Edo, Following in the Footsteps of Travelers of Old

Today, you leave Tokyo and its bustling neighborhoods for a more peaceful break in Kamakura. This coastal town, located about 45 minutes from the capital, is appreciated for its natural environment and calm atmosphere. It was the capital of the shogunate for nearly a century.

You will discover several Buddhist temples, including Hase Temple of the Jodo school, the Kotoku-in with its great bronze Amitabha Buddha dating from 1242, as well as the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine.

Back in Tokyo, you experience an evening dedicated to local gastronomy. You taste yakiniku, grilled meat appreciated in Japon.

You extend this moment with a night stroll through lively streets, ideal for observing the city's evening atmosphere.

After approximately two hours of train and ferry, you cross the Tokyo Bay to reach the south of the Boso Peninsula and the Mount Nokogiri. This chain of hills, composed of soft stone, has been quarried over the centuries, notably for the construction of the city of Edo, which gives it today the nickname of Saw-Tooth Mountain due to its distinctive relief.

Its slopes also shelter the tallest Buddha in Japon, a sculpture over 30 meters in height, facing the bay.

As much to grasp the historical dimension of the site as to appreciate the panoramas over Tokyo Bay, you traverse the mountain by taking old quarry trails. Along these paths, 1,500 small Buddha statues have been carved and accompany your progress to the temple Nihon-ji.

People comfortable with heights can continue to the Jigoku nozoki, a natural promontory that overlooks the bay and offers a clear vantage point over the surroundings.

After this walk, you enjoy a moment of relaxation in the natural hot springs.

You then board the ferry for the return trip to Tokyo.

Heading towards Mount Fuji! We board a coach to reach the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, about a hundred kilometers west of Tokyo. It is probably one of the best observation points for the legendary volcano, an icon of the country with its perfect cone eternally covered in snow.

Several possibilities await you to enjoy views of the volcano, depending on your fitness level and preferences. You can choose to cycle around the lake in search of a clear viewpoint, or climb the 400 steps leading to the Chureito pagoda, known for its panoramic views of the surroundings.

A cable car is a more relaxing option to reach the heights of Mount Kachi-Kachi and observe the landscape from another angle.

Another striking site in the region: Ichiku Kubota Art Kimono Museum. This master craftsman devoted his life to reviving the traditional kimono dyeing technique called Tsujigahana. The natural setting and unique architecture of the place contribute to the special atmosphere of the visit.

Nearby, the village of Oshino retains an old-world atmosphere, with its traditional houses displaying agricultural tools and samurai armor, beneath the silhouette of Mt Fuji.

You finish this stage with a night in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. You have dinner there and spend the night in the local manner, on futons laid out on tatami mats.

This morning, you take a local train (ticket to be paid on site) to reach Otsuki station, located approximately thirty kilometers northeast of Kawaguchiko.

From Otsuki, an express train takes you in about two hours to Matsumoto, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. You discover an environment marked by peaks, a peaceful atmosphere, cultural sites and charming streets ideal for strolling.

The symbol of the city is the "Black Crow", its Matsumoto Castle (The Black Crow) from the 15th century, which houses the oldest wooden keep in Japan, classified as a national treasure.

Nearby, the Nakamachi district brings together cafés, shops and galleries housed in old 19th century warehouses.

Several other visits are possible depending on your interests. For a cultural approach, the Ukiyo-e Museum presents prints from the Edo period. On the nature side, you can discover Koboyama Park, known for cherry blossom season, or visit the country's largest wasabi farm.

Your day begins with a trip on an express train to Nagiso, lasting approximately two hours.

From Nagiso, you arrange a short local bus trip on the spot to reach Tsumago.

You arrive at the starting point of your hike on one of the ancient roads that connected the capital Edo to the former capital Kyoto. This is the mountain route, the Historic Nakasendo Route, which distinguished itself from the coastal route Tokaido.

The complete course comprised 542 km and 69 stages, and your walk today follows one of the last remaining original sections still preserved.

You leave Tsumago, an old relay village nestled in the mountains, and progress between forests, waterfalls and small hamlets to the village of Magome.

You discover shops and minshuku (traditional inns) with characteristic Edo period architecture.

Dinner and night in a ryokan.

This morning, you leave your mountain village to join the local bus to Nakatsugawa station, located about ten kilometers away.

You take the train heading towards Kyoto, one of the most iconic cities in Japon.

Once there, you take time to familiarize yourself with this former imperial capital before discovering several landmark sites from its history, including Kiyomizu Temple, the temple of pure water perched on the hillside, The Higashiyama district and its shops, as well as the traditional streets of The Gion district.

You then continue towards Fushimi Inari Shrine to observe its thousands of red torii forming a marked path through the mountain.

In the evening, you head to Pontocho Street to choose a traditional restaurant. Along the way, you enjoy the view of the Kamo River. With a bit of luck, you may spot maikos, apprentice geishas, in the district.

Today, you're heading for a more relaxed day in Nara, located about 40 minutes from Kyoto. This city was one of the first Japanese capitals in the 8th century and preserves several monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Once there, you discover the imposing Tōdai Temple, situated in a park where many deer live. You can then stop at the Japanese garden of Isuien or at the family shrine-mausoleum of the Fujiwara, Kasuga Taisha Nara

Return by train to Kyoto.

As night falls, you can discover teppanyaki. This dinner takes place around a hot plate on which the chef prepares and stir-fries various ingredients, including Kobe beef, before your eyes.

This morning, you join by train Osaka city, capital of the Kansai region.

From Osaka, you take a train, bus and cable car (included in your Mont Koya World Heritage Pass) to reach Mount Kōya in approximately two hours.

This site, a major center of Japanese Buddhism, comprises 117 temples and is located at approximately 1,000 meters altitude, in an area that is easily explored on foot.

The Shingon school of Buddhism was founded there in the 9th century by the monk Kukai, who established a link between the topography of the place, surrounded by eight mountains, and the eight-petaled lotus flower on which the Buddha is depicted.

One of the major sites of Mount Kōya is the temple Kongobu, built at the end of the 16th century by shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seat of the religion, it houses the Banryutei, recognized as Japan's largest rock garden.

Another striking site is the Okuno-in, a vast cemetery with nearly 200,000 tombs of samurai and other notable figures, located in the heart of a majestic forest of centuries-old cedar trees.

Finally, those who wish can undertake a nature hike of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes around the city, on the path of the ladies, an ancient route once used by women, who were formerly considered impure and prohibited from entering the city.

This morning, you continue your journey towards Osaka City.

Once there, you discover an atmosphere different from that of other major cities in the country: western Japon is often associated with a cheerful, festive and playful ambiance.

One of the city's symbols is its Osaka Castle, recognizable by its distinctive appearance. The site can be visited for its museum and the park surrounding it. The trendy Umeda District represents another notable area in the heart of downtown.

As night falls, Osaka takes on a different rhythm and certain districts come alive even more. You can explore the entertainment district of Namba District, crossed by the famous Dotombori Street and its canal, or visit Shinsekai District, also called "New World". These areas illustrate Osaka's marginal and electric culture.