Walking Adventure Tours & Trips in Honshu

Head from Tokyo's Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing over to Kyoto's golden Kinkaku-ji Temple, stopping to check out Takayama's riverside markets and Hida Folk Village. The Shinkansen takes you to Hiroshima for Peace Memorial Park, then you'll ferry to Miyajima to catch sunset at the floating torii gate.

Walk the historic Nakasendo Way from Magome to Tsumago through Kiso Valley and see Edo-period post towns that samurai once traveled through. Trek through ancient cedar forests on the Kumano Kodo trail to reach Nachi Taisha shrine beside Japan's tallest waterfall, then stay in traditional ryokan inns.

This 10-day trip takes you from Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine to the volcanic Owakudani valley via Hakone's cable car and ropeway system. You'll walk Takayama's preserved Edo-period streets, hike Fushimi Inari's torii gate tunnels, and see Nara's Todaiji Temple with the world's largest bronze Buddha.

Hike through forests at Jigokudani Monkey Park in the Japanese Alps, walking alongside tranquil rivers and hot springs to see wild macaques at 2,172 meters. The Kanmangafuchi Abyss path in Nikko has hundreds of Jizo statues lining peaceful riverbanks and Tsumago's traditional wooden streets.

Wander the historic stone streets of Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter from the Edo period and check out the six-story fortress of UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle. In Nara Park you'll find the 3,000-lantern Kasuga Shrine and head up to Todaiji Temple with its 250-ton Giant Buddha inside.

Hike through the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi-Inari Shrine before crowds arrive, ascending mountain trails past smaller shrines. Walk forest paths to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park and see Arashiyama's bamboo groves, then trek through Okunoin Cemetery's ancient pathways at Koyasan.