All Chubu Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 2

Discover the sake heritage of Niigata, widely regarded as Japan's premier sake producing region, on this relaxed private walking tour led by a friendly, government licensed local guide. Niigata's cold, snowy winters, pure water and high quality rice create its famously clean, crisp and dry 'tanrei karakuchi' sake. Starting near Niigata Station, visit Ponshukan, a unique tasting hall where you can sample a vast selection of local brews from across the prefecture, then tour a historic working sake brewery to see how premium sake is crafted and enjoy a guided tasting. Throughout the day your guide shares the stories and food pairings behind Niigata's beloved sake. Because this is a private tour, the pace and route are yours: linger where you like, ask all the questions you want, and customize the day to your tastes. Whether you are a curious first-timer or a passionate sake lover, it is a warm, local way to experience Niigata.

Uncover the beauty and culture surrounding Niigata with a knowledgeable guide. Start your adventure by visiting the historic Yahiko Shrine, nestled in the foothills of Mount Yahiko, where you can enjoy the serene atmosphere and panoramic views from the mountaintop via ropeway. Explore the charming streets of Tsubame-Sanjo, famous for its high-quality metalcrafts and traditional workshops, and learn about the craftsmanship that defines the area. Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the coast at the scenic Teradomari area, known for its seafood market, or relax at one of the local onsen hot springs. Our guides provide in-depth knowledge of the local history and traditions, ensuring a deeper understanding of the region. Public transportation will be used to fully immerse yourself in the local experience, but private vehicle arrangements can be made upon request. Join us for a memorable journey through the scenic and cultural highlights just outside Niigata City!

You can go cycling through the streets of this manufacturing town, and visit some local workshops which are usually closed to the public, and witness the craftsmanship up close. On this tour, you'll ride a high-performance e-Bike, slicing through the breeze as you're guided to historical workshops and local spots that are usually inaccessible, thanks to the unique insights of a local tour guide. Throughout the tour, you are able to experience the dedication and craftsmanship of artisans while gaining a deeper understanding of life in the Tsubame-Sanjo area. The activity is available for both solo travelers and groups.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to walk on Mt. Fuji and see the biggest crater of the mountain. With an expert local nature guide, you will be able to learn about the eruption and the forest growing on Mt. Fuji. There are lots of unique wildlife and plants to discover - not only lava rocks. The view on a sunny day will be spectacular. This will be perfect for those seeking a unique outdoor adventure on the most famous mountain in the world.

Sumo, a revered Japanese martial art and combat sport, boasts a rich tradition dating back to ancient times. You can sit in a chair and observe. (Usually, visitors sit on the ground.) Embark on a unique tour that grants you exclusive access to witness sumo wrestlers engaged in rigorous practice, offering a rare chance to capture the moment with them. An English-speaking guide will be available at the meeting place, the temple “Ryushoin”. You will be able to see the techniques of sumo wrestlers up close. Delve into the intensity of daily training for professional Sumo wrestlers, providing a rare and intimate glimpse into their dedication and discipline. Explore the renowned Takasago stable, distinguished for producing six yokozuna (the highest rank in sumo, often referred to as grand champions) and eight ozeki (the second-highest rank, signifying accomplished sumo wrestlers). This solidifies its status as one of the most prestigious sumo stables globally.

Discover the rich history of the old Japanese port town of Niigata. This private tour explores the unique blend of Western and Japanese cultures that developed in Niigata in the 1800s when ships arrived from all over the world to trade and the city was flooded with sailors. You'll visit such landmarks as the Old Saito Residence, the former Ozawa Family Estate, and the Minato Inari Shrine.

The wooden factory, a designated cultural asset used for over 100 years since Meiji era, is one of the most must-see historical buildings. The owner master will guide you through the soy sauce making process, including tools, devices, and equipment that are essential for making soy sauce. Taking a tour and experience soy sauce straining can deepen your knowledge of soy sauce, one of the supporting pillars of Japanese food culture.

Itinerary Time Table: Kanazawa (Dep. 13:50) → Shirakawago (Arr. 15:10, Dep. 16:40) → Takayama (Arr. 17:40) *Please note that times may vary due to traffic conditions. **Please arrive at the station 10 minutes before the departure time. Please note: This is a transportation service only and not a guided tour. Embark on a captivating journey from Kanazawa to the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of Japan. Step back in time and marvel at the well-preserved thatched-roof houses, a testament to centuries of traditional craftsmanship and culture. During your 1.5 hour stop, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the village with a self-guided walking tour map given to you by the driver, leading you to a carefully selected viewpoint. Capture stunning photographs, walk along the charming streets, and perhaps visit some of the local shops.

Beat the crowds that flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go by opting for this morning tour from Kanazawa. You'll arrive at the village bright and early, with plenty of time to explore the surrounding area. Snap photos of traditional houses, listen as your guide provides context and insight, and choose whether to try local foods such as ice cream made with sake, or Hida beef (own expense).

Nanto city has a lot of historical sites like Gokayama district and Inami district. Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village was designated as UNESCO World Heritage. You will enjoy traditional Gassho houses in Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village. You can see wonderful scenery of Inami district and directly see a skillful wood sculptor's workshop. My car is a hybrid compact car, Aqua. So, this car cannot load large baggage. You will find genuine historical sites in local city. I will contact you beforehand. The Itinerary is an example. I can customize this tour for you like a car tour. For example, I pick you up at Fushiki Port or Toyama Shinko Port.

Echigo-Yuzawa is a nature-rich destination just one hour from Tokyo. It can be a bit inconvenient to explore without a car, so we’ll make the most of your time with a guided tour by car. At Kiyotsu Gorge, you can admire the majestic rock walls and crystal-clear streams, enjoying a magical, artistic space where the gorge’s scenery is reflected on the water’s surface. Ryugakubo is a mystical lake where you can drink delicious spring water.We’ll have lunch at “Matsushiro Satoyama Shokudo.” The blue-toned interior creates an artistic atmosphere. Please enjoy local cuisine with a modern twist.After lunch, we’ll visit nearby art installations. Next, at Hoshitoge’s terraced rice fields, approximately 200 paddies of various sizes spread across the slopes like fish scales. Bijin-bayashi features beautiful beech trees. It is home to many wild birds. I'll explain using a translation app. Cover photo: “Tunnel of Light” by Ma Jansson (MAD Architects), photo by Osamu Nakamura

This is the ideal pick for time-tight travelers wanting to discover lots of Atami highlights in a day. A coastal town long famed for its many hot springs, the town has recently reinvented itself as a destination for museum lovers, Japanese culture fans and ocean sports enthusiasts. Atami located at the root of Izu Peninsula and facing Sagami Bay, is area with modern hotels, Japanese inns with historical backgrounds. In Atami, there are plenty of places where you can appreciate the arts and traditional cultural experiences, not only Onsen spots. Your guide will fully support your Atami day trip. We assure you will spend plenty of time at one of the best-known hot spring havens, Atami. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

From ¥9,900 p.p. (min. 2) | Same-day OK — book up to 2 hours before. Fully private, no strangers, just your group. A 19-year tea master guides you through authentic Enshu-ryū ceremony in a 100-year-old machiya in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district. Step inside a 100-year-old machiya in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district for a completely private tea ceremony. Your host Yuta has practiced tea for 19 years in the Enshu-ryū tradition, rooted in samurai culture. This is not a group workshop — it is an intimate ceremony performed exclusively for you, in a tea room with tatami and tokonoma alcove. During the 70-minute session, you will: · Watch a full tea ceremony demonstration · Whisk your own bowl of matcha. · Enjoy traditional dry sweets (higashi) · Ask anything — about tea, aesthetics, or Kanazawa · Take a commemorative photo Completely private. No other guests. No rush. English-guided throughout. Please note: · Socks recommended · Additional guests: ¥9,900/person (max 5)

Echizen ware, which was born in the Heian period, is one of the six ancient kilns in Japan that still continues to produce pottery. Soil that contains a lot of iron has a distinctive red-black color on its surface. This time we will take you to a workshop where Echizen ware is made. You can also view artworks by Taro Okamoto and others at the Echizen Ceramics Village, and learn about the history of Echizen ware at the Echizen Ancient Kiln Museum. Echizen Old Kiln Museum Echizen Ancient Kiln Museum is a museum that opened in 2017. In addition to the Echizen ware museum, there is also the ``Old Mizuno Family Residence,'' an old folk house from Fukui that was relocated, and a full-fledged tea room. Echizen Pottery Village A hands-on museum of Echizen ware. There are many works of art in the facility. Sometimes it's simple pottery for everyday use, sometimes it's a surprising work of art. Why not enjoy Echizen ware, which has many different faces, with all five senses?

Step into the heart of Niigata on this private, fully guided day tour led by a government-licensed guide, with your own private vehicle and driver. Niigata grew rich as one of Japan's first international ports and as the gateway to the country's finest rice and sake, and this tour brings that story to life. Begin at Hakusan Shrine, the city's spiritual heart, then explore the grand Northern Culture Museum, former estate of Niigata's wealthiest landowning family. Wander the lively Pia Bandai market and the historic geisha quarter of Furumachi, and step inside the Imayo Tsukasa sake brewery to taste crisp local brews born of pure water and premium rice. Take in sweeping views from the Befco Bakauke Observatory atop Toki Messe, admire the Meiji-era Former Niigata Customs Office on the Shinano River, and browse the Honcho market. With hotel pickup, a flexible customizable route and an expert guide, you'll discover the best of Niigata in comfort and at your own pace.

Go off the beaten track to parts of Hida missed by most travelers on this guided biking tour. Pedal at a relaxed pace through a historic tow and past farming villages and rice fields, and get a taste of local daily life in the Japanese countryside as your guide shares insights into the history and culture for the area. This small-group tour is limited to eight people to ensure a personal experience.

I have provided one of the most popular samurai experience at Japan. Over 5,000 people have enjoyed with rating 4.99 stars during 8 years!! Also appearing on the official Olympic channel You will gain more awareness about your body and mind, through practicing swordsmanship, physical exercises from ancient Japanese tradition, meditation. It will be held in the most beautiful natural setting in Japan. Sounds play a critical role in this program. All things, including humans and objects, are said to emit vibrations and sounds. We will shower you with healing sounds. The healing sounds will purify you, while the sounds of flute and energizes you. There also will be playing music improvised on the spot for you along with authentic sword dance, that will reach your soul and ignite your heart.

This tour is your shortcut to discovering scenic villages and towns in the Japanese countryside. Take the stress out of driving on unfamiliar rural roads by having a private driver for the day. Travel with ease between dispersed sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago, Hida Furukawa, and Takayama. You won’t feel rushed as there’s plenty of time to get out of the car and explore local sights on foot at each location.

Experience Japan’s greatest battle at Sekigahara from the perspective of the samurai. A local guide will lead you to key sites like Ishida Mitsunari’s and Tokugawa Ieyasu’s camps, explaining the strategies and stories of the warriors in an easy-to-understand way. Stand at reconstructed camps, memorials, and vantage points to feel the battle’s intensity firsthand. You’ll also visit the modern, multilingual Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, designed to help international visitors grasp the full story. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s a unique chance to truly feel history come alive.

Craft Your Own Damascus Knife in Seki, Japan’s Historic Blade-Making Town This one-day tour offers more than a standard workshop. In Seki, Gifu, a city with a long history of Japanese sword and knife craftsmanship, you will make your own Damascus kitchen knife, enjoy a local Japanese lunch, and learn about Japanese blade making and take home your own knife. Hand-draw your own name, message, symbol, or artwork on a Damascus blade, then finish, sharpen, and test it side by side with a master craftsman with more than 50years of experience. Choose your preferred kitchen knife style from Santoku, Gyuto, Nakiri, or Bunka, depending on availability. One highlight is the sharpness test with vegetable. You might be surprised. This is not a rushed group workshop. Each guest is guided step by step at their own pace, making it comfortable even for beginners. You will leave Seki with a Damascus knife you helped create and a deeper appreciation for Japanese blade craftsmanship.

If you are a wine lover, Katsunuma Koshu region wineries are a must. The Koshu region has a lot of great wine makers and we have chosen our top 10 for you to pick from to visit. Your guide and driver can bring you to 3 to 5 wineries on this tour! This is full day tour, so you can relax and enjoy your wine. Have fun "Winery hopping". We hope to guide you soon! Maximum 7 participants per tour. If you are travelling with children ages 0-6, please inform us when you make the reservation. No more than 2 car seats available for each vehicle. Infant child seats may not be available.

This experience combines a tour of a local supermarket and a cooking class in a local host’s home. First, visit the market where your host will describe and buy different ingredients used in Japanese cooking. Following that, join the host in their kitchen to make classic Nagoya dishes such as red miso stew and shrimp tempura in a rice ball or fried chicken, Nagoya style. Plus, learn how to make dashi stock from scratch.

It is not just a Tourist Guide, it is an excursion among friends, knowing, laughing, enjoying the places in the Mt. Fuji area, getting closer to history through its inhabitants.

A rare opportunity to see authentic knife making factories in the heart of the scenic Echizen area. Guests will also get to speak with real knife making craftsmen who dedicate their lives to making the world renown Echizen knives. For Japanese knife lovers, this is the perfect tour. For the tour, guests will get to check out amazing knife handles made at Yamaken Woodworks and then see how the blades are made at Ryuzen Hamono. Within the tour guests will also get to experience a part of the knife making process.