Experiences

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 - rural 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, making your trip that much more convenient.

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. 
 

Ride the waves of time, back into the Sengoku and Edo period with this tour jam-packed with the artistic, historical, and culinary highlights of Ena and Imamura. Start by immersing yourself in the vivid world of ukiyo-e art from the Edo Period by famous woodblock print artist Hiroshige Utagawa at the Nakasendo Hiroshige Museum of Art. Then, hike the historical grounds of the Iwamura Castle Ruins, one of Japan’s three greatest mountaintop castles, situated at an altitude of 717 metres above sea-level, where you will have the chance to see up close the defensive construction from three different types of stone-piling utilized. The castle is also well-known for having an “Onna Joshu” (lady castle lord) - Lady Otsuya, one of Japan's few lady castle lords and the aunt of warlord Oda Nobunaga. Enjoy time strolling around the ancient castle town, full of historical charm and a culturally significant preservation district of historic buildings in all of Japan, third in Gifu after Sanmachi in Takayama and Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go. For lunch, feast the way the warlords did back in the Sengoku period, with a delicious and hearty recreation of the Sengoku cuisine at Iwamura Sanso, prepared over an irori charcoal grill with local, seasonal ingredients. Conclude your journey with the the exclusive "Kakuuchi", at the Iwamura Jozo Brewery, with a distinguished history of 230 years. Buy sake and drink it right there and then in its original, raw and unprocessed form - a rarity of Japanese culture afforded by this very place. Take a trip through this multifaceted gateway into Japan's exquisite past. 

All the world's a stage, and this one has a role with your name on it! Check out one of Gifu's treasured local specialties,  ji-kabuki, or country kabuki, distinct from other types of kabuki for its down-to-earth atmosphere and strong connection to the local community. Get up close and personal with the local kabuki troupe, take in the sights, sounds, and stories of the stage and even put on the kumadori make-up yourself as you prepare to act in your very own role in a kabuki play right here in the Kashimo Meiji-za theatre, a designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture established in 1894. Enjoy a specially prepared wariko bento (Japanese lunchbox) after your visit! Then, take a trip to Tsukiji Gorge, a valley tucked away in a fragrant canopy of Kiso cypress, and walk along the stunningly emerald waters of the Tsukechi River flowing from the snowmelt of venerable Mount Ontake. No time to waste - the stage and nature await!

Walk the Nakatsugawa-juku post town along the historical Nakasendo with a guide, and go back in time to the Edo period, when travelers, merchants, and pilgrims made the journey between Edo (current-day Tokyo) and Kyoto. Along this route, a beloved treat was created in the homes of the countryside - the humble "Kurikinton". Commercialized during the Meiji period, it grew in popularity and became the signature sweet of Nakatsugawa.

Stop by Ichikawa-seicha for a well-deserved break to enjoy some local refreshments like the delicious "Kurukinton" with a delightful range of Japanese tea. To conclude, our "Wagashi Navigator" Mr. Ichikawa will guide you through the local wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shops. Spend an unforgettable moment traversing time and taste, just like the travelers of old. 

Enrich your life by embarking on a journey of self-expression and self-discovery, refining your senses through the world of Minoyaki ceramics in the seat of serenity, right here in the Mino region of Gifu Prefecture. Heal and restore your mind, body, and soul far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life as you work on your very own clay creations, explore the rich history of the local area and uncover the deep and undeniable connection between soil and soul. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch of French or Italian made from fresh local ingredients, and genuine matcha served in Mino ware. Stroll down the quaint Oribe Street, uncovering your favourite pieces of Mino ware.

Revival and renewal await you.