Experiences

Beat the sweltering heat and humidity of summer with this invigorating, thrilling, and wildly popular seasonal activity! Breathe in the fresh air and wade upstream through the refreshingly cool and clear running waters of the Kijiya Valley in the Nyukawa River with an accompanying guide in this shower climbing course in Takayama, Japan's largest city by area - 90% of which consists of forests filled with nature's abundance. Elementary school children of 100cm or taller in height can also join! This course includes transportation between Kijiya Valley and Takayama, as well as rental wetsuits. Bask in the wonders of the great outdoors as you soak in the waters and enjoy summer to your heart's content.

Embark on a special journey along the Nakasendo Trail (also known as the Samurai Trail for its regular use by Shogun rulers traveling with samurai guards) tailor-made just for you. From giant working waterwheels, to traditional wooden townscapes of post towns dotted with radiant seasonal flowers, to cobbled stone pavements surrounded by massive centuries-old cedar trees, step back in time on a path filled with history, culture, and nature with great ease, traveling on foot and by car as a knowledgeable accompanying guide takes you far beyond the pages of a travelogue. The high degree of flexibility available on this tour means that you are free to adjust the length of the schedule within a range of 5.5 hours to 8.5 hours to your liking. Whether you prefer to take time to slowly soak in the Edo atmosphere, or cut through different areas at a quicker pace - the choice is yours. You can even customize the direction of the course to fit the rest of your Japan travel plans. Walk the Samurai Trail, your way. 

Nestled in the mountainous outskirts of Gero in Northern Gifu, lies one of Japan's most beautiful villages - the idyllic Maze (pronounced mah-zay) Village. Hop on an e-bike for a leisurely ride and take in its gorgeous sights of nature in abundance from stunning, soaring mountains, lush green forests, and the crystal clear waters of the Maze River, one of the top 100 waters of the Heisei Era. Stop for a break amidst the grand outdoors as you enjoy a delicious meal put together from the freshest of local ingredients, fruits of life lived in deep connection with the surrounding natural environment. The wondrous view of the satoyama landscape - areas where foothills and farmlands overlap, and the rustic charm of Maze await! Pickup and dropoff from JR Gero or Hagiwara Stations also included in this tour.

Harvest tea leaves and stroll through the lush, verdant tea fields of the Kamigare Tea Plantation in Kasuga Village, Ibigawa Town, a little-known region dubbed "Gifu's Machu Picchu". Take home tea leaves with a gentle, sweet aroma ready for brewing, as souvenirs after completing your tea plucking activity (please note that due to time constraints the tea leaves you will be bringing home are different to the ones from your harvest). Next, head to Kegon-ji Temple, a destination Japan’s oldest pilgrimage with around 1,300 years of history, and said to grant spiritual gains. Try out "kaidan meguri" (the practice of going down to the basement of the main hall of the temple to search for a lock in complete darkness) for yourself! For lunch, look forward to a delicious and wholesome meal made from Ibi medicinal herbs cultivated at the foot of Mount Ibuki from days of old and local Mino vegetables  - fresh produce proudly grown in Gifu Prefecture. 

Savor the lush greenery of Gifu's grand outdoors as you e-bike the approximately 90km course from Takayama City to Gujo Hachiman. There's also a chance of meeting the local wildlife on your way too! This course is recommended for those staying overnight in Takayama City and are planning to travel southwards the day after. Luggage will be delivered separately to your destination. 

Uncover the multifaceted beauty of Gujo-Hachiman in this e-bike cycling tour that starts and ends at Gujo-Hachiman Station. Spend the morning surrounded by nature's wonders, before moving on to the satoyama (areas where foothills and farmlands overlap), catching a glimpse into the idyllic life of the locals spent in the Japanese countryside. Pass mountainstreams of pristine clarity, and in the noontime, the historical castle town of Gujo-Hachiman. There will be opportunities to enjoy times of serenity in the traditional Japanese garden of Jionzenji Temple, and teatime to look forward to!The course distance is about 30km.

Set forth on a thrilling e-bike adventure highlighting the very best of North Gifu's nature and tradition. Race towards the headwaters of the Miyagawa River and discover not only this fountainhead of Takayama, but also the regional way of life that preserves it. Cycle through endless panoramas of rural landscapes in Hida, with local trains running by the Japanese satoyama (areas where foothills and farmlands overlap), unchanged from its past. Look forward to cycling through rows of cherry trees decked out in vibrant pink blossoms in spring, lush greenery and swimming through crystal clear waters in summer, vivid leaves of red and gold in autumn - there's so much natural beauty to take in no matter the season. Savor local sweets and tea over a break along the way. Exclusive to this course - enjoy a delicious lunch of homemade soba (buckwheat noodles) at a local restaurant with a picturesque garden.​

Grab an e-bike and ride into a refreshing and exhilarating exploration of Japan's satoyama (areas where foothills and farmlands overlap) and the roots of its thriving. Swing by wellsprings before enjoying a delectable lunch of Hoba-zushi, a local Hida cuisine, at Sakurano Park. The blossoms of the approximately 300 cherry trees are especially magnificent in spring. Next is Ankoku-ji Temple (northern Gifu’s only national treasure, a storehouse preserving ancient Buddhist scriptures), having tea at a traditional Japanese house, then taking in the vistas along the Araki River while cycling. The rare opportunity of spending time to chat with and connect with the locals will surely be a memorable part of your journey. A part of the fee from this course will be donated to the communities overseeing the conservation of the local culture heritage. 

Wander into the winter wonderland wilderness of Hida Takayama through this private trekking tour in snowshoes, with the great Hida Choshi Falls (named after its likeness, a choshi - sake bottle) in its semifrozen state, as a journey highlight. Once you've arrived at this magnificent, frosty sight, savor the hand-dripped gourmet coffee and tasty baked goodies personally prepared for you by a professional barista. You will be accompanied by a main guide - an experienced nature guide and member of the Japan Mountain Guides Association with WAFA and LNT qualifications, a supporting guide, and a barista, as you journey through and learn all you can about the snowcovered landscapes of Nyukawa Town, Takayama City. Guides are fluent in English so you can freely chat and banter about along the way. Equipment rental is also available. ​

Immerse yourself in the grand outdoors of Hida Takayama through this gentle, leisurely summer hike through sparkling clear waters, flowing over massive rocks formed from volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Savor and learn all you can about nature's wonders, stopping for a break to enjoy hand-dripped gourmet coffee and tasty baked goodies personally prepared for you by a professional barista. Look forward to a wholesome lunch of sandwich and soup made from ingredients locally sourced. You will be accompanied by a main guide - an experienced nature guide and member of the Japan Mountain Guides Association with Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and Leave No Trace (LNT) qualifications, a supporting guide, and a barista, as you journey through the Soredani mountain stream, tucked away in the area between Nyukawa Town and Kamitakara Town in Takayama City. Guides are fluent in English so you can freely chat and banter about along the way. Equipment rental is also available.