Clavell's semi-fictional hero led an adventurous life and, in reality, Adams' was no less so. Shipwrecked, he and his crewmates gained the trust of the great Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and were allowed to live in freedom in Japan, barred only from returning to their homeland. Adams was given the status of samurai and made a direct retainer of the Shogun, a position of tremendous honour and prestige.
Adams was also an intermediary between the Shogun's court and the Dutch and English traders, for which he had to travel constantly between the capital and the furthest reaches of western Japan. Adams did this on foot and by boat. We do it in comfort using Japan's fabulous public transport system, one feature that makes this tour special. We use the train (super-fast, fast, not-so-fast, and downright slow), ferry, bus, mini-bus, street-tram, taxi, 'pirate' ship and, for those who wish to, 'Shank's Mare', that is, on foot.
A guided tour of the heart of downtown Tokyo takes in the site of Adam's townhouse, the remains of Edo castle, the powerful business district and more of modern Japan. We visit the nearby ancient capital of Kamakura and its justly famous giant Buddha statue. For the enthusiastic, a walk along an old and atmospheric highway. For the more leisurely, a free travel pass to the varied, and sometimes eccentric, transport around elegant Hakone near Mount Fuji. Next, Japan's cultural capital, Kyoto, followed by Hiroshima, a surprisingly vibrant and interesting city. On our way to the island of Kyushu, we stop off at the twin cities of Shimonoseki and Moji. Little-known outside Japan but deserving a visit, if for nothing else, the amazing fish market and its backdrop of the narrow Kanmon Straits, plied continuously by shipping. Next, the multi-cultural and distinct city of Nagasaki before arriving in Hirado, reached by taking a ferry through the scenic 'Ninety-nine Islands'. Hirado, still a quaint fishing port, was the site of the first Dutch and English trading houses and the town contains many reminders of the age of great medieval explorers. A poignant tombstone on a hillside overlooking the town is the grave of William Adams. The last night is spent in Fukuoka, Japan's 'Gateway to Asia' and home to some of the friendliest people in the country.
Price: JPY422,000 (JPY= Japanese Yen) per person. The single room supplement is JPY38,000 (Please see below). Please use the currency converter on the right-hand side of this page to find the current rate in your local currency.
What is included and not included? A fully guided tour including local travel in Japan from tour meeting point to finishing point, accommodation, eleven breakfasts and eight evening meals, baggage transfers, and entrance fees are included. Not included are international flights, all lunches, two evening meals and drinks.
Single room supplement: The single room supplement is JPY38,000 per person and guarantees a single room in hotels on eight nights. Please note that while we cannot guarantee to do so we will endeavour to provide single accommodation on the nights we stay in traditional Japanese accommodation. No additional charge is made for any single accommodation provided in Japanese accommodation.
A note on traditional Japanese accommodation: Japanese cultural norms generally dictate that rooms in Japanese-style accommodation, including inns, are provided on a twin basis and individuals travelling together are traditionally expected to share. It is the case, however, that we are frequently able to secure single rooms in Japanese-style accommodation for our customers for many, if not all, days of a tour. Provision, though, is solely at the discretion of the establishment and it may not be known until the day whether it is available. Accordingly, as we cannot guarantee single rooms in Japanese-style accommodation we do not include these in the single room supplement. As mentioned above, in the case that we can provide single room accommodation we make no additional charge. Importantly, in the case that single travellers do share this will only ever be with another person of the same gender from the same tour group.
Group size: The small, intimate nature of the inns makes the maximum group size 12 persons. We have no minimum size. If we accept a booking we guarantee to run the tour.
Please see the Itinerary for this tour and Tour Dates for tour dates and availability. These tours start on a Saturday and finish on a Wednesday.
Please contact Walk Japan for more information and to book this tour.
This itinerary is ground only, beginning in Tokyo and ending in Fukuoka. Arrangements for extra time in Japan before or after the trip are possible. Travellers will be given instruction in English and Japanese for getting to the meeting point in Tokyo.
Meals provided in the tour are noted in the itinerary below. Japanese cuisine is as varied as it is high in quality. Your guide will advise you how you may best enjoy meals not provided in the tour. Lunch can be found from ¥1,000. If you wish, your guide is also available to join you in dinner (when not included) and introduce you to some of the best cuisine in Japan. Expect to pay between ¥2,500-3,500 per head, excluding alcohol.
On Day 2 and Day 6 the main baggage will be shipped in advance overnight. On these days all items you require for overnight will need to be carried by you and your daypack should be sufficiently big enough to accommodate these items.
Day 1
Evening meeting at 18:00 at our hotel, a few minutes' walk from Tokyo Station. After the tour briefing we go out for dinner at a local restaurant. The immediate area around the hotel is a favourite after-office haunt of businessmen and women and there are a great variety of good restaurants and, for those who wish to have a night cap, bars. The neon lights and friendly, busy atmosphere here is typically Japanese and an ideal place to begin out tour.
Dinner provided.
Day 2
Today, after breakfast, we stroll around downtown Tokyo, where we find the site of William Adams' townhouse in Edo (the original name of Tokyo), and visit the neighbouring grounds of Edo Castle, now the Imperial Palace. On our walk we will come to understand why Edo/Tokyo became one of the most powerful cities of the world, see some of the oldest structures found here juxtaposed with some of the most modern and experience the everyday, hustle and bustle of the metropolis. After lunch we visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which has excellent displays on the history of the city and its people. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore on your own, or please join your tour leader on a foray to another area of Tokyo. We regroup in the evening for dinner at another local restaurant.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 3
An early breakfast before we begin our travels across Japan. We travel by local train, the first of several today, to the Miura Peninsula to visit the memorials to Adams and his family. When Adams was made a samurai by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the greatest shogun, he was also granted a country estate here and domain over the locals within. We travel onto nearby Kamakura for a leisurely, two-hour walk during which we visit a serene Zen temple, a 'money laundering' Shinto shrine and the famous Great Buddha. The many Zen temples found here hint at Kamakura’s importance that it once held as a stronghold of the Minamoto, the first samurai to rule Japan. Now, Kamakura is an atmospheric and popular seaside town. Our final trains of the day takes us to Ito, where we stay in a Japanese inn. Ito is famous for its onsen thermal hot spring baths, which are ideal for relaxing in before dinner.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 4
The onsen and the delicious food are good reason alone to visit Ito. However, our morning stroll to the beach reveals the town’s connection with Adams. Here he constructed two galleon ships at the behest of the Shogun. From Ito we travel to Hakone. A complimentary all-day pass to the multi-mode and idiosyncratic, but easily followed, local transport system. Those who wish to walk follow a section of the old Tokaido road over the Hakone pass (the highest and hardest according to Edo-period folk tales) with the tour leader. Those not wishing to walk go on ahead by public transport to explore the restaurants, hot springs, art museums, views and more. The walkers catch up later. We spend the night in nearby Odawara.
Breakfast provided.
Day 5
An early morning Shinkansen Bullet train whisks us to Kyoto for a guided tour of Nijo Castle. Nijo is the only remaining shogun palace and provides fascinating insights into the daily life of the shogun. It is also provides us with a immediate sense of the environment that the shogun held audiences with trusted retainers such as William Adams. After free time to explore Kyoto, justifiably Japan’s cultural nexus, on your own. Your tour leader will advise how to make the most of your time.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 6
Another Shinkansen Bullet train transfer and ferry to the Seto Inland Sea and Naoshima, one of the many islands that dot the Sea. We have no record that Adams visited here although he would have at least passed by many times on his travels between Edo and Hirado. Naoshima has found new life as an centre of modern art. Some fabulous museums in beautiful seaside locations and site-specific art found in charming fishing villages make this a delightful place to visit. The island is small enough that much of it is accessible on foot and it provides us with some pleasant, gentle strolls. We continue our travels by train to Hiroshima, where we stay for the next two nights.
Breakfast provided.
Day 7
We start the day with a visit to Shukkei-en, one of the best Japanese gardens to be found today before travelling by tram, one of the last remaining in Japan, to the A-Bomb Memorial Museum and Peace Park. In the Park is found the Atom Bomb Dome, the remains of the old Industry Promotion Hall that was adjacent to the epicentre. Our final visit today is Miyajima, a UNESCO heritage site famous for its spectacular Shinto shrine that, very unusually, juts into the sea. We head back into central Hiroshima and our hotel for the night.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 8
Shinkansen Bullet train to Kokura for a guided one-hour walk around historic Moji and under the Kanmon Straits to Shimonoseki. Moji and Shimonoseki are twin cities that are spectacular set facing each other across the Kanmon Straits, which separates Honshu and Kyushu. Besides some great views the area, on the sea route from Asia to Japan, is replete with history from the before the Genpei Wars (1180 ~ 1185) through the opening of Japan in the 1860s to Japan’s colonial period. Lunch may be taken in a fish market with one of the best settings in the world, adjacent to the Straits along which ply a never ending stream of merchant ships. The fast flowing waters in the Straits provide some of the best quality fish including blowfish, a delicacy here. For those interested, time is available for a non-guided tour to Ganryu Island located in the Straits. Miyamoto Musashi, the author of The Book of Five Rings, fought and won his famous sword fight here. We return to Kokura for Bullet train and express trains transfer to Nagasaki, where we arrive early evening. We stay in our hotel accommodation here for the next two nights.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 9
After breakfast at our hotel we enjoy a guided visit to Dejima, the site of the Dutch trading mission during Japan's self-imposed seclusion that lasted until the 1850's. Dejima has largely been recreated and provides an excellent idea of life as it was for the traders and their impact on wider Edo Japan. We stroll through Nagasaki visiting the original and still atmospheric China Town and Glover Park, the site of Meiji period (1867-1912) western residences. At the Park we gain insights into the successes, trial and tribulations of the foreigner merchants who aided and abetted the opening of Japan and brought many new technologies to the fledgling modern state. Glover Park has fine views over Nagasaki Harbour one of the best harbour vistas in the world. Free time from midday for you to explore the city. Your tour leader will advise how to make the most of your time.
Breakfast provided.
Day 10
Free time in Nagasaki until midday, when we transfer by local trains to most westerly railway station in Japan. A short taxi ride brings us to our accommodation a Japanese inn-style hotel with onsen hot spring baths. Dinner is a sumptuous spread of local produce.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 11
After breakfast we explore Hirado town and soak up its charms. A guided tour offers fascinating insights into the way things were here in the early 1600s and highlights events and places associated with William Adams. The frustrations Adams felt; his acrimonious relationship with the commander of the long-awaited English trading mission; the trade voyages he undertook to Okinawa and beyond; the mystery of his home and private life in Hirado; his death in Hirado; and the controversy surrounding his tomb. All this while visiting the residence of the local daimyo (feudal lord), the church commemorating Saint Francis Xavier, who preached here in the 16th century, the sites of the old trading houses along the waterfront and the foreigners' cemetery with the grave of William Adams. Afternoon transfer to Fukuoka. Fukuoka, Japan’s Gateway to Asia, is a lively and thriving city that provides a great environment to finish our travels together in. Our accommodation is in a hotel conveniently located for Shinkansen Bullet train transfers to other parts of Japan and Fukuoka Airport.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 12
Tour ends after breakfast. Walk Japan can provide advice on onward travel arrangements when you make your booking.
Breakfast provided.
This itinerary is subject to change.
Please see Tour Dates for scheduled tours and their availability. Contact Walk Japan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and to receive the booking form.
The following travel tips are intended to be helpful advice for the Shogun Trail tour. In addition, please refer to your own past experiences and make adjustments or amendments as necessary. If you require any further advice please contact us.
Clothing:
During the summer temperatures can fluctuate from cool in the evenings to hot during the day. Accordingly, it is advisable to bring a variety of layers ranging from t-shirts to a top with long sleeves and perhaps a lightweight sweater air conditioning can sometimes be overly cool. Shorts are acceptable in Japan for both men and women; please bring comfortable walking shoes suitable for around town sneakers, sandals, etc. The sun's rays can be strong and we recommend a sun hat, sun screen, etc. A lightweight, packable style waterproof and a compact, foldable umbrella should suffice for any inclement weather. (Note, any 24-hour store, which are found almost everywhere in Japan, sells cheap umbrellas and rain capes). Some individuals find Japanese pillows uncomfortable and you may like to bring your own inflatable pillow. Yukata, evening gowns for sleeping in, are provided at each lodging. However, we recommend leggings, a top, etc. to wear underneath. This will provide a degree of modesty and help ward off any cold air. Laundrette facilities are available on Days 4, 6, 7, 8 and 11.
Please bring a small bag to contain overnight items. We will be sending overnight our main luggage on Day 2 to Ito retaining only what we need for the last night in Tokyo.
Food and drink.
While travelling during the day it is not usually necessary to carry more than water, a snack and personal needs. Shops, vending machines and kiosks, which are found in most places we visit, provide for many immediate needs including drinks, snacks, cosmetics and clothing. Lunch will be taken in local restaurants.
Food in our lodgings is usually Japanese style. Western-style restaurants, though, can often be found in the vicinity. Tap water is nearly always drinkable your guide will advise.
Medicines and cosmetics.
Some medicines and cosmetics with which you are familiar may not be available in Japan, although similar medicines and cosmetics are usually available. Prescription medicines in Japan may differ from foreign medicines in minor, but possibly unacceptable, ways. If you require a specific medicine or cosmetic, either for health or comfort, please bring sufficient quantities with you.
Access to cash.
Exchanging cash or travellers' cheques in major currencies is possible in most towns that we visit. However, changing foreign currency at a bank can be a time-consuming exercise. Instead, we recommend alternatives including arriving in Japan with some Japanese currency, using credit cards, and withdrawing cash from ATMs.
Japan is still a society based on cash payments. Given that the crime rate is quite low, there is not a great deal of risk in carrying around relatively large amounts of cash. Credit cards payments are sometimes possible, but do not rely on it as credt cards are not universally acceptable in Japan, particularly in rural areas. ATMs at Japanese post offices, which are ubiquitous in Japan, and Seven-Eleven stores provide cash against the following credit cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club International, PLUS, Maestro, Cirrus and JCB. Most Japanese bank ATMs, though, do not accept debit cards or provide access to foreign bank accounts.
International telephoning, cell phones and the internet:
Making international telephone calls and using the internet outside of major urban areas can be difficult or impossible. Please bring a telephone charge card issued by your local telephone company, such as AT&T, BT and Telstar. These can be used almost anywhere.
The Japanese cell, or mobile, phone system uses a specialized CDMA technology which is incompatible with most overseas systems. Some G3, Blackberry smartphones and iPhones operate in Japan, however, please confirm with your provider whether your phone set will work. If your phone does not work in Japan you may like to rent a cell phone from providers such as NTT Docomo, Cellhire, Mobalrental, Worldroam, Vodafone, etc.
Internet access is available, either in or near our lodgings, on Days 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11.
For any more information please contact walkjapan.
The following is an indication of what level of activity to expect on our tours. The itineraries for all our tours provide specific details of each day's walking.
Please note that one person's expectations of what is easy or hard can be very different. Whilst age, physical ability and fitness are factors in deciding what a person is capable of, often a seemingly less fit person completes our tours with no problem. Another factor to consider is the weather, which can affect people differently.
Since 1992 we have taken many thousands of people of many nationalities, all ages and abilities on tour in Japan. We have good experience and knowledge about what most, if not all, people can achieve so please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information and advice related to your abilities.
Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few flights of stairs and walk less than 1 km a day. Travel will be almost entirely by public transport, taxi and private hire bus.
Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few flights of stairs and walk up to 5 km a day on mainly even ground underfoot.
Participants must be in reasonable health, mobile and able to participate in 4~6 hours of walking at a moderate 2kph to 4kph pace. The terrain is hilly with occasional short, steep climbs and the ground mainly even underfoot.
Participants must be in reasonable health, mobile and able to participate in 4~6 hours of walking at a 2 kph to 4 kph pace. The terrain includes more uneven ground than Level 3 with some short, occasionally longer, steep climbs.
Participants must be in good health, mobile and used to a reasonably active lifestyle. Walking may require up to six hours of moderate-paced activity per day, at a 2 kph to 4 kph pace over varied terrain. Ascents and descents can sometimes be steep, necessitating the use of arms for support.
Participants must be in good health, have a good level of physical fitness and used to an active lifestyle. Walking may require up to eight hours of moderate-paced activity per day, at a 2 kph to 4kph pace over varied, mountainous terrain including some long ascents and descents.
The Shogun Trail is a fully guided, Level 2 tour with some walking and suitable for anyone who can walk up to 4 km (2.5 miles) per day. Please read more on tour levels below.
