A hiking journey through a cultural landscapes deeply influenced by the flows of the water, the mountains and spiritual ascetic training undertaken here. Immerse yourself in the beauty of an unspoilt natural world, with excellent Japanese accommodations and cuisine along the way.
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Heading northeast from Kyoto along the western side of Shiga, Mt. Hiei and the Hira Mountains head north to Fukui, and offer many of the best views of beautiful Lake Biwa, with the picturesque scenery here having been the setting for many important pieces of Japanese art and literature over the centuries. The area is also home to the important mountain-top temple complex of Enryakuji, which is the center of the Tendai School of Buddhism since it was founded by the influential monk Saicho in the 8th century. Since then, many eminent monks have trained at Mt. Hiei, including the Zen Master Dogen who went on to found the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism several centuries later, and located his head temple at Eiheji in the mountains of Echizen province (present-day Fukui prefecture). Both institutions went on the have a significant influence on wider Japanese history and culture.
The mountainous regions of western Shiga and Fukui also has distinct seasonality, receiving vast amounts of snowfall in the winter, which makes way for pure spring water which collects in rivers, and flowing out into the Sea of Japan and Lake Biwa. This topography has allowed communities to develop based around pure water, creating a culture and landscape unique to the region. Over time, the mountains which nurtured this abundance of water became objects of worship. The mountainous terrain also became the basis for ascetic training, and offers great hikes out to this day.
Our tour also takes in beautiful sections of the northern Japanese coastline in Fukui. Situated between these two regions lie the areas of Wakasa and Obama, in southern Fukui along the Sea of Japan. Once an important hub connecting sea trade to Kyoto and Nara, and from China and Korea to the inland trade routes within Japan, the areas still form an important connection with Shiga and Kyoto to the south, with Fukui and Kanazawa further north.
This tour offers more advanced hiking. Please ask for information about our tour extensions to the mountain-top temple town of Mount Koya with its monastery lodgings, or the peaceful, agricultural community of Asuka at a charming Japanese inn or with a local family for a unique homestay experience.
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3 nights at premium Japanese accommodations |
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3 breakfasts & 2 dinners |
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Train tickets starting from either Kyoto or Osaka and ending in Kanazawa, Kyoto or Osaka |
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A pre-paid taxi on Day 3 |
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Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions |
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Topographical maps |
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Local support by telephone from our Kyoto based team |
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Our Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan Guidebooks |
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Optional orientation at our Kyoto office |
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Flights |
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Airport transfers |
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Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches |
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Pay locally for a bus journey on Day 2 |
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Pay locally for other transportation options |
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Single room supplement(s) if required |
Tour itineraries are subject to change. We will inform you of any amendments as soon as we become aware of them.