My Japan countryside tour takes you far beyond the famous cities — into the rural valleys, ancient post towns, mountain villages, and coastal communities that most foreign tourists never see.

As a Nationally Licensed Guide with years of experience designing custom private itineraries across Japan, I have built a deep knowledge of the roads, trails, and communities that lie off the tourist trail. These countryside tours are particularly popular with return visitors to Japan who have already seen Kyoto and Osaka, and are looking for something deeper — a Japan that is quieter, more personal, and more surprising.

In Iga Ueno, the historic mountain town southeast of Osaka, you discover the real world of the ninja — not the movie version, but the actual history, weapons, and way of life of the Iga warriors. The Iga Ninja Museum and its live action show by the Ashura performers bring this to life, alongside Iga Ueno Castle and the chance to create your own traditional Iga Kumihimo braided charm. Finish with Iga Beef, one of Japan’s most exclusive wagyu varieties, rarely available outside the region.

On Shikoku Island, Tokushima and Naruto offer a completely different Japan — where the Pacific Ocean meets the Seto Inland Sea in the spectacular Naruto Whirlpools, best experienced from a boat at the height of the current. The ancient art of indigo dyeing, practiced at Japan’s oldest indigo factory, is one of the most hands-on and memorable craft experiences in the country. The Awa Odori dance, performed with a live band, is a celebration of local culture that few foreign visitors ever witness.

Along the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, my Hikone and Nagahama tour takes you to one of Japan’s finest original castles and the charming canal town of Nagahama — a scenic cruise to the mysterious Chikubu Island adds a dimension of spiritual discovery entirely unique to this region.

In Fukui, less than two hours from Kyoto, you encounter one of Japan’s most unexpected combinations: the world’s largest dinosaur museum, the serene magnificence of Eiheiji Temple — the spiritual heart of Sōtō Zen Buddhism — and the dramatic Tojinbo Cliffs along the Sea of Japan. Seasonal Echizen crab, freshly grated daikon soba, and locally brewed sake round out a day of genuine discovery.

For a journey that combines iconic natural scenery with deep history, the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka offers snow-capped views of Mount Fuji rising above the Pacific — best seen from a scenic ferry crossing Suruga Bay. The Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, original resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, is reached by ropeway with sweeping bay views below. Historic Shimoda port, where American naval fleets arrived in the 1850s to end Japan’s long isolation, marks one of the pivotal turning points of modern Japanese history.

All countryside tours are fully private and custom-designed. Tell me your interests — history, nature, food, crafts, spiritual traditions, or simply the desire to slow down and see real Japanese daily life — and I will build an itinerary tailored to exactly that.

If you prefer to stay closer to Osaka, my Osaka Suburban Tour offers a taste of the Japanese countryside just beyond the city — perfect for those with limited time.

For guests looking for a longer journey, I also design and guide multi-day private tours across Japan — from Tokyo through Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, and the Izu Peninsula, or exploring the hidden gems of the Kanto region including Nikko, Kawagoe, and beyond. Tell me your dream itinerary and I will make it happen.