Intrepid are a highly professional tour company that take you under their wing, and take all the decision making that happens on a holiday and do it for you. The most relaxing way to travel. Our guide was kind and caring and did so much for the whole group. We had an absolute ball, and will be doing another Intrepid adventure very soon. Love them. Very Highly Recommend.

An enjoyable and challenging hiking tour and a very good itinerary. It was good spending considerable time in the countryside and smaller towns, as well as a bit of time in Osaka and Kyoto.

I highly recommend this trip. A lot was packed in over a short time, but away from the main tourist crowds. Fabulous food and a good balance of activities. Yao, our leader, was very knowledgeable and supportive. The stay in the monastery was a highlight, as was trekking through the forest. The trek was quite challenging but rewarding. A wonderful way to learn about, and see a different part of Japan.

The Koyasan and Kumano Kodo hiking Japan adventure offered through Intrepid is an amazing experience. Our guide, Kazuya Yao, merits top ranking. He is the perfect well-rounded guide. His teaching and commentaries were definite highlights to our experience. We were given the opportunity to learn historical, religious, spiritual background that greatly enhanced our experience. If you're seeking an immersion opportunity then this is the trip for you. Every detail from the amazing meals and morning prayer monastery experience, the arranged trail lunches provided by hotels/ryokans, the temple and shrine visits as well as the hiking-outstanding. Our guide met us all at the lunch spot on the last and most challenging hike with prepared hot water for individual cups of brewed coffee as well as a full selection of hot teas and Japanese snacks to energize us for the last of the miles. This trip met and exceeded every hope and expectation. I am so personally enriched from the friendships developed in our international group and the skillfully crafted cultural and hiking experiences. This is a unique and memorable experience !

The Kumano Kodo trail was excellent! I loved learning about Japanese culture and the trail’s history from Yoa, our amazing tour leader. The included meals were traditional and delicious. Taking public transport was an unexpected highlight. Highly recommend!

This was an enjoyable (and sometimes challenging) hike that travelled through less frequented paths (by international tourists, at least) and showed us aspects of rural Japan.

Great trip! The trekking a bit challenging with lots of steps. Leo our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Can't wait to book another trip to discover more of Japan's culture and wonderful places.

This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. I had never been to Japan, and had never even hiked before. I learned so much about both and loved every minute of it. Yao was an excellent guide, knowledgeable about both Japanese history and highly eco conscious. The hikes are very challenging, so be prepared and enjoy it.

I highly recommend this trip. The places we saw were interesting and beautiful, but what made it really special was out guide, Kento. He is so enthusiastic, entertaining, kind, and knowledgeable about so many different topics. Kento is an environmental champion, a multilingual world traveler, a Shugendo Buddhist monk, and a whole lot of fun!

Intrepid exceeded even our high expectations of this trip. We enjoyed our time in the cities of Kyoto and Osaka, but our hikes on the trails of Koyasan and the Kumano Kodo were special, and our leader, Kento’s enthusiasm and deep insights made them especially meaningful.