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Experience a Traditional Kominka Stay in Niagemachi, Oita - Authentic Japanese House Booking
Experience the authentic charm of rural Japan on this half-day English guided tour in Niagemachi, Oita, where you’ll don a traditional yukata and explore a 120-year-old Japanese house and garden for memorable photos, then visit Nakatsu Castle, famed for its flowers, for another picture-perfect stop; the itinerary also includes a visit to a traditional wagasa (Japanese umbrella) workshop, matcha and wagashi tasting at a long-established sweets shop, a hands-on wagashi-making session led by a skilled artisan, a Michelin-recognized soba lunch, and a visit to a century-old tea shop to sample premium gyokuro and a beautiful matcha parfait - all designed to let you discover the beauty, flavor, and craftsmanship of the region in just six and a half hours.
About this activity in Niagemachi
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. no refund is available for cancellations.
Highlights
- Dress in a traditional yukata and explore a 120-year-old Japanese house and garden - perfect for memorable photos in Niagemachi, Oita.
- Visit Nakatsu Castle’s famed floral spots, tour a handcrafted wagasa (Japanese umbrella) workshop, and capture more scenic moments in the region.
- Taste authentic Japanese sweets and matcha at a long-established shop, then make wagashi yourself with guidance from a skilled artisan.
- Enjoy a Michelin-recognized soba lunch and a stop at a century-old tea shop to sample premium gyokuro and a matcha parfait during this six-and-a-half-hour experience.
Important Information
- This English-guided half-day tour lasts about 6.5 hours and includes kimono (yukata) rental and dressing, wagashi-making, lunch, and air-conditioned transport.
- You must be 16–80 years old and in good health to participate; the program is not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or people with serious cardiovascular conditions.
- If you have food allergies - especially to buckwheat (soba) - this tour is not suitable; lunch menus may vary (sushi or local fried chicken on some days).
- For wearing the yukata, please bring a v-neck undershirt and provide your usual clothing and shoe sizes before the tour; hair styling and makeup are not included.
Meeting Point
Meet at the designated pick-up point in Niagemachi; full meeting details (exact address, vehicle info, and public-transport options) will be provided after booking to help you arrive easily.
Includes
- You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle for comfort while exploring Niagemachi, Oita and the surrounding area.
- A Japanese lunch is included in the price so you can enjoy regional flavors during your visit.
- The wagashi-making fee is covered, giving you a hands-on traditional confectionery experience.
- Kimono rental and dressing are included, so you can try authentic attire without extra fuss.
Excludes
- Hair styling and professional makeup for kimono dressing are not included - plan to arrange these separately if needed.
- Personal purchases, shopping and any additional food or drink expenses are your responsibility.
Other
- Public transportation options are available nearby, making it easy to reach meeting points in Niagemachi and Oita.
- This activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health.
- The experience is suitable for all fitness levels otherwise, but participation is limited to healthy individuals aged 16 to 80.
- If you plan to wear a yukata, please wear a V-neck undershirt and inform us of your usual clothing and shoe sizes in advance.
- Depending on the day, lunch may be changed to sushi and Nakatsu fried chicken, and the session at Niwa Saryo may be replaced with a matcha experience in a traditional Japanese house.
- Please note this tour is not suitable for people with food allergies, especially buckwheat (soba) allergies.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 2 Reviews
Summary:
I experienced a journey of Japanese culture with foreign friends. This is a private tour of old houses and Japanese cultural experiences that are not usually open to the public. During the Japanese sweets making experience at the long-established store, which has been in business for more than 100 years, we were able to witness the skilled Japanese sweets making by the 4th generation wagashi artisans in front of us and experience making Japanese sweets in a peaceful atmosphere. The Japanese sweets we made were carefully wrapped and brought home. The 120-year-old house was full of buildings to see and it seemed like a time-travel to the Meiji period. You could choose a design you like for the yukata experience, and I took a picture in the garden as it is. In Japan, there are only about three Japanese umbrella workshops that have existed since the Edo period. I watched the artisans in action, saw their various works, and most of all, they were very interesting and kind, and I was able to call them father and mother. We also enjoyed Gyokuro tea and Japanese sweets at a long-established Japanese tea specialty store and coffee shop, and took photos at Nakatsu Castle, a famous Nakatsu spot. The way Nakatsu is associated with the city showed us around, so we had a very valuable experience on the tour that we couldn't experience on our own. It was a wonderful experience to be exposed to old Japanese culture and the kindness of the local people.
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Summary:
It was an old house with a beautiful garden. It's kind of nostalgic and calming.
My first Japanese cake was great because the teacher explained it well and the ingredients were good.
Lunch and Japanese sweets were delicious and I could feel the goodness of Japan.
The guide was also wonderful.
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Explore Niagemachi, Oita's Outdoor, Cultural and Food Experiences
If you’re planning Events or activities in Niagemachi, Oita, you’ll find a mix of Art & Culture, Outdoor & Nature, Food & Drink and Family & Kids experiences that make the area ideal for booking memorable stays and Group-Friendly outings. The region pairs hands-on workshops, sightseeing tours and Wellness & Relaxation options with adventurous outdoor pursuits, so you can easily tailor Events to your group’s interests and schedule. Book here to connect accommodations with curated activities and streamline your event planning in this destination.
280 ft²
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1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
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- Fireplace/Heating
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Know more about Niagemachi
You’ll enjoy an English-guided, six-and-a-half-hour exploration of rural Japanese culture: wearing a traditional yukata for photos at a 120-year-old house and garden, visiting Nakatsu Castle’s famed flower displays, touring a wagasa (Japanese umbrella) workshop, tasting matcha and wagashi at a long-established sweets shop, and making wagashi with a skilled artisan - all designed to showcase local craft, flavor, and heritage.
The itinerary includes a hands-on wagashi-making session led by a skilled artisan and a visit to a traditional wagasa umbrella workshop, giving you direct experience of Japanese craft and workshop-style learning.
Yes. The program combines family-friendly cultural workshops, immersive sightseeing at historical sites and gardens, and Food & Drink experiences that appeal to visitors seeking Art & Culture, Workshops & Learning, Tours & Sightseeing, and Group-Friendly activities.
Yes. The tour emphasizes memorable photography opportunities - you’ll pose in a yukata amid the historic house and garden and capture the seasonal floral beauty at Nakatsu Castle, making it ideal for culture and sightseeing-focused travelers.
You’ll savor a Michelin-recognized soba lunch and enjoy matcha and wagashi tasting at a long-established sweets shop, plus a stop at a century-old tea shop to sample premium gyokuro and a matcha parfait - a well-rounded taste of regional food and tea culture.
This is an English-guided half-day tour lasting approximately six and a half hours, designed to deliver concentrated cultural experiences and craft demonstrations without a full-day commitment.
