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Meditation at a Traditional Japanese House and City Tour
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Joined 2018
You can have both a relaxing moment in a traditional Japanese house in the countryside and beautiful spots in the city central of Niigata. Please visit the house with a farmer's tradition and hear their stories. You can also take a meditation lesseon (for extra fee) and explore the farmer's propertty. You can slowdown your busy trip schedule in the morning and visit three scenic spots in the afternoon.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Uchino Station, Echigo Line
- You will meet your guide with the "Go with Guide" signboard at the exit. Then you will take a taxi or two to get to "Kuchinashi".
A Visit to "Kuchinashi"
"Kuchinashi" is a Japanese style Air B&B of a beautiful Japanese traditional house with a beautiful garden and large tatami-mat rooms. Guests will have a relaxing moment at "Kuchinashi", hearing the stories from the owner's wife about their history and their tradition over green tea and "wagashi". Admission: JPY1,100. You can walk around their neighbourhood and property and also take a meditation lesson in Japanese/English (JPY5,500 per person).
After the lesson or talk, you will have a specially designed healthy "bento" lunch box. The bento price is about JPY1200.
Uchino Station
You will take a taxi to get back to Uchino Station. Then please take a train to Niigata Station to explore the city.
Niigata Station
Get off the train at Niigata Station and take a bus to get to Bandaicity, a shopping area.
Mediaship
Visit the top floor of Mediaship to take a panoramic view of the city.
Bandai Bridge Crossing
You walk across the city's symbolic bridge, Bandai Bridge. Please take photos of the great Shinano River with Bandai Bridge.
Furumachi Shopping Arcade
Stroll along the old Furumachi Shopping Arcade to look for some souveniors, snacks and drinks, etc. This arcade stretches toward the city's most revered Hakusan Shrine.
Hakusan Park and Hakusan Shrine
Niigata's first public park, a Dutch-style garden next to Hakusan Shrine. Famous for seasonal beauty like cherry blossoms and lotus flowers. There is a shrine, Hakusan Shrine next to it.
Old Saito Family's Residence
Please visit a beautiful Meiji/Taisho era villa with a stunning Japanese garden reflecting Niigata's wealthy past. Admission: JPY400.
Ending Point
Niigata Station / Bandaicity
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
Guiding fee
Meditation lesson fee, transportation, meals, admission, souveniors, snacks and drinks, etc.
Tour Important Information
If you take a meditation lesson, please be prepared with comfortable clothing. You can change your clothes at "Kuchinashi" before the meditation lesson. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions. This tour involves a medium strength walking, so please be in comfortable shoes.
Booking is needed in 1 week before the tour date.
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 2018
About Tour Guide Mutsuko W.
Yokoso! Welcome!
Hi, I'm Mutsuko, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. A true Niigatite, I was born and raised in Niigata City with roots dating back generations. I would be pleased to show you another side of Japan in my beautiful and unique prefecture.
The Warm Hospitality: Niigata Prefecture is located on the west coast of the Japanese Archipelago, facing the Sea of Japan and provides a true insider look into the Japanese spirit. Only two hours away from Tokyo by Shinkansen, it has been perfecting the art of casual hospitality through centuries as a culinary hotspot and nature getaway for the those escaping the rat-race.
History at your own Pace: Appreciate history and culture at your own pace in Niigata. Yahiko, National Shrine has been soothing souls, and inspiring locals, poets, and travellers for over 2500 years. Historically significant buildings greet seafarers at Niigata Port and the old town area, Furumachi. Cross the symbolic Bandai Bridge to the other side of the Shinano River where we can move from the ancient to the modern in the Bandai area to shop and gather with young and old for entertainment such as movies, music, manga, and anime.
Over the Sea, Over the Mountain, Over the Fields: Nature is good to Niigata Prefecture, giving us four clear-cut seasons. People from all over the country, and travellers wanting to experience Japan with the Japanese join us to soak in the sun on our beaches, relax at spa resorts, challenge themselves on world class ski hills, and dance together at festivals that draw world class performers.
Travel with Me: With direct trains to and from Tokyo and an international airport, Niigata is just a stone's throw away to have a unique taste of Japan. Whether you're planning a day trip or a longer stay, I invite you to visit Niigata City and other parts of the prefecture, and while here, it would be my pleasure to help you create unique memories during your stay.
Reviews
Jeff D.
“Tour All Around Yahiko and Niigata”
Mutsuko-San is a very fun and accommodating guide. She was able to craft an itinerary around Tsubamesanjo, Yahiko and Niigata cities based on my interests, and when we were ahead of schedule she found ways to show me more of the city to spend some time before our next scheduled stop. She was also very friendly and easy to talk to about anything, which made the tour that much better. I would strongly recommend her for anyone looking for a day tour around the Niigata prefecture area!
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Mutsuko W.
Hello Jeff-san, I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive and engaging experience. Crafting customized itineraries and offering value-added opportunities is always my goal, and I'm delighted we could maximize your time in the Niigata prefecture. Thank you for your kind recommendation! Best Regards, Mutsuko
Stephen B.
“Excellent Tour of Niigata”
My wife and I toured Saito Villa and Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery with Matsuko while ported in Niigata. We very much enjoyed the tour. Matsuko is an outstanding guide. Excellent English and communicated lots of additional information about the sites we visited. Great preparation for our tour and very effective use of our limited available time. We highly recommend her.
Mutsuko W.
Steven san, Thank you so much! Reading your wonderfully detailed and kind review about your Niigata tour genuinely made my day. I’m truly happy to hear how much you and your wife enjoyed the experience in Niigata. It was an absolute pleasure guiding you, and I loved sharing the history and local details of Niigata with you both. Your generous comments are incredibly rewarding, and the highest compliment I could receive. Thank you for the wonderful feedback! I hope the rest of your cruise will be lovely. If your travels ever bring you back to Niigata, please feel free to reach out. Warmly, Mutsuko
Joan T.
“Wonderful Niigata Day Tour”
Our family of three from Hawai’i thoroughly enjoyed our day with Mutsuko. Communication and coordinating before the trip was excellent. Mutsuko was responsive and customized our tour integrating our ideas and her expert suggestions as a Niigata local. We rented our own car and she let us drive so we did not have to hire a van and driver. On the day of our tour, she met us at our ryokan and jumped into our car. Although we had a packed itinerary, Mutsuko timed everything so we never felt rushed. We had ample opportunity to explore, visit shops, discover local treats, and take lots of photos. She even helped us buy a suitcase (for all the amazing purchases we made) and find specific ingredients and gifts at the fish market, impromptu stops at local markets, and one very tiny local tea shop where we found a highly specific matcha that was sold out everywhere in Tokyo. Highlights: Mt. Yahiko was rainy and foggy but the ropeway tram was still enjoyable; Yahiko Shrine and surrounding area was beautiful and so peaceful; ate our way through Teradomari fish market where the sashimi was ultra fresh and so reasonable (we even returned the next day for more sashimi, fish cakes, and koshihikari rice ice cream); knife-making at Tojiro was fascinating and our two guides were friendly and encouraging; purchased a high-quality kitchen knife which they engraved with our name in kanji - this will be a treasured keepsake; picked and ate the most sweet delicious strawberries ever (AYCE in 50 min.) at Saito Orchard and Mutsuko won the contest with 35 strawberries; farmer’s market had many Niigata produce and gift items including sasadango and little cubes (about 2 cups) of Niigata rice. Highly recommend Mutsuko as a guide and will definitely contact her when we return to Niigata. Thank you, Mutsuko, for your warmth and friendliness, and your expert planning in creating a memorable experience for our first trip to beautiful Niigata.
Mutsuko W.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure spending the day with your lovely family and showing you some of the many treasures Niigata has to offer. I'm so glad we could blend your ideas with local experiences--especially the spontaneous stops and unique finds like the special matcha and the perfect suitcase! Even with the rainy weather at Mt. Yahiko, your positive energy and enthusiasm made the day so enjoyable. I'm also impressed by your sashimi adventures and so happy you returned for more--Niigata's seafood really is hard to resist! And I'll never forget our strawberry-picking "competition" at Saito Orchard--what a fun memory! Joan-san, I was truly touched by the beautiful gift bag you prepared for me before the tour. All the snacks and gummies--chosen so thoughtfully based on our earlier messages--were not only delicious but also heartwarming. I'm enjoying every bite with my family, and we all appreciate your kindness and generosity. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I'm honored to have been part of your first trip to Niigata, and I look forward to welcoming you back anytime. Until then, please take care and enjoy using your engraved knife--it truly is a special keepsake! Arigatou Gozaimashita! Warmest regards, Mutsuko
$162/ per group
More tours by Mutsuko W.
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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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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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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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