This morning, we're running in Tokyo at Odaiba Park, part of a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. The name of this island comes from the Japanese word daiba which means "fort," and islands like this one were built in the late Edo Period to protect Tokyo from possible attacks. 

After our run, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before putting on our life jackets and heading out for an exciting rafting adventure - get ready, you might get wet! Once we’ve dried off, we’ll change into fresh clothes and hop on the bus to Kawaguchiko. Feel free to relax and take a nap during the ride. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel to unwind and recharge before dinner.

We’ll scale a hill and reach a plateau in the forest before flying downhill on the trail toward the finish. The trail may challenge you with its uneven terrain and elevation gain, but take it easy, enjoy the views, and get ready for a thrilling downhill ride! Let’s hope Mount Fuji decides to peek through the clouds, giving us a stunning view of this iconic volcano.

After lunch, we’ll head to Hakone for an afternoon of activities. Upon arrival, we’ll dive into a traditional Japanese woodworking experience, focusing on Yosegi-zaiku, a craft that originated during the Edo period. In this intricate art form, woodworkers use different wood grains and textures to create beautiful, mosaic-like designs.

Dinner will be in Hakone, and don’t forget to try on your yukata for dinner and to experience a traditional onsen - it’s a must!

Rise and shine! We've got an early morning, but you can snag a few minutes of shut-eye on the ride to our run at Ashinoko.

After the run, we’ll enjoy lunch before visiting the historic Hakone Shrine. From there, we’ll make our way to the grounds of Odawara Castle, taking time to explore this beautiful site. Later, we’ll check in to our hotel and unwind over a relaxing group dinner.

After back-to-back days of challenging runs, we’re taking it easy today. Get ready to board the bullet train to Kyoto! Your one-way ticket for the ride is included as part of your registration. Feel free to travel like a local and enjoy a delicious bento box during the journey.

Upon arriving in Kyoto, we’ll take a bus to the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of red gates line the pathways, casting a warm glow on our journey. After exploring, we’ll head to our hotel, where you’ll have about an hour to decompress and relax before dinner. As a group, we’ll enjoy a hearty meal at Tonshabu Torataro.

Today we'll shift gears from the modern technology of the train to the tranquility of bamboo forests as we run through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Get your cameras ready for the uniquely lush greenery and enjoy the morning running through this new landscape.

Afterward, the rest of the day is yours to explore! There are a multitude of cultural experiences like a Japanese tea ceremony, a chance to try on traditional Kimonos, shrine and temple tours (there are over 1,600 in Kyoto!), and more! Book these well in advance, as they fill up over a month out.

You'll be eating lunch and dinner of your own choosing today. This is a great opportunity to enjoy sushi, ramen, or stop by an izakaya, or Japanese pub, for a local beer and yakiniku (grilled meats).

This morning, we head out for a brief ride to the small city of Nara. When we arrive, we'll enjoy a park run which ends near Todaiji Temple and one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha. 

Nara is known for its deer and we'll have a chance to meet and feed these cute little guys in Nara Park. With over 1,000 deer in the city they have become a symbol of the city and are a designated national treasure. We'll end our time here with a picnic lunch before we depart for Osaka. In Osaka, we'll enjoy Japanese barbecue (yakiniku) to sample classic grilled meats!

We’ll finish the last run at Mount Minoo which offers sweeping views of Osaka city. After lunch, we will have free time to visit majestic Osaka Castle grounds and learn about the important role the castle played in uniting Japan in the sixteenth century.

Lunch follows our visit and then the rest of the day is yours to explore the area! Try takyoaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki for some local favorites. We will reconvene for our farewell dinner as we reflect on a week of joyful memories!

All good things must come to an end. You’re free to move on to your next adventure anytime on Sunday, whether that’s a flight back home or carrying on for more travel. Breakfast is included at the hotel today.

Though this trip finishes in Osaka, we recommend flying out from Tokyo. You can reach Tokyo from Osaka via a short domestic flight from Itami Airport (ITM) or a 3-hour trip on the bullet train.