Experiences

Experiences

Recommended Experiences

Heavenly Promenades: Tea harvesting at Gifu's Machu Picchu, Kaidan Meguri at Tanigumi-san Kegon-ji Temple

Heavenly Promenades: Tea harvesting at Gifu's Machu Picchu, Kaidan Meguri at Tanigumi-san Kegon-ji Temple

Southwest Gifu

Nature & Activities

Life & Culture

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. 

Season
2025/6/1~11/30 (Excluding Tues. and Wed.)
Place
Machu Picchu in Gifu: Tea fields in the sky (example)
〒503-2502 Gifu Prefecture, Ibi District, Ibigawa Town, Kasuga Rokugo
Across the Land of Clear Waters: E-bike 1-Day Tour from Takayama City to Gujo Hachiman

Across the Land of Clear Waters: E-bike 1-Day Tour from Takayama City to Gujo Hachiman

North Gifu

Nature & Activities

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. 

Season
2025/4/2~2025/11/30,2026/3/1~3/30 (Excluding Tuesdays)

Place
Takayama Station(Meeting place)
1-22-2 Showa-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0053
Legendary Treasures: Guided tour of Kokeisan Eiho-ji Temple, Suigetsugama pottery, lunch in Minoyaki ware

Legendary Treasures: Guided tour of Kokeisan Eiho-ji Temple, Suigetsugama pottery, lunch in Minoyaki ware

Southeast Gifu

Tradition & History

The Suigetsugama Kiln was built in 1946 on a vast plot of leased land from Eiho-ji Temple by Living National Treasure and highly-acclaimed potter, Toyozo Arakawa. It was named after "Suigetsudo", another title belonging to the temple, also a renowned National Treasure. The ties between the temple and pottery date back centuries, from when Zen monk Muso Soseki who opened the temple in 1313 encountered the latter on his path of enlightenment and nature through tea, an important feature of Zen. Seek and find peace as the monks did, before further renewal as you focus on your creation of Minoyaki pottery through rokuro (the potter's wheel). Unearth calm repose through the stillness of your heart. 
 

Season
2025/4/1~2026/3/31 (Open on Thur, Fri, Sat – Please consult for visits on other days.)
Place
Kokeizan Suigetsugama (example)
7-14 Kokeisancho, Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, 507-0014
Past Reignited: 1-Day Ena and Iwamura Tour, time travel through Edo ukiyo-e and a Sengoku castle town

Past Reignited: 1-Day Ena and Iwamura Tour, time travel through Edo ukiyo-e and a Sengoku castle town

Southeast Gifu

Tradition & History

Ride the waves of time, back into the Sengoku and Edo period with this tour jam-packed with the many highlights of Ena and Imamura - from art at the museum of Hiroshige ukiyo-e prints, legendary tales at the Iwamura Castle Ruins and tales of the “Onna Joshu” (lady castle lord), history of the Sengoku cuisine and sake, and culture of the Kakeuchi (sake store where you can drink at). 

Spellbinding stories of Lady Otsuya, one of Japan's few lady castle lords and the aunt of warlord Oda Nobunaga, rare opportunities to observe the constructive wonders in the three different ways stones were stacked to build the impenetrable walls of one of Japan's  three greatest mountaintop castles, time for strolling around an ancient castle town with distinctive features and Kakeuchi in the refined setting of a reputable sake brewery await! Take a trip through this multifaceted gateway into Japan's exquisite past. 

Season
2025/4/1~2026/3/31
Place
Iwamura Brewery (example)
342 Iwamuracho, Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, 509-7403
Across the Land of Clear Waters: E-bike 1-Day Gujo-Hachiman Tour

Across the Land of Clear Waters: E-bike 1-Day Gujo-Hachiman Tour

Central Gifu

Nature & Activities

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.

Season
2025/4/2~2025/11/30,2026/3/1~3/30 (Excluding Tuesdays)
Place
Gujo Hachiman Station (example)
〒501-4224 Gifu Prefecture, Gujo City, Yahata-cho, Jonan-cho
Merging Lands, Bridging Lives: Kokufu E-bike Tour, Immersive Satoyama Scenery and Lifestyle Experience

Merging Lands, Bridging Lives: Kokufu E-bike Tour, Immersive Satoyama Scenery and Lifestyle Experience

North Gifu

Nature & Activities

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. 

Season
2025/4/1~2025/10/31 Private Tour
Place
In front of Kokufu Station (example)
〒509-4119 Hirosemachi, Kokufucho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Summer Steps Onwards: Sawaaruki (River Trekking) Tour with Specialty OFF THE GRID COFFEE

Summer Steps Onwards: Sawaaruki (River Trekking) Tour with Specialty OFF THE GRID COFFEE

North Gifu

Nature & Activities

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.

Season
2025/6/1~2025, late Oct – Summer Exclusive Private Tour

Place
「ONDO」(example)
48-2 Shimoninomachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0842
Hidden Charms: Uncovered Wonders of the Hida Region

Hidden Charms: Uncovered Wonders of the Hida Region

North Gifu

Life & Culture

Go beneath the surface, right into the heart of the lesser known gems of the Hida Region, from Takayama City, to Hida City, to Shirakawa-go, and finally, Gero City in this special tour, made convenient and very accessible by car. 

Season
2025/4/1~2026/3/31
Place
Takayama Festival Float Hall (example)
178 Sakuramachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0858
Life Springs Eternal: Hakusan Culture Tour (Half-day Tour)

Life Springs Eternal: Hakusan Culture Tour (Half-day Tour)

Central Gifu

Life & Culture

Enter the sanctuary of the Hakusan Shinko (Hakusan Faith), originating from Mount Hakusan, one of Japan's Three Holy Mountains. Discover its history at the Hakusan Culture Museum, before moving on to the Nagataki Hakusan-jinja Shrine, the most important of all Hakusan shrines in Japan. A guide will show you the ins and outs of correct etiquette when visiting a shrine, and walk you through powerspots and local sites of Important Cultural Properties of Japan. You will also receive blessings from the chief Shinto priest during your visit. Goshuin (red seal) featured in a Taiga (historical) drama included.

Season
2025/4/1~2026/3/31 (Excluding year-end and New Year’s holidays, Golden Week, Obon holidays)
Place
Nagaragawa Ayu Park
Miraculous Edge: Cemented Carbide Original KISEKI: Pocketknife-making and Factory Tour

Miraculous Edge: Cemented Carbide Original KISEKI: Pocketknife-making and Factory Tour

Central Gifu

Tradition & History

Take on this very special hands-on tour of the factory behind the wildly popular (to the point it's especially hard to buy before it's sold out), high-grade, cemented carbide kitchen knives - a first in Japan! Watch the production process, help with sharpening and testing blades. After the tour, create your very own original pocket knife by affixing the cemented carbide (said to be the hardest material next to diamond) blade to the handle, made in Gifu Prefecture. You can also buy knives and sharpening stones. Lunch will be miso sukiyaki made with delicious Hida beef and salad, sliced and diced with KISEKI: knives at Hana, a restaurant in a traditional Japanese house.

Season
2025/4/1~2026/3/31 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri (Excluding Weds, weekends and public holidays)
Place
Fukuda Hamono