#DEEPJAPAN IN LATE SPRING:
SAVORING THE BEST OF THE SEASONS IN THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE OF GIFU
3 days/ 2 nights tour in 2027
with
two dinners and two breakfasts
May 14th/ 15th/16th
or
May 31st/ June 1st/2nd
3 days/ 2 nights tour in 2027
…choose one of these 2 options.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hike in pristine nature: walk gentle to moderate mountain trails once used by villagers to connect small villages of Central Japan with the rest of the world. These quiet paths wind through tranquil mountain forests and open up into rural landscapes of Iiji in Ena and Nakatsugawa areas of Gifu prefecture, with blue skies reflected in water-filled rice paddies. Hikes are unhurried with regular breaks and time for photography and quiet appreciation of pleasant season we offer this tour on.
Stay in a traditional Japanese house @kannagara.iiji for 2 nights, a beautifully maintained traditional home that offers a rare opportunity to live as locals once did - without sacrificing comfort. Sleep on high quality futon mattresses, enjoy spotless facilities and wake to rural tranquillity and fresh mountain air. Stroll through the village and experience the slower rhythm of village life in tune with turning of the seasons.
Dinners with locals: share home cooked evening meals, with most of ingredients highly seasonal and locally sourced. This is not a performance for tourists but a genuine stay among the people that are proud to call this place home.
Flexibility to make the itinerary as relaxed or as intense as you want it to be (see optional programs*), and freedom to interact with others as much or as little as you wish (the itinerary outline below serves as the key guideline for what to expect). Read the core plan, and if you wish to customize it adding formal dining for lunch, cooking/ demonstration class, exquisite sake tasting and brewery tour hosted by heritage craftsman,or calligraphy class experience, contact us early on.
Comfortable transportation is provided to and from cultural experiences and adventures – you don’t depend on the weather and scarce public transport as much as you would without a car. Sit back and enjoy the views.
Safety: the region is quiet and well-known to our local hosts. There are currently no reported sightings of bears in the region and we will continuously monitor local conditions.
For hiking sturdy mountain boots, backpack and a rainproof jacket is all you need.
Small group: maximum of 6 participants ensures the experience will be customized to a certain degree, yet mindful of the local community. Intimate group size grants the opportunity to make genuine connections with local people and possibly with other participants. Children are allowed from 15 upwards, unless a private tour is booked.
Ultimate Privacy: for those seeking an exclusive escape with family or colleagues, our private tour option allows you to reserve the entire experience for your group. Enjoy the undivided attention of our hosts and the luxury of a customised itinerary, tailored exclusively to your inner circle.
ITINERARY OUTLINE
DAY1
HIKING THROUGH POSTCARD-PERFECT RURAL PANORAMAS, FOLLOWED BY DINNER WITH LOCALS
Arrive ready for hiking and meet the local tour organizers at JR Ena Station or JR Nakatsugawa Station*, who will take you to the starting point of the mountain trail. Your luggage will be transferred separately by car. Set out along the traditional paths that once connected the isolated village of Iiji with the outside world. Enjoy ever-changing rural scenery as forest trails open onto mountain views and quiet agricultural landscapes. Approaching your accommodation—a beautifully preserved traditional Japanese farmstead—you will arrive 1–2 hours before sunset. Upon arrival at your guesthouse for the next two nights, your host will provide a short orientation tour of the house.
*either JR Ena or JR Nakatsugawa stations are starting points - which one is at discretion of tour organizers.
Relax while gazing out over a forested valley, or watch your hosts prepare dinner. Grill gohei-mochi (a regional specialty rice dumpling rarely found in major cities) together on the outdoor patio. As night falls, enjoy star-filled skies and the sounds of nature far removed from the bustle of urban life. Share a handmade dinner with local community members, featuring homemade dishes such as tempura made with locally grown vegetables, croquettes, and other regional specialties. A local Shinto priest may join as a bartender for the evening, preparing a drink and assisting with the grilling of gohei-mochi. Retire for the night on a traditional futon.
Transportation:
car with professional driver, from the official start time to luggage drop-off at the guesthouse.
DAY 2
HIDDEN GEMS: A DEEP DIVE INTO RURAL JAPANESE CULTURE
Begin the day with a gentle morning walk around the guesthouse. Take in fresh greenery, blue skies reflected in water-filled rice paddies, traditional farmhouses, and surrounding pine groves.
Enjoy a self-service breakfast at your own pace, then relax until the scheduled meet-up time.
Visit a local kabuki theatre for a behind-the-scenes tour, including a rare opportunity to step onto the kabuki stage and peek into the changing rooms.
The scent of Japanese cypress still lingers in this newly renovated building, where local enthusiasts of jikabuki have passed down the tradition through generations.
For a deeper look into everyday life of the past, visit a nearby local museum. Hina dolls and vintage posters remain carefully preserved on the second floor— linger as gentle reminders of a way of life slipping from living memory.
Lunch: TBC
(either a light meal on the go or a refined multi-course lunch. Please note that start times are fixed, and reservations for formal dining must be made well in advance.)
In the afternoon, observe local customs as your hosts pay respects at a picturesque Shinto shrine, offering insight into living spiritual traditions.
Return to the guesthouse for dinner—similar in warmth and generosity to the previous evening, but with different dishes and a new team in the kitchen.
Once again, a local Shinto priest may join as bartender, preparing drinks and assisting the team in serving various local specialties.
Retire for the night.
Transportation:
car with professional driver, ~8 consecutive hours.
DAY 3
EXPLORE DEEP JAPAN IN COMFORT: NEAR OR FAR
Included options (no extra cost):
- Explore Magome, a beautifully preserved post town along the historic Nakasendo Road, lined with traditional houses and shops.
- Hike to samurai castle ruins: Naegi Castle – dramatic ruins with breathtaking panoramic views
OR
Iwamura Castle – gentler scenery, with access to samurai weapons and memorabilia, a reconstructed gate tower, and a charming cluster of cafés and shops.
Curated Finale is Optional Delights
Why not deepen your connection to Gifu? Join us for a culinary workshop, where you’ll learn the secret of an autumn dish with the true taste of Gifu in the fall. Alternatively, enjoy a private tour of a sake brewery with a tasting. For the spiritually curious, a pilgrimage to a sacred shrine with a Shugendō priest provides a rare window into Japan’s mountain-worship traditions - especially when wearing his traditional mountain attire.
Conclude the journey and bid a fond sayonara to your guide.
Transportation:
car with professional driver from the agreed start time to final drop-off at JR Ena or JR Nakatsugawa Station, with onward connections by limited express or local trains to Nagoya or Nagano.
TERMS&CONDITIONS
Price for the core itinerary
2 nights / 3 days tour, mid-May to early June 2027, staying at Kannagara Guesthouse
May 14th/ 15th/16th
or
May 31st/ June 1st/2nd
Booking Deadline: March 31, 2027
| Number of participants | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 6 participants | 350,000 |
| 5 participants | 400,000 |
| 4 participants | 450,000 |
| 3 participants | 520,000 |
| 2 participants | 690,000 |
| 1 participant | 1,380,000 |
The final price per guest is determined by the total number of confirmed participants, as outlined above. If the final group size differs from your initial booking, any overpayment will be refunded via bank transfer on Day 1. A smaller group size resulting from cancellations will not lead to a higher price for the remaining participants.
Payment schedule
To ensure the tour is prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail, a payment of 50% of the tour fee is required at the time of application, to be settled within one calendar week of the invoice date. This includes a non-refundable deposit of 100,000 JPY per person. The remaining 50% balance is due by Thursday, April 15, 2027.
If you wish to book the entire tour exclusively for your party
For those who prefer an entirely intimate setting, this tour may be arranged for your exclusive use. A private arrangement is offered at a rate equivalent to four participants—a total of 1,800,000 JPY—with a non-refundable deposit of 550,000 JPY, due within 7 calendar days of the invoice date. Should a cancellation occur, this non-refundable deposit will be retained and applied toward any cancellation fees due.
Upon receipt of the non-refundable deposit, the tour will be closed to further bookings, and we will proceed with arrangements for a private group of up to four guests in total.
For guests who wish to book the entire tour exclusively for five or more guests, availability and pricing will be reviewed upon request. Early inquiries are warmly encouraged.
Cancellation policy
We offer highly customised experiences in rural Japan, involving individual arrangements with local hosts, experts, and artisans. As commitments to these partners are made immediately upon booking, the non-refundable deposit of 100,000 JPY is retained in all cases. Any advance payments beyond this non-refundable deposit will be applied toward the cancellation fees below, with any remaining balance refunded promptly. Optional experiences added to the core programme may be subject to distinct cancellation conditions.
Cancellation fees are on the following timeline (calculated in Japan Standard Time):
- Up to 31 days before the tour start date: non-refundable deposit only
- 30 to 8 days before the tour start date: 40% of total fee
- 7 to 5 days before the tour start date: 60% of total fee
- 4 to 3 days before the tour start date: 80% of total fee
- 2 days or fewer before the tour start date, or no-show: 100% of total fee
Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended and assumed to have been taken out by all participants. Absence of comprehensive travel insurance or under-insurance shall under no circumstances lead to liability for the organising company.
Force Majeure
In the rare event that the tour must be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control—including natural disasters, severe weather events, or other extraordinary occurrences recognised under Japanese law—all amounts paid will be returned to you in full. We will communicate any such situation with care and transparency, and where possible, explore alternative arrangements in your interest.
Children and family bookings
This tour is designed for adults. Children under 15 are welcome only when the tour is booked exclusively for your family. For any participating children, passport details and, where applicable, additional identification will be requested at an early stage, simply to ensure seamless arrangements and peace of mind for all involved.
Payment methods
All prices are quoted in Japanese Yen (JPY). Payments may be made by credit card or bank transfer (international or Japanese domestic). For bank transfers, associated banking charges are to be borne by the participant, ensuring the full amount in JPY is received in our account.
Itinerary delivery
Once this initial payment is confirmed, your comprehensive, customised itinerary will be shared with you within two calendar weeks.
Inclusive of:
- two nights' accommodation at Kannagara Guesthouse
- simple self-service breakfasts and freshly prepared, elaborate dinners
- lunches and dinners as explicitly indicated in the itinerary outline (excluding beverages)
- an English-speaking guide or coordinator for up to 9 consecutive hours per day
- a private vehicle with a local driver for up to 8 consecutive hours per day
- all entrance fees, museum tickets, and participation fees as specified in the itinerary
Excluding:
- shinkansen or local express rail tickets to and from JR Ena or JR Nakatsugawa station
- travel and medical insurance
- meals or snacks not explicitly listed as included
- personal expenses such as souvenirs or incidentals
- luggage forwarding, storage fees, or porter's services
Changes and substitutions by the operator
Our journeys are individually curated and depend on the availability of specific local experts and master artisans. While we strive to operate the itinerary exactly as planned, unforeseen events such as a host’s sudden illness or unexpected venue closure may require adjustments. In these rare circumstances, we reserve the right to modify the itinerary or substitute a local expert with an alternative experience of equal standard and value. We will always communicate any changes transparently, ensuring the exceptional quality of your overall journey is fully maintained.
Luggage
As this is an authentic guesthouse experience rooted in local life rather than hotel-level service, guests are kindly asked to handle their own luggage at the guesthouse. The driver may assist on occasion, though this cannot be guaranteed. Up to two medium-to-large suitcases per person may be accommodated in the vehicle.
Weather
The rhythm of the programmeme is guided by local conditions, with thoughtful adjustments made as needed in response to weather reports and official guidance. In the event of heavy rain or thunderstorms, certain activities may need to be adapted or rescheduled.
Governing law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Japan.
To Book the Tour:
Scan the QR code to complete the registration form.
・Or email us at info@ruraljapan.co.jp regarding the "#DEEPJAPAN IN LATE SPRING TOUR".
Connect with RURAL JAPAN team
via WhatsApp / Telegram
Whatapp: +81 70 4325 2279
Telegram: +81 70 4325 2279
Produced by:
Rural Japan Co.,Ltd
Gifu Prefecture travel agency registration no.: 398