# 11-Day Back Roads of Japan Tour from Tokyo: Nagano, Otsu, Hagi, Tottori and Kyoto | Small Group Tour

Tour in AS — Tokyo → Kyoto.
Listed and booked on Yatra For Fun (yatraforfun.com) — our Kathmandu concierge confirms availability, prices it in NPR, and sends a payment link within 2 business hours.

## Key facts

- Type: multiday
- Country: AS
- Route: Tokyo → Kyoto
- Duration: 11.00 day
- Price from: $4,149
- Rating: 4.80 / 5 (13 reviews)
- Operator: Tours4Fun Provider 1113

## Summary

• 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners included • Spot snow monkeys in Nagano • Explore a 16th-century samurai castle • Cycle through the rural town of Hagi • Experience a homestay in a traditional Japanese community

## Categories

Shared Room Available, Select Meals Included

## Itinerary

### Day 1: Tokyo

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. 【Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group】 Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

### Day 2: Tokyo

Take a CEO-led walking tour of eclectic modern Tokyo from the hub of Shinjuku to Shibuya through to Harajuku. 【Orientation Walk】 Let your CEO guide you around eclectic and modern Tokyo.

### Day 3: Tokyo - Nagano

Journey to Nagano, located in the Japanese Alps and host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Discover the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and watch Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs. 【Bullet Train】 Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train. 【Jigokudani Monkey Park Visit】 Visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys can be seen bathing in the natural hot springs. The pool where most of the monkeys soak is man made, fed by the hot springs. Along the walking paths up to the pools other monkeys tend to stop and watch visitors curiously.

### Day 4: Nagano

Enjoy a day-trip to quaint Matsumoto and visit one of Japan's most treasured castles. Return to Nagano and explore historic Zenkoji Temple. 【Bullet Train】 Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train. 【Matsumoto Castle】 Stop at the castle of Matsumoto one of Japan's most treasured castles, maintaining it's original wooden interior and stone exterior. Explore this castle where 16th century Samurai once roamed before venturing out with the group to wander Matsumoto's ancient streets and or dine in a traditional storehouse. 【Local Train】 Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do. 【Zenkō-ji Temple】 isit the Buddhist temple of Zenkō-ji, one of the last remaining pilgrimage sites. Built in the 7th century, the city of Nagano was built around the already standing structure.

### Day 5: Nagano - Otsu

Travel to Otsu in Shiga prefecture, located on the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. Settle in and relax with a stroll around this picturesque lake before heading out to enjoy a delicious bowl of Ramen for dinner. 【Train】 Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

### Day 6: Otsu - Hagi

Grab a quick breakfast before heading off, on a long travel day. In the late afternoon, arrive in the quaint city of Hagi, a former castle town that boasts feudal architecture. Take part in a welcome ceremony with the local residents, and meet your host family at a community homestay, a Good project. Get to know each other as you enjoy dinner together. 【Train】 Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride. 【Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay】 Get to know a local family Good-supported community homestay in Hagi, a farming, fishing and historical heritage town. In recent years, due to the rapidly aging population and limited income opportunities in many of the rural areas of Japan, many community members have had to leave Hagi in order to make a living. Learn about local history and customs, and enjoy a home-cooked meal with your hosts.

### Day 7: Hagi

Explore rural Hagi on a guided morning cycle, spotting samurai architecture along the way. On return, experience authentic Japanese countryside life by partaking in seasonal activities with the community. Return to your homestay in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner with your host family. 【Hagi Cycling Excursion】 Explore Hagi on a cycling excursion led by your CEO. Enjoy the slow pace of life as you pedal past the city's samurai era architecture, and cycle along the Japanese Sea. 【Your G for Good Moment: Hagi Community Homestay】 Get to know a local family at this Good-supported community homestay in Hagi, a farming, fishing and historical heritage town. In recent years, due to the rapidly aging population and limited income opportunities in many of the rural areas of Japan, many community members have had to leave Hagi in order to make a living. Learn about local history and customs, and enjoy a home-cooked meal with your hosts.

### Day 8: Hagi - Tottori

Bid farewell to your host family after enjoying breakfast together. Later, travel to Miho-misumi by train, taking in scenic views along the way. Learn the art of making "washi," a UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese paper before continuing to the seaside town of Tottori. 【Bullet Train】 Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train. 【Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-making Lesson】 Learn the traditional art of "washi" paper making. Take home your handmade washi as a memento.

### Day 9: Tottori - Kyoto

Spend the morning exploring Tottori's scenic sand dunes, some reaching 50m (164 ft) in height. After, visit the local fish market and opt for a fresh seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, travel to Kyoto for two nights in the traditional heart of Japan. 【Tottori Sand Dunes Visit】 Located along the coast of the Sea of Japan, the Tottori Sand Dunes (or "Tottori Sakyu") were formed thousands of years ago when sand was washed away from a nearby river. Walk amongst the dunes and opt to climb one to take in scenic views of the coastline. 【Tottori Fish Market Visit】 Check out Tottori's harbour fish market, home to fresh seafood and some of Japan's best crab. Walk amongst the stalls and watch the locals in action. Opt to try a tasty dish in the market's restaurant section. 【Train】 Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

### Day 10: Kyoto

Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for an impressive 10,000 red torii gates. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this picturesque city. Opt to experience zen gardens, teahouses, shrines, and local gift shops – and maybe even spot a real-life geisha. Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples, including some of the most magnificent in the country, dating back centuries. Use free time to continue exploring, the options are endless – the city also boasts museums, castles, and traditional gardens – or opt to visit neighbouring Nara or Osaka. 【Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Visit】 Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area. 【Free Time】 Explore more of this cultural hub.

### Day 11: Kyoto

Depart at any time.

## Guide languages

English Live

## Links

- Yatra page: https://yatraforfun.com/tour/101677641-back-roads-of-japan-small-group-tour-11-day
- WhatsApp concierge: https://wa.me/9779708072951