As Autumn, or ‘Aki’, approaches, travellers will be able to enjoy the famous fall colours of Japan once more as G Adventures relaunches its small-group adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun next month.
With entry restrictions being relaxed in recent weeks, the adventure operator and community tourism pioneer will reintroduce 12 tours from October 2022, offering culturally curious travellers the opportunity to explore the big cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as well as lesser-visited regions, with an emphasis on meaningful local experiences.
“The relaxation of entry restrictions has been eagerly awaited by G Adventures, our travellers and the local communities we work with in Japan, who have been keen to welcome back tourism as soon as possible. October is a fantastic time for us to restart our trips, with ‘Aki’ (Autumn) being one of the most beautiful times to visit with temperatures ideal for exploring,” says Julie FitzGerald, general manager for Asia at G Adventures.
“While Japan is often celebrated for cherry blossoms and buzzing cities, G Adventures will include popular highlights as well as lesser-seen local experiences, whether that’s training with a samurai master, learning to quieten the mind with zen meditation or staying with a rural farming community far off the tourist trail. It’s these experiences that make our trips truly unique, help our travellers to create once in a lifetime memories and allow us to continue supporting local communities by distributing money into the hands of local people,” she adds.
Five top experiences in Japan with G Adventures:
Stay in a traditional monastery:
Journey to Koyasan, the centre of Buddhism in Japan, and spend the night in Mount Koya Temple – a working monastery founded in 816 by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. Located 800m atop Mt Koya, travellers will take a train ride up the mountain to reach the monastery, which is recognised as one of the most scenic rail journeys in Japan. Here, travellers have the rare opportunity to spend time with the monks, observing their morning prayers and explore the tranquil monastery grounds, including the moss-covered Oku-no-in cemetery – one of the most sacred sites in Koyasan – which houses Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.
How to do it: G Adventures’ nine-day Japan Express: Osaka to Tokyo tour includes an overnight stay in Mount Koya Temple.
Spend time with elders in Hagi:
For those looking for a truly immersive cultural experience, the Hagi Homestay sees elderly residents opening their homes to travellers, sharing meals and teaching them about their traditional way of life. The rural farming and fishing community is located on Japan’s southern coast, nestled among rice fields, forests and pristine beaches. With no direct train routes, Hagi has remained far off the tourist trail, which has seen many of the younger generation migrate to the cities for work, leaving behind an ageing population. Created with the purpose of generating happiness and sense of purpose for Hagi’s ageing residents, the Hagi Elder Homestay is supported by G Adventures’ non-profit partner, Planeterra, and benefits over 150 members of the Hagi community. Travellers will sleep on traditional ‘shikibuton’ beds, learn to cook meals with their host and enjoy a bike ride tour of the Hagi region, taking in the city’s samurai era architecture and coastal paths along the Japanese Sea.
How to do it: G Adventures’ 11-day Back Roads of Japan tour includes two nights at the Hagi Elder Homestay.
Learn from the Kembu Masters:
In Kyoto, travellers can immerse themselves in the ancient art of Kembu which honours the culture of the Japanese warrior class, the infamous samurai. Meet with Kembu masters and learn about the strict code of ethics and sense of duty that ran among the samurais between the 12th and 19th centuries. Travellers will learn to wield a samurai sword, mastering the basic moves of this delicate art form which was used by samurais to improve concentration and express their warrior spirit.
How to do it: G Adventures’ 12-day Iconic Japan as part of the National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures collection includes a highlight moment with Kembu Masters.
Explore a traditional folk village:
Having retained its traditional customs and touches unlike many Japanese cities, the mountainous city of Takayama has captured the imagination of travellers for many years. Having suffered from pre-pandemic overcrowding, restricted numbers make now a perfect time to visit and explore Takayama’s unique history. Travellers can visit the nearby Hida No Sato folk village, meandering the quaint streets lined with sake breweries and craft shops. With buildings dating back to the 1600s, travellers can explore the steep, thatched roofed farmhouses that are said to resemble praying hands.
How to do it: G Adventures’ 14-day Discover Japan tour includes two days in Takayama and a visit to the Hida No Sato folk village.
Take in the autumn colours at a temple in Kyoto:
Home to over 2,000 temples, Kyoto is the perfect place to take in the magical colours of Japan’s autumn leaves. From the red and yellow colours, known as ‘koyo’, to the intense red maple leaves, known as ‘momji’, travellers can explore the tranquil gardens around the temples, filled with rustic coloured trees and teahouses, capturing the perfect fall photo along the way. A visit to the Fushimi Inari shrine just outside Kyoto allows travellers to walk under the iconic torii gates, featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha.
How to do it: G Adventures’ 11-day Back Roads of Japan tour includes two nights in Kyoto with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
