Japan 2019 Deposit - Trip Two

JAPAN

Take Shape Adventures
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail and Optional Tokyo Culture Extension

Costs:
Tour: $3,695
Extension: $1,995

Cultural, Adventure, Culinary, Historic, Inclusive, Social, Magical

Japan has a fascinating and multifaceted culture; on the one hand it is steeped in the deepest of traditions dating back thousands of years; on the other it is a society in a continual state of rapid flux, with continually shifting fads and fashions and technological development This is part of what makes it such a fascinating country to visit. If you are looking for something different that takes in multiple facets of this wonderful country, then this is your trip.

Our trip in September is the best time of year for walking in Japan, as the climate is perfect and the trails aren’t crowded. With summer holidays over and people returning to work and school, it’s not just the beaches that see fewer crowds, but much of Japan in general. Though nominally one of Japan's three autumn months, September can still be quite hot in much of Japan-Hokkaido is the exception where temperatures cool and the leaves begin to change color.

Trip Highlights:

Trek the Kumano trail
Stay in traditional accommodation, including ancient monasteries
See 3 of the 4 shrines on the trail
Visit world famous waterfalls
A morning exploratory bike ride
All food and culinary experiences included
All transfers included, including fast train.
Great social fun with support and encouragement
Guided by local people with years of experience and knowledge
Supported by Take Shape Adventures best guides.

Itinerary - Inclusive of all meals and accommodation
Experience some of the ancient pilgrimage routes along the Kumano no Kodo.

Day 1 Kyoto
● Arrival Day – Welcome to Japan. You will be transferred from Kansai airport to your arrival accommodation.
● Our leader will take you to the downtown area for informative orientation night walk piecing the city together well and helping you understand its place as a former Capital.
● Welcome Dinner at traditional Kyoto restaurant
Accommodation : Palace Side Hotel or similar (3 stars western style) or similar

Day2 Kyoto
● Our trip today will start by enjoying a casual bike ride to get around this flat city. We will ride on the Kamo riverbank followed by Heian Jingu Shrine, Nanzenji Temple and the Philosophers Path (options exist for those keen to explore by foot rather than in the saddle)
● Afternoon to explore some secret seasonal temples, gardens and shrines with your resident local leader.
● Before dinner, you will go Gion district with your guide. On Gion district walk, you have a chance to be spotting MAIKO, GEIKO girls commuting on the street.
● We will have dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation : Palace Side Hotel (3 stars western style) or similar

Day 3 Trip to Kii Tanabe
● Before leaving Kyoto, you will start early morning explore of Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for its SENBON(Thousand) Trii red gates which appeared in a movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. We will walking through the stunning red gates for 4km.
● Traveling to Kii Tanabe, approximately 3 hours
● Lunch on the express train
● After arrival at the hotel of Kii Tanabe, we will go out for some introduction hiking of Kumanokodo. (12.3k 3h20 / duration 5h35 / Altitude difference 100m)
● We will have dinner at a local restaurant
Accommodation : City Plaza Hotel or similar (3 stars western style) or similar

Day 4 Nakahechi Walk (Kumanokodo)
● We will get on bus to Takijiri Oji (40mins)
● Hiking Takijiri Oji to Tsugizakura Oji
(18.2k 7h10 / duration 9h40/ Altitude difference 600m)
● Traditional style dinner at the Minsyuku which is Japanese style B&B
● We will have experience of sleeping on Futon on the floor for 3 nights from tonight
Accommodation : Minshuku Iseya or similar

Day 5 Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha and hiking
● We will start this morning from visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha which is one of the three Main Kumano Shrines
● Bento lunch made by Minshuku
● Hiking Kumano Hongu Taisha to Tsugizakura Oji
(22k 6h50 / duration 8h50/ Altitude difference 400m)
Accommodation : Minshuku Iseya or similar

Day 6 Visit Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Waterfalls and hiking
● Today, we will make a visit of Nachi Taisha Shrine, one of the three Main Kumano Shrines and Nachi Waterfalls
● Hiking on Mystical Ogumotorigoe trail. It will be the toughest route on the trip
(14.5k 5.5h, Altitude difference 700m)
● Bento lunch made by Minshuku
Accommodation : Minshuku Iseya or similar

Day7 Trip back to Kyoto
● Today you will be transferred back to Kyoto
● If you still have some more energy, there is another chance of waking in Kyoto. Your guide will plan for the group depending on the group interest.
● Delicious farewell dinner at the end of the day
Accommodation : Palace Side Hotel or similar (3 stars western style) or similar

Day8 Kyoto
● Breakfast and transfer to the airport for return flight

EXTENSION ITINERARY - Inclusive of all meals and Accommodation
Day 1
Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, evening orientation and dinner (people joining the second departure will fly in today and join the orientation and meal and have the train from Tokyo to Kyoto included on day 4)

Day 2
Full day site and transport inclusions - best of Tokyo in September with a twist (specifics of highlights and course inclusions to follow) (trying local seasonal snacks also during the day)

Day 3
Full day site and transport inclusions - best of Tokyo in September with a twist (specifics specifics of highlights and course inclusions to follow) (trying local seasonal snacks also during the day)

Day 4
After breakfast free to explore or depart.
(those joining second Kumano trip leave for Kyoto to join leader and group.

Exclusions:
Travel Insurance
International Airfares

Food

This tour will be catered by local Japanese restaurants and local accommodation venues. Food will be prepared to high standards and most intolerances and dietary requirements can be catered for. Please contact us if you have any special circumstances. Please also note that our tour will visit remote areas of Japan and this may preclude certain meals being available. As always, we will do our very best to ensure you are catered for.

Cancellation Policy
As this trip is conducted in partnership with the Japan based Venture Expeditions, the Take Shape Adventures cancellation policy will match our partner company cancellation policy. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation.

If you cancel a trip:
Between 4 weeks to 2 weeks - 50% fee charged
Between 2 weeks to 1 week - 75% fee charged
Less than 1 week – 100% fee charged

Deposit
25% of fee deposit to be sent 3 months from the departure
Full payment to be sent 8 weeks from the departure

Bank transfer charges per transfer JPY4,000
Fee charges in Japanese Yen

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS MANDATORY

PLEASE DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS UNTIL YOU GET CONFIRMATION THE TOUR IS PROCEEDING