Walking Tours

10 Day Japan including 2 Days Kumano Kodo (Walk)

This 10 day tour features the highlights of Japan's most popular destinations as well as an introduction to the World Heritage listed Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route, with 2 days of short walks around the highlights; Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, Kumano Nachi Shrine complex, and the Nachi Waterfalls. Enjoy staying in local "minshuku" - Japanese-style accommodation in the hot spring villages of Kawayu Onsen and Katsuura Onsen.

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Arrive Tokyo

Upon arrival at Narita Airport, clear customs with your luggage and exit to the arrivals lobby.

Present your transfer coupon at the Airport Limousine Bus counter in the arrivals lobby and board the limousine bus to your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. (80 mins)

Shinagawa is the ideal place to stay in Tokyo for its convenient location and access to a wide range of restaurants and shops.

At Shinagawa Station, visit the Information Centre at the Central Ticket Gates (09:00 - 19:00) and issue your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass to commence using from Day 4. You can now make reservations at any time for the journeys on your itinerary ahead.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 1/3

Day 02 - Tokyo

This morning board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shinjuku Station. (21 mins) At Shinjuku Station, take the West Exit and walk to the Keio Plaza Hotel, which is the meeting place for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour's departure time.

At 09:10, you will be collected from the JTB Sunrise Tours Sales Office on the 3rd Floor of Keio Plaza Hotel for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour operated by Sunrise Tour. You will be guided by an English-speaking Japanese local and transported by coach to the following sites:

Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge) - Once home to Edo Castle, the center of development of Edo-Tokyo, this is now where you can find the Imperial Palace

Tsukiji - Tsukiji, an area known as "Tokyo's Kitchen" for many years. Even after the market relocated, the Outer Market remains bustling with its many shops offering food and food-related items. Walk along the alleys throughout the Outer Market and enjoy shopping for goods and tasting local food.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street - Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, offers plenty to see including the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, a statue of the god of thunder, and a five-story pagoda. The bustling street known as "Nakamise" stretches for about 250 m from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple and is filled with a plethora of shops.

(Lunch)

Tea Ceremony Experience - Watch a graceful tea ceremony, then experience preparing tea yourself

Tokyo Tower - Enjoy a panoramic view of the famous Tokyo skyline from the main observation platform

The tour disbands upon arrival near Shinjuku Station West Exit around 6pm.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 2/3

Day 03 - Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo

Take a day trip to the seaside town called Kamakura. Located just 45 minutes from Shinagawa Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, Kamakura is one of Japan's most popular sightseeing destinations, famous for a number of temples, shrines and beautiful Japanese gardens.

Surrounded by wooded mountains on three sides and Sagami Bay on the south, Kamakura was once the capital of Japan from 1192 to 1333.

Many of the wonderful sites in Kamakura are within walking distance of Kamakura Station, so one can easily spend the day exploring the many temples, shrines, parks and gardens. Some of the sites you might like to visit include:

The Great Buddha - this giant bronze statue of Buddha stands at 13.35m tall and is the second largest in Japan. The Buddha once was housed inside a temple, but late in the 15th century, a large tsunami washed away the wooden structure and the Buddha has remained outside ever since.

Komachi-dori St - leading out from Kamakura Station, this strip of shops has many great places to buy souvenirs and a number of good places to buy some snacks from nuts and crackers, to cute little cakes and sweets.

Hasedera Temple - situated high on a hill, the main temple has a fine view of the coastal city. The temple is home to a wooden statue of Kannon, the 11-headed goddess of mercy that stands at 9m high.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - This iconic Shinto shrine is Kamakura's geographical and cultural centre and attracts many visitors with its beautiful peony gardens and two museums, the Museum of Modern Art and the Kamakura Museum of National Treasures.

Hokoku-ji Temple - this Zen temple is a must-see attraction in Kamakura. Behind the temple is a magnificent bamboo garden which is tranquil escape. Towards the back of the bamboo garden is a small tea house where you can enjoy a special cup of green tea while taking in the beauty of the serene surroundings.

Return to Tokyo in the late afternoon.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 3/3

Day 04 - Tokyo - Osaka

Today is the first day of your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass.

Check-out of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and from Shinagawa Station board a Hikari bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station. (170 mins) Change trains and board a local train to Osaka Station. (4 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel Granvia Osaka is a one minute walk from the Chuo Exit of the station.

Osaka has a long history as one of the oldest seaports in Japan and has flourished as a window open to the culture and the goods of the Asian continent is known for its bargain shopping and delicious restaurants. For entertainment and shopping the Umeda and Namba districts have it all. Umeda, centred on Umeda Station, has a number of modern arcades which are always teaming with visitors and shoppers.

The Namba area boasts a 700-metre long arcade leading to the Dotombori River, a man-made canal completed in 1615. In the Edo Period, the area along the river was the city's amusement quarter where five theatres entertained the citizens. Today, theses theatres are still there, though transformed into cinemas and comedy halls. Dotombori is even busier at night glittering with colourful neon signs, extravagant restaurant decorations and alive with pop music.

Stay: Hotel Granvia Osaka - 1/1

Day 05 - Osaka - Kumano Kodo

Check out of your accommodation and from Osaka Station, board a local train to Shin-Osaka Station. (4 mins) Change trains and board the JR Limited Express train Kuroshio #3 at 09:03 and arrives at Kii Tanabe Station at 11:22. This scenic train travels down the west coast of the Kii Peninsula.

Upon your arrival at Kii Tanabe Station walk next door to the Kumano Tourism Bureau for your orientation. Meet the staff from the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau for orientation where they will supply up-to-date maps and timetables. Leave your luggage with the luggage shuttle staff at the Information Centre.

Board a bus to the hot spring village of Kawayu Onsen, where you can enjoy the hot thermal water that permeates from the bottom of the Oto River.

*Your stay in Kawayu Onsen includes dinner and breakfast

Stay: Kawayu Onsen - 1/1

Day 06 - Kumano Kodo

Commence your walk along the Kumano Kodo. Walk the ancient and sacred route from Hosshinmon-oji to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine through the forested mountain trails dotted with panoramic lookouts. (7km, 3hr)

Visit Oyunohara, the original location of the grand shrine, and home to the world's largest torii shrine gate standing at 33.9m tall.

Bus to Katsuura Onsen, a coastal hot spring village with world-class seafood.

*Your stay in Katsuura Onsen includes dinner and breakfast

Stay: Katsuura Onsen - 1/1

Day 07 - Kumano Kodo - Kyoto

Continue your walk along the Kumano Kodo. Walk the short, scenic cobblestone route of Daimon-zaka. (2km, 1hr) Visit the Kumano Nachi Shrine complex and the Nachi Falls, Japan's tallest waterfall at 133m tall.

Board a bus back to Katsuura, and enjoy a seafood lunch before boarding a train back to Shin-Osaka Station. (230 mins) Change trains and board a Hikari bullet train to Kyoto Station. (15 mins)

Your accommodation at the Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo is a 2 minute walk from the Hachijoguchi Exit of the station.

After check in, commence exploring the sights of Japan's old capital. Use your Pasmo Cards to board a Subway Karasuma Line train 2 stops to Shijo Station for the busiest shopping district in Kyoto. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. Next, walk down to the Nishiki Food Market. (10 mins from Shijo Station) Here you can try various Japanese foods from traditional sweets to fresh seafood.

In the late afternoon walk towards Gion, Kyoto's famous entertainment district which is open until late at night. Gion is the one place in Japan where you may see Maiko or Geisha scampering between appointments. As darkness falls, watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restaurants offering tempting cuisine.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 1/3

Day 08 - Kyoto

Commence your exploration of the ancient city of Kyoto. Please make your way to the Sunrise Tours Desk (B1F) within the Avanti shopping complex and arrive 10 minutes prior to the official pick up time. Refer to your tour voucher and you will see the Avanti shopping complex is directly opposite the Hachijo East Exit of Kyoto Station. At 08:30am, you will be collected to join your Kyoto Morning Tour operated by Sunrise Tours.

Your English-speaking local guide will take you by bus to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The tour will disband at the Kyoto Station with a likely return being around 1:30pm.

In the afternoon, from Kyoto Station bus terminal board a local bus #100 or #206 and get off at the Gojozaka bus stop. From the bus stop take the 10 minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple (6am - 6pm/ JPY 300).

Walk up this attractive winding road lined with colourful souvenir and craft shops. Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its giant wooden stage overlooking panoramic views of Kyoto and its main hall purely constructed of wood and sustained by huge columns and beams without the use of a single nail, screw or bolt.

Return to Kyoto Station in the late afternoon. Be sure to visit the Sky Plaza Observation Deck on top of Kyoto Station for a free panoramic view of the surrounding area of Kyoto. This modern station also contains a large shopping mall, including hotels, theatres, specialty shops, restaurants and event venues.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 2/3

Day 09 - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

Continue your exploration of Kyoto by boarding a JR Nara Line train from Kyoto Station to Inari Station. (5 mins)

From Inari Station visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine which was featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. It is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Kyoto which is famous for its thousand red torii gates which lead up the mountain.

Return to Inari Station and board the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station. (2 mins) Tofukuji Temple is a 10 minute walk from the station and is home to the Hojo Gardens, one of the great Zen gardens of Japan. (08:30-16:00 - JPY400)

In the late morning, from Tofukuji Station board a JR Nara Line Rapid Service train to Nara Station. (50 min)

Upon your arrival at Nara Station, walk to the picturesque Nara Park where tame deer roam. At end of the park is the World Heritage listed Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden architecture housing the giant bronze Buddha that soars 16 metres in height (JPY600/8:00am-4:30pm).

On the way back to Nara Station, stroll through the Nara Machi (town centre) an old precinct full of traditional houses, shops and tearooms.

Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 3/3

Day 10 - Kyoto - Airport

Today is the final day of your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass.

Check out of your accommodation and leave your luggage in storage at the porter's desk for your later return.

Spend your last morning in Kyoto completing any final sightseeing or shopping.
For those departing from Tokyo, board a Hikari bullet train from Kyoto to Shinagawa Station. (2.5 hrs) Within Shinagawa Station board the Narita Express Train to Narita Airport. (65 min)

For those departing from Osaka, board the direct Haruka train service from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport (80min).
*Please note all airport trains must be reserved in advance.
Be sure to check in for your scheduled flight at least 2 hours prior to its departure.