Australia
USA
Tailor-made
Self-Guided Adventure
Samurai Footsteps
from US$7266 per person (twin share)
13 Nights Trip Code: SMFS
Walk in the path of warriors on this trip through Japan's cities and countryside, tracing the legacy of the samurai. Read more >
This trip idea is for anyone curious about Japan’s history – whether you're a lifelong samurai enthusiast or simply want to explore traditions beyond the usual tourist route. You’ll visit temples once frequented by warriors, eat in local izakaya, and stay in a mountain ryokan inn, much as travellers did centuries ago.
Your journey starts and ends in Tokyo, with a chance to watch a sumo training session in Ryogoku, Tokyo’s sumo neighbourhood. Travel by Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital, where you'll see kenbu – the stylised sword-and-fan dance that keeps samurai traditions alive, now the battle days of the samurai are over. You’ll spend an afternoon with a maiko, an apprentice geisha, with an Insider on-hand to translate. In Osaka, your guide will take you through the Shinsekai district, known for its standing bars, neon signs and street food (try the kushikatsu skewers). Nagoya, an often overlooked city, was once home to three of Japan’s most powerful samurai. Here, you’ll explore the castle precinct and Tokugawa Art Museum, stopping to try miso rich comfort food like tebasaki chicken wings (an InsideJapan office favourite). Make a day trip to Tokoname (known as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns), where pottery lines the streets and shochu bottles and pipes are crammed into every nook and cranny – look out for manekineko, the town’s “lucky cats”, often represented in the pottery itself.
But perhaps the most memorable part of the trip is a two-day walk along the Nakasendo – the forested, 534 km Edo-period highway that linked Kyoto and Tokyo during the Tokugawa shogunate. Pass through preserved post towns and stay overnight in a peaceful Kiso-Fukushima ryokan. The striking black-timbered “Black Crow” castle of Matsumoto offers one last window into samurai life before your return to Tokyo.
A blend of modern cities, quiet post towns, cultural performances and a walk along the historic Nakesendo itself, Samurai’s Footsteps is a well-paced itinerary for those seeking depth, variety and something distinctly Japanese – past and present.
What's included
13 nights' accommodation (two nights Japanese style)
Breakfast every day except self-catered machiya two evening meals
All transport between destinations
Airport transfers
Manaca transport card with 2,500 yen credit for city transport
Eight-hour private guide service in Tokyo and Kyoto
Sumo wrestler stable visit
Samurai kenbu experience
Afternoon with a maiko in Kyoto
Food tour in Osaka
Wifi device for your entire trip
What's NOT included:
International flights
Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination unless otherwise specified
Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
Trip Highlights
- Tokyo with a private Insider guide
- Samurai kenbu experience in Kyoto
- Retro food walk in Osaka's Shinsekai
- Tokoname Yakimono pottery walk (day trip)
- Two ryokan nights in Kiso‑Fukushima (kaiseki)
- Observe morning sumo training in Ryogoku
- Afternoon audience with a maiko
- Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa collections
- Nakasendo trail: Magome–Tsumago & Torii Pass
- Stop at Matsumoto Castle en route to Tokyo
Ready to plan your trip?
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3470
What, where, when and how...
Samurai Footsteps - 14 Days
Samurai Footsteps - 14 Days - Day by Day
Samurai Footsteps - 14 Days - Accommodation
Samurai Footsteps - 14 Days - Experiences
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Day 1-4
Take a deep dive into Tokyo's contrasts—lantern-lit alleys, cutting-edge design, and the quiet discipline of sumo.
After arriving in Japan, you'll transfer by shared shuttle to your hotel in Asakusa, a district where old Tokyo lingers in temple courtyards and narrow shopping streets. Stroll to Senso‑ji, browse the Nakamise arcade, or ride the subway for a Skytree sunset. Your IC card and pocket Wi‑Fi make it easy to explore, and your Info‑Pack is full of ideas for your first evening. The following day, a private Insider guide introduces you to Tokyo's many faces. Travel by metro and on foot like a local, linking headline sights with hidden corners—perhaps the cedar calm of Meiji Shrine, a neighborhood market, and Edo‑era backstreets. Lunch is at a favorite local spot, and the pace is yours to set. You'll also have the chance to observe sumo training in Ryogoku when stables are open—an intimate glimpse into Japan's national sport. The rest of your time is free: take a river cruise on the Sumida, wander Yanaka's temple lanes, or hop the monorail to Odaiba for skyline views. If you'd like to venture further, your Info‑Pack includes easy day trips to Kamakura or Nikko. Evenings are best spent under Shinjuku's neon, with a steaming bowl of ramen or a lively izakaya.
Overnight: Asakusa View Annex Rokku
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Day 4-6
Step into Kyoto's living traditions—temple gardens, teahouse lanes, and the elegance of geiko culture.
Arrive in Kyoto aboard the shinkansen, watching the city towers give way to temple roofs and wooded hills. Your base is a restored machiya townhouse in the heart of Gion, where narrow alleys glow softly at dusk and the scent of incense drifts from hidden shrines. Begin your stay with a hands-on samurai kenbu experience—the graceful stage art of sword and fan that brings centuries-old discipline to life. Later, wander through lantern-lit lanes, pausing at teahouses and tiny bars that feel unchanged for generations. The following day, a private Insider guide helps you uncover Kyoto's contrasts: serene moss gardens, tucked-away sub-temples, and bustling Nishiki Market for a taste of local flavours. In the afternoon, enjoy an audience with a maiko, a rare glimpse into the artistry and etiquette of Kyoto's performing world. Evenings are yours to explore: perhaps a riverside stroll along Pontocho, a quiet sake bar, or a seasonal kaiseki dinner recommended in your Info-Pack.
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Day 6-8
Retro flavours and neon nostalgia in Japan's kitchen.
Travel by shinkansen to Osaka and settle into the city centre. Your first evening includes a guided food walk through Shinsekai, where kushikatsu skewers, standing bars, and Showa-era neon tell the story of Osaka's culinary roots. The following day is free. Options include Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building for city views, or a stroll through Namba's covered arcades. Your Info-Pack lists easy lunch spots and coffee counters for a relaxed day of exploring.
Overnight: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
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Day 8-11
Castles, craft, and a slower pace in central Japan.
Arrive in Nagoya by bullet train and check in to your hotel above the city skyline. This is a city most travellers pass through, but it rewards those who pause. Explore Nagoya Castle and its reconstructed palace rooms, then step into the Tokugawa Art Museum for arms, armour, and seasonal screens that trace the story of the Owari lords. Dinner is simple and local—miso katsu or hitsumabushi eel are regional staples. The next day, take the short train ride to Tokoname, where the Yakimono pottery walk winds past brick chimneys and climbing kilns, a reminder that craft traditions still shape daily life here. Prefer to stay in the city? The SCMaglev & Railway Park and Osu's retro arcades offer a different lens on Nagoya's industrial and cultural heritage.
Overnight: Nagoya Prince Hotel Sky Tower
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Day 11-13
Leave the city for the Nakasendo. Start in Magome, follow forest paths to Tsumago, then continue by local train to Kiso-Fukushima. Evenings are quiet: soak in the bath and enjoy a seasonal kaiseki dinner at your ryokan. Next day, walk the Torii Pass from Yabuhara to Narai, a post town known for lacquerware and wooden façades. Return to Kiso-Fukushima for a second night of unhurried hospitality.
Overnight: Yamamizuki Urara Tsutaya
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Day 13-14
A final contrast: black-timbered castle and Shinjuku lights.
Pause in Matsumoto to see one of Japan's best-preserved original castles before continuing to Tokyo for a last night in Shinjuku. Your Info-Pack suggests easy options for a farewell evening—ramen, a rooftop view, or a quiet bar.
Overnight: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
-
Day 1-4
Take a deep dive into Tokyo's contrasts—lantern-lit alleys, cutting-edge design, and the quiet discipline of sumo.
After arriving in Japan, you'll transfer by shared shuttle to your hotel in Asakusa, a district where old Tokyo lingers in temple courtyards and narrow shopping streets. Stroll to Senso‑ji, browse the Nakamise arcade, or ride the subway for a Skytree sunset. Your IC card and pocket Wi‑Fi make it easy to explore, and your Info‑Pack is full of ideas for your first evening. The following day, a private Insider guide introduces you to Tokyo's many faces. Travel by metro and on foot like a local, linking headline sights with hidden corners—perhaps the cedar calm of Meiji Shrine, a neighborhood market, and Edo‑era backstreets. Lunch is at a favorite local spot, and the pace is yours to set. You'll also have the chance to observe sumo training in Ryogoku when stables are open—an intimate glimpse into Japan's national sport. The rest of your time is free: take a river cruise on the Sumida, wander Yanaka's temple lanes, or hop the monorail to Odaiba for skyline views. If you'd like to venture further, your Info‑Pack includes easy day trips to Kamakura or Nikko. Evenings are best spent under Shinjuku's neon, with a steaming bowl of ramen or a lively izakaya.
Overnight: Asakusa View Annex Rokku
-
Day 4-6
Step into Kyoto's living traditions—temple gardens, teahouse lanes, and the elegance of geiko culture.
Arrive in Kyoto aboard the shinkansen, watching the city towers give way to temple roofs and wooded hills. Your base is a restored machiya townhouse in the heart of Gion, where narrow alleys glow softly at dusk and the scent of incense drifts from hidden shrines. Begin your stay with a hands-on samurai kenbu experience—the graceful stage art of sword and fan that brings centuries-old discipline to life. Later, wander through lantern-lit lanes, pausing at teahouses and tiny bars that feel unchanged for generations. The following day, a private Insider guide helps you uncover Kyoto's contrasts: serene moss gardens, tucked-away sub-temples, and bustling Nishiki Market for a taste of local flavours. In the afternoon, enjoy an audience with a maiko, a rare glimpse into the artistry and etiquette of Kyoto's performing world. Evenings are yours to explore: perhaps a riverside stroll along Pontocho, a quiet sake bar, or a seasonal kaiseki dinner recommended in your Info-Pack.
-
Day 6-8
Retro flavours and neon nostalgia in Japan's kitchen.
Travel by shinkansen to Osaka and settle into the city centre. Your first evening includes a guided food walk through Shinsekai, where kushikatsu skewers, standing bars, and Showa-era neon tell the story of Osaka's culinary roots. The following day is free. Options include Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building for city views, or a stroll through Namba's covered arcades. Your Info-Pack lists easy lunch spots and coffee counters for a relaxed day of exploring.
Overnight: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
-
Day 8-11
Castles, craft, and a slower pace in central Japan.
Arrive in Nagoya by bullet train and check in to your hotel above the city skyline. This is a city most travellers pass through, but it rewards those who pause. Explore Nagoya Castle and its reconstructed palace rooms, then step into the Tokugawa Art Museum for arms, armour, and seasonal screens that trace the story of the Owari lords. Dinner is simple and local—miso katsu or hitsumabushi eel are regional staples. The next day, take the short train ride to Tokoname, where the Yakimono pottery walk winds past brick chimneys and climbing kilns, a reminder that craft traditions still shape daily life here. Prefer to stay in the city? The SCMaglev & Railway Park and Osu's retro arcades offer a different lens on Nagoya's industrial and cultural heritage.
Overnight: Nagoya Prince Hotel Sky Tower
-
Day 11-13
Leave the city for the Nakasendo. Start in Magome, follow forest paths to Tsumago, then continue by local train to Kiso-Fukushima. Evenings are quiet: soak in the bath and enjoy a seasonal kaiseki dinner at your ryokan. Next day, walk the Torii Pass from Yabuhara to Narai, a post town known for lacquerware and wooden façades. Return to Kiso-Fukushima for a second night of unhurried hospitality.
Overnight: Yamamizuki Urara Tsutaya
-
Day 13-14
A final contrast: black-timbered castle and Shinjuku lights.
Pause in Matsumoto to see one of Japan's best-preserved original castles before continuing to Tokyo for a last night in Shinjuku. Your Info-Pack suggests easy options for a farewell evening—ramen, a rooftop view, or a quiet bar.
Overnight: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
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