4 Day Japan Train Tour to Kagaonsen

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival and Relaxation at a Historic Hot Spring Town
2 stops
1
Your journey begins at Tokyo Station, where you’ll board the Hokuriku Shinkansen “Hakutaka” bound for Kaga Onsen Station. Enjoy a smooth and scenic ride through the Japanese countryside, watching the landscape shift from cityscapes to peaceful rural views. Upon arrival, a hotel shuttle bus will take you to your accommodation in Yamashiro Onsen, one of Hokuriku’s most historic hot spring towns.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Yamashiro Onsen has been a healing retreat for over 1300 years and once served as the official hot spring resort of the Maeda Clan, rulers of the Kaga Domain. You’ll stay at Ruriko, a certified “5 Star Ryokan” known for its refined hospitality and elegant atmosphere. The men’s open-air bath features natural rock formations and a garden waterfall, while the women’s bath is crafted from fragrant hinoki cypress, offering a graceful and serene experience. The soft, mineral-rich waters are perfect for relaxing after your journey. In the evening, enjoy a seasonal kaiseki dinner featuring beautifully arranged local dishes. Then, at 9:00 PM, gather in the hotel’s event space for a spectacular drum performance held nightly. Local drummers wearing traditional ogre masks perform a powerful and rhythmic show that echoes through the halls, bringing energy and excitement to the quiet mountain night. It’s a unique cultural experience that adds a dramatic and unforgettable touch to your first evening.
16 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Traditional Kimono Experience and Strolling Through Town
2 stops
3
After breakfast, you’ll begin your day with a visit to Taniguchi Kimono shop, a long-established kimono shop in Yamashiro Onsen. Here, you’ll enjoy a kimono dressing experience, where professional staff will help you choose and wear a traditional Japanese kimono. The fabrics are carefully selected to match the season, and the process includes styling with obi belts and accessories. Once dressed, you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the town in kimono, visiting local shops, historic buildings, and quiet streets lined with traditional architecture. The experience allows you to feel the elegance of Japanese culture firsthand, and the town’s peaceful atmosphere makes it a perfect backdrop for photos. Depending on the season, you may see cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, or gentle snowfall in winter, adding a poetic touch to your walk.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
4
After your stroll through town in kimono, return to Ruriko, your five-star ryokan, where the retreat continues beyond sightseeing. This is not just a place to sleep—it’s a space designed to immerse you in the quiet beauty of Japanese hospitality. The ryokan’s architecture blends traditional design with modern comfort, and its peaceful garden paths invite you to slow down and reconnect with nature. Inside, you’ll find quiet lounges for reading or tea, and a serene atmosphere that encourages reflection. The open-air baths—crafted from natural rock and fragrant hinoki wood—offer a deeply relaxing experience, especially in the evening when steam rises into the cool mountain air. As part of your retreat, you’ll enjoy another seasonal kaiseki dinner, prepared with care and artistry. And at 9:00 PM, the nightly ogre-mask drum performance brings a burst of energy and tradition, reminding you that even in stillness, Japan’s cultural heartbeat is alive.
16 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Japanese Sweets Workshop and Cultural Discovery
2 stops
5
After breakfast, you’ll head to Shimotsune, a local confectionery shop known for its handcrafted wagashi—traditional Japanese sweets. Here, you’ll participate in a wagashi-making workshop, where you’ll learn how to shape and decorate seasonal sweets using techniques passed down through generations. The workshop is hands-on and beginner-friendly, and the sweets you create will reflect seasonal motifs such as plum blossoms, maple leaves, or snowflakes. You’ll be guided by skilled artisans who explain the cultural significance of each design. Once finished, you’ll enjoy your creations on the same day, paired with a cup of green tea. This experience offers a deeper understanding of Japanese aesthetics and seasonal traditions, and it’s a delightful way to connect with local culture through taste and craftsmanship. In the evening, return to your ryokan for your final night in Yamashiro Onsen, with time to relax and reflect on your journey.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
6
Your final evening at Ruriko is a chance to fully embrace the spirit of this 4-day retreat. After your wagashi-making experience, return to the ryokan to soak once more in the mineral-rich waters, sip tea in your room, or take a quiet walk through the garden. The ryokan offers a space to reflect on the cultural experiences you’ve gathered. Dinner is another seasonal kaiseki meal, served with elegance and warmth. It’s a fitting end to a journey that has blended relaxation, culture, and discovery—exactly what a retreat should be.
16 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Farewell to Hokuriku
1 stop
7
After breakfast, you’ll depart Yamashiro Onsen by hotel shuttle, heading to Kaga Onsen Station. From there, you’ll board the Hokuriku Shinkansen “Hakutaka” for your return journey to Tokyo. As the train glides through the countryside, you’ll have time to reflect on the peaceful hot spring retreat, the cultural experiences, and the warm hospitality that made your visit to Hokuriku truly special.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be contacted at least 10 days prior to your travel date and offered an alternative or full refund.

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