JOURNEY

A special journey where you can actually see and experience the skills of local artisans.

Two types of tours will provide visitors with a rare opportunity to actually see and experience first-hand the skills of the artisans who have taken root in this region.
We will take you into the fascinating world of Japanese spirituality and traditional craftsmanship through dialogue and interaction with artisans. Especially at Nippon Genshosha, a new forge that will pass on the skills and spirituality of Japanese swords to the next generation.
Takano Shrine

Takano Shrine is a historic shrine said to have been built by “Takenohime,” the wife of the 9th Emperor Kaika, to worship “Amaterasu” when she returned home in her later years. The main hall of the temple is a designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture. The worship hall is engraved with the crest of chrysanthemum (Kiku-no-Gomon), which signifies its connection with the Emperor, and the crest of paulownia (paulownia), which is the family crest exclusive to the imperial family. There is also a picture scroll that tells the story of Prince Maroko's extermination of demons.

Premium Tour:Journey to Own a Katana
Tour of shrine pavilions, special prayer for Tamahagane by the chief priest
Standard Tour:Discover the Art of Katana
Tour of shrine pavilions

Tateiwa

Tateiwa,” representing Kyotango in the San'in Kaigan Geopark, is a huge monolith 20 meters high.
According to legend, when Prince Mariko, the third prince of Empress Hashi-udo, the wife of the 31st Emperor Yomei, exterminated demons in this area, he sealed them in this huge rock.

Field trip

Nippon Genshosha

This is a swordsmith shop established in January 2022 by three swordsmiths who trained under Yoshindo Yoshihara, an uninspected Japanese swordsmith, and who aspire to produce Japanese swords that copy the present day.
With their skilled skills and a new sense of value that reflects the present, they will pioneer the next era of Japanese swords.

Premium Tour: Journey to Own a Katana
Tour of the blacksmith shop, Tamahagane crushing experience, and sword tour,
Lectures on how to maintain swords and procedures for ordering swords
Standard Tour:Discover the Art of Katana
Tour of the blacksmith shop, Tamahagane crushing experience, and sword tour,

Tamiya Raden

The seven-colored light reminiscent of the sea is the sparkle of seashells.
By applying the traditional Nishijin weaving technique of “Hikifaku”, he succeeded in making seashells into textiles. He has continued to produce craft belts for kimono as Raden-ori. In recent years, he has been using this technique to produce original textiles using wood, leather, and lacquer, along with raden-ori for fashion and interior applications.

Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) workshop visit (with souvenir)

Kojimaan

The 10th generation of Kojima Shoten, a long-established lantern workshop that has been around since the Edo period, moved with his family from Kyoto City and opened a new lantern workshop by the sea. Facing the idea of “living,” Kojima Shoten aims to light warm lights in people's lives and bring smiles to everyone's faces. We aim to make such lanterns.

Making mini lanterns “Chibimaru”

Enjoji Temple

This is an old temple founded by Indian monk Zenmuei Sanzo in the first year of Yoro era (717). The temple received an imperial command from Emperor Kanmu, and was given the name Shinkisan by Kobo Daishi. The temple's treasures, the Senju Kannon (not open to the public) and the Hokyointo (a Japanese box-shaped pagoda), have been designated as national important cultural properties. The statue of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is said to have been given to the temple by Prince Minamoto no Yoritomo, but it is a secret statue and can only be seen once every 33 years.

Tour of the temple grounds, Zen meditation experience

Yosa Musume Sake Brewery

Yosamusume Sake Brewery was founded in 1887 and is located in Kaetsudani, Yosano-cho.
In the mountains on the northern edge of Kyoto, the company brews sake that makes the most of local ingredients while preserving traditional techniques. It is a small family-owned sake brewery, but in order to meet the diverse needs of its customers, it is taking on the challenge of producing a variety of sakes, including fruit, low-alcohol, and sparkling sake.

Sake brewery tour and sake tasting

Tayuh Textile Industry

This company manufactures and sells high-grade Tango Chirimen, focusing on high-quality silk.
The company is involved in the integrated manufacturing of products from the weft yarn “water twisted 8-chome twisted yarn,” which is a characteristic of Tango Chirimen, to warping, weaving, and dyeing.

Tour of Tango Chirimen factory (with souvenir)

  • Premium Tour
    Journey to Own a Katana
  • Embrace Tradition, Craft a Legacy:
    Own a Piece of Japan's Samurai Spirit

Inquiries about tours

This is a special 3-day/2-night tour that includes ordering one of the following from Nippon Genshosha: a short sword or Wakizashi (both with preparation) or a Tachi sword (sword blade only).
The tour will start with the selection of tama-hagane at Nippon Genshosha, followed by a special prayer for tama-hagane from a priest at Takano Shrine, which is associated with demons and swords. Visitors can also experience the process of hammering tama-hagane at the sword smithy. In addition, the tour will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience deeply traditional crafts and Japanese spirituality through visits to TAMIYARADEN, a mother-of-pearl inlay weaving company, Kojima-an, a lantern workshop, Enjoji Temple, an ancient temple, and a sake brewery.

  • Sword class
  • ● List of swords available for purchase on the tour

Short and long daggers
(Tanto / Sun-nobi Tanto)

Short swords (Wakizashi)

Swords （Katana）

  • Places to visit on tour
  • Takano Shrine

    Takano Shrine is a historic shrine said to have been built by “Takenohime,” the wife of the 9th Emperor Kaika, to worship “Amaterasu” when she returned home in her later years. The main hall of the temple is a designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture. The worship hall is engraved with the crest of chrysanthemum (Kiku-no-Gomon), which signifies its connection with the Emperor, and the crest of paulownia (paulownia), which is the family crest exclusive to the imperial family. There is also a picture scroll that tells the story of Prince Maroko's extermination of demons.

    Premium Tour:Journey to Own a Katana
    Tour of shrine pavilions, special prayer for Tamahagane by the chief priest
    Standard Tour:Discover the Art of Katana
    Tour of shrine pavilions

  • Tateiwa

    Tateiwa,” representing Kyotango in the San'in Kaigan Geopark, is a huge monolith 20 meters high.
    According to legend, when Prince Mariko, the third prince of Empress Hashi-udo, the wife of the 31st Emperor Yomei, exterminated demons in this area, he sealed them in this huge rock.

    Field trip

  • Nippon Genshosha

    This is a swordsmith shop established in January 2022 by three swordsmiths who trained under Yoshindo Yoshihara, an uninspected Japanese swordsmith, and who aspire to produce Japanese swords that copy the present day.
    With their skilled skills and a new sense of value that reflects the present, they will pioneer the next era of Japanese swords.

    Premium Tour: Journey to Own a Katana
    Tour of the blacksmith shop, Tamahagane crushing experience, and sword tour,
    Lectures on how to maintain swords and procedures for ordering swords
    Standard Tour:Discover the Art of Katana
    Tour of the blacksmith shop, Tamahagane crushing experience, and sword tour,

  • Tamiya Raden

    The seven-colored light reminiscent of the sea is the sparkle of seashells.
    By applying the traditional Nishijin weaving technique of “Hikifaku”, he succeeded in making seashells into textiles. He has continued to produce craft belts for kimono as Raden-ori. In recent years, he has been using this technique to produce original textiles using wood, leather, and lacquer, along with raden-ori for fashion and interior applications.

    Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) workshop visit (with souvenir)

  • Kojimaan

    The 10th generation of Kojima Shoten, a long-established lantern workshop that has been around since the Edo period, moved with his family from Kyoto City and opened a new lantern workshop by the sea. Facing the idea of “living,” Kojima Shoten aims to light warm lights in people's lives and bring smiles to everyone's faces. We aim to make such lanterns.

    Making mini lanterns “Chibimaru”

  • Enjoji Temple

    This is an old temple founded by Indian monk Zenmuei Sanzo in the first year of Yoro era (717). The temple received an imperial command from Emperor Kanmu, and was given the name Shinkisan by Kobo Daishi. The temple's treasures, the Senju Kannon (not open to the public) and the Hokyointo (a Japanese box-shaped pagoda), have been designated as national important cultural properties. The statue of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is said to have been given to the temple by Prince Minamoto no Yoritomo, but it is a secret statue and can only be seen once every 33 years.

    Tour of the temple grounds, Zen meditation experience

  • Yosa Musume Sake Brewery

    Yosamusume Sake Brewery was founded in 1887 and is located in Kaetsudani, Yosano-cho.
    In the mountains on the northern edge of Kyoto, the company brews sake that makes the most of local ingredients while preserving traditional techniques. It is a small family-owned sake brewery, but in order to meet the diverse needs of its customers, it is taking on the challenge of producing a variety of sakes, including fruit, low-alcohol, and sparkling sake.

    Sake brewery tour and sake tasting

  • Place of stay
  • ＊Accommodation will be in one of the following locations.

  • Ujo Soan

    A ryokan located in Yuhigaura Onsen in Tango, Kyoto, with all rooms reserved for adults. We offer seasonal cuisine in a completely private dining room called “Amatsumizu”.

  • Taiza Onsen Sumihei

    Surrounded by the sea and mountains with a history of more than 150 years since its establishment, this small inn stands quietly.
    All rooms have ocean views, so please relax and enjoy your stay.

  • Price
6,100,000 yen ～
(Price per couple, 2 persons)

● Included in the tour fee
Swords (dagger/wakizashi (with Sword mountings), tachi (sword blade only)), lodging (2 nights), lunch (3 times), dinner (2 times), breakfast (2 times), various experience fees, guide fees, transportation from Kyoto city (chartered cab or hired car).

  • ＊The above prices are for reference only. The price varies depending on the time of year and the number of people on the tour.We will send you a formal quotation after receiving your inquiry.
  • ＊The above prices are in Japanese yen and include tax.
  • Notes
  • ● Notes (Notes on Application)
  • ・Each tour group will be asked to choose one Tanto / Wakizashi (with Sword mountings) or Katana (sword blade only), which will be shipped at a later date (the tour fee includes the cost of the sword, the various procedures, and the shipping costs).
  • ・Please note that it will take one to one and a half years to deliver the swords.
  • ・Please be assured that Nihon Gensho-sha will support you with the necessary procedures (export audit certificate) for translating the Japanese swords into English and taking the ordered swords out of the country on your behalf.
  • ・Please note that the destination, time, etc. may be subject to change due to circumstances of the host company.
  • Standard Tour
    Discover the Art of Katana
  • Uncover the Secrets of Katana Craftsmanship
    from Master Artisans

Inquiries about tours

On this tour, you will see firsthand how sword smiths make Japanese swords at Nippon Genshosha, including a tour of the workshop, a look at swords, and an experience of crushing tama-hagane (tamahagane). The tour will also provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the full appeal of traditional crafts and Japanese spirituality in depth by visiting Tayuh Textile Industry Co., Ltd., which makes high-quality silk fabric Tango Chirimen, Kojima-an lantern workshop, Takano Shrine, and a sake brewery.

  • Places to visit on tour
  • Takano Shrine

    Takano Shrine is a historic shrine said to have been built by “Takenohime,” the wife of the 9th Emperor Kaika, to worship “Amaterasu” when she returned home in her later years. The main hall of the temple is a designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture. The worship hall is engraved with the crest of chrysanthemum (Kiku-no-Gomon), which signifies its connection with the Emperor, and the crest of paulownia (paulownia), which is the family crest exclusive to the imperial family. There is also a picture scroll that tells the story of Prince Maroko's extermination of demons.

    Premium Tour:Journey to Own a Katana
    Tour of shrine pavilions, special prayer for Tamahagane by the chief priest
    Standard Tour:Discover the Art of Katana
    Tour of shrine pavilions

  • Tateiwa

    Tateiwa,” representing Kyotango in the San'in Kaigan Geopark, is a huge monolith 20 meters high.
    According to legend, when Prince Mariko, the third prince of Empress Hashi-udo, the wife of the 31st Emperor Yomei, exterminated demons in this area, he sealed them in this huge rock.

    Field trip

  • Nippon Genshosha

    This is a swordsmith shop established in January 2022 by three swordsmiths who trained under Yoshindo Yoshihara, an uninspected Japanese swordsmith, and who aspire to produce Japanese swords that copy the present day.
    With their skilled skills and a new sense of value that reflects the present, they will pioneer the next era of Japanese swords.

    Premium Tour: Journey to Own a Katana
    Tour of the blacksmith shop, Tamahagane crushing experience, and sword tour,
    Lectures on how to maintain swords and procedures for ordering swords
    Standard Tour:Discover the Art of Katana
    Tour of the blacksmith shop, Tamahagane crushing experience, and sword tour,

  • Tayuh Textile Industry

    This company manufactures and sells high-grade Tango Chirimen, focusing on high-quality silk.
    The company is involved in the integrated manufacturing of products from the weft yarn “water twisted 8-chome twisted yarn,” which is a characteristic of Tango Chirimen, to warping, weaving, and dyeing.

    Tour of Tango Chirimen factory (with souvenir)

  • Kojimaan

    The 10th generation of Kojima Shoten, a long-established lantern workshop that has been around since the Edo period, moved with his family from Kyoto City and opened a new lantern workshop by the sea. Facing the idea of “living,” Kojima Shoten aims to light warm lights in people's lives and bring smiles to everyone's faces. We aim to make such lanterns.

    Making mini lanterns “Chibimaru”

  • Yosa Musume Sake Brewery

    Yosamusume Sake Brewery was founded in 1887 and is located in Kaetsudani, Yosano-cho.
    In the mountains on the northern edge of Kyoto, the company brews sake that makes the most of local ingredients while preserving traditional techniques. It is a small family-owned sake brewery, but in order to meet the diverse needs of its customers, it is taking on the challenge of producing a variety of sakes, including fruit, low-alcohol, and sparkling sake.

    Sake brewery tour and sake tasting

  • Place of stay
  • ＊Accommodation will be in one of the following locations.

  • Tango Resort Hanare Soraharuka

    This modern Japanese-style ryokan is located on a hilltop in Mamato, Kyotango. All rooms have an open-air bath with an ocean view, so you can enjoy the magnificent Sea of Japan, the sunset, and the star-filled sky all to yourself.

  • Jukaitei

    This small inn, limited to eight guests per day, is located on a hill in the fishing town of Mamato in Tango. The sun sets slowly and quietly on the long, endless horizon. Please enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the Sea of Japan with your loved ones.

  • Guesthouse Kobamasou /
    TOEMON

    A modern hot-spring cure available in a special room with 100% free-flowing hot-spring water, limited to two rooms. The “Toemon” is a private room on the seaside where you can relax and unwind.

  • Hotel SOKA

    A relaxing trip to love nature. We welcome you to the extraordinary space of a hotel, but with a relaxing atmosphere and hospitality that will make you feel at home.

  • Price
  • 1 person : 270,000 yen～
  • 2 persons: 320,000 yen～
  • 3 persons: 370,000 yen～
  • 4 persons: 420,000 yen～

● Included in the tour fee
Accommodation (1 night), lunch (2), dinner (1), breakfast (1), various experience fees, guide fee, transportation within the Umi-no-Kyoto area (cab) *Transportation from Kyoto City and other areas is at your own expense.

  • ＊The above prices are for reference only. Prices will vary depending on the time of year and the number of people on the tour.We will send you a formal quotation after receiving your inquiry.
  • ＊The above prices are in Japanese yen and all prices include tax.
  • Notes
  • ● Notes (Notes on Application)
  • ・ Please note that the destination and time of the visit may be subject to change due to circumstances of the host company.

Explore the KATANA of Another Kyoto
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