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Legacy of the Shogun – The Most Powerful Samurai Roots

Legacy of the Shogun – The Most Powerful Samurai Roots

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2025

Masayuki K.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nagoya

English (Native), Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Masayuki K.)

Up to 10 people

Explore the world of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s shogun who united the nation. This Nagoya tour traces his samurai roots. At Atsuta Shrine’s Kusanagi Museum, you can touch one of Japan’s largest swords — a rare hands-on experience, even though the sacred Kusanagi sword cannot be seen. Next, visit the Samurai & Ninja Museum to see authentic armor, weapons, and learn about Bushidō, the warrior code. Experience history, culture, and the spirit of the samurai, following the path from warrior to shogun.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

Nagoya station

- I’ll meet in front of the famous “Kin-Dokei” or the big golden clock. If you’re unsure where that is, just ask a station attendant or nearby shop staff and you’ll find it in no time:)

10:30 AM

Atsuta shrine and the longest sword

Atsuta Jingu is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, with over 1,900 years of history. It enshrines the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan, symbolizing courage and divine power.

Surrounded by a lush forest in the heart of Nagoya, the shrine offers a peaceful escape from the city. Visitors can stroll through ancient trees, feel the spiritual atmosphere, and experience traditional Japanese culture. Don’t miss the treasure hall, which displays sacred artifacts and historical items connected to Japan’s imperial history.

Atsuta Jingu is also famous for its good-luck charms and its nearby Miwa no Kamiya Chaya, where you can enjoy kishimen, a local flat noodle dish loved by visitors for centuries.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Samurai Experience

At Atsuta Jingu, you can touch one of Japan’s largest swords — an extraordinary chance to connect with the spirit of the samurai and Japan’s ancient legends.

It’s about 3 meters (10 feet) long — nearly four times longer than a regular samurai sword.

This massive blade was made as an offering to the gods, not for battle, and it’s one of the largest swords ever crafted in Japan.

11:30 AM

Nagoya Castle and the history

Nagoya Castle, in the heart of Nagoya city, is a must-visit landmark for anyone interested in samurai history and Japanese culture. Built in the early 17th century by Tokugawa Ieyasu’s son, it served as the seat of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family. The reconstructed main keep, adorned with the golden shachihoko, towers over the grounds and offers panoramic views of the city.

Inside, visitors can see samurai armor, swords, and historical artifacts that reveal life in Japan’s feudal era. The castle’s wooden interiors and stone foundations showcase both aesthetic beauty and strategic design. Surrounding gardens are perfect for strolling, especially during cherry blossom season or autumn foliage.

01:00 PM

Lunch at Kinshachi Yokocho

After exploring Nagoya Castle, treat yourself to lunch at Kinshachi Yokocho, a vibrant food and shopping area right at the castle’s base. Here, you can savor Nagoya’s famous local dishes, from crispy miso katsu (pork cutlet with rich miso sauce) to hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice), all served in stylish, modern restaurants with traditional Japanese touches. The lively streets, decorated with golden shachihoko motifs, make dining not just a meal but a cultural experience, where history, flavor, and atmosphere come together perfectly.

02:00 PM

Nagoya Touken World

The Nagoya Sword Museum, located in Sakae, Nagoya, showcases over 550 Japanese swords, 50 suits of armour, 350 historical firearms, and 150 ukiyo‑e prints, offering visitors an immersive experience of samurai culture through both traditional artifacts and modern digital displays.

03:00 PM

Shopping through the local street market and Donki

For a fun and vibrant shopping experience, explore Osu Shopping Street and nearby Don Quijote. Osu offers a mix of traditional shops, quirky boutiques, and unique Japanese souvenirs, from anime goods to vintage fashion, giving visitors a lively taste of local culture. Just a short walk away, Don Quijote adds a thrilling twist with its maze-like aisles packed with everything imaginable — snacks, electronics, cosmetics, and quirky gadgets — perfect for browsing, discovering hidden treasures, and enjoying the playful energy of modern Japanese shopping.

Ending Point

Nagoya station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

・Guide fee

・Arrangement fee

What‘s not included

・Public transportation fee for you and the guide around 1000yen per person

・Price for the tickets and entrance fee around 2000yen per person per day

・Price for the foods and drinks for you and the guide

Around 5000yen per person per day

・Your souvenirs and personal expenses during the tour

As much as you are going to buy:)

Tour Important Information

You can also upgrade to a private car tour for an additional fee of ¥30,000–¥50,000.

In that case, please send me a message, and I’ll provide you with a new itinerary.

・This tour might involve a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

・Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

・Since we are traveling on a private van, we can carry some bigger luggages.

・Some places does not accept credit cards, so you might need cash.

I’ve spent two years traveling all around Japan, exploring every prefecture with my own eyes. With this firsthand experience and access to a wide range of local knowledge, I can help you plan an unforgettable journey—one that goes beyond the typical tourist spots.

From local gourmet treasures and hidden gems to the most popular sights and places only locals know, I’ll make sure you experience the very best of Japan. Whether you’re looking for traditional flavors, trendy food spots, or scenic routes off the beaten path, I’ll tailor the trip to your interests.

If you are interested in specific places or things, please send me a message. I can search about it and offer you the best tour!

Feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to guide you with care and make your time in Japan truly special!

Important message from the supplier

if you could make a permanent reservation 1 month before the travel, I can support you well and you'll be able to enjoy Japan to the most.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2025

Masayuki K.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Masayuki K.

Hello!

my name is Masa

“Private Car Tour Guide”, anywhere in Japan.

Just send me a message of where and what you wanna do!

——-

I was born in Japan and grew up in the United States.

After returning to Japan, I've worked all across the country. I spent a year traveling around Japan in a car that I DIY-converted into a camper. I hope to share the experiences and the knowledges of how to enjoy our culture to the most with people from all over the world.

I would like to introduce Japan's beautiful tourist spots that you can enjoy in every season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—along with local delicacies beloved by the people in each area, and how to enjoy the unique cultures rooted in each region, such as: sushi, wagyu beef, cherry blossoms, rich milk bread, fluffy pancakes, convenient store's meals and snacks, maid cafe, izakaya(restaurant specialized to drink an alcohol), sake factory and so on.

I can create an original itinerary based on your interests! I’ll guide you with my private van anywhere in Japan from Hokkaido(top part of Japan) to Okinawa(bottom part of Japan). Without being restricted by public transportation schedules, allowing for more freedom in your travel. This is something only someone who has traveled the entire country, like me, can do! I’ll support you to the most, so please enjoy your time in Japan to the fullest!

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We also offer airport/port transfer service and sightseeing car tours throughout Japan. Please send me a message for more details. We can also provide vehicles according to the number of passengers, from one person to a group.

In Tokyo, we can also arrange for you to experience making character bento lunches during your car tour.

Please feel free to contact us.

For over few years, we have arranged lot of high quality tours per year with no accidents. Our service will surely make your trip to Japan more comfortable and memorable.

We look forward to seeing you in Japan!