Japan's newest highspeed 'bullet train' began service on March 16th in the Hokuriku region, on the west coast of the country and plays a key part in the latest Self-Guided Hidden Zen cultural adventure, from InsideJapan Tours.

The new Hokuriku shinkansen line runs between the samurai-city of Kanazawa to the port city of Tsuruga, with the 'Hidden Zen' journey using the route with stays in the traditional hot spring villages of Kaga Onsen and a new temple lodging at the Eiheiji temple complex in Fukui.

The trip includes a range of independently owned accommodation and experiences across the country from Tokyo to the seaside temple-town of Kamakura, Kyoto and rural Toyama. 

“The Hidden Zen itinerary is an exciting addition to InsideJapan's Self-Guided cultural adventures, helping travellers get beneath the surface of Japan,” says Kate Samuel, Senior Product Manager of Tailormade Experiences at InsideJapan Tours.

“The new bullet train line opens up some of these incredible places along Japan's less-visited West Coast. Whilst still visiting key sights such as Tokyo and Kyoto, this trip aims to offer travellers a quieter side of Japan, including the hot spring towns of Kaga Onsen and the ancient temples of Fukui and rural Toyama sitting just north of the line.”

Over the course of 14 nights, the 'Hidden Zen' stays in eight different accommodations, ranging from independent hotels, an historic machiya townhouse, shukubo temple lodgings, a traditional ryokan and a luxury converted farmhouse. Each lodging site is an authentic cultural experience in its own right, and each property Japanese owned and operated.

“By focusing on locally owned accommodations and engagement with rural communities as we do with many of our trips, the 'Hidden Zen' itinerary gives a great sense of what makes this country and culture so special” commented Samuel, 

“The cultural adventure travels along coastal Japan via rice paddies and mountains and includes an array of experiences such as home cooking classes, meeting local crafts people, traditional kaiseki dining, onsen hot spring bathing and not forgetting a riding on the sleek new Shinkansen train”. 

The 'Hidden Zen' trip supports a region and people that, despite a lack of damage, has suffered from a lack of tourism since the 2024 New Years Day earthquake. 

“As the leading specialist in travel to Japan, it is not unusual for us to create trips that take in incredible but relatively unknown places, but given the timing, this trip is special, and the region is ready to welcome visitors with open arms” added Samuel. 

The Hidden Zen Self-Guided adventure cost from £6,030pp and includes 14-nights' accommodation, transport across Japan, some private guiding, a range of cultural experiences and more. InsideJapan can tailor travel to suit timeframes, interests and budgets. 

Hidden Zen Overview
• Days 1-3: Travelers begin their Hidden Zen Japan journey under the neon glow of Tokyo's Shinjuku district with skyline views from the Hotel Groove in the heart of Shinjuku's Kabukicho. The trip includes private guiding and tickets for one of the best digital art exhibitions in the world at teamLab.

• Days 4-7: The trip heads to the ancient capital of Kamakura which has more of a small coastal town feel yet is full of important temples a giant Buddha and bamboo forests. Departing Kamakura, travellers head to Kyoto and exploration of some of the more hidden city highlights.

• Day 8: Board the Hokuriku shinkansen bullet train bound for Fukui, before venturing to the outer reaches of the city to discover the impressive 13th century temple complex of Eiheiji. Staying at the Hakujukan 'Zen Village' is a chance to experience Zen meditation and witness early morning prayers, adding to the atmosphere of the visit. 

• Day 9: Head on the shinkansen line to Kaga Onsen, serving as the entry point to a cluster of small onsen hot spring towns such as Yamanaka Onsen and Yamashiro Onsen, with a traditional ryokan stay, locally sourced kaiseki dining and the opportunity to soak in the onsen hot spring baths. 

• Days 10-11: The end of the line is Kanazawa, renowned for some of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, samurai districts and even Geisha. A stay in a traditional machiya townhouse in one of the city's backstreets gives a more immersive local experience.

• Days 12-13: Leaving behind the urban landscape, travelers embark on rural journey into Toyama with a stay at the Rakudo-an - a meticulously restored 120-year-old farmhouse transformed into a boutique inn with just three guest rooms, surrounded by rice paddies. Guests have the opportunity to engage with crafts people and explore the area with the local community.

• Days 14-15: Travel back to Tokyo aboard the bullet train's 'Gran' first class carriage before a final stay in the Tokyo district of Asakusa.


ENDS 

More About Inside Travel Group | B Corp™:

Inside Travel Group is an award-winning specialist tour operator with travel brands, InsideJapan and InsideAsia. Founded in 2000, InsideJapan is the leading Japan travel specialist offering 'Insider' escorted Small Group Tours, tailored Self-Guided cultural adventures and bespoke luxury Exclusive Private Journeys. The Japan specialist has its own operations teams in Japan setting it apart from other tour operators and allowing it to create unique cultural experiences and adventures. InsideAsia offers fully tailored cultural adventures across South Korea and Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Hong Kong and Singapore. Both brands aim to get travellers 'beneath the surface' of each country and culture with responsible tourism at the heart of everything it does.