Private, Guided Full-Day Tour of Kashihara

Experience the rich history of Japan on this full-day private guided tour to Kashihara. Visit the Kashihara-jingu Shrine, built in 1889 during the Meiji Restoration period to reaffirm the emperor's power. The shrine is home to Emperor Jinmu and features buildings from the Kyoto Imperial Palace. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Japan's history and culture.

After visiting the shrine, we'll head to the traditional city of Imai-cho. This city was once a temple town that evolved into a bustling trade city during the Edo period. Its architecture has remained unchanged, allowing visitors to experience the city as it was during the Edo period. Imai-cho is an excellent way to see the traditional side of Japan.

This tour is perfect for those interested in learning more about Japan's history while enjoying a day out. Enjoy the beauty of Kashihara and Imai-cho, and gain a deeper understanding of Japan's past and present. It is conducted in English, French or Japanese.

Itinerary

The tour starts off at Kashihara-jingu, a Shinto shrine built on the site of Emperor Jinmu's supposed government seat from 660 to 585 BC. This shrine is located in the city of Kashihara in the Nara Prefecture and the former province of Yamato, which was home to the rotating capitals of proto-Japan.

After a 20-minute walk through the park, we will arrive at the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu. This mausoleum is made up of several gates and a central hill where the emperor is buried. We can only stand in front of the main gate to pay our respects to the founder of Japan.

‍After visiting the proto-Japan and Meiji era at Kashihara-jingu, we will head to Imai-cho, a traditional Japanese town located in Kashihara in the Nara Prefecture. We will take the train to Kintetsu Yaginishiguchi station, cross the Sobu bridge, and we will be there.

‍Next, we visit the Hanairaka information center, a building with a unique half-Japanese, half-Western architecture of Meiji, where we can gain more information about this neighborhood.
‍Visit the Shonen-ji temple, which was founded as a Buddhist temple between 1532 and 1555 during the Warring States period.

‍Finally, we stop by some traditional houses in the neighborhood, such as Yometani residence, Imai-Machiya center and Kawai residence, some of them are open to the public. We can even go upstairs in the Imai-Machiya and see a bedroom from the Edo period, recently renovated. The experience is rare and very interesting!

FAQ

1. What is the duration of the tour?
The tour is a full-day tour of around 8 hours.

2. What is included in the tour?
The tour includes a certified guide, but it does not include food, drinks, lunch, or guide fee (transportation, lunch, entrances).

3. Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

4. Are strollers and pets allowed on the tour?
Yes, strollers and pets are allowed on the tour.

5. What is the cancellation policy for the tour?
The cancellation policy for the tour is that a 100% cancellation fee will be charged if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event, and a 0% cancellation fee if booking is cancelled 1000 days or less before the event.

Key takeaways

This is a full-day private guided tour to Kashihara, Japan.

The tour includes visits to the Kashihara-jingu Shrine, built in 1889 to reaffirm the emperor's power and the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, with many gates and a central mount where the emperor is resting.

The tour will also take visitors to Imai-cho, a traditional town from the Edo period, where they can see the traditional side of Japan.

Some of the highlights of the tour include: learning about Japanese protohistory and Meiji era at Kashihara-jingu, visiting the Hanairaka information center, the Shonen-ji temple and the Imai Machiya Hall where visitors can go inside some of the traditional houses, like Yometani residence, Imai-Machiyakan and Kawai residence, and see what a bedroom from the Edo Period looked like.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, strollers and pets are allowed, and public transportation is nearby.

The tour does not include Food, drinks, lunch, or transportation and entrances fees.

Related Read: Discover Japan's Past: A Unique Stay in Traditional Machiya Homes