Top Aichi Prefecture Art & Culture - page 9

Book a special half-day tour to discover the sacred atmosphere of Atsuta Shrine in the fresh morning air with a knowledgable guide. Here, you’ll soak in the centuries-old serenity at the home to one of Japan’s legendary sacred treasures, the Kusanagi Sword. Afterward, at a renowned Japanese sweets shop you’ll learn to make traditional sweets, and you’ll make authentic matcha green tea and receive a tea whisk as a keepsake. A unique chance to fully immerse yourself in Japan’s rich cultural traditions off the beaten track.

Highlights -Be dressed in a kimono of your choice by a professional dresser -Explore Shikemichi, a preserved district with storehouses and townhouses -Stroll Endoji Shopping Street, where old shops meet modern cafés -Discover local encounters and culture in Nagoya’s historic heart Tour Overview Begin at Nagonoya Café, where a professional dresser outfits you in a kimono — or a light yukata in summer — with traditional footwear. After choosing your pattern in advance, set out with a local guide to Shikemichi, rebuilt over 300 years ago after a great fire. Its earthen-walled storehouses, broad streets, and roof-deity houses reflect Nagoya’s heritage. Continue into Endoji Shopping Street, the city’s oldest arcade, still lively with family-run shops and stylish cafés. As you stroll, your guide shares stories where tradition meets daily life. This experience offers not only elegant kimono photos but also cultural immersion in a district where past and present coexist.

Inuyama Kimono & Castle Town Day Tour from Nagoya Discover the historic charm of Inuyama on this day trip from Nagoya, accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide. Tour Highlights Time-Travel in a Kimono: Stroll through the beautiful Edo-period streets of Inuyama Castle Town in traditional attire—perfect for photos! Explore a National Treasure: Visit the historic Inuyama Castle (built in 1537) and enjoy panoramic views from Japan's oldest remaining castle keep. Authentic Tea Ceremony (Sado): Experience the elegant world of Sado and connect with the core of Japanese aesthetics and mindfulness. Full English Guidance: Travel hassle-free with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide from start to finish.

Discover Nagoya with a local guide born and raised in the city. Experience both iconic highlights and hidden gems that most travelers miss. Tour highlights: • Nagoya Castle – Explore the castle and hear unique stories •Historic streets of Nagono – Step back in time through charming streets • Osu Shopping District – Enjoy local street food and lively shopping •Arimatsu – Try traditional shibori craft in a beautifully preserved post town Perfect for travelers seeking a more local and authentic side of Japan. See a side of Nagoya most visitors never experience.

Aichi has numerous castles and castle ruins. Among them, Okazaki Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Nagoya Castle are definitely not to be missed! This tour offers you a detailed explanation of the castles with each history from an English-speaking guide. In the castle town, enjoy eating and shopping at cafes in townhouses and stores! You can also enjoy local transportation.

Highlights - Explore Inuyama Castle, one of Japan’s original surviving wooden castles - Stroll through a nostalgic castle town filled with shops, snacks, and local culture - Visit the Karakuri Exhibition Museum to see traditional mechanical puppets and festival floats - Experience a traditional goma fire ritual to purify and set intentions - Reflect with tea and sweets in a tranquil temple atmosphere Overview Step into Japan’s rich heritage with a journey through Inuyama. Begin at Inuyama Castle, one of only twelve original castles that have survived since Japan’s feudal era and one of just five recognized as National Treasures. Explore the castle town, where shops and street food stalls offer a taste of regional culture, and enjoy local dishes for lunch. Continue to Inuyama Naritasan Temple to witness the sacred goma fire ritual and enjoy Japanese tea with seasonal sweets. This tour offers a unique combination of history, culture, and spiritual reflection—all within a single day.

Discover the history, culture, and craftsmanship of Inuyama while traveling comfortably by private air-conditioned car with a licensed English-speaking guide. Begin at Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure and one of Japan’s few remaining original wooden castles. From its hilltop location, enjoy beautiful views of the Kiso River while learning about Japan’s samurai heritage. Continue through the charming castle town, where traditional machiya houses, local shops, and historic streets preserve the atmosphere of old Japan. Visit the Karakuri Exhibition Room and Donden-Kan to admire the impressive festival floats and mechanical puppets that bring the famous Inuyama Festival to life. Perfect for history lovers and cultural explorers, this tour offers a relaxing and enriching journey through one of Central Japan’s most treasured destinations. Book now and experience the timeless beauty of Inuyama with the comfort of a private AC car and expert local guidance.

Highlights - Explore Sawada Sake Brewery, crafting fine sake since 1848 in Tokoname - Learn sake-making from an expert and taste pristine brewing water - Sample five sake varieties with local Chita delicacies -Create a personalized sake can label as a souvenir Tour Overview Discover Japanese sake at Sawada Sake Brewery, a family-run producer in Tokoname with roots since 1848. The Chita Peninsula, famed for fermentation since the 17th century, provides a historic backdrop. Guided by an expert, learn each step of sake-making, from rice preparation to fermentation, while exploring traditional wooden vats and brewing rooms. Taste pure brewing water, then enjoy five distinctive sake varieties paired with local delicacies (non-alcoholic drinks available). Finally, design your own label for a 180ml sake can using a brush pen—an original keepsake to take home. Blending history, craftsmanship, and creativity, this tour offers a rare and personal encounter with one of Japan’s iconic traditions.

Explore Nagoya your way on a fully customizable private walking tour. Customize your itinerary by selecting: • 2-Hour, 3-Hour, or 4-Hour Tour • Your choice of stops from the itinerary • Essential, In-Depth, or Immersive experiences at each stop • Focus on history, culture, architecture, and local stories • Exploration of one or both included attractions: Nagoya Castle and Nagoya Sword Museum • Optional free interior visits at Atsuta Shrine and Osu Kannon (when accessible) Your guide will then adapt the tour to your interests and preferred pace. Discover Nagoya's samurai heritage, sacred shrines, lively shopping streets, preserved merchant districts, and striking modern landmarks. Visit highlights such as Nagoya Castle, Ninomaru Garden, Atsuta Shrine, Osu Kannon, Oasis 21, and Shikemichi while learning how the city evolved from a castle town into one of Japan's leading cultural and industrial centers.

Highlights -Visit a working teapot kiln and learn to brew tea the Tokoname way -Create your own pottery at a historic kiln -Wander the atmospheric Tokonbame Pottery Footpath lined with shops and studios -Experience over 1,000 years of ceramic history in one of Japan’s oldest pottery towns Tour Overview Tokoname on the Chita Peninsula is one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns and has produced ceramics for over 1,000 years. Famous for its high-quality teapots, the town blends deep tradition with a vibrant craft culture. This one-day tour takes you into the heart of Tokoname’s pottery heritage. Begin with a visit to a teapot kiln for a hands-on tea brewing experience using Tokoname ware. Then try pottery-making at Kakuzan Tōen, a historic kiln guided by local potter. Conclude with a stroll along the Tokoname Pottery Footpath, lined with galleries, climbing kilns, and charming shops. A curated journey through craftsmanship, tradition, and Tokoname’s warm hospitality.

On this tour, you need to take a highway bus yourself (our English speeking assistant will help you to get on the bus) and meet your guide at Shirakawago bus terminal. The Shirakawago is declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995 and famous for their traditional gassho zukuri farmhouses, some of them are more than 250 years old. Gassho zukuri means constructed like hands in prayer, as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. Takayama is a city in the mountainous Hida region. It retains a traditional touch especially in its beautifully preserved old town. In spring and autumn, the Takayama Festival is held which is considered one of Japan's best festivals. In winter, you will enjoy the beautiful snow scenery with old town and villege. In summer, you can feel reflesh with lush green trees. Your own English speaking guide will wait for you in Shirakawago and Takayama!

Atsuta Jingu Shrine: Sanctuary of the Sacred Sword Atsuta Jingu Shrine is one of Japan’s most venerable sanctuaries, enshrining the "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi"—a legendary sword and one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan. Guided by a specialist, you will journey through the essence of Japanese spirituality while breathing in the crisp, sacred air of this ancient forest. The vast grounds, marked by a majestic 1,000-year-old camphor tree, serve as a vital link to the Imperial lineage and the samurai era. Most famously, it is where the great warlord Oda Nobunaga prayed for a miraculous victory before his most historic battle. This tour offers a profound immersion into Shinto tradition, including a visit to the Kusanagi-kan sword museum and an exclusive prayer ceremony at Takakura-musubi-miko Shrine, a site renowned for bringing good fortune and luck in child-rearing.

Highlights -Explore Nagoya Castle with expert insights into samurai history -See 17th-century towers and the exquisitely rebuilt Honmaru Palace -Step inside the Sarumen Teahouse, a nationally designated cultural property rarely open to the public -Experience an authentic tea ceremony by a master in seasonal décor -Savor wagashi once crafted for the Tokugawa lords Tour Overview This exclusive afternoon tour blends the grandeur of samurai legacy with the refinement of tea culture. Begin with a guided exploration of Nagoya Castle, commissioned by Tokugawa Ieyasu and famed for its golden shachihoko. While the main keep was destroyed in WWII, original towers remain, offering a direct link to the 17th century. Continue to the Sarumen Teahouse, normally closed to the public, where a tea master performs a traditional ceremony. Seasonal sweets, tied to Nagoya’s heritage, complement the matcha. Together, this rare experience offers a multi-sensory encounter with Japan’s past.

Gifu City is the capital of Gifu Prefecture, which can be reached from Nagoya in 30 minutes. On the other hand, Gifu City is a place where history is still being carved as a stage of unification of Japan since the Warring States Period, as a merchant town, and as a town that protects traditional fishing industry. It is one of the best places in Japan to visit, especially for those who have once visited Japan and are interested in Japanese history, nature lovers, and those who are interested in the townscape and culture typical of Japan. This tour is like a condensed version of the charms of Gifu Castle, the residence of Oda Nobunaga, who briefly united the country, a museum that tells the fascinating story of cormorant fishing, one of Japan's traditional fishing industries, and a walk through old streets where you can feel as if you have stepped back in time to the Warring States period.

Experience a day of sightseeing around the National Treasure Inuyama Castle, one of the oldest surviving castles in Japan. Inuyama Castle is one of only five castles in Japan currently designated as a National Treasure, and is now attracting attention not only from all over Japan but also from around the world. Enjoy the spectacular view from the Tenshukaku (main keep), which only the lord of a single kingdom is allowed to view. Eating and shopping in the castle town, which still flourishes today, is also a real highlight of this tour. Inuyama is also home to Sanko Inari Shrine, famous for its pink ema (votive picture tablet), which is popular on social networking sites. The shrine is said to bring blessings related to family safety, marital harmony, and marriage. This is a highly recommended spot for those who love castles and those who love Japanese traditions and culture.

This is the ideal tour for travelers wanting to discover Nagoya's highlights efficiently in a private vehicle accompanied by a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide! Nagoya, the heart of Japan's Chubu region, blends proud samurai heritage with cutting-edge industry and modern city life. Begin at the magnificent Nagoya Castle, then visit the sacred Atsuta Jingu shrine. Wander the lively Osu district, stroll the elegant Edo-period Tokugawa Garden, and admire the futuristic Oasis 21 and Mirai Tower in Sakae. Discover the birthplace of Toyota at the fascinating Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, and step back in time in the preserved streets of Arimatsu, home to centuries-old shibori tie-dyeing. With a private vehicle and your personal guide, you can tailor the day to your interests and travel in comfort. Whether you love history, culture, craftsmanship or modern architecture, this flexible private tour offers the very best of Nagoya at your own pace.

Tour highlights -Create your own authentic Japanese knife with a blacksmith in service for 200 years -Pound iron with your own two hands in the historical setting of a rural Japanese living museum -Learn the rural lifestyle techniques of a seasoned craftsman -Stroll through Asuke’s historic townscape with its roots in prehistory -Finish your totally unique, handcrafted knife in one day, ready to take home. Tour details This Toyota Green Life Experience tour invites you to craft your own knife in historic Asuke under the guidance of seventh-generation blacksmith Yuto Hirose. Learn traditional forging techniques as you shape a blade from scratch over open flames. In the afternoon, explore Asuke’s Edo-period streets and enjoy local specialties such as wild boar dishes or gohei mochi. Finally, pick up your finished knife—sharpened by the master—and complete the handle to take home a unique memento of your experience.

Elegant Japanese Wellness Spa: Offers a luxurious resort spa-like experience, embodying the elegance of Japan. Exclusive Fragrance by Kodo Head Family: Features unique scents supervised by one of the only two Kodo head families in Japan. Access to a Cultural Heritage Tea Room: Provides the opportunity to use a tea room in a historically significant house, normally not accessible to the public. Ambiance with Live Traditional Japanese Music: Enriched by serene live performances of traditional Japanese instruments. Luxurious Treatments with 24K Gold Pack: Utilizes a 24K gold pack for facial and body treatments, enhancing the uniqueness of the spa.

Discover the cultural and creative of Nagoya on this well-planned tour. The experience begins at Nagoya Station, where you will meet your guide at the designated meeting point. The guide will be holding an Amigo Tours sign for easy identification. Train tickets will be arranged in advance, allowing you to travel independently from Tokyo to Nagoya. After meeting the group, enjoy a panoramic bus tour through some of Nagoya’s most notable neighborhoods as an expert guide shares insights into the city’s history, culture, and architecture. You will also have approximately one hour of free time to explore Nagoya Castle at your own pace (admission not included). The tour continues with a visit to Ghibli Park, inspired by the films of Hayao Miyazaki. Instead of rides, the park features immersive settings, exhibitions, and peaceful walking paths that bring the world of Studio Ghibli to life. Please note that the meeting point is in Nagoya, and participants must arrive independently.

Discover the beauty and elegance of Japanese culture through a traditional tea ceremony at the Tamesaburo Memorial Museum in Nagoya. This cultural gem, a registered tangible cultural property, offers an authentic setting where visitors can immerse themselves in the timeless art of tea. Guided by experienced tea masters, you'll learn the rituals and philosophy behind the Japanese tea ceremony, a practice that has been cherished for centuries. From the careful preparation of matcha (powdered green tea) to the graceful movements involved in serving and receiving, every aspect of the ceremony reflects harmony, respect, and mindfulness. The museum's tranquil tea room, surrounded by traditional Japanese architecture and gardens, provides the perfect backdrop for this unique experience. Whether you're new to Japanese culture or a seasoned traveler, the tea ceremony at Tamesaburo Memorial Museum promises to be a memorable and enriching journey into the heart of Japan's traditions.

Craft Your Own Legacy in a Historic Textile Town Experience the magic of Arimatsu Shibori, a nationally designated craft with over 400 years of history. Kuno Dyeing Factory hosts private workshops guided by a master artisan, you will use traditional tie-dyeing techniques to transform plain fabric into a vibrant work of art. Whether you are creating a gift or a personal treasure, this hands-on workshop offers a peaceful retreat into the refined aesthetics of Edo-period Japan. Bring home your handcrafted creation as a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your journey through Nagoya.

Discover the timeless charm of Takayama on a private, customizable 10-hour tour designed around your interests. Step into Japan’s past as you explore the historic Takayama Jinya, once the seat of the shogunate, and stroll through the old streets of Sanmachi Suji, lined with beautifully preserved wooden houses, sake breweries, and local craft shops. At the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, admire the magnificent festival floats that showcase centuries of craftsmanship and culture. With your knowledgeable local guide, enjoy insider stories, hidden gems, and authentic flavors at your own pace. Whether you’re drawn to history, architecture, food, or photography, this experience offers the perfect blend of culture and discovery. Relax with private transport, flexible scheduling, and personalized attention. Book your Takayama adventure today and experience the heart of Japan’s Edo heritage in an unforgettable way.

The Art of Jet-Black: Nagoya Kuromontsuki Dyeing Discover the elegance of Nagoya Kuromontsuki Zome, a traditional craft born from the samurai era. This exclusive tour is led by the master of Yamakatsu Senko, a distinguished studio preserving the art of "jet-black" dyeing since the Edo period. You will go behind the scenes to learn from a certified craftsman before creating your own masterpiece. Using iconic motifs like the Golden Shachihoko, you will dye a fabric item to take home—a unique memento of Japanese spirit and refined formal culture.

Highlights -Explore Nagoya Castle’s history and architecture with expert guidance -Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Honmaru Palace -Step into restricted areas, including the shogun’s chambers -Admire dazzling craftsmanship in serene evening silence Tour Overview Discover Nagoya Castle as few ever do — after closing, free from crowds. Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, it remains a symbol of the city with its golden shachihoko ornaments. Enter the Honmaru Palace, once the political heart of the Tokugawa lords. Destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt with traditional methods, it reopened in 2018 as a showcase of Japanese artistry. Walk cedar corridors, admire brilliant fusuma paintings, and sense the grandeur of shogun life. This exclusive tour also grants access to restricted spaces, including the shogun’s chambers, for rare photo opportunities. An unforgettable evening where history and art come alive.