The Kokiriko Experience: One-on-one Tour of Gokayama (Kaminashi) with a Local Guide
Discover Kokiriko, the oldest folk song in Japan, and the quiet village that preserves it. Nestled between UNESCO-listed gassho-style villages, Kaminashi is a center of culture in a region whose rugged geography and unusually snowy climate once made it nearly inaccessible, a virtual “island in the mountains” whose traditions have been shaped by centuries of isolation. On your walk through the village, you’ll discover this unique heritage—the Kokiriko song and dance, Gokayama tofu, and more—as you interact firsthand with the people who keep the traditions alive. With an English-speaking guide-interpreter to accompany you every step of the way, you can enjoy your journey with peace of mind. Inquire about an experience today.
JPY 15,000 per person (tax included)
Daily (February through November) Weekends and holidays only (December through February)
2–6 people (minimum 2 people)
ー Stories of the Past, Preserved for the Future ー
The Murakami House is an Important Cultural Property of Japan which, in addition to being one of the foremost examples of gassho-style architecture, is also one of the oldest. The nearly 400-year-old home doubles as a museum with several thousand folk artifacts on display. When you arrive, the head of the house will greet you at the irori, an open fireplace built directly into the floor, where he’ll explain the history of the house and the region.
ー Tofu You Can Bind with a Rope ー
Tofu is a specialty of Kaminashi and the surrounding region of Gokayama, which has been producing its own version of the staple for hundreds of years. What sets Gokayama tofu apart is its hardness and low water content. The tofu is so hard, in fact, that it has traditionally been bound with ropes for easy carrying. During your visit to Kihei, a local tofu shop, you’ll have a chance to sample this Gokayama classic. It will also be served with lunch.
ー The Oldest Folk Song In Japan ー
The Kokiriko song and dance, said to be the oldest in Japan, is performed with an instrument called a sasara. You’ll build your own miniature sasara with help from a master sasara-maker. Then, once your instrument is complete, you’ll have a chance to play your sasara as you learn the Kokiriko dance.
Tour information
Tour Itinerary
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Time |
Place/Description |
Details |
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10:00 a.m. |
Tour begins at the Gokayama Tourist Information Center |
Your guide will be waiting at the meeting place. |
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Tour of the Murakami House |
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|
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Visit to Kihei tofu shop | The tour may also visit an old exile’s hut depending on local weather and other conditions. Please inquire. |
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Sasara-making workshop | |
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Stroll through the village |
Your guide will point out the best photo spots! |
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12:30 p.m. |
Lunch at Jippensha |
Your guide will show you to the lunch venue before leaving the tour. Feel free to enjoy lunch as long as you like and take another stroll through the village afterward! |
— Jippensha —
Handmade soba noodles, Gokayama tofu dishes, and seasonal tempura are our specialty.
*Vegetarian options available
Notice
* Tours are accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
* Tour price includes meals. The dining venue may be subject to change.
* Tour schedule may be subject to change or cancellation due to inclement weather or other factors.
＜Transportation＞
The tour meets at the Gokayama Tourist Information Center.
* To reach the meeting place by bus, take the World Heritage Bus and disembark at the “Kaminashi” bus stop. The bus stop is a two-minute walk from the tour start point.
* If you are coming by car, please park in the parking lot in front of the Gokayama Tourist Information Center.
Cancellation policy
＊If you wish to cancel your tour, please notify us by phone or email during our business hours (8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.). If you contact us outside of our business hours, we will respond to you the following day.
＊If you choose to cancel your tour on the day it is scheduled, you must notify the Nanto City Tourism Association (TEL: +81 0763-62-1201) before 9:30 a.m. on the morning of your tour. You will be charged the full price of the tour if you do not notify us of your cancellation before this time.
＊If you cancel your tour, you will be charged a cancellation fee for each participant as follows:
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10 to 8 days in advance |
２０％ |
|
7 to 2 days in advance |
３０％ |
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1 day in advance |
４０％ |
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Day of the tour (before 9:30 a.m.) |
５０％ |
|
Day of the tour (after 9:30 a.m., including no-shows) |
１００％ |
＊If inclement weather impacts the availability of public transportation on the day of your tour, your tour may be cancelled at no cost to you. We will notify you if we cancel your tour. However, if you cancel your tour due to inclement weather when public transportation is still available, you will be charged a cancellation fee (see table above).
Planning and implementation
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