Craft and Culture Tour
Overview
Travel from Tokyo to Ishikawa, Hida, and Nagoya on a refined journey through Japan’s traditional crafts and rural heritage landscapes.
This immersive experience introduces you to Japan’s spirit of craftsmanship, onsen traditions, and the quiet beauty of traditional countryside communities where nature and daily life exist in harmony. By combining private guides and private transfers, the tour offers both comfort and authenticity.
You will meet master artisans who have preserved centuries-old techniques, with carefully coordinated visits to craft studios that include behind-the-scenes access and hands-on experiences.
This is a fully customized journey featuring exclusive experiences that cannot be arranged independently.
Japan Holidays Highlights
- Authentic experiences with direct interaction with local artisans and community members
- An itinerary that goes beyond sightseeing to immerse you in everyday Japanese life
- Memorable stays at historic onsen ryokan with kaiseki cuisine, as well as beautifully renovated traditional townhouses
- Dedicated private guides at key destinations
- A wide range of cultural experiences that can be tailored to your personal interests
Whats included
- 8 nights in quality accommodations and ryokan inn
- Daily breakfast,4 dinners
- Activities as listed in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Shinkansen tickets
- Guides as listed in the itinerary (we can also arrange guides in other areas if required)
Whats excluded
- Flights – international and domestic
- Cost for beverages consumed and meals not included as indicated
- Entrance fees to museums, temples not mentioned in the itinerary
Sample Itinerary
You will travel from the airport to the hotel by private transfer.
Travel from Tokyo Station to Kagaonsen Station by Shinkansen. Upon arrival, meet your private guide and continue by private transfer to the Yamanaka Onsen area, a renowned hot spring resort with over 1,300 years of history.
You will explore the hot spring town and visit a centre dedicated to passing on the tradition of lacquerware making, an industry that has grown alongside the onsen culture. While visiting workshops and studios, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the entire lacquerware process, from the initial stages through to the finished pieces, guided by skilled artisans.
Afterwards, transfer to your ryokan. In the late afternoon, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Yamanaka Onsen town, known for its charming Ice Street, local sake, and scenic bridges overlooking the river gorge.
Travel from Kaga Onsen to Kanazawa Station by Shinkansen. Upon arrival, meet your private guide and begin your city sightseeing.
You will visit one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens and explore a lively market that has long supported Kanazawa as a former castle town. Throughout the day, you will gain insight into the historical background that allowed refined crafts such as gold leaf and lacquerware to flourish in the region. The day concludes with a traditional geisha performance, offering an introduction to Japanese dance and the refined cultural arts of Kanazawa.
Travel from Kanazawa to Hida-Furukawa by local train and Shinkansen. A local market filled with fresh seasonal vegetables, stately traditional farmhouses scattered throughout the countryside, and expansive rice fields surrounded by mountains.
This is a relaxed 3.5-hour guided cycling tour covering approximately 22 km, with your guide sharing insights and stories along the way.
In the evening, you will stay at charming countryside accommodation in Hida-Furukawa that offers an authentic rural Japan experience. Thoughtfully designed with local craftsmanship and seasonal ingredients, it provides a warm and immersive connection to the region.
Along the way, optional experiences can be arranged, including a private visit to an exceptional Kutani porcelain studio operated by the family of a master craftsman designated as a Living National Treasure, as well as a hands-on gold leaf experience.
Stroll through the charming townscape shaped by Satoyama nature and generations of local life, and fully experience Hida-Furukawa through activities such as light snack preparation, a hands-on cookery class for lunch, and a visit to a local farm.
Enjoy a relaxing onsen experience at a traditional ryokan in Gifu, where charming historic buildings line the streets and timeless Japanese atmosphere surrounds you.
On this day, you will travel by private transfer from your accommodation to Seki for a visit to a master swordsmith’s workshop. Witness the powerful craftsmanship and refined techniques behind traditional Japanese blades before continuing on to Inuyama.
In the historic town of Inuyama, away from the bustle of the city, you will a beautifully renovated accommodation created from two historic residences that still stand in Inuyama’s castle town.
The preserved tea rooms and gardens within each property reflect the deep-rooted culture of the region and its quiet, timeless elegance.
Inuyama offers a wealth of attractions, including traditional streetscapes preserved since the Edo period, a historic castle, and beautiful Japanese gardens.
Afterwards, you will travel by local train to Nagoya, a modern city known for its samurai heritage and distinctive local cuisine.
Nagoya is a city that developed through the fusion of samurai culture and a strong manufacturing tradition. Its crafts are characterized by refined elegance — not overly ornate, but combining practicality with exceptional skill.
Depending on your interests, a variety of hands-on experiences can be arranged, including traditional shibori dyeing, ceramics workshops, lantern-making, and more.
From here, you will return home — or continue your journey onward to Kyoto and Osaka in line with your itinerary.