A packed week exploring the history, traditions and cultural gems of the legendary Owari Region
Tokyo > Kiso Hirasawa > Narai-juku > Kiso > Shizenko > Akasawa Forest > Hakusan Shrine > Nagiso > Tsumago > Nagoya
Follow in the footsteps of travellers from a bygone age on this sumptuous tour around the historic Owari Domain. Immerse yourself throughout the seven days on a unique trip that ushers you through the luscious landscapes of central Japan to experience its rich feudal traditions.
Hop onto the world famous bullet train to Nagano before catching the local express to Shiojiri through the gorgeous Kiso Valley. Visit Kiso Hirasawa, the famed home of shikki (Japanese art of lacquerware) – your first taste of Owari culture.
In nearby Narai-juku you’ll explore the richest town on the Nakasendo, with its long stretches of carefully preserved houses.
Stay at Byaku Hotel; each room echoing the style of traditional local dwellings in this old sake brewery. Tonight’s exquisite fare is overseen by famous Japanese chef Zaiyu Hasegawa, served in Kiso lacquerware, with local sake options to pair. For a late night treat why not take a dip in the healing waters of the in-house onsen.
An immersion in Japanese arts and crafts with a visit to the Kiso folk museum with live deomonstrations of the crafts, followed by an immersive sake tasting exerience and continue your Edo Period voyage at the Fukushima Sekisho Museum with its lacquered hallways and displays of historic weapons, samurai armour and clothing, along with other treasures.
Your hotel is Kaido-Roman Onyado-Tsutaya, where you can enjoy a well-earned dip in the onsen. Dinner is provided
Taking the scenic route today, you’ll voyage westward into the untouched splendour of the Japanese Alps. Spend a serene morning on the placid waters with Lake Shizenko Nature Canoe Tours, losing yourself (with your guide) in its mystical beauty. The result of historic earthquake, today’s striking scenery of scattered ancient trees stand in the water where once was a forested valley.
After lunch set off to Nezame-no-toko Gorge with its smooth shelves of primaeval granite rock. The peace of the looming gorge along Kiso river is in stark modern contrast to its historic use for woodcutters steering precious logs downriver.
Dinner at Nezame hotel is a delectable multi-course kaiseki meal of Japanese small dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients, local to the region.
Today you’re in for a day of breathtaking views and gentle strolls through nature. Under the canopy of 300-year-old cypress trees in Akasawa National Forest, you’ll find the birthplace of shinrin-yoku, the ancient practice of mindful engagement with the woodlands.
Your afternoon stop will take in the truly ancient Hakusan Shrine, the oldest shrine complex in Japan with its grand wooden buildings with thatched hiwadabuki roofs of stripped and intricately layered cypress bark.
Return to the Nezame Hotel for a second night, with dinner taken care of and a beautiful mountain village to explore at your leisure.
Visit Kijishi-no-Sato and discover the skilled woodturners using local woods of persimmon, cherry and horse chestnut, creating elegant pieces of tebiki rokuro, turned and carved on a manual lathe. You’ll take your turn at woodturning and take home a beautiful plate. By late morning you’ll be in Tsumago, where modern technology and cars are hidden from view and the streets are filled with quaint ryokan inns and minshuku guest houses.
After lunch experience life as a traveller of the Owari Domain, following in the footsteps of samurai and geishas as you walk along the famous stretch of the Nakasendo connecting Tsumago to Magome.
Now drive to Nagoya, where you’ll book into your hotel to refresh before enjoying the historic heart of Owari this evening
After a sumptuous breakfast, use your day pass on the Meguru, Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus; take in this beautiful city at your own pace and drop on and off at key attractions.
Why not visit the outstanding Nagoya Castle, built in 1612; Honmaru Palace considered one of the finest samurai architecture ever built; Tokugawa Art Museum, with the finest collection of Edo Period artwork in the world; Old Shikemichi Town offers a walk through the merchant history of Nagoya; Yanagibashi Central Market known as the kitchen of the Tokai region, to end, will give you an appetite for this evening.
Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
After a wonderful breakfast, catch a morning train to the heritage site of Arimatsu. Spend much of the day exploring small-town Japan and its love of intricate crafts – the home of shibori textiles, usually referred to as Japanese tie-dye with the indigo grass indigenous to Nagano. Dye some handkerchiefs yourself as souvenirs, before returning to Nagano for lunch.
This afternoon, board the Bullet Train and recount glorous memories of your tour en route to Tokyo.
