Overview

This 2-night, 3-day tour compactly combines experiences centred around staying in a traditional farmhouse, including rural walks, blacksmithing, kagura, and river nature activities. Shōbara is a rural area where mountains, forests, and villages blend together. You spend two nights in a 200-year-old traditional house renovated with contemporary design, experiencing the daily life of the local Japanese countryside with its villages, fields, shrines, and woodlands. Spring to early summer (April to June) is the season when the countryside glows with fresh greenery, allowing for easy combinations of strolls, mountain walks, and cultural experiences. In winter, the countryside may be blanketed in snow.

Shōbara is conveniently located for inclusion in an itinerary in Western Japan, serving as a midpoint when traveling from Kyoto/Osaka through the San’in region (Matsue/Izumo) to Hiroshima, Fukuoka, or Shikoku. By spending two nights in a quiet traditional house and setting aside time in the countryside during a journey connecting cities, you can add rhythm and contrast to your entire itinerary. Shōbara is also close to Miyoshi, another good base for a rural stay, where you can enjoy activities on a major river.

Who is this tour for?

This tour is for families and groups of friends who want to experience the Japanese countryside slowly, just as it is, in a traditional Japanese house. While immersing yourself in nature, you can experience the foundational aspects of Japanese culture such kagura dance, sword smithing, and Japan’s founding myths.