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Richard Pearce is one of our veteran tour leaders, taking charge of some of our more adventurous tours in the west of Japan. In this blog piece, he explains why he loves Rural Japan Explorer best of all!
Rural Japan Explorer is a tour that is special to my heart for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because it passes through the San-in region of western Honshu Island, an area I have lived in for more than 8 years now. For this reason alone, it should be obvious that I consider this area the best in the country!
Of all of Inside Japan’s wonderful tours, I think this is the one that really gives a visitor that sense of “real” Japan, away from the crowds of Kyoto and the hustle bustle of Tokyo and other large centres. Think stunning scenery, clean air, friendly locals, spiritually important temples and shrines, rich history and culture, delicious food – not to mention natural wonders. Rural Japan Explorer has it all! Here are a few of my favourites…
Destination
Choosing a favourite destination is really tough! However, Mitoku-san in Misasa-cho, Tottori, just pips the Oki Islands for me. Mount Mitoku, or “Mount of the Three Virtues”, is an old sanctuary of the Tendai Buddhist sect which dates back to the year 706.
Here, visitors can hike Japan’s “most dangerous temple path” to the amazing Nageiredo temple, a national treasure built into a cliff face in the eighth century. At Mitoku-san, guests on Rural Japan Explorer can also experience staying the night in the temple buildings, eat delicious vegetarian food, and join the head priest for morning prayers and meditation.
Experience
Walking along the Kuniga Coast on Nishinoshima, Oki Islands. The 2.3km walking track is listed as one of the Top 100 Walking Tracks of Japan, and the path winds its way past various interesting rock formations. The views from atop the 257-metre-high sea cliffs are certainly spectacular! Keep your eye out for osprey nesting on the cliffs.
Restaurant
One of the best features of Rural Japan Explorer is the large number of included feasts at the various ryokan inns and hotels. The kaiseki dinner at the Kunigaso Ryokan is possibly the best that I’ve tried in Japan. The highlight of the dinner for me are the giant rock oysters, a speciality of the area. The sashimi (raw fish) is also of the highest quality.
Accommodation
Again, a very difficult choice to make! However, my personal favourite is probably Kiya Ryokan in Misasa Onsen. Situated in the middle of a charming, narrow street in the centre of the small town, Kiya has a history of more than 140 years. It has a number of large baths for customers to enjoy, one of which is more than 300 years old – 150 more than the present building! The rooms are beautiful and most overlook the sacred Mitoku River which flows behind the building. The food is incredible too, of course!
Nightspot
Being a tour that spends most of its time in the beautiful countryside, evenings on Rural Japan Explorer are more often spent relaxing in a hot spring under the stars, rather than out on the town. However, one great experience is to head to a local bar in Misasa Onsen dressed in your yukata (a casual summer robe/kimono) and geta (wooden clogs)! I recommend “Kiraku”, a personal favourite that sells local sake and beers. Cheers!!
Interested in exploring Japan’s little-visited countryside? Learn more about our Rural Japan Explorer tour on our website, or get in touch with one of our expert travel consultants for more information.