What to do and see in Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

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:

Take a guided walking tour around Morioka city, and visit all the main tourist destinations in the area. We will show you the best places to get nice views of Mt Iwate if the weather is nice. Depending on the season, we may take you to places that you can see the cherry blossoms in flower (spring) or the colored leaves in Autumn.

Inclusions: Guide

Exclusions: No meals or drinks are included, Entrance fees for the paid area of each place.

This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Hiraizumi area! Nestled in the mountains of southern Iwate is Hiraizumi, an ancient city that once rivaled Kyoto for its beauty and elegant surroundings. This was the capital of the Northern Fujiwara lands, an independent country that briefly flowered in the late 1100s. Today, you can see the remnants of that once-beautiful city while enjoying the gorges and other scenic beauty of southern Iwate. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Entrance fee (for yourself), Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide), Lunch, Private transportation

This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Hiraizumi area! Nestled in the mountains of southern Iwate is Hiraizumi, an ancient city that once rivaled Kyoto for its beauty and elegant surroundings. This was the capital of the Northern Fujiwara lands, an independent country that briefly flowered in the late 1100s. Today, you can see the remnants of that once-beautiful city while enjoying the gorges and other scenic beauty of southern Iwate. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Entrance fee (for yourself), Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide), Lunch, Private transportation

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.