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Offered languages
- Swedish
- Japanese
- English
This is a unique chance to experience life in rural Japan through a local's eyes. Access areas and meet people that would be impossible without the presence of the guide.
Enjoy unique interaction while delving into true Japanese forestry culture. Be mesmerized by the beautiful and unique landscape, born through a long history of living in symbiosis with the mountains and planting cedar trees.
All while having your own private guide who is knowledgable and can explain the history of not only the area but the Japanese forestry.
But more than anything, this tour aims to be about interaction with locals. As a guide, I wish the meeting between visitors and locals to feel like me introducing friends to each other.
The area around Mt. Aso is one of Japan's best-hidden treasures and this is your shortcut to experiencing it. True Japanese culture, food, hospitality, and much much more.
Take a chance, step off the beaten track, and come join us for an amazing time in Aso!
Example Menu
Main
Kaiseki food
Many different small dishes served on individual plates. Everything from tempura fried vegetables to dumpling soup and fried boar. All local!
Dessert
Homemade dessert and coffee
Jam/Sweet potatoes/Depends on season
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We can pick you up from most locations within Minamioguni town.
If you arrive from Kumamoto/Fukuoka/Oita/Aso station you will most likely arrive by bus to Minamioguni Yakuba (town hall) or Kurokawa onsen where we can pick you up.
If you have stayed a night at Kurokawa onsen or any other lodging facility in Minamioguni town, we can pick you up there. For visitors staying at Kurokawa onsen, the meeting point is by the Kurokawa Onsen Tourism Information Center.
Park your car at Suzume Jigoku parking lot. I will be there waiting for you with a red jacket and a name tag that says "Satoyama Journey".
What to expect
During this tour, we will join a real lumberjack and follow him into the forest. We will learn about his work and the importance of tending to the forest to preserve a healthy eco-system. Furthermore, we will learn how to fell a tree and enjoy building simple log constructions in the forest.
After having built up a healthy appetite, we will visit two local farmers and enjoy lunch at their small BnB establishment. Traditional Japanese food made from locally produced ingredients!
Our last stop will be the town's lumber mill. Here we will learn more about the symbolic cedar tree. We will walk around the lumbermill and see the process as log turns to plank up-close. Finally, we will sit down at their small and fashionable workshop where we will make aroma candles from oil extracted from the leaves of the cedar trees.
This is a private tour that will give you a front-row seat as you experience a different way of life!
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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