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News2021.09.16

Discover Kyoto via Adventure Tourism Plans!

If you’ve ever wanted to really get out there and see what Kyoto’s all about, this is your chance. Adventure Tourism presents five different plans for exploring deep into the nature, the tradition, and culture of Another Kyoto.

Why Another Kyoto?

Kyoto’s frontier, Another Kyoto, may be a top class destination in Japan, but the rest of the world has yet to fully discover it.
This is a truly lasting landscape, older than Kyoto City itself, and located just a step outside the city, you’ll find this long-lasting
Located just a step outside of Kyoto City, and older than the city itself, this is a truly lasting landscape, said to be the origin of Japan.
More than just the icing on the cake of your trip to Kyoto, Another Kyoto itself is set to be a top destination after the pandemic.
From intense travel for the adventurous that will take you through the mountains and forests, to a more slow-paced trip getting to know the locals, you’ll find that this area is full of variety, and can cater to the needs of many different types of travelers.
It’s a 3,448-㎢ field of adventure adjacent to Kyoto.
Hokkaido? The Kumano Kodo Trail? In Kyoto, there’s a rich sense of Japanese-ness, and a lifestyle deeply rooted in this sensibility.
With both mountains and ocean, this area is full of chances to touch on an everyday Japan.

What is ADVENTURE TOURISM KYOTO?

The ADVENTURE TOURISM KYOTO team is a small group of experienced providers that can handle everything from tour creations, to operations, and reservation support. And we are based right in Kyoto. We support travelers and travel agencies who are hoping to explore the areas just outside Kyoto City. We Include things you won’t find in guides books or major tours, like small guest houses, chances to interact with local residents, and the ability to experience up close, this ancient land.

Why ADVENTURE TOURISM KYOTO ?

As a community-building organization with roots in the local community, we make and operate tours that make the most of the local, core connections that we’ve built.
ADVENTURE TOURISM KYOTO can work together with you or your customers to create unique customized travel plans that you won’t find through local tour operators or guides, nor in guidebooks: analog tours that will have you staying in lodging in the heart of the land, run by sweet local older men and women.
Come discover a side of Kyoto you haven’t yet seen through ADVENTURE TOURISM KYOTO.

Our Office

Website: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/
TEL: +81 772 68 5055
Hours: 8:30am – 5:15pm (Weekdays)
Languages: Japanese, English
adventure@kyototourism.org
Nishiki (Mr.)

Index

Our Tours

There are a variety of different tours available. Take a look at the tours below and see which one will take you discover another Kyoto yourself!

Long Ride
Greater Kyoto Multi-day Cycling Tour
> Kyoto to the Japan Sea (7 days/Guided)
> The Road to the Ancient Capital, Kyoto (7 days/Guided)
The Oni Trail (9 days/Self-Guided or Guided)

Middle Tour
Kinosaki to Ine, Amanohashidate E-bike Tour (4 days/Guided)
Kyoto Miyama Satoyama Stay 3-day Plan (3 days/Guided)

Half-Day Tour
Deep Kyoto 1 Day Countryside Cycling (2.5 hr/Guided)

Greater Kyoto Multi-day Cycling Tour

The city of Kyoto is a wonderful place to visit: grandiose temples, atmospheric shrines, exotic tea houses and geisha in the streets; the list goes on. Yet the charms of the city are only one aspect of this beautiful prefecture Our cycling tour gives you the opportunity to experience the other side of life, far away from the crowds and hustle of the city attractions. We take you into the countryside, into a land of rural rhythms, castle towns, natural hot springs, and the spectacular scenery of the Japan Sea coastline. Everything is local here, not least the authentic local cuisine you will encounter, lovingly created from locally-grown fresh ingredients and locally-sourced fish.

Tour Highlights

・Stunning Japan sea scenery and wildlife
・Cycling Japan’s ancient roads
・Castle towns steeped in history
・Stay in a traditional fisherfolk house and former sake brewery
・Experience Japanese hot baths
・Local cuisine, especially the seafood
・Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater expanse
・Stop along the way and learn about the history and regional information from a skilled, local guide.
・Easy access to and from Kyoto, get away from the bustling crowds and experience the nature surrounding the old city.
・Experience Japan like a local, enjoying a relaxed pace whilst touring the countryside.

Option 1. Escorted Cycling Tour: Greater Kyoto Multi-Day Roundtrip (6N7D)

Option 2. Escorted Cycling Tour: Kyoto to the Japan Sea (4N5D)

Option 3 Escorted Cycling Tour: The Road to the Ancient Capital, Kyoto (4N5D)

Op2. Kyoto to the Japan Sea

Exciting information on this tour is coming soon!

Program Outline: COMING SOON

Itinerary: 4 days, 5 nights

Price (per participant): TBA

Minimum Required Number of Participants: 6 people

Period of Operation: TBA

Program Dates: TBA

Participation Requirements: TBA

Op3 Escorted Cycling Tour: The Road to the Ancient Capital, Kyoto

Exciting information on this tour is coming soon!

Program Outline: Coming Soon

Itinerary: 7 day cycling tour

Price (per participant): TBA

Minimum Required Number of Participants: TBA

Period of Operation: TBA

Program Dates: TBA

Participation Requirements: TBA

This 8-day tour has its start and end points in Kyoto, convenient for organizing travel both to and from the city.

Kinosaki to Ine, Amanohashidate E-bike Tour

Program Outline: COMING SOON

Itinerary: 4 day guided tour
Day 1
・Check in “Enn” in Kinosaki Onsen and rent E-bikes
・Enjoy a walk at night in yukata

Day 2
・Have breakfast and start cycling
・Check in at Ukawa Onsen

Day 3
・Have breakfast and continue cycling
・Check in at a guesthouse in Ine

Day 4
・Morning Fishery Port Tour
・Continue cycling
・Arrive at Amanohashidate Station

Price (per participant): TBA

Minimum Required Number of Participants: 2 people

Period of Operation: March 20th – December 20th

Program Dates: TBA

Participation Requirements: 2-8 participants. Participants should have a height of over 145 cm (4 ft 9 in), and should wear clothing appropriate for exercise. Please book between one year and three weeks before the day of the tour.

The Oni Trail

Program Outline: The Oni Trail follows ancient lore and oni (demon/ogre) legends across a 100km-long trail with a variety of routes that stretches across northern Kyoto Prefecture all the way to the Sea of Japan. It traverses ancient pilgrimage routes, mountain paths, forest trails, village streets, castle towns, and a UNESCO Global Geopark. Park hiking, part trekking, part walking; explore slowly on foot, get to know Japan, and help the planet at the same time.

Itinerary: Basic Self-Guided Plan: 9 Days, 8 Nights

Day 1: The Old Stone-Paved Miyazu Kaido Road and the Home of Oni and the former Ise Shrine
Depart from Kyoto Station on an express station to the Kyoto by the Sea area, and change trains to a one-man local train to Oe Station at Fukuchiyama. You’ll pass through the mysterious Japanese countryside, in which oni (traditional demons or ogres) could be anywhere. “Oni, oni, oni,” warn the signs nearby. Once you arrive at Oe Station, have lunch at a restaurant, and then it’s time for the hike to start. You’ll walk through places connected to Toyokebime-Okami, a Shinto god of agriculture now enshrined at Ise Grand Shrine; through Moto Ise Naigu Shrine, and the Three Shrines of Moto Ise with the Amano-Iwato (the “cave of the sun god,” where, according to legend, the sun goddess Amaterasu was made to hide away for a long time). You’ll pass through a village in the valley, and walk along the old stone-paved Miyazu Kaido Road. At night, you’ll stay in a small mountain lodge, ending the first day with just a light trek.

Highlights:
The Oni of Oe Station
The Three Shrines of Moto Ise
The Old Miyazu Kaido Road
The Oni Museum

Kyoto Station > Oe Station > Moto Ise Shrine > Old Miyazu Kaido Road > Oni Museum > Lodge
Accommodation: Mountain lodge with large bath
Total walking distance: 9.6 km, 230 min
Total elevation gain: 329 m

Day 2: Classical Japanese Scenery & a Trip Over Mt. Oe on the Miyazu Kaido Road
After breakfast, pick up your bento lunch and we’ll say farewell to the mountain lodge and set out on a hike with a view of classical Japanese scenery to our side. You’ll be lucky if you run into an elderly couple cutting the grass – let’s say hello. Before we set out on the Miyazu Kaido Road’s mountain trail, let’s first make a visit to Yamakami Shrine to pray for the safe passage of pilgrims over the mountain. When you find a spot with a view you like, don’t hesitate to stop there and take a break. You can also enjoy the Japanese-style bento you picked up in the morning at just such a scenic spot. In the afternoon we’ll turn off the Miyazu Kaido Road to walk the Mt. Oe Trekking Route. The reason? There’s a mountain lodge where we’ll be having a very special dinner. We’ll hike from an air traffic control tower to Ikeganaru, and to tonight’s lodging in Kaya Yama no Ie.
Finally, we can rest and relax, soothing our tiredness with a meal made with the owner’s specialty local organic vegetables and wild game from Mt. Oe.

Highlights:
The stone-paved old road
Oda Village
The mountain peak, with its air traffic control tower
Kaya Yama no Ie

Lodge > Yamakami Shrine > Lunch at a beautiful location > Mountain lodge
Accommodation: Mountain lodge with large bath
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided
Total walking distance: 9.4 km, 220 min
Total elevation gain: 503 m

Day 3: Miyazu Kaido Road to Chayaganaru Ridge and Over Mt. Oe
After a slow breakfast, we’ll set out again on the Mt. Oe Trekking Route. At the rock where the oni live, we’ll have a run in with an oni! From a lookout on the mountain, we’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the Kaya Valley Plains, and then head to the Chayaganaru Ridge. Medieval Japanese travelers saw the ocean for the first time when they looked out on this view. Returning to the Old Fuko Trail, we’ll head down the mountain on a stone-paved trail. The moment you reach the mountain’s base, the first thing you’ll see is a decidedly inorganic highway, instantly calling you back to reality from the medieval journey in which you’d immersed yourself. As you enter the village of Kamimiyazu, here amongst the beautiful and quiet mountain scenery, you’ll find a memorial tower dedicated to Akechi Mitsuhide, a warlord associated with this area and father of Christian convert Gracia Hosokawa. At Kita Station we’ll take the train to Miyazu City, which once prospered with visit from Edo era (1603-1868) cargo ships. We’ll spend the night at Seikiro, once an inn for writers and artists, which has awarded the status of a small Japanese art museum.

Highlights:
Chayaganaru Ridge
Burial Mound for Akechi Mitsuhide at Seirin-ji Temple
Seikiro

Mountain lodge > Oni Rock House > Chayaganaru Ridge > Seirin-ji Temple > Kita Station > Miyazu Station > Japanese inn

Accommodation: Japanese inn with large bath
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided
Total walking distance: 14.8 km, 240 min
Total elevation gain: 254 m

Day 4: Amanohashidate and the Miyazu Kaido Road: The World’s Oldest Pilgrimage Path Across the Sea
From Miyazu City we’ll take a train to Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s most scenic locations. This beautiful spot is visited by travelers from all over the world, but none of them will have understood this pilgrimage path as much as you will after this trip. We will visit Chion-ji Temple, which marks the entrance to this sacred land, and then walk along the 3.6 km pine tree-lined path of Amanohashidate. Formed by the earth’s activity over tens of thousands of years, this bridge to the heavens was also revered by ancient people for its connection to the legends of how the islands of Japan were formed. Passing through the sacred grounds of this path, we will come to Moto Ise Kono Shrine. We’ll next hike to Narai-ji Temple, temple number 28 on a Kansai pilgrimage route of temples containing a statue of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. It’s said that Narai-ji Temple’s five-storied pagoda was built in a location that medieval people considered to have the best view in the area. You’re sure to forget any tiredness from the journey thus far when you look down on the enormous heavenly bridge that extends before your eyes here.

Highlights
Walking along pine tree-lined Amanohashidate
Moto Ise Kono Shrine
Narai-ji Temple
Kasamatsu Park

Inn > Miyazu Station > Amanohashidate Station > Amanohashidate Pine Path > Narai-ji Temple > Bus > Cable Car > Inn
Accommodation: Japanese inn
Meals: Breakfast and dinner provided
Total walking distance: 14.8 km, 240 min
Total elevation gain: 99 m

Day 5: Day 5: The Narai Line SKY-HIGH WAY and the Komakura Forest Path
We’ll take a retro-style cable car up to Kasamatsu Park, and then board a bus to the Mt. Narai Observatory, where we’ll begin our hike. Hiking while you enjoy the view of Miyazu Bay from a vegetation-rich elevation of 500 m—a place popularly referred to as the Narai Line SKY-HIGH WAY—is pure happiness. From the paved road here, we’ll enter the Komakura Forest Path, which is popular with local eco tourism-lovers, and head into the heart of the local land. We’ll pass through the remains of a village that once included 40 houses as we head into the village of Noma.

Inn > Cable Car > Mountain Bus > Narai Line SKY-HIGH WAY > Komakura Forest Path > Farm Stay
Accommodation: Japanese farm stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided
Total walking distance: 20.9 km, 230 min
Total elevation gain: 316 m

Day 6: The Sugawa Gorge and its Hand-Dug Tunnel
The journey through the heart of the countryside continues. As we move onwards, a tunnel will appear, hand-dug by village residents approximately 100 years ago. It’s said that the children’s walk to school was so difficult that the villagers decided to work together and dig this tunnel over the course of a month. After enjoying about two hours of trekking surrounded by rich vegetation and the sound of the mountain stream, we’ll arrive at a hotel where we can enjoy the most incredible panorama on this trip so far.

Farm Stay > Sugawa Tunnel > Swiss Village
Accommodation: Hotel with hot spring
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided.
Total walking distance: 3.9 km, 110 min
Total elevation gain: 350 km

Day 7: Forest Path Through the Tango Region and the Ueyama Trail
Most of this route is on a downward slope heading towards the sea, beginning on Mt. Taiko, and cutting through the fields of Ikari Highland Farm. The path is easy to walk, as about 60% of it paved. One step at a time, we’ll walk down towards the coast, enjoying the feeling of the breeze carried in by the sea.

Swiss Village > Ikari Highland Farm > Ueyama Trail > Ukawa Onsen Inn
Occommodation: Hotel with well-located hotspring
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided
Total walking distance: 16 km, 150 min
Total elevation gain: 60 m

Day 8: Tateiwa Standing Rock, Oni God Grave, UNESCO San’in Kaigan Geopark
Kyoto’s coast is a UNESCO designated geopark, San’in Kaigan, where you’ll find evidence of the earth’s formation of some of this island nation’s beautiful scenery. One characteristic of this coastal area is the ability to see both the sunrise and the sunset as it sinks into the sea, depending on the season. Here, we can take a peek into village life along Kyoto’s coastline, as we think back on our journey thus far, and continue on to our goal along the Oni Trail, Tateiwa, the Standing Rock. Long ago, some oni may have looked upon this same scenery after experiencing the same journey you have to arrive at this seashore. But we can only speculate. From Tateiwa, we’ll continue along the path past Takano Shrine, and just outside the village we’ll reach Kishinzuka, the “Oni God Grave.” The stones that mark the grave were once scattered, abandoned around the area, but they have since been collected and placed in their current location. Every year, on the Day of the Ox in December, a ritual called the Oni Festival is held to sink the spirits of the oni in Tateiwa, the Standing ROck.

Ukawa Onsen Inn > Rest Konoshiro > Tateiwa > Takano Shrine > Oni God Grave > Japanese Inn

Accommodation: Japanese inn with hot spring
Meals: Breakfast and dinner provided
Total walking distance: 9.4 km, 120 min
Total elevation gain: 74 m

Price (per participant): TBA

Minimum Required Number of Participants: 2 *If there is just one participant, you may be required to pay an overnight fee for two at lodging, etc.

Period of Operation: March 20 – November 30

Program Dates: Dates will be arranged individually by each agent

Participation Requirements: Participants must be in good health and able to walk over 10 km in a day. Must be over 10 years of age, depending on the individual.

Kyoto Miyama Satoyama Stay 3-day Plan

Program Outline: In this tour, you’ll get to know a part of Japanese cultural heritage and its sustainable way of life. This thatched village is composed of 39 old thatched houses in which people still live today. Despite its close distance to central Kyoto, this place feels far removed from modern-day life. Stay overnight at a well-established traditional house for two days and enjoy the scenic landscape in this beautiful area. The ryokan is located on the “mackerel road,” a famous route which was used to connect central Kyoto with fishing villages.
This tour also takes you to a fish market near the area where you can make some Miyama specialties with the locals.

Itinerary:
Day 1
11:00 a.m. Reception at Michi-no-Eki Roadside Station
11:30 a.m.: Cycling Tour
12:30 p.m.: Arrival at Kayabuki no Sato Thatched Roof Village, Lunch at traditional home
1:30 p.m.: English Guided Tour of Kayabuki no Sato Thatched Roof Village (Walking)
*Same guide as the cycling tour
https://miyamanavi.com/en/activity/detail/englishguidedwalk.html
3:30 p.m.: Return to Michi-no-Eki Roadside Station, shuttle to overnight accommodation
4:00 p.m.: Check in at traditional inn

Day 2
7:00 a.m.: Fish Market Tour & Dining Activity, or Thatching Activity (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
2:00 p.m.: End of activity
4:00 p.m.: Return to inn

Day 3
Check out, and on to the next destination!

Price: TBA

Minimum Required Number of Participants: 2

Period of Operation: April – November (Excluding July, August)

Program Dates: Days excluding Wednesdays

Participation Requirements: Height of over 155 cm (5 ft) *Unfortunately, vegan dietary needs cannot be accommodated

Deep Kyoto 1 Day Countryside Cycling

Program Outline: COMING SOON

Itinerary:
10:00 a.m.: Gather at Oharano-jinja Shrine
10:00 – 10:20 a.m.: Oharano-jinja Shrine (Meeting with the chief priest, prayers for safety)
10:30 – 10:50 a.m.: Kawai Fure-ai Community Center (Information on the Kawai District)
11:00 – 11:20 a.m.: Ride through Country Roads
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Make Japanese Conjac (Activity)
12:10 – 12:25 p.m.: Matsui Tofu Shop (Shopping)
12:30 – 2:00 p.m: SEASON Foods (Harvesting activity, meal around the sunken fireplace)
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Onsen bathing
4:00 p.m. Finish: Onsen

Price:
2 people: TBA
3 people: TBA
4 people: TBA
5 people: TBA

Minimum Required Number of Participants: 2

Period of Operation: April – November

Program Dates: To be determined

Participation Requirements: Height of over 145 cm (4 ft 9 in)

How to make a reservation?

This information is coming soon.

Tours by season

This information is coming soon.

For families with children

This information is coming soon.

Where do the tours start?

This information is coming soon.

Notes for tours

This information is coming soon.

Cancellation policy

This information is coming soon.