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- Shore Excursion
Hands-on Exciting and Exploring Tour in Sakata (6.5 Hours)
This tour can give you chances to enjoy both Japanese traditional cultures and modern ones. We can visit a sembei rice cracker firm, rice storehouses, rice museum, Zen-sect Buddhist temple and a maiko teahouse. What makes this tour so special is that you can dive deep into ricce-related Sakata cultures, one of Japan's biggest rice production sites from long ago. You can't miss this amazing and unforgettable tour!
Meeting Point
Sakata Pier
- Your guide is waiting for you to appear at the very exit with a welcome board. You can take a taxi or a shuttle bus from here.
Sakata Sembei (Rice Cracker) Confectionery
We can observe all tha marvellous production lines.
We bake our own soy sauce flavored sembei for 400 yen.
Souvenirs are available at the end of the line.
Sankyo Rice Storehouses
We walk along the path of zelkova trees, which protect the rice
from strong wind and sunshine. (Must scenic spot)
Visit the Rice History Museum and learn about the past and present of rice cultivation.
Admission Fee: 300 yen (Cash only)
Enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch cooked with local ingredients at Hokotei Restaurant. (Reservation needed, From 3,000 yen)
Kaiko-ji Temple
First visit a 1,000-year old Zen temple main hall.
Leanrn a history of the building from the priest.
Then must-see two self-mummified living Buddhas in the small hall,
who sacrified thier lives for salvation of the locals. (No photographing!)
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Somaro Teahouse
10- minute walk from Kaikji Temple
Once a restaurant, now a sightseeing spot open to the public.
We can see amazing works of the late painter, Takeshita Yumeji (1884-1934).
Enjoy gorgeous kimono-clad maiko's dancing on the tatami room.
Admission Fee: 2,500 yen ( Entrance: 1,000, Maiko Dance: 1,500)
We can take a picture with them after the performance.
Take a taxi at 3: 15 pm to Sakata Pier (3:30 pm)
Ending Point
Sakata Pier
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee, Including Guide's Transportation and Pick-up Fees
Transportation Fees : About 5,000 yen (per person)
Admission Fees to the Facitities: About 4,000 totally (per person)
Lunch : About 3,000 or more (per person), It depends.
Tour Important Information
To optimize this tour, you might want to a use public tranport (taxi or shuttle bus) from Skata Pier. It is very reasonably priced. Also to avoid congestion lunch reservations are highly recommended. Only the number of seats is okay, and the specific menu can wait until you clarify your dietary restrictions if you have.
Important message from the guide
I'm available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
Transportation fee and lunch of you and a guide will be paid by the customer.
If you book me before making inquiries, please note that you may be requested to pay extra guide fee for hotel pickup (about 5,000 yen) depending on the location. So, please ask me first.
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
Yamagata Tour Reviews
Hedj J.
Evans Party Pick-up at Yamagata Station
Customized
“Perfect Service”
I am a travel professional that used Kuniaki for VIP clients I had traveling. His service was absolutely perfect. He provided the perfect service. I recommend him and will confirm his services in the future.
Kuniaki S.
(4 reviews)Thank you so much for writing a review for me. The tour was just a short period of time, but I really had the time of my life guiding and helping them carry their baggage. I hope that they felt the same as I did. Why don't you visit Yamagata again and delve into other places of scenic beauty and historical interest? The longer you stay here, the stronger your attachment to Yamagata becomes. I do wish that our paths will definitely cross again in the not-too-distant future. See you around! Pure Water
Kari L.
Authentic Snow Activity Tour in the Rural Snowbound Region, Tozawa Village
Customized
“Most authentic and wonderful tour guide!”
Kuniaki - aka Pure Water, the English translation of his name - planned an incredible two-day tour for us based in Yamagata. Pure Water went above and beyond in every aspect, planning everything thoroughly and precisely while also providing flexibility and options. He worked with us to create a fully customized itinerary including traditional activities such as harvesting winter vegetables, making soba with a soba master, a boat ride, and visiting the local onsen. He arranged all transportation and meals for us and even helped us find local authentic accommodation in a traditional Japanese farmhouse. We never would have had such a local or authentic experience without his help, and his passion and enthusiasm for tour-guiding and helping people experience Japan shone through at every step. As Pure Water says, we have left behind nothing but happy memories and will remember our time in Tozawa Village always! Thank you Pure Water!
Kuniaki S.
(4 reviews)Kari and Rob, I just can't thank you enough for writing such an unexpected review. It sure is my greatest honor that you both enjoyed OUR tour, "Authentic Snow Activity Tour in the Rural Snowbound Region, Tozawa Village," to the full! From the very scratch, we all planned our trip very carefully to meet our requirements, which was a lot of fun on my part, too. Despite the long journey you guys were amiable all the time and said "Arigato" in Japanese for any service you got, which made the locals around you very happy and comfortable. You're definitely one of the best couples I've ever met in my whole life! We miss you very much. Why don't you visit our place again to take another optional tour you missed this time. We, of course, roll out the red carpet for you both just like the Hina Dolls we saw at Farmhouse 'Ajiki'. Bon voyage! Wishing you a smooth flight to New Zealand, Kari and Rob. Poorest Water (Because we miss you so much!)
Spencer S.
Two-day Exciting Tour at Yamadera Temple and on Mt. Zao
Customized
“Very Nice Person”
Shimizu-San is a very nice person and we enjoyed his company. The first day to Yamadera was lots of fun but we could have done without the Basho museum. The second day was less interesting. Though the old Prefecture building was OK, it was not worth the time. Yamagata Castle was a bit of a bust. Lunch, however, at Gura was very good.
Kuniaki S.
(4 reviews)Thanks a lot for writing a review for me. I was very happy to have an opportunity to show you around Yamadera mountain complex and Kajo Koen Park. It was a pity, however, that we could not climb up to the top of Mt. Zao on the second day as originally scheduled becase of the weather and the cable car check-up. Maybe next time! I personally enjoyed your sophisticated talks and jokes all through the tour. You are definitely one of the best couples I've ever met in my whole life. Thanks again for choosing me as your personal guide for two days. Next time why not visit Mt. Zao and the Shinjo-Mogami region for another exciting tour? I'm very much looking forward to it. I do hope you'll enjoy the rest of your tour in Japan. See you again. Bon voyage!
