Don't you want to know how the Samurai spirit ‘Bushido’ was raised and kept in those days in Japan? You will find some hints by joining this tour. In this tour, there are four highlights relating to Bushido; Castle, Tea-ceremony, Swordsmith and Japanese paper ‘Washi’. I am sure you realize that these cultural elements contributed to create a unique Japanese refined value of life, Bushido.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At JR Gifu station, JR Nagoya station or At Meitetsu Inuyama Yuen station
JR Gifu station
Inuyama castle
Inuyama Castle (national treasure) is the oldest castle in Japan. You can touch and feel the authentic wooden building, climbing steep and narrow steps toward the upper floor. On each floor, you see some antiques, maps and documents to learn stories about the castle. From the top floor, you have a panoramic view while strolling along the outside corridor.
Tea-house 'Joan' with matcha tasting
Tea-house ‘Joan’ in Inuyama is located in a beautiful Japanese garden near the castle, You find a simple aesthetic value based on Zen Buddhism in it.
Lunch in Seki
Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum
In this museum, you can learn not only the history and the forging-process of swordsmiths but also enjoy seeing many masterpieces of swords and knives. Many visitors give a sigh of admiration seeing them. Then you drop in cutlery shops where you enjoy shopping for souvenirs.
Former Imaike Residence ( Mino Museum)
Mino is the hometown of traditional Japanese paper ‘Washi, which was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2014. This building was constructed in the end of the 19th century and used as a Washi-paper wholesale merchant's house. The chief of a family also served as a headman of this town. You could get detailed information about a typical townhouse of the Edo period.
You can enjoy strolling around traditional building areas which include beautiful old houses and souvenir shops.
Mino Washi Akari Art Gallery
This gallery provides you a fantastic atmosphere made by collaboration with paper-art and lights. Many competition masterpieces are on display telling the possibility of paper in daily lives.
JR Gifu station
Ending Point
At JR Gifu station
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/691/77572.jpg)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
transportation fee for guide and guests
entrance fee for guide and guests (total fee is about 2000yen/person)
lunch,tea and dinner for guide and guests
1) The tour is not possible during extremely bad weather, such as typhoons or snowstorms.
2) The destination is flexible. It will be customized according to your interests, preference and physical condition.
3) Food preference information is important. I would like to know your likes and dislikes in advance.
4) Hotel pick-up is possible according to the location.
I can guide in Kyoto in case you support transportation fee.
Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens.
Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu.
I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?
Pascal N.
“Wonderful hike along the historic Nakasendo trail”
We enjoyed another fantastic day with our guide, Tetsuji — this time hiking along the historic Nakasendo trail between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Walking through these beautifully preserved villages felt like stepping back in time to the Edo period, surrounded by wooden houses, stone paths, and serene mountain scenery. Tetsuji was, once again, an exceptional guide — kind, knowledgeable, and always attentive to our pace and interests. He shared fascinating insights about the history of the Nakasendo and the daily life of the people who once traveled this route. His explanations made the experience so much richer and more meaningful. Thanks to Tetsuji, we had an unforgettable day full of atmosphere, history, and beauty. We highly recommend him to anyone who wants to experience Japan’s heritage in an authentic and personal way.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/691/77572.jpg)
Tetsuji Y.
I really appreciate that you and Sandra enjoyed my tour and felt comfortable asking questions, as if you were at home. I’m happy and grateful for your kind words about my work. Your curiosity about Japanese culture became the driving force that helped me naturally give my best performance. I hope you’ll come back to Japan and join my tour again in the near future—before I retire from this job!
Pascal N.
“Great full-day tour with Tetsuji in Takayama”
We had a wonderful full-day tour with Tetsuji in Takayama and Hida-Furukawa. Takayama is a charming city nestled in the mountains, known for its beautiful old town, the Miyagawa morning market, and the peaceful Higashiyama walking course. Throughout the day, we learned so much about the region’s culture and history and experienced the area’s unique atmosphere through seeing, tasting, and exploring. Tetsuji was an excellent guide — very friendly, flexible, and always attentive to our interests. His deep knowledge of Takayama and Hida-Furukawa made every stop more meaningful. He also took us to a wonderful local restaurant, where we shared a delicious meal together in a very pleasant and authentic setting. Thanks to Tetsuji, we spent a truly memorable day filled with new impressions and experiences we would never have had on our own. We can recommend him without any hesitation!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/691/77572.jpg)
Tetsuji Y.
I really appreciate that you and Sandra enjoyed my tour and felt comfortable asking questions, as if you were at home. I’m happy and grateful for your kind words about my work. Your curiosity about Japanese culture became the driving force that helped me naturally give my best performance. I hope you’ll come back to Japan and join my tour again in the near future—before I retire from this job! P.S. I was profoundly moved with your family story. Thank you so much for telling me
Marie-eve L.
“Nakasendo trail”
Nice hiking day along the Nakasendo trail with Tetsuji. The day was well planned and we stopped at key points to have informations or see beautiful scenery. Thank you Tetsuji, we will book another activity with you again on our next trip to japan.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/691/77572.jpg)
Tetsuji Y.
I am so happy receiving satisfaction message for my tour from you, and grateful for full marks. I am looking forward to seeing you and Francoi again.
$104/ per group
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2800/51957.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4880/161618.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/1091/25534.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/393/24447.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2800/51957.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/691/77572.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4353/81286.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/16763/87744.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4998/119215.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/15940/73f66133-5d9f-4f50-8c55-335fe35c1421.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/8516/127532.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/11007/52353.jpg)