Highlights
- Enjoy the serene townscapes and scenic views of Takamori Town by bicycle
- Meet one of the few remaining thatched-roof craftsman and learn his skills
- Visit a sushi chef and taste sushi made with wild vegetables
- See the grand Takamori-don, a 400-year-old cedar tree revered as the guardian deity of Takamori
Description
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Takamori town is a small town of roughly 6000 inhabitants located in the southern parts of the Aso caldera. Takamori has a deep history and culture of living in harmony with the grasslands that symbolise the Aso area. Living off and tending to the grasslands have been central in Aso for thousands of years. During this tour you will meet a master sushi chef who use wild vegetables from the grasslands and a thatch-roof crafter who make roofs and other crafts using silver grass.
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After we set out on our E-bikes we will cycle through the rural landscape of Takamori. Our first step will be the stunning cedar tree "Takamori-don," which roughly translates to "the lord of Takamori." This stunning natural monument is more than 400 years old and according to the tragic legend that surrounds this place, it might be far older than that.
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After exploring Takamori and working up an appetite we will visit mr. Muramoto. He is a sushi-chef trained in the Edomae style who set up his small and cozy sushi restaurant in Takamori to use the local ingredients such as wild vegetables from the grasslands. Enjoy a hand-crafted meal and try your hand at a few of his techniques.
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After lunch we will cycle for around another hour before we reach our final stop for the tour. Here we will visit one of the few remaining thatch-roof crafters in Japan. He and his family use the silver grass from the grasslands to craft both roofs but also traditional decorations such as "Shime-nawa." You will learn and try your hand at making one of these rope-like decorations that often can be found at shrines and other holy objects throughout Japan.
After this, we will head back to Takamori station where the tour ends.
Itinerary
- 08:30 Briefing at Takamori Station
- ↓Cycling 30 min
- 09:30 Takamori-don
- ↓Cycling 50 min
- 11:00 Shiki no Aji Muramoto (90 min)
- ↓Cycling 10 min
- 12:40 Shikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
- ↓Cycling 35 min
- 13:15 Aso Kayabuki Kobo (60 min)
- ↓Cycling 20 min
- 15:00 Tour ends at Takamori Station
Price
| 1 : | 35,000 yen |
|---|---|
| 2-3: | 27,000 yen (per person) |
| 4 - 5: | 24,000 yen (per person) |
| 6+: | 23,000 yen (per person) |
Tour includes
- English/Japanese/ Swedish-speaking tour guide
- Lunch
- Insurance
- Local tax
- Environment preservation fee
Tour does NOT include
- Transportation to and from Takamori town
Other info
Tour operates: February - November
Group size: 1 - 6 people
Language: Swedish/Japanese/English/Chinese
Meeting time: 08:30
Meeting point: Takamori Station
Returning time: 15:00
Remarks
- This is a basic tour-package. Feel free to reach out to us if you want to customise the contents of the tour.
- You should be somewhat comfortable with riding a bicycle if you take part in this tour.
- Bicycle trailer and kid size bikes are also available for rent.
- Comfortable clothing and light packing are recommended for this tour. If necessary you will be able to leave heavier baggage at the starting point of the tour.
- Depending on local weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances the itinerary may change without earlier notice.