Merging Lands, Bridging Lives: Kokufu E-bike Tour, Immersive Satoyama Scenery and Lifestyle Experience
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, whether in the cozy atmosphere of a traditional Japanese home or during your cycling adventure, 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.
Recommended points
● The Ankoku-ji Temple is not usually accessible on regular cycling tours, making this tour an exceptionally exclusive experience. Ankoku-ji Temple is a designated national treasure, a storehouse that preserves ancient Buddhist scriptures written on woodblocks. This storehouse was built in 1408 and is home to a rotating octagonal sutra shelf; the oldest in Japan and stores around 2,000 sutras that were received from Ming-dynasty (1368～1644) China.
● Get a feel of Japan's well-preserved past as you cycle this course, from the ancient burial mounds of the Yayoi Period from 2000 years ago to the local Shinto shrines easily found in the area. Take in the wonders of nature's bounty in the satoyama and the scenic views of the rural Gifu landscape that change with the seasons, like its rice paddies, wheat fields, and its pristine spring water.
● Enjoy regional food like hoba-zushi and spend time with the locals! Enjoy a cup of tea as you chat with them in the comforts of their traditional home (some of them can speak in English), asking them about their life in the Japanese countryside as well as experiencing parts of it for yourself.
● On your cycling journey, you may even encounter some farmers in the middle of harvesting in autumn, who might treat you to some freshly picked apples! This tour comes with welcomed opportunities for interactions like this.
Overview
- Season
- 2025/4/1~2025/10/31 Private Tour
- Activity Time
- 3 hours 20 minutes (course length is approximately 17km)
- Place
-
Kokufu Station (example)
Hirosemachi, Kokufucho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. 509-4119
- Number of Participants
- 2 to 5 people *Please inquire in the case of 1 person, or 6 people and above
- Reference Price
- From 28,200 yen per person
- Starting Point
- Takayama Station (in front of the ticket gates)
- Ending Point
- Takayama Station (in front of the ticket gates)
- Meeting Time
- 11:45
- Schedule
-
・11:45 - Meetup and reception at Takayama Station
・12:00 - Depart for JR Kokufu Station by train
・12:45 - Start your e-bikes from the front of JR Kokufu Station!
・13:15 - Hoba-zushi lunch at Sakurano Park
After lunch → Cycle through the satoyama → Visit Ankoku-ji Temple → Visit and chat with the locals living in traditional Japanese houses → Riverside cycling
・16:00 - Arrival at Kokufu Station, end of cycling tour
・16:30 - Dispersal at Takayama Station after arriving from Kokufu Station
*This itinerary is an example.
- Important Information
-
・ Adult participants must be 145cm in height or taller (teens 13 years and above can join if accompanied by an adult).
・ Please mention any dietary requirements beforehand (especially allergies).
- 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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