Mythical Japan : land of legends - 16 days

This itinerary, focused on nature and personal experience, will take you to a Japan where you will hardly see any tourists, built of sanctuaries, water and forests. Izumo, a historical region with vague borders, is the mythical cradle of the entire country, since Okuninushi came down from the sky to begin creating the empire of Japan there. The region that we propose to visit is filled with myths, certainly inspired by its luxuriant nature that you will discover. Bike tours around the beautiful lake of Shinjiko, hiking to a temple inlaid in the rocks, visit the Oki Islands, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, crossing the Tottori dune by the seaside, ... This tour will for sure be different than what you have experienced before, a true immersion in the local culture. All while also enjoying a few days in two of Japan's must-see cities: the massive Tokyo and the traditional Kyoto.

The essential sites that you will discover:
 

- The wonderful metropolis of Tokyo

- A travel to the origins of the country of the rising sun

- The capital of Shimane Prefecture, Matsue: the city of water

- Matsue Castle and the Historic District

- Shinjiko Lake

- The Izumo-taisha shrine where the god "creator of the country" is venerated

- Visit the mythological region by bicycle or public transportation

- The islands of Oki:  designated a UNESCO Global Geopark

• Dogo Island: Tamawakasumikoto Shrine → Yaosugi's Cedar → Dankyo Waterfall → Cape Nagu → Mizuwakasu Shrine → Cruise to "Candle Rock"
• Nakanoshima Island: Oki Shrine → Kinkoji Mountain → Akiya Coast
• Nishinoshima Island: Yurahime Shrine -> Akao Belvedere la> Matengai Cliff -> Tsutenkyo Rock

- The Adachi Art Museum: elected for 16 consecutive years "Japan's First Garden" by the American journal "Journal of Japanese Gardening"

- The historic district of Kurayoshi City

- The hot spring town of Misasa-onsen: place of purification of the body and mind

- Sanbutsuji temple at Mount Mitoku standing against the cliff

- The dunes of Tottori: the desert by the sea

- Kyoto and its old neighborhoods
 

You can freely modify this tour. If you wish to make changes, please select your date of departure on the schedule at the bottom of this page and fill in the request form.

 Contact us here

- Travels in Japan with Peak Experience Japan - 

After hours of flight and the time difference

Landing at Tokyo airport (Narita or Haneda): Nihon he yôkoso ! 🗾

Drop your luggage at the hotel and take your first steps into the metropolis to find a good restaurant (we also have suggestions).
Don't get too impressed, the journey has just begun !

If you chose to rent a pocket WIFI, please pick it up either at the WIFI rental service of the airport or at your hotel, according to your preivous choice.

Check-in at the hotel.
Depending on your time of arrival, freely explore your neighbourhood and get accustom to japanese convenience stores !

Let's visit the capital!

Enjoy a comfortable first day of discovery in Tokyo.
Through its oldest witnesses: buddhists temples and shinto sanctuaries, why not start your discovery of this dynamic capital by admiring the prominence of red colors at the Sengakuji temple while enjoying their peacefulness, and by discovering the Japanese habit of paying your respect at temples?
You will slowly get used to Tokyo's busy daily life and will relax into green spaces such as the garden of the Hama-rikyu. You can have a walk around Asakusa where you will discover Tokyo's oldest temple, the Senso-ji or the old town district of Ya-Ne-Sen. It's all up to you! Just tell us what you're into and we will give you the best recommendations we can offer.

Enjoy Tokyo's modernity 

Why not go for a walk in the trendy districts of the capital ? 

Let's go for a stroll at Shibuya where you will see the famous crowded Shibuya crossing. Strangely you shouldn't bump into anybody... Then continue to the luxurious and beautiful Omotesando district and take your dinner in the lively Shinjuku district to enjoy Tokyo's nightlife. You could also decide to go to the futuristic man-made island of Odaiba with all its shops and restaurants.

                     You are free to expand your stay in Tokyo. To do so, please fill in the request form. 
                     You can also hire a private English-speaking guide, for an extra fee.

Leave the capital for a day!

You should have had plently of the heart of Tokyo. What about the surroundings? Why not go behind the walls of the capital?
You could take a leap into China by tasting Chinese foods at Yokohama's China Town and enjoy the famous view on its bay with the Ferris Wheel.
You could also head further South, searching for a gigantic sitting buddha and penetrate a temple from the 8th century in Kamakura.
For those missing Nature, we can suggest you to walk at your own pace, on one of the numerous hiking tracks of Chichibu-tamakai National Park or at the Nokogiri Mount.
You could also visit the peaceful town of Kawagoe, called Little Edo, with its historical charm, and wander around its nostalgic streets.

Discover our excursions from Tokyo

Discover our guided daytrip to Kamakura and Enoshima
 

You are free to expand your stay in Tokyo. To do so, please fill in the request form.
You can also hire a private English-speaking guide, for an extra fee.

Tonight, you’re leaving the capital to embark on an adventure away from the beaten paths, in the mythical lands of Japan. Let the adventure begins!

22:00 Get on the night train "Sunrise Izumo" from Tokyo Station to Shimane Prefecture.

Sunrise_Izumo © 2013 Rsa inc.

Cab © 2010 Douglaspperkins inc.

Recommended itinerary
 

The Adachi Museum of Art

The Adachi Museum of Art

The Adachi Museum of Art

The Yasugi Bushi Theatre

Matsue : City of Water

Matsue, capital of Shimane Prefecture, is a city of many surprises. Cradle of the thrilling stories of the author Lafcadio Hearn, born in Greece and naturalized Japanese under the name of Koizumi Yakumo, Matsue is a land of legends, crossed by many canals, rivers, bordered by the Japanese Sea and the beautiful Shinji Lake. This city of water has one of Japan’s 12 best preserved castles, numerous Buddhist temples and mysterious Shinto shrines, gardens, and its northern shoreline hides a breathtaking natural landscape.

Our suggestions in downtown Matsue:

- Matsue Castle: one of the 5 castles included in the national treasure list

One of the national treasures, one of the few Japanese castles to preserve its original keep. Following his victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, the daimyo Horio Yoshiharu of the Matsue clan was offered this magnificent castle which survived the ordinance of destruction of the Japanese castles in the nineteenth century, thanks to its inhabitants. It is also one of the 100 best places to admire cherry blossoms in Japan. Beyond the forests and the beautiful rivers that surround the building, its surrounding area is full of ancient samurai mansions. You will also find the former house of the author Lafcadio Hearn and the museum dedicated to him.

- Shiomi-nawate Historic District

- Shimane Art Museum

- Tour of sake breweries

- Shinjiko Lake or canal cruise around the castle
 

Shinjiko Lake: This 50 kilometre lake is known as one of the best places to watch the sunset in Japan. We warmly recommend that you admire it from the banks located in the city of Matsue. This lake is also famous for cooking, because it is in its waters that is caught the Shijimi shellfish, small black shells that are often found in miso soups. Take advantage of a short cruise to recharge your batteries, or immerse yourself in the colours of the setting sun.

Historical District

Shimane Art Museum

Boat in the canals along the castle

Bike Tour: Ride along Shinjiko Lake to Izumo-taisha Shrine

Duration: 1 day

Level: easy - intermediate

Distance: 88km

This pleasant course will take place on a flat road, on the edge of a lake and a countryside landscape.  You will admire the legendary shrine Inasa no hama perched on a rock in the middle of the sea, and the shrine Izumo, where in October, the legend is that all the gods gather, and become some kind of matchmakers for humans. It will also be an opportunity to taste the delicious local cuisine. You can take your bike on the return train to rest after the ride.

* Mountain bikes are available as an option as well as road and electric bikes.

OUR SUGGESTIONS ON YOUR JOURNEY:

* The road on the north shore of Shinjiko Lake

* The artisan dye workshop

* Taste soba Izumo for lunch and finish with a little sweetness, a "Izumo zenzai", the region’s speciality

* Shimane Winery

* Izumo-taisha Shrine and other Shrines in the Surroundings

Soba Izumo

Izumo zenzai

Shimane Winery

Izumo-taisha shrine where the god "creator of the land" is venerated

This national treasure is one of the most important sanctuaries of the country, but also one of the largest and one of the oldest. According to Shinto beliefs, it was founded by the gods themselves and more particularly dedicated to Okuninushinomikoto, the creator of all that exists. The buildings of this sanctuary have been renovated many times, and the ones that we can see nowadays date from the eighteenth century. The honden, the main building of the sanctuary is the highest in Japan, with a height of 24 meters.

The street leading to Izumo-taisha Shrine

Izumo-taisha Shrine

Izumo-taisha Shrine

* The sacred beach of Inasanohama

* Misaki-umineko kaido road 

* Hinomisaki-jinja Shrine and Izumo-Hinomisaki Lighthouse

The sacred beach of Inasanohama

Misaki-umineko kaido road

Izumo-Hinomisaki Lighthouse

Local "Ichibata-densha"

Local Train "Ichibata-densha"

A bike in front of the Shinjiko Lake

Bike Tour: visit of six founding shrines in the Izumo region 

Duration: 5 hours

Level: easy

Distance: 47km
 

These six shrines are linked to the myth of the creation of Japan in Izumo.
Each temple is an ancient and mysterious place where you will certainly feel a strong spiritual energy. Since the bike ride is mostly flat, you will enjoy a pleasant moment without much effort. 

- Iya-jinja Shrine

- the entrance of the beyond "Yomotsuhirasaka"

- Kumano-taisha Shrine

Iya-jinja Shrine

Kumano-taisha Shrine

The Entrance of The Beyond Yomotsuhirasaka

Rokusho-jinja Shrine Nesnad [CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)]

Manai-jinja Shrine By Jerry fish tkc - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

Kamosu-jinja Shrine

Yaegaki-jinja Shrine

Fortune-telling

The Mirror Pond

The Oki Islands

The Oki Islands are located about 60 kilometres from the Shimane Peninsula, and consist of 4 large islands on which about 25,000 people live, and is composed of about nearly 200 islets. Accessible by boat or plane, these islands are full of hidden sanctuaries with mystical atmosphere, gigantic cliffs overlooking the sea such as the cliff of Matengai on Nishinoshima Island or waterfalls and vast forests with many legends. The city of Okinoshima is the largest on the Oki Islands, and you can see the fishermen’s houses directly on the canals leading to the sea, their boats being moored just in front of the houses. A destination off the beaten path perfect to discover another Japan.
 

Today's Itinerary

Dogo Island :

With a circumference of about 200 kilometres, Dogo Island is the largest island in the Oki Islands. It appeared following a volcanic eruption, and is made up of mountains of about 500 meters of altitude. Approximately 15,000 people live in the city of Okinoshima, the most populous city on the Oki Islands. Forests straight out of the cartoon Mononoke Princess; the setting sun of the Candle Island, sanctuaries of various styles inspired by the whole Japanese archipelago, as well as old houses dating back more than 180 years.

- Arrival at Saigo Port

- Free time for lunch 

Ferry Kuniga

Saigo port

- Visit of Dogo Island by taxi and by feet［Tamawakasumikoto Shrine→The cedar tree of Yaosugi→The waterfall of Dankyo→The Naguzaki Cape→Mizuwakasu Shrine］
 

Tamawakasumikoto's Shrine

Dankyo's Waterfall

Naguzaki's Cape

- Cruise towards the Candle Rock 

Today's Itinerary

Check-out from your Hotel 

‐ Departure from Saigo port then ferry to Hishiura port on Nakanoshima Island (1h10)  

 

Nakanoshima Island(Amacho City)

Nakanoshima, also known as Amacho, is one of the Oki Islands, located 60 kilometres off the Shimane Peninsula. The surrounding sea is crossed by the warm currents of Tsushima (an island between Japan and South Korea). The inhabitants of the island live from agriculture and fishing, and its spring water is known for its great purity. On the 4 inhabited islands of Oki, it is the third largest, with a population of 2,300, and a circumference of 89 kilometers. You can easily go around the whole island in just 2 hours by car.

Amacho is a remote island. However, nature is abundant and offers the inhabitants everything they need to live. There is also an expression in Amacho in Japanese "nai mono wa nai" which literally means: there is nothing that is not there. This expression represents a double meaning as follows (1) the things that do not exist there are not necessary, (2) All important things are here. It was chosen as Amacho’s motto, expressing the way of life, the charm and personality of the island.

- Arrivée au port de Hishiura ver 9:40

- Visite de l'île en taxi [ le sanctuaire Oki→le mont Kinkoji→La côte Akiya ]

le sanctuaire Oki

le mont Kinkoji

La côte Akiya

Marinated Squid on Rice

Yakiniku set with Oki Beef

Today's Itinerary

Check-out of your hotel  

Nishinoshima Island

Yurahime Shrine

Akao Lookout

Matengai Cliff

Tsutenkyo Rock

- Lunch : Seafood Menu

- Free visit until ferry departure

- Leaving from Shichirui port at 15:45 by ferry boat (approximately 2h10 )  

- Local bus from the port to Matsue city or Yonago city

Check-in at your hotel close to the station

Today's Itinerary

Check-out from your hotel  

Leaving from Matsue Station in the morning towards Kurayoshi city in Tottori prefecture (1h express train)

Bus to the historical district of Kurayoshi ( 20min )

Visit of Kurayoshi's old town
 

Kurayoshi's old town

Formerly called the province of Hoki, the city of Kurayoshi, which dates back to the fourteenth century, has an unmissable historic district. In these streets with the atmosphere of Edo (ancient Tokyo) are lined up old merchant houses, traditional houses, craftsmen, temples and shrines as well as a superb park where once stood a castle. The city is surrounded by numerous onsen (volcanic hot springs) where you can relax at the end of the day, such as Sekigane Onsen, one of the 100 best onsen in Japan.

Kurayoshi's Historical District

Kurayoshi's Historical District

The hot spring town of Misasa Onsen

Misasa Onsen is located 20 minutes far by bus from Kurayoshi. It is a small thermal town with hot springs known to have a high level of radium and are particularly used for therapeutic purposes. They say if you bathe three mornings in these waters, any kind of disease will be cured. The small town is full of ryokan, great small restaurants, sake shops. A stay to purify body and spirit.

Misasa onsen © 2008 663highland inc.

Misasa onsen © 2008 663highland inc.

Misasa onsen

Hike to Sanbutsuji, the temple inlaid in Mitoku Mountain ( option : 6000yen /1person )

‐ 5 years old ～74 years old

- Having good physical condition

- Your safety will be your own responsibility

Clothing and equipment

- Mountain hiking clothing and light equipment 

- Water, wallet, mountain shoes, gloves, hat, towel

Lunch (optionnal)

• Local specialities :  Tochimochi, a local pastry made from rice paste, soy tofu from Kamikura, vegetarian cuisine based on mountain ingredients, take-out meals, products from Mitoku Mountain, medicinal cooking, steam cooking.

As lunch is optionnal, please pay straight at the restaurant.

*For safety reasons, the trip will be cancelled in case of rain or snow. In this case, we will offer you an additional half-day activity of your choice to make pottery or indigo dye, yoga and other experiences, ... and to walk in a retro urban landscape.

Sanbutsu-ji Temple in Mount Mitoku 

Located on the 900 metres high Mount Mitoku, the Sanbutsu-ji Buddhist temple was built during the Heian period, directly on a cliff overlooking a breathtaking landscape of mountains covered with lush vegetation. It is designated as the national treasure of Japan, and considered an important site of the Shugendo, a spiritual practice incorporating both Shinto and Buddhist thoughts.

Today's Itinerary

Check-out from your hotel  

Leave your hotel in Kurayoshi in the morning ( 25min local bus )

Express train to Tottori station ( 30min ), then bus to the Tottori Sand Dunes (20min)
 

The Tottori Sand Dunes 

The dunes of Tottori are located close to the city of Tottori, on the shores of the Sea of Japan. They were formed by the volcanic dust piles of Mount Daisen mixing with the sand of the Sendai Gawa River for more than 100,000 years. You can enjoy many activities such as camel rides, paragliding or even sandboarding. Nearby is the Sand Museum where you can admire amazing sand sculptures.

Tottori Sand Dunes

Tottori Sand Dunes

Tottori Sand Dunes

Back to Tottori Station by bus (20 min )

Express train to Kyoto ( 3 hours )

10min by Taxi from Kyoto station to your hotel located in the center of Kyoto


Check-in at your hotel in Kyoto


Planned Accomodation: Enso Ango Hotel

The hotel is composed of 5 structures located at different addresses in the same district (except YAMATO I in the Gion district). You have free access to all other hotel facilities located in the surrounding area to enjoy the fitness room, the tatami lounge and admire the chashitsu (room for the tea ceremony). Each building has its own concept.
 

Looking for traditions at Kyoto former capital

Wake up early to enjoy the former capital in the morning, when most of the crowd is still away.
Wherever you go, you will find a gorgeous temple, a magical verdant place or an historical remain. Here are a few ideas.
You could wander into the rich nature of Arashiyama and at the shores of the Hozu river, and into the fascinating flora of the Gio-ji moss temple.
You could rather choose to go to admire the vivid colors of the famous Golden pavillon called Kinkaku-ji or visit the former residency of the Tokugawa shogunate in Nijo castle.

Learn more about Kyoto and its surroundgings 

You are free to extend your stay in Kyoto. To do so, please fill in the request form.
You can also hire a private English-speaking guide, for an extra fee.

Lost in transition in the North of Kansai

Enjoy a free day to meander in the commercial and historical streets of Kyoto. The structure of the streets is the closest you can find to our occidental ones' so you should easily find your way around. If at a corner you catch a glimpse of marvelous colors and intriguing motif on a kimono, fitted with a white face with vivid red lips, don't bother its owner...This geisha is working!

Amongst the numerous essential experiences offered in Kyoto, you could　: pay your respect to the Fox God at the Fushimi Inari Taisha sanctuary, study the astonishing architecture of the temple on stilts Kiyomizu Dera, or step into one of the oldest shinto sanctuary in Japan, the Kamo-mioya-jinja.
You could also explore remote places such as the Amanohashidate bridge linking Heaven and Earth or the fishing village of Ine.

Discover our excursions from Kyoto

You can also hire a private English-speaking guide, for an extra fee.

See you !

Check-out.
Take the free shuttle bus of your hotel or ride on a train from a local station, to arrive at Kansai international airport in advance. 

Flight check-in and luggages dropping.

Your jouney comes to an end. you are bringing back many souvenirs...of all shapes.
The country of the Rising Sun hopes to see you again.

We wish you a safe trip home !! 👋

If you rented a Pocket WIFI, return it to the WIFI rental service counter, at the station of the airport or directly at Kansai airport.