2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Temples, Treasures & Teahouses FROM MATSUE TO TAKAYAMA, WITH A CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Japan is an ancient and enigmatic land, and our insider’s journey reveals fascinating aspects of it that few travelers see. In Matsue, a castle town in the northwest, we explore its 400-year-old feudal stronghold and the elegant samurai houses encircling it (with the cherry blossoms of spring enhancing our visit!). At Kinosaki Onsen, a traditional hot springs town on the Sea of Japan, we soak up the classic ambience and savor the fresh seafood. We’ll walk the lanes of storied Kyoto, seeking off-the-beaten path temples and gardens, with a grand finale in Takayama in the Japanese Alps, where we’ll join in the fun of the cherry blossom festival. Artisan visits, onsen baths, culinary treats, and the warm hospitality of the Japanese welcome us at every turn.

houses, and folk arts. We’ll visit local artisans and explore the smaller temples and gardens in hidden corners of the city. Days 11-14 Takayama / Spring Festival This mountain town has a heritage revealed in wooden shrines and temples built by Hida master craftsmen in the Middle Ages. Here we witness the Takayama Festival, one of Japan’s most beautiful celebrations, complete with a mikoshi (shrine) procession, elaborately decorated floats pulled through the streets, and karakuri doll performances. Depart Day 14 via Osaka.

JON ARNOLD

ON OUR WEBSITE JAPAN: CASTLES, SAMURAI & LEGENDS Explore feudal Japan, with its soaring castles, samurai homes, and pilgrim trails. Nov 6-19, 2019 Oct 14-27, 2020. From $8495.

to under-the-radar Kinosaki Onsen, a hidden gem of a

Days 1-4 Osaka / Matsue In Matsue, where we stay in our favorite riverside ryokan, we walk the labyrinthine paths of the castle and stroll the peaceful woodlands around it, alive in spring with camellias and azaleas in bloom.

town and a local favorite since the 8th century. We’ll enjoy the classic sukiya architecture and, of course, relaxing soaks in hot springs. Each onsen (hot spring) in this town is uniquely designed and heralded for its specific curative properties and legendary history. We’ll also visit the Edo-era castle town of Izushi to sample its unique style of soba (buckwheat noodles). Days 7-10 Kyoto Thousand-year- old Kyoto offers a blend of exquisite gardens, venerated temples, tea

The local tofu stalls and sake factory are on our walks, and at the celebrated Adachi Museum of Art, we explore its vast and surreal garden, designed as a “living painting.”

“The itinerary was excellent—that is why we chose WT for the trip above all others.”

HIGHLIGHTS • Discover Matsue’s fantastic castle and samurai district, soak in Kinosaki’s historic onsens • Explore Kyoto, with its Zen gardens and teahouses, witness the spectacular Takayama Festival • Enjoy overnights in traditional ryokans, the serene inns that reflect Japanese culture in miniature DETAILS • 14-day trip begins and ends in Osaka • 13 nights ryokans and hotels • All meals included except 10 lunches and 3 dinners

Paulette N., Fort Collins CO

Days 5-6 Kinosaki Onsen / Izushi We travel a beautiful coastal route along the Sea of Japan

The cherished traditions of old Japan still thrive, and we explore them from Matsue to Kyoto to Takayama.

DATE Apr 3-16, 2020

TRIP COST $9395 (11-12 members) $9695 (9-10 members) $9995 (6-8 members) Single supplement: $1850

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 Walking, including some steep stairs, 6-7 hours a day, Japanese-style dining (sitting on floor)

ALEKSANDAR TOMIC

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 100