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Japan Train and Cycling Tour: Samurai Residences and Countryside
5.0
4 Ratings
Semboku
Enjoy the original scenery of Japan from the train window on a one-car one-man train. Once you get off the train at an unmanned station, you can start cycling from there! You will pedal toward an area lined with samurai residences, stopping at temples, shrines, farmhouses, cafes, and other places to enjoy the countryside.
Enjoy the original scenery of Japan from the train window on a one-car one-man train. Once you get off the train at an unmanned station, you can start cycling from there! You will pedal toward an area lined with samurai residences, stopping at temples, shrines, farmhouses, cafes, and other places to enjoy the countryside.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Kakunodate - Kakunodate, a castle town that flourished in the Edo period, is called “Michinoku’s Little Kyoto.” In a compact area with a radius of about 2 km, many samurai residences and other old buildings still exist, making it a popular tourist spot visited by many Japanese and foreign tourists alike, who come to enjoy the elegant townscape….
- Kakunodate - Kakunodate, a castle town that flourished in the Edo period, is called “Michinoku’s Little Kyoto.” In a compact area with a radius of about 2 km, many samurai residences and other old buildings still exist, making it a popular tourist spot visited by many Japanese and foreign tourists alike, who come to enjoy the elegant townscape. The main street of the samurai residences has been designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings and is protected as a cultural asset. This tour explores the houses of lower and upper-class warriors and includes an entrance into the actual samurai residences. The history of the Samurai, which continues to the present day, will be explained in a fun and informative way.
- Katakurikan - This area produces the largest chestnut in Japan. More than 300 years ago, seeds were brought from Kyoto and Gifu to Akita Prefecture for cultivation. The improved seeds are now popular as “Saimyoji chestnuts,” one of Akita’s specialties. The early season starts around the beginning of October, and the late season around mid-October.
- Semboku - Although the location does not have a special name, it is a bicycle ride through the original rural landscape of Senboku City, Akita Prefecture. Temples, rivers, castle ruins, and rice paddies make for a perfect cycling tour.
What's Included
- Insurance fee
- Snacks
- Train ticket for Nairiku Line
- Bicycle use
- Insurance fee
- Snacks
- Train ticket for Nairiku Line
- Bicycle use
What's Not Included
- Transportation to the starting point (Kakunodate station)
- Transportation to the starting point (Kakunodate station)
Location
コワーキングスペース ORENCHI（俺ん家）
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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894kylan
May 16, 2025
Unforgettable cycling experience - This is the third cycling tour I have done in Japan and it by far exceeded my expectations! Our guides Mac and Gingi went above and beyond and made sure everything was taken care of while in the town of Kakunodate - including helping set things up for us for times we were not on the tour as we don’t speak any Japanese. The electric bikes were great and the route they took us on was unique, easy to ride and we were able to see many things you don’t get to experience in the big cities. We enjoyed chatting and getting to know our guides. Highly recommend this to anyone and everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimno5027mo
May 16, 2025
Best guides - The Team at Akita Inaka Travel are the best. Great attitudes, always smiling, spoke excellent english, knowledgable and do all the little things that make everything better. Ie. Ginji always made sure our schedule was clearly laid out and made recommendarions for our free time.
My wife is celiac and daughter gluten intolerant so Mak and Genji found us restaurants that could accommodate our special needs.
Mac and Genji led us on a wonderful e-bike tour in the country where we learned much about the area.
We had a great time and highly recommend everyone visiting Kakunodate to take advantage of the services Akita Inaka Travel provides. You will be happy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reagrove
Jul 21, 2024
Exploring the beauty of the Japanese countryside - I highly recommend this tour as it offers the opportunity to see the real Japanese countryside. My guide Mikiya Sugawara was a gentleman and highly knowledgeable about the Kakunodate area. The tours starts off with a small vintage train journey and soon we departed on some electric bikes (which makes the journey even more of a pleasure). The rice paddy fields, chestnut/mushroom growing areas, etc. were interesting to see and understand the techniques. About half way along the way we took a break at Kimoto Garden cafe and Delicatessen. The family run cafe was very friendly. For the second half I managed to catch a view of a Japanese stork in a paddy field. We passed through the Samuria historical district of Kakunodate near the end of the tour. Overall it was a refreshing change to the hustle and bustle of large cities such a Tokyo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colten_y
Apr 1, 2024
Great tour guide and great tour - Despite being a little too early to see the Sakura trees blooming, I had an excellent time here in Kakunodate. This bike tour met or exceeded expectations in every way, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone wanting to see the town and nearby area. The ride wasn’t hard, and had electric assist bikes if you need the extra help. We also took frequent stops to explore landmarks and take photos. My tour guide gets a massive thanks from me as well. His English was very good and his personality really enhanced the experience for me. I hope to come back again sometime and get the full Spring experience!
Review provided by Viator
