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Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area
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Joined 2019
Interested in historical sites in Japan?
How about Joetsu City? Just a short ride from Tokyo (two hours.)
Joetsu City is located in Niigata Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan.
Takada Area, a famous sightseeing spot in Joetsu, has interesting features: a castle town, a snowy town, and tasty food and sake. By walking along a local town and communicating with local people, you will feel refreshed and energized.
I hope to see you soon!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Joetsu-Myoko Station on Hokuriku Bullet Train Line
Meeting point: Joetsu-Myoko station on the Hokuriku Bullet Line
Departing from Tokyo at 7:52, The Hokuriku bullet train arrives at Joetsu-Myoko station at 9:58. We will meet at the station. Then take a local train named Tokitetsu Line to Takada station, two-stations away.
Takada Komachi, a traditional townhouse and Gangi Streets, snow shelter spaces
Takada area is a former castle town in a snowy country. Walking along this area you will find what was like a castle town and how local people live in snowy country.
Sake brewery and having lunch: enjoy tasting sake and learn how sake is brewed
Niigata prefecture is famous for delicious rice and sake. How about visiting a sake brewery and tasting some of it? Musashino Sake Brewery provides an opportunity to learn how sake is brewed and to taste it.
The brewery has a beautiful Japanese garden. If you prefer, you may eat a tasty lunch there.
Takada Park: a former castle site
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and get refreshed according to the four seasons while taking a walk in the park. 4000 cherry trees bloom in spring, locus flowers occupy surrounding moats in summer, yellow and red leaves decorate the park in fall, and the snow paints white in winter.
Takada Castle was built in 1614. It was one of the largest castle sites in those days.
Temple streets: 66 Buddhist temples line up two temple streets
How about paying a visit to one of the temples and have time to talk to a priest?
Temples were located on the west side of town for security when the castle was built in the 17th century.
Buy an ekiben and take a train back to Tokyo
An ekiben is a boxed lunch or dinner. "Sake-meshi, or salmon and rice" is the ekiben selling at Joetsu-Myoko station and won the first prize in the ekiben contest in 2019.
Ending Point
At Joetsu-Myoko Station on Hokuriku Bullet Train Line
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
Guide fee
Your travel expenses to Joetsu-Myoko Station where the guide meets you.
Your travel expenses in Joetsu City; local trains with a few stations, taxi if necessary.
Sake tasting and learning; there are three courses at Musashino sake brewery; 700yen, 1,500yen, 2,000yen
depending on how you taste and learn sake.
Entrance fee some of the facilities listed above for you and the guide.
Lunch for you and the guide.
JPY 1000 for guide's transportation fee to/ from Joetsu-Myoko Station
JPY 5000 is needed, If I use my car to show you around in the area.
Tour Important Information
1) There are two types of Bullet train in Hokuriku Line: Hakutaka and Kagayaki. Only Hakutaka trains stop at Joetsu-Myoko Station.
2) Warm clothes and shoes are recommended for walking in winter.
3) Please inform us if you have any religious or health restrictions, allergies, or have other specific requests.
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 2019
About Tour Guide Keiichi S.
Hello! My name is Keiichi. Please call me Kei.
I was born and raised in Joetsu City, located in the southern part of Niigata prefecture. Joetsu was the former capital city of Echigo Province until the mid 19th century. It has a lot of historic sites and scenic spots, and most of all good people. I love my city very much.
I worked for the Joetsu City office for over thirty years. During my time there, I was in charge of international relations for about ten years. After retiring from the office, I began working as a licensed tour guide. I am very excited to introduce my city to people all over the world.
Reviews
Nikki K.
“Snow Monkey Tour and more! ”
Kei was awesome. We met on time and he had planned our day well. He was informative and shared with us places we might not have gone ourselves. Snow monkey, Obuse Town, a traditional Japanese meal and a local museum. Highly recommend Kei! Thank you for the family photos. Arigato gozaimasu Kei-san
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Keiichi S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and the high rating. I truly enjoyed guiding you and spending the day with you and your two daughters. It was a pleasure to share the snow monkeys, Obuse, the traditional Japanese meal, and the local museum together. Japan has many interesting places not only in Tokyo and Kyoto but also in the countryside, so I hope you will visit Japan again and explore more regional areas. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. Arigatou gozaimashita, and I look forward to seeing you again someday! Kei
Li H.
“Wonderfull Day Tour of Snow Monkey and Obuse Town”
We wanted to photograph the snow monkeys in snowy conditions and with help from Kei (and Mother Nature) - we had the perfect condition on the day we went. Kei provided suggestions with timing (getting there early and on a weekday), train schedules and also other places to visit while in the area. I appreciate that he responded to my many questions right away. He was very patient with us while we were photographing the snow monkeys for most of the morning and he very kindly photographed us throughout our day and shared the photos with us at the end of our trip. We went out for lunch and toured around the quaint town of Obuse before heading back to Tokyo. I also enjoyed the various facts Kei shared about the surrounding area and also fun to chat with him about life in Japan. I highly recommend Kei for your next adventure!
Keiichi S.
Dear Li, Thank you again for joining my tour and for your wonderful review. It really made my day. It was my first time guiding professional photographers, and I was so impressed by how patiently you followed your subjects and waited for the perfect moment. If you managed to capture some shots that you like, I’m really happy – and if you don’t mind, I would love to see a few of them! I also took some photos of the two of you while you were working. If you like those pictures, that would make me very happy. There are so many other great spots for snowy landscapes in this region, so I really hope we can explore some of them together on another trip in the future. Warmest regards, Kei
L L.
“What a wonderful experience!”
We were fortunate to be able to have Mr. Kei as our guide, He was personal, engaging and knowledgeable. Our main goal of visiting Nagano was to see the famous snow monkeys, we have first planned to use the public transportation but sincere there were only the two of us( husband and I) Mr. Kei kindly offered to drive us in his small car , it was great ! We were able to reach our destination earlier- avoided more crowds and also gained interesting tidbits of local information along the way. Mr. Kei was certainly very familiar with the Judokudani snow monkey park, he knew every turn and slippery slopes well , patiently cautioned us where to slow down - I appreciated it much because I was clumsy and already had an injured hand. He also knew exactly where to take some really fantastic photos. All in all the trip was even more wonderful than we expected, thanks to Mr. Kei for helping us to create a beautiful and lasting memory. Lulu
Keiichi S.
Dear Lulu, Thank you very much for your wonderful review and kind words about my guiding. We were really lucky to have such beautiful blue skies that day, which made our time together even more enjoyable. I was also very happy that we could take a photo together in front of your hotel at the end of the tour – it became a very nice memory for me as well. I hope the rest of your stay in Japan was safe, relaxing, and full of great experiences. Warm regards, Kei
$222/ per group
More tours by Keiichi S.
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A Day Tour for Snow Monkey and Obuse Town
You will go to Snow Monkey Park and see how wild monkeys live and seem relaxed without minding human beings watching them. There are also some lovely places to visit from Nagano City, such as Obuse Town and Suzaka City. Especially, Obuse is a small but pleasant town where Hokusai, the ukiyoe artist known for "The Great Wave," lived in his later years. Entering the Museum, learning about his life, and eating delicious chestnut sweets will surely bring back good memories.
A Day Tour for Snow Monkey and Obuse Town
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Niigata City One Day Walking Tour
Niigata City is famous for its delicious rice, agricultural products, and fresh fish. This is thanks to the abundance of water that has made it a "city of water.” At the same time, however, people have suffered from floods since the beginning of history and have repeatedly overcome them. In addition, Niigata City today is home to some of the best people in the world of comics and modern dance. Come and taste the breeze of a town with such a unique history and character.
Niigata City One Day Walking Tour
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Highlights for Obuse and Suzaka from Nagano City
You can visit some lovely places near Nagano Station, such as Obuse and Suzaka. Obuse is a small but pleasant town where Hokusai, the ukiyoe woodblock print artist known for "The Great Wave," lived in his later years. Entering the Museum and eating delicious chestnut sweets will bring back good memories. Suzaka is famous for its warehouses, which give a good atmosphere and are now used as stores and museums. Garyu Park also provides a beautiful sight in each of the four seasons.
Highlights for Obuse and Suzaka from Nagano City
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Niigata
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Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour
You are to visit highlights of Niigata City in 7 hours using public transportation and taxi. Choose 5 spots to visit. You will love to walk along the Shinano River and cross the symbolic Bandai Bridge if time allows. You will also have opportunity to learn the history and background of abundant Niigata food culture such as sake, miso, rice balls and other food materials. From the top of Bakauke Observation Deck, you will have the great and panoramic view of the city and the nature.
Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour
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Shibata Castle and Central Shibata
Visitors can take the beautiful view of Shibata Castle, and feel the ambience of the castle town by walking along the streets. Please choose 6 spots to visit out of the highlights in central Shibata City.
Shibata Castle and Central Shibata
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Northern Culture Museum, Tsukioka and Fukushimagata Wetlands
Visitors can visit the large former Ito Family residence (Northern Culture Museum), and soak their feet in outdoor hot bath in Tsukioka. Please enjoy tasting various kinds of sake, local foods and lunch. Take a panoramic view of vast rice fields spreading in the Echigo Plain from the top floor of View Fukushimagata standing by the wetlands and learn how Niigata has centered rice in its culture.
Northern Culture Museum, Tsukioka and Fukushimagata Wetlands
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Gondola Ride to Mt Yahiko Top and Yahiko Shrine Visit plus Teradomari
Visitors can enjoy the hike to the top of Mt Yahiko by gondola and a 15-minute walk to the very top of the mountain to visit the uppermost Yahiko Shrine. Please take a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and the vast Echigo Plain. Cherry blossoms in spring and beautiful colored leaves in autumn are marvelous to see. Make a wish at main worship hall of Yahiko Shrine for a good memory. Also you will visit Teradomari Fish Market to nibble on some grilled seafood.
Gondola Ride to Mt Yahiko Top and Yahiko Shrine Visit plus Teradomari