About Oku Japan

Our self guided walk on the Kumano Kodo was a great success and only involved two rainy days. The directions were generally accurate (with occasional ambiguity) and the B&Bs were all adequate and in some cases much more than adequate. It was a very pleasant introduction to Japanese culture and food - most of which was delicious and beautifully presented. The Hotel in Osaka was perfectly positioned (Marriott Courtyard at Shing Osaka Station). I think the grading of the walk was quite difficult, especially the last day, with ascents and descents over 800m - as it was also pouring with rain we chose to omit that day due to the danger of slipping and injuring ourselves on the downward journey. There were also leeches - which perhaps should have been mentioned in the notes. The Urashima Hotel in Kii-Katsuura was quite bizarre - a James Bond Peninsula for mass tourism - but an amazing experience on our last night ! The Takkyubin service was superb as was the advice and help we received in the OKU office in Chikatsuyu. We will certainly think of returning to Japan with OKU - and will recommend OKU to our friends. Thank you .

We booked our self-guided Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trip Oku Japan. The experience was top notch from beginning to end. The information packet was thorough and helpful, and details regarding trains and local buses (timetables, pricing, etc) were consistently accurate. Each and every accommodation was unique, charming, and welcoming. When there was an issue checking into our final hotel, the local office was quick to respond and the problem was solved within the hour (it was also a Sunday, so extra points). We weren’t expecting this to be a gourmet food tour of the region, but it was that as well! On top of it all, we found the price very reasonable for everything that is included. We had a wonderful experience thanks to Oku Japan, and would certainly travel with them again.

We were hiking parts of the Kumano Kodō (Kiiji & Nakahechi route) in December 2023 and booked a self-guided tour through Oku Japan. This was an excellent decision. They are reliable experts in off-the-beaten-tracks and pioneered the idea of self-guided hikes in Japan. In particular we liked that Oku Japan works with local communities, so we experienced true Japanese hospitality. A big thank you for a fantastic experience of the ancient Kumano Kodō – especially to Alessia!

We had a fantastic trip on the Nakasendo 5-day self guided tour. The accommodations were superb. Great meals. All the trains were arranged which made it so easy. We just needed to show up and start hiking. We even saw a bear, monkey, some nice snakes and a goat/antelope. The forest was beautiful and the rural towns fantastic. The small agricultural plots were particularly wonderful to see.

We absolutely loved all aspects of the Oku tour. We selected the self-guided Nakasendo trail 5 day tour and it was fabulous. Oku set us up for success and incredible memories. We especially appreciated their advance support and answering all of our questions.

We did the Ancient Capitals tour in November and it was fantastic! It was beautiful strolling through the countryside, forests, and farmlands. It took us to places that we would never have thought of, but enjoyed immensely. We loved chatting with locals and going on what felt like an amazing treasure hunt.

We were very glad we found Oku Japan to arrange our self guided tour on the Kumano Kodo Kiiji and Nakahechi trails. We were able to experience small friendly ryokans with amazing food and wonderful onsens at a few. Our hosts were the best. Hiking and transportation was very well planned and documented, easy to follow, with easier options on some days if desired. Such a beautiful area of rural Japan with few other hikers in sight most days. It was great to know that they were available locally if anything came up (it didn't) and that they are involved in the community. There were some pretty cool local cultural experiences included also. Thank you Oku Japan!

OKU Japan provided a memorable experience for our Nakasendo Trail self guided walk in April 2024. Everything from booking to the actual walking, dining, accomodation, onsen'ing went very smoothly.

We did a self guided tour with Oku Japan and had an excellent time. The planning and materials provided by Oku Japan were very good and made it very easy to get around (we did not get lost at all). The accommodation was excellent (Japanese style local hotels). The meals included were truly amazing - could not ask for more. The included bookings on trains, taxis etc all worked like clock work. We were very happy with the tour and will hope to do another tour with Oku Japan in the future.

My wife and I have just walked the Kumano Kodo with a Oku Japan. The process was so easy, the route was suited to us, Questions were answered promptly and we were given all the information we needed for the walk. Our agent, Alessia was both patient and informative. The accommodation they selected, be it traditional inns, private homes or onsen were all superb. Comfortable, clean, and excellent food, and great locations. It’s especially good to have a tour operator on the ground in the region. One afternoon we missed a connection and, rather than let us wait for the next bus, Oku Japan sent their local agent to find us and take us to our accommodation for the night. What wonderful service. We’re already planning our next trip with them.

A very knowledgeable and helpful partner in organizing some of the most beautiful hiking trips we’ve walked. We booked 3 self-guided hiking trips (Nakasendo, Shikoku, Kumano Kodo) with them, and although we were pretty late they made all of them possible. The preparation went really smooth and we. Had the feeling we we’re ready for each walk. Everything was arranged really well and they were available for support when needed. The trips were gorgeous and combined breathtaking scenery with rural towns and comforting stays. They make sure you get to experience a bit of everything. Highly recommended, we can’t wait to book our next trips. Thanks

If you are looking for a self-guided walking tour in Japan - OKU is the resource you have been waiting for. Lovely, personal and timely communication.

I could not be happier with the planning of my hike alongside Oku Japan. Everything went smoothly. From picking up the maps at the post office, to locating our lodging and really enjoying each night's stay! They were all so different from each other and special in their own way. Oku Japan had excellent communication before and during the hike. I will absolutely use them again on my next trip to hike in Japan.

Absolutely brilliant trip. Seamlessly organised with very clear and concise maps/instructions. Got to see a side of Japan that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen. Clear communication throughout and an amazingly helpful and supportive local team who helped us when we wanted to change our plans and reduce the amount of luggage we were carrying.

Wonderful experience hiking Michinoku trail. Oku Japan did a great job helping with accommodation selection/booking, transport arrangements and luggage transportation. It is our 3rd self guiding hiking holiday with Oku Japan, highly recommended!

My recent self-guided Kumano Kodo hike was sensational. This is a great way to discover a quieter side of Japan and its culture. Oku Japan provided very clear instructions that included travel connections, accomodation, walking directions, maps etc in paper and digital formats which gave me confidence travelling on my own in a new country. The choice and quality of accomodation was outstanding with hosts providing superb meals. I cannot rate Oku Japan service and quality high enough. Thankyou for making my experience in Japan a memorable one.

Walking the Nakasendo trail was the best part of our three weeks in Japan. The staff at Oku Japan (shout out to Clementine!) were incredibly helpful and responsive when we were booking. And the guides, maps, and walking notes were so detailed; it really made us feel comfortable doing the self-guided walk. I can’t recommend this enough!

From pre trip communication, availability to answer any and ALL questions, through the actual guiding of the hike, OKU travel was there for us. Our guide, Jun, was not only knowledgeable about the route, well versed in the traditions and culture of the area, and also very patient and willing in accommodating our groups requests. OKU’s selection of accommodations and dining quality were top notch and served to enhance the experience. Remembering that this is an immersive experience should help prepare you for the food choices offered. The OKU Travel Kumano Kodo experience is physically challenging yet spiritually fulfilling and highly recommended.

Picked Oku Japan online and their response times were stellar which fueled confidence in their backup and logistics. We went on the 5 day self guided Kumano Kodo and received maps and explicit directions to all our destinations, ( some it you just have to make sense of on the day or on location, partly because there is so much of it) accommodation and travel in the post to our last independent stop in Osaka. A grab bag of accommodation which was all different as it was excellent, showers/baths, onsens at some, aircon (needed as it was unseasonably HOT), food magnificent and very Japanese. The office at Chikatsuyu was staffed by two employees who were welcoming, informative and gave us multiple drinks after a hot day. Oku Japan didn't put a foot wrong

For 2 wks, I walked sections of the ancient historic Nakasendo trial that connected Kyoto to Edo-period Tokyo dating back to the 7th century as it passes through preserved villages, staying in traditional inns - minshuku, ryokan or shukubo, enjoying regional kaiseki-ryōri style cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients, drank local brewed sake, yuzu and umeshu, soaked in onsen - natural hot springs. If you want to immerse on the true culture of Japan, it's history, cuisine, it's belief and religion, gardens, bamboo forest and the Wabi Sabi aesthetics and beauty of simplicity, you need to experience this Kiso valley region away from the glitz and glamours of the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Oku tours offered me this memorable journey. Mata Ne (またね).

We loved our self guided hike through the Kumano Kodo region with Oku Japan so much. Our pre departure experience was super friendly, clear and thorough, we received a pack with maps and instructions at our hotel before setting off and the hike itself was spectacular. The kindness, generosity and hospitality we encountered along the way made each day of hiking even better. The maps and instructions were very easy to follow, each night of accommodation was wonderful and our meals were all exceptional. Our hand crafted itinerary was perfect and the forest was absolutely STUNNING. Pristine and full of beautiful wildlife, shrines and markers all shaded under the canopy. We are already planning a return visit :)