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Experience Hozoin School of Spearmanship

Unique Experience
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Nara
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!English
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!6 hours
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Private tour (only you and your group)
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Up to 10 people

Nara is a birth place of the Hozoin-Ryu Sojutu School of spearmanship. It was founded by Kakuzenbo Hoin In-ei who was a Buddhist monk of Kohfukuji Temple in Nara dating back 450 years.It is said that In-ei invented a spear with cross-shaped spearhead inspired by the reflection of the crescent moon on Sarusawa-ike Pond. This tour will take you to the related places to Kakuzenbo Hoin In-ei.


Nara Tour Guide - Hiroyuki F.
Hiroyuki F.
4.90 / 5
(111 reviews)
09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Nara city/JR Nara Station/Kintetsu Nara Station

09:30 AM

Practice the Hozoin-Ryu Sojutsu School of spearmanship under the guidance of th Hozoin-Ryu practitioner for two hours

This practice is available for every Saturday. Special arrangement with the school is required except for Saturday. Depending on the response from the school, there is a case that the practice is not available. Some sort of offertory is preferable for the practice.

01:00 PM

Sarusawa-ike Pond

Sarusawa-ike Pond is the place where Kakuzenbo In-ei was inspired to invent cross shaped spearhead during Edo period.

01:30 PM

Kohfukuji Temple

02:00 PM

Ruin of Hozoin Temple

02:40 PM

Kozenji Temple

Kakuzenbo In-ei's mortuary tablet is enshrined in this temple.

Cemetery for the In-ei family(optional tour)

Ending Point

At your convenient place in Nara city

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Inclusions & Exclusions

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What‘s included

guide fee

hotel pick-up in Nara city

traffic expenses for the guide

admission fee for the guide


GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
What‘s not included

traffic expenses for you

meals for you and the guide

admission fee

offertory for a few thousand yen per person to Hozoinryu school to be used for rental fee for the training hall and administration fee, which varies depending on the number of participants


Tour Important Information

This tour includes practice for the cross shaped spear under the guidance of the Hozoin-Ryu practitioner at the designated place. If your date for the tour is scheduled for Saturday, it is free of charge. In case of the dates except for Saturdays, I can arrange paid optional practice for the cross-shaped spear under the guidance of the Hozoin-Ryu Sojutu School of spearmanship according to your request. After the practice, I will guide you over the related places to the Hozoin-Ryu.

Let's practice and explore the legend of the Hozoin-Ryu!

Regarding the tour except for Saturday, I will provide the practice and the lecture on Hozoin-Ryu Sojutu School of Spearmanship under the guidance of the Hozoin-Ryu practitioner at the designated place between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Reservations are required one month before the tour date to secure the place for the practice. You are also required for a few thousand of offertory to the association.

Important message from the guide

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I am not a chauffeur. I am not authorized to drive a car with guest.

Cancellation Policy

  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Nara Tour Reviews

Excellent guide,!!!

If we could give 10 stars we would do that for HIRO. We had such a wonderful day in Nara with him and saw the most incredible sites. He was so enthusiastic and was so knowledgeable everywhere we went. We also stopped for a wonderful lunch and got to rest for a while and then continued our eight hour tour. Needless to say “HIGHLY RECOMMEND “

Noel N.

Dear Noel, Thank you Noel for such encouraging words, it motivates me to work harder and improve better. I had a very good time with you and Diane talking about the history and culture of Japan. I was especially impressed with your question about the fund for the construction of the Great Buddha Hall. It was built by the people's power. I hope you will enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan and have a safe trip home. Best regards, Hiro

Fabulous Two-Day Tour of Osaka & Kyoto

We were introduced to Hiroyuki through another guide. He helped us to plan a custom tour of Osaka and Kyoto over a two day period. His planning was impeccable, down to each train we would be traveling and each train station we would be transitioning through. His in-depth knowledge of history of the region was interwoven with personal experiences. We are grateful to him for introducing us to this wonderful country. Highly recommended.

Leslie N.

Dear Leslie, Thank you for taking the time to write this review. Your kind words encourage me greatly. In fact I usually don't visit museums with the guest, however you gave me a good opportunity to visit Osaka Ukiyoe Museum etc., which was of help to my guide ability. I hear that you have more than ten days tour in Japan from tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay and have safe journey. Best regards, Hiro

Excellent guide, knowledgeable and fun

We enjoyed our day completely

Lisa  W.

Dear Lisa, It's a pleasure to serve you, thank you for your valuable feedback. Please enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan. Best regards, Hiro

$155/ per group

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