1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Samurai Swords and Japan's Oldest Castle

Embark on a captivating tour from Nagoya to explore the oldest castle in Japan, a National Treasure teahouse, a “city of swords,” and the charms of Central Japan. Learn about the craftsmanship involved in creating a samurai sword. Meet a bladesmith and learn how to properly sharpen a kitchen knife. Stroll along the streets of Inuyama where you can indulge a wide array of street food and find locally crafted souvenirs. Discover the well-preserved Inuyama Castle—a National Treasure and historically significant stronghold of the Oda clan. Wish for good fortune in a shrine legend to grant wishes. Sip matcha tea in a garden designed by one of Japan’s pioneers of tea ceremony. Journey to Central Japan and experience its pristine rivers, skilled craftsmen, and historic towns as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide on this full-day tour from Nagoya.

Highlights

• View Japan’s oldest castle, Inuyama Castle, and one of only five castles to be designated the status of “National Treasure.” 
• Learn about the techniques behind crafting a Japanese sword, then test your own skills in sharpening a Japanese kitchen knife.
• Taste matcha and Japanese sweets and learn about the art of the tea ceremony in a tranquil Japanese garden.

*For those looking to join the tour from Tokyo, please see the FAQ Section.

Description

This tour will start at Nagoya Station at 9:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. We will then board our private bus towards our first location. Guests who wish to will be able to store their luggage on our tour bus at this time.

We will make our way to Japan’s “city of swords,” Seki. This blacksmithing town was known among samurai warriors as a place that creates blades that “never break or bend and are incredibly sharp.”

Regarded as one of the world’s three major cutlery centers (along with Solingen in Germany and Sheffield in the UK), the city is still home to ​​around 100 blade manufacturers, and 10 active swordsmiths. 

Our first stop in Seki will be at a shrine dedicated to blacksmithing before heading into the Seki Swordsmith Museum where you will learn about the process of crafting a sword from start to finish. You will also have a chance to view a wide range of swords and knives made in the region, some dating back to the Kamakura period.

After learning about the skills necessary to craft a Japanese sword, you will be able to test your own skills in a hands-on experience in the Gifu Cutlery Hall. A master craftsman will instruct you in the final part of the blade-making process, sharpening. Learn how to sharpen a knife properly, then tour the showroom with over 2,000 knives and locally made goods, or shop for a Japanese kitchen knife of your own.

We will then continue our journey to the castle town of Inuyama. The town remains much the same as it did during the Edo era. With its moderate size, the town is a perfect place to take a stroll and explore the hidden alleys and traditional architecture. 

This is also the perfect time for us to stop for lunch, as the town is also a foodie’s paradise. From wagyu to cheesecake and everything in between, the town boasts many street vendors and restaurants selling almost anything you can imagine on a skewer. We recommend some local favorites such as “Dengaku”—a miso glazed roasted tofu, or the “Gohei-mochi”—rice cake coated with a sweet and sour sauce.

After lunch, your guide will lead you through Inuyama Castle—the oldest existing wooden keep in Japan. Founded in 1537, it is also the only one of the five castles designated the status of “National Treasure” where you can venture out onto the cornice and observe a beautiful 360-degree view of the surroundings.

Overlooking the Kiso River, the surrounding view of the castle changes dramatically with the seasons. Of course, your guide will be on hand to help you take photos that will make your friends and family envious.

We will also make a stop at Sanko Inari Shrine. While the shrine specializes in romance, peaceful households, and harmonious marriages, there is also a legend of a wish-granting stone here. So be sure to bring along plenty of wishes!

It’s impressive enough for a town to have one National Treasure, but Inuyama boasts a second national treasure, the tea house at Uraku-en. The garden grounds are a sight to behold on their own, but the truly unique feature is the 400-year-old tea house designed by a master of tea ceremony.

Your guide will inform you about the art of the tea ceremony as you sip Matcha tea and enjoy a traditional Japanese sweet in this peaceful setting. 

Your guide will then accompany you back to the tour bus to start the drive back towards Nagoya, or you can elect to continue your journey to Takayama. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

NAGOYA STATION @ 9:00 A.M.

The meetup point is at the base of the SILVER clock tower outside of the Shinkansen gates. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the clock tower should be located directly in front of you as you exit the gate.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

For those coming from outside the station, you will most likely be entering through the Sakura-Dori gate (the side with the gold clock). In this case, please walk straight through the station towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Nagoya station can be quite crowded. 

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Transportation during the tour
• Entry fee at Inuyama Castle
• Entry fee at Seki Swordsmith Museum
• Entry fee at Uraku Garden
• Matcha Experience
• Knife Sharpening Experience

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to/from Nagoya Station

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking 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 raincoat if necessary.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 35 °C (95 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol is highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures in Nagoya average between 0℃-10℃ (32°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions.
• There will be free time along the way for guests to purchase souvenirs to remember their trip.