581 Tour Reviews

Group Tour | Active

Tour Code: GTT3737481

Tohoku Walking & Hiking Tour: Summer

13 days 12 nights

fromUSD $4930.00 (Limit to 13 guests)

currency

Single Supplement: USD $605.00

More Details
Room Type Explained

Single Room

Single room types are rooms for single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the hotel room throughout the tour.

Twin Room

Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.

Double Room

A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.

Triple Room

A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.

Japanese Style Room

A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.

Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.

A small-group guided walking & hiking tour exploring mountains in Tohoku with 6 days of walking and hiking of 2-6 hours per day.

Although the weather is hot and humid, the hike on this tour will be in much cooler climate where you can enjoy picturesque walks and nature. For those who are looking to go off the beaten path and away from the big cities, the Tohoku region offers its visitors the chance to witness a more traditional side of Japan where spirituality and the beauty of nature take center stage. Throughout this tour, you will explore off the beaten path attractions, stay at quaint accommodations, and taste local cuisine and regional specialties. Join All Japan Tours, as we take your through the Tohoku region with an English-speaking guide at your side. Enjoy the stunning scenery and beautiful views throughout your journey.

Start in Tokyo, as you take a walking tour around the city's highlights, including Asakusa Temple and Hamarikyu Garden. On your tour, venture to extraordinary places such as the sacred mountains of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono that make up Dewa Sanzan, as well as renowned national parks such as Nikko National Park and Ozu National Park. We will step into Japan’s cultural history as we visit Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine, one of Japan’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites, and even dive deeper into the Tono Valley countryside to learn a bit about Japanese folklore. While on our journey, we stay in less westernized accommodations such as Yamagoya (mountain lodges), Minshuku (family-run guest houses), Ryokan (traveler’s inns), and even Shukubo (temple lodges) where you can get a taste of the everyday life of a Buddhist monk. You will also make a trip to Nyuto Onsen, a hot spring town famous for its ryokans that have onsen each with their own water source, even some with milky-white water guaranteed to rejuvenate travelers after a long day’s journey.

Activity Level: Strenuous
Our strenuous tours contain several days of trail walking, with some days up to six hours or more of walking. There is significant ascent and/or descent on uneven terrain.

Who is a Strenuous tour designed for?
- We recommend strenuous tours for anyone who does regular full-day walking or hiking, and is comfortable walking for extended periods of time.
- We recommend our strenuous tours for people who are already fit and active.

Accommodations
This itinerary contains overnight stays at Western Hotels, Ryokans, Mountain Lodges, and Shukubo Temple Lodgings. Ryokans are traditional accommodations, with a more casual hospitality than you will find at a hotel. At Ryokans and Mountain Lodges, you will stay in a simply furnished room and sleep on a futon, which is laid on a tatami mat. Mountain Lodges are usually even more simple than a Ryokan. A Shukubo is a lodging at a Buddhist temple, and, similar to a Ryokan, rooms are simply laid with futon bedding.
Some Ryokans may have private bathrooms attached to your room, but others only have public bathrooms used by all the guests. At a Mountain Lodge and Shukubo, however, there are only public bathrooms – meaning either a smaller bathroom used one guest at a time, or larger bathrooms separated by gender (male & female), and designed to be used by multiple guests at once.

Tour Information

Dates & Price

2025

Start Date	End Date	Twin/Triple	Start City	End City	Style	Save	Status
Tue. Jul 1, 2025	Sun. Jul 13, 2025	USD $5175.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Tokyo	Tokyo	Active		Minimum 4 / Book Now
Fri. Aug 15, 2025	Wed. Aug 27, 2025	USD $5175.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Tokyo	Tokyo	Active		Minimum 4 / Book Now

Please Note:

All prices are per person, based on twin (double on request) or triple occupancy.
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!

We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.

Deposit

A 20% deposit is required to hold the space at time of booking and final payment is due 2 months prior to departure. At least 4 passengers minimum are required to guarantee the tour’s departure. Booked passengers will be informed 3 months before the starting date if the tour is not guaranteed, and they will have the option to either cancel and refund the amount already paid, or transfer the payment to another tour.

What's included

• 12 nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns (Ryokan, Minshuku and Shukubo)
• All transportation between tour locations
• Forwarding of one item of luggage on 4 occasions
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide

Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 10 dinners

Admission fees and activities
• All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

What's NOT included

• International Airfares
• Airport transfers
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
• For single travelers, this tour has a single supplement. The Single Supplement for this tour only applies to Western-style hotels. For Ryokan / Minshuku / Temple Lodging, you will be paired with another traveler of the same gender.

Additional Information

Transport

Public transportation

Arrival Departure Airports

This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo for arrivals and departures at Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND).

Meal Requests

Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.

Meet and Greet

Airport meet and greet and airport transfers are NOT included, but we will provide with full instructions in advance.

Itinerary In Brief

Day1 Meet in Tokyo
Day2 Sightseeing in Tokyo
Day3 Nikko
Day4 Oze Marshland
Day5 Hiking in Oze
Day6 Dewa Sanzan
Day7 Mount Gas-san
Day8 Kakunodate and Nyuto Onsen
Day9 Nyuto Onsen hot spring
Day10 Tono Valley
Day11 Return to Tokyo
Day12 Tokyo
Day13 Tour ends

Click here for detailed itinerary

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

Day1

Meet in Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo! Meet at the designated hotel in central Tokyo in the evening. We will enjoy a welcome dinner at a nearby local restaurant.

Welcome Dinner

Shiba Park Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day2

Sightseeing in Tokyo

We begin our journey through Japan by taking a walking tour of the world’s most populous metropolis, Tokyo. Our first stop will be the Yanaka District which is within walking distance from Ueno Park. The pleasing atmosphere gives off a feeling like you are visiting Old Tokyo as you pass by small temples, small businesses, and traditional homes. We then move on to Asakusa, where you will find Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. Next, board a sightseeing boat and enjoy views of the city’s skyline and bridges as you cruise down the Sumida River from Asakusa to our last stop, Hamarikyu Garden. The beautiful landscape garden features seawater ponds that change level with the tides.

Breakfast

Shiba Park Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day3

Nikko

In the morning, we travel north of Tokyo to a town famous for its picturesque landscapes of mountains and forests. Nikko falls at the entrance of Nikko National Park and is a popular destination for travelers who wish to experience the natural beauty of Japan. Here you will find the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, is enshrined. We will take a walking tour of the shrine complex which is situated within the beautiful forest. We end the day by spending the night in a Ryokan, or traveler’s inn, and enjoy a delicious traditional Japanese dinner served by the welcoming Ryokan staff.

Walking distance: 5.6 km / 3.5 miles
Time required: 2 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Kozuchi No Yado Tsurukame Daikichi or similar class (Ryokan)

Day4

Oze Marshland

In the morning, we say farewell to Nikko as we travel about two hours through a series of mountain roads to reach the Ozu Marshland where we begin our hike. The park stretches into four prefectures and is a popular destination for hikers. Depending on the season you may see unique plants and wild flowers such as white skunk cabbages in the spring, yellow alpine lilies in the summer, and fiery red and yellow foliage during the fall. In the evening, you will spend the night in a quaint mountain lodge nearby Ozu’s other famous landmark, the Ozu-numa Lake.

Walking distance: 9 miles / 14.5 km
Elevation gain: 300 m / 985 feet ascent; 200 m / 655 feet descent
Time required: 4 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Kuroyuri Hyutte or similar class (Mountain Lodge)

Day5

Hiking in Oze

At first light, we continue hiking through the Oze Marshland before reaching Ozegahara. The path is marked by wooden walking planks along the way that help guide you safely through the wetlands and do not take away from the natural beauty of the area. At the end of the hiking trail, we hop on a bus that takes us to Okutadami Lake. The man-made lake was built to assist the nearby hydro-electric power plant, the largest in Japan. Here, you will take a sightseeing cruise across the lake before taking another quick bus ride to the Tochiomata hot spring area. In the evening, relax in the open-air onsen hot spring and enjoy another traditional Japanese dinner at the ryokan.

Walking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Elevation gain: 250 m / 820 feet ascent; 150 m / 490 feet descent
Time required: 6 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Jizaikan or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day6

Dewa Sanzan

Today we continue our journey through the Tohoku region by bus and shinkansen (bullet train) to our next destination, Dewa Sanzan. Its name is in reference to the three sacred mountains of the area, each representing a stage of life. The easiest accessible is Haguro-san which represents “Birth” and is open all- year round. Representing “Death” is Gas-san, the highest of the three and home to an impressive mountaintop shrine. The final and most scared of the three mountains is Yudo-san which represents “Rebirth”. The preferred method of travel is from the trail leaving Gas-san and upon reaching its shrine, one must take a purifying rite to complete their journey. We will also visit Gyokusenji Temple. Originally built in 1251, we will participate in a Green Tea Ceremony while overlooking the temple's lovely garden. Tonight, we have a one-of-a-kind experience of spending the night at a Temple Lodging, known as Shukubo in Japanese. Enjoy Shojin Ryori, or Monk’s Food, where seasonal vegetarian ingredients are brought together to delight the senses.

Walking distance: 2 miles / 3.2 km
Elevation gain: ascending the steps to Haguro-san (if we stay in lodgings at the base of the mountain, we will walk on these steps tomorrow instead)
Time required: 1.5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Saikan or similar class (Shukubo Temple Lodging)

Day7

Mount Gas-san

Following breakfast, we will travel to the base of Gas- san, the highest of the mountains, which is usually closed most of the year due to snow. We will hike up to the summit while taking in the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. You can also find lovely small ponds formed by the melting snow and an abundance of alpine flowers. After a break for lunch, we will make our way back the way we came and venture forth to Haguro-san. We pass a towering five storied pagoda, traverse through massive cedar trees, and climb up along the renowned 2,446-step stone staircase in order to reach the Haguro-san’s main shrine, which features Japan’s thickest thatched roof. At the end of the day, we return to our Shukubo for dinner and relax from the day, with an option to visit the nearby hot spring.

Walking distance: 9.5 km / 6 miles
Elevation gain: 600 m / 2,000 feet ascent; 600 m / 2,000 feet descent
Time required: 4.5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Saikan or similar class (Shukubo Temple Lodging)

Day8

Kakunodate and Nyuto Onsen

In the morning, we head over to the Kakunodate. The area was home to around 80 middle-class and wealthy Samurai families and has reputation of being one of the best places to see Samurai architecture. Stroll through the former Samurai district, with an opportunity to visit one of the elegant samurai houses. We then move to Nyuto Onsen, a hot spring town famous for some of the baths having milky white spring water. In the evening, we will spend another night in a ryokan, relaxing in the onsen hot spring and enjoying dinner around a sunken hearth, called irori.

Breakfast / Dinner

Tsurunoyu or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day9

Nyuto Onsen hot spring

Today, we hike our way up to Mount Nyuto to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. If you look towards the south-west side, you will see Lake Tazawa, the deepest caldera lake in Japan, in the distance. If you are not feeling up for the hike, you may stay in Nyuto Onsen area to relax and soak in the onsen of your ryokan or visit one of the other seven onsen in the area. There are also shorter walking paths in the area, if you would still like to stroll at a more leisurely pace around the valley.

Walking distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Elevation gain: 600 m / 2,000 feet ascent; 600 m / 2,000 feet descent
Time required: 5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Tsurunoyu or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day10

Tono Valley

We will take a break from hiking and spend time in the rural town of Tono to learn about the rich folklore that has been passed down for generations. One of the prevalent characters in Tono folktales is the Kappa, child-sized, turtle like creatures who live in small ponds and rivers. According to the folktale, the Kappa enjoy eating cucumbers and love to engage in sumo wrestling. You can find various statues of these beings scattered around the towns as testament to their admiration.

Breakfast / Dinner

Aeria Tono or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day11

Return to Tokyo

Today we spend our last morning in the Tohoku region by riding bicycles around the Tono countryside. Along the road, you may visit one of the aforementioned folk villages as you pass by the many traditional thatched roofed farm houses. If the season is right, you may also be able to witness farmers hard at work harvesting Japan’s staple food, rice! In the afternoon, we say goodbye to Tono and make our way to Shin- Hanamaki to board out bullet train back to Tokyo.

Cycling distance: 25 km / 16 miles
Elevation gain: little ascent or descent
Time required: 2 hours

Breakfast

Shiba Park Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day12

Tokyo

After breakfast, you are free for leisure to explore Tokyo on your own. You may use this time to do last minute shopping or visit other sightseeing spots and museums around the city. In the evening, you will end your last night with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with your guide.

Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Shiba Park Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day13

Tour ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Your guide will be there to offer assistance and advice for your journey to the airport or onward travel in Japan.

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.

Destinations

Tokyo / Nikko / Oze / Dewa Sanzan / Kakunodate / Nyuto Onsen / Tono / Tokyo

Other Japan Tours You May Interested

Best of Japan Tour Summer: Tokushima Awa
Odori
Dance Festival — Best of Japan Tour Summer: Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival

Read More

Japan Summer Highlights: Lavenders & Tohoku
3 Great
Summer Festivals — Japan Summer Highlights: Lavenders & Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Read More

Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

REQUEST INFORMATION

Don't know which tour is suitable for you?

Tohoku Walking & Hiking Tour: Summer 13 days 12 nights fromUSD $4930.00 (Limit to 13 guests) currency Single Supplement: USD $605.00

A small-group guided walking & hiking tour exploring mountains in Tohoku with 6 days of walking and hiking of 2-6 hours per day.

Tour Information

Dates & Price

Deposit

What's included

What's NOT included

Additional Information

Itinerary In Brief

Day1

Meet in Tokyo

Welcome Dinner

Day2

Sightseeing in Tokyo

Breakfast

Day3

Nikko

Breakfast / Dinner

Day4

Oze Marshland

Breakfast / Dinner

Day5

Hiking in Oze

Breakfast / Dinner

Day6

Dewa Sanzan

Breakfast / Dinner

Day7

Mount Gas-san

Breakfast / Dinner

Day8

Kakunodate and Nyuto Onsen

Breakfast / Dinner

Day9

Nyuto Onsen hot spring

Breakfast / Dinner

Day10

Tono Valley

Breakfast / Dinner

Day11

Return to Tokyo

Breakfast

Day12

Tokyo

Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Day13

Tour ends

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

Best of Japan Tour Summer: Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival

Japan Summer Highlights: Lavenders & Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Why Travel on Our Group Tours

Best Itinerary

Budget-friendly

Hand-picked Accommodations

Fully Guided

Unique experiences

Connect

Home

About Us

How to Make a Reservation

Travel Insurance

Don't know which tour is best for you? Let us help you.

Tohoku Walking & Hiking Tour: Summer

13 days 12 nights

fromUSD $4930.00 (Limit to 13 guests)

currency

Single Supplement: USD $605.00

Why Travel on Our
Group Tours