A Buddhist Pilgrimage Through Japan

Once you have completed the registration form, we will send you an email with the details for payment.

If you pay the full tour cost in a single instalment by 31 October 2026, you will receive a €100 discount per person. Otherwise, a deposit of 20% of the total tour cost is required at the time of registration to secure your place, with the remaining balance due in full by 31 December 2026.

Refund Policy

Full refund for cancellations made six weeks or more prior to the departure date. For cancellations made less than six weeks before departure, the following cancellation fees apply: cancellations between 4 and 6 weeks prior to departure incur a non-refundable fee of 30% of the total tour cost; cancellations between 3 and 4 weeks prior to departure incur a non-refundable fee of 60%; cancellations less than 3 weeks prior to departure are non-refundable in full.

Additional Costs

Please be aware that for any refund or cancellation, regardless of the period, bank fees and payment system charges incurred for both the original transaction and the refund process will be your responsibility and will be deducted from the refunded amount.

Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Japan. UK and EU citizens travelling for tourism do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. If you hold a different nationality, please check the entry requirements with the Japanese Embassy in your country well in advance of departure, as requirements vary.

This is an active pilgrimage with a good amount of walking — most days around 3 to 6 kilometres, often on temple grounds with paths, gravel and some stairs. A particular highlight is the peaceful walk along the cedar-lined approach to Okunoin at Mount Koya (about 2 km each way).

Nothing on this journey requires special training. Most travellers who enjoy a good walk and can comfortably manage stairs will find the pace very manageable, with plenty of stops along the way to look around, rest, and take it all in. During some temple visits and meditation sessions, such as Ajikan at Mount Koya, we will sit on the floor or on low cushions; if you find this uncomfortable, feel free to bring a small portable stool. If you have any questions about the pace of the trip, we're always happy to talk it through.

We travel through Japan in late winter and early spring. Expect cold, crisp weather throughout, with daytime temperatures generally between 5° and 13°C (41°–55°F) in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and noticeably colder mornings and evenings at Hakone and Mount Koya, where temperatures can approach freezing.

What to Pack

• Warm layers — thermal base layers, a fleece or jumper, and a proper winter coat
• Hat, scarf and gloves, especially for Hakone and Mount Koya
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes with good grip
• Easy slip-on shoes — many temples require you to remove your shoes before entering
• A few pairs of clean socks without holes (you'll be walking around temples in them often!)
• A small day bag for daily outings
• Modest, comfortable clothing for temple visits and meditation sessions
• A reusable water bottle
• A UK-to-Japan plug adapter (Japan uses Type A/B plugs, 100V)
• Any personal medication, in its original packaging, with a copy of your prescription

Don't worry too much if you forget something — Japan is a wonderful place to shop, and you'll find pretty much anything you might need along the way, from convenience stores on every corner to department stores in every city we visit.

No vaccinations are currently required for entry into Japan. We recommend being up to date with your routine vaccinations, and it is worth discussing a seasonal flu vaccine with your GP or a travel health clinic before a winter journey. Please consult your doctor or a travel health professional for advice tailored to your individual health needs.

We suggest that all participants take out comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation, for the full duration of the trip. While this is not obligatory, we strongly encourage you to arrange cover before departure, and to send us your policy details once you have purchased it.

Below are a few well-regarded providers to start your search; please compare cover carefully, particularly if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, as what suits one traveller may not suit another.

• True Traveller — a UK-based specialist popular for its flexibility around pre-existing medical conditions
• Staysure — UK-based, well suited to older travellers, with no upper age limit
• World Nomads — widely used internationally, with straightforward online quotes