Active holidays in Japan

Wander the ancient pilgrimage routes of the Kumano Kodo, scramble up the rocky scree to the top of Mount Fuji, walk in the footsteps of samurai as you trace your way along the Nakasendo Highway or trek through mangroves on jungle-clad Iriomote - we can arrange short day walks or multi-day hiking itineraries of all lengths and difficulties.

If cycling is your game, challenging routes through mountainous rural regions offer 1,000-metre climbs, long sweeping descents and spectacular scenery to satisfy even the most indomitable cyclist.

The vast majority of Japan's population is squeezed into towns and cities that occupy less than 30% of the country's total area, leaving huge swathes of mountainous and undeveloped terrain ripe for exploration. With steaming volcanoes, vast forests and abundant nature occupying the length and breadth of the country, it couldn't be easier to incorporate a bit of the great outdoors into your itinerary.

Recommended Active Experiences

- Kyoto cycling city tour
  
  Kyoto City is nice and flat making it an ideal place to explore by bike.
  
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- Rafting on the Yoshino River
  
  Some of the most beautiful parts of the Iya Valley can only be seen from the water; a great excuse for a day of rafting!
  
  Read more >
- Kibi Plains cycling
  
  Cycling past farms and rural shrines in the Kibi Plains is a great little day trip from Kurashiki.
  
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- Kyudo
  
  Try your hand at Japanese archery in Kyoto
  
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- Golf
  
  Why not play a round of golf on holiday? Mount Fuji provides the perfect backdrop.
  
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- White water rafting in Minakami
  
  For Japan's best white water experience, head to the Tone River in Minakami.
  
  Read more >
- Kyoto cycling city tour
  
  Kyoto City is nice and flat making it an ideal place to explore by bike.
  
  Read more >
- Rafting on the Yoshino River
  
  Some of the most beautiful parts of the Iya Valley can only be seen from the water; a great excuse for a day of rafting!
  
  Read more >
- Kibi Plains cycling
  
  Cycling past farms and rural shrines in the Kibi Plains is a great little day trip from Kurashiki.
  
  Read more >
- Kyudo
  
  Try your hand at Japanese archery in Kyoto
  
  Read more >
- Golf
  
  Why not play a round of golf on holiday? Mount Fuji provides the perfect backdrop.
  
  Read more >
- White water rafting in Minakami
  
  For Japan's best white water experience, head to the Tone River in Minakami.
  
  Read more >

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Active itineraries

Kumano Kodo Five-Night Module (Advanced Hiking) (Classic)

A challenging five-night walking module introducing the ancient trails of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network.

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Mountains & Culture Family Activity Holiday (Classic)

The whole family can get stuck in to Japanese culture with this hands-on activity holiday.

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View more Active Self-Guided Adventures >

Active accommodation across Japan

- Blue Sky Guesthouse (Hongu)
  The Blue Sky Guest house offers simple, traditional accommodation with a very warm Japanese welcome.
  Read more >
- Shirakabaso (Kamikochi)
  This Japanese-style hotel has lovely views of the surrounding mountains from the traditional rooms.
  Read more >
- Cycle Hotel ONOMICHI U2 (Onomichi)
  The aptly named Hotel Cycle is part of ONOMICHI U2, a bike-friendly enclave which opened in March 2014 to serve the cycling community at the mouth of the Shimanami Kaido cycle route.
  Read more >
- Tajimaya Minshuku (Magome)
  If you're looking for an authentic, traditional experience, the Tajimaya Minshuku is an excellent choice.
  Read more >
- Shiki no Yado Onoaida (Yakushima)
  The Shiki no Yado Onoaida is a friendly, welcoming and well-kept Japanese inn, located amid the beautiful scenery of the southern part of Yakushima. This inn is testament to the truth that superb accommodation in Japan needn't cost the earth.
  Read more >
- Blue Sky Guesthouse (Hongu)
  The Blue Sky Guest house offers simple, traditional accommodation with a very warm Japanese welcome.
  Read more >
- Shirakabaso (Kamikochi)
  This Japanese-style hotel has lovely views of the surrounding mountains from the traditional rooms.
  Read more >
- Cycle Hotel ONOMICHI U2 (Onomichi)
  The aptly named Hotel Cycle is part of ONOMICHI U2, a bike-friendly enclave which opened in March 2014 to serve the cycling community at the mouth of the Shimanami Kaido cycle route.
  Read more >
- Tajimaya Minshuku (Magome)
  If you're looking for an authentic, traditional experience, the Tajimaya Minshuku is an excellent choice.
  Read more >
- Shiki no Yado Onoaida (Yakushima)
  The Shiki no Yado Onoaida is a friendly, welcoming and well-kept Japanese inn, located amid the beautiful scenery of the southern part of Yakushima. This inn is testament to the truth that superb accommodation in Japan needn't cost the earth.
  Read more >

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View all Recommended Accommodation >

Shirakabaso (Kamikochi)
This Japanese-style hotel has lovely views of the surrounding mountains from the traditional rooms.
The hotel has a classic Japanese hot spring bathhouse and is located right next to the famous 'Kappa' bridge.
Cycle Hotel ONOMICHI U2 (Onomichi)
The aptly named Hotel Cycle is part of ONOMICHI U2, a bike-friendly enclave which opened in March 2014 to serve the cycling community at the mouth of the Shimanami Kaido cycle route.
This is the first hotel in Japan where you can check in while sitting on your bicycle. We're not entirely sure why you'd want to do that, but it is handy that each guest room has racks on the wall to store your bikes – plus plenty of communal repair space for bike maintenance. Staff will even lend you the tools for this and can provide advice.

The ONOMICHI U2 project took over a former maritime warehouse on the waterfront to create a stylish 2,000-square-metre complex that contains a bike hire and repair shop, restaurant, bar, bakery and boutique shop – as well as the hotel itself, with its 28 guest rooms.

Rooms are Western-style, with twin beds from the Simmons bed company and en suite bathrooms. You could call the interior design “warehouse chic”; guestrooms face into the building's central atrium and are minimalist but stylish, with dark wood, art prints, angular bathroom fittings and high-tech lighting. The rooms are all non-smoking, have Wi-Fi and a TV. A buffet breakfast is included in your stay.
Tajimaya Minshuku (Magome)
If you're looking for an authentic, traditional experience, the Tajimaya Minshuku is an excellent choice.
The village of Magome is located on an ancient feudal highway, the Nakasendo, which once linked Tokyo with Kyoto. Today, people still head to the region to tread in the footsteps of samurai as they wander along forested avenues and through beautifully preserved traditional villages. Magome is one of the most attractive former post towns that line the route, and the residents of the village have worked together to ensure the preservation of its traditional atmosphere.

The old wooden building of the Tajimaya Minshuku is well in keeping with this, featuring a traditional irori fireplace and Japanese-style guestrooms, complete with tatami mats and shoji paper screens. Each stay includes breakfast and dinner, both prepared using local ingredients, and dinner is often succeeded by a performance of traditional entertainment.
Shiki no Yado Onoaida (Yakushima)
The Shiki no Yado Onoaida is a friendly, welcoming and well-kept Japanese inn, located amid the beautiful scenery of the southern part of Yakushima. This inn is testament to the truth that superb accommodation in Japan needn't cost the earth.
The Shiki no Yado Onoaida is not a luxurious or exclusive property – it is not even the most expensive on Yakushima – and yet it is consistently adored by guests, as evidenced by its 100% positive Tripadvisor rating.

The inn is run by a local couple with two young children, and has an informal, family atmosphere that immediately endears it to visitors. The hosts, Kentaro and Chan, who both speak excellent English, are eager to answer any questions and help you out in any way they can – including arranging activities, making reservations or helping you rent a car.

The inn serves organic food sourced from its own garden and has a lovely terrace area from which to enjoy the hills and mountains of this wild island. Hiking trails stretch out from the front door, and some of the rooms have outdoor hot spring baths in which you can soak the evening away while enjoying the spectacular views.
Blue Sky Guesthouse (Hongu)
The Blue Sky Guest house offers simple, traditional accommodation with a very warm Japanese welcome.
Located just a short walk from Hongu Taisha Shrine, one of the three major shrines in the Kumano area, this is the ideal place to be based for exploring the surrounding pilgrimage routes.

The wooden building looks out over a garden with a stream, and is surrounded by woodland. There are only four guest rooms, all of which are simple tatami-mat rooms with en suite bathrooms. Breakfast is served each morning in the communal dining room and there is also a shared kitchen which guests are welcome to use should they want to prepare their own lunch or dinners. There are plenty of restaurants nearby if you prefer to eat out.

In terms of décor, location and facilities this is already a great option for anyone wanting to explore the Kumano region. However, what makes this place truly special is the extremely helpful and friendly owner who speaks English and is more than happy to make sightseeing and restaurant recommendations and help with anything you need. There is free WiFi throughout the accommodation and also laundry facilities.
Shirakabaso (Kamikochi)
This Japanese-style hotel has lovely views of the surrounding mountains from the traditional rooms.
The hotel has a classic Japanese hot spring bathhouse and is located right next to the famous 'Kappa' bridge.
Cycle Hotel ONOMICHI U2 (Onomichi)
The aptly named Hotel Cycle is part of ONOMICHI U2, a bike-friendly enclave which opened in March 2014 to serve the cycling community at the mouth of the Shimanami Kaido cycle route.
This is the first hotel in Japan where you can check in while sitting on your bicycle. We're not entirely sure why you'd want to do that, but it is handy that each guest room has racks on the wall to store your bikes – plus plenty of communal repair space for bike maintenance. Staff will even lend you the tools for this and can provide advice.

The ONOMICHI U2 project took over a former maritime warehouse on the waterfront to create a stylish 2,000-square-metre complex that contains a bike hire and repair shop, restaurant, bar, bakery and boutique shop – as well as the hotel itself, with its 28 guest rooms.

Rooms are Western-style, with twin beds from the Simmons bed company and en suite bathrooms. You could call the interior design “warehouse chic”; guestrooms face into the building's central atrium and are minimalist but stylish, with dark wood, art prints, angular bathroom fittings and high-tech lighting. The rooms are all non-smoking, have Wi-Fi and a TV. A buffet breakfast is included in your stay.

Previous story Next story

Active destinations across Japan

- Iya Valley
  Deep valleys, untamed rivers, soaring mountains; Iya Valley is Japan's last true hidden frontier.
  Read more >
- Iriomote
  Dense jungle and mangrove and possible the world's rarest wild cat, the mysterious Iriomote Lynx
  Read more >
- Minakami
  Japan's premier adventure destination for rafting, canyoning and bungee jumping.
  Read more >
- Mount Fuji
  Japan's iconic sacred mountain.
  Read more >
- Kamikochi
  Soaring mountains, crystal clear streams, monkeys, rare plants, gentle strolls, challenging climbs
  Read more >
- Yakushima
  The island of Yakushima is one of those magical places that those who visit will never forget.
  Read more >
- Iya Valley
  Deep valleys, untamed rivers, soaring mountains; Iya Valley is Japan's last true hidden frontier.
  Read more >
- Iriomote
  Dense jungle and mangrove and possible the world's rarest wild cat, the mysterious Iriomote Lynx
  Read more >
- Minakami
  Japan's premier adventure destination for rafting, canyoning and bungee jumping.
  Read more >
- Mount Fuji
  Japan's iconic sacred mountain.
  Read more >
- Kamikochi
  Soaring mountains, crystal clear streams, monkeys, rare plants, gentle strolls, challenging climbs
  Read more >
- Yakushima
  The island of Yakushima is one of those magical places that those who visit will never forget.
  Read more >