New York, NY -  May 15, Walk Japan, the pioneer of off-the-beaten-track walking tours has unveiled its Kyoto: Mountains to the Sea tour. The new tour ventures beyond Kyoto City, inviting travelers to explore the little-visited but beautiful Kyoto Prefecture. Each of Walk Japan's itineraries are journeys rich with culture, and their new itinerary guides guests though the rural hinterland of Japan's ancient capital.

The fully guided, eight-day tour ventures through Kyoto's backcountry. The bucolic rural region juxtaposes the well-known hustle and bustle of its famed urban landscape. The peaceful countryside gives travelers a slower slice of life—time slows down and is measured by the seasons, where visitors to Japan tend to overlook as they opt for the fast-paced metropolis.

A new side of Japan, the tour follows ancient trails that were once vital for trade and communication, weaving through valleys and over high passes until it concludes on Amonohashidate on the coast of the Sea of Japan. Passing through little-known villages, aside historic temples and shrines, ending their days indulging in the country's famous delicacies at their source.

Friendly hosts provide mouth-watering meals composed of locally-sourced produce and seafood from the prefecture's breadbasket, such as Miyama ayu sweetfish, Tanba buri yellowtail, and saba mackerel, highly celebrated staples celebrated in Kyoto City's high class cuisine.

Following ancient paths, some only known by locals, guests are guided along by the tales of old, from battles and curses to goddesses and warriors. With departures as soon as October, interested travelers can follow Walk Japan to not only witness--but immerse themselves in--another side of Kyoto. Appropriate for those who lead an active lifestyle, prices begin at $2800 per person.

Images can be found here. More information on Walk Japan can be found here.

About Walk Japan:

Established in 1992, Walk Japan is an independently owned and managed walking tour company that enlightens and enriches its guests on walking tours through many less-travelled regions of Japan from Hokkaido in the nation's far north to Okinawa in its far south. Walk Japan's pioneering tours evolved from study trips run by two Hong Kong University academics and since then, Walk Japan's Tour Leaders have guided many tens of thousands of people from around the world through Japan's natural beauty, history, society and culture that is otherwise often difficult to access and fully appreciate.