2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

NEW

The grand red shrines of Kumano Kodo, Shinto sites of the Shima Peninsula, and back streets of Kyoto lead you into the mystique of Japan. PHOTO: SARA WINTER VERONICA BOGAERTS

Shinto Shrines, Pearl Divers & Pilgrim Trails KYOTO, SHIMA PENINSULA, AND THE KUMANO KODO

Explore fascinating and less-traveled sites both inside and outside Kyoto, visit the pre-Buddhist Shinto shrines of the Shima Peninsula, and walk the mystical trails of Kumano Kodo on the Kii Peninsula. We’ll bring you to out-of-the-way places for special “insider” experiences other travelers won’t ever get. Delights include dining with a geisha in a private home in Kyoto, visiting architect I. M. Pei’s masterpiece Miho Museum, exploring the Grand Shrines of Ise—the ancestral shrine of the emperors of Japan—and meeting traditional ama (female pearl divers) in beautiful Toba Bay. We’ll stay in modern hotels as well as ryokans where we can relax with a traditional onsen bath. Days 1-4 Osaka / Kyoto / Shigaraki Potters / Miho Museum / Fushimi Inari Shrine Just outside Kyoto in rural Shigaraki, we are welcomed by potters to learn about their town’s ancient craft, and we’ll visit the splendid Miho Museum, designed by I. M. Pei. We meet Kyoto’s artisans, dine with a geisha, and walk beneath vermilion torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Day 5-7 Uji / Nara Park / Todaiji / Horyuji After we soak up the atmosphere of Uji, featured in the Tale of Genji , we taste Uji’s green-tea-infused cuisine, visit the serene Byodoin Temple, and sample the wares at a sake brewery. At Nara, we enjoy the majesty of the Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures, and the Horuji temples, Japan’s oldest Buddhist monuments. Days 8-9 Ise Shima / Pearl Divers / Ago Bay A ferry brings us to beautiful Ago Bay to visit Mikimoto Pearl Island and learn about farming pearls. Back on the mainland, we meet traditional female pearl divers, then visit the atmospheric Shinto shrines at Ise Shima, dedicated to the emperors of Japan. Days 10-13 Kumano Kodo Pilgrim Trails Amid forests and waterfalls, we explore the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, the holy ground of Japan. Depart on Day 13 via Osaka. ON OUR WEBSITE JAPAN: SNOW MONKEYS & WINTER CRANES Enjoy Hokkaido’s winter wonders: snow monkeys, dancing cranes, Sapporo Snow Festival, and the Snow Light Path Festival. Feb 2-12, 2020. From $8695.

HIGHLIGHTS • Meet Kyoto’s traditional artisans, have dinner with a geisha • Explore the ancient pilgrim trails of Kumano Kodo • Visit the sacred Shinto shrines of the Shima Peninsula • Meet the traditional female pearl divers of the Shima Peninsula • Enjoy several overnights in traditional ryokans DETAILS • 13-day trip begins and ends in Osaka • 12 nights ryokans and hotels • All meals included except lunches and 1 dinner

DATE Oct 24-Nov 5, 2020

TRIP COST $9095 (10-12 members) $9595 (7-9 members) $9995 (5-6 members) Single supplement: $1650

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

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 101