Japan · A private journey

The Shoguns Trail

From Tokyo through the Alps to Kyoto, at the pace you choose.

Tokyo  ·  Kanazawa  ·  Shirakawa-go  ·  Takayama  ·  Kyoto

Enquire See the journey
A figure in yukata with a paper parasol on a stone bridge in a Japanese garden

The Journey

The Essence of the Journey

From the energy of Tokyo into the mountains of central Japan: the samurai and geisha quarters of Kanazawa, the thatched village of Shirakawa-go, and the timber streets of Takayama. The journey ends in Kyoto, among temples, gardens and the quiet lanes of Gion.

  • Tokyo

    The City, Quietly

    Design, galleries and old neighbourhoods, explored early in the day before the city fills.

  • Kanazawa

    Samurai and Geisha Quarters

    The preserved lanes of Nagamachi and Higashi Chaya, with unhurried time in Kenrokuen garden.

  • Kanazawa

    The Craft of Gold Leaf

    A hands-on session with a local artisan, in the city that makes almost all of Japan’s gold leaf.

  • Shirakawa-go

    The Thatched Village

    On the road from Kanazawa, a stop among the steep-roofed gassho farmhouses of this mountain valley.

  • Takayama

    Into the Hida Mountains

    Old merchant streets, morning markets and sake breweries in a town that keeps an older pace.

  • Kyoto

    Kyoto, Before the Crowds

    Temple gardens at the quiet ends of the day, and an evening walk through the lanes of Gion.

Why Hayah Reserve

Why choose a Hayah Reserve journey?

  • Planned around you

    Every journey is built from scratch, around how you like to travel, eat and rest.

  • Handled end to end

    Flights, transfers, guides and timings, arranged so the days run without friction.

  • Quiet access

    Private visits and experiences that are hard to arrange alone, often before the crowds arrive.

  • Chosen with care

    Hotels, lodges and villas we know well, picked for character rather than star ratings.

The Journey

Tokyo

The capital

Tokyo

You are met on arrival and taken straight into the city. Tokyo is best in small, deliberate doses: an old neighbourhood at dawn, a garden at midday, a counter of eight seats at night. Your time here is built around what interests you rather than a fixed list.

First-class Green Car rail to the Sea of Japan coast, met on the platform · about 2 hours 30

Kanazawa

The Sea of Japan coast

Kanazawa

Kanazawa was never bombed, so the geisha quarter and the samurai district stand as they were built. You are at Kenrokuen when it opens, before the coaches arrive, and later spend time with a kintsugi artisan, learning the craft of mending ceramics with gold.

Private car into the mountains · about 1 hour 30

Shirakawa-go

En route

The thatched valley

Shirakawa-go

The drive stops where the valley opens onto steep thatched farmhouses that fill with mist in the morning. Your guide walks you through the village before the tour buses arrive, then the road climbs on into the Hida mountains.

Onward by private car through the Hida valleys · about 1 hour

Takayama

The Hida highlands

Takayama

An Edo merchant town the twentieth century largely passed by, all dark timber and sake breweries. Wake early: the riverside market is the reason to sleep here rather than pass through. A woodcarving and tea session, and a night in a traditional ryokan, complete the stay.

Scenic rail through the mountains, then Green Car bullet train, met on the platform · about 4 hours

Kyoto

The old imperial capital

Kyoto

Kyoto rewards time more than any city in Japan. Walk the lanes of Higashiyama early, before the day visitors arrive, and let your Region Expert time the temples so you see them at their quietest. Arashiyama, Nara and Uji are each an easy day from here.

Private car to Kansai International · about 1 hour 30

Departure

Kansai International, or Gran Class rail back to Tokyo

A chauffeured run down to Kansai for the nonstop back to the Gulf. If your flight is better out of Haneda or Narita, we put you on the Gran Class bullet train to Tokyo instead and meet you at the other end.

Along the Way

Private, one group at a time, with the people who keep these traditions alive.

  • A sushi counter Tokyo Toyosu and a sushi master

    Walk the market with a chef, then learn to press nigiri in private.

  • An ikebana flower arrangement Tokyo Ikebana at the Sogetsu school

    A private lesson in the art of arranging flowers, where space and restraint matter as much as the blooms.

  • Kintsugi, pottery mended with gold Kanazawa Kintsugi with a craftsman

    Mend broken pottery with natural lacquer and gold, and find the beauty in what has been repaired.

  • A traditional tea room in Takayama Takayama Tea and the craft of Hida

    A private tea session in a traditional tea room, alongside a master woodcarver from a region whose carpenters built Japan’s ancient capitals.

  • Japanese calligraphy brush and ink Kyoto Kana calligraphy with a Kyoto family

    Brush and ink, taught by a family that has practised the art for four generations. It will feel familiar to anyone who admires Arabic calligraphy.

  • An artisan at work in a Kyoto knife shop Near Kyoto Forge your own knife

    Shape a blade at a historic forge with a master smith, from the steel of the samurai sword.

A few of many. We place them where they suit your journey. Tell us what you love.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Tokyo

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

A landmark hotel set in the Roppongi Hills complex, three minutes on foot from Roppongi Station. Rooms look out across the city, and Tokyo Tower stands on the skyline at night.

We choose it as a soft landing. After a long flight you are close to the Mori Art Museum and the observatory, with a spa, an indoor pool and ten restaurants and bars under one roof, and Ginza and the Imperial Palace gardens a short drive away.

Why we like it

  • Wide views across the city from the guest rooms
  • Roppongi Hills on the doorstep, with its art museum and observatory
  • A spa, indoor pool and ten restaurants and bars to ease the jet lag
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa

A design-led hotel that opened in 2020, directly in front of the west exit of Kanazawa Station. It is as easy a base as the city offers, and the rooftop terrace is the place to be at sunset.

We like the position. Omicho Market is within reach, Kenrokuen and the geisha quarter are a short taxi ride, and the next morning the car to Shirakawa-go collects you at the door.

Why we like it

  • Two minutes on foot from Kanazawa Station
  • A rooftop terrace bar over the city at dusk
  • Ishikawa ingredients at the all-day restaurant, FIVE
Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan

Takayama

Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan

A traditional ryokan in the centre of Takayama, mixing the old and the modern, with tatami rooms and wooden baths that look out over the town.

This is where the mountain road ends. Dinner is kaiseki, with Hida beef, served in your room or in the restaurant, and in the morning the Miyagawa market and the old merchant quarter are close by.

Why we like it

  • Kaiseki and Hida beef dinners, in your room or the restaurant
  • Tatami rooms and wooden baths with views over the town
  • Close to the Miyagawa morning market and Takayama Jinya
Sowaka

Kyoto

Sowaka

A former ryotei in the heart of Gion, restored in sukiya style with hand-carved timber, shoji screens and bamboo lattice. Rooms are arranged around a quiet garden courtyard, so it feels like a private residence rather than a hotel.

We end the journey here on purpose. You can walk the lanes of Gion at the quiet ends of the day, and dinner downstairs is kaiseki at Gion Loka, the hotel’s own restaurant.

Why we like it

  • Sukiya-style architecture, hand-carved wood and shoji screens
  • Rooms around a private garden courtyard
  • Kaiseki at Gion Loka, with vegetarian and allergy needs catered for

Our Curated Selection

The Investment & Inclusions

A Note on Design & Tariff: Expeditions of this scale are custom-priced based on your seasonal travel window and private party requirements.

    • Private transfers with airport meet & greet

    • Hotels with daily breakfast

    • Private experiences along the route

    • Round the clock support, before & during your journey

    • International flights and visas

The Long Way Through Japan

Begin the conversation

Tell us a little about your plans. We will shape the journey, and its length, around you.

  1. i.We reply personally within 24 hours.
  2. ii.A private call to understand how you like to travel.
  3. iii.A proposal with route, stays, timing and length.

Prefer to talk now? WhatsApp us
or write to hello@hayahreserve.com

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