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Mike is one of our tour leaders, taking our customers up and down the length and breadth of Japan. Here, he runs through his favourite bits of the Tokaido Trail group tour.
The Tokaido Trail tour covers the “golden route” of Japan over the course of 9 days, providing a whirlwind of history, culture, and food in Japan’s most popular destinations. As a tour leader for Inside Japan Tours, I travel all around Japan on various tours and show customers why I fell in love with this country many years ago. Amongst all of the different itineraries I lead, Tokaido Trail is one of my favourites.
The tour begins in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, known for Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city. Following a full day of sightseeing, we move to Kamakura, a coastal town and once Japan’s capital for nearly 150 years. After spending some time near the coast, we move inland to the scenic Hakone as we wind through nature on various modes of transportation to take advantage of the serene hot springs. Our final destination is Kyoto, cultural capital of Japan and home to seventeen World Heritage Sites.
Naturally, I love all aspects of touring and Japan, but a common question from groups is “what is your favorite destination on this tour?”
It seems like a simple question, but it’s actually incredibly difficult to answer because each area we visit has its own highlights… but I’ll try!
Destination
Between Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, and Kyoto… my favorite destination is Kamakura.
I grew up on Long Island in New York. I spent many summer days and nights at the beach and was never more than 15 minutes away from the water. Despite loving the convenience and access to everything in Tokyo, Kamakura and its neighboring Enoshima feel like home.
One thing I always mention on my tours is the fact that we move from Tokyo to Kamakura in a little over an hour, yet so much changes. Walking trails, the beach, and we’re still a stone’s throw away from some really cool temples and shrines, notably the large Buddha at Kotoku-in.
I’ll be honest here. I’m going to cheat and pick two destinations. They’re only 15 minutes apart, but I love taking everyone to see both. Kamakura is great, don’t get me wrong, but you should absolutely visit Enoshima while you’re near. A scenic walk across a bridge leads you to a beautiful island with cherry blossoms in the spring and breathtaking lights in the winter. The view from the top of the Sea Candle (below) on a clear day is worth climbing all of the stairs to the top! Alternatively, you can by the Enopass, which includes the use of the escalators and entrance to the Sea Candle.
Experience
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without visiting an onsen. It’s always the thing people are apprehensive about due to the nudity factor, but the Fuji Hakone Guesthouse has a private onsen for those who don’t want to really get to know the other members of the group in the communal bath.
Restaurant
Japan has so many amazing foods to try, so I try to plan the restaurants on the tour so that everyone can try the highlights. Whether it is takoyaki, okonomiyaki, or a classic bowl of ramen, we’ll try it all. If you’re keen on a more local experience, then MiMiu in Kyoto will be a trip highlight for you. By this point of the trip, everyone is aware of how much the Japanese focus on presentation. Foods are separated, elegantly displayed, and look absolutely gorgeous before being served. MiMiu provides a quiet atmosphere for relaxing, something that is essential after a day tour of Kyoto and chasing geiko around the Gion district.
Hotel
Without a doubt, the Kamakura Prince hotel is a highlight for this tour. It’s absolutely stunning on the inside, offering beach views from the room and a tropical Hawaiian feel on the premises. On a warm summer evening, keep the door to the balcony open so that you can hear the ocean waves and drift off to sleep.
Nightlife
When it comes to nightlife, Kyoto is number one. Kiyamachi and Pontocho, conveniently located near where we meet the guide for the geiko sightseeing walking tour, houses plenty of scenic restaurants, lively bars, and plenty of hole-in-the-walls tucked away in between the many alleyways connecting the two streets.
A typical Japanese night out involves going to an izakaya with a group of friends to drink together, but not to mingle with other groups. If you’re looking to socialise and meet some of the locals, you’ll need to either go to a bar that caters to a Western audience, or try to blend in with the locals at a standing bar. One of my favorites for socializing is Zaza Pub on Kiyamachi. If it’s just a small group of customers and myself, I’ll take them to a tiny bar down one of the narrow alleys. The door is only about a metre high and you’d need to crawl into it before you can stand up inside. I can easily say that you wouldn’t have found that place otherwise!
If you’re interested in booking a place on the Tokaido Trail group tour, get in touch today to book a place – as they’re running out fast. And if you’ve already been on a tour with us, let us know about your favourite bits!