South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Discover Japan, ancient & modern
Japan
Mar
May
Nov
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 42600
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Overview
The Rugby World Cup, Olympic Games & Joanna Lumley have all done their bit to make Japan a must-see destination. But what’s it really like? Is it the Geishas hurrying through the old streets of Kyoto or the 634m Tokyo Skytree tower? Is it the wooded misty walks along the Nakasendo Way and the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Path, or the Shinkansen Bullet Train which speeds you through the country? Is it cherry blossom in the spring or Japanese maples in the autumn? Hiroshima or Mount Fuji? It is of course all of these, and more. This holiday has been designed by people who either live or have lived in Japan for many years, love the country, and know it intimately. And you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that they have a particular affection for Kyoto!
Japan’s most beautiful sights are often connected to temples, be they Shinto or Buddhist. Here the exquisite works of man and nature combine. It has been said that the Japanese have an almost sacred relationship to nature, be it in the temple gardens or in the countryside – it is noteworthy that 60% of the country is covered in trees and Kyoto especially has a wealth of tranquil green spaces.
Many will want to see Japan in the spring during the ‘hanami’ cherry blossom season, and our first departure of the year aims to catch this classic expereince. We have one departure in May, when fewer people travel, which includes the unique ‘shiba-zakura’ flowers near Mount Fuji. The Japanese autumn starts later than ours and goes well into November, and one of our departures is designed to catch the autumn colours at their very best. Words sometimes struggle to do justice to the natural wonders of Japan – we suggest you look at our photo gallery and also Google images.
We have a local guide throughout as well as a Ramblers leader. In Kyoto and Tokyo we use public transport so you will move around the cities as a local, not as a tourist… but outside rush hour. Most dinners are included, but where they are not, follow our Ramblers leader to discover the great variety of Japanese cooking.
When you leave, we hope you will feel that Japan is a little less mysterious to you than it is now, but having had an even more wonderful experience than you ever could have imagined.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
An memorable adventure, exploring Vietnam - from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Departure dates
Experience Hong Kong from a new perspective. Unspoilt hill country and outlying islands, far away from the crowds.
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Departure dates
Embark on a voyage of discovery on our Silk Road tours to Central Asia’s intriguing Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Departure dates
With sandy, palm-fringed beaches, jewelled cultural treasures, high mountains and chance encounters with all manner of wildlife, Sri Lanka oozes culture, history and some excellent walking.
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Departure dates
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Centrally located close to the main railway station, the Hotel Respire is a large tourist and business hotel with smart comfortable rooms and all 21st century mod cons. The streamlined rooms feature flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi access, plus tea and coffeemaking facilities, and minifridges. Amenities include an airy Italian restaurant, a cafe and a bar, plus a fitness room and coin-operated laundry facilities. It is just 2 metro stops from Dotonbori where we have dinner.
Housed in a modern building on a hillside overlooking Namariyama Bay, the Nanki Shirahama Marriott Hotel is a 6-minute walk from the white sands of Shirarahama Beach and 2 km from Heisogen Park. Modern rooms have flat-screen TVs and desks. The hotel offers a grill-style restaurant with bay views and fresh seafood dishes; a breakfast buffet is available. Other amenities include an outdoor pool with a sundeck, plus indoor and outdoor hot spring baths.
The Rihga Gran Kyoto is a swish brand new hotel opening in July 2020 very conveniently located just a 3 minute walk south of Kyoto’s main station. It isn’t far from the Ko-ji area which contains the city’s oldest buildings, and is also within easy walking distance of the Nishiki-koji street food market. The photos on our website are computer generated – we’ll add real ones when they are available.
Set on a wooded hillside, the Enakyo Grand Hotel offers views of the Kiso River and Ena Gorge. Laid-back rooms provide flat-screen TVs, minifridges and tea making facilities, as well as views of the gorge. Amenities consist of a casual restaurant with sweeping river views, along with a cosy bar, a tea lounge, and a communal, gender-segregated bathhouse offering open-air soaking pools with natural hot spring water.
This Fuji Marriott Yamanakako is 2 miles from Lake Yamanaka, from the shores of which rises the mighty Mount Fuji. The unpretentious rooms come with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, plus minifridges and sitting areas. There's a gender-segregated bathhouse with natural hot spring water offering outdoor areas and views of Mount Fuji. And if you ever wanted to play tennis with views of Mount Fuji, now’s your chance.
The Hotel Remm Ginza scores top marks for location in the heart of Tokyo’s Ginza district, with, according to Trip Advisor, over 3000 restaurants and 299 attractions within 0.3 miles of it.
Trip Information
We have graded this holiday Sightseeing / 4. Whilst much of the walking will be easier than grade 4, to fully enjoy the holiday you need to be happy with grade 4 walks. Countryside walking makes up most of our day on the Kumano Kodo, and two half days of the Nakasendo Way. Within the cities there will be plenty of walking in parks and gardens, but you should also bear in mind that the visits to Mount Koya and the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto will involve a certain amount of walking.
This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m. See the 'Proposed Itinerary' section for more information.
This holiday is a mixture of sightseeing and walking, although as most of the sightseeing is done on foot it is a very active holiday.
Please note: This itinerary has been planned to be busy and full-packed so that you make the most of your time and experience as much as possible. There will be some free time during the tour for you to explore on your own or relax, and details will be confirmed locally by your RWH leader and the local guide.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day. Allow about £30 per meal for dinners not included in Kyoto.
Currency in Japan
Japanese Yen. Japan is very much a cash based society. Credit and debit cards can however be used in most areas visited on our itinerary.
Holiday Currency
The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY or ¥). Even in this day and age, cash is definitely better for Japan. Where credit cards are accepted, they might limit acceptance to certain cards or certain times. Most restaurants, especially in cities, now take credit cards. Department stores and major shops should take plastic, especially food departments. Moreover, you can now use almost all credit or debit cards in ATMs in Japanese banks, so cash is easy to get. Crime rates in Japan are very low, so carrying cash around is safe, though normal precautions should be taken. The bottom line is therefore carry some Yen, have a credit card to use for shopping and a debit card for use in an ATM if necessary.
Tipping
Tipping is alien to Japanese culture so there is no need to tip in Japanese restaurants or if you take a taxi anywhere. However in common with many other areas of the world it is appropriate to tip your tour guide or driver if s/he has stayed with you for more than a day. We recommend the equivalent of £3 per person per day for the guide and £2 per person per day for the driver, though we must emphasise that this is entirely voluntary and should be seen as a thank you for a job well done.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
We fly with British Airways from London Gatwick to Osaka and back from Tokyo. Within Japan we travel by coach and by rail. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately ten days before departure. As we travel between six hotels, and you will have to handle your own baggage; please try to travel reasonably light. You should be able to lift and carry your own luggage. At some hotels, the coach may have to stop some distance short of the hotel entrance. Also, within some of the hotels, there may be some long walks between the rooms and lobby area, which may include steps. Your luggage should be kept to a maximum of 20kg (44lbs).
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Passport Information for Japan
For entry into Japan a passport is required which should be valid for the length of your stay. Your passport might be required when checking in to hotels and when changing money, so carry it with you on these occasions. It is also an excellent idea to memorise your passport number for the form filling. No visas are required for UK nationals.
We include all breakfasts whilst in Japan, nine dinners and five lunches. Dinners will be a mixture of Japanese table d’hote or buffet, often with a western option. Vegetarians (though not pescatarians) and especially vegans can sometimes struggle in Japan, but we will endeavour to make sure you get tasty food and do not go hungry. On four evenings in Kyoto dinner is not included. For one of these evenings we strongly recommend buying a bento box for the bullet train journey back from Hiroshima. On the other three nights you a free to choose your own restaurant or follow your tour leader. There is so much more to Japanese food than sushi and California rolls! There’s teppanyaki where the food is cooked in front of you on a huge iron griddle, yakitori where chicken is barbequed on skewers, okonomi stuffed pancakes, tempura, a great variety of noodles… to whet your appetite have a look at www.japancentre.com/en/pages/156-30-must-try-japanese-foods.
Footwear
Several of the walks will be along stone or cobbled paths which can be slippery in wet weather. We therefore recommend taking a lightweight pair of walking boots which you might also find the most comfortable option for walking around the cities.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Holiday Specific Kit
Twice on the trip you will need to pack a small overnight bag for 2 nights, so please bear this in mind.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
The Rough Guide and Lonely Planet Guide to Japan are pretty good. If you want a good glimpse of modern Japan city life, you could do worse than watch Lost in Translation!
For historical and cultural background you can try Dogs and Demons: The Fall of Modern Japan by Alex Kerr and Kyoto: A Cultural and Literary History.
In terms of fiction, one of the best known modern Japanese novelists is Haruki Murakami. His magical realist novel Kafka on the Shore might not be to everyone’s taste, but has been critically acclaimed. Slightly less weird, and a lot shorter, is Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto which mixes cooking, love, death and florists. Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami has a good glimpse of life in modern Japan, including food and drink. For lighter reads there is a thriving genre of Japanese crime novels. Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama is a great police novel, which also has much about the Japanese media and their relationship with the police, and is fascinating with lots about life in Japan. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino also has fascinating insights into Japanese thinking, speech, life… and death. Salvation of a Saint by the same author is an unusual crime novel, since you witness the murder at the start and know whodunnit, with more insights into modern Japan.
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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