Explore the Splendor of Miyagi’s Untouched Countryside
On this three night gastronomy and artisan tour, explore Miyagi Prefecture`s charming countryside just north of its capital of Sendai City. With ease of access from Tokyo via the Tohoku Bullet Train, this tour program is designed to introduce the countryside charm in a compact package that can fit into a variety of tour itineraries.
This is a program that puts an emphasis on interaction with local chefs, farms, artisans, and is fully guided by a local guide.
It is for those looking to form relationships, learn new things, and of course go on an adventure a world away from the crowded tourist routes.
Tour at a glance
Inclusions:
- All lodging and accommodation fees
- Breakfast on days 2 and 3
- Lunch on Days 1-3
- Dinner on Days 1 and 2
- On-trip remote support via WhatsApp or other instant messaging service
- English-speaking interpreter-guide
- Transportation between accommodations
- All Workshops and Activities
- Exclusive time with local chefs
- Onsen Hotel Stay
Exclusions:
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Admission fees to attractions during self-guided time
- Food and drink in addition to the prix fixe meals included as part of the package
- Optional extensions or customizations to trip
- Other items not explicitly listed as included
We can also provide the following options for an additional fee:
- Add-ons to the tour
- Interpretation in languages other than English
Minimum number of participants
2 (Solo travellers may book, but the price will be greater!)
Cost
From ¥380,000 (per person, based on a group of 2)
Tour Length
3 days, 3 nights
Tour availability
Year-round, though weather may impact availability of some experiences.
Tour Start/End Location
Sendai Station
Important notes
Dietary Restrictions:
Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary needs.
Experience Availability:
*In the event that an experience or attraction is unavailable on your desired dates, we will substitute an alternative experience of similar interest after consulting with you.
*Experience availability is subject to change depending on greater number of participants.
Reserve your private tour here
Day 1: Tuna Auction and Fish Market Tour of Shiogama
Day 1 Tour Highlights
Starting in Sendai City, meet your guide at your hotel or at Sendai Station and transfer to the port city of Shiogama in Northern Miyagi to see one of Japan’s largest tuna auctions in the morning. Following this we will visit the fish market which retains traditional market charm and local vendors that make Shiogama so charming.”. Here we will visit various vendors and make our own sushi bowls with the many types of sashimi and fish we buy.
After this we will transfer to Matsushima Bay for a tour of Zuiganji Temple, a designated national treasure of Japan.
We will also be able to visit some of the islands of Matsushima.
Check into a hotel along the ocean with dinner and breakfast included.
Day 2: Farm to Table
Day 2 Tour Highlights
After breakfast at your ryokan accommodation we will head out into the fields of Miyagi along with a local chef to gather a variety of seasonal ingredients from the farmers of Miyagi. This will vary immensely depending on the season from turnips in the fall, to mountain vegetables in the spring. We will learn about the local agriculture that is practiced here in the countryside of Miyagi and meet the lovely farmers and their families.
This day will be just as much about meeting and spending time with the people of Miyagi as the physical crops we gather.
Check into a boutique lodging in the hills of Kurihara City where you will stay in a renovated Japanese farm house managed by the local chef and his wife. Here we will take part in a short cooking experience with the chef followed by free time to relax in gorgeous countryside around the home here.
Dinner will be a fabulous multi-course meal featuring the local ingredients you gathered, prepared by the chef just for your group.
This lodging only accepts one group per night and is a fully private experience.
Day 3: Sake and Artisans
Day 3 Tour Highlights
Enjoy breakfast at your lodging in the morning before taking a short drive to the mountains to meet a sake brewer to start a tour of her factory at the source of the water. We will then visit her factory to learn about sake production in their facility that has not been modified for tourism, it is a rare chance to see sake production up close. This will be followed by tasting with the brewmaster and a chance to bring home some excellent sake of Northern Miyagi.
We will then visit the small town of Muikamachi to take part in a variety of local experiences with the residents of this town which embodies the rural charm of Northern Japan. This town has taken up the challenge of addressing the aging population of this region with a variety of experiences to draw both Japanese and international tourists to support the local people here.
We will take part in some of these experiences like mochi pounding, taiyaki grilling, and visiting a local tatami factory to learn about this traditional art and make our own crafts to take home.
Finish the experience and take a bullet train back to Sendai City where you will check into a hotel by the station.
Here we have an optional bar-hopping experience in the drinking alleys and local izaya of Sendai.
Reservations
You can send a booking inquiry below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm if we can accommodate your group and tour dates and contact you from there.
Cancellation Policy
Our cancellation policy for this tour is below.
21 days or more before date of tour
No penalty
20 days to 8 days before date of tour
20% of total price
7 days to 2 days before date of tour
30% of total price
1 day before date of tour
40% of total price
Day of the tour
50% of total price
After start of tour or no-show
100% of total price