Time to settle in for the winter and plan for next year

Sakura season has gone...

Thank you to everyone who joined my sakura tours this year. On the Classic Sakura tour, the blossoms were particularly beautiful around the alpine town of Yudanaka (pictured right). This is where we stopped to see the snow monkeys too. As always though, I enjoy heading north from Tokyo into the quiet rural areas on my Tohoku Sakura tour, where the cherry blossoms around Hirosaki castle were outstanding, but very cold!

as have the fresh greens!

My customers always laugh at me when I tell them that visiting Japan in May is a great time for seeing fresh greens - but it is! In Japan, we have a special word for the green leaves that appear on the trees with the warming weather - 'shinryoku' - fresh greens... Anyway, this year, we had spectacular weather for my City Lights & Alpine Trails tour, so the fresh greens were particularly beautiful! Here we were finally getting down from the Dakesawa climb at Kamikochi (pictured right).

Plans for 2017

I'm currently looking at my calendar for 2017. My line up of tours for next year will be similar to 2016, but hold on for details. Due to popular demand, I'm going to offer two departures in Oct and Nov for my Spirit of Japan walking tour that takes in two ancient routes: the Kumanokodo (pictured right) and the Nakasendo. I also have to squeeze in a few private tours, so it's going to be a busy year. I'm going to release dates and prices for tours in the next month or two, so look out for my next post.

Time to rug up!

Returning to Sydney for winter is always a shock. Why does it feel so cold here when it isn't so cold? I think I'll take a short detour for the tropical islands of Okinawa ... for research.

And lastly - a cat

Atlas is always happy to help unpack.

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!

Happy New Year everyone! I've just woke from a nap to sleep off a little more of last night's celebration. I think I enjoyed it a little too much. This morning though, I was lucky to join my dear friend, Masa-san (on left) in Sydney for a Japanese New Year's breakfast. Traditionally, we have Ozouni, which is a clear soup with rice cakes, and also other things like seafood and root vegetables...

As a kid growing up in Kyoto, I remember watching the popular music program kohaku uta gassen on television with my family on New Year's Eve. We would also visit a local temple around midnight to hear the bell being tolled. Unlike Australia, fireworks are not commonly seen on New Years Eve in Japan. Although last night's fireworks in Sydney were spectacular, I'm not really sure what it's for or if it's needed...

Availability into 2016

Most spots for the first part of 2016 have now sold out, which is great news for my little company. However, there is just one twin spot remaining for a lucky pair on my Tohoku Sakura tour, which takes in the beautiful cherry blossoms of northern Japan... Later in the year, my Earth and Fire tour in October (for ceramics and art lovers), and my Autumn Colours tour in November still have places available too.

Thank you for 2015

2015 was quite a big year for me with every tour selling out, and a couple of private tours held as well. I'd like to thank all my fellow travellers who have made my business possible and given me many great memories and experiences... We changed many things in the way we operate as well, upgrading from sole trader to company status in the middle of the year, and also updating our accounts system. I'd like to thank Jason Longmore, who helps me with so much of the back-end work.

Autumn tours review

I enjoyed two of my favourite tours a lot at the end of 2015: the Autumn Colours tour and Spirit of Japan walking tour. A particular highlight on my Autumn Colours tour was staying at Benesse House on Naoshima Island, where the food and views of the inland sea were excellent.... On my Spirit of Japan tour, it was great to see Cathy-san and Peter-san again (taking bento lunch break above right). It was also fun to see the way my four fellow female travellers enjoyed the riverside hot spring at Kawayu Onsen. Thank you for walking the Kumano Kodo with me.

My 2016 brochure is out now and bookings are open!

My 2016 brochure is (finally) out!

It took a bit longer than I had hoped, but my 2016 brochure is hot off the press. I'd like to thank Leonie Cheetham, who produced all the illustrations for us. It looks fantastic, and as one of my past travellers, you really captured the feeling of Japan and my tours in your work. Thank you Jason for doing all the layout too. If you would like a brochure mailed to you, go to this link.

 

 

Bookings now open

With my brochure out and website updated, bookings for 2016 are now open. All my tours have availablitiy, but some are selling quite fast. Classic Sakura for instance has just two twin spots remaining. All my tours have been tweaked for 2016, and I have two brand new tours. Tohoku Sakura takes in the cherry blossoms of northern Japan in late April, and Earth & Fire is a ceramics and art tour of western Japan in October. I'm really looking forward to them. Both of my walking tours have also been extended by popular demand.

Spring green tour report

It's been a while since we returned, but I would like to thank all my fellow travellers who joined me on my City Lights & Alpine Trails tour, and North to Kamui Mintara tour in May and June. This time, we had great weather at Kamikochi, so some of us did the extended climb to Dake-sawa, for views of the valley (pic right). For my northern tour, we also had fine weather all the way to Kamui Mintara, so could enjoy many nature walks with blooming azaleas and other flowers.

Trek Larapinta

In my off-season, I joined a tour of the West McDonnell Ranges in Central Australia with Trek Larapinta. I did a 6 day trek of the Larapinta Trail with three friends, fully supported by two wonderful guides, Sean & Warren. They cooked great meals, and kept us safe on the remote tracks. A particular highlight was sleeping in a swag under the stars for one night!  Like my tours, they have a maximum of ten people, and we had a very nice group. I highly recommend Trek Larapinta!

September tour on sale! Save $200 per person

September tour on sale City Lights & Alpine Trails

 From now until 20 March, my City Lights & Alpine Trails tour (19 Sep) is on sale at $3990 (+$700 single joiners), saving you $200 per person. This tour is perfect for travellers who want to visit both city and country areas. Join me on beautiful nature walks on the roof of Japan and along part of the Nakasendo. We'll also see the finale of the Sumo Tournament in Tokyo too. To take advantage of this special offer, get your booking form to me by Friday 20 March.

Orange Half Marathon

I'm a regular runner, and I run races between tours. Last weekend, I headed over the Blue Mountains to Orange, when I ran the half marathon in 1hr 31min. If you enjoy running, and can get a small group together, maybe we can run together in Japan in 2016. Let me know.

Cherry blossom hanami at castle sites in Japan 

 In a few weeks time, the cherry blossom reports will be in the news as the Sakura begin their journey from south to north. The Sakura can be fickle, but this year they seem ready to burst at the 'right' time, which is a relief for me! You can see the predictions here. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Sakura at the Tsuyama Caste ruin site and newly renovated Himeji Castle on my Classic Sakura tour, and also at Matsumoto Castle on my Sakura Highland tour. After my tours, I'm also really excited about heading way north, to see the last of the Sakura at Hirosaki Castle with my family.

Availability for 2015

Most of my 2015 tours have now sold out, however I still have availability for:

City Lights & Alpine Trails in Sep
Spirit of Japan walking tour in Oct

Both tours are guaranteed to depart.

In general, my tours tend to sell out at least six months before departure, and with just space for ten travellers, they can fill suddenly, so if you want to travel, please get in touch.

Have a safe and happy new year





Tokyo in March on Classic Sakura tour

Kyoto in April on Sakura Highland tour

 

Happy New Year !!

 

It's great to end the year well in Sydney. The days are long and the weather's been warm. I've been taking it easy at this time, enjoying the beach and coastal walks with friends. I hope I can stay awake to see the New Year in. Do you have any plans?

 



Nakasendo in May on City Lights & Alpine Trails tour

Onuma National Park on North to Kamui Mintara tour in June

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you

In 2014, Riki's Tours Japan really took off! It's been quite a busy year. My small group tours all filled up with great fellow travellers. Thank you for finding my tours and spending time with me in Japan. Being with you is the best part of my business. I love travelling with you. Doing all the books and paper work is less enjoyable of course. I need to thank Jason for helping me with this side of things, and also the marketing and brochure design and everything else. Hopefully, I can fully clean up my office today before the New Year rolls in!

 

Shirakawago in September in City Lights & Alpine Trails

In Hakone on Nat-san's tailored tour in October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My year in review

As mentioned, my tours in 2014 were full with lots of happy travellers. I think I can say we all shared great times together in Japan. I also need to thank Nat-san for finding me to help with his tailored tour, bringing together friends from Australia and the U.S.

 

On the Kumano Kodo in November, Spirit of Japan tour

Nara Park in November on Autumn Colours tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into 2015

Most of my tours in the first half of the year have filled up, but there are still two places on my Sakura Highland tour departing 12 April, which is a fantastic tour taking in the cherry blossoms in Kyoto and mountainous areas. Later in the year, I have lots of space remaining including City Lights & Alpine Trails in September, Spirit of Japan in October, and Autumn Colours in November.

 

Thinking of an independent tour of Japan?

For independent travellers

If you'd like advice putting together a tailored tour of Japan, please get in touch. I can organise something for you to follow in the style that suits you. Or, if you have your own group that would like to be guided (and I'm not guiding others), then I could be at your service. In fact, my next tour is for a group just like that, with special requests for sightseeing and food experiences - It should be great! Some places I can recommend that I have experienced, but are not part of my organised tours include:

Hokkaido in Winter, where you can combine skiing with touring experiences, such as walking on drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk (pictured).

Northern Kyushu, which is a great place to enjoy rural landscapes, hot spring resorts and experience traditional pottery villages such as Onta.

Yakushima Island off southern Kyushu, which is World Heritage listed, is a wonderful place to do some serious hiking in ancient cedar forests, with views of the ocean all round.

 

Prayers for Mt Ontake hikers

Recently, you would have heard the terrible news of Mt Ontake blowing its top in Central Japan, killing nearly 50 hikers. On that day, I happened to be touring with fellow travellers just in a nearby valley. We didn't see or feel anything that day, but it was a reminder that Japan does face very powerful natural forces from time to time. I wish everyone safe travels wherever they may be in the world.

 

 

Tour report: City Lights & Alpine Trails, Sept 2014

Once again, I was lucky to enjoy a great trip from Kyoto to Tokyo via the Japan Alps with a terrific group of fellow travellers. The weather gave us a great walking day on the ancient Nakasendo from Tsumago to Magome in the Kiso valley (pictured). Here is some feed-back from two travellers:

Riki made our trip enjoyable because of his delightful personality, his kind-ness, and his extensive knowledge of Japan - Helen

I enjoyed the variety of city & country. Your intimate knowledge of Kyoto, Japanese food and customs was in-valuable - Anne

 

Bookings for 2015

My 2015 tours are now filling and my Classic Sakura tour has just sold out.

Sakura Highland in April
four spaces
City Lights & Alpine Trails in May
four spaces
North to Kamui Mintara in May-June
six spaces
Combined Walking Tour in May-June
four spaces

My 2015 Autumn Tours later in the year are available. Remember, my tours are guaranteed to depart with just two travellers, so if you have a travelling buddy, you can book ahead and organise your flights with confi-dence knowing that your trip will run.

 

I'm looking forward to leaving Sydney's wet weather behind!

Sakura tours filling fast

Fortunately for me, my cherry blossom tours have been filling fast. The Classic Sakura tour has just one spot remaining for a lucky single joiner, while Sakura Highland, which takes in beautiful mountainous areas such as Matsumoto Castle, has space for six. So if you want to visit Japan for the cherry blossoms, please get in touch.

Places to see: Kurama

Kurama is a temple complex in the mountains north of Kyoto that is special to me. According to Japanese legend, it is the place where Ushiwakamaru was taught how to become a sword master from Sojobo, King of the Tengu, which is a scary red-faced big-nosed mountain god. Kurama is special for me because it’s close to where I grew up, so my family would often visit there together. We could feel like we were away from ordinary life. I will take my fellow travellers there on a day-walk through the forests of Kurama on my Autumn Colours tour in November. Should be wonderful!

Movies to see: Departures

While thinking about my past in Kyoto... When I was a junior high school student,  my mother’s friend used to work at a local eigakan (cinema), and she would let me in for free. I liked going there to see the world outside Japan. One of my favourites was the 1985 film, My life as a Dog, which is a Swedish film about a boy growing up in the countryside. Have you seen it? It taught me that on the other side of the world, people feel the same things… Anyway, if you are interested in Japanese films, I suggest you watch Departures (Okuribito), which is a nice Japanese film about a family with a funeral business. It's a bit like Six Feet Under - one of my favourite box sets.


Late Summer tours ahead

The rest of my 2014 tours have all filled up! In mid-September, I will be meeting up with fellow travellers in Kyoto to start my City Lights & Alpine Trails tour. I’m looking forward to watching the grand finale of the Sumo together, and also visiting Kamikochi in the Japan Alps. And also eating the food! I'll be running this tour twice next year, so why don't you join me?