Trip Overview
Departures
Click for Dates + Prices
Duration
12 Days
Activities
Cultural
Cycling
Hiking
Physical Rating
Moderate
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Meet the Dynamic Women of Japan
Sacred Japan is the ultimate mix of relaxing walks, scenic e-bike rides, and unforgettable moments with locals. You’ll meet the fierce and fearless female free divers known as the ama-san, and soak up the passion of Japanese women who carry on generational traditions and pass down their heritage through everything from art and sound to sushi and tea.
Renew Your Senses
We’ll wander along the ancient Nakasendo Trail, feel the thrill of the cliffside Kuniga Coast, and breathe in the tranquility of Mount Daisen, surrounded by the serene temples and shrines of Tadasu no Mori Forest. On the rugged Oki Islands, a UNESCO Global Geopark, we’ll e-bike along the wild coastline, soaking up the raw energy of the sea.
You’ll find renewal and peace in the healing waters of onsens, and the climb to a 1,000-year-old temple on Mount Mitoku will leave you feeling deeply purified. Every day is about new discoveries—you’ll savor the unique flavors of Kyoto cuisine, marvel at the lush emerald rice paddies, and stand in awe beneath towering bamboo groves.
Each moment brings something fresh, something unfamiliar, and every step leaves you inspired by the breathtaking beauty, rich culture, and captivating wonder of Japan.
Wanna go deeper and get the juicy details? Hit play on the webinar here—it’s all in there.
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When I was fourteen, I was introduced to the concept of Zen meditation, a practice from the Japanese branch of Buddhism, through a spiritual leader in my community. He told…
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Tokyo
今日は (Hello), Tokyo!
Upon arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) there will be one group transfer or, depending on your arrival time, an escort will meet you at the airport and accompany you on the train to the hotel. These transfers are included for those arriving the night before the trip begins and on Day 1.
Tonight, we meet our expert guide and gather at 5 p.m. for our inaugural Wild Women dinner in the glittery capital of Japan. Tokyo is the world’s most populous metropolis. The city is nearly vibrating with neon and yet there are countless green spaces and parks. It’s an endless mix of contemporary architecture, trendy cafes, electronic giants, anime, harajuku, Buddhist temples, Edo Castle and the spike of the 2,080 foot (634 m) Tokyo Skytree.
Packing Notes: After dinner, we will have time to repack our luggage for the next two nights on the Nakasendo Trail. Our guide will remind us of which items are essential and how to be best prepared for this next adventure. Our main luggage will be safely transferred to Kyoto.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Tokyo Hotel In The Shinjuku District
Travel
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (airport transfer to hotel)
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Day 2
Tsumago
The Nakasendo Samurai Trail
In the morning, we board an early express train to Shiojiri Station and can enjoy our boxed breakfast on board with a view! We then switch to a local train to our lunch stop in the old post town of Narai. After a traditional lunch we continue onward to Nagiso by local train to begin our grounding walk on the ancient trail. This historical route was one of just two trails that vitally connected Edo to Kyoto over a 336-mile (540 km) expanse with 69 shukuba (post towns) serving as station-like rest stops for travelers.
On our soulful journey, we visit the post towns of Shiojiri and Nagiso and walk in the ghostly footsteps of monks, merchants and samurai along time-worn mossy cobblestones through rural villages. The Kiso Valley is fragrant with Hinoki cypress, Japanese umbrella pines and cedars and dotted with several shrines.
Today’s journey ends in the Tsumago area. This old town is bewitching with its neatly restored lattice wooden houses, tiny shops, museums and car-free main road. Local laws prohibit any demonstration of modern life—including parked cars, phones and power lines.
Included Meals
Boxed breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Traditional Japanese Inn, Minshuku or local hotel in the Tsumago area (depending on location booked, a bus ride may be required)
Travel
3.5 hours Tokyo to Narai (express train), 1.15 hours Narai to Nagiso (local train)
The Walk
3.1 miles (5 km), approximately 2–3 hours, depending on the group’s pace, on paved road
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Day 3
Magome
The Village of Kiso Valley
Today we walk from Tsumago to Magome on a trail that winds through immense forests, small villages along jade rice paddies and over Magome Pass (2,600 feet/790 m). We see the water wheel by the granary and the Odaki and Medaki Waterfall (Male and Female Waterfall). Legend has it that the waterfall’s natural power will reinvigorate the body, mind and soul and transport us into another world.
In Magome, we stop for lunch as we reach the end of our Nakasendo route. Traditional wooden houses line the street like Tsumago, sandwiched between rustic tea houses and soba (Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour) restaurants. After soaking in all there is to see in Magome, we head onwards to Ise.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Ancient Rest Inn Ikyu or similar
The Walk
5 miles (7.6 km)
Travel
3 hour transfer (private shuttle)
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Day 4
Osatsu-Cho
Women of the Sea
We have an early bird start to see the sunrise on the “Soul of Japan.” The Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. We will take advantage of this serene time before the crowds arrive and have a leisurely breakfast back at our hotel after visiting the shrine.
Traveling by bus to Osatsu-cho, we meet the lean and mean Ama divers known as the “ama-san.” This group of free divers are celebrated for their unique culture, customs and exceptional pearl harvesting skills. Ama means “woman of the sea” in Japanese and these fearless pros routinely dive down to an astounding depth of 82 feet (25 m) without the aid of modern scuba equipment.
We enjoy tea and a grilled seafood lunch while chatting with the Ama divers and learn about their lifestyle. After this deep dive into extreme legendary female empowerment, we’ll board an express train to Kyoto and have dinner before checking into our hotel for the evening.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Asai Kyoto Shijo or Hotel Vista Premio, Kyoto (Kawaramachi)
TRavel
30 minutes (bus), 45 minutes (bus), 2.5 hours (express train)
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Day 5
Shiga
The Women Tea Farmers
After breakfast, we’ll take two local trains to meet a local guide before traveling by private shuttle (30 minutes) to the Asamiya tea experience. Here, the surreal green tea plantations completely cover the hillsides in a mesmerizing way.
During this deeply steeped visit, we meet local women tea farmers or women who are in the tea business. In their skilled company, we learn how to pick and roast the green tea leaves and the fine art of brewing a perfect cup of tea during a tasting session. The tasting (accompanied by a homemade dessert!) will also help us discern the subtle differences and aroma of tea blends and how they are influenced by the seasons and weather conditions.
It’s a short shuttle to lunch at a nearby restaurant where the menu will revolve around dishes prepared with locally harvested tea leaves. After lunch, we visit two pottery studios and meet a talented female potter. It’s a slow and easy walking tour around the village.
After we return to our hotel, we will gather later for dinner and possibly another cup of green tea!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Asai Kyoto Shijo or Hotel Vista Premio, Kyoto (Kawaramachi)
Travel
25 minutes (train), 45 minutes (private shuttle), 30 minutes (train back to Kyoto)
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Day 6
Kyoto
A Big Taste of Kyoto
We begin our day with a private traditional Japanese tea ceremony where we try our hand at making Japanese matcha. We learn more about Japanese tea, assist at a Matcha grinding demonstration and get to experience a real tea ceremony.
Afterwards, we have a 45-minute bus ride to Shimogamo Shrine. There will be time to explore the immaculate grounds and impressive architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The path along the Kamogawa River to Tadasu no Mori Forest next to the shrine is a tranquil one.
Next, we head to Enko-ji. A meditative stroll through the Zen temple’s gardens offers a beautiful dose of reflection and peace.
After our Zen moment, we take a bus to the Gion district and will have the opportunity to wander through the streets, discovering more of this fascinating district before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Asai Kyoto Shijo or Hotel Vista Premio, Kyoto (Kawaramachi)
Travel
Tea ceremony to Shimogamo Shrine (45 min bus ride)
Enkoji to Gion (45 min bus ride)
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Day 7
Tottori
Sacred Mitokusan
We take an express train into the countryside to Tottori Prefecture.
Mitokusan is a 1000-year-old temple built miraculously into a rock face of Mount Mitoku at 2,953 feet (900 m). It is considered one of the three most sacred sites of the Shugendo religion (a form of mountain asceticism-shamanism) and a pilgrimage to this temple is said to purify the “six roots of perception.”
Due to the technical nature of this ‘pilgrimage’, we won’t be embarking up the mountain, but we will enjoy the serene settings of the lower temple complex of Mitokusan and join the priests to make Buddhist image tracing (Shafutsu).
Later, we travel to the port city of Yonago, where we will overnight prior to embarking on a ferry to the Oki Islands the next day.
Included Meals
Breakfast, bento box lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Onyado Nono Sakaiminato
Travel
4 hours (express train)
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Day 8
Nishinoshima Island
Kuniga Coast Walking Trail
This morning, we have a private transfer to the port of Shichirui. Here, we board a ferry to the volcanic Nishinoshima Island. The Oki Islands and the Kuniga Coast cliffs are a designated UNESCO Global Geopark (sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development).
After lunch in the port area, we travel by taxi to the top of the Kuniga Coast Walking Track, which follows along the edge of Matengai Cliff at 843 feet (257 m) above the Sea of Japan. The short 1.2 mile (2km) trail cuts through cow and horse pastures to Tsūtenkyō Arch, Kuniga Bay and Kuniga Shrine and should take us around 90 minutes.
Following the coastal hike, your group will participate in a unique cultural mud dyeing activity using locally sourced natural materials in a beginner-friendly workshop that blends traditional techniques with modern methods.
A short inter-island ferry takes us to our hotel on Ama Island which is within walking distance from the ferry.
Included Meals
Boxed breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Entô Hotel
Travel
2 hour (private shuttle), 3 hours (ferry), 7 minutes (ferry)
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Day 9
Ama Island (Oki Islands)
Cycling the Oki Islands
After breakfast we explore this wind and wave-sculpted archipelago in the Sea of Japan by e-bike and meet women who are entrepreneurial and environmental stewards of this UNESCO designated Global Geopark. The cluster of islands are part of the Daisen-Oki National Park and only four of the Oki Islands are inhabited.
During the cycling tour, we have lunch midway with a group of local women working hard to maintain cultural traditions while also making positive, sustainable changes. We will also have the opportunity to learn how to make a small traditional craft with their expertise.
The afternoon is at our own leisure before dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Entô Hotel
biking
4 hours (biking)
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Day 10
Mount Daisen
Forest Bathing
After an early bird breakfast (7 a.m.) we take a ferry from Hishiura Port back to the mainland and will have a bento box lunch on board. From Sakaiminato Port, a private bus will whisk us to the Mount Daisen region where we can explore the super scenic area on foot. We easily fall into the rhythms of the forest while experiencing the serenity and calm that surrounds the practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). The simple act of spending time in a forest is a therapeutic act and an all-natural prescription encouraged by Japanese doctors.
As the forest thins and opens up, we will absorb the stunning surrounding views of the mountains. In the fall, this area is known and loved for its transformation into autumn colours.
Included Meals
Breakfast, bento box lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Sanrakusou
Travel
Ferry (3 hours 30 min), bus shuttle from port
The walk
Approximately 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace
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Day 11
Tokyo
Sushi Roll
In the morning, we transfer to the Yonago Airport to catch our flight to Tokyo.
With full memory cards and a highlight reel spooling in our heads and hearts, we’ll transfer to our hotel to refresh and have the rest of the day at leisure before we reset and enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Tokyo Hotel In The Shinjuku District
Travel
1.5 hours (flight to Tokyo), 1 hr drive (from airport to hotel)
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Day 12
Tokyo
決別 (Goodbye), Tokyo
After an early breakfast, transfers will be coordinated to Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT). As we squeeze each other goodbye and share a few laughs and tears, it’s time to exchange contact info, photos and ideas for a reunion! Where next? Another pilgrimage perhaps?
Included Meals
Breakfast
What’s Included
- An awesome English-speaking local female Japanese guide
- Eleven nights’ accommodation in hotels, including three nights in a traditional tatami-style room (*Optional private single upgrades are only available for eight of the eleven nights and are subject to availability)
- All ground transport including trains, local buses, private car and ferries
- Domestic flight from Yonago Airport (YGJ) to Haneda Airport, Tokyo (HND)
- Group arrival and departure airport transfers
- Meals as outlined in the trip itinerary
- Activities as outlined in the trip itinerary
- Bikes and helmets (e-bikes will be provided on the Oki Islands)
- Entry to onsens (hot springs)
- Admission to shrines and temples
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
At some of the boutique accommodations we use we are unable to secure private rooms. On this trip the private upgrade is for eight out of the eleven nights, on the other three nights you may have a roommate. We are staying in unique small accommodations with limited space.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
The Finer Details
Once you’ve booked your Wild Women Expedition, you’ll receive a link to comprehensive trip details to help you prepare. If you need additional information that’s not on the website, reach out to the Wild Women Expeditions office anytime!
Arrivals and Departures
- The Sacred Japan tour starts and ends in Tokyo, Japan
- Plan arrivals and departures to either Narita International Airport (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
- There is a shared arrival transfer from NRT or HND to the first night Tokyo hotel (in Shinjuku district) arriving up to 2 days pre-trip.
- Upon request, a departure transfer will be arranged from the final night Tokyo hotel to NRT or HND.
- Plan to arrive in Tokyo by late afternoon on Day 1 to ensure you can join the meet and greet, trip orientation and welcoming dinner in the evening.
- Plan departure flights from Tokyo on the final day for mid-late morning, or later.
Accommodation Notes
Hotel
Modern western-style hotels are used in the cities. The rooms are generally smaller than equivalent hotels in the West. All have en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, TV and fridges in rooms. We typically use twin rooms in Japan as these are more prevalent locally for cultural reasons.
Ryokan or Minshuku
Ryokan are traditional Japanese-style inns. They may be in modern concrete or older wooden buildings but the rooms are always in the Japanese style with tatami (straw) matting and futons laid out in the evening by the ryokan staff. Evening meals are served together usually in the dining room, and are exquisitely prepared multi-course meals. Many ryokan have both en suite bathrooms (with the exception of some older buildings) and communal hot spring style baths (segregated by gender). Minshuku are more commonly smaller family-run properties with warm hospitality. Usually guests lay out their own futons and toilet and bathing facilities are communal, segregated by gender. Ryokan and minshuku are the classic Japanese experience.
Meals
Most meals will be Japanese cuisine and will draw upon the rich variations of Japanese cuisine. Fish, seafood and tofu are a main staple. Meals at the inns are typically set meals showcasing regional specialities.
- Vegetarian options are available, but limited.
- Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten free diets will be difficult to accommodate due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and the use of soy sauce and miso in Japanese cuisine.
- Soy allergies may also be difficult to accommodate.
- If you have severe allergies and cross contamination is an issue, please contact the Wild Women Expeditions office to ensure you can be accommodated.
Tips are not required when dining in Japan. Dietary requests notified whilst on trip can’t be accommodated.
Luggage
During the tour, we send larger items of luggage ahead by courier to make the long-distance transfers by bus and train more relaxed. This means you do not have to handle your larger items of luggage through railway stations and on trains. However, those larger items of luggage do not rejoin us on the same day; and you will not have access to them on certain nights. So please bring a backpack to carry your overnight items. All the Japanese inns on the intervening nights provide soap, shampoo, towels, slippers and cotton robes called yukata, which are worn
inside after you check-in. It is normal in Japan to wear a yukata to eat dinner, to relax in your room and when walking about, even outdoors. This means you do not need extra clothing for the evening- you really can travel light!
During the daytime, it may be possible to deposit this backpack in a luggage locker while walking or sightseeing, but please try to pack as lightly as possible. The luggage forwarding takes place as follows:
- Long distance luggage forwarding for 1 larger bag per person from Tokyo Day 2 to Kyoto Day 4 (2 nights without main luggage)
- Optional: Long distance luggage forwarding for 1 larger bag per person from Kyoto Day 7 to Mount Daisen Day 10 (3 nights without main luggage).
As a general guide, we recommend you bring a small to medium size suitcase on wheels, as well as a medium size backpack. Please note that forwarding of one larger item of baggage per person is included in your tour price; if you choose to travel with two larger items of baggage, then your guide will happily arrange forwarding of both items and simply ask you to pay locally for the second item. Please review your packing list to make sure you have everything you need for the trip.
Your suitcase should weigh no more than 55 lbs. at time of departure. The total dimensions of the bag when you add the bag’s external length, width, and height should be no more than 62 inches. (For example, a piece of soft-sided luggage that measured 25 x 18 x 14 would have total dimensions of 25+18+14 or 57 inches and be within these size limits).
Clothing and Equipment
- Yukata (simple cotton kimono) are provided at each ryokan or minshuku, and you can wear this during your stay in the Japanese style accommodation both indoors and outdoors.
- Yukata and slippers provided by regular hotels are normally only used in the private rooms. This will allow you to pack lightly for the walking sections. Soap and shampoo are always available at any accommodations.
- Hairdryers are provided in the regular hotels and in the public bathrooms in Ryokan. They are usually available in some minshuku, too. Bathing suits cannot be used in the public bathrooms.
- For autumn tours: long sleeves are recommended, but you should not need heavy sweaters. You should have a light windbreaker or a rain jacket, light fleece as well as bringing a selection of light layers to wear will be most helpful.
- If bringing any appliance please note that most North American appliances can be used in Japan. Please ensure your appliance has a plug with 2 flat prongs. Outlets in Japan do not accept 3 prong grounded plug types. Some of the minshuku may only have a limited number of outlets in the room so if you are charging more than one item of equipment, you may wish to bring a small multi socket charger.
- There are no porters for this trip, so you will carry your own baggage on/off the trains from and to the airport.
Onsens
Many accommodations in Japan feature onsens. These are public bathing areas, sometimes filled with heated mineral water, and sometimes fed by local hot springs. You will be provided with a small and large towel. You do not wear a swim suit in the onsen and they are gender segregated (women’s and men’s). When you enter the change rooms, there will be lockers for your clothing. Find a shower stall and rinse down well, using the soap and small towel provided. Then find your way into the onsen for a quiet soak. It’s important to be mindful of other women using the onsen and to keep voices low. These are quiet spaces.
A common question asked is whether you can enter an onsen if you have a tattoo. It is an unwritten rule that public onsens do not permit those who have tattoos on their body. If you choose to enter a public onsen with a tattoo, chances are, no one will notice (especially if it’s small and inconspicuous), but if you are asked to leave, you should respectfully do so.
Ama Divers
On Day 4, we have the privilege of spending some time with women who have worked as Ama divers. Please note we will not be viewing a diving demonstration (since this would involve going out to sea!), but will be meeting them for a fresh seafood lunch prepared over a fire, and to learn more about their fascinating lifestyle.
Tipping
Tips are not customary in restaurants or hotels in Japan. Your tour guide will suggest any exceptional occasion when a tip may be appropriate. At the end of the tour, your tour leader would gratefully accept a tip if you wish to make such a gesture, but this is entirely at your discretion.
Important Booking Information
Take a peek at our Booking Terms and Travel Insurance requirements before booking. We’ve got some great advice and requirements listed here so you can have your bases covered and adventure with peace of mind.
The Wild Women Way
How do we roll? Together. The Wild Women Way is our approach, our values, and our foundation. Learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we walk a lot and do some exploring by bicycle. Yes, some of it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an active, multi-activity adventure. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Walking distances on this trip vary: On the Nakasendo pilgrimage, you can expect to walk up to 4 miles (6.5 km) a day
- On other days, the walking duration can be 1-2 hours on the Kuniga Coast Walking Track or up to 3 hours walking in the Mount Daisen area
- There are also shorter walking tours through villages and to the shrines
- Some days involve extensive travel via express train, local buses and ferries (something to be aware of if you are prone to motion sickness)
- For the Day 10 cycling tour of the Oki Islands, there will be several breaks and a stop for lunch – e-bikes are provided this day
- Up to three nights will be spent in accommodations offering tatami rooms, which are traditional Japanese rooms with tatami (rush reed) flooring and low futon mattresses.
- Expect a menu and flavors that may be unfamiliar to you
- If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to enter certain onsens
- Physical Rating: Moderate (Good level of fitness required. Trips are moderately challenging with an average of 4 to 6 hours of activity each day.)
