Discover Japan's most historic towns and villages on this tour that takes you deep into rural Honshu, and across the Japanese Alps. After some time in the old district of Tokyo take the bullet train to the 16th century city of Kanazawa, known for its fine Japanese garden and Samurai districts. Continue to an isolated hamlet in the Hida Mountains for an overnight stay in a traditional thatched farmhouse, and explore Takayama, a wealthy trading town during the Edo Period that attracted many gifted craftsmen. Traverse the Japanese Alps to the castle town of Matsumoto, and enjoy the spectacular walk between two post towns on the old Nakasendo highway in the Kiso Valley. The tour finishes in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, to explore many of the country's most treasured heritage sites.