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Kobe (Sake Brewer in Nada, China Town & Sorakuen Garden)
Osaka
7 hours
Kobe has developed as an international port city, and people from abroad have created their own unique culture there which made Kobe an exotic city. Chinatown, and Ijinkan, former residences for early foreign settlers, are typical examples. Kobe is also known as a famous its sake, there are many sake breweries in the Nada area. On this tour, we will visit China Town and Sorakuen, a Japan garden which has an Ijinkan, and a sake brewery in Nada.
FROM$316/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(166 reviews)
Tour of Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
Shiga
5 hours
(Highlights) More than 1,200 years have passed since the Reverend Dengyo-daishi Saicho settled in Mt. Hieizan. It is called the Mother Mountain of the Japanese Buddhist world, since it trained and gave birth to many noted priests like Honen, Eisai, Shinran, Dogen and Nichiren. Hieizan Enryaku-ji-Temple, registered in the World Cultural Heritage Sites list, consists of many magnificent buildings and lies on the top of Mt.Hiei which is some 800 meters high above the sea level. The temple precincts are made up of three districts: Toto (East district), Seito (West district) and Yokogawa district. The area is so wide and slopes are so steep that you have to be dressed in clothes for a mountain climbing and be ready for a hard physical exercise. However, once you are in the temple enclosure, you will be amazed at the dozens of magnificent buildings built with exquisite techniques. (How to enjoy) You can see the beautiful scenery from a cable car as it goes up the mountain. After reaching the temple area, enjoy having a look at the splendid structures and strolling on the paths. Especially at Konponchudo hall, you can immerse yourself in the mythical world of Buddhism. It is difficult to explain what the temple is all about in its entirety in this column; just visit and see. (Others) The JR train fare from Kyoto to Otsu is 240 yen and the Keihan Railway train fare from Hama-Otsu to Sakamoto is 240 yen. You have to walk about one kilometer from JR Otsu station to Keihan Railway Hama-Otsu station. The cable-car charge is 860 yen for one-way, 11-minute ride and the temple entrance fee is 700 yen.
FROM$143/ per group
Tatsuhiro N.
4.56 / 5
(62 reviews)
Shirakawa-go Village
Kanazawa
8 hours
In Shirakawa-go, there remain about 110 thatched houses with steep raftered roofs which look like a pair of hands held togethered in prayer. The steep roofs are inclined at 60 degrees from the horizontal. you can see the whole image of the village from the observatory in Ogimachi Park. The bus fare between Takayama and Shirakawa-go on a round trip is 4,420JPY/person. while from Takayama to Kanazawa through Shirakawa-go is 3,390JPY/person.
FROM$298/ per group
Hideo Y.
4.60 / 5
(182 reviews)
Superb View Spots in Kyoto Part 3
Kyoto
8 hours
Kyoto is covered by mountains for 3 sides besides South, and many temples, shrines and gardens are located at the foot of mountains on the East Side Kyoto Culture started on the West Side and moved to the East Side. I plan this tour to observe several scenic places from North to South on the Eastern Side mountains. Silver Temple, Philosopher's path, Nanzenji Temple, Murinan Garden, Nishiki Market and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
FROM$309/ per group
Eric T.
4.88 / 5
(52 reviews)
Tokyo Cherry Blossoms viewing at various spots (2)
Tokyo
6 hours
This tour introduces you about Tokyo Cherry Blossoms viewing at various spots such as Tokyo Nihonbashi, Edo Sakura Dori street, Bank of Japan Head office, Ueno Onshi park, Sumida Park and Yoyogi park. The season of this tour is around mid of March to that of April. You can focus to enjoy the beautiful Cherry Blossoms during this tour.
FROM$190/ per group
Kashima H.
4.68 / 5
(79 reviews)
For Japanese descendants
Wakayama
8 hours
Japan used to be a country of emigrants. Many Japanese emigrated abroad. Currently, there are about 3 million Nikkei living overseas. Nikkei are now from the Yonsei to Rokusei generations, and in many cases contacts with Japan had already faded out. I would arrange a roots searching tour for you no matter your where your ancestors were from. Visit your roots and have conversations with local people, if you are lucky enough, you might be able to find your relatives.
FROM$265/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(166 reviews)
Tour of Osaka Dotombori
Osaka
4 hours
(Highlights) Dotombori is to Osaka what Gion is to Kyoto. The district is located in the area popularly called "Minami (south)", or south of Osaka city centering on Kintets` Railway Namba station, as compared with "Kita (north)", where JR Osaka station is the hub. On both sides of Dotombori river line business offices, shops, entertainment facilities and all sorts of restaurants and eateries. You can enjoy cruising the 20-minute river on board the yellow-colored boat, which is run two to third times an hour between 1 pm and 9 pm. (How to enjoy) Walk along the banks of Dotombori river, spend happy time on board the cruising boat while doing the sites on both sides, or enjoy eating or shopping in the area above the river bank. It would be better for you to be there in the evening in summer when the daytime heat subsides and cool wind prevails. There are many well-known places which have distinctive characteristics: Ebisubashi-suji shopping street, where many shops from Edo period line; Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, where there are fashionable shops; Soemon-cho Shopping Street good for night life; Dotombori Shopping Street, otherwise called "Kuidaore-no-mahci, where you can spend all your money eating; Sennichi-mae Shopping Street; and Hozenji-yokocho Street, known for the mossed "Mizukake-fudoson" Buddha statue and for the long-running TV drams in former days. All these places are good for eating and walking. By the way, "suji" means a street running from north to south in Osaka. (Others) JR transportation fare from Kyoto to Osaka is 560 yen and the subway fare from Osaka to Namba, 240 yen. The fare for the cruise boat ride is 900 yen.
FROM$143/ per group
Tatsuhiro N.
4.56 / 5
(62 reviews)
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Aichi
10 hours 30 min
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route has seven stations Between Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture and Ogisawa in Nagano Prefecture. We can move about 37km-roure using three vehicles such as cable cars, trolley buses, and a ropeway. Tateyama is one of the few mountains that glacier remains, so you can enjoy a panoramic view of snow-covered Tateyama mountain range.
FROM$411/ per group
Hideo Y.
4.60 / 5
(182 reviews)
Appreciate 3 special spots of Food and Sweets
Kyoto
6 hours
Would you appreciate 3 kinds of Kyoto fantastic food and fashionable Sweets ? We will offer you 10 selected restaurants or sweets shops, which are originated in Kyoto. Because Kyoto had been a capital of Japan for 1000 years Some shops have history of furnishing their goods to emperor family from 400 years ago, You may be in touch with old Japanese culture by joining this tour. You can taste 3 kinds specialities out of 10, with town walking.
FROM$253/ per group
Eric T.
4.88 / 5
(52 reviews)
Tokyo Autumn Color Leaves at various Gardens (1)
Tokyo
7 hours
This tour introduces you about Tokyo Autumn Color Leaves at various gardens such as Imperial Palace & East Garden, Ueno Onshi park, Hamarikyu Onshi Teien and Hibiya Park. The season of this tour is around beginning of November to that of December. You can focus to enjoy the beautiful Autumn Color Leaves during this tour.
FROM$211/ per group
Kashima H.
4.68 / 5
(79 reviews)
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Wakayama
Wakayama
10 hours 30 min
Mt. Koya is a sacred site for Esoteric Buddhism established by high priest Kukai in 816. He tried to build the Buddas’ world in a small mountaintop basin of altitude 800m. There are 117 temples there centered by the Temple Complex where the important buildings are located. People believe that the high priest Kukai is still alive to meditate in his chamber in the holy cemetery Okuno-in. They say there are 400,000 tomb stones, monuments, pagodas and others there.
FROM$316/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(166 reviews)
Tour of Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival / Cruising on the river
Osaka
4 hours
(Highlights) Held in the evening of July 25 each year, this festival attracts more than a million spectators. Dozens of rafts full of invited, kimono-clad people towed by small boats go upstream the major river in the heart of Osaka, while on-lookers watch from the river bank, nearby bridges and the pier. There stand stalls selling varieties of food, filling in every nook and corner of the river bank. Thousands of fireworks are shot up into the night sky to the great enjoyment of visitors. (Origin of the festival) The myth says that in the year 951, two years after God descended from heaven and settled in the Tenmangu Shrine, they flowed a sacred float in the river from the nearby beach and a funeral hall was built and "misogi" purification ceremony held at the shore where the float reached. Then, those living near the shrine and worshipers built a ship to contributed to the shrine. (How to enjoy) You can see rafts full of "yukata"-clad people in the festive mood on board slowly going upstream the river, while being soaked in the cool evening atmosphere. After dark, fireworks setting the skies ablaze make you sigh in joyful excitement. You can have whatever food you like at the stalls built in the riverbank. (Transportation) The JR train fare from Kyoto station to Osaka station is 560 yen and the subway fare, 180 yen. (Others) Since the venue is very crowded, please do your utmost in protecting yourself from being bumped by others and from theft. If you are there on the days other than the festival day, you can enjoy cruising on board a sightseeing ship called "Osaka water-bus" for a fee of 1,700 yen for one-hour ride. You can see the landscape of Osaka city from different angles as the ship sails along the river. Daytime only, however.
FROM$143/ per group
Tatsuhiro N.
4.56 / 5
(62 reviews)
Hiroshima City Sightseeing
Hiroshima
8 hours
I'd like to take you to Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle, Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Museum of Art. In Shukkeien garden. you can enjoy beautiful flowers every season. You can see Atomic Bomb Dome and visit peace memorial Museum. In the Hiroshima Museum of Art, you can see collection of paintings of great artists. Hiroshima's lcal food is Okonomiyaki. It is a Japanese-style pancake grilled on an iron plate.
FROM$298/ per group
Hideo Y.
4.60 / 5
(182 reviews)
Moss Temple, Daigo Temple & Arashiyama
Kyoto
8 hours
You can visit Moss Temple, Daigo Temple. Tenryuji Temple & Hozu River area at the best time, full blooming tof Cherry Blossom. Regarding Moss Temple, we need to make a reservation in advance, then please book tour one month before. When we cannot book the tour on your requesting day, please cancel this tour.
FROM$309/ per group
Eric T.
4.88 / 5
(52 reviews)
Tokyo Autumn Color Leaves at various Gardens (2)
Tokyo
7 hours
This tour introduces you about Tokyo Autumn Color Leaves at various gardens such as Avenue of Gingko trees in the outer garden of Meiji shrine (Jingu Gaien), Rikugien Gardens, Kyu-Furukawa Garden and Shinjuku Gyoen. The season of this tour is around beginning of November to that of December. You can focus to enjoy the beautiful Autumn Color Leaves during this tour.
FROM$211/ per group
Kashima H.
4.68 / 5
(79 reviews)
Kumano Kodo Hongu Loop and Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
Kumano
8 hours
Kumano is an important part of the World Heritage site “the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Kumano is in Wakayama Prefecture and I worked for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred site very well.
FROM$421/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(166 reviews)
Tour of Chionin Temple
Kyoto
3 hours
(Highlights) Chionin Temple is the head temple of "Jodo (Pure Land) shinsyu" sect of Buddhism in Japan. In addition to the magnificent buildings in the precincts, it is famous for the two main features: one is "uguisu-bari" flooring technique which helped thwart the attempts by robbers to steal by emitting a sound somewhat resembling the note of a "uguisu" bush warbler as they walked and the other is the largest bell in Japan measuring 2.4 meters in diameter, 5.1 meters in height, 23.8 centimeters in thickness and weighing 74 tons. The temple buildings stand in the midst of trees on the height that can overlook the cityscape of Kyoto below. But before reaching the main hall, "Goeido", you have to go up the steep stone stairways which, in turn, enables you to take a good exercise. (How to enjoy) Just walk in the temple compound, get into the main hall and listen to the priests preach. Just see the marvelous technique utilized in the construction of the floor of corridors which is said to be the work of a noted sculptor of the late 16th century, Hidadi (left-handed) Jingoro, and see for yourself if the planking sounds like the chirping of a bush warbler as you walk. Just have a look at and wonder at the huge temple bell. (Others) The bus fare is 230 yen and the entrance fee is 800 yen. However, the main hall, "Goeido", is now under the extensive repair work which is estimated to take some four years (as of April, 2015).
FROM$107/ per group
Tatsuhiro N.
4.56 / 5
(62 reviews)
Izumo Grand Shrine and Matsue Sightseeing
Shimane
7 hours 30 min
I would like to take you to Izumo Taisha, Matsue Castle and Yushien Gaden. Izumo Taisha Shrine is one of the most revered and oldest Shinto Shrines in Japan. It is dedicated to Okuninishi-no-mikoto, popularly known as "Daikokusama" or the deity of nation building and good marriage. Matsue castle was designated as a national treasure in 2015. YLuckily you cluld see 30,000 peonies in spring and 100,00 dahlias in autumn.
FROM$386/ per group
Hideo Y.
4.60 / 5
(182 reviews)
Mt.Fuji Tour with Public Transfer used from Tokyo
Tokyo
10 hours
Mt.Fuji whose altitude of 3776 meters is a sacred mountain which has been the object of Shinto religion from ancient period and registered as UNESCO world culture heritage. It covers Arakurayama Sengen Park with the Chureito, Mt.KachiKachi Ropeway and Ohishi park. You can enjoy and feel the sacred world.
FROM$386/ per group
Kashima H.
4.68 / 5
(79 reviews)
Kanazawa, a day trip from Osaka
Osaka
12 hours
Kanazawa is a beautiful ancient city in Hokuriku. As it was not bombed during the World War II, there remain many beautiful buildings and valuable cultural assets in the city. On this tour, we will make a day trip from Osaka to Kanazawa to visit Higashi Chayagai Streets, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, Omicho Market and more.
FROM$421/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(166 reviews)
Tour of Daikaku-ji Temple
Kyoto
3 hours
(History of the temple) This temple is the "Sohonzan" head temple of the Daikakuji faction of Shingonsyu Buddhism sect founded by the Reverend Kobo-daishi Kukai. It was originally built as the villa of Emperor Saga when he got married in early Heian period (794 to 1191) and was later enlarged and given the name Daikaku-ji Temple in 876. It is also the place where "Ikebana" flower arrangement began and the location of Samurai dramas and other modern dramas. (Highlights) There are a total of eight buildings, a ceiling painting, a large pond and others in the spacious precincts which are built with all sorts of Japanese construction technique and are a pleasure to your eyes. (How to enjoy) Just walk inside the buildings according to the instructions. You can get in touch with the serene but refined environment and the traditional Japanese culture. (Others) The entrance fee is 500 yen and the JR fare is 240 yen from Kyoto station.
FROM$107/ per group
Tatsuhiro N.
4.56 / 5
(62 reviews)
Kyoto Must-see Gardens of the Temples
Kyoto
8 hours
yoto was the ancient capital of Japan from 794 over one thousand years. I would like to introduce you Tenryuji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Daitokuji Temple. In the Tenryuji and Kinkakuji Temples there are stroll-type gardens while in other temples there are dry landscape gardens.
FROM$298/ per group
Hideo Y.
4.60 / 5
(182 reviews)
Nikko One day Tour of Enormous nature and Temple from Tokyo
Tokyo
11 hours 30 min
Nikko area is one of the greatest tour spots in Japan where you can see magnificent theme park created by nature. In parallel, it is also the theme park of Edo era (1603~1867). This tour introduces several tour spots as Chuzenji lake, Kegon fall from nature theme park and Nikko Toshogu shrine as UNESCO world cultural heritage build in Edo era (1603 – 1867).
FROM$407/ per group
Kashima H.
4.68 / 5
(79 reviews)
Overnight trip to Kumano Kodo and Kumano Hongu Taisha
Kumano
2 days
On this tour, we will visit Kumano Hongu to walk the Kumano Kodo and to pray at Kumano Hongu Taisha. On the first day, we will visit Kumano Hongu Taisha which is one of the Three Shrines in Kumano and its former site Oyunohara. We will stay overnight at a peaceful hot spring resort which is just next to a beautiful river. This hotel’s main feature is the hot spring on the river bed. On the second day, we will walk to final part of the Kumano Kodo for 3 hours to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
FROM$843/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(166 reviews)