Things to do in Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku: The Best Private Tours

Ichinoseki City, the southernmost area of Iwate Prefecture, is located between Sendai city and Morioka City. You can make a day trip from Tokyo as it is only about 450 km from the main city. You can ride a Shinkansen (bullet train) from either Tokyo or Sendai city. The tour will start when you get off the train at Ichinoseki City where a local guide will be waiting for you.

Inclusions: English-speaking guide from Ichinoseki station, Transportation fee in Ichinoseki, Lunch, Mochi making

Exclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Transportation from/to Ichinoseki station, Drinks, Breakfast and Dinner

Visit the major tourist destinations of Chusonji Temple and Geibikei in Ichinoseki/Hiraizumi area in one day. You will be taken in a private taxi to each of the destinations. You can also enjoy a traditional meal of the area and taste test two of the locally brewed beers. As there is no guide, please explore each destination at your leisure, but be sure to return to the taxi at the specified times.

Inclusions: Lunch and 2 glasses of sample beer at Sekinoichi Brewery is included.

Exclusions: Un-dameshi stones at Geibikei are not included. Please pay for these directly if you wish to try., Any extra drinks, English guide

On March 11, 2011 at 14:46, the powerful earthquake in Japan occurred 70 kilometers off the Pacific coast of the Tohoku Region. Approximately 30 minutes later a devastating tsunami struck the Sanriku Coast. Taro-district is located in the middle of Sanriku Coast. A local resident who experienced the disaster in Taro takes you around Taro-district. You are walking through Tsunami struck area including the massive breakwater and Tsunami memorial building Taro-Kanko hotel. You certainly feel the spirit of 'never surrender'.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Private transportation

You observe the traditional performing arts: Kenbai literary means dance with a sword. Kenbai has a long history. In the Edo-period it was performed in order to pray for dead Samurai. Now, local residents including children take over the performance. You can feel the spirit of the local history and interact with dancers.

Inclusions: Private transportation

Exclusions:

You can observe professional Japanese Sword-smith craft center. You feel the heat and watch sparks in the process of making the sword. Also, you have a lesson from the sword-smith how to make the sword and actually make a knife for cutting paper.

Inclusions: Sword workshop

Exclusions:

As it is called 'squid prince' takes you to the authentic fish auction site. You can stand very close to the fish brokers who are participating in the auction. Not only that, 'squid prince' teaches you about the unique Japanese fishing method and the problems of the fishing industry in Japan. After the lesson, you have a chance to enjoy fresh marine products!

Inclusions: Local fish broker

Exclusions:

Sanriku area is well known for the unique rias coastline and a variety of seafood. Since the place of scenic beauty, 'Jodogahama' is located in Sanriku Reconstruction Park, you can enjoy some kinds of natural experience and delicious local food used fresh seafood. Also, this tour provides a rare opportunity for you to meet a local fisherman whose livelihood is fishing. Interacting with such local people, you would definitely have a special experience which is not available except in Sanriku.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Bus round trip ticket (Morioka to Miyako) JPY4140

Exclusions: The second day's lunch is not included. We'll take you to a local restaurant to eat what you want., Both alcohol and soft drink at the meal is not included in the tour fee., The fare of JR Yamada Line from Morioka to Miyako（JPY1980) is not included. JR_PASS is recommended., Transportation from home to meeting spot, and vice versa is not included. JR-PASS is recommended.

Northeastern Japan, called Michinoku is said to be the place where gold was discovered for the first time in Japan. The area from inland of Iwate Prefecture to the coast of Miyagi Prefecture is newly named 'The Road of Michinoku Gold Roman', which was designated as Japan Heritage in 2019. In this tour, you can visit Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple, one of the World Heritage Sites. It is well known that the locally produced gold were lavishly used for this hall in the 12th century. Since Kesennuma used to be a famous gold production site, your tour guide will tell you about history, culture, nature, and food under the theme of gold. You may be able to feel rich at the end of the tour.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Exclusions: 1st day's lunch is not included. We'll take you to a local restaurant to eat what you want., Both alcohol and soft drink at the meal is not included in the tour fee., All the railway fee is not included. JR PASS is recommended., Transportation from home to meeting spot, and vice versa is not included. JR-PASS is recommended.