From Nagoya: Soba Cooking Class & Nakasendo Traditions

This tour will start at Nagoya Station at 8:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. You will have the opportunity to put your belongings on our tour bus if you feel the need.

Your guide will provide you with a brief history of the region and set the scene as we depart Nagoya JR Station via our tour bus. We will take a short break at a roadside rest stop to stretch our legs before arriving at our first destination, a local Kabuki theater.

Kabuki, a traditional Japanese theatrical art form, holds significant historical and cultural importance along the Nakasendo Trail and the Kiso Valley, especially through its regional variant, Ji-Kabuki. You will have a chance to speak with a Kabuki actor, go backstage, and explore one of these beloved theaters in a guided tour.

As we continue our journey through the Kiso Valley, you will have the opportunity to participate in a soba-making workshop.

The Kiso Valley has long been renowned for cultivating some of the finest buckwheat in Japan, leading to the production of exceptional soba noodles. Local chefs have been perfecting the art of preparing this traditional dish for centuries, and the meal became a practical and nourishing meal for travelers along the Nakasendo Trail.

A local chef will guide you step-by-step through the process of making soba—which you will then be able to enjoy with an optional side of tempura.

The last leg of this journey will bring us to the picturesque town of Magome-juku. Situated on a slope, this town offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery and features a main street lined with traditional wooden buildings. Learn about the town's role as a post town along the historic Nakasendo Trail while taking pictures of the town's famous waterwheels.

Your guide will provide you with a tour of this charming town while allowing plenty of time for you to go off and explore on your own. Sample local delicacies or purchase some souvenirs to commemorate your trip. Of course, your guide will be on hand to take photos to make all your friends and family back home jealous of your time in Japan.

From here, we will return to the station via our tour bus and say our goodbyes there. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.