1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Embrace Rural Japan in the Kiso Valley and Magome

Escape to the mountains and enjoy a refreshing getaway through Japan’s picturesque Kiso Valley as you tour two historic villages on this day trip from Nagoya. Stroll down the streets of Magome-juku a post town on the Nakasendo trail, and enter Edo-era residences in Iwamura, a castle town once ruled by a powerful female samurai. Sip sake as you tour a 200-year-old brewery, and dine on a wide array of dishes at a farm-to-table buffet. Relax and recharge in the charming countryside villages of Central Japan as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide from Nagoya on this full-day tour.

Highlights

• Tour a castle town famous for its female samurai castle lord.
• Glimpse into the lives of Edo-era merchants and families in the Nakasendo post-town of Magome.
• Taste sake and tour a sake brewery.
• Enjoy a buffet lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant and shochu distillery 

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

Description

This tour will start at Nagoya Station at 8:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. You will have the opportunity to put your belongings in a coin locker or stow it on our tour bus if you feel the need.

Your guide will provide you with a brief history of the region and set the scene as we head through the picturesque Kiso Valley towards our first destination, Iwamura Castle Town.

Iwamura is a small well-preserved castle town located high in the Kiso Mountains. Though long gone, Iwamura Castle was once the highest mountain castle in all of Japan at 717m above sea level. However, the most fascinating thing about this town was that it was once ruled over by a female samurai lord. Your guide will share her unique story with you and why the locals still adore her to this day as you walk along the cobblestone paths through this quaint village.

You will then have the opportunity to tour Iwamura Sake Brewery. The brewery—which has been making sake for over 200 years—will provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and a sample of three types of sake. Non-alcoholic samples are available for children and those who do not drink alcohol—though we also highly recommend the handmade ice cream.

All the walking and sake tasting will probably make you hungry, so our next stop will be an all-you-can-eat buffet at a farm-to-table restaurant and shochu distillery. The restaurant started as a farm growing chicory (also known as endive) but grew to include a restaurant, gift shop, and distillery making alcohol from this unique vegetable. The buffet’s menu is highly seasonal, incredibly fresh, and vegetable-focused—but includes chicken and fish options as well. You will get a chance to taste many Japanese foods that are not often seen on other restaurant menus.

After lunch, we will make our way to the picturesque town of Magome-juku. Situated on a slope, this town offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery and features a main street lined with traditional wooden buildings. Even better, there are waterways on either side of the street, and the fast-running water powers multiple waterwheels.

Your guide will provide you with a tour of this charming town while allowing plenty of time for you to go off and explore on your own. Sample local delicacies or purchase some souvenirs to commemorate your trip. Of course, your guide will be on hand to take photos to make all your friends and family back home jealous of your time in Japan.

From here, we will return to the station via our tour bus and say our goodbyes there. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

NAGOYA STATION @ 8:00 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 8:00 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
• Buffet Lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant
• Sake tasting (non-alcoholic options available)
• Entry fees at all tour stops

Excluded

• Additional food/beverages
• 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.
• Guests must be 20 or older to drink alcohol.