Japan: Blossom Discovery Tour
Duration : 8 Days 7 Nights
Start Location: Hiroshima, Japan
We are updating this trip to be a week long trips on the Seto Sea. Details to follow soon!
Japan: Blossom Discovery Tour
Offering a unique window into the landscape, waters, history and culture of Japan, this premier Japan rowing test trip will be a unique and exclusive opportunity to experience rowing and culture in an exotic destination. Attendance is by invitation only.
It is the longest trip that Rowing The World has ever offered, spanning almost two weeks. As a test tour, we want to maximize the diversity of rowing locations and also experience thoroughly some of the most iconic sites and activities that Japan has to offer. This trip will offer an extensive team of cultural guides and translators every day, along with a large number of rowing guides in each location. We will be staying in a range of accommodation from luxury hotels, boutique hotels with distinctive charm, one night of glamping and a night at a traditional ryokan accommodation. The food will be spectacular, although quite a few meals are not included in the price in order to give you maximum flexibility. Transportation by private coach or bullet train is included, as we move amongst the top highlights of central Japan. The spring timing means that we will see lots of blossoms, including the famed cherry blossoms. As we are moving in a southwest to northeast direction, we may find that we are moving with the opening blossoms!
We believe that this is the first commercial rowing tour to take place in Japan. In 2011, the World Rowing Tour, run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, circumnavigated Lake Biwa. Most Japanese rowers have no idea that rowing travel exists. Extensive work has taken place on this Japan rowing tour to research potential locations, find local rowing partners, and lay the foundation of how a rowing tour works. We understand that the excitement is building among Japanese rowers. Local tourism groups are supportive as we introduce a new type of adventure travel, including to regions which are in the shadow of famous sites, yet have much to offer the curious traveller and rower. We may even make the news!
This trip has personal significance for Ruth. We are making a pilgrimage to Yokohama, where her great-grandfather is buried. Her grandfather was born here and was a rower! In a way, Ruth will be rowing into family on this trip, as described in her blog post. https://thethoughtfulrower.com/rowing-into-family-in-japan/ .
Trip Details
Japan| Price Type | USD | CAD | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| If 10 rowers | $ | $ | € |
| If 15 rowers | $ | $ | € |
| Daily Distances | Boats | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| 10-30 km/day | Primarily coastal boats – coxed quads. We might row a church boat in Yokohama! | 10 or 15 rowers |
Included
- 13 days/12 nights with 8 days of rowing
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners. Beverages and alcohol generally included
- Extensive cultural program.
- All transportation once on the tour, including minibuses, private coaches and bullet train
- Tour leader is Ruth Marr supported by the J-Team guides and translators and local rowing guides
- Spectacular accommodation ranging from five star luxury hotels to traditional Japanese-style inns off the beaten tourist track. At one night glamping, bathrooms are shared and single travellers will be asked to share a tent for the one night.