The Hotel Granvia Kyoto is a four star property easily accessible within the JR Kyoto Station. Its sleek architectural decor is paired with modern amenities in each room, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, electric kettles and flat screen TVs. Guests can choose to relax in the hot tub, wander through the thousands of pieces of art work on the property or walk over to the Kyoto Tower.

Shojoshin-in is a shukubo, or lodging, in a Buddhist temple. In fact Shojoshin-in is attached to one of Mount Koya's oldest Buddhist temples! Built as a thatched hut more than 1,150 years ago, today it boasts attractive 150-year-old buildings with 22 guest rooms and two large communal bathing areas — one for men and one for women — with beautiful Hinoki cypress wood bathtubs.

A fusion of Japanese and European sleek design, the Piazza Hotel Nara is a short walk from Nara Park and offers many modern amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi. Watch as chefs cook authentic Teppanyaki-style dishes in front of your table at the live dining restaurant. Afterwards, head over to the hotel's jazz bar for live musical performances or relax with cocktails on the rooftop terrace.

Hotel Hanasarasa is located in the Nakatsugawa Onsen area, sitting at the base of Mount Ena. It is close to Magome, gateway to our walk on the Nakasendo Trail. The hotel's baths are onsen baths (mineral hot springs) and the baths in this area are known for their beautifying properties! Adjoining the hotel is a larger onsen facility with a selection of indoor and outdoor hot springs baths and swimming pools. Meals at the facility showcase local cuisine, including river fish and the Hida beef of Gifu prefecture. Rooms are equipped with en suite toilets and other amenities; bathing facilities are shared in the case of most guest rooms.

Komanoyu is nestled in the mountains above Kiso Fukushima and has lovely, big onsen baths with indoor and outdoor sections (separate baths for men and women), fed by natural hot springs. Just grab your traditional Japanese towel for modesty and pad down to the bathing space for complete relaxation (all bathroom facilities are shared in the case of most guest rooms; in limited cases, some rooms also have en-suite toilet and sink - these rooms can not be guaranteed). Sleep well atop futons in the spacious guest rooms, and enjoy traditional Japanese dishes. Wi-Fi is available in the lobby area.

MT Sobek has been operating award-winning adventures in Asia since 1969, working with best local guides to ensure an immersive and unforgettable adventure.

Perfected over 20 years, this popular 11-day Kyoto to Tokyo adventure is a well-paced walking tour into the heart of Japan. Explore idyllic landscapes and stay at charming shukubo and ryokan.

Our local expert guides go the extra mile and are the perfect travel companions. Come away with a deep understanding of Kyoto, Tokyo, and the historic Nakasendo Trail.

Moderately paced hikes up to 4-9 miles a day on paved and dirt trails, plus cultural touring and scenic train rides.

Enjoy stays in traditional ryokans (inns) — many with onsen (hot springs) — and comfortable hotels with modern amenities.

Spring and fall temperatures range from 50°F to the high 70°'s F, and there is a fair chance of rain.

Your MT Sobek guide will meet you at the hotel in Kyoto the evening of Day 1. We provide instructions for getting on your own from either Osaka airport to Kyoto (taking the Haruka Limited Express train from Osaka Kansai/KIX or the airport limousine bus from Osaka Itami/ITM).

We use Japan's “takuhaibin” luggage courier system so you can travel light on train and bus journeys. To make this work seamlessly, we ask that you bring your regular suitcase (or duffel), your daypack, AND a small foldable duffel. Your larger suitcase will be sent ahead on two occasions - from Kyoto on Day 3, arriving to the Kiso Valley on Day 5; and from Tsumago on Day 7, arriving in Tokyo on Day 9. While your suitcase is in transit, you will carry your small duffel with your essentials for 2 nights at a time, along with your daypack, on the train or bus. Once you arrive at your destination, we take care of transporting your small duffel to your accommodation so you only ever need to carry a daypack on your hikes. We find this is a fantastic way to get an authentic travel experience, while still having access to your larger luggage for most of the trip.

We are unable to guarantee 100% gluten-free meals, as there is some gluten in soy sauce and in miso, which are core seasoning ingredients in Japan and very difficult to avoid. That said, we are happy to request meals that don't include wheat noodles, tempura, breaded items, or bread. Please let us know your needs as soon as possible so we can manage your request.

We are more than happy to request meals with no apparent animal products, but meals without any traces of fish are challenging to manage due to the ubiquitous nature of dashi (broth flavored with dried fish flakes). Dashi is foundational to Japanese cuisine and is a small component of many dishes. We are not able to arrange for all dishes to be prepared without dashi; you can decide not to eat them but may then need to supplement meals with snacks that you supply yourself. Many of our vegetarian guests who have doubts about dashi before coming to Japan find that they enjoy the delicious dishes made with this subtle flavoring.

A shukubo is an authentic Buddhist temple lodging attended by young monks in training, and you'll have the chance to stay at a shukubo for one night (Day 3) at Mount Koya. These have simple guest rooms with sliding screens and you sleep on futons atop tatami mat floors. There are shared bathroom facilities - separate for men and women. You'll dine on Buddhist vegetarian food and will have the opportunity to attend morning prayers with the monks, as well as to enjoy traditional gardens.