Travelling with Tribal Tracks is a wonderful experience. They take care of everything and you don't have to worry about anything!
Gordon G
Meet Gaynor, a director of, and one of the co-founders of Tribal Tracks.
Experience the beauty of the Northern Japanese Alps, summiting 4 peaks as we follow the ridge line along the way.
Meet Japanese trekkers in the mountain huts, where you will have superb, local food.
Visit shrines and castles and eat delicious fresh soba noodles, legendary cuisine of Nagano prefecture.
Relax in traditional Japanese onsen - hot spring baths at the end of the trek.
Visit Tokyo - a real bucket list city destination.
All the info you need
Trip Details
We begin in the Japanese Alps, where we summit 4 of the peaks on an amazing ridge walk, known as the Japanese Ginza Panoramic Trail.
Little known outside of Japan, this ridge line trek is legendary in the Japanese outdoors community because of its challenging nature and amazing scenery, and it is a real bucket list item for many. This means that along the way, we will meet Japanese trekkers, and can chat to them in the mountain huts, learning more about their culture and views. We finish in Kamikochi, a protected area and one of the most beautiful areas in the whole of the Japanese Northern Alps.
Trip Details
Arriving into Tokyo, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the Ginza district for the night
Ginza is one of Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment districts, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes.
Yurakucho also offers a wealth of shopping and dining opportunities. Yet at the same time, it has a more approachable, relaxed atmosphere than its upscale neighbour Ginza and Marunouchi, and parts of it maintain a charming, old neighbourhood feel. One of Yurakucho's most interesting draws is the lively restaurant district built up under the brick arches beneath the elevated train tracks of the JR Yamanote Line.
Marunouchi is located between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station. Marunouchi is one of the most prestigious business districts in Japan. During the Edo Period, Marunouchi (literally "within the enclosure") was located within the outer moats of Edo Castle and contained the residences of some of Japan's most powerful feudal lords. Together with neighbouring Otemachi, Marunouchi is now home to the headquarters of many of Japan's most powerful companies, particularly from the financial sector. Ninomaru Garden in the Imperial Palace is a peaceful spot in the middle of the sleek business district. There are also many shops and restaurants in the Marunouchi area as well.
Hibiya is a little slice of Tokyo that lies between Hibiya Park (a great spot for picnics) and Yurakucho. But while it’s small in size, it’s big on politics. You can see just about every important national government building around here.
You can soak up all of this urban atmosphere before you head out into the mountains. There are several outfitters, as well as rental options should you need any additional gear for your treks ahead.
mont-bell Tokyo Kyobashi (15 mins walk)
Ici Sports Daimaru Tokyo (25 mins walk)
We get together as a team this evening with a welcome dinner at a Japanese Izakaya restaurant (think tapas bar vibe).
Accommodation and Meals
Overnight 4* hotel, Ginza, Tokyo. Dinner
After breakfast, we head to a mini city in itself - Tokyo Station!
We board one of the world famous Japanese bullet trains, the shinkansen bound for Nagano. The journey takes less than 2 hours and we can see some spectacular scenery on the way. Relax as the world speeds by!
Upon arrival, we head to the Zenkoji temple, a Buddhist temple which was build in 642AD. It is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Japan. After our tour, we will have lunch at a soba restaurant and have sake tastings.
After lunch, we have a short bus transfer to Matsumoto (the gateway city for the Northern Alps), where we check into a heritage hotel, rich in ancient folk crafts. The hotel is a 5 minute walk from one of the national treasures of Japan, Matsumoto Castle, also known as the 'Crow Castle'. It is one of Japan's original castles, dating back to the 16th century. We can explore there, and nearby Nakamachi Street, a charming and well-preserved area in Matsumoto, known for its traditional wooden merchant houses (kura). The street is lined with shops, cafes, galleries, and craft boutiques, offering us a glimpse into the city's traditional atmosphere.
We have supper, experiencing yet more delicious Japanese cuisine, before a briefing from the Tribal Tracks leader on the trekking days to come.
Accommodation and Meals
Overnight 3* hotel Matsumoto, full board.
The Japanese Northern Alps, are a mountain range located in the Chubu region, the centre of the main island of Honshu Japan. The range is characterised by its rugged mountains, deep valleys, pristine rivers, and picturesque alpine meadows.
Our Japanese mountain guides will meet us at the hotel in Matsumoto this morning. We then transfer to the trailhead at Nakabusa Onsen (approximately 50 minute transfer), to start the Panorama Ginza trek!
From the trailhead, the Kassen Ridge trail ascends 1250m up to the Enzansou hut and is considered one of the three steepest ascents in the Alps. There are few places to draw breath, and the incline is relentless, but we take it steadily, admiring the beautiful scenery. We can hear the tinkle of bear bells from other hikers, warning the indigenous black bears to stay away (don't worry - they are shy and do stay away!). We reach the Kassen hut, where we can rest for a while and draw breath. We then continue our climb upwards, eventually reaching our overnight destination, Enzansou Hut. We have lunch there, and check in to our private room, before continuing our trek to the summit of Mount Tsubakuro (2763m). We can spend a while there, admiring the unique rock formations, the gambling monkeys on the slopes below and the beautiful recessive views.
We return to our hut, and have dinner, before an early night, ready for our early start tomorrow morning (See Trip Notes - 'What to expect from Japanese Mountain Huts'.)
A very tough 5km (think 1 in 4!), 6 hours.
Accommodation and Meals
Overnight Mountain Hut, full board.
Japanese hikers tend to start hiking at the crack of dawn, so be ready for an early start to enjoy the morning golden light!
The day’s hike begins relatively easy with a gentle traverse, then dipping down to a technical section with chains and stairs at the base of Mt. Otensho. The ascent of this summit is steep and tiring, scrambling up loose rocks and gravel, for about an hour, but we take our time. We reach the top, at 2922m, which is the highest peak on our route. We have amazing views, again, but we can also see the welcome site of Daitenso Hut, which is our lunch spot!
Having now summited the highest peak of the Panorama Ginza route, the rest of this day’s hike is mainly a descent. While we slowly descend from Mt. Otensho and head towards the Jonen Mountain Hut, we have uninterrupted views of Mt. Yarigatake (3180m) and the whole of the Northern Alps. The Jonen hut is about 3 hours from the top of Otensho and we take it steadily, before reaching our destination and checking in for the evening. For those who want to, we can explore a little bit of a side trail, which ultimately leads to Ichinosawa, for different views and photo opportunities.
A tough undulating and sometime scrabbly 10km, 7 hours of trekking.
Accommodation and Meals
Overnight Mountain Hut, full board
The third day on the trail has some of the toughest sections so far and we it can be very exposed in inclement weather.
We begin with a steep and rocky hour-long climb to the top of Mt. Jonen (2857m), the highest point for the day. It offers panoramic views of the mountains and into the Kamikochi basin below. We can get a glimpse of where we are heading the next day.
From here, the ridge line dips and rises, sometimes quite suddenly, dropping below the tree line and soaring above it again. After about 4 - 4.30 hours of this demanding traversing, Mt. Chouyari appears, a small peak between Jonen and Mt. Chougatake. From there, it’s about an hour to the peak of Mount Chogatake (2677m) and our last mountain hut. We can enjoy a final night on the ridge.
8km of undulating climbs and descents, roughly 6 hours.
Accommodation and Meals
Overnight Mountain Hut, full board.
Our final day on this trek sees us descending to Kamikochi, one of the most beautiful areas in the Northern Japanese Alps.
Kamikochi is a roughly 15 kilometer long plateau in the Azusa River Valley, about 1500 meters above sea level, known for its pristine beauty, crystal-clear rivers, and dramatic mountain scenery. It is surrounded by tall mountains, including Nishihotakadake (2909 m), Okuhotakadake (3190 m), Maehotakadake (3090 m) and the active volcano Yakedake (2455 m). Part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, private cars are banned from Kamikochi, and access is only possible by bus or taxi.
Leaving early again, it takes us 4-5 hours to trek to the valley floor, where a very welcome cold beer and steak lunch awaits!
The Japanese Northern Alps are also home to numerous hot springs (onsen), where visitors can relax and rejuvenate in the mineral-rich waters while enjoying the tranquil mountain atmosphere. Shirahone Onsen, located in the range, is particularly famous for its milky white hot spring water, believed to have healing properties. After our lunch in Kamikochi, we have a short transfer (20 mins by bus) to rest up and bathe in the healing onsen waters at Shirahone Onsen Ryokan, a traditional Japanese Inn. Shirahone Onsen Ryokan is not only a place to unwind and rejuvenate but also a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of hot springs in Japan.
Here we will immerse ourselves in traditional Japanese hospitality; sleep in tatami-matted rooms and futon beds, take communal baths, and dine on an exquisite kaiseki (multi-course) meal, featuring local and seasonal ingredients. A fitting end to a wonderful trek.
6km, roughly 5 hours trekking.
Accommodation and Meals
Overnight Shirahone Onsen Ryokan, full board.
Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a full day guided tour of Tokyo.
We start with exploring the Tsukiji Outer markets. The Tsukiji Outer Market is a gathering place for food professionals and there are many shops for all different kinds of ingredients such as seafoods, meats, fruits, vegetables, spices and pickles as well as cooking utensils for sale. We can enjoy lunch here, learn how to cut fish, and expand your understanding of Japanese food!
From the market, we then visit Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden that once served as a private villa of a powerful feudal lord during the Edo period. Its wide collection of seasonal flowers makes it one of the most visited gardens in Tokyo.
From the park, we head north to Asakusa, a part of Tokyo’s shitamachi or old town. Asakusa is the city’s oldest Geisha district and also home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The streets around Senso-ji feature many traditional shops and are a delight to wander through. If you love cooking, Kappabashi-dori, also known just as Kitchen Town, is a street for you which is almost entirely populated with shops supplying the restaurant trade.
This evening we have a farewell dinner up high in the sky (41st floor!) with floor to ceiling windows, ensuring a fantastic view of Tokyo at night.
Accommodation and Meals
The Royal Park Iconic Tokyo Shiodome, 4* hotel, full board.
After breakfast, you can enjoy some free time in Tokyo before heading to the airport for your flight (flight time dependent).
If you want to extend your stay in Japan, and see more of this fascinating country, we have worked with our team to develop an extension package. See the 'optional extras' tab for more details.
Accommodation and Meals
Trip Details
Trip Details
In a nutshell, almost everything!
This is what you will need to buy/source yourself.
It is important that you read the itinerary carefully, and take account of the rating we have given it.
Although our challenges are not technical, they do require a good degree of physical fitness. The conditions will require stamina and strength, which you should recognise and train for. This will be a much better experience if you are fit and prepared. You should feel comfortable walking 6-8 hours per day.
In setting the maximum size of our groups, we take a number of factors into account.
Altitude, degree of difficulty, the terrain, the climate and time of year, all determine the maximum group size. Sometimes it will be 20, sometimes it will be 8-14, but safety is always our priority.
The minimum number to participate is 2. You will be accompanied by a Tribal Tracks UK Leader, Mountain Leader qualified, as well as supported by our local, in-country guides.
It is a requirement of Tribal Tracks booking terms and conditions that each supporter must hold their own travel insurance which covers the trip and the activities they are doing.
We advise you to put insurance in place as soon as possible. Your insurance must be valid and in date, covering the entire period that you are travelling for, including the return journey home. It should cover medical and personal accident risks, and should include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services, where appropriate. We are happy to help you if you have any queries about this or have any difficulties.
Tribal Tracks has 100% Financial Protection and has a trust account with the Protected Trust Service, member number 5566.
This means that all client monies paid to Tribal Tracks are held in our dedicated trust account, which is supervised by an independent trustee. This means that in the very unlikely event that Tribal Tracks ceases to trade, your money is safe. For more information, please visit this link. Any flights booked for you by Tribal Tracks will be ATOL protected under our own ATOL certificate.
Tribal Tracks considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have thorough safety systems in place.
In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:
We know that the unexpected can happen.
While you are away, things can happen at home and people may need to get in contact with you. This can be tricky when you are in remote areas. So, shortly before departure, we provide you with an Emergency Procedure document to distribute to your nearest and dearest. This sets out how to contact Tribal Tracks and the steps Tribal Tracks will then take to get in contact with you.
It is really important that you are well prepared for your physical challenge and that you are confident that you will be able to fully participate.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in the trek, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to step out of the trek. Although this is a very rare occurrence, by booking this trip you agree to section 11 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances, we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
At Tribal Tracks, Responsible Travel is enormously important to us, and our commitment to responsible travel is evidenced in every itinerary that we prepare.
Core to our business is the belief that holidays can and should be enjoyable to the traveller but should be conducted in a socially, environmentally and economically responsible manner which brings benefit to local communities. This is implemented through a variety of measures which can be found in our Responsible Travel policy - http://www.tribaltracks.co.uk/responsible-travel-policy. We encourage you to read this and to play your own part in travelling responsibly.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Staying in a Japanese mountain hut is a fantastic way to get to know the culture. Chatting to the predominantly Japanese trekkers who use the huts is a memorable experience. The huts are fully catered, with simple meals such as katsu curry and rice, ramen and Indian curries. You can buy extra snacks including crisps, chocolate, and drinks such as Coke, beer and even whisky! You will sleep in a private room for our group, and the sleeping will be communal. Futons and bedding are provided by the hut, but it is advisable to bring a sleeping bag liner. If you have a bad back, you may want to bring a light sleeping mat and the futons can be a little hard.
Japanese climbers like to go to be early, and rise incredibly early. Lights out is usually 2030pm, but people often begin leaving at first light - between 5 and 6am. There is no WiFi.
There is an etiquette to staying in the huts, which our local team will explain to you on the trip.
Japanese food is a huge part of the experience of trekking in Japan. The mountain huts that we stay in are fully catered and we will enjoy simple katsu curries, beef stews, ramen and vegetarian options for dinner. Breakfast will also be served in the hut and is usually Japanese style, with miso soup, rice and simple sushi, sashimi and pickles. Lunch will be provided by the huts in the form of bento boxes, and we take them with us and enjoy them on the way.
The huts sell a variety of souvenirs and snacks, including crisps, chocolate, beer and even whisky! Please note that no cards are taken - you will need to bring Yen with you if you want to buy anything on the trek.
The trek is a challenge. We will be walking for a long time over sometimes challenging terrain with steep ascents and descents.
The best way to build endurance fitness is to start with some gentle walks and gradually build up both the distance and duration over the next few months. In the last 2 months, we would recommend to go out and do long days, ideally in the hills, to build up the strength in your legs. About a week before the trek, limit any training to short walks – you want to have fresh legs at the start!
For the trek you should be comfortable trekking between 6 - 8 hours per day, but remember we have all day to achieve the distances and will not be going at racing snake pace. It may sound obvious, but make sure that you are walking properly, hitting the ground with your heel first, then rolling onto your toe, which pushes you onto the next step (this will help reduce the risk of shin splints and tendon pulls). Walk with your head up, eyes forward and shoulders level.
It is a good idea to develop a level of cardiovascular fitness (exercising and strengthening your heart and lungs). This comes from running, cycling or swimming for between 20 minutes and an hour, and will really help develop your endurance fitness. Three sessions a week is normally advised, increasing time and distance over time.
Replicate conditions in training i.e., use all the kit you will be using and try your walking poles if you want to use them.
It is important to pack so that you know where everything is. Separating kit into different packing cubes, or even plastic bags can really help with this. You can pack by item (eg socks and pants in one cube, tops in another etc) or by day, putting your entire outfit for that day together in one place. Taking an extra bag or cube to separate dirty kit is a great idea.
In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:
Please inform us of any dietary requirements or allergies before you travel, and preferably at the time of booking. We can cater for almost all diets, so please just let us know. We can't cater for you if we don't know what you need!
For up-to-date vaccinations information please visit the NHS website ‘Fit for Travel’ at: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. The Tribal Tracks team are travel professionals, but we are not medical experts, and we would encourage you to visit your GP or travel nurse to discuss vaccination requirements. Please remember to take your itinerary with you so that they can see where you will be travelling. You should make an appointment at least 3-4 months before you travel.
In addition, please note that information on vaccinations can change at short notice; we recommend that you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for the most up to date information.
We recommend that you bring a multi-region adapter plug with you. There will be no facility to recharge electrical items on the trek, so we recommend you bring a power bank to top up the charge. We also recommend putting your phone on Airplane mode during the day to save on power.
Using your mobile overseas can sometimes attract unwelcome, very high tariffs. We recommend that you check with your network provider before you travel, but if in doubt, keep your phone switched to Airplane mode and use it only when there is WiFi. Reception can also be patchy, and unreliable, particularly in remote areas, which is why we carry a satellite phone with us. Please let your nearest and dearest know about this, and warn them that you may not be able to be in regular contact.
We ask that your luggage is kept to the absolute minimum. We will tell you the weights that you should not exceed, but usually, your main bag should not exceed 23kgs in weight.
It is important that you wear, or take your trekking boots with you in your hand luggage on the flight, as they are vital for the trek and cannot be replaced in the event of lost luggage.
We recommend leaving behind items such as high value jewellery, watches etc. Your passport and money should be always kept on you.
Trekking at high altitude (generally above 2500 metres) involves additional risk not normally associated with lower level treks. This is not something that should prevent you from undertaking a trek to our higher destinations, but it makes sense to learn about the dangers inherent in trekking at high altitude and also the ‘golden rules' to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
For each of our trips, you can find the maximum altitudes listed on the web site and in the itineraries. You should read the itinerary carefully and use your own judgement to gauge whether your chosen trip is suitable for your level of experience. If you have any doubts at all you should contact us and we are happy to discuss the trip with you.
You can acclimatise to altitude by the process known as acclimatisation. The most important rule is to gain height slowly and it is generally accepted that the maximum safe altitude gain in any one day is 500 metres once above 2500 metres. Where this is not possible, then it is important to have a rest or acclimatisation day at the new altitude before gaining further height. All our itineraries follow this rule. In general the maxim ‘climb high and sleep low' applies. It is perfectly acceptable (and even beneficial to your acclimatisation) to climb higher than 500 metres above your last camp (for example when crossing a high pass) as long as the increase in sleeping altitude remains within the above rule. All of our itineraries are carefully designed to build in optimum acclimatisation.
There is a link between daily fluid intake and successful acclimatisation and you must pay particular attention to hydration during trekking at high altitudes. On treks to 3000 metres and above most people will need to drink between 5 and 6 litres each day to achieve suitable hydration levels and you must adopt a responsible approach to achieving this target. It goes without saying that as alcohol is a diuretic, it is not recommended that you drink alcohol while at altitude.
Before embarking on a trek to high altitude it is important that you familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and that you report any illness to your tip leader straight away. See the links at the bottom of this page for further reading on AMS.
There are a number of untested herbal remedies which claim to prevent mountain sickness. However, only one drug is currently known to have a useful role in preventing AMS and to be safe for this purpose: acetazolamide (Diamox). We recommend that you carry Diamox in your first aid kit for treks where you spend an extended period above 4000m. Diamox can only be obtained from a medical professional on prescription and it is important that you first consult your own doctor so that you know there are no contra indications with other medicines you may be taking and that you do not have an allergy to acetazolamide. Diamox commonly causes some minor side effects, such as tingling fingers and toes, or a metallic taste in the mouth, but more severe reactions are rare. On trek, the decision whether or not and when, you should take Diamox as with any drug, will rest solely with you. If you intend to take Diamox, you must familiarise yourself with the appropriate dosage and regime prior to coming on the trip. The links at the bottom of this page will provide further information on the use of Diamox as an aid to acclimatisation.
Travelling to high altitudes is not something you need to be scared of. Every year thousands of people enjoy the most amazing experiences in the world's greatest mountain ranges. Altitude sickness is entirely preventable if you follow the very simple rules and procedures detailed above. Please make sure you are aware of these before you travel. However, please be assured that we have emergency procedures in place in the event that someone does experience AMS.
For further reading on the above issues we recommend the following websites:
http://www.altitude.org/altitude_sickness.php
Trip Details
There is an optional 3 night, 4 day extension to this trip in order to explore more of Japan, by visiting Kyoto, the ancient capital. The proposed itinerary is:
Please enquire for further details by emailing gaynor@tribaltracks.co.uk.
Let’s get you on the right track!
