Japan Walking Tours & Trips

The UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail winds through forested hills to reach Hongu Taisha shrine and Japan's largest torii gate. In Tokyo, wander through Nippori and Yanesen neighborhoods, then head to Matsumoto to check out the 500-year-old Crow Castle and Kyoto's Philosophers Path to the Silver Pavilion.

In Tokyo, you'll witness the sacred Goma Ritual at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple before boarding the Shinkansen bullet train through the Japanese Alps to Takayama, where there's sake tasting at a local brewery. Kyoto brings a hike up through Fushimi Inari Shrine's vermillion torii gates and time wandering Arashiyama's bamboo forest.

This 10-day small-group tour takes you from Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple through Arashiyama's bamboo forests to Kyoto's golden Kinkaku-ji Temple. Walk Takayama's Sanmachi Old Town and check out Nara Deer Park before heading up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple for city views.

Tsumago's historic streets show off one of Japan's best-preserved post towns with traditional wooden houses along the old Nakasendo trail. Nikko's peaceful Kanmangafuchi Abyss path features rows of Jizo statues overlooking the riverbanks, while Kyoto's Gion geisha district and Nakamise Street lead to Asakusa's Sensoji Temple.

Nara Park lets you walk among freely roaming deer before heading up to the UNESCO-listed Todaiji Temple to see the massive 49-foot Daibutsu Giant Buddha. You'll find yourself among the red torii gate paths at Fushimi Inari Shrine and wander the stone streets of Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter from the Edo period.

Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine's forested grounds in Tokyo start things off, then you'll hike among the towering bamboo stalks of Arashiyama in Kyoto. There's Okunoin Cemetery's atmospheric pathways at Koyasan mountain temple complex and a stroll through Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park over 12 days.