Follow us on a road trip 
around Japan’s largest peninsula 
. Connect with nature 
, learn and taste regional produce 
, hike a pilgrimage trail 
, soak in onsens 
. We’ll share campfire stories 
, and show you our favourite spots 
.
Easy, just follow our lead!
We’re Tobi and Kai, a couple from Singapore living in Kii Peninsula, Japan. A few times a year, we host small self-drive trips for a deeper, more personal way to experience rural Japan. We’ll lead the way convoy-style, show you around and share some of our favourite places.
Experience highlights
Immerse in what the seasons bring
Take in the beauty of wild landscapes
Step into Japan’s spiritual heartland
Relish in the best of the region’s offerings
Enjoy a meal surrounded by nature
Unwind with a soak in the area’s hot springs
Immerse in what the seasons bring
Take in the beauty of wild landscapes
Step into Japan’s spiritual heartland
Relish in the best of the region’s offerings
Enjoy a meal surrounded by nature
Unwind with a soak in the area’s hot springs
Immerse in what the seasons bring
Take in the beauty of wild landscapes
Step into Japan’s spiritual heartland
Relish in the best of the region’s offerings
Enjoy a meal surrounded by nature
Unwind with a soak in the area’s hot springs
Immerse in what the seasons bring
Take in the beauty of wild landscapes
Step into Japan’s spiritual heartland
Relish in the best of the region’s offerings
Enjoy a meal surrounded by nature
Unwind with a soak in the area’s hot springs
Sample itinerary
Here’s a taste of what your trip might look like. Experiences are shaped around your preferences and vary with seasons.
Meet at Wakayama City with rental car
Day 1
Into the mountains
From the city, we head into the mountains, stopping in small towns along the way for a gentle introduction to the region. End the day at a peaceful countryside retreat.
🏘️ Small towns | 🍊 Local produce | 🏞️ Mountain roads
Day 2
The countryside
Start with a visit to a farmhouse run by a friend of ours. From glistening rivers and quaint shops to cedar forests surrounding the villages, we’ll get a taste of life in rural Wakayama.
🐐 Farm experience | 🌲 Big nature | 🍵 Slow village life
Day 3
Wild waters & campfire night
Cruise through dramatic gorge country and immerse in the tranquility. In the evening, enjoy an outdoor meal with fresh local produce that you picked out, and sleep under the stars (or close enough).
🛶 Scenic boat ride | 🥬 Shop local | 🏕️ Outdoor meal & stay
Day 4
Waterfalls & ocean breezes
Visit an iconic waterfall temple before following the coast along the Pacific. Taste seafood straight from the source, then wind down in a laid-back coastal town.
💦 Nachi Falls | 🍱 Local delicacies | 🚘 Coastal drive
Day 5
Farewell views
Wake up to the easy rhythm of a resort town, then end the journey by the crashing waves.
🌴 Resort town | 🌊 Ocean views
End at Shirahama
Pricing and inclusions
Our 5D4N signature tour is a hosted self-drive trip that is fully private and personalised.
Group size |
Price per pax |
|---|---|
| 2 guests | SGD 3,080 |
| 3 guests | SGD 2,750 |
| 4 guests | SGD 2,530 |
| 5 guests | SGD 2,380 |
| 6 – 8 guests | SGD 2,280 |
Group size |
Price per pax |
|---|---|
| 2 guests | USD 2,440 |
| 3 guests | USD 2,180 |
| 4 guests | USD 2,000 |
| 5 guests | USD 1,890 |
| 6 – 8 guests | USD 1,810 |
For solo travellers and families with children ≤6 years old, enquire for a quotation.
Comfortable stays
Spend four cosy nights in hotels, ryokans (hot spring inns) and guesthouses curated by us. No budget or backpacker-style accommodation here.
See examples
All meals
Enjoy sumptuous Japanese meals, prepared and served at local stays and restaurants. We’ll also ensure fresh ingredients ready for your outdoor meals or camp nights.
Outdoor equipment
From cookware to furniture, we’ve got all the gear covered to enjoy a good meal outdoors. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even spend a night under the stars.
Hosted experiences
We’ll be the lead car navigating the villages, the storytellers bringing shrines and trails to life, and the outdoor teachers as we set up our equipment.
Car rental
We partner with a reputable car rental company to arrange your rental with comprehensive insurance coverage, should you wish to extend your road trip beyond our tour.
Train reservation
Need help getting to your starting point, or continuing your journey? We can assist with train reservations connecting you to major cities and airports.
Trip video
Stay in the moment and leave the filming to us. We’ll capture your journey, and put together a video you can revisit down the road.
Watch examples
No forced shopping stops. No awkward tipping expectations. Just a good journey. A few things aren’t included:
Flight
Visa fees if any
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Petrol
Activities outside of itinerary
Personal expenses (Shopping, snacks, etc)
When to go
2027 availability
Season
Spring
Inland mountains
1°C to 9°C
Coastal areas
7°C to 14°C
Rainfall
155mm
Transitioning to spring. Days grow longer, forests begin to stir. Early cherry blossoms may appear near the coast and in orchard groves. A calm, refreshing time to explore without many people.
Season
Spring
Inland mountains
5°C to 14°C
Coastal areas
12°C to 19°C
Rainfall
190mm
Mild, dry, and fresh. Cherry blossoms hit full bloom across the region: around shrines, waterfalls, and temple towns. Perfect weather for camping, picnics, or simply walking through nature. Chance to catch the traditional Kumano Hongu Taisha Festival in mid-April.
Season
Spring
Inland mountains
10°C to 18°C
Coastal areas
16°C to 23°C
Rainfall
240mm
Sunny and lively, with greenery everywhere. Occasional showers may occur toward the end of the month. Golden Week (first week of May) draws domestic crowds. Otherwise peaceful trails, peak flowering season, and great weather for the outdoors.
Season
Autumn
Inland mountains
9°C to 17°C
Coastal areas
16°C to 23°C
Rainfall
210mm
Cool, crisp, and dry. Fall foliage begins in higher elevations in the mountains. Forests are vibrant and skies are clear. Perfect for long walks, scenic drives, and outdoor activities.
Season
Autumn
Inland mountains
3°C to 11°C
Coastal areas
10°C to 17°C
Rainfall
170mm
Peak autumn colour in the mountains and valleys. The air is cool and fresh. It’s an ideal time for any kind of outdoor activity, with fewer bugs and stunning views.
Season
Winter
Inland mountains
-1°C to 6°C
Coastal areas
5°C to 12°C
Rainfall
120mm
Chilly inland, mild on the coast. A peaceful and spiritual time to explore. Light snow may dust the higher mountains, but nothing deep. Excellent for onsen stays, winter walks, and visits to sacred sites.
A trip to remember years down the road.
Follow us on socials
100%
of our guests left happy
Why follow the frogs
We know where
We live here. Think of us as your friends showing you around.
Arrangements sorted
Sit back while we take care of the details during your trip.
Tailored experiences
We handpick activities according to season and your preferences.
Share your dates, group size, and what you’re into (or not).
Let’s chat
We’ll design your personalised journey, and walk you through it via a call.
Lock it in
A 50% deposit confirms your tour.
Leave the groundwork to us
We’ll arrange your stays and experiences according to the proposal.
Get ready to go
Settle the balance 30 days before departure. We’ll send you everything you need.
Follow the frogs!
Turn up, pick up your keys and we’ll lead the way!
We’ll advise you on the best way to get to us based on your travel plans. But to give you a rough idea on where on earth this part of Japan is, here are estimated journey times from some familiar starting points to Wakayama City (the meeting point in our sample itinerary).
Nearest airport
🚆 Kansai International Airport (KIX): 50 min
Nearest cities
🚆 Osaka: 1h 10min
🚆 Kyoto: 1h 30min
🚆 Nara: 2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
You drive your own rental car while we lead the way in ours. We’ll travel convoy-style, so all you have to do is follow us, enjoy the views while having the freedom of your own car.
Our hosted signature tour covers the accommodation, meals and experiences included in the proposed itinerary. Every detail is thoughtfully planned around your preferences, so you can simply relax and follow our lead! For a full breakdown, please refer to the pricing and inclusions section.
If you can’t drive, grab a friend who loves driving and make them the designated driver! If neither of you drives, take a look at our self-guided journeys accessible by public transport, or get in touch about a bespoke trip.
At the moment, we only offer hosted trips within the Kii Peninsula. It’s our home turf, and there’s more than enough here to discover! That said, we’re constantly exploring, and if you have somewhere else in mind, get in touch and we’ll let you know if we can bring your journey to life.
We believe 5 days 4 nights is the sweet spot to show you around the Kii Peninsula, with ample time to experience both the coast and the mountains. If you’d prefer a different trip length, talk to us to kickstart a bespoke trip tailored just for you.
More Japan waiting
Our hosted tour isn’t the only way to follow the frogs. Explore independently with one of our curated journeys, or let us create something different for you.
Your journey, your way
Looking for something beyond our curated journeys? We can create something completely bespoke for you.
Your journey, your way
Looking for something beyond our curated journeys? We can create something completely bespoke for you.
