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.
At JR Gifu station, JR Nagoya station or At Meitetsu Inuyama Yuen station
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’ in Inuyama is located in a beautiful Japanese garden near the castle, You find a simple aesthetic value based on Zen Buddhism in it.
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.
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.
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.
At JR Gifu station
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.
“Very enjoyable visit to Shirakawago”
Tetsuji was very professional and we had a great time!
Richard Z.
Monet's Pond, Knife‒city Seki & Washi‒hometown Mino
“Detailed plan with flexibility, strong local knowledge”
Due to the bad weather, Tetsuji offered alternative to Monet's pond with Inuyama Castle. The change worked out well. The eel lunch in Seki was very good again. Perfect recommendation that only local knows. The old town of Mino and washi paper arts are memorable. Seki was the town for sword making. Traveling 3 cities with local trains within one day needs detail local knowledge. Tetsuji worked out detail plan, also with flexibility due to the weather change. I would recommend Tetsuji for non Japanese speakers want to visit local towns. That will make the trip much easier.
Tetsuji Y.
(33 reviews)Thank you for a superb review full of praise of my job. Now, I have got emotional with so much detailed nice words for me. I feel extremely honored to have worked as a guide for a lovely intelligent couple for two days in a row. I enjoyed myself not only guiding but also talking with you and Jane. I really hope you visit Japan and chat with me again. Please give my best regard to Jane.
“Well planned tour with many details”
Tetsuji guided us to Shirakawa-go. The tour was great. Starting from Gifu with train ride to Takayam, the train ride is a tour itself. The view was so beautiful that making the train ride was enjoyable. Right after arrived Shirakawa-go, Tetsuji put our name for a very good restaurant that serves hida beef. The lunch was perfect. Tetsuji was very detail person. Every detail is planned. All the activities that Tetsuji planned have their meanings, which we can feel it. And, Tetsuji took so many pictures of us. I believe those pictures will help us to reminding us about this trip. I would recommend Tetsuji to anyone that come to Shirakawa-go for the first time.
Tetsuji Y.
(33 reviews)Thank you for a superb review full of praise of my job. Now, I have got emotional with so much detailed nice words for me. I feel extremely honored to have worked as a guide for a lovely intelligent couple for two days in a row. I enjoyed myself not only guiding but also talking with you and Jane. I really hope you visit Japan and chat with me again. Please give my best regard to Jane.