Discover Historic Narita and Sawara : Gateway to Japan’s Past

Step out of Tokyo and step back in time to ’Little Edo’. A slice of old Japan filled with history, impressive architecture and authentic experiences. Narita and Sawara are a must visit for those truly seeking to expand their Japan horizons and step off the usual tourist trails found in Tokyo. With both places being based in Chiba prefecture, Narita and Sawara are fantastic places to visit for those staying in Narita either after or before their flights from nearby Narita Airport, those with a short layover in Tokyo or simply for those seeking adventure to see a different side of Japan!

Narita and Sawara can be likened to their more well known sister Kawagoe in Saitama prefecture which retains much of the same Edo period charm and atmosphere. Visitors can easily spend a few hours in both places to experience a slower pace and more local flare with beautiful temples, quaint shops and houses, local museums and beautiful landmarks.

With your tour guide you will have the opportunity to learn all about Narita and Sawara’s interesting past and significance by walking through their historical districts lined with beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the Edo period up to the Showa period, visit a local temple in Narita full of history, take a wonderful boat cruise on the beautiful Sawara Ono River, and visit Sawara’s Matsuri Festival museum to learn about its historical festival. This is the perfect opportunity to get out of Tokyo and experience a different side to Japan!

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Walk in and around Narita’s most famous and historic temple!
  
• Enjoy seeing beautifully preserved and Centuries old Edo period buildings!

• Take a traditional river cruise down the historic Ono River!
  
• The opportunity to learn about Sawara’s sacred and local festival, and see some of the floats up close!

• Get out of Tokyo and visit Chiba prefecture to see a different side to Japan!

DESCRIPTION

The tour will begin at 10:15am inside of Narita train station where you will meet your tour guide. You will come out of the ticket gates and directly in front of you meet just outside of the TOKYO BASE restaurant next to the lockers. Once everybody has arrived, you will officially start the tour! You will make your way to your first destination of the beautifully preserved and historic town of Sawara. To do this, we will take the local train from Narita station to Sawara station for 30 minutes.

Once we arrive into Sawara, you will take a short walk to reach your first destination, Sawara’s historical district! This small but highly significant area is famous for its beautifully and carefully preserved buildings dating as far back as the Edo period (1603 – 1868). It is extremely picturesque and steeped in history, and is a must when visiting Sawara! Out first destination in this area will be a traditional boat cruise on the historic and highly significant Ono River! Sawara developed as a key place for trade and commerce during the Edo period, and the tributary river that flows through the centre of the town became an important water way for people to travel and take goods up and down the town! During the boat cruise, you will pass under many of Sawara’s pretty bridges and see the historic architecture from a different perspective on the water. Here, your guide will showcase points of interest in the beautiful town so you can learn more about its past, architecture and residents!

After the cruise we will head to our next destination, Sawara’s Matsuri Float Museum which celebrates and showcases the cultural and sacred Japanese tradition of its festivals which are now recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Sawara’s festival is held every October on the streets of Sawara! Huge and elaborate floats are paraded around the streets in large processions as people sing, dance and play musical instruments. At the museum you will learn about the history of this festival which dates back to the Edo period, get up close to two of the floats used and see many artefacts relating to the festival. Enjoy learning about this cultural tradition before we then depart on the train back to Narita station where the tour will conclude.

Next, you can enjoy a break and some free time for 45 minutes to explore the historic district in more depth! You can get something to eat or simply enjoy Sawara at your own pace by exploring the cafes, shops and soak up the local atmosphere. There are some great sweet treats and local Sake breweries where you can try award winning Sake famous in Chiba prefecture! If you wish, your guide can stay with you during this time.

After your free time, it is now time to depart from Sawara. We will take a short walk back to Sawara station where we will catch the 13:51 train and arrive back into Narita at 14:25. From Narita station, we will walk to the beautiful and historic Naritasan Temple. This vast complex is home to one of Narita’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temples. Established in the year 940 CE, it became a popular pilgrimage site and is now one of the most visited temples in Japan. The complex is made up of stunning pagodas, worship halls, a serene park and Calligraphy museum.

We will now depart the temple complex and make our way back towards Narita station. Our route includes walking along the picturesque and equally historic Narita Omote-sando street. This long street leads on directly from the temple, and is lined with an array of wonderful shops, cafes and eateries selling street food, souvenirs and local crafts! This is the perfect final stop for any last minute shopping if you have a flight to catch in the night or the next day! Once we have finished exploring Narita Omotesando, the tour will then conclude back at Narita station.

MEETUP POINT

Inside of Narita Station by the Tokyo Base Restaurant @ 10:20am

You will meet your tour guide outside of the Tokyo Base restaurant which is located inside of Narita station directly in front of the ticket gates. Please look out for the tour guide with a ’Snow Monkey Resorts’ tag. Once everybody has met we will begin the tour.

NOTES

Included

• Train ticket for round trip from Narita to Sawara
  
• Ono River Boat Cruise

• Admission fees for Sawarai Matsui Float Museum

• Local English speaking guide 

Excluded

• Trains and transport before and after the tour

• Food and drink

OTHER INFORMATION

• Please book this tour as far in advance as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements. It is advised you book this tour no later than 7 days in advance of your chosen tour date.

• Please note that timings may be subject to change depending on public transport conditions on the day of the tour.

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary. 

• There will be free time during the tour for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide on the day of the tour. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.

• There will be a break in Sawara for guests to have lunch if they wish, however we also recommend buying lunch items from a convenience store for a wider selection and due to the time sensitive schedule of the return train to Narita.

• Due to this being a walking tour, it is advised that you do not bring any luggage or large bags with you on the tour. It is advised that you check if your hotel can store your luggage for you until after the tour, or you store your luggage at lockers at a suitable location such as selected train stations with appropriate storage. For example, many stations in Tokyo will have lockers, especially the larger train stations such as Ikebukuro, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo.