Go deep into Toyama Prefecture's tranquil rural beauty in a slice of Japanese inaka (countryside) rarely visited by tourists. From organic meals and hands-on craft experiences, to historic villages and stunning mountain scenery, there is plenty to enjoy on this deep dive into the countryside.

Itinerary

📍 Time: Start (guided tour): 11:00 Duration: 6h *including pick-up/drop-off and transit times

Leave the hustle and bustle of urban life behind and embark on a journey through the picturesque landscapes and cultural treasures of rural Toyama Prefecture.

Meet the guide at Shin-Takaoka Station and board a comfortable private car for the day. Enjoy the scenic drive through the Tonami Sankyoson Scattered Settlement, a unique rural landscape where traditional Japanese farmhouses are scattered across vast rice fields.

Learn about the region's agricultural heritage and the traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations by experiencing a delicious farm-to-table lunch. Relish fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional Japanese flavors in a rustic culinary experience that is a glimpse into the local farming culture.

After lunch, explore the tranquil Kotokuji Temple, where Buddhism and art collide. Learn about the Mingei folk art movement and the strong connection that it has with the temple’s priest. Admire delicate fusuma panels painted by artists of this movement and enjoy a collection of art pieces around the temple.

Enjoy a refreshment tea or coffee with the head priest before heading to the next stop, one of the last silk weaving mills. Enjoy healthy cookies made from silkworm droppings while talking with the mill’s sixth generation.

The journey ends with a drop-off at Rakudo-an, an inn and restaurant made from a renovated 120-year-old folk house, where an elegant dinner awaits.  Nestled in the beautiful rural landscape of the dispersed settlement villages of Tonami City, the inn offers an authentic and tranquil setting to relax and enjoy the evening. 

Overnight in Tonami                                                    
 

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Start (guided tour): 10:00 Duration: 3 h *including pick-up/drop-off and transit timesDistances and journey time: Tonami to Gokayama: approx 1hr

After breakfast, walk to the local station and take a train to Johana Station or Shin-Takaoka Station (based on if guests need to store luggage). Pick up a Gokayama Free Pass and take the bus to the UNESCO Heritage village of Gokayama.

Meet the guide at Kaminashi town center and start to learn about the traditional life and folklore of this remote area nestled in Japanese Alps.

The first stop is the Murakami House, an Important Cultural Property of Japan and one of the oldest examples of gassho-style thatched roof architecture. This nearly 400-year-old home doubles as a museum, showcasing thousands of folk artifacts. Listen to the story of the descendant of the owners of this huge house sitting around the irori, an open fireplace built into the floor, and get familiar with the Kokiriko, a traditional folk song played with a simple but unique instrument.

Next, visit a local tofu shop known for its unique Gokayama tofu, which is so firm it can be bound with ropes for easy carrying. Sample this regional specialty, which will also be served with lunch before joining a sasara-making workshop, where a master sasara-maker will help craft a miniature sasara, the instrument used in the Kokiriko dance. Once completed, there's an opportunity to play the sasara and learn the Kokiriko dance, said to be the oldest folk song and dance in Japan.

Take a leisurely stroll through Gokayama, capturing the best photo spots and learning fascinating stories about the village's heritage. Finally savor a lunch of local cuisine, including the Gokayama tofu seen earlier, before parting ways with the guide.

The afternoon is free at a leisure, but we recommend to take advantage of the Gokayama Free Pass and explore independently the nearby villages of Suganuma and Ainokura, where several Gassho-style houses is still surviving.

Head to Shin-Takaoka station to board the shinkansen to the next destination.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

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