Day 1 in Takayama, Day 2 ... there are guests who would also like to explore other places from Takayama as a day trip. I'd love to help you plan & realize such an excursion. It's a 1.5 hour Highway Bus ride from Takayama. Seki is one of the top-quality cutlery producers in the world and historically blessed with its perfect surrounding for making samurai swords with a history of over 700 years.
At Kousoku Seki (I can meet you where you get off.) For those who come by train or other bus to Seki, I can meet you at Seki City Terminal. It's about 1 hour bus ride from Nagoya or Gifu Station.
At Kousoku Seki or your convenient bus stop or station in Seki.
You can learn about Katana swords and elaborate Japanese craftsmanship and see their beauty. It could take you back to the old Japan, where Samurai lived. The best part of the tour might be purchasing a kitchen knife, outdoor knife or any that suits your needs at a reasonable price (around 20% off!!). I am happy to help you communicate with shop clerks or even craftsmen. You can see forging demonstration at the swordsmith museum on certain dates of the year.
・Three or four places where you would like to go in Seki, Gifu.
・For ideas of places to go, please see the images or the highlights.
Guide fee
Guide's transportation fee to the meeting place
Guide's entrance fee to Seki Traditional Sword Museum
Entrance fees to attractions in Seki (you and guide), transportation fee to Seki (you), transportation fees in Seki (you and guide), food, drink and lunch (you and guide). Highway Bus from Takayama to Seki (2400JPY one-way/person), taxi in Seki City (around 3000JPY), the Seki Sword Museum (300JPY/person), Forging demonstration by blacksmiths (300JPY/person), etc.
Let me help you have a day tailored to you!
MINO (handmade papermaking which achieved UNESCO status), SEKI (samurai sword making) and GUJO (life with clean water) and GIFU (old townscape of a river port) are perfect places to visit, related to a pristine water situated in the center of Japan.
MAGOME-juku and traditional fish catching method "Ukai (cormorant fishing)" in the Nagara River are also popular for many tourists.
I can also guide you around Shirakawa-go (UNESCO heritage site), Nagoya and Kyoto.
Some days of the week are available only limited hours. Please ask when you contact. Thank you.
What's NOT included in the fee:
Food and drinks, tickets to any attractions, transportaion costs and the guide's accommodation when necessary. Please feel free to ask any.
What's included in the fee:
Guide fee
You will take a Highway Bus from Takayama Nohi Bus Center to Kousoku Seki. It's a 1.5h ride and the first stop from Takayama. (2400JPY one-way/person) Taxi ride to the sword museum. (around 2000JPY) The Seki Traditional Sword Museum (300JPY/person). Forging demonstration is scheduled on the first Sunday except for October and January. For those two, they have separate schedules.
If you want to head to a different, next destination after Seki instead of going back to Takayama, please let me know.
We spent a very nice 6 hours with Yoko in Takayama. She was very knowledgeable about the city and region, the history, and special events that take place there. We don't speak Japanese, so it was very nice to have someone fluent in English as our guide. Yoko is very kind, easy to talk to, and she was great with our two kids, aged 7 and 10. Despite having almost constant rain during our tour, Yoko found many interesting things for us to see and do. She also knew some excellent places for local foods and treats, and we all had an amazing lunch together. I really feel like Yoko would be able to cater a tour experience to your exact tastes and wishes. I highly recommend Yoko to be your tour guide!
I appreciate your kind words. Spending six hours with the charming and lively family made me happy too. I’m glad that you could all enjoy Japanese cuisine and culture. Best wishes.
we have spend 2 days with Yoko in takayama aera. She knows those places so good . we had a really good time with her.
I am glad that I could help you enjoy your time in Takayama and Shirakawa-go. It was energizing for me to hear about your experiences traveling around the world. Thank you. Have a great remainder of your stay in Japan. Yoko
Yoko has brought us good luck where we were greeted with snowy white Shirakawago in the middle of March. It was snowing heavily the day before our tour. It has the most beautiful view from every corner. Yoko has managed perfectly by sharing the history of the town and showing us different parts of the town. We had a toddler who threw tantrums from time to time. Thank you Yoko for your patience and also she brought us to this restaurant that serves melt in your mouth Hida beef and good quality Japanese Sake from Takayama region. Many thanks Yoko!
I appreciate your kind words. Boy, 22 months old, was our hero. Snow, socks, sake, and many things about Japanese, our talk was endless. It was a wonderful time spent in Shirakawago with a happy family. Thank you so much.
Yoko’s guidance and intuition made a day in Kyoto fun and memorable. We laughed and learned the entire day.
I appreciate your kind words. We truly enjoyed our tour in Kyoto together. Yes, we did laugh a lot and I learned a lot as well. Thank you again. Enjoy the rest of your travels and