SEARCH RESULTS: 2024
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa & Toyama: Tateyama Alpine Route Snow Wall and Mysterious Valley
The stunning Japanese Alps stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Japan with beautiful scenery throughout. In the Northern Alps in Toyama prefecture is the famous Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. This route stretches across a mountain range and goes over magnificent gorges, charming lakes and seemingly endless highlands. During the winter time this area is transformed into a white paradise, with snows walls that can stretch as high as 20 meters(60 feet). On this tour you will ride one of our company’s buses to get to the highest point, in Murodo, where you can walk along this snow wall and enjoy the other winter sights in the area. On […]
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
Deep in the mountains of Japan lies the quaint villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with their beautifully preserved gassho-style houses. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites, of which some of the buildings are over 250 years old, gives a glimpse into the ways of Japanese traditional farming communities. On the way from Kanazawa to those stunning sites, there are other historic towns such as the woodcarvers of Inami. Being far from the large cities of Tokyo and Osaka, enjoy walking through a town which continues its tradition of woodcarving to this day. On the shops, in the temples and on signs are beautiful examples of this living history. The entire region […]
1-Day Samurai Food & Life Tour: Oyaki, Samurai Residences, and Katana Practice
Experience a day in the life of a samurai, as this tour explores Nagano’s unique samurai past in historic town of Matsushiro, including visits to some of Japan’s best-preserved samurai residences and hands-on experiences cooking local specialty “oyaki” and katana practice at an Edo Period military school. All led by a locally-based guide, this engaging tour is available throughout the year and offers real insight through firsthand experience of Nagano’s samurai heritage Highlights Immerse yourself in the samurai life and create your own simple samurai lunch of various “oyaki” Discover Nagano’s hidden samurai enclave of Matsushiro – former stronghold of the legendary Sanada clan – and home to some of […]
Kanazawa Walking Tour: Experience Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Stars
The city of Kanazawa, with its beautiful gardens, historic districts and delicious local foods, is more than just the sights within it. Why not get hands-on experience with Japanese and local cultural activities while exploring some of the lesser visited areas. The area is famous for its traditional crafts such as gold leaf, Japanese sweets, pottery, kimono-making, etc. On this tour you can try out using gold leaf, making Japanese sweets and also getting a chance at throwing two different types of ninja stars. If you are someone who wants to dive deeper into the culture of the city while walking around the city, this is the tour for you. […]
1-Day Tour from Takayama: Hida’s Hidden Gems – Hida Folk Village, Limestone Caves and the Shinhotaka Ropeway
Embark on an enchanting exploration of the Hida region’s cultural and natural splendors with our ‘Hida Wonders: Folk Village, Limestone Caves, and Ropeway’ tour. Starting from Takayama, this full-day journey immerses you in breathtaking landscapes and rich heritage. Visit Hida no Sato, an open-air museum showcasing traditional architecture, explore the captivating depths of the Hida Great Limestone Cave, and ascend the Shinhotaka Ropeway for panoramic views of the Northern Japan Alps. This tour blends culture, adventure, and nature, providing an unforgettable experience in Japan’s great outdoors. This tour is sure to delight nature enthusiasts and those seeking an immersive experience in Japan’s stunning outdoor settings. The combination of exploring a […]
2-Day Tour: Tenryu River-Rafting, Local BBQ & Tea-Picking Experience inc. Hot Spring Hotel
This fun and engaging two-day tour takes you along the Tenryu River deep into the Tenryu Riverlands starting with river-rafting and barbeque dinner on the first day, followed by a traditional river boat and tea-picking on the second day in one of Nagano’s most scenic locations, the terraced tea fields of Nakaisamurai. All guided by a local guide and including accommodation a hot spring hotel overlooking Tenryu Gorge, this is one tour that is fun for all ages! Highlights Start your tour with the excitement with an afternoon of rafting on Tenryu River including the fun of white water and other activities led by a qualified instructor followed by a […]
(Special Event) 2-Day Tour: Tenryu River Rafting, Tea-Picking & Tokimata Fireworks Festival
Descending from high above in Japan’s South Alps, Tenryu River runs more than two hundred kilometres through the mountainous heart of the country – a river road all the way to the Pacific coast that forges the local identity and feeds the riverlands. This immersive two-day tour takes you on an exploration of the river in combination with its most popular summer festival, the Tokimata Fireworks including river-rafting on the first day followed by a traditional river boat and tea-picking on the second day in one of Nagano’s most scenic locations, the terraced tea fields of Nakaisamurai. All guided by a local guide and including accommodation a hot spring hotel […]
Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour with ‘Shukubo’ Stay
Designed to provide guests with an intimate yet entertaining understanding of Nagano’s near-1,400-year-old Zenkoji temple, this group tour combines a guided temple experience and a unique fire ceremony as well as a traditional tea ceremony, sampling of local dumplings, ‘sake’ tasting, and a unique stay at a traditional ‘shukubo’ (temple lodging). Highlights Enjoy an overnight stay at a historic ‘shukubo’ (temple lodging) inside Nagano’s near-1,400 year-old Zenkoji complex, including traditional vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Learn the mysterious yet captivating story about why Zenkoji Temple is one of my most important temples in Japan via a guided walking tour and even a ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony. Immerse yourself in a tea […]
(Spring Only) Private 1-Day Tour: Cherry Blossoms of Takato Castle Park
Blooming every spring, Japan’s fabled cherry blossoms are stunning to behold and at the top of many international visitor’s must-see lists. Starting from Nagano Station, this one-day only tour transports you to Takato Castle Park – heralded as one of the Top 3 blossom-viewing spots in all of Japan! Located on the ruins of Takato Castle, the park was first opened to the public in 1875 and now boasts an estimated 1500 cherry blossom trees – forecast to be in full bloom on the day of the tour. Also including a stop at Matsumoto Castle, a registered National Treasure, this completely private tour is a convenient and fun way to […]
