Japan Hiking Highlights: The Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trail
Japan Hiking Highlights: The Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trail
Japan Hiking Highlights: The Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trail
11 Days Starting in Kyoto, Japan and ending in Tokyo, Japan
Visiting: Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, Kii-Tanabe Station, Takijiri, Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge "Organic Hotel", Yunomine Onsen, Hosshinmon-oji, Kumano Hongū Taisha, Shingu, Nachisan, Kii-Katsuura Sta., Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima Station, Yabuhara, Narai, Matsumoto, Tokyo, Imperial Palace East Garden, Asakusa, Shibuya City
Tour operator:
Tour code:
177
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 13
Physical rating:
Medium, Active -hikes up to 6 hrs
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Meat, contact us please
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
From:
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Tour Overview
Our tour includes highlights of and accessible walks along both the Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trails. Discover some of the most compelling hiking Japan has to offer for those with an interest in Japanese history and culture. We begin in the historical city of Kyoto, exploring a city which houses much of Japan’s cultural heritage, and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Next, we travel south to the Kumano region, where we discover the mystical ‘Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range’ – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over four days we follow in the footsteps of Emperors along this 1000-year-old pilgrimage route known as the Kumano Kodo – the Old Road of Kumano. We will dine on the freshest local ingredients in a hot spring ryokan, and enjoying the most civilised way to end a hike of great hiking – a natural hot spring bath! We then continue on to the Nakasendo Trail where we enjoy village to village hiking. The Nakasendo trail linked Kyoto to Tokyo during Japan’s feudal period. It was the ‘road through the mountains’ (as opposed to the Tokaido route which travelled the Pacific coast) travelled by feudal lords and their retinues, samurai, merchants, and travellers. Along the route were 69 ‘post towns’, where weary travellers could rest before continuing on the next leg. Following a visit to the castle town of Matsumoto, we finish in Tokyo, and in doing so leap forward to modern Japan.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Japan! Meet In Kyoto, Welcome Dinner
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Noku Hotel Kyoto
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your way to the tour hotel in the centre of Kyoto in the evening. There will be a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant (as usual, drinks with dinner are not included and should be paid for separately).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Walking In Arashiyama, Lunch With A Geiko Or Maiko, Early Evening Walking Tour Of Gion
Location: Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Noku Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today travel with your guide by private vehicle to the Kiyotaki area into the northern precincts of Arashiyama, replete with temples and shrines including Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple with its hundreds of statues of disciples of Buddha.
Our walk also takes us past gorges, small local craft shops, temple precincts, and through Arashiyama’s famed bamboo grove, and eventually brings us to Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama’s most significant temple. In the afternoon, we return to Kyoto by private vehicle for a special treat — lunch with a Geiko or Maiko (Geisha or apprentice geisha)!
Following our special lunch, enjoy some free time in Kyoto to relax or to make your own discoveries of the city and to make your own way back to the hotel by public transportation. We then meet again in the early evening for a walking tour of the Gion district, home to a number of tea houses. Tonight, dinner is on your own for you to make your own choices. Your guide will be happy to assist with recommendations.
Walking: 6.6 km/ 4.1 miles, 130m/ 427 feet ascent/descent, 2.5 hours
Gear: Hiking boots, water bottle, wet weather clothing
Day 3 : Travel From Kyoto To The Kii Peninsula, Walking The Kumano Kodo From Takijiri To Takahara
Location: Kyoto, Kii-Tanabe Station, Takijiri, Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge "Organic Hotel"
Accommodation: Lodge or Ryokan
Accommodation Name: Kirinosato Takahara or Yunominesou
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will travel south from Kyoto along the coast by train to Tanabe (about 3 hours), then transfer by local bus (about 40 minutes) to Takijiri, at the beginning of the Nakahechi, part of the network of ancient pilgrimage trails known as the Kumano Kodo, or Kumano Ancient Trail.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kumano Kodo became popular from the 11th century as a place of pilgrimage from Kyoto by Emperors. The Kii Peninsula, which extends south from Nara and Osaka, has long been considered sacred in Japan as the entrance to the land of Yomi, the mythical afterworld.
It is also the site of the three sacred shrines of Kumano, the Kumano Sanzan.
We continue with a 2-hour hike to the small mountain-top village of Takahara, where we stop for the night. For some departures, after appreciating the beautiful views over the mountaintops, we travel onward by private vehicle to Yunomine Onsen.
Walking: 4.5 km / 2.8 miles, 370 m / 1,200 ft ascent, 175m / 575 ft descent; about 2 hours
Gear/clothing: Hiking boots, water bottle, wet weather clothing.
Day 4 : Walk From Hosshinmon Oji To The Grand Shrine At Hongu
Location: Yunomine Onsen, Hosshinmon-oji, Kumano Hongū Taisha
Accommodation: Ryokan
Accommodation Name: Yunominesou
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we will hike scenic sections of the Kumano Kodo trail, passing ridge-top villages and oji shrines. Nobles would rest at these sub-shrines to refresh themselves and compose poems.
We travel to Hosshinmon-oji by local bus and descend to Hongu Grand Shrine. The symbol of the shrine is the mythological three-legged raven, representing the Hongu, Nachi, and Hayatama shrines — the same motif as the one used by the Japan Football Association. The three-legged crow was in mythology sent to guide Emperor Jimmu, on his journey from Kumano to the Yamato Plain.
Day 5 : Boat Ride On The Kumano River And Visit To Nachi San
Location: Yunomine Onsen, Shingu, Nachisan, Kii-Katsuura Sta.
Accommodation: Japanese hot springs hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Urashima
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we’ll send our bags on ahead to the Nakasendo, so we can travel hands-free today. We rise early to transfer by local bus to the Kumano River where we board a traditional wooden flat-bottomed boat to take us on a gentle ride along the Kumano River to the Hayatama Taisha Shrine, just as Imperial pilgrims did in olden times. We will enjoy some time to visit the shrine, one of the 3 temples of pilgrimage on the Kumano Kodo, and have lunch, before traveling onward to Nachi san by bus and train.
We’ll walk the Daimonzaka approach to Nachi-taki (waterfall) and Nachi Taisha (Grand Shrine), one of the three ‘Grand Shrines of Kumano’. From Nachi-san, we travel to Kii Katsuura, a fishing port, and our hotel on Katsuura Bay.
Day 6 : Transfer To The Kiso Valley And Nakasendo Trailhead And Overnight
Location: Kii-Katsuura Sta., Nakatsugawa
Accommodation: Ryokan
Accommodation Name: Hanasarasa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we travel by train to the Kiso Valley. En route we enjoy an ekiben lunch. Then following our arrival in Nakatsugawa we enjoy walking through the old preserved area of Nakatsugawa-juku and onward to a preserved paved portion of the trail on route to Ochiai.
Day 7 : Nakasendo Hiking Magome To Nagiso, Onward By Train To Kiso Fukushima
Location: Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago
Accommodation: Ryokan
Accommodation Name: Komanoyu or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our next walk on the Nakasendo Trail is from Magome to Tsumago over the Magome-toge Pass, one of the most challenging parts of the Nakasendo, 801m above sea level. The Nakasendo Trail had 69 post towns, numbered from Edo (Tokyo) and Magome is the 43rd.
Tsumago is the 42nd Nakasendo post town. It is truly evocative of a traditional Nakasendo post town from the late Edo period. We’ll enjoy some time in Tsumago before we continue on to Nagiso to board the train to our accommodation in Kiso Fukushima
Walking: 12 km / 7.5 miles, 326m / 1069 ft ascent, 430m / 1410 ft descent, 4 hours
Gear/clothing: Hiking boots, water bottle, wet weather clothing.
Day 8 : Visits To Checkpoint, Yamamura Magistrate’S House; Nakasendo Hiking Yabuhara To Narai
Location: Kiso-Fukushima Station, Yabuhara, Narai
Accommodation: Minshuku
Accommodation Name: Iseya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning our inn drives us back to Kiso Fukushima where we will enjoy a chance to visit the old Checkpoint Museum, the Yamamura Magistrate’s House. The Checkpoint at Fukushima was one of a series along the trail, monitoring and controlling the passage of travellers along the Nakasendo. In particular, they were on the lookout for wives seeking to join their husbands and potential insurgents. We also visit the Yamamura Magistrate’s House. The Yamamura family was once a powerful local family that was in control of guarding at the Fukushima Checkpoint.
Then, we travel by train from Kiso Fukushima to Yabuhara, the start of today’s Nakasendo Trail walk. Yabuhara flourished as a post town during the feudal Edo period, though almost no original buildings remain due to repeated fires in the past. Between Yabuhara and your destination, Narai, the trail climbs the Torii-toge Pass, one of the hardest parts of the Nakasendo.
Narai was once known as “Narai of 1000 inns,” as this was the most prosperous of the 69 post towns along the Nakasendo Trail. Travellers prepared or recovered in the many inns here before and after tackling the steep Torii-toge. In contrast with Yabuhara, residents of Narai chose to renovate their historic houses and impose strict rules on ownership and use.
Walking, 6.2 km / 3.9 miles, 344m / 1128 ft ascent, 270m / 885 ft descent, 3 hours
Gear/clothing: Hiking boots, water bottle, wet weather clothing.
Day 9 : Train To Matsumoto, Visit Matsumoto Castle And The Kura District
Location: Narai, Matsumoto, Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shiba Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel by train to Matsumoto in Nagano prefecture. Matsumoto is known for its castle, often referred to as the ‘crow castle’ due to its dark exterior. It is ringed by a moat replete with koi and offers beautiful views of the Shinshu area.
We’ll visit the city’s preserved streets, where kura or former storehouse buildings have been transformed into shops and restaurants.
We will also enjoy a visit to a miso producer where we learn about the importance of this soy and rice-based ingredient in Japanese cuisine and enjoy lunch before boarding our onward train to Tokyo. Tonight's dinner is on your own.
Day 10 : Sightseeing In Tokyo, Farewell Dinner
Location: Tokyo, Imperial Palace East Garden, Asakusa, Shibuya City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shiba Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we discover 2 sides of the capital – old Edo and modern Tokyo. We begin by exploring the site of the former Edo Castle, now the Imperial East Garden. When the garden is closed, we will instead walk along the moat of the Imperial Palace for a view of the Emperor’s residence.
We then continue on to Asakusa, home to Sensoji Temple and the traditional shops and arcades of Asakusa. We then catapult forward in time to Harajuku, the source of many cutting-edge fashion trends.
We finish with a walk to the bright lights of Shibuya and see the famed Shibuya scramble before our farewell dinner this evening.
Day 11 : Depart From Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends today following breakfast. On our final day, your guide will assist you with arranging your transfer to the airport by limousine bus.
What's Included
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Accommodation
10 nights in hotels and Japanese inns
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Entrance Fees
Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group's itinerary
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Fully Guided
Full-time services of an English-speaking tour guide, additional assistant guide with groups larger than 9
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Local Taxes
Local taxes are included in your tour
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Meals – Breakfast Only
Daily breakfast
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Meals – Half Board
4 lunches and 8 dinners included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping at meals and of drivers when transport is used is included.
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Train Tickets
Rail tickets for rail journeys on the group tour are included
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
All transportation between tour locations
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Drinks with Meals
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Country Entry Visas
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International Travel
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Meals – Full Board
Some lunches not included
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Travel Insurance
More Info
The Kumano Kodo, or Kumano Ancient Trail, is a pilgrimage route to Kumano, part of the mountainous Kii Peninsula which stretches south from the Kansai cities of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. The well-maintained trail threads its way through deep valleys, mountains and small villages to offer a wonderfully-varied hike over four days. Stay at comfortable family-run inns with excellent food, soak in natural hot springs, and visit the shrines along the way. The pilgrimage routes to the three great Kumano Shrines – Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha – were popularized during and after the Heian Period (794-1185), when the Imperial family and nobility began to seek salvation in sangaku shinko (a belief in the supernatural power of mountains), rather than through common religious practices. Emperor Gotoba (1180-1239) made no fewer than thirty pilgrimages to Kumano, recording his thoughts and feelings in the Kumano poems. Our journey begins in the modern city of Kyoto, and we travel south by train along the coast, and spend four days hiking the Nakahechi, one of the Kumano Kodo trails, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is a day mid-way to relax, with a gentle ride along the Kumano River to the Hayatama Taisha Shrine. We cross the Kii Peninsula on foot to its eastern coast, and the fishing town of Katsuura, with two nights at a hot-spring hotel and a further optional day of hiking. We finish by travelling on to Kyoto by train. On small-group guided tours with Oku Japan, your guide takes care of luggage arrangements for you.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, entry visas are not included on the tour and are your responsibility
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes, we will provide you with an electronic version of your itinerary prior to your departure with full details of your accommodations and how to access your first night's accommodations.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Entrance fees are included for sights listed in your itinerary only.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Some accommodations offer free Wi-Fi in guest rooms. Others may have free Wi-Fi available in public spaces, and some smaller accommodations may not have wifi. Where Wi-Fi is available, it is free of charge.
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What is the maximum group size?
Our small-group guided tours have a maximum of 12 or 13 participants which keeps them small, friendly and personal.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Please contact your local Japanese consulate or embassy of the entry requirements for your country and citizenship. Please refer to our booking terms and conditions for more information. Prior to the pandemic, many countries benefitted from a visa waiver programme for Japan. Following the pandemic, this may or may not change.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
We do not use a tour coach on this tour. We travel by public transportation. There may be a limited transfer of short duration (under 1 hour)
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
Please refer to our booking terms and conditions.
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Do I need insurance for this trip?
We require that you are covered by medical insurance for the duration of your trip. You are free to purchase this insurance from any supplier you choose. Please ensure that your medical insurance includes emergency evacuation in the event of injury while in mountainous areas. Please bring your certificate of insurance with you. We also recommend but do not require general travel insurance.
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Company Instant Book
You may book instantly and if space is available, we will accept your booking up to 35 days prior to travel, subject to availability of space. Please note that tours are guaranteed to operate once they reach a minimum number of travelers.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Not currently, but changes are frequent. Please always double check requirements with your local Japanese consulate or embassy before travel.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are always happy to book pre-tour or post-tour nights for you. We also offer an exciting range of extensions and experiences so you can create your own ideal itinerary.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
In cities, we use mid-range Western-style hotels, all with private bathrooms. In the countryside, we use Japanese inns called Ryokan or Minshuku, with futons laid-out on tatami-mat floors for sleeping. At Japanese inns, bathrooms and toilet facilities are normally ‘along the corridor’.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No. This tour is a land only tour and flights are not included.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all over the world. As our guides are English speaking guides, most of our guests are English speakers, hailing from America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries in Europe.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Once you meet your guide on the evening of day 1 at your tour hotel, your guide travels with you until breakfast on the final day of the tour. There are no additional escorts.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Yes. We recommend guests travel with one main bag and one smaller backpack style bag for overnight essentials on days of the tour where luggage is not available as it is being transported.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
On this group tour we do not allow children.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
This trip is active. Our active tours generally have dedicated days of trail walking, with some days of over four hours and with some ascent and/or descent. We recommend active tours for anyone who does regular walking or hiking, and is comfortable to walk for up to a full day with some climbing and descending.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
There is some free time in certain locations. Please see the itinerary for details.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, local guides are English speaking Japanese guides.
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Are you able to accept dietary requirements?
Please advise any dietary requirements you may have at booking. Some dietary limitations are not well understood in Japan. Vegan, strict vegetarian and gluten-free diets may not be possible. Please let us know and we will see whether it can be accommodated.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Japanese yen.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No they are not.
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What is the tipping policy?
Tipping is not required or expected at restaurants or hotels in Japan. Guides will accept tips.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All travellers get our Preparing for your Trip and Travelling in Japan documents, as well as a detailed personalized itinerary. Those travelling on one of our self-guided tours receive our bespoke topographical maps and walking instructions.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
For our small-group guided tours, if you would like to share with another traveler we will seek to match you up. If we are successful then you need not pay the solo supplement.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our travellers are typically English speakers from around the world. On our small-group guided tours, you travel in the company of one of our professional local guides.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
As per our booking terms and conditions, change fees would apply. If you have to change your dates due to the prevailing entry requirements for Japan please contact us and we would be happy to work with you to change your dates without charge.
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Low Deposit
Oku Japan requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oku japan charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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