Arrive in Tokyo and make your own way to the hotel.

The evening is ours to settle in and soak up the first impressions of Japan—whether that’s wandering the streets of Ikebukuro or grabbing a steaming bowl of ramen from a tucked-away noodle bar.

Accommodation: Sunshine City Prince Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

Our first full day begins gently, with a guided Shinrin Yoku experience—‘forest bathing’—in one of Tokyo’s lesser known green spaces like Shinjuku Gyoen or Yoyogi Park. This somatic, sensory experience will slow us down, tune us into the present moment, and prepare for the journey ahead.

Later, we leave the city lights and skyscrapers behind us and head deeper into rural Japan, to the mountain town of Matsumoto. This will be our base before heading into Japan’s Alps, for the coming few days.

Our evening will allow time to stroll Nakamachi-Dori and its charming storehouses and local craft shops, making sure we catch sunset at Matsumoto iconic castle.

Accommodation: Dorm-style accommodation

Meals Included: Breakfast

We’ll spend the next three days immersing ourselves in this iconic national park, Japan’s extraordinary and welcoming mountain culture and two nights in one of Japan’s best rated mountain huts.

The Japanese mountain culture is a national treasure that they keep sacred, and to experience it alongside them is pure joy!! Over these adventurous three days, we will soak up the warm welcoming atmosphere, delicious and plentiful meals, the close sense of community within the mountain hut, and of course the endless views and dramatic sky-red sunrises and sunsets.

An early start, and we set off early for the mountains. We’ll be spending the next three days immersing ourselves in the beauty of one of Japan’s most iconic mountain ranges - the Hilda and Hotaka mountains.

Nakabusa onsen is our trailhead, where we begin our hike up Tsubakuro Yama. As we gain altitude, the landscape opens into sweeping ridgelines and alpine vistas. After a full day on the trail, we arrive at our remote mountain hut, nestled among the peaks, and settle in for a peaceful night under the stars.

Accommodation: Mountain Hut with futon bed

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

We rise early to catch sunrise from the ridgeline - an unforgettable moment, as golden light washes over the mountains. After a hearty mountain breakfast, we continue across the ridgeline towards the infamous Hotaka-Yama in the distance enjoying the vast expansive views along the way.

We’ll take lunch at Mount Otensyo, before returning to enzanso hut in the afternoon, with time to rest, journal, and enjoy the stillness of the highlands.

We’ll be spoilt by the warm and welcoming charm atmosphere of the mountain community, endless views, red-sky sunrises and sunsets but also their plentiful, delicious and infamous meals, shared communually as a hiking community.

Accommodation: Mountain Hut with futon bed

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we begin our descent from the Enzanso, back to Nakabusa, retracing our steps to the trailhead.

From here, we travel onward to the ancient town of Nakasendo, nestled within a nature haven, and beautifully preserved corridor of Japan’s ancient cobble highway system.

Deserving a well-earned rest after all our hard work in the mountains, here we will induldge in a little luxury, staying two nights in a traditional Ryokan, where we will have the chance to enjoy traditional guesthouse hospitality, food and soak our aching bodies in soothing onsen baths.

Accommodation: Multi-share in a traditional ryokan on futon beds

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Cutting through both tranquil forest areas and the ancient old town, we spend today walking a quiet section of the Nakasendo Trail, one of the last remaining ancient roads that connected Kyoto and Edo.

Once used by samurai and travelling merchants, this historic route boasts ancient cedar forests, wooden inns, mountain villages and a glimpse into old Japan.

The evening is spent relaxing back at our Ryokan, before an early start the next day.

Accommodation: Multi-share in a traditional ryokan on futon beds

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

In Japan, the sword is the soul of the Samurai, still evident throughout past culture or art and still today in popular culture and Anime. The craftship of the blade is still an important part of Japan’s culture and today we experience that story.

Heading south to Gifu Prefecture, we will be greeted by a master craftsman in his traditional swordsmith centre. Here we will learn about Japan’s blade-making heritage and have hands on experience of traditional blade making techniques ourselves. A truly rare and unique experience.

In the afternoon, we continue to the charming port town of Onomichi - the starting point of our next adventure: the Shimanami Kaidō cycling route.

Accommodation: Capsule hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

These days will be filled with an epic three day cycling adventure through the Seto Inland Sea archipelago.

The Islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima all sit within the Seto Inland Sea, connected by a series of long bridges that are true architectural and engineering masterpieces.

The Shimanami Kaido offers a unique and extraordinary way to travel and experience rural Japan. The route is roughly 70km in length, but split over three days and with the option of e-bikes, this route is accessible and manageable for all.

With numerous optional detours, the journey offers something for everyone, from beautiful seafront paths and beaches, epic panoramic views, cultural and historical sights, delicious daily caught seafood and many art and handicraft markets.

Days 8 & 9 will be full days of riding and exploring at a gentle pace, stopping at coastal viewpoints, shrines and temples, cultural spaces and small cafes along the way. Embracing the rhythm of the island, this is slow travel at its best - immersive, light and unhurried.

Day 10 will see us complete the last section of our cycling journey in Imabari. After returning our bikes, we transfer via Onomichi to the Kagawa region on Shikoku Island.

Accommodation: Multi-share in villas and guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast

The final leg of our adventure will be spent on the lesser known island of Shikoku. An island of vast natural beauty and sacred value, it is very much a road less travelled.

We will basque in the beautiful coastline beaches, experience on of Shikokus 88 temples, take a short hike to one of Japan’s most scenic shrines, explore the hidden nooks and crannies of an old remaining town and sample some local sake - A chance to connect and unwind with local flavours.

Day 11 ends with a train journey back to Tokyo and a final evening of karaoke and song!

Accommodation: Triple share hotel

Meals Included: Group breakfast at villa

Today we say sayonara to each other and to Japan. Each making our own way to the airport, leaving with full hearts, stronger connections, and stories to carry home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Whilst breakfast is sometimes included, most lunches and dinners are left open so you can explore Japan’s incredible food culture in your own way.

Japanese cuisine is both varied and affordable, with options ranging from quick bites at local noodle shops and bakeries to more traditional sit-down meals at family-run restaurants. A typical lunch—like a bowl of ramen, a plate of curry rice, or a freshly made bento box—can cost as little as ¥800–¥1,200 (around £4–£6). Dinner options range from casual izakayas (Japanese pubs) and sushi counters to vegetarian cafes and set-menu eateries, with average meals costing ¥1,500–¥3,000 (around £8–£16), depending on your preferences.

We recommend budgeting around £20–£30 per day for food and drinks, though this can vary depending on your appetite and whether you prefer to eat simply or indulge in occasional treats. Japan also has plenty of supermarkets and convenience stores, which are surprisingly well-stocked with fresh, delicious and inexpensive meals—perfect for picnics, train journeys or nights when you want something quick.

We’ll often be eating together as a group, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to try regional specialities, from mountain vegetables and handmade soba to coastal seafood, mochi sweets and warm sake.

Throughout this journey, we’ll stay in a mix of accommodation styles that reflect the diversity and traditions of Japan. From modern city hotels to rustic mountain huts, seaside villas, capsule hotels, and traditional ryokan, each place adds to the story of the trip.

Most stays will be in shared rooms (between 2 and 5 people) and the standard will vary from simple and practical to more comfortable. Some nights, such as in the Alps or along the Nakasendo Trail, are all about the experience - sleeping on futons in a mountain hut or tatami-matted rooms in a ryokan. Others, like our seafront villas, offer more space to relax after days of activity.

This variety is part of the adventure and a wonderful way to experience Japanese hospitality in its many forms.

Some accommodations include breakfast or dinner, while others are more flexible so we can head out and enjoy local dining options at our leisure.

Japan’s rail network is one of the safest, most efficient, and enjoyable in the world. We’ll mostly be travelling on regional trains, limited express services, and a few local buses.

For this trip a 7 day Japan Rail (JR) Pass is ultimately the best and most cost effective way to travel. We’ll activate this on day 5 and use if for the following 7 days, bringing us back to Tokyo on day 11.

The Japan Rail Pass costs €302/£263 and needs to be purchased separately by you, in advance of the trip, as it’s a travel pass available only for foreign visitors. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through the process of purchasing the pass, and subsequently booking and tickets for al onward travel during the trip.

Payment Options

The following options will be present at the payment screen

Card

Fees (per transaction): approx 2.9% (3.9% for Mastercard). % varies with currency

Credit or Debit Card

Time: Instant

This will show up on each instalment as a "Service Charge".

Direct Debit 

(Only available for payments in GBP, USD, EUR or CAD)

The direct debit system used varies depending on currency:

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USD - ACH

EUR - SEPA, iDEAL or Sofort

CAD - PAD

Fees: 0% (as long as your account is in the same country as the currency)

Time: up to 7 working days to process

(The payment will always be initiated on the date stated in your payment plan, so can take up to 7 working days from then to complete, until which time it will show as "pending").

You will receive a separate email confirming the set-up of your Direct Debit. 

If you pay in GBP or CAD, this email will be from MANGOPAY or Airwallex respectively (who act on behalf of WeTravel).

This is simply to confirm that we have set up a direct debit with you.

Payments will be debited from your bank account and will appear on your bank statement as either GC, MANGOPAY, Airwallex or WeTravel, (depending on your country).

If you need to manage your payment methods at any time (change default payment method, remove payment method) you can either click "Manage booking" from your confirmation email, or you can log in, and go to Account > Payment Methods, at any time.

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Terms & Conditions

Please click the following link to view the terms and conditions for booking this trip. 

 https://www.inspiredventures.co.uk/booking-terms-and-conditions 

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential as soon as you book your trip because it protects you from unexpected issues both before and during your travels.  

- Before your trip : If you need to cancel due to illness, a family emergency, or unforeseen events, insurance can reimburse non-refundable costs.  

- During your trip : It covers medical emergencies, lost luggage, or stolen passports, saving you from significant expenses and stress.  

Booking travel insurance early ensures you're protected from the start, giving you peace of mind throughout your journey.