Private Tour

Japanese Kominka Experience

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

This half-day English guided tour offers a rare chance to experience the authentic charm of rural Japan — something you won't find in big cities.

You'll wear a traditional yukata and explore a 120-year-old Japanese house and garden, taking memorable photos along the way. At Nakatsu Castle, famous for its flowers, you'll enjoy another photo opportunity.

The tour includes a visit to a traditional wagasa (Japanese umbrella) workshop, a tasting of matcha and wagashi at a long-established sweets shop, and a hands-on wagashi-making session with a skilled artisan.

You'll also enjoy a Michelin-recognized soba lunch and visit to a century-old tea shop to taste premium gyokuro and a beautiful matcha parfait.

This unique experience invites you to discover the beauty, flavor, and craftmanship of Japan's cultural heritage in just six and a half hours.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Participation is limited to healthy individuals aged between 16 and 80

For wearing a yukata,please wear a V-neck undershirt and inform us of your usual clothing and shoe sizes in advance

Depending on the day, the lunch may be changed to sushi and Nakatsu fried chicken, and the experience at Niwa Saryo may be replaced with a matcha experience in a traditional Japanese house

Please note that this tour is not suitable for those with food allerges,especially buckwheat(soba)allergies

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What To Expect

Nakatsu

Musashiya shoten Wagashi and macha Wagashi-making experience

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Nakatsu

Enjoy an exquisite Japanese lunch at Hanagoromo,a famous soba restaurant in Nakatsu

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Air-conditioned vehicle

Japanese lunch fee

Wagashi-making fee

Kimono rental and dressing fee

Hair styling and makeup for kimono dressing

Personal purchases,shopping and any additional food or drink expenses

Options

Japanese Kominka Experience

Reviews

5.00

3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A unique journey of Japanese culture
Sunshine24260125875,,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I experienced a journey of Japanese culture with foreign friends. This is a private tour of old houses and Japanese cultural experiences that are not usually open to the public. During the Japanese sweets making experience at the long-established store, which has been in business for more than 100 years, we were able to witness the skilled Japanese sweets making by the 4th generation wagashi artisans in front of us and experience making Japanese sweets in a peaceful atmosphere. The Japanese sweets we made were carefully wrapped and brought home. The 120-year-old house was full of buildings to see and it seemed like a time-travel to the Meiji period. You could choose a design you like for the yukata experience, and I took a picture in the garden as it is. In Japan, there are only about three Japanese umbrella workshops that have existed since the Edo period. I watched the artisans in action, saw their various works, and most of all, they were very interesting and kind, and I was able to call them father and mother. We also enjoyed Gyokuro tea and Japanese sweets at a long-established Japanese tea specialty store and coffee shop, and took photos at Nakatsu Castle, a famous Nakatsu spot. The way Nakatsu is associated with the city showed us around, so we had a very valuable experience on the tour that we couldn't experience on our own. It was a wonderful experience to be exposed to old Japanese culture and the kindness of the local people.
Great Old House Experience
Compass03373506795,,Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was an old house with a beautiful garden. It's kind of nostalgic and calming. My first Japanese cake was great because the teacher explained it well and the ingredients were good. Lunch and Japanese sweets were delicious and I could feel the goodness of Japan. The guide was also wonderful.