The tour starts by meeting in the morning at Nagoya Station, before heading to the historic town of Inuyama for lunch. After lunch take a walk through the scenic castle town streets and peruse the local shops, making a stop at Sanko Inari Jinja Shrine, known to be popular with couples and for its stunning red gates. After, head to Inuyama Castle. Originally constructed in 1537, the castle is one of only twelve original castles left in Japan and has been designated as a national treasure (one of only five castles to be designated as such). You can scale up four floors to the top level and be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding town and the Kiso River than runs alongside the castle. If time allows, you can also visit the Karakuri Museum, an exhibition dedicated to mechanized puppet dolls and the last craft master alive of the Tamaya family, which have been making dolls since the 17th century. Depending on the day you can see a live performance as well. Your first day will end with local cuisine and then spend the night at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Twin: Meitetsu Inn Nagoya Nishiki
• Single: Akariya Geihanro

On the second morning the tour will move from Inuyama to Sekizenko Temple by car. At the temple you can practice Zen meditation and Okaidan Meguri, a Buddhist tradition of walking the underground tunnel beneath the temple. Both practices will help relax your mind before trying Iaido, the traditional art of how to wield and cut with a real katana sword. After lunch you will meet the acclaimed sword blacksmiths at Fujiwara Kanefusa. In the evening, you will stay in either Gujo or Mino, two picturesque cities in Gifu that are still lined with buildings from the historic Edo period. Travelers visiting between May and October also have the option to watch local Ukai (cormorant fishing) while eating dinner on a river boat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Twin: Okasen Ryokan
• Single: Nipponia Mino

One of the local areas, Mino, is well-known for washi, Japanese paper. You can spend some time today enjoying a Mino paper experience before meeting two more katana artisans. You can visit two of the following artisans: “Tsukamakishi” or hilt-wrapper, a “Shiroganeshi” habaki maker, a “Sayashi” scabbard maker and a “Togishi” sword polisher. For lunch you can try Unagi, a meal enjoyed by local swordsmiths since long ago.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Twin: Okasen Ryokan
• Single: Nipponia Mino

Your final day includes light hiking around the mountains of Seki. Here you will find the 500-year pine tree and a picture spot by a turquoise lake that’s famous for resembling a Monet painting. After lunch you will see a shrine that’s revered as the home of the god of katana, as well as a local museum. There will be an opportunity to shop for famous knives, blades, and other souvenirs before finally heading back to Nagoya Station.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch