Japan walking tours step up in popularity

An alternative form of land tours – self-guided walking tours – is stepping into the spotlight among travellers in Japan.

Japan tourism representatives at the recent ITB Berlin told TTG Asia that there has been an uptick in new itineraries and operators offering such unique tours through both popular and lesser-known regions.

Inge Leibmann, German representative, Kyoto City Tourism Office, said: “Travellers don’t want anything cookie-cutter any more. It’s no longer just about shopping and taking pictures. There has to be some kind of unique experience.”

Popular itineraries can include a temple stay where visitors can meditate, explore mountain trails and visit hot springs. Walk Japan has also launched a self-guided Basho Wayfarer trail, which follows haiku poet Matsuo Basho’s famed classic poetic travelogue Oku-no-hosomichi (Narrow Road to the Deep North).

Leibmann shared that such tours are especially popular with Europeans and Americans, and that the office is working closely with Kyoto’s DMCs to reach out to these markets.

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