Spend a slow and enriching day in a peaceful mountain village where the legends of water still flow Time：approx. 4 hours Starts 10am Active Level：Flat-ground walking, 2 km. Suitable for all ages.
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Plan for 1 Person
Plan for 2 Person
Plan for 3～4 Person
The Highlight
・Try hands-on farming with local families in a peaceful mountain village. ・Enjoy a fresh, home-cooked lunch made with seasonal ingredients from the village harvest. ・Create your own indigo-dyed textile in a fun, hands-on workshop. ・Meet artisans and discover how age-old crafts are evolving in rural Japan at Kimono Shits Studio. ・Meet friendly locals and discover how people live in harmony with nature, both now and in the past. ・Guided by residents who share stories and foster real connections.
The Experience
After meeting your guide at JR Maibara Station, take a short local train ride and then head by car into the hills to Kamiyamada, a hidden satoyama settlement nestled among rice fields and forest.
Blessed with abundant spring water flowing from the surrounding mountains—once revered as sacred—this quiet village feels like a timeless scene from Japan’s rural past. Depending on the season, you’ll join a local farmer for a glimpse into rice field work, from planting young seedlings to harvesting the golden crop.
Next, explore the region’s natural craft culture with a hands-on indigo dyeing workshop. Using leaves grown locally, you’ll create your own beautifully hand-dyed tenugui to take home as a keepsake. Then, visit a small shirt-making studio that breathes new life into old kimono fabric—an inspiring example of sustainability rooted in tradition.
Lunch is a quiet highlight: a fresh, homemade meal made with the village’s own rice and seasonal vegetables, prepared with care by members of the local community. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be arranged upon request.
This experience is especially well-suited for families looking to connect with rural Japan at a gentle pace—where nature, culture, and warm hospitality come together in everyday life.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Itinerary
- Include: Lunch
- 10:00Meet with guide at JR Maibara Station
- Hands-on indigo dyeing workshop
- Lunch(fresh, homemade meal made with the village’s own rice and seasonal vegetable)
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- This is a private tour. Only your group will participate.
- You can customize it as you like. If you have any requests please let us know in advance.
- If you want to change your schedule even on the tour day, your guide is always happy to help you.
- You can skip the spot where you don't go (※in this case we do not refund any fees) or change it with another place.
- If you add some new spots by your request, please pay the ticket fee on the spot. (Note that you may need to pay extra transportation fee)
Important Booking Information
Course Notes ・Available year-round (except during the New Year holiday season) ・This one-day course starts at 10 am. ・Meeting point is JR Maibara Station, but your guide may conclude the tour at Takatsuki Station ・Suitable for all ages. No strenuous activities. ・For child participants, please ensure that those under age 18 are accompanied by an adult. Adult rates start from 13 years old. ・Children under 13 can join for ¥11,440 each. Children under 6 are free, but the base price (which covers up to 2 participants) still applies even if joining with just one adult and one child. ・Rain or shine. ・We strongly recommend purchasing appropriate travel insurance in advance. Although minimal insurance is included.
Representative Contact: Biwako Backroads (3Chroma LLC) Representative: Takako Matsui Email Address: biwakobackroads.japan@gmail.com Phone Number: ①0749-53-2119, ②080-6136-6187
Terms and Conditions ・Tour Cancellation by Biwako Backroads We will only cancel your tour if a situation arises which is beyond our control such as a natural disaster, severe or dangerous weather conditions (details below), civil or political unrest, war, terrorism, industrial action, disruption of public transport services, or illness or injury that appears too serious for you to safely participate.
If we cancel your tour we will refund all money you have paid us, but we will not be liable to compensate you for any inconvenience or incidental expenses you might have incurred including transportation to our meeting place.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 11 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 10 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)