All Iwate Prefecture Tours & Excursions in 2026

Discover the timeless beauty of Hiraizumi, a UNESCO World Heritage town in Iwate, on an 8-hour private tour with your own government-licensed guide and private vehicle. Once the capital of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, Hiraizumi is home to magnificent temples, peaceful gardens, and historic landmarks that showcase Japan's rich cultural heritage. Once your reservation is made, your guide will contact you to plan a personalized itinerary. Choose 4 to 7 spots from the "Tour Details" section, or ask your guide for recommendations. We look forward to showing you Hiraizumi! Maximum 7 participants per tour. If your group includes children, please let us know their number and ages.

Step back in time to Edo-period Japan with a private tour in Kakunodate, the "Little Kyoto of Tohoku." Stroll through historic streets lined with authentic samurai residences, like over the 400-year-old Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum, feeling the profound connection to samurai culture. This exclusive 2.5-hour Iaido experience offers a deep dive into Japanese martial arts. Don a training uniform and learn the spirit, manners, and basic sword handling from a skilled instructor. Master drawing and sheathing techniques, enhancing concentration and body control. Immerse yourself in the traditional aesthetic and discipline of the samurai in a truly unique setting.

This course follows the general visitor route in the RoKando Cave, which is open to the public. The highlight is one of Japan’s largest waterfalls within a cave, Ama-no-Iwato Falls, cascading 29 meters through a marble fissure. The sight of this roaring waterfall in the mystical blue-lit space is truly breathtaking!

This tour is designed to combine cultural depth with distinctive local experiences in a single day from Ichinoseki. Alongside the UNESCO-listed temples of Hiraizumi, you can choose between two contrasting gorge experiences—Genbikei or Geibikei—each offering a different perspective on nature. At Genbikei Gorge, beyond the striking rock formations, you can witness the unique “kakko dango” experience, where orders and freshly made Japanese rice dumplings are delivered across the gorge via a rope system. This playful tradition adds a memorable cultural element to the visit. Alternatively, Geibikei Gorge offers a slower, immersive journey by traditional boat, allowing you to fully appreciate the surrounding cliffs and atmosphere. With flexible route options and travel by private car, this tour provides a comfortable and personalized way to explore both the historical and local character of the Ichinoseki area.

Please note that even if you select “Tour Language: English(written),” the driver speaks Japanese only. Communication will be supported using a translation app, and English tour information will be provided in advance. This 7-hour educational shore excursion explores the 2011 tsunami, local resilience, and the region’s recovery. In Taro, see the preserved tsunami ruins of Taro Kanko Hotel and walk atop the massive double seawalls known as the “Great Wall.” Return to Miyako for lunch, then enjoy the timeless beauty of Jodogahama Beach. If time allows, end with a visit to a local science facility to learn about Sanriku’s marine life before returning to Miyako Port. Lunch is not included in this tour.

For centuries, the beech forests of Northern Tohoku have sustained both the land and the people who call it home. This region flourished through a hunter-gatherer way of life, giving rise to the traditions of the Matagi mountain hunters, a food culture centered on wild edible plants and mushrooms, and a lacquerware culture that has long made use of beech wood in everyday life and craftsmanship. Take a peaceful retreat walk through the beech forests of Appi Kogen, where the scenery transforms with each season. Spend time with horses grazing freely in open pastures, then gather with local residents to prepare traditional home-style dishes using the bounty of the mountains. This is an opportunity to experience not only the beauty of nature, but also the lifestyle and wisdom that have grown from living in harmony with it. ★Highlight ・Stoll through the Appi Beech Forest ・Make traditional foods for lunch with a local mum ・Learn about the connection between lacquerware and life in Iwate

Please note that even if you select “Tour Language: English(written),” the driver speaks Japanese only. Communication will be supported using a translation app, and English tour information will be provided in advance. This 7-hour private shore excursion showcases Miyako’s must-see coastal scenery and local food culture. Walk the stunning “Pure Land” shoreline of Jodogahama, then wear a helmet and ride a traditional small fishing boat (Sappa Boat) into a sea cave that glows surreal blue. Enjoy lunch at Miyako Gyosai Market, where you can choose fresh seasonal seafood, and finish with a visit to the Salmon Treasure Museum or a souvenir stop before returning to Miyako Port.