Kakegawa is a middle-size city famous for its castle and its green tea production. As the city is located at almost the mid-point between Tokyo and Osaka, I hope that, during your Japan tour, you will get off a bullet train (shinkansen) here at Kakegawa Station and enjoy a short walking tour featuring the attractiveness of this region.
JR Kakegawa Station
JR Kakegawa Station
・The highlight of this tour is Kakegawa Castle, which was originally built about 500 years ago and flourished in the Edo Period. Although the castle tower was destoryed in the earthquake of 1854, it was rebuilt in 1994, using the original blueprints from 1644. The guide explains the history of the castle.
・The present structure of the Ninomaru Palace was built in the late Edo Period. Taking off our shoes, we can tour the inside, and the guide explains how each room was used.
・You can also taste the local Kakegawa green tea served in the authentic, traditional-style tea house.
guide fee
Entrance fee for Kakegawa Castle (combined ticket for the castle tower and the palace): 410 yen per person
Entrance fee for the Japanese-style tea house (including the charge for a cup of local green tea): 510 yen per person
Please refrain from resorting to the "direct booking." I hope you will book after we reach an agreement over the total price (including the taxi fare) through the exchange of text messages.
・To go to the top of the castle tower, you need to climb a lot of stairs. Some stairs are steep and may be a little demanding for some people. So please tell me beforehand if that's going to be a problem.
・If you are not very much familiar with the transportation system of Japan, it may not be very easy to get to JR Kakegawa Station. I think we will have an opportunity to exchange text messages prior to the tour. So I hope I will be able to help you get there and answer any of your travel questions via text.
You can get there by the Tokaido Shinkansen or the regular JR lines. If you use the shinkansen, please take the Kodama train because only Kodama stops at Kakegawa Station. The Nozomi and Hikari don't.
Koji was very knowledgeable on the area. He arranged a private driver for us which was very reasonable . He was prompt, courteous and flexible to our needs. He answered all our questions with more than expected . The time together went very quickly. I would highly recommend him and when I return will use him again.
Dear Rosanne, What an honor to me to receive such a good comment from you! It was a joy for us to welcome you two in this best season of the year. I hope that you can go back to your home country safe and sound and look forward to seeing you again.
We had a great day with Koji and Tetsu. Koji was extremely well organized and ensured that we saw a number of beautiful sites in the area. Tetsu is an excellent driver, communicated well with us and contributed greatly to our very positive day. Koji speaks very good English, had many relevant and important pieces of information and history to share with us and willingly answered all of our questions. He had a microphone in the van which was extremely helpful and appreciated. Our day was made more special by Mt.Fuji appearing and staying in clear view all day! Thank you Koji and Tetsu for giving us such a wonderful day and for ensuring that Mt.Fuji was so visible.????
Dear Marc, Many thanks for taking my tour today and writing the wonderful review! We also enjoyed spending time with you four. Thank you for asking us a lot of questions and giving us your feedback about the places you visited in Japan. Please enjoy the visit to Tokyo tomorrow. (I will convey your words to Tetsu the driver. He'll be glad.)
Kijo arranged a great itinerary where we had great views of waterfalls, Mr Fuji and a fun visit to a tea plantation.
Dear Diana, Thank you very much for taking my tour yesterday and writing the good review about it! The taxi driver and I could enjoy spending time with you four. Please take care and enjoy the rest of your cruise ship travel!
Koji-san was a fantastic guide and went above and beyond for our party, providing a service that could only be described as fit for royalty! He is very knowledgeable, makes great conversation, and has a sparkling personality that makes him extremely likable and great to be around! My party would come back to Shimizu, honestly, if not just to take another tour with Koji-san! Thank you for all the effort, energy and passion you put into a fantastic day!!!
Dear sir, It is a great honor for me to receive such a wonderful review from you. Although I am fully aware that I am still at the lower-class servant stage as a tour guide, your kind words still give me encouragement toward the future. Well, it was unfortunate that, due to the rain, I couldn't show your party the figure of Mount Fuji. Let's hope that the weather will be fine the next time!