Walking Japan | Small Group Walking Tours Japan

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Japan and beyond. We explore Japan's natural beauty along its coast, and Imperial heritage, its World Heritage Sites, and world famous cities, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Japan, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.

Odyssey Traveller's Walking Japan tour traces the journey of 17th century Japanese poet and haiku master, Matsuo Basho (pseudonym of Matsuo Munefusa). Basho is credited with elevating haiku to the level of serious poetry and is often fondly remembered as the Saint of Haiku. We walk in Basho's footsteps on this Basho tour that is a 13-day journey around the northeast Tohoku region of Japan and see this area through the eyes of the great Haiku poet.

Basho, Master of the Haiku

Basho (1644-1694) was born into a samurai family in Iga Ueno Province and served the son of a local feudal lord. After his lord's death in 1666, Basho left the samurai (warrior) life and studied as a haiku poet in Kyoto under the scholar Kitamura Kigin. He later moved to Edo (modern-day Tokyo) where he became known as a poet and critic, and later to Fukagawa, site of his humble cottage, Basho-an. He named his cottage after a banana tree (basho) planted in the garden and used this as his pen name.

Haiku at the time was nothing but a literary pastime, concerned with the everyday and sometimes humorous in tone. Basho's haiku was established his own style, which reached for the eternal and elevated it to a literary art. He also travelled extensively, writing in verse and prose about his journeys creating a poetic travelogue. He met with local poets and composed linked verse (renga) with them.

His Oku no hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North) describes his visit to northern Japan and is considered one of the most elegant and beautiful works of Japanese literature.

Basho died in what is now Osaka in 1694.

Walk with the Poet

Our Walking Japan small group tour begins in Tokyo and ends in the ancient capital of Kyoto. It is suitable for mature travellers, whether travelling solo or as a couple. This educational tour is accompanied by professional guides who share their knowledge on the culture and history of Japan and the poet Matsuo Basho. A reasonable level of fitness is expected to be join this small group tour.

The Walking Japan small group tour begins with a must-see Tokyo experience, a walking tour of the Tsukiji fish market. Following this, we continue our walk through the streets of downtown old Tokyo (Edo) to Fukagawa, the location of Matsuo Basho's "banana tree hut". Here, we visit the impressive Fukagawa Edo Shiryokan, and learn about Edo’s history. We also take a walking tour of the nearby Basho Museum.

We then continue our journey through old Edo to Asakusa, now the home of the Eddoko, the original townspeople of Edo (Tokyo). The area has long been famous for its Senso-ji temple. We also take time to explore the surrounding streets that provide a sense of the local culture that is still connected to its Edo and early Tokyo roots. In the mid-afternoon, we board a train from Asakusa to Nikko, arriving in time for bathing and dinner. Our Walking Japan tour then continues with a steady rhythm each day, following the coast.

Other highlights on our Walking Japan tour include experiencing the ritual of Japanese prayer on Mt. Haguro at sunrise, and enjoying Japanese lodging in charming rural and coastal areas. We also explore numerous cities, hot springs, shrines, temples, and sunrises, from the coast to mountain passes.

We set out to walk an average of 10 kilometres per day along well-formed paths, trails, and country lanes. These are undulating paths in mountainous areas but easily managed by regular walkers.

Participants on our Walking Japan tours typically walk for up to five hours each day through the stunning landscapes of Japan, resting each evening in quality accommodation. We enjoy many of the fine foods, wines, and other delicacies that the country has to offer. A good level of fitness is recommended (Odyssey Traveller Fitness Level 3) for this small group program. You will need good walking boots, extra layers of warm clothing, and a windbreaker/waterproof layer. You'll need to carry a sunhat, water bottle, and a lunchbox in your daypack.

You can learn more about Japan with our country profile where all other departures are listed as well. Odyssey Traveller offers a range of walking tours each year paced for senior travellers. The collection of walks are for active mature and senior travellers, particularly those who seek out walking tours that are typically off the main circuit. Click through to see the complete list of small group walking tours offered.

For more details about this tour, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.

Articles preparing senior travellers to this Walking Japan small group tour

These are Odyssey's articles to help senior travellers prepare for a walking program:

• articles on Selecting walking shoes for women
• article on footwear and walking shoes
• article on what to pack when travelling
• article on maintaining muscle fitness in senior and mature age travellers
• article on selecting socks for walking
• article detailing six great short walks in Britain
• article on preparing for a walking holiday
• article on Pilgrim walks in Europe
• article on walking in there Lake District

These articles are published by Odyssey Traveller or are carefully selected external sources to maximise our senior travellers' knowledge and enjoyment of the country:

• A history of Tokyo
• Shoguns of Japan
• Around the world in six coffees 
• Forest bathing in Japan
• Celebrating the Cherry Blossom; Hanami
• Travel tips for travellers to Japan
• Ten of the best books on Japan
• Japan's UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Japan by Marianna Zanetta; travel tips and advice
• Story of Modern Japan; Dr. Christopher Harding

Refreshed December 2020.

• Active
• Guaranteed departures
• Hiking and Walking
• Level 3 - Moderate to Challenging
• Pre-Guaranteed