Rural Japan Explorer: Countryside Holidays

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Countryside Holidays Traditional Towns Arts & Crafts Architecture Walking / Hiking / Cycling Onsen Vacation Beach Vacation	Countryside Holidays

	If you like to touch the Japanese life dating back to the olden times, we recommend to go coutryside where traditional Japanese lifestyle is still alive. You will see a beautiful nostalgic landscape of Minka (old farm houses) dotted in vast rice fields and you will catch a glimpse of the lifestyle which is quite unique to the each regions. You can also enjoy outdoor activities in coutryside such as hiking, cycling, kayaking and snow activities.

	-- Sample Itinerary --

	Day 1	Tokyo to Matsumoto
		Take a train/bus from Tokyo to Matsumoto where one of the finest castles remains and you can enjoy Mingei(fork art) craft shops.
	Day 2	Matsumoto
		Enjoy Matsumoto-jo(castle), town walk and shops.
	Day 3	Matsumoto to Okuhida
		Okuhida is the quiet Onsen village at the foot of the Hida mountain range(Northern Japan Alps). There are several fine ryokans which they renovated more than 100 years old wooden house with modern Japanese taste and each ryokan has nice outdoor bath to soak up.
	Day 4	Walk around and soak in the tub in Okuhida
		Walking the trails in the cool forest and Onsen hopping in the village.
	Day 5	Okuhida to Hida Furukawa
		Hida Furukawa is the cozy tradithonal town. There remains many Machiyas (traditional marchant houses) along the street and famous for Furukawa Matsuri (festival). The excellent base for Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Walk around the town and you will see the works of Hida's Takumi (skillful carpenters) at each house.
	Day 6	Day trip to Takayama
		Takayama retains pretty historical sights in the town. Enjoy well preserved traditional marchant houses, the historical government house, small streets and craft shops.
	Day 7	Day trip to Gokayama
		Short drive to Gokayama. Gokayama is UNESCO World Heritage Site which retains Gassho-Zukuri (thatched roof ) farm houses.
	Day 8	Cycling / Walking in rural area among mountains
		Get around the rural village on your own and enjoy countryside scenary.
	Day 9	Noto-hanto(peninsula)
		Take the highway to Noto-hanto. Get a glispe of radithonal rural life and enjoy rugged seascapes.
	Day 10	Cycling / Walking in rural seaside area
		Cycling / walking along seaside and enjoy traditional lifestyle of rural fisherman's village.
	Day 11	Kanazawa
		Transfer to the Kanazawa, the castle town and is known for Kenroku-en (garden) , one of must-see garden in Japan.
	Day 12	Eihei-ji (Zen temple)
		Daytrip to Eihei-ji which is the head temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism.
	Day 13	Return to Tokyo ( OR Go on to Kyoto)

		This itinerary is an example to give you an idea of your journey. Please let us know your interests and preferences for your trip, (e.g. theme of the trip, place to visit, things to do, number of days), and we'll send you a proposal of your unforgettable trip in Japan.