Top Gifu Prefecture Walking Tours

Over the course of two days of an easy walk (self-guided tour) along the Nakasendo road and one overnight stay at a Minshuku (family run lodging), immerse yourself in Japan's folkloric landscapes between the villages of Nakatsugawa and Tsumago. During Japan's feudal period (1603-1868), the Nakasendo road was one of the five routes that linked the economic hub, Tokyo, to the imperial capital, Kyoto. Unlike the Tokaido road, which was replaced by today's Shinkansen train, the Nakasendo was saved from rampant modernization and still upholds an old-fashioned charm. Created by general Tokugawa in order to assert his political domination, the route spans a distance of 534 kilometers and includes 69 rest stops. Its name literally means "mountain road" and is a means of communication in case of a large flood on the Tokaido: the coastal road. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Nakasendo was formerly known as the Higashisendo and connects Kyoto and the eastern provinces including present day Tokyo. It was one of five highways created within a 7 year period from 1601 along with the Tokaido, Nikko, Oshu, and Koshu. This tour is a 5 hour mountain trail walk that traverses along a 9km trail that connects the two most beautiful post towns along the Nakasendo - Magome-Juku and Tsumago-Juku. Both towns still retain their medieval flare. Your guide will show you the commercial town in the Tono region that flourished when the highway was active. From cobbled roads going through Magome-Juku, the view of Mt. Ena, a quaint teahouse on a mountain pass, and beautiful mountain village scenery around Tsumago-Juku, there is no doubt that you will feel like you've been transported back to medieval Japan.

Shirakawa-go, A world heritage site that you should see once when you visit this region. Then walking to enjoy nature-rich Shirakawa-go with local guide. culture / history. Of course you can change our start time. Guide will meet you at Shirakawago-bus terminal or Guide possible to pick up your hotel by walking and then walk to Takayama station and take a bus to Shirakawago. Not less than 2 person. Please let us inform when you need chinese or Italian or French guide. we are normally doing English our tour. If you wanted to private tour let us know. we can arrange other your private tour. (e.g. Kamikochi, Inside Takayama city, etc ..)

Kiso Valley, best known for the Magome and Tsumago traditional villages, is another beautiful spot in the Japanese Alps. With one of the most famous hiking paths in all Japan, we set foot there on our quest for traditional Japan. Magome and Tsumago are two beautifully preserved traditional villages. This value-packed Nakasendo trail day hike between Magome and Tsumago with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore both of the ancient post towns! It is about 8 kilometres (5 miles) long and has only gentle elevation changes which takes around 2 hours to easy walk at a leisurely pace. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Nationally and State Licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

An hour away by train from Nagoya is a city called Yorocho famous for its beautiful waterfall and tasty spring water. You can hike to Yoro Falls and experience some unique Japanese culture. You will forget to breathe, once you reach the majestic Yoro Falls. The high-quality spring water is chosen as one of the 100 Best Spring Waters in Japan; there is even a legend that the water can rejuvenate. You should not miss out on the 100-year historic soda pop made using this spring water, and Nagashi somen (noodles flowing in running water). Experience unique modern art, and visit a shop with more than 120 gourd art items. A perfect plan for getting refreshed in the forest along beautiful streams!

A tour that gives you an opportunity to walk through the area through conversations and contact with villagers, and to learn about the differences between modern and urban people. I will provide it. Why don't you go around Maze Satoyama with us in search of many discoveries? After completing the "Maze Satoyama Museum" experience, you can experience the optional "Masuda-style old private house over 200 years old" starting from March 16. This old house is a family residence. Guide from outside storehouse to main residence. The course is a sliding door with an unusual swallow's doorway, sliding doors with bird pictures, with flower picture and with scenery pictures in the guest room, a chain mail and armor of unknown age, a gorgeous Buddhist altar. You are also able to have Gohei Mochi and Matcha tea services in the living room.

It is a deeply localized walking tour held at Hagiwara town. Compared to Gero Hot Spring area, Hagiwara is smaller and non-crowded but has some historical spots to visit. Enjoy this activity to get to know more about Gero! Starting at JR Hida-Hagiwara station, you will visit a local shrine, sake brewery, sweet shop and some other great spots. Through the 3 hours gentle walking, you will be like a local person who knows the country town so much.

This tour is held at the tranquil town named Hagiwara, close to Gero Onsen. Through the 1.5-hour tour, you will get to know more about Japanese sake (Nihonshu). The enthusiastic brewer will show you how to make it step by step. Finally, you will enjoy tasting their special sake!

On this English guided tour you will get an up-close look at a Japanese traditional fishing method with more than 1300 years of tradition. ・Observe the traditional Japanese fishing method with a history of more than 1,300 years ・One of the few cormorant fishing in Japan that has been used by the Imperial Household Agency for over 120 years ・Watch how the master fishermen feed the cormorants and live with them like a family ・Enjoy the sounds of nature created by traditional fishing, selected as oneof 100 soundscapes of Japan ・Cormorant fishermen themselves teach you how to fish cormorants in English

This tour is the best option for those who want the more genuine and luxurious sake experience. It is held at the peaceful country town: Hagiwara, which is near from Takayama and Gero Onsen. The tour guide explains about the way to make sake step by step inside the actual factory of sake brewing. After the sake brewing lecture, you will taste various kinds of sake to enjoy the difference of flavors, and know a lot of useful tips to drink and order sake. In addition, you can taste the super premium sake and small appetizers in the cozy Japanese room for authentic experience. Please do not miss this tour if you want to escape from tourist crowds to have a special memory during your trip.

This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way toexplore both of the ancient post towns! You can travel between Magome and Tsumago by infrequent direct bus. Nakasendo was one of the two highways during the Edo period connecting Tokyo with Kyoto, running through the Kiso Valley. Travelers at that time walked along the highway, stopping at "post towns" for rest. Some of those post towns have been well preserved and show tourists today exactly what Japan was like hundreds of years ago. Stunning forests, beautiful villages and traditions, we would love to recommend it to everyone interested in Japanese nature and history. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Nationally and State Licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

The town of Tarui is home to Tarui-juku, an old post town on the Nakasendo Road. Being surrounded by nature, you can enjoy cycling while enjoying historic townscape such as Nangu Taisha Shrine. You will cycle along the riverbed of the Aikawa River, going through the countryside, and explore Nangu Taisha Shrine, filled with spiritual energy. You can also learn about Chikkatan art from Mr. Kurita, a craftsman who made bamboo charcoal into the original art, and the regional-brand product of Tarui Town. An English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the plan. ・Cycling through Tarui-juku, a post town on the Nakasendo Road, you can see the famous spring recited in many Japanese poems ・Enjoy cycling in the countryside where the good old Japanese landscape remains ・Learn about the bamboo charcoal art from Mr. Kurita, the only craftsman in Gifu of Chikkatan, a brand product of Tarui Town ・Visit and explore Nangu Taisha Shrine, a spiritual site, that may bring you a monetary fortune

In 1600, the battle of Sekigahara, known to all Japanese, occurred in Sekigahara-Cho, Gifu Prefecture today. This battle marks the end of the Sengoku era, and the winner, Ieyasu Tokugawa, will unify the whole country, creating a peaceful era without war. Therefore, it was a very important battle, called "World Battle". This plan traces the battlefield around Sekigahara. First, at the Sekigahara History and Museum, you can learn about the history of the battle through exhibits and commentary. Then rent an armor and go to the place where General Mitsunari Ishida and General Ieyasu Tokugawa have set up! Also, visit the post town where the cityscape after the battle of Sekigahara remains.

Located in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, Sakaori Tanada Terraced Rice Fields is one of Japan's Top 100 Rice Terraces. This walking tour will introduce you the beautiful scenery of the Japan terraced rice fields, a truly incredible engineering feat from 400 years ago. Our local guide will guide you through the history and nature of the place, the rice cultivation techniques, as well as the water transport systems used in these terraces. After the walk, you will have the experience of making onigiri (rice balls) with local people, using the rice that is collected from the terraced rice field. ・Explore the countryside area of Ena city ・Visit one of Japan's 100 best terraced rice fields ・Discover the legend of the mysterious mountain Gongenyama ・Learn how to make onigiri (rice balls) ・Enjoy the hands-on experience with local people ・Please wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. It is also helpful to have a change of clothes. ・The rice ball fillings will change depending on the season.

This value-packed trip with a nationally/state licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Takayama! Takayama features an atmospheric townscape, with Meiji-era inns and hillside shrines in a riverside setting. In addition, many museums, galleries and temples make their home in the city's 17th century layout. Be sure to come see the Takayama Festival, held once in spring and once in autumn, but be prepared for the crowds as the festivals attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: Nationally and State Licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.