Your Journey to Japan's Heartland starts here.

Plan with us your Journey to the Heartland of Japan
Here at Heartland JAPAN, we are passionate about rural Japan and are excited to share this land’s unique and hidden cultures and customs with you. As locals we have a strong understanding of the regions in which we offer tours, and feel that this local knowledge will help you appreciate the spectacular sights that can only be found here. We warmly welcome you to the Heartland of Japan!
Deep into the Culture
There’s so much more to this country than just shrines, sushi and sumo. Discover Japan’s fascinating culture and traditions by taking part in hands-on experiences, exploring roads less-travelled and learning about the country from those who know it best: the locals.
Perspective-changing
Every year millions of people visit Japan, but how many leave with a true understanding and appreciation of Japanese life? Spend time with local communities, make unforgettable memories and build special bonds that will last a lifetime.
Sustainable and sustaining
We’re passionate about the beautiful country that we call ‘home’, and love to help foster a sense of local pride within the communities that we work with. Our tours aren’t just enjoyable for visitors – they’re also beneficial for the people and locations that host them.
Your adventure starts here. Let us guide you!
Latest from our Blog
A Quick & Quirky History of the Nakasendo:
Here at Heartland Japan, we pride ourselves on going that little bit deeper than everyone else. This time we hone our focus on some of the quirkier histories of Nakatsugawa, home to several post towns of the Nakasendo. In particular, we will look into the Naegi Castle Ruins and local
6 Secrets of the Nakasendo – Hike from
In southeast Gifu prefecture, the city of Nakatsugawa is a historical gem on the Nakasendo road. Too many travelers pass through without realizing what they are missing. Here are 6 little known reasons to hike from Nakatsugawa to Magome on the Nakasendo road. This hike passes through three old post
Discover Owari Samurai & Timber
Samurai! Many places throughout Japan claim to have a strong samurai history, but looking at the history of the Owari domain (present day Aichi) and nearby Kiso Valley which they controlled, one can truly feel why this area was such a pivotal location throughout Japanese history, and thus, a place
A Look Back at 2020 and Projects We’ve
As we all welcome in the new year, the whole tourism industry looks forward to a safe recovery after the tumultuous year that was 2020. While there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic situation, it is still unclear how and when travel