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- English
Just a short train ride from Nara lies Yamato-Koriyama a hidden gem full of history, samurai legacy, and unexpected charm. Famous for its elegant castle ruins and goldfish culture, this small-group walking tour blends beautiful tradition with whimsical touches like goldfish scooping and indigo-dyed crafts. It’s a relaxed and photogenic escape from the crowds of Nara.
・Explore Koriyama Castle and enjoy panoramic views, seasonal colors, and stone walls steeped in samurai history
・Stroll through nostalgic shopping arcades and discover goldfish-themed treats, crafts, and fun hands-on experiences
・Visit one of Japan’s largest goldfish farms and museum, a quirky highlight unique to Yamato-Koriyama
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Your guide will pick you up at the ticket gate.
Itinerary
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1
We will first visit Koriyama Castle, the pride and symbol of the city. The castle was built in the 16th century, and is known as one of the most famous cherry blossoms viewing spots in Japan. Depending on the season, here you can enjoy cherry blossoms (spring) or vivid fall colors (autumn). Koriyama Castle will wow you not only in terms of the stunning stone walls and architecture, but also in terms of the spot’s glorious harmony with nature, as well as its splendid exterior gate that was relocated from Negoriji in Wakayama. And let’s not forget - a breathtaking view from the top that overlooks the town of Yamato-Koriyama.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Pay a visit to this restored indigo dyer's house. Inside you'll find a small museum of art and antiques related to the city's heritage of goldfish breeding. You can also buy hand-dyed accessories should they take your fancy.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Just off the shopping street lies this Shinto shrine. Funnily enough, this shrine is popular with baseball fans all over Japan. When one local man donated baseball mitts for the shrine to give to the disadvantaged, it started somewhat of a trend, and more locals joined in. Eventually some famous pro-baseball players contributed, and now people visit to pray for good results in their games.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
At our final stop on the tour, we explore the goldfish production center known as "Kingyoda," just outside the center of the city. Yamato-Koriyama hosts one of Japan's leading goldfish production sites, distributing approximately 60 million goldfish nationwide, or about 40% of the national share. Here on the outskirts of the city, the Kingyoda facility maintains about 50 hectares of goldfish culturing ponds, and the visuals of seeing such great numbers of goldfish swimming about in such a large area is something unforgettable. You’ll also visit "Koriyama goldfish museum" where you will find goldfish-related memorabilia and reproductions of Edo-era prints, along with a garden area with tanks of rare goldfish.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- A maximum of 9 people per booking
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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