2012 Tour Schedule - see individual tours for details
March 19-27, 2012: Kyoto Temple Flea Markets - a shopping, history and hot springs adventure
(details soon))
April 4-16, 2012: Hike Japan’s Ancient Pilgrimage Routes - Kumano Kodo
April 18-29, 2012: Takayama/Shirakawago/Kanazawa, old Japan
October 17-28, 2012: Takayama/Shirakawago/Kanazawa, old Japan
