Tōkai Region: attività uniche

Upon arriving at the Teafari House via the shuttle, we enjoy some fine organic matcha from the tatami room overlooking the tea fields . Feeling good from the matcha we start our walkabout. Surreally beautiful tea fields, historical sites, local architecture, mountain streams, and a 1400 year old sugi tree, all await us. I will be explaining all things tea and nature as we stroll through the tea fields and forest on public and private paths. After the walkabout we return to the tea room for our private tea party with the best locally sourced natural tea and simple vegan bento/additional sweets that compliment the tea. After the tea party we board the shuttle back to the train station before rush hour begins allowing you to enjoy the rest of the day relaxed. A quote from a past guest : "A tour with Greg is not a mass produced cookie-cutter spiel that you often experience with tours, but is rather an authentic local experience that feels like a conversation with a friend. It's not just a tea picking tour, it is an intimate discovery into country life in Japan." This is the Teafari experience! This experience is offered in my native language, English. please contact me for further info, if needed. Arigato

This is a special e-bike tour held at the non-touristy area close to Takayama, heading to the hidden valley village (Maze Village) to see lots of scenic views and taste the authentic Japanese cuisine made with only local produce. The tour starts at JR Hida-Hagiwara station. After some instructions, you will cycle around the historical town first. You have the uphill to see the beautiful village but do not worry about it. E-bike is a special machine, very easy to use and make steep hills seem flat! During the tour, you will take super nice pictures of the countryside and hear a lot of local things such as history, culture and lifestyle that you would never know without a guide. Lunch break is always the highlight of tour. The meal always looks perfect, and tastes so good since all ingredients are produced in the area as gifts of nature. Through 6h-28km leisurely e-bike tour, you will fully enjoy the rural Japan. *Important notes ・I may cancel the tour due to poor weather condition. (full refund) ・No refund or no alternative date will be given when you do not show up at the meeting time for any reason. (meeting time is 10 minutes before start time of tour) ・Please understand that I very occasionally take 7-8 guests at once depending on availability or weather. ・You can bring and store suitcases in my garage during the tour so that you can directly head to the next destination.

This is a private sake brewery tour dedicated for small groups who want to escape from tourist crowd to have the authentic sake experience, including a leisurely town walk and sake tasting. The tour is held at the small country town named Hagiwara, which is near from Takayama but definitely no tourist here. You can enjoy understanding the sake brewing process and the beautiful sake tasting at your own pace without any stress. The Hida region is well known as one of the best places to make sake in Japan since we have all 3 key factors for brewing: water, rice and coldness. On the way to the Tenryo Sake Brewery, your guide will share not only the introduction of sake but the historical background of town. Inside the brewery, you will understand the brewing process of sake step by step with seeing the actual facilities and machines for production. Afterward, you will taste various excellent sake of Tenryo (天領) to enjoy the difference of flavors, and you can know a lot of useful tips to drink and order sake. *Important notes ・Drivers are NOT permitted to drink alcohol. ・No refund or no alternative date will be given when you do not show up at the meeting time for any reason. (meeting time is 10 minutes before start time of tour) ・The sake brewery is closed on weekend. ・Please understand that I very occasionally take more than 6 guests at once depending on availability.

*****PLEASE SEND ME A MESSAGE IF THE DATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS TRIP ISN'T AVAILABLE***** Get back to what Hakone is famous for! Calming and serene nature, world famous Onsen's and Jaw dropping views of Japan's highest mountain. This tour mixes modern Hakone with the nature which first inspired people to visit the area. A typical day includes 1)Meeting at Hakone Yumoto station or the Hotel you are staying at in the local area. 2) Using on of Hakone's popular transportation systems to get to the start of our Hike. 3) Half a day of Hiking and hopefully seeing Mt. Fuji and other impressive views along the way. 4) Lunch at the top of the mountain either in a hut or brought with us. 5) Some hidden gems on our decent or once we are back in town. These tend to be concealed shrines or remote view points not often commonly known. 6) A relaxing onsen to bring a close to our day. The tour is customizable so if you have something specific you would like to see be sure to let me know by contacting directly. I will choose the specific route on the day depending on season weather and of course giving us the best chance to see Mt. Fuji. Please let me know your current fitness level so I can also choose a hike which would suit you and your group. For those less fit or not completely prepared I recommend my 'Hakone: Volcanoes and Onsen' trip.

You can join this tour from Kyoto, Osaka or Nara. The location is at countryside, so please check the logistics in advance. Our experience includes: • Organic farm tour • Tea picking → tea tempura • Educational factory visit • Tea flight (3 different cultivars of Sencha & Matcha) with sweets • Lunch at d:matcha cafe The tour begins after meeting in my café, “d:matcha Kyoto” then we start the walking uphill through the town’s winding streets surrounded by houses built in Japanese traditional style. The first spot to visit is the scenic Yubune tea field. We continue walking surrounded by idyllic terraced fields and stunning panoramic views of endless greenery of rice and tea plantations. As we get close to the top of Hakusan Shrine, the scenery changes, we will walk through the cedar woods, experience both the fresh air high up on the mountain and the serenity of the forest. Our destination will be at d:matcha's organic tea farm and join our tea picking activity. Finally, we will head back to our meeting point, and you will try green tea tempura made with the tea leaves you picked, after that you will have the chance to enjoy a tea tasting session and you will learn to whisk your own matcha. Tea related Lunch will be served. (We can offer vegan and gluten free food) More info is in "dmatcha" website. I recommend long pants and closed shoes especially when it rains.

This is a small-group e-bike tour in the highlands at the foot of Mt. Fuji, designed to avoid crowds and take you to places off the beaten path. Experience nature at the foot of the mountain and get a glimpse into the local lifestyle. The tour starts from Mt.Fuji Station, Fujikyuko Line and heads to Oshino Village, passing by "Oshino Hakkai," a pond fed by underground water from Mt. Fuji, houses with thatched roofs, and spacious countryside with a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji. Afterward, we'll head to Lake Yamanakako and have lunch at a charming restaurant that serves Japanese home-style cuisine. Weather permitting, you'll enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Yamanaka and Mt. Fuji from Fujimi Panorama-dai. The tour is about 30 km long and requires a certain level of physical fitness, but TREK's high-performance e-bikes will assist you well. Your guide will adjust the e-bike speed to accommodate your needs. *Note ・If there is a definite forecast for rain or snow on the day of the tour, we will contact you to cancel before the event. ・ We can accommodate allergies, vegetarian preferences, or specific food preferences for the lunch meal if we are informed in advance. We will do our best to accommodate your needs. ・If you have small or large luggage such, we can store it in our van during the tour.

Discover the beauty and history of Mt.Fuji by exploring the countryside of Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchi-ko. This tour will be great for those wanting to understand the history and importance of Mt. Fuji while avoiding the crowds. My husband Daisuke and I run the tour! Sometimes it’s him, sometimes me :) We will start at Mt.Fuji station and head to Kitaguchi Hongu Sengen Shrine. Here I will teach you the connection between Mt.Fuji and Japan's religious and cultural heritage. For lunch, we will stop for Houtou (the area's famous vegetable and udon dish). Next, we will visit Lake Kawaguchi-ko and take you to some of our hidden spots to take beautiful photos of Mt.Fuji above the lake. After lunch, we will head to a traditional Japanese village on the edge of Lake Saiko. Here we can see beautifully preserved traditional houses with Mt.Fuji in the background. We will learn about some traditional crafts and we can buy some unique local souvenirs. Or we can visit the Aokigahara, a spiritual forest at the base of Mt.Fuji. Mt Fuji, like us, does not like to come out every day, and it is often covered with clouds (especially in the summer.) Let's talk and find the best day to come to see Fuji. I look forward to seeing you soon!

If you want to experience great nature in Mt.Fuji area, this hiking tour is so recommendable that you can experience a variety of nature as a digest! The area of ​​Mt.Fuji has a huge scale of nature such as beautiful lakes which reflect Mt.Fuji on the surface, a vast forest made up on the lava of Mt. Fuji eruption, solemn mountains which have a spectacular view from the top, etc. In addition, there are also many spots where you can feel the Japanese long long history in a mystical air. Although climbing Mt.Fuji is very popular since it's a famous mountain in the world, if you only climb it up, you can't know how wonderful nature of this area is, because Mt.Fuji itself is an inactive rugged volcano crowded with thousands of climbers on the trail. I recommend you to stay long in this area to experience its nature deeply. In this tour, we'll visit various attractive spots where almost no foreign tourists visit such as a sacred cave hidden in the vast forest of Aokigahara, a small mountain where you can overlook the three big lakes and the vast forest, a local small shrine with a mystical air and so on. Of course, if it's a clear weather, you can also view Mt.Fuji closely from several spots on the way. I'm sure you'll feel as if adventuring in Japanese mother nature! Now let's go together with me! (^o^)v

Itinerary This is a typical itinerary for the tour, but may vary acc. local conditions on the day: Stop At: Lake Kawaguchiko, Fujikawaguchiko. We start and end our tours at TOURIST INFO Centre Kawaguchiko station for your convenience. All tours go around Lake Kawaguchiko and stop at the best view points. Tours are 3hrs in duration, including 30min free time to shop, enjoy a coffee break etc. The drive itself is 20km in distance. Duration: 1 hour Stop At: Oishi Park, Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun 401-0305 Yamanashi Prefecture Stop to take photos of Lake Kawaguchiko, Mt Fuji and seasonal flowers. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Oishi Park, Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun 401-0305 Yamanashi Prefecture Public Toilet available Famous for some of the best views of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, complete with seasonal flowers, this is one of the most visited places on the lake. Have a browse around the beautiful hand made in Japan craft shops and choose from delicious locally made ice-creams, dried fruits, pizza and other snack options in a tranquil and wonderfully landscaped setting, complete with treasure hunt! Duration: 30 minutes Pass By: Okukawaguchiko Sakuranosato Park, scenic drive. We will see the Autumn Leaves and see Cherry Blossoms in season. Stop At: Yagizaki Park, Kawaguchiko bridge and beach with view of Mt Fuji. End, Station.

Let's learn how to make Miso katsu, Nagoya's speciality using local Mikawa pork instead of waiting in line at a restaurant and learn about the secrets of Japanese food! ※Dates and times are flexible so please feel free to contact me! First, we meet at Hatta station (10 minites from Nagoya .st by subway) and head for my little cooking studio together. You can learn how to make the following items! ・Miso katsu (deepfrief pork with miso sauce) ・Nimono (simmered vegetable) ・Miso soup ・Cooked rice ・Japanese carrot dressing ・Japanese pickled cucumber You can also learn how to make dashi, Japanese traditional broth which is used for miso sause, miso soup, nimono and how to best cook rice and deep fry pork. Then, we enjoy the food while chatting! I'd like to share our interesting food culture too! ・I take photos of you cooking and share them with you later! All of the photos on this page were taken by me. ・You get all of the written recipes ※If you have food allergies, please let me know in advance. ※The verification code might be in your spam folder when paying by credit card, so please check. ※I'm sorry, but there is possibly that a single male participant is unable to be accept. #cooking class in Nagoya #cooking experience in Nagoya #Learn Japanese food

Upon arriving at the Teafari House via the shuttle, we enjoy some fine organic matcha from the tatami room overlooking the tea fields . Feeling good from the matcha we start our walkabout. Surreally beautiful tea fields, historical sites, local architecture, mountain streams, and a 1400 year old sugi tree, all await us. I will be explaining all things tea and nature as we stroll through the tea fields and forest on public and private paths. After the walkabout we return to the tea room for our private tea party with the best locally sourced natural tea and simple vegan bento/additional sweets that compliment the tea. After the tea party we board the shuttle back to the train station before rush hour begins allowing you to enjoy the rest of the day relaxed. A quote from a past guest : "A tour with Greg is not a mass produced cookie-cutter spiel that you often experience with tours, but is rather an authentic local experience that feels like a conversation with a friend. It's not just a tea picking tour, it is an intimate discovery into country life in Japan." This is the Teafari experience! This experience is offered in my native language, English. please contact me for further info, if needed. Arigato

羽田空港から直通バスで1時間、新宿から電車で1時間30分、箱根、小田原、御殿場の途中にある、四季折々の富士山を眺めながら、花や雲の流れが季節溢れる自然に囲まれた土地で、野菜の収穫体験です。野菜といっても、珍しい野菜を中心に日本の品種や西洋野菜を、多種多彩な野菜を栽培しています。そして、商店街を散策しながら、魚屋、名産品など昼に食べる食材を調達しながら、お土産を買ったり、日本酒の酒造の見学も出来ます。（11月から 4月までは、外見見物のみ）昼食を、自分んで料理してみませんか。ご飯、味噌汁、野菜料理、魚料理、卵焼きなど無形文化財の家庭の日本料理をお教えいたします。最後は、富士山を見ながら、お風呂にはいりませんか。穴場で地元の人しか来ないところですが、とても気持ちがよくなります。✳︎1月はロウバイ祭り、2月は早咲き桜祭りが開催します。 その他の留意事項 天候が雨などの場合、収穫体験ができなくなります。事前に収穫をこちらでしておきます。 食物アレルギーがある場合は事前に連絡ください。

Day hiking tour from Tokyo. For five centuries old Tokaido foot highway has linked Japan’s modern capital of Tokyo with the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Osaka. A section of old Tokaido close to Tokyo known as Hakone Hachiri has recently been preserved as a Japan Heritage Area. In Japanese, Hachi means 8 and ri is a unit of distance equivalent to about 4km (2.5 miles). So Hakone Hachiri is the 32km (20 mile) stretch of old Tokaido between Odawara and Mishima (a setting in the epic novel of Japan “Shogun“), via Hakone. We hike a 10km (7 mile) stretch of this ancient route. Morning tea at Amazake Chaya, one of the few remaining of hundreds of teahouses that lined the old Tokaido, meet the 13th generation manager there. Cedar Avenue with towering 400 year-old Japanese cedar patrolling both sides of the trail, lunch by Hakone's famous crater Lake Ashi, stunning views of Mt Fuji (weather permitting) from Yamanaka Castle Ruins, stroll Genbegawa World Water Heritage Area, and more. Allow me to immerse you in the history, culture, and natural heritage of this ancient route. Easily accessed from Tokyo using Tokaido Shinkansen to reach tour’s start from Odawara, returning to Tokyo from tour’s conclusion in Mishima. Guests cover own actual costs on the day for transport, meals, etc. Tour fee is for guide's fee & guide's costs only.

This is a special e-bike tour held at the non-touristy area close to Takayama, heading to the hidden valley village (Maze Village) to see lots of scenic views and taste the authentic Japanese cuisine made with only local produce. The tour starts at JR Hida-Hagiwara station. After some instructions, you will cycle around the historical town first. You have the uphill to see the beautiful village but do not worry about it. E-bike is a special machine, very easy to use and make steep hills seem flat! During the tour, you will take super nice pictures of the countryside and hear a lot of local things such as history, culture and lifestyle that you would never know without a guide. Lunch break is always the highlight of tour. The meal always looks perfect, and tastes so good since all ingredients are produced in the area as gifts of nature. Through 6h-28km leisurely e-bike tour, you will fully enjoy the rural Japan. *Important notes ・I may cancel the tour due to poor weather condition. (full refund) ・No refund or no alternative date will be given when you do not show up at the meeting time for any reason. (meeting time is 10 minutes before start time of tour) ・Please understand that I very occasionally take 7-8 guests at once depending on availability or weather. ・You can bring and store suitcases in my garage during the tour so that you can directly head to the next destination.

This is a private sake brewery tour dedicated for small groups who want to escape from tourist crowd to have the authentic sake experience, including a leisurely town walk and sake tasting. The tour is held at the small country town named Hagiwara, which is near from Takayama but definitely no tourist here. You can enjoy understanding the sake brewing process and the beautiful sake tasting at your own pace without any stress. The Hida region is well known as one of the best places to make sake in Japan since we have all 3 key factors for brewing: water, rice and coldness. On the way to the Tenryo Sake Brewery, your guide will share not only the introduction of sake but the historical background of town. Inside the brewery, you will understand the brewing process of sake step by step with seeing the actual facilities and machines for production. Afterward, you will taste various excellent sake of Tenryo (天領) to enjoy the difference of flavors, and you can know a lot of useful tips to drink and order sake. *Important notes ・Drivers are NOT permitted to drink alcohol. ・No refund or no alternative date will be given when you do not show up at the meeting time for any reason. (meeting time is 10 minutes before start time of tour) ・The sake brewery is closed on weekend. ・Please understand that I very occasionally take more than 6 guests at once depending on availability.

We'll meet up at Noda Miso Co. *Contact us if you are not sure how to get here Feel Miso in five senses! Explore one of the largest traditional Miso-kura in Japan. Giant wooden barrels with unique fragrances of natural Miso will fascinate you. After the tour, we will have a brief miso knowledge session followed by making your own miso with your hands. (it’s yours!) After that, you will be seated in the space with full of a traditional Japanese vibe with a view of the garden and be served miso-based home-cooking dishes. A truly exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture via miso. *Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.

Have you ever heard of "Ichiju-sansai"? A traditional Japanese meal consisting of a bowl of rice with soup and three dishes is called "Ichiju-sansai" in Japanese. In most cases, ichiju means miso soup and sansai consists of one main dish such as meat or fish, and two side dishes such as vegetables, mushrooms, or seaweed. Let's make "Ichiju-sansai" together! These dishes are my family's traditions that I learned from my mother and mother-in-law who lived a long life. We have three types of menu. ◆Menu1: This is traditional Japanese daily meals; Chicken Red miso flavored chicken, vegetable soup with soy sauce, Japanese omelet, spinach salad and Rice balls. ◆Menu2: This is traditional Japanese daily meals; Salmon Grilled salmon with salted rice malt, mashed tofu salad, Japanese omelet, pork and vegetable miso soup and rice balls. ◆Menu3 : Nagoya local cuisine; We will make “Ichiju-sansai” with dishes popular as Nagoya meshi!” Tebasaki (chicken wings), Kishimen noodles, Tenmusu (shrimp tempura rice balls), Japanese omelet and spinach salad. ●Please let us know at the time of application which menu you would like to make from menus 1 to 3. If there is no request, we will make menu 1. please feel free to get in touch if you have questions.

まず、山梨県の富士川町道の駅に集合です。そこから１０分ほど車で移動し、山里の畑で体験を行います。 ウッドデッキでコーヒー豆を炭で焙煎し、棚田と富士山を眺めながらゆったりコーヒーを飲むまでがこの体験です。　　 　初めに、周囲にある小枝や枯草や松ぼっくり、木片など火付けに最適な材料を集めます。必要に応じて薪割もします。それらに古代火おこし、マッチ、ファイアースターターなど様々な方法で着火。そのあとでできる炭を使って豆の焙煎を開始します。香ばしい香りとピチピチと豆の音を丁寧に聞きわけながら、２０分から３０分程で、深煎りから浅煎りまでの自分好みの豆の出来上がり。さあ　そしたら　ミルとドリップをしてコーヒーの出来上がり。クッキーなどの甘味をお供に、デッキに座ったり、畑の隅で富士山を見ながらだったり、ハンモックに揺られながらだったりとお気に入りの場所で風を感じながら炭火コーヒーを一杯いかが？ 　また　道具も手作りなので気に入れば家でも簡単に作れ、何回か繰り返すことで友人や家族にオリジナルコーヒーを喜んでもらえます。そんなスキルとDIYの面白さはお土産です。 　激しい雨や強い風などの荒天の場合は、私の家や他の場所で実施します。家は、手作りのログハウス。エネルギーもかなり自前のおもしろい家です。 一人足湯とのダブル体験も可能です。 公共交通機関で来る場合、甲府駅から身延線や山交バスが可能ですが、不便なので事前にご相談ください。開始日や開始時刻の変更も相談で可能です。お知らせください。

You are welcomed with Japanese tea and Japanese snacks. I tell you about Nerikiri and tools to make Nerikiri . Then let's make 4or5 Nerikiri together. After making Nerikiri, you can experience of setting up matcha . You can drink matcha you prepared by yourself. So you can know well how to prepare matcha and how to drink it. Other things to note available : Monday, Tuesday and Thursday lesson : 2～2.5 hours I'm sorry, I can't accept the request of one man alone.

Summer in Japan is so hot and humid! But since you stay in Japan, you wanna enjoy cooling down yourself in nature, right? For nature lovers like you, I recommend you to walk in a river and bathe in cool water! When you feel coolness coming up from your foot in the water, the sultry heat will surely be blown away. Moreover, since the place we'll visit is where ton of underground water from Mt.Fuji come out to fall down as waterfalls running into the shallow river which flows quietly in the forest, you can also refresh to bathe yourself in the clean water of the waterfalls like a natural shower. In this experience, the host will give you a lecture on how to walk and play after getting ready by wearing sandals and a life jacket on the riverbank. Then, after playing freely nearby the waterfalls for a while, we'll move upstream and have snack on another riverbank. After that, if you still have more energy, I'll take you further upstream until another waterfall. When you step into the clear water, and move forward step by step keeping your balance, your heart and body will surely become pure like the clear water, and you will definitely feel having a blast. As a nature guide who has experienced various nature activities, this is highly recommendable! The host will prepare sandals, life jackets, towels, etc for you, so feel free to join us to enjoy it!