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9-Day Authentic Samurai and Sake Experience

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Extraordinary Experiences

  • Learn the brewing process of Sake, the famous Japanese alcoholic beverage and enjoy tastings while visiting the Imayo Tsukasa and Furusawa Sake Breweries
  • Practice traditional Zen meditation and Okaidan Meguri at the Sekizenko-ji Temple, a Samurai ritual to cleanse your body
  • Meet katana artisans in their own ateliers, watch them practice their craft and learn their life stories, and discover why the katana is a revered part of Japanese history and culture
  • Embark on a unique dining experience, you can be sure to never have again focused on metalwork at a famous knife factory
  • Immerse yourself in local cultural traditions with a doll-making experience where you'll learn about the different hanging dolls made in different areas and try your hand at making one yourself
  • Wander through the beautiful Kabusugi Giant Cedar Forest, where you will encounter over 70 ancient pine trees aged 400-500 years old

Overview

This 9-day trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will immerse you in rich history and culture, as you uncover two of the things that make Japan truly unique; Sake and Samurai.

When it comes to Sake, you'll learn about the various processes behind making sake and the unique properties that make each style of sake different - and just how many different ways there are as you explore local sake breweries throughout Niigata and Yamagata.

Now, it is time for your first introduction to the history of the Samurai. You'll start in Nagoya and head out to Inuyama, where your swordsmith training will begin. Beginning with an exploration of Inuyama Castle, one of Japan’s five national treasures, you will then spend the next two days learning the art of sword-making, its importance in Samurai and Japanese culture, its origins and the training behind it.

Next, you will have the rare opportunity to meet with katana artisans in their own ateliers, where you will watch their crafts being practised firsthand and learn the history of their trade. You'll visit a tsukamakishi (hilt-wrapper), a shiroganeshi (habaki-maker), a sayashi (scabbard-maker), and a togishi (sword polisher), and might even see their own personal antique collections on this tour!

This bucket-list trip captures the heart and history of Japan; Samurai and Sake, but also allows you time to explore the spiritual side of Japan, following walking trails to temples, meeting extraordinary locals and embracing the culture of this unique destination.

Accommodation listed or similar.
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Wellness
Food & Drink
Hiking & Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Tokyo

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Arrival in Tokyo

When you arrive in Tokyo for your Japanese trip, you'll immediately be taken out to Yahiko, where you'll have your first taste of local-style ramen. You'll go on a brief tour of the area, finishing at a beautiful viewpoint where you'll gaze out to the Sea of Japan before settling into your accommodation for the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Takasimaya4.5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Yahiko Shrine

    Yahiko Ropeway Station Sanroku

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Ramen Kojiro Sanjo

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station

    Train from Tokyo to Tsubamesanjo Station

    Private Driver from Tsubame to Yahiko

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Niigata

    Yahiko

    Tokyo

Day 2

Metalwork and Sake

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Metalwork and Sake

Today, you'll be introduced to the craftsmanship of this part of Japan, starting at the knife factory, where artisans have learned and evolved their craft over many years. You'll then dine in a restaurant where this craft is illustrated in some informative videos as you use their cutlery, a unique dining experience that you can be sure never to have again! Arriving in Niigata, you'll immediately be introduced to the sake made here, finished with a tasting.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Taikanso Senaminoyu4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tadafusa Knife Factory

    Niigata

    Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Niigata to Niigata

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Niigata

    Sanjo

    Murakami

Day 3

Workshops and Art in Sakata

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Workshops and Art in Sakata

In the morning, drive to Sakata and immerse yourself in local cultural traditions with a doll-making experience where you'll learn about the different hanging dolls made in different areas and try your hand at making one yourself. Finish the day exploring the Homma Museum of Art, featuring ancient and contemporary pieces and surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kasafuku Doll Making Experience

    Sakata

    Homma Museum

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Taikanso Senaminoyu to Sakata

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Murakami

    Sakata

    Tsuruoka

Day 4

Arrive in Ginzan Onsen Town

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Arrive in Ginzan Onsen Town

You will make your way to Ginzan Onsen, one of the most beautiful onsen towns in Japan, with some stops along the way. Before arriving at the onsen town, you'll stop at Mount Haguro to take a leisurely walk around a trail that takes you past many shrines and pagodas. You'll stop for another sake tasting and learn about even more techniques behind the national drink before dawning your yukata and relaxing!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Notoya Ryokan

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ginzan Onsen

    Mt. Haguro

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse to Notoya Ryokan

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tsuruoka

    Obanazawa

Day 5

Transit in Tokyo

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Transit in Tokyo

You will take a leisurely journey back to Tokyo with some stops along the way. You'll capture a little more of Japanese culture before you leave with a stop at one last sake brewery and visit a temple just a few hours outside of Tokyo. Your private driver will take you to your accommodation for the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Furusawa Sake Brewery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Notoya Ryokan to Tokyo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Obanazawa

    Sagae

    Shibuya

Day 6

Travel to Inuyama

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Travel to Inuyama

You will start the day by heading to Inuyama via Nagoya in the morning. After lunch and a 30-minute orientation tour with a brief explanation of the history of Samurai, you'll head to Inuyama Castle for a tour from the interior to the exterior. The castle was built 500 years ago and is considered one of Japan's five national treasures. Only 12 ancient castles exist in their original state across Japan. Only five of those 12 have been designated as National Treasures. Inuyama Castle is the smallest and oldest of them, dating from approximately 1440, though the current construction was built almost a century later. After the exciting trip to the castle, you will check into your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, an IHG Hotel

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nagoya

    Inuyama Castle

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tokyo to Inuyama

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Shibuya

    Nagoya

    Inuyama

Day 7

Introduction to Samurai Culture

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Introduction to Samurai Culture

You will rise early to make your way to Seki-Zenko-Ji Temple, where you'll spend the morning practising Zen meditation and Okaidan Meguri, a Buddhist tradition of walking in the underground tunnel that goes beneath the temple. These practices will assist in your preparation for laido, the art of welding and cutting the katana sword. Tonight, you will stay in a historical area that was once known as a lively merchant district famous for the “Udatsu” walls that line its streets.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Baison4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Zen Meditation

    Sekizenko-ji Temple

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Inuyama to baison

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Inuyama

    Seki

    Mino

Day 8

Meet the Sword Artisans

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Meet the Sword Artisans

You will meet with katana artisans in their own ateliers and see their crafts practised firsthand. You will learn their history, and you may even get a glimpse of their personal antique collections. You'll visit a shiroganeshi (habaki-maker), a sayashi (scabbard-maker), and a togishi (sword polisher). Lunch will be at a local restaurant serving unagi, a meal that has been enjoyed among swordsmiths for centuries. You'll return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Baison4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Meet Sword Artisans

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mino

    Seki

Day 9

Nature Walk

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Nature Walk

You'll start your final day with a leisurely walk through the Kabusugi Giant Cedar Forest. Spend about thirty minutes on a low-impact hike and encounter over 70 pine trees aged 400-500 years old! After lunch, you'll be returning back to Tokyo via Nagoya.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kobusugi Giant Cedar

    Nagoya

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from baison to Nagoya Station

    Train from Nagoya to Tokyo

    Private Driver from Tokyo to Haneda Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mino

    Shizuoka

    Nagoya

Included in Price

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 16 activities
  • 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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