Traversing Time and Taste: Nakatsugawa-juku walking course and Japanese tea tasting paired with traditional seasonal sweets
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.
Recommended points
● Walk with a guide, and explore the Nakatsugawa-juku post town of the legendary Nakasendo, also known as the Samurai Trail, the way the travelers of the Edo Period did.
● Tea-tasting and pairing with Japanese sweets at Ichikawa-seicha.
● Discover the history and flavors of the "Kurikinton" alongside the local culture
● Enjoy a memorable journey that blends history, human connections, and taste.
Overview
- Season
- 2025/4/1~2026/3/31 (Excluding May, June, September)
- Activity Time
- 3 hours
- Place
-
Ichikawa-seicha (example)
488-5 Komaba, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture. 508-0011
- Number of Participants
- 2 to 10 people
- Reference Price
- From 10,800 yen per person
- Starting Point
- JR Ena Station
- Ending Point
- JR Ena Station
- Meeting Time
- 9:45
- Schedule
-
・9:45 - Meet up at Nakatsugawa Station
・10:00 - Depart Nakatsugawa Station
・10:50 - Nakatsugawa-juku: Introductions to Katsura Kogoro’s Hideout, udatsu, masu, and more.
・11:00 - Ichikawa-seicha
1) Introductions to tea-processing in the century-old building
2) Green tea pairing with sweets (chestnut, persimmon)
3) Compare and contrast three different types of tea
・12:00 - Walk to Nakatsugawa Station
*Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) expert, Mr. Ichikawa will accompany you on your walk while talking about local confectionaries.
・13:00 - Disperse at Nakatsugawa Station
**This itinerary is an example.
- Important Information
-
Luggage storage at Nakatsugawa Station is available until 5pm, at 700 yen per piece (not included with course fee).
Bookings are generally unavailable for May, June, and September due to harvest seasons. You may still submit enquiries regarding bookings for those months to confirm.
- Contact Information
-
Discover GIFU
Phone number: +81-(0)58-265-4831 (weekdays 9:30-17:30)
Email address: customer@gifu-tj.jp
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