A few things to consider when planning your walking trip to Japan.
1. The time of year to visit.
End of March to the beginning of April is best for cherry blossom viewing. The landscape is transformed by this truely amazing natural spectacle. But be aware cities like Kyoto are very busy with both domestic and overseas tourists. Booking accommodation well in advance is strongly recommended. Some hotels are fully booked several months to a year in advance for the end of March and beginning of April.
July and August. This is a particularly hot and humid time Japan and is best avoided, unless you are thinking of heading for the higher regions such as the Japan Alps and Mount Fuji or going to one of the summer festivals (matsuri). The official climbing season for Mount Fuji is during July and August when the huts and emergency facilities are operational.
October through November. This is a great time to visit. The climate in central Japan is ideal for walks in the forest and mountain trails. It's generally still warm in the lower areas, like Kyoto and Tokyo, but starting to cool down during the day in higher altitudes. Nights in higher areas are chilly. Autumn colors start to set in from mid-October through to November and make for breathtaking scenes in rural Japan in particular.
Golden week is a string of public holidays that start on the 29th of April through to the 5th of May. Around these dates it feels like the whole of Japan is on the move and train and air travel and tourist attactions are best avoided.
2. Some festivals (Matsuri) to consider.
You might like to synchronise your visit to coincide with some Japanese festivals. Listed below are some of the better known ones.
- April & October. Takayama Festival.
http://www.hidanet.ne.jp/e02/ematsuri/ekigen.htm
- May (3rd weekend- Sunday and preceding Friday and Saturday of May). Sanja Festival in Asakusa, Tokyo.
http://www.asakusa-umai.ne.jp/e_asakusa/matsuri/index_spr_e.html#5
- July. Gion Festival in Kyoto.
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/info_required/traditional/kyoto_city/02/
- October (22nd). Kurama Fire Festival in Kyoto
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/info_required/traditional/kyoto_city/18/
3. Ryokan.
Staying at a Japanese inn including enjoying a traditional kaiseki meal is a highlight of visiting. You can choose from super luxury to cheap class of inn. If you stay at a luxury class Japanese inn for several nights running you will soon discover that the awe-factor tends to fade with repetition of the experience. Instead, treat yourself to a night at one of the top ryokans and enjoy their fabulous service and kaiseki dinner then move on to a hotel or moderate ryokan using it as a base to explore the wide choice of restaurants a city like Tokyo and Kyoto, for example, have to offer.
Two luxury ryokans in Kyoto (*prices are a guide only. Please contact the inns directly for prices).
1. Tawaraya.
Anenokoji-agaru, Fuyacho, Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku
Kyoto 604-8094, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)75 211 5566
Fax: +81 (0)75 211 2204
Prices from around JPY50,000 per person per night based on double occupancy and two meals.
http://www.japanican.com/hotels/shisetsudetail.aspx?ar=A41&st=6232046
2. Hiiragiya.
Nakahakusancho, Fuyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku,
Kyoto 604-8094, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)75 221 1136
Fax: +81 (0)75 221 1139
Prices from around JPY35,000 per person per night based on double occupancy and two meals.
http://www.hiiragiya.co.jp/en/
