Sacred mountains and hidden rivers
- Duration : 4 days
- Locations : Mount Mitake, Japanese Alps
A 4-day excursion to the wilderness of the Japanese mountains. In no time at all, starting from Tokyo, you'll be in the Japan of deep forests, deep valleys where pure water cascades down from streams, and where the legendary, centuries-old shrines of the Shinto religion nestle high above.
Enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters while staying in traditional inns called "ryôkan", where you'll be served delicious local cuisine. Your rental car will take you on short trips interspersed with pleasant hikes along gorges leading to breathtaking viewpoints.
IMPORTANT: If your driving license was issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Taiwan, it is not valid in Japan, so you will need a certified Japanese translation, available in option.
4 days / 3 nights itinerary from Tokyo
- Departure city : Tokyo
- Oume
- Okutama
- Chichibu
- Hamura
- Return city : Tokyo
Please find detailed itinerary information below.
Note: Departure from Tokyo at 8:00 on day 1 and return at around 17:30 on day 4.
Why choose this excursion to Japan ?
- Experience traditional Japanese hotels and hot springs "onsen".
- Drive through magnificent natural landscapes dotted with gorges and waterfalls.
- You'll discover ancient shrines and a beautiful Zen garden away from the crowds.
- This excursion will take you to some magnificent panoramas, including a unique view of the Mount Fuji.
- The recommendations available in your digital travel guidebook.
Your excursion in detail
Itinerary
Day 1 : Mystical mountain
You depart from Shinjuku station and take a short train ride out of Tokyo.
On arrival an hour later, pick up your rental car and visit the first two sites before lunch at a spa. Relax in the open-air pools and return to your accommodation at the foot of Mount Mitake, where you'll park your car. Then climb to the top of the mountain to admire the mystical beauty of the sanctuary buildings.
You can prolong the pleasure by taking one of the many surrounding trails until sunset. In the evening, enjoy the excellent local cuisine and typical Japanese comfort of your inn in the heart of the old village.
Day 2 : Nature and crafts
You leave your hotel and drive to a second valley and a small station parking lot, where you park your car. You'll stroll along a magnificent river and then take a small local train line back to your vehicle.
Lunch in a small local restaurant, then head north into the heart of the natural park to discover the vivid colors of a very special plant, if you're lucky enough to come at the right time of year*.
You'll discover the ancient and mysterious world of natural silk. You'll then visit a beautiful Buddhist temple in the middle of the mountains in the soft colors of the late day.
Finally, you'll enjoy a hot bath in your magnificent inn, while tasting excellent local products cooked with art.
*during the spring season, from April 15 to May 5.
Day 3 : Stone wolves and waterfalls
Drive deep into the mountains and park your car at the foot of a legendary sanctuary. You can then discover the many buildings of this amazing site, scattered throughout the mountains.
After lunch, you'll set off again along a river where you'll catch a glimpse of an impressive dam. You will stop at the start of a sumptuous gorge, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in Japan. You can adapt the length of the route to suit you and your physical abilities.
Afterwards, relax in a thermal bath and take possession of your traditional tatami-covered room. Here again, a delicious meal based on local products will be on your menu.
Day 4 : Zen garden and mout Fuji
After a hearty breakfast and a short drive, you'll visit a Buddhist temple whose garden is the hidden work of one of the greatest names in 14th-century Zen art.
Once the visit is over, you'll head back to the mountains and the parking lot at the start of a trail along a river with astonishing rocks. After a while, you'll reach the foot of a cable car, which you'll take to the top of the mountain. From here, a last effort of a few minutes will take you to an exceptional 360° panorama of the southern Alps and the famous Mount Fuji.
You'll then head for the "sanctuary of love", take the cable car back for lunch and finally return to the car via the footpath. After around 40 minutes, you'll be able to admire the astonishing station building designed and built by a famous Japanese architect.
At the end of your journey, you'll return to the rental agency to hand in your vehicle and take the train back to the Japanese megalopolis...
Accommodation
- 3 nights in traditional 3-star inns with access to thermal springs
The base rate includes a twin room.
Transportation
- 4-day car rental starting from Hamura
Visit & meals
- All breakfasts and dinners are included
Included in your self-guided excursion
Other services
- 7/7 telephone assistance in English and Japanese bilingual
- Complete digital travel diary before your departure
Not included in the price
- Optional insurance
- Personal expenses including lunches (you will find addresses selected by us in your travel pack)
- Entrance fees to museums, gardens or temples
- Pocket wifi
- Everything not included in the "included in your excursion" section
Other services
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