Please arrive by 2pm on Day 1 (to ensure you arriving in time for your group orientation at 5pm)
Group transfer details to the hotel on Day 1 will be provided closer to departure, once flight arrival times are compiled.
Note that the group transfer arranged may be public rail transportation from airport to hotel with a local Japanese speaking escort, or a private shuttle van.
If arriving earlier than Day 1 or the day before Day 1:

Train line details from KIX to JR Namba Station and Karaksa Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EpzkwbnuPs9pzSbFA

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 1
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hotel lobby of the Karaksa Hotel, 2-9-13 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0086

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are arriving early, we recommend booking at the Karaksa Hotel, where your trip begins in Osaka.

DEPARTURES FROM KYOTO

Departure from Kyoto to Kansai International Airport

A group transfer will be provided after breakfast to KIX Airport; alternatively, individual transfers may be arranged through the Airport Limousine Bus from Kyoto Station
If you are extending your stay in Japan and do not require the group transfer this day, you are responsible for arranging your personal transportation.

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

Your trip officially ends in Kyoto, but a transfer to Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka can be arranged if required on the last day of the trip.

If you wish to say longer on Kyoto, we recommend extending your stay at Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Kawaramachi, which is the last night hotel on Day 9. Otherwise, you may wish to return to the same hotel where you stayed in Osaka: Karaksa Hotel.

There are also several hotels near the Kansai International Airport (KIX):

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/HotelsNear-g298566-qKIX-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

Visa:

Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter.

If you would like additional assistance in securing your visa, we recommend you consider using the services of CIBTVisas: https://cibtvisas.com/?login=WildWomenExp

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

TIPPING

Tipping is not a common practice in Japan (at restaurants, taxi drivers, etc). However, tipping your lead guide is appreciated as a quiet thank you for their passion, knowledge, leadership and a great trip experience. A guide tip of 10,000-20,000 JPY at the end of your trip (per client) is suggested but not mandatory.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum of two women per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.

Private Upgrade

Private upgrades may be available upon request (pending availability). To request for this upgrade, please contact support@wildwomenexpeditions.com. Please note, due to the size of the some of the smaller boutique accommodations we use, we are unable to secure private rooms for all nights. On this trip the private upgrade is for 7 out of the 9 nights, on the other two you may have a roommate.

Potable Water

Tap water in Japan is potable and safe to drink. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water while traveling in Japan. Metro train stations have public water fountains, but otherwise these may be hard to find (compared to vending machines). The best way to guarantee you’ll have water when you need it is to fill up your reusable bottle at your accommodation before you leave for the day.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

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Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Karaksa Hotel, Osaka
Kiri no Sato, Takahara
Yunominesou Onsen or similar (May 8, 2024 departure: Watarase Onsen Sasayuri)
Katsuragi Osen Happunoyu, Katsuragi
Eko-in, Koyasan, or similar (May 8, 2024 departure: Muryoko-in, Koyasan)
Hotel Vista Kawaramachi, Kyoto

Please note that some ryokan's (traditional Japanese Inns), may have shared washrooms.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT JAPAN

About

- Electricity - The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use—50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 60 Hertz in western Japan (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka). Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)

- Time Zone - Time zone in Japan (GMT+9) Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo

- Calling Code +81

Food

Being vegan or vegetarian is not very common in Japan, especially in small towns. Tofu is plentiful but many tofu and veggie dishes may contain fish.

Maintaining a fish free diet will be a challenge. You may find yourself eating a lot of rice and seaweed (also delicious). But you may want to be prepared to stop at convenience stores to stock up on protein bars and nuts. We will do our best to accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions but some small hotels are not able to adjust meals.

If you are willing and able to eat sustainably sourced fish it will be easier.

A gluten free diet can be accommodated though may be a bit bland if soy sauce is a concern.

Climate & Weather:

Spring in Tokyo starts from March and lasts until May. It is considered one of the best times to visit Tokyo, as the cherry blossoms bloom, creating a stunning pink and white landscape throughout the city. The temperature during this season ranges from 50 – 60°F (10 – 20°C), with occasional rain showers.

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

Japanese Yen or JPY, is the official currency of Japan.

If you need to change currency you will usually find a currency exchange counter at international airports. You may have to show your passport in order to be able to exchange money and a fee is usually associated. Best to change large amounts so you only pay the fee once.

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

One of the most convenient ways to get cash is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you have to pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network. Ask your bank if there are branches at your destination where you can avail of free cash withdrawals.

Credit Cards

Credit, debit and prepaid cards of international brands are generally accepted throughout the country.

Cash

Cash is the easiest and most reliable way to pay for inexpensive items in the smaller communities we will be visiting, but most shops will accept credit cards. Local artisans and craft shops may not have credit/debit machines. As well, cash is best for tipping your guides.

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

Hill Training.

The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Practice ‘backpacking’.

Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking every day, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.

Break in your hiking boots.

Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].