After you spend your first day settling in, our local guide in Tokyo will meet you on your second day for a private tour. Whatever your interest, our bubbly guides will show you the best places according to your interests. If you are not sure, then don’t worry. We will give you recommendations with a list of places you shouldn’t miss!

Once a stopping post on the old Nakasendo Highway linking Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto, Tsumago has maintained much of its old Edo Period charm. You will feel transported back to ancient Japan whilst exploring this village and the 8km hike through the mountain trail of Magome is well worth the effort on your free day.Whether you walk this route or take the local bus, your visit here will be a memorable one. Perfectly preserved streets selling local foods and crafts with stunning views of the Kiso Valley. You can choose to stay in a well-known ryokan with a top class onsen or a traditional minshiku – depending on your budget. Two nights at either one will guarantee that you’ll experience the most amazing introduction to rural Japan.

From Tsumago you will continue on the Edo trail and make your way to Matsumoto, an alpine city surrounded on all sides by the towering peaks of the Japanese Alps. This small city is most famous for its castle, one of the few remaining original structures in Japan. Capture a sense of how the samurai used to live and fight as you tour Matsumoto’s “Crow Castle”.

Travel to the picturesque Takayama famous for its narrow streets containing well-preserved inns, tea houses, merchant houses, and sake distilleries. Take a tour in a sake distillery with a chance to taste the sake at the end!

Nestled away in the deep gorge of the Sho River Valley, thirty-three gassho zukuri (thatched farm houses) are protected as national treasures in the historic village of Gokayama. Blanketed in snow during winter and beautifully coloured by cherry blossom trees in spring, these villages have maintained all of their four hundred year old charm. With our local guide to accompany you, you will go on a cultural journey like no other. Spend the morning making soba noodles – a local specialty – to be tried and tested over lunch. Stop off at a local washi paper making factory and try your hand at this ancient craft. All of this, plus a private dance by a local Toyama farmer, whilst you drink hot tea and listen to tales of a time gone by.

Kanazawa, also know by many as “little Kyoto”, is a jewel by the sea that can boastsome of the finest seafood options in all of Japan (meaning all of the world). In this lovely town you will be met by a private guide who will help you discover the well-preserved Geisha District (called Higashi-chaya) with original tea and samurai houses on display, as well as the famous Kenrokuen Garden. This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon strolling among the pretty ponds and beautiful bonsai.  Located next to the garden is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, also a major attraction if seeking a bit of quirkiness on your trip!

Kyoto has an astonishing wealth of culturally significant sites with no less than 16 UNESCO World Heritate Sites. We recommend staying at least three nights to get a real sense of Kyoto’s true charm, which you will soon discover by walking the narrow back streets of Gion and visiting the many impressive temples and shrines. You will be assisted by a local guide who will take you around Kyoto and teach you the history of this ancient city. No trip to Kyoto is complete unless you get to meet a real Geisha, up close and personal. This is one of our many treats for you along the way!

While in Gion, home of Geisha culture in Japan, you will have the rare opportunity to meet and chat with a Kyoto Maiko (young geisha). The story behind the Life of Geisha remains a mystery both inside Japan and out. Hear the tales of their daily life; why they decided to choose this path, what makes their world so different to the norm, and what their future might become. This one hour session with lovely cup of green tea and Japanese sweets, will be one of the most alluring moments of your trip. Unforgettable unimaginable beauty.

(Standard Package Forgotten Japan will incur a supplement for this service. Contact us for details.)

After ten incredible days traveling through Forgotten Japan you will be ready to return to the bright lights of Tokyo for two final nights before making your way home. Our Essential Travel Pack will make sure you make the most of your time as you visit the fashion capital Ginza, the Imperial Palace gardens, ultra-modern Roppongi Hills (Observatory Tower & museum), parks, busy street crossing at Shibuya and more. If you wish, you will have time to escape the hustle and bustle for one more day trip into a selection of destinations just beyond the city limits.

All Categories: Senjugaku Ryokan (Japanese experience)

Standard: Best Western Takayama

Superior: Hoshokaku Ryokan or Hotel Associa (or similar)

Deluxe: Hanaougi Ryokan (or similar)

Standard: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa (or similar)

Superior:  ANA Crowne Plaza (or similar)

Deluxe: Chaya Ryokan (or similar)

Standard & Superior: Kyoto Machiya (Converted Traditional Townhouse (self-catering)

Deluxe: Hotel Granvia (or similar)

Standard, Superior & Deluxe: Hotel Kisoji

[Room categories in hotel will differ depending on your tour category]

Standard: Shiba Park Hotel (or similar)

Superior: Park Hotel (or similar)

Deluxe: Imperial Hotel (or similar)