Forgotten Japan

After you spend your first day settling in, our local guide in Tokyo will meet you on your second day for a private tour. Whatever your interest, our bubbly guides will show you the best places according to your interests. If you are not sure, then don’t worry. We will give you recommendations with a list of places you shouldn’t miss!

Escape from the big city and start your Forgotten Japan adventure on the super speedy bullet train ‘shinkansen’ heading west to Nagoya.  From here you’ll veer north into the Kiso valley for your first introduction to the ‘real’ Japan! Overnight in a ­traditional Japanese ryokan, feast on a delicious multi-course kaiseki dinner, and soak in the magnificent onsen baths. Once a stopping post on the old Nakasendo Highway linking Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto, Tsumago has maintained much of its old Edo Period charm. You will feel transported back to ancient Japan whilst exploring this village and the 8km hike through the mountain trail of Magome is well worth the effort on your free day.Whether you walk this route or take the local bus, your visit here will be a memorable one. Perfectly preserved streets selling local foods and crafts with stunning views of the Kiso Valley. You can choose to stay in a well-known ryokan with a top class onsen or a traditional minshiku – depending on your budget. Two nights at either one will guarantee that you’ll experience the most amazing introduction to rural Japan. En route to Takayama you will stop off in Matsumoto to visit the beautiful Samurai castle, standing proud upon the hill among the valley! 

Today you can explore the picturesque Takayama famous for its narrow streets containing well-preserved inns, tea houses, merchant houses, and sake distilleries. Take a tour in a sake distillery with a chance to taste the sake at the end! On the way to Kanazawa ,visit UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawago Village. Spend the morning making soba noodles – a local specialty – to be tried and tested over lunch. Stop off at a local washi paper making factory and try your hand at this ancient craft.