Walk Japan has launched the Kyoto: Mountains to the Sea tour exploring Kyoto Prefecture’s rural region.
The fully guided, eight-day tour ventures through Kyoto's quiet
backcountry where the pace of life is still measured by seasons and a
multitude of colourful festivals.
The eight-day tour follows ancient trails, once vital for commerce
and communication, culminating on the Sea of Japan coast at
Amanohashidate, considered one of Japan's three classic vistas.
En-route, the trail passes through small villages and historic temples and shrines.
Accommodation each night is in Japanese inns, where guests enjoy
meals composed of locally sourced and grown ingredients that are served
in the cuisine of Kyoto City’s high-class ryokan inns and restaurants.
The fully guided walking tour for up to 12 participants begins in
Kyoto City and concludes at Amanohashidate. Daily walking distances
range between eight to 16 kilometres following mountain trails and
country lanes.
A Level 4 tour, it is suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably
active lifestyle. Prices start from JPY430,000 (US$2,750) based on
double occupancy.
Walk Japan evolved from study trips run by two Hong Kong University
academics, and since then, Walk Japan's tour leaders have guided tens of
thousands of travellers through Japan's natural beauty, history,
society and culture that, the company says, “is otherwise often
difficult to access and fully appreciate”.