Ina Valley Tours

-伊那谷-

  • The Ina Valley

    The Ina Valley is the much, much lesser known part of the area that Really Rural Japan covers. Running parallel to the Kiso Valley, the Ina Valley is a wide, often sunny fertile valley which is framed by the Central Alps in the west, and the Southern Alps in the east.

    Hiking Tours

    The hiking tours that we offer in the Ina Valley are rich in both history and nature. Unlike the Nakasendo, they are yet to be discovered by foreign legs. These are tours that we at Really Rural Japan have pioneered and this is your chance to see somewhere that nobody abroad knows about.

    Craft & Culture Tours

    The Ina Valley craft & culture tours the we offer are also pioneered by us. They offer you a chance to get deep inside of rural Japan and into undiscovered places rich in history and culture.

    Combinations

    Many of the Ina Valley tours are half day experiences. We highly recommend combining two of these experiences to create a full day of fun and adventure! See below for recommended combinations.

Hiking Tours

Japanese Central Alps Hiking Tour

Seinaiji Kaido Hiking Tour

  • ・Location: Komagane City

    ・Season: June to October

    ・Distance: 4km/2.5miles

    ・Uphill: 350m/1,150ft

    ・Of the three alpine mountain ranges in Japan, the Central Alps are the smallest and least crowded. Hike the Japanese Central Alps from Komagane Ropeway in the Ina Valley. See the alpine flowers of Senjojiki Cirque and climb Mount Kiso-Komagatake (2,956m), the highest peak.

    ・Price: from 60,000 JPY

  • ・Location: Hirugami Onsen

    ・Season: late March to mid December

    ・Distance: 13km/8miles

    ・Uphill: 340m/1,115ft

    The Seinaiji Kaido is an ancient road that once connected the Nakasendo at Tsumago Juku, with the southern end of the Ina Valley in Iida City. Compared to the Nakasendo, it was a relatively minor road used by regular people instead of the Daimyo and Princess that used the Nakasendo. For these reasons, the beautiful historical trail is extremely secretive. You may not encounter another soul on the trail as you hike. This is highly recommended for anyone wanting a quiet, therapeutic walk in the forests of Japan.

    ・Price: From 45,000 JPY

Chuma Kaido Hiking Tour

Tosando Hiking Tour
Tenryu Gorge Tenryukyo Minami Shinshu Iida City Nagano Prefecture wanes Japanese traditional boat river 天竜峡　天龍川　和船　ライン下り　南信州　長野県　飯田市

Tenryu Gorge

1/2 Day

  • Location: Tenryu Gorge

    Season: Year round

    Tenryu Gorge:

    This stunning gorge is a symbol of area. The Tenryu River disappears deep into a steep ravine which can be enjoyed both on foot and by Japanese traditional boat.

    What will you do during this tour?

    Choose between:

    • A short hike (30 mins - 1 hour)

    • A Japanese boat ride (1 hour)

    • A longer hike (2 hours)

    Both the short hike and boat ride may be possible in a half day if the timing is right.

    Combinations:

    This is a half day tour which is best used in combination with another 1/2 day Ina Valley tour to make a full day.

    Price: From 35,000

Shinshu Tsumugi (Japanese Silk) Weaving Experience

1/2 Day

Wara-Zaiku (Straw Craft) Experience

1/2 Day

  • Location: Komagane City, Ina Valley

    Season: Year round except high summer

    What is Shinshu Tsumugi?

    Shinshu Tsumugi is an historical, traditional, luxurious fabric which is handwoven with 100% local silk. The most common use of Shinshu Tsumugi is to be made into kimono and obi. It is an officially designated traditional handicraft, one of only seven in Nagano Prefecture.

    What will you do during this experience?

    1. Meet and greet the Kubota family.

    2. Enjoy a factory tour.

    3. Learn how to weave your own item at a traditional Japanese loom.

    4. Time for shopping and farewells.

    Price: From 43,000 JPY

  • Location: Iijima Town, Ina Valley

    Season: Year round

    What is Wara-Zaiku?

    Wara-zaiku is an endangered ancient traditional Japanese craft. It basically refers to any items made out of Japan’s plentiful supple of rice straw.

    What will you do during this experience?

    1. Meet and greet the master craftsmen behind Japan’s sumo rings and learn about the ancient craft.

    2. Tour of the facility.

    3. Get hands on and make on of the following:

    • Shimenawa-kazari (Shinto faith rope decoration)

    • Warakame (straw turtle)

    • Waraji (straw sandals)

    4. Farewells and decide what to do with your handmade creation.

    Time:

    This is a half day experience requiring 2-3 hours.

    Price: From 42,000 JPY

Organic Tea Picking & Roasting

1/2 Day

Komagane Ropeway

1/2 Day

  • Location: Tenryu Village

    Season: June to September.

    Nakai Samurai is a tiny village deep, and I mean deep, in the mountains of southern Nagano Prefecture. The village is famed for its green tea production, and its stunning views, with the tea fields located on steep slopes overlooking the Tenryu River.

    As you get off of the train, the tea fields are literally a stones throw away. The day starts with a quick intro and a tasting of the farmers local brew, before you head into the fields and pick your own. Then roast the leaves into fresh green tea and enjoy with locally made snacks and lunch.

    Price: From 55,000 JPY

  • Location: Komagane City

    Season: Year round

    Komagane Ropeway:

    Komagane Ropeway is the highest ropeway in Japan, going to 2,612m above sea level. At the top the Senjojiki Cirque gives stunning views all year round.

    What will you do on this tour:

    • Bus to Shirabi-Daira Station.

    • Ride the Komagane Ropeway.

    • 30 minute easy walk in the basin of the Senjojiki Cirque.

    • Lunch/coffee at 2612 Cafe.

    • Come down.

    Time:

    This tour will take about 4 hours.

    Combinations:

    This tour is best used in combination with anther 1/2 day tour.

    Price: From 45,000 JPY

Rural Foraging Tours

1/2 Day

Washi & Mizuhiki Experience

1/2 Day

  • Location: Hiraya Village

    Season: Apr-May, Oct-early December

    In Hiraya Village, the smallest and least populated village in Nagano Prefecture, you can join Mr. Hirokawa, a professional forager and local resident on a seasonal adventure in rural Japan.

    Spring is best for buds and shoots. The Japanese have a deep culture of foraging and they call their spring produce sansai, or mountain veg. Expect to eat them in tempura form. Autumn is best for mushrooms. Of course mushroom picking can be extremely dangerous so never go out without an expert.

    Price: From 55,000 JPY

  • Location: Shimo-Hisakata Village (Iida City)

    Season: Year round

    What is washi?

    Washi is Japanese traditional paper made with the tree bark of the kozo tree. Here in Iida City the small village of Shimo-Hisakata has a long washi making history.

    What is mizuhiki?

    Mizuhiki are colourful chords tied into shapes and knots full of history, auspicious meaning and tradition. The chords are traditionally made out of twisted washi. Iida City makes about 70% of Japan’s mizuhiki and is the centre of the craft.

    What will you do during this experience?

    1. Meet the local craftsmen keeping their local tradition alive and learn the history and methods of making washi and mizuhiki.

    2. Make your own washi using traditional techniques. Then, while your washi dries, learn how to make mizuhiki. At the end of the exerience, the washi and mizuhiki can be combined to make a special letter. Perhaps a love letter for a special occasion?

    3. Time for shopping and farewells.

    Time:

    This is a half day experience requiring about 2-3 hours.

    Price: From 50,000 JPY

  • ・Location: Hirugami Onsen

    ・Season: April to November

    ・Distance: 13km/8miles

    ・Uphill: 340m/1,115ft

    The Tosando is one of the oldest known official roads in Japan which stretched from Kyoto to Tohoku in northern Japan. It was written about in the Kojiki, the first book ever written in Japan in the year 711. It also features in Heian period literature such as The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu.

    Here we will hike probably the most infamous part of the ancient road, the Misaka Pass. This was known as the hardest section to cross, the only part where there was no choice but to head high into the mountains and leave the plains proper. This hike features stunning views, deep forested mountains and historical shrines and temples. It has not yet been found by foreign walking tour groups. So beat the rest and be among the first to experience Japan’s oldest road.

    Price: From 45,000 JPY

  • ・Location: Neba Village

    ・Season: late March to mid December

    ・Distance: 16km/10miles

    ・Uphill: 655m/2,150ft

    The Chuma Kaido was one of the biggest trade routes during the Edo period. Hundreds to thousands of horses were used to carry goods throughout Japan on a daily basis. These days Really Rural Japan have been working hard in the Japanese countryside repurposing the Chuma Kaido for hiking tours. This is somewhere as yet completely undiscovered. Be one of the first to hike through some of the most rural villages in all of Japan.

    ・Price: From 45,000 JPY

Craft & Culture Tours

How to Combine Two Half Day Tours:

The following combinations work well together and are highly recommended to make a full day of adventure! Here is a list with prices explained:

  1. Shinshu Tsumugi (Japanese Silk) Weaving Experience + Wara-Zaiku (Straw Craft) Experience - Prices: 45,000 JPY + 8,000 JPY per person + 7,000 JPY per person

  2. Shinshu Tsumugi (Japanese Silk) Weaving Experience + Tenryu Gorge - Prices: 45,000 JPY + 8,000 JPY per person (not inc. optional boat ticket prices)

  3. Wara-Zaiku (Straw Craft) Experience + Tenryu Gorge - Prices: 45,000 JPY + 7,000 JPY per person (not inc. optional boat ticket prices)

  4. Komagane Ropeway + Wara-Zaiku (Straw Craft) Experience - Prices: 50,000 JPY + 7,000 JPY per person (not inc. ropeway and bus ticket prices)

  5. Komagane Ropeway + Shinshu Tsumugi (Japanese Silk) Weaving Experience - Prices: 50,000 JPY + 8,000 JPY per person (not inc. ropeway and bus ticket prices)

  6. Komagane Ropeway + Tenryu Gorge - Prices: 55,000 JPY (not inc. bus, ropeway and optional boat ticket prices)

  7. Tenryu Gorge + Tea Picking & Roasting - Prices: 65,000 JPY for up to four people. 5,000 JPY per additional person after that (not inc. optional boat ticket prices)