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Sakata Maiko Dance, Prosperous Merchant House, and Beautiful Zen Temple's Garden
Joined 2024
Sakata is a gorgeous harbour town along the Sea of Japan, rich in nature, culture and tradition inherited from prosperous era in 16~18th century by sea trade with Edo(Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto. It left top-class restaurants where Maiko/Geisha dance to accommodate the merchants from Osaka/Kyoto, and the gorgeous house and garden of the rich Sakata merchant Honma family.
We also visit to inland Zen temple Gyokusenji beautiful garden at foot of holy Hagurosan Shrine.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Sakata Port, Sakata Station, or Shonai Airport
Gyokusenji Temple
Gyokusenji Temple, established in 13th century affiliated with the Soto School of Zen Buddhism, is renowned for its Zen garden. It's "Place of Scenic Beauty" designated by Government Cultural Affairs Agency. You can also enjoy maccha green tea and Japanese sweets with a view of the garden.
Somaro restaurantnt
Somaro, originally a traditional Japanese high-class restaurant operated for over 100 years, is best place to experience the rich history and culture of the port city of Sakata. We can enjoy course menue of traditional Japanese food, followed by Maiko dance performance.
Honma Museum of Art
The fourth generation of the rich merchant Homma Family derived a plan to construct and maintain the garden, Kakubuen, for job creation as measure against unemployment. Built in 1813, Seienkaku served as a lodging house when the feudal lord came to inspect his territory, and as a guesthouse for the Imperial Family, royalty, and government officials after the Edo period. This picturesque garden and house became open to public in 1968, and you may enjoy bitter maccha tea with an artistic sweet wagashi confection surrounded by this scenic atmosphere.
Sankyosoko
Sankyo-soko Rice Storehouse was constructed in 1893, comprised of 12 storehouses capable of storing 10,800 tons rice. They are wooden structure, equipped with double roofs, lined with zelkova trees to keep cool the inside. They finished to serve as storage and is now renovated to souvenir shop.
Ending Point
Sakata Port, Sakata Station, or Shonai Airport
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
-Private car driving fee inclusive of gasoline, toll, parking
-Lunch and drinks
-Maiko Performance at Somaro: 2.500 yen per person
-Honma Museum of Art: 1,100 yen per person
-Gyokusenji Temple: 500 yen per person
Tour Important Information
-This tour is for the party up to three persons. If you are the party over four persons, please consult me as we need to arrange for different logistics.
-This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
-This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
-This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible.
***NOTE***
Maiko dance performance is not available on some specific dates on the year. Please contact me first if you want to secure visiting spot.
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 2024
About Tour Guide Kenichi K.
I would be very glad to guide overseas tourists based on my various working experiences over 30 years in a general trading house, including overseas clients' guide in Japanese local cities, being aware of their interests and viewpoints learned through my engagement with various clients during my overseas assignments (10 years in total) and business trips to some 40 countries.
During the past 10 years living in Akita City (northern Japan), I could greatly expand my outdoor activities such as trekking (not only green season but also winter snowshoe hiking), skiing, and experiencing various local traditional festivals, fireworks festival, hot spring lodges stay with local cuisines/Sake etc. I would very much like to share such joy with our valued overseas tourists!
$525/ per group
More tours by Kenichi K.
Akita Nature and Culture Experience - Full-day Trekking and Kakunodate Samurai House
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Kakunodate Samurai House and Lake Tazawa
Inland Akita provides you with beautiful nature and rich historical culture. Unfolded from a Lookout is a breathtaking view of Lake Tazawa and high mountains seen beyond it. At Kakunodate Castle Town, you will feel its 400-year history strolling along the Samurai House street lined with beautiful and lush tall trees. If we drop in at a Samurai House, we will be impressed with the armory and the other Samurai tools used hundreds of years ago!
Trekking holy mountain Gassan Midagahara Marsh and Beautiful flower temple "Gyokusenji" on its foot
Yamagata Prefecture, blessed with beautiful nature of mountains, seashore, waterfalls, has been deemed holy place and object of worship from ancient time. And temples and shrines at the foot of such mountains are full of lush green, or autumn foliage and beautiful flowers.
Other Popular Car Tour (driving guide) Tours in Yamagata
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Holy hike to the top of Mt. Haguro via 2,446 stone steps
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Holy hike to the top of Mt. Haguro via 2,446 stone steps and shojin ryori lunch
Mt. Haguro in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, is one of three mountains of Dewa and a popular destination for those who want to immerse themselves in beautiful nature. Attractions include -Shinkyo Bridge and Suganotaki Waterfall -Grandfather Cedar Tree -Five-Storied Pagoda (National Treasure) -Michelin Green Guide 3-Starred Cedar Forest -Shojin Ryori (Vegetarian lunch) You will feel refreshed and energized after completing the round trip of 2,446 stone steps, ascending and descending.