Bear Watching & the Japanese Alps

13 Nights: TBC (excluding international flights)

Destinations:
Tokyo | Matsumoto | Japan Alps | Kamikochi | Takayama | Shirakawago | Kanazawa

Experience the best of Japan's natural beauty on this 13 night trip taking in the Japanese Alps, the World-Heritage Shirakawa-go village and the gardens, temples and crafts of Kanazawa, Kyoto and Takayama.

In the mountains around Matsumoto you will join expert wildlife biologist Oscar Huygens for a 2 day hike and the chance to see some of Japan's native Asiatic black bears. You'll next have time to explore Matsumoto's historic castle before heading to the Kamikochi National Park - a 2,000 metre high plateau offering fantastic walking opportunities and home to a colony of Macaque monkeys.

West from the Alps, Shirakawa-go is a unique chance to see old Japan, a collection of thatched roof farmhouses of which your accommodation is one, set in a beautiful valley. Here as in Kamikochi you will have evening meals included at your Japanese style ryokan.

Although a bustling city, Kanazawa is home to one of Japan's top three gardens, Kenrokuen is a masterpiece of design and an oasis of calm. This historic old samurai city still has its old quarters intact and is home to one of the few Geisha districts outside of Kyoto.

The trip is framed with stays in Tokyo, a chance to glimpse the hi-tech capital city, and Kyoto, the ancient capital, where old and new rub shoulders.

Pricing Information

2011
Standard Price: £1903     (Single Price: £2147)
Upgrade Price: £2559     (Single Price: £3375)
 

Extra Nights:

Standard Grade
Start: Twin Share pp £65      Single pp £80
End: Twin Share pp £80      Single pp £95  

Superior Grade
  Start: Twin Share pp £115      Single pp £175
End: Twin Share pp £95      Single pp £170  
Prices:
 2011
Standard:
Twin: £1903  Single: £2147

Upgrade:
Twin: £2559  Single: £3375

What's Included: What's NOT Included:

*This package is available starting in Tokyo on Wednesdays, Mondays and Fridays from Wednesday 27th July 2011 to Wednesday August 31st 2011 (inclusive)*

Important Notes:

The Bear Watching part of this trip does include a considerable amount of hiking and so you will need good hiking boots, waterproofs and some warm layers and you will need to be of reasonable fitness. We will be ascending about 3,000 feet to get to our mountain hut and you will be expected to carry your own gear (waterproofs, water, clothes) for the duration - up to about 6 hours. No technical expertise is required and the views and nature are well worth it!

Included evening meals are in Japanese Alps (1), Kamikochi (2), Shirakawago (1) and Takayama (2).

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Meals: None
Your exploration of Japan begins in modern Tokyo where you will stay amidst the bright lights of Shinjuku. Meet and greet and airport transfers are included. Today we would recommend checking out the view from atop the metropolitan government building and visiting the more serene Meiji shrine.

Day 2 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast
Tokyo has much more than just bright lights. Today you may like to explore the historic Asakusa district, home to Senso-ji temple, the beautiful gardens at Hamarikyu and take a boat ride on the Sumida river. The area around your hotel has numerous options for dinner.

Day 3 Matsumoto

Meals: Breakfast
Take a direct reserved seat train to Matsumoto today, the gateway to the Japanese Alps. There will be time to explore the fascinating 400 year old "Black Crow" castle, and for art lovers we highly recommend the wonderful Ukiyoe Wood Block Print Museum.

Day 4 Japan Alps

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
An early start today as you join Oscar for two days exploring the Japanese Alps. After a transfer by car, you will take a mountain hike up to the alpine zone (4 to 6 hours of uphill mountain trails). Stop for a picnic lunch and rest at a mountain lodge. We will then do a further short hike, looking for bears. In the evening you will have dinner in a mountain lodge and then afterwards watch a one hour presentation on bear ecology and on bear-human conflicts in Japan. You will spend the night in the mountain lodge.

Day 5 Matsumoto

Meals: Breakfast
If you wish you can get up early and watch a mountain sunrise, with, weather permitting, beautiful views of Mount Fuji; We will eat Breakfast in the mountain lodge before hiking back down to the valley in the morning. (Picnic lunch on the trail). After lunch we will visit a site where bear conflicts are happening or have happened in the past and then return to Matsumoto.

Day 6 Kamikochi

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Today you will take a local train and bus to the Kamikochi national park, a stunning 2,000 metre high plateau. After dropping off your bags at your traditional Japanese ryokan you can perhaps take some of the easy walks along the valley. Dinner is included at your ryokan this evening.

Day 7 Kamikochi

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
A second day in Kamikochi offers the chance to further explore the lowland walks or to take on one of the many surrounding peaks. If you get up early you may also get to see some of the native monkey population!

Day 8 Takayama

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
A bus journey will take you from Kamikochi to Takayama this morning. An old market town with a great carpentry heritage, Takayama is a beautiful place evocative of old Japan.

Day 9 Takayama

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Your second day in Takayama will allow time to discover some of the Sake breweries in town and visit a few of the interesting museums. Famous for its annual festivals, the Takayama Floats Museum gives the chance to see the giant, wooden floats up close. This afternoon you could take a leisurely walk along the temple circuit in the outskirts of the city.

Day 10 Shirakawago

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Head north from Takayama today to World Heritage Shirakawa-go. This unique collection of "gasho zukkuri" style thatched roof houses is set in the pristine Shokawa valley. Here you will stay in a thatched roof minshuku and enjoy a sumptuous local evening meal. Walking around the village and neighbouring hills will take you back in time to a much older Japan.

Day 11 Kanazawa

Meals: Breakfast
A scenic bus ride today will take you on to Kanazawa. Famed for Kenrokuen gardens - which deserve a good couple of hours at least - this city is also home to a Geisha district, castle remains and an old samurai quarter. Check out the Ninja temple too!

Day 12 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast
A fast, direct Ltd Express train will whisk you down to Kyoto today. Japan's historic capital city is a treasure trove of temples, shrines, gardens and museums. Perhaps explore the Geisha district of Gion and visit the hillside Kiyomizu temple today.

Day 13 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast
On your second day in Kyoto we would recommend visiting the Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji followed by Tenryuji temple in Arashiyama. Both are exquisite examples of Japanese temples and gardens.

Day 14 Depart

Meals: Breakfast
Time to head home - a direct train will take you from Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport in just over 75 minutes.

Photos


Accommodation

Standard

Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza

Tokyo

Moderate Hotel

The Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza is conveniently located on the south side of Shinjuku station and opened in late 2007. The building has a sleek and modern design throughout, from the spacious lobby area to the well-appointed guestrooms, which offer flatscreen TV with video-on-demand and spacious bathrooms. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar and also a guest lounge providing internet access and complimentary hot drinks. The hotel is in a fantastic location in the lively Shinjuku district of Tokyo, with an endless choice of shopping, dining and entertainment options within a few minutes' walk. The hotel is also just two minutes on foot from Shinjuku station, offering easy access to other areas of the city.

Richmond Hotel Matsumoto

Matsumoto

Business Hotel

Located in the centre of Matsumoto just a short walk from the station and 10 minutes stroll from the castle, the Richmond Hotel Matsumoto is an excellent business hotel. The rooms are large and many of the rooms on the higher floors offer views of the surrounding mountains. All of the rooms are en-suite and offer cable television and free high-speed internet as well as the usual facilities such as direct dial telephones and air conditioning. A restaurant is available on the ground floor and PCs with internet are available free of charge in the lobby.

Alps Sanso

Kamikochi

Ryokan (JP)

Located by the Azusa River, the Alps Sanso is Japanese style inn or ‘ryokan’ where you can enjoy Japanese hospitality and a traditional night’s stay on a futon on tatami flooring. Housed in a wooden building with its own bath house, the ryokan is a short walk from Kappa Bridge and is a great base from which to explore the scenic delights Kamikochi National Park.

Minshuku Koemon

Shirakawago

Minshuku (JP)

The Minshuku Koemon is a thatched roof inn which is conveniently located in the southern half of the village close to the Doboroku Matsuri Exhibition Hall. Housed in a traditional Gassho Zukuri House, the inn offers warm welcome and traditional ambience. The inn has just 5 rooms and bathing facilities are shared use. Stays here include two home-cooked meals which use ingredients local to the area.

Takayama Yamakyu

Takayama

Minshuku (JP)

The Yamakyu is a lovely traditional Japanese-style inn. The guestrooms are simple, but very authentic with tatami mat floors and thick futon bedding. Rooms have en-suite toilet and sink, but baths are shared in the traditional manner, with separate bathing areas for ladies and for gents. The Yamakyu prides itself on its cuisine, offering the best in home cooking with plenty of local influence. Staff are friendly, some English is spoken and they can assist with planning your Takayama sightseeing. Internet access is available in the lobby. The Yamakyu is situated on the edge of Takayama; around 15 minutes walk from the station, and within easy walking distance of the main sights of the town. A stay at the Yamakyu is a great way to get an authentic experience of traditional Japanese style accommodation.

APA Hotel Kanazawa Chuo

Kanazawa

Business Hotel

The APA Hotel Kanazawa Chuo is a modern business hotel situated in the centre of town. All the rooms are western style with en-suite bathroom and are of a moderate size. On the ground floor there is a branch of 'Seattle's Best' coffee shop and the hotel also boasts a top floor spa, sauna and relaxation space.

Karasuma Kyoto Hotel

Kyoto

Moderate Hotel

The Karasuma Kyoto Hotel is located right in the centre of Kyoto and enjoys easy access to all of the city's main sights. There are also numerous shops and restaurants on the doorstep here. Rooms are moderately sized but clean and comfortable and fully en-suite. The hotel features its own restaurant, Starbucks coffee shop and bar. English speaking staff are usually available.

Upgraded

Hilton Hotel Tokyo

Tokyo

Superior Hotel

The 5 Star Hilton Hotel is located amidst Shinjuku's sparkling skyscrapers and makes for a fantastic base for a stay in the capital city. The bright lights and excitement of Shinjuku are just a short walk (or complimentary shuttle bus ride) away and the excellent transport links make for quick access to all of Tokyo - the hotel is directly connected to a subway stop. The spacious rooms, which feature nice Japanese touches such as shoji screens, have stunning views over the city and are all newly refurbished. The hotel boasts a choice of seven top quality restaurants and bars as well as a 24/7 fitness centre (extra fee applies) with indoor swimming pool and roof top tennis courts. The hotel is renowned for its service with English speaking staff on hand to offer advice and recommendations for your time in Tokyo.

Buena Vista Hotel

Matsumoto

Superior Hotel

The Buena Vista is the best hotel in the centre of Matsumoto. The rooms offer stylish design as well as many having superb views of the surrounding peaks of the Japan Alps. The hotel has great facilities and outstanding service as well as being only a short walk from the station and many of the main sites. The top floor restaurant and bar has great views over the town, the castle and the surrounding scenery.

Nishiitoya Sanso

Kamikochi

Ryokan (JP)

This simple ryokan is in a fabulous location just across from 'Kappa Bashi', the famous bridge across the crystal clear Azusa River which flows through the Kamikochi valley. Rooms are Japanese-style and the inn has an excellent Japanese bath-house available. Food is 'kaiseki' style.

Minshuku Koemon

Shirakawago

Minshuku (JP)

The Minshuku Koemon is a thatched roof inn which is conveniently located in the southern half of the village close to the Doboroku Matsuri Exhibition Hall. Housed in a traditional Gassho Zukuri House, the inn offers warm welcome and traditional ambience. The inn has just 5 rooms and bathing facilities are shared use. Stays here include two home-cooked meals which use ingredients local to the area.

Tanabe Ryokan

Takayama

Superior Ryokan (JP)

A short walk or even shorter taxi ride from Takayama Station, this is a high quality traditional inn located in the old town area of the city close to the morning markets and within easy walking distance of the temple area and the town museum. You will be sleeping on thick futons placed directly on the tatami matted floors. The rooms all have attached bathroom facilities but the inn also boasts really nice large communal baths which are great for relaxing in after a day out sightseeing. The owners Mr. and Mrs Tanabe are gracious hosts and will do their very best to ensure you have a fabulous stay.

Kanazawa Hotel Nikko

Kanazawa

Superior Hotel

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa provides an elegant European atmosphere while being perfectly located in front of JR Kanazawa Station and within walking distance of some of the most famous tourist spots in Kanazawa. At 130m, it is also the tallest hotel on the Japan Sea side of the country. The hotel has a wide variety of restaurants as well as a pool, fitness centre, sauna and jacuzzi.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Kyoto

Superior Hotel

Located at Kyoto Station in what is most of the amazing buildings you will see anywhere in the World, the Granvia has a reputation as being amongst the best hotels in the city offering modern style and luxury along with first class service. The rooms are a good size and the interiors stylish and well designed. The location at the bustling hub of Kyoto Station is an ideal base from which to explore the city as all city buses and the subway come to Kyoto Station, as well as being the perfect location when making a day trip outside the city.