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Offered languages
- Japanese
- English
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Tono!
Tōno is a rural town in the hills of central Iwate Prefecture. The area is notable for its rustic landscapes and traditional farming culture. But Tono is best known as a repository of Japanese folklore due to its legends of spirits, animals and supernatural creatures. This rich oral tradition was passed down through generations of storytellers.
Your guide will start your day with a morning pickup at your hotel. Let us know what special requests you have for the day and we will customize your itinerary in advance!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.
Itinerary
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1
It is claimed that a number of mischievous Kappa river sprites, which love to threaten people and play tricks on passersby, live in the small stream in Tsuchibuchi-cho running behind Joken-ji Temple. Apparently the Kappa appear even now along the clear stream hidden by the surrounding thickets. Near the stream is a small shrine to the Kappa gods where expectant mothers go and leave breast-shaped red clothes to pray that they will be able to breastfeed their child.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
A small wayside shrine known to be the home of the god of love. Buy a small red cloth from the unmanned shop in the shrine grounds, tie it to a tree with just your left hand and you’ll be tied with the one you love.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Experience the pure rustic lifestyle of the Tono region! In this theme park, you will be able to see the Kikuchi Residence, a registered important cultural asset, a memorial museum to Kizen Sasaki (the Tono local who worked with Kunio Yanagida on The Legends of Tono), as well as Oshirado Hall where you will see a thousand Oshirasama.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
4
You can see images and listen to recordings of folklore in Hall of Stories, or listen live to the stories from an official storyteller at the Tono Theatre, see the display on Kunio Yanagita, author of The Legends of Tono. There is also a restaurant and gift shop on site.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
5
Theme park, a recreated nostalgic rural village in Tono. You can experience local folk craft, regional cuisine, an listen to folk tales. Experience traditions handed down through the generations and all the other unique mountain village life.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
6
Farmer's private residence built approximately 200 years ago. The L-shaped house is called "Nanbu Magariya" , unique to this region, where people and hourses lived under the same roof. The house is a registered Important Cultural Assett. * Scheduled to re-open in 2025 after renovation.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
7
Opened in 1980, this is the first museum in Japan devoted to folk customs. Focused around The Legends of Tono, you will see displays and videos about the nature, life, culture and history of Tono and its people.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
- Tour dates can be changed up to 2 days before the tour. Any tour date change may result in a change of tour guide or tour unavailability.
- Pick up & Drop Off is on foot
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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