Your trip starts in Tokyo Narita Airport, where your friendly driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel on a shared transfer. Along the 2 hour journey to the city, you can already see the efficiency and forward thinking of the Japanese culture as you ride the elevated highways.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you may wish to begin your exploration of this fantastic city. A city where ancient buildings sit seamlessly amongst skyscrapers and traditions are deep routed within a high tech society. In the evening, you will be spoilt for choice for places to eat. Tokyo may be filled with famous restaurants run by celebrity chefs but you do not need to break the bank for a fantastic meal. Much like the yin and yang of Tokyo's architecture, expensive restaurants sit next to budget friendly.

TOP TIP: Don't forget to look up! Space is precious in Japan so restaurants and shops build one on top of the other and the best restaurants aren't always the ones at street level.

Full of excitement after your brief taste of Japanese culture so far, today you can look forward to taking a more in depth insight into Tokyo and its many sights.

Over a quarter of all Japanese live in Tokyo and its suburbs, some 12 million inhabitants, making it one of the biggest cities in the world. It will come as no surprise that this intense population has given rise to skyscrapers and an impressive public transport network, unrivalled anywhere in the world for its efficiency, cleanliness and coverage. You will navigate this fantastic network to visit the cities many major sights, from the Senso-ji Temple in the old downtown area of Asakusa, the fashion hub of Shibuya, with its famous five-way pedestrian crossing, or the surprisingly peaceful parks throughout the city.

If you would prefer to have a guide to help you get to grips with the unique Japanese culture and history it is possible to add a private guide to your day. We are able to offer you three different guided tours to choose from depending on your interests (please see the private guides tab on the holiday info).

If you have arranged a private guide they will leave you at 5pm allowing you to further explore the city on your own and enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants. We also recommend taking a visit to Tokyo Skytree if you haven't already for great views over the city. The view is especially good if you attend for sunset.

Today you have the opportunity to get out of the big city and enjoy your first Japanese hike. You will hop on the train to take the short journey to the west of Tokyo city to the sacred Mount Takao (Takao-san in Japanese). The mountain is part of a range of wooded mountains that form a natural boundary to Tokyo's urban landscape and mark the start of the Chichibu-Tama National Park. Arriving at the foot of the mountain you have a choice of clearly marked trails to reach the top of Mount Takao, varying in difficulty, and all dotted with small temples, religious statues and offerings along the routes, increasing in number as you reach Yakuoin, an attractive temple dedicated to the 'kami' or spirits of the mountains. Many of the routes offer great views and from the top, on a clear day you can enjoy some great views of the magnificent Mount Fuji. The hike to the summit takes approximately 2-3 hours and for those seeking a more leisurely option there is a cable car to the top too.

If you would prefer to make your walk a little longer you can continue from the top along one of the marked routes further into the National Park and perhaps summit one of the neighbouring peaks. The wonderful thing about Mount Takao is that although it is a popular hike with locals it is rarely visited by tourists, allowing you to get off the beaten track and enjoy the peace of the mountains after a busy couple of days in the city. You end your day by returning to Tokyo for your final night in the city.

Fuelled by your hotel breakfast today you begin the Nakasendo Way, but first you have the joy of riding Japan's famous bullet train, Shinkansen, from Tokyo to Nagoya. From here, you then swap to a local train to Nakatsugawa, the access point for the Kiso Valley where today's section of the Nakasendo Way will take you. Finally, you will hop on the local bus to Magome. The journey takes approx. 3 hours and, having whizzed out of the city on the bullet train, you will feel the change of pace as you swap onto the local train and wind your way towards rural Japan. Arriving in Magome you will have time to discover this charming historic village; once an important stop on the Nakasendo Way, today it retains beautiful wooden houses and a traditional way of life.

Setting out on your walk your route will take you to Tsumago via the most beautiful remaining section of the old Nakasendo highway. The Nakasendo was one of the five routes used by samurai to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period and walking it today will reveal a side of Japan seldom seen by either foreigners or Japanese alike. Waterfalls, stone paths, mountain views, and tiny villages all make this a walk not to be missed. Arriving in Tsumago, a charming old post-town, you can check into your traditional accommodation and look forward to a lovingly prepared meal from your hosts.

Waking up in the jewel of the Kiso Valley, you will have time to explore the ancient streets of Tsumago, and soak up the town's Edo period ambience, before beginning today's walk on the Nakasendo Way. Walking through the quaint car-free streets it is hard to believe you were in the hustle and bustle of futuristic Tokyo just 24hours earlier. Leaving Tsumago you continue along the Nakasendo Way, to further enjoy the Kiso Valley as you make your way past tea fields and farms, to nearby Nagiso. From here, you will take an enjoyable train journey through the countryside to Yabuhara, where you will once again step out onto the Nakasendo Way. This part of the way will take you over one of the highest points of the trail as you walk over the Torii Pass at 1,200m high. Passing through larch forests, little mountain shrines and old teahouses you will descend to Narai, accompanied by wonderful views over the well-preserved postal town.

Narai is often referred to as 'Narai of a thousand houses' as it was once the wealthiest town on the Nakasendo Way and marks the halfway point between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). In the heart of the town you will find a 1km road lined with beautifully preserved wooden buildings complete with traditional renji-goshi lattice work. Take time to enjoy this photogenic street and perhaps visit one of the former merchant residences, which are now open to the public, before you travel to Matsumoto area for a ryokan stay and a dinner of local specialties.

Today you will journey to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. After breakfast you will take the approx. 3 hour train journey from Matsumoto to Kyoto, stopping for two simple changes along the way.

Kyoto is one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia and is home to some 17 UNESCO sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples, and 400 Shinto shrines, creating a unique experience for any visitor, which showcases the ancient soul of Japan. Arriving in this captivating city, you can check into your accommodation for the next 3 nights before heading out to witness the cities splendour for yourself.

Kyoto boasts an array of world-class gardens, majestic festivals, and delicate cuisine, all of which reflect the rhythms of nature and the changing seasons. At first glance Kyoto has not escaped the typical neon lights most Japanese cities have fallen victim too, but you will soon see past the bright lights to unearth the cities treasures. Tucked away among the shopping centres are the sacred shrines and time-honoured teahouses which lay quietly between businesses, while mysterious geisha scuttle down backstreets. Kyoto's charm lies in these details, and whether you are here for three days or three years, the closer you look, the more you will discover. You can choose whether to explore this magnificent city on your own or arrange your own private guide to help you get under the skin of this beautiful city and visit the many must see spots. Please see the private guides tab on holiday info for more details.

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the unique experience of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. A tea ceremony is the traditional form of hospitality and treasures the unique opportunity and serendipity of every meeting. It is a practice which is an art form for the Geisha of Japan; a mysterious wonder who are often misunderstood by the west but are essentially artists, highly skilled in fan dancing, shamisen and social etiquette, including tea ceremonies. You will learn about the background of the tea ceremony and sample the bitter traditional matcha that lies at the heart of it.

Today you have the option to escape to the mountains to discover the folklore of the mythical tengu, or red faced goblins with long noses, who are said to have trained the samurai hero Minamoto Yoshitsune, on a hike from Kurama to Kibune. Your morning starts by taking the 30 minute train journey from Kyoto to the northern hills of Mount Kurama. It is here where Samurai were trained by Buddhist practitioners in the 12th century. Arriving at the Kurama Temple your walk will take you along a beautiful trail to Kibune village to follow a lantern lined trail to the Kifune Shrine, known for bringing good fortune to those seeking love. Dedicated to the local god of water, Takaokami no Kami, it is the shrines' proximity to Kamogawa River which has made it a place of spiritual healing and a welcomed escape from the summer heat. The shrine is also known for its unique omikuji (fortune slips) which tell your fortune when you place them in the sacred water and you may see locals receiving their fortune. Leaving the shrine behind you make your way into the town to the take the train back to Kyoto where you will have time to further explore the city before dinner.

This morning you say farewell to Kyoto and take the train to the small town of Kii-Tanabe on the mystical Kii Peninsula, the gateway to the historic Kumano Kodo Trail. The journey provides another opportunity to experience the famous bullet train to Osaka where you swap to a slower pace of life as you take a scenic rail journey along the ocean for magnificent views across to Shikoku and Awaji Island to Kii-Tanabe. You will have time to stretch your legs and explore Kii-Tanabe before taking the short bus journey to Takijiri. The town is not only famed as the gateway to the Kumano Kodo, but, for its many fantastic seafood restaurants and izakaya pubs (meaning stay, drink, place) which serve small plates a little like a Japanese tapas bodega, making a great place to grab a bite to eat before taking the short bus journey to Takijiri to begin you walk. Your route begins with a visitor centre where you can discover more about the historic trail before making your way up through the woodland, passing Oji along the way where you will see pilgrims stamping their records. The Oji are subsidiary shrines along the route designed to guide and protect pilgrims on their journey and provide a great place of rest along your way. Arriving at the ridge-top village of Takahara you will be welcomed by your hosts for the evening where you can relax, enjoy the wonderful views over the Hatenashi mountain range (particularly at sunset) while your hosts lovingly prepare you a meal.

Feeling rested, you will wake to the tranquillity of Takahara and the warm hospitality of your hosts before stepping out onto the Kumano Kodo once more. Today's sections of the trail will take you through a contrast of landscapes, first past rice fields as you leave the village to ascend through peaceful woodlands, passing more Oji as you go. Before long the woodlands clear way to the Jujo-oji clearing where you are greeted with lovely views, making it a popular picnic spot. Reaching the highest point of the trail (690m) you are greeted by the remains of the Uwada-jaja Teahouse before descending to pass the Three-Fold Moon Viewing area and make your way up towards the Hashiori-toge Pass. Here you will find an unusual statue of Kazan, one of the first abdicated emperors to undertake a pilgrimage to Kumano, sitting on a horse and a cow. When you have finished observing this unusual character you descend a staircase to a fantastic viewpoint with your final goal in the valley below, Chikatsuyu. Making your way down to the valley, you once again will be greeted with a warm welcome from your hosts for the evening and a tasty home cooked supper.

Today you have the option to shorten your walk on the trail but for those who are feeling energetic you will begin from your Minshuku to follow the Kumano Kodo as it makes its way through small villages over the Kii Mountains to the Kimano shrine at Hongu. Along your way you will be in awe of the giant cedar trees at the Nonaka-no ipposugi shrine and if you are lucky you will spot the monkeys in the trees too. You will also have the opportunity to purify yourself at one of the Chozuya before making your way into the heart of the sacred Kii Mountains. Arriving at Hongu, you will be greeted by Hongu Oyunohara Torii Gate, the largest tori gate in the world. The Kumano shrine at Hongu is one of the three 'Grand Shrines of Kumano', said to be the entrance to the land of Yomi, the 'other world' which spirits travelled to in Japanese mythology. Take your time to explore the shrine and enjoy this spiritual place before taking the bus to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest natural hot spring villages in Japan, where you can enjoy your first onsen experience, with a warm soak in the waters before feasting on a delicious meal prepared for you by your hosts.

Today's route is the longest of the week, however it is possible to use the local bus service to reduce your walk to 15 km or 7 km depending on how you are feeling. If you opt to undertake the full route we recommend raising early to allow yourself plenty of time to take in all of the charm of the pilgrimage. It is also possible that you may stay at the nearby Kawaya Onsen, famous for its thermal water bubbling in the crystal clear river should Yunomine Onsen not be available.

Feeling refreshed from your stay at the onsen, today you will experience the Kumano Kodo in a different way- by Kawabune (a flat-bottomed wooden boat) along the Kumano River (subject to availability & weather conditions). Following the route taken by many pilgrims before you will sail down the river to Shingu, home of the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the 'three great shrines of Kumano'. The Hayatama Taisha has occupied the banks of the river since the 12th century though it has undertaken some rebuilding in recent years. According to Shinto creation myth, three kami descended to earth on a rock near the shrine and it is worshiped as a sacred object. Take your time to explore the shrine before boarding the train to Kii-Katsuura at the mouth of the river. Kii-Katsuura was once a small fishing port but today is a popular Onsen town after the discovery of the fantastic hot springs. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beach and relax in the onsen at your hotel before dinner, the perfect end to your day on the Kumano Kodo.

If you are an early riser we recommend venturing to the bustling fish market before breakfast, a popular attraction in the town. Watch the tuna auction and the fisherman seamlessly throw the fish around the market like some sort of well-rehearsed dance. After breakfast at your hotel you will take the bus to Dainmonzaka where you will follow the ancient stone staircase, lined with century old cedar and camphor trees, to Nachi Taishi. As you climb the 267 stairs through the peaceful woodland you will be fuelled by the knowledge you are reaching your final goal of the Kumano Kodo. Arriving at the top of the stairs you will catch your fist glimpse of Kumano Nachi Taishi Shrine perfectly placed in front of Nachi-no-Otaki Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan. For thousands of years pilgrims, emperors, samurai, and you too, have made the special journey to pray here. Take your time to explore the final of 'the three great shrines' of your journey before taking the train to Osaka where you can raise a glass to a fantastic two weeks in Japan.

Wake in Japan's second city, a place full of life and bright lights. Take a stroll through the city, get in touch with your inner child and take a ride on one of the city's big wheels, or pay a visit to Osaka castle before making your onward journey. Osaka really comes alive after dark when the city's residents finish work and take full advantage of the many restaurants, bars and attractions. If you have the time we recommend staying an additional night to experience Osaka and perhaps enjoy a day trip to Nara (a must during blossom season).