Duration
2 days 1 night
Availability
July~October
Price: ¥ 38,000 above
（tax included）
Story
This tour is produced by Heartland, a travel company dedicated to the appreciation of of Japanese rural culture, and working to preserve the endangered lifestyles of those remote communities. Myoko, known for its incredibly heavy snowfall, is a home to an amazing traditional handcraft. Sedge (hereby referred to as suge-grass), is a grassy variety of plant that grows well in wet areas. Nestled deep in the mountains of Myoko, inhabitants of the Hiramaru region — an extremely marginalized region today — have a long history of weaving suge-grass into a variety of items such as hats and winter clothes.
The craft was once an important source of income for the locals. However, due to the changes in life styles and technologies as well as the ageing of local craftsmen, the craft has become in danger of dying out. The Hiramaru Sugezaiku Preservation Committee is an NPO that was created to preserve this tradition for future generations. Through this organization, visitors can now experience the charm of the village and craft for themselves.
Take a guided walk through the tranquil village of Miyama, and try making wreaths from suge-grass yourself in this immersive, truly local experience. After that, participants can explore some of the oldest sights in the community, and then enjoy an evening with village elders, cooking traditional, local dishes and eating with them.There is no internet connection or mobile phone network coverage at the inn – so enjoy this rare opportunity for a complete digital detox, deep in a rural habitat.
Guests will enjoy walking on different and unique trails every day:
Price Per Person
48,000 JPY/person for 4ppl
43,000 JPY/person for 4 ~ 5ppl
38,000 JPY/person for6 ~ 8ppl
Clothing/Wha to bring
- Appropriate clothing and boots for hiking mountain climbing
- Rain gear Full rain gear
- Backpack
- Soft drink (1-2 liters/day)
- Lunch
- Energy snack
- Cold weather protection
Application Deadline
30 days in advance
Agent Name
Heartland Japan
Included in the fee
- Guide fee
- Translator fee
- Accommodation fee (1night)
- Wreath craft activity
- Meals (1 Breakfast, 0 Lunch, 1 Dinner)
- All travel from tour start point to finish point
Not included in the fee
- Transportation to tour start point and from finish point
- Insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country)
- Anything else not specified
(The bank transaction fee shall be covered by the customer.)
Language
English
Duration
2 days 1 night
Age / Height:
12 yrs and above
Meeting Point
2759 Kamihiramaru, Myoko, Niigata 944-0344
Disbanding Point
Kami-hiramaru Bus Stop
Program Availability
July~October
Participants
4 – 10 people
Itinerary
Day 1
- Recommended for those looking for destinations rarely found in guidebooks!
- Walk through the tranquil community of Hiramaru, guided by the members of the Preservation Committee.
- Make a wreath from suge-grass. Write a wish in your wreath and pray at a local temple on Day 2. Your wreath will be burned during an annual ritual called Saino-kawara, so your wish may come true.
- During the experience there will be plenty of time to interact with the organization members.
- After making the wreath, treck to the Day 1 inn, and then enjoy an evening with village elders, cooking traditional, local dishes and eating with them.
| 13:15 | Meet at Kami-hiramaru Nakamura Bus Stop |
| 13:15~13:30 | Greetings, explanations of history of Hiramaru Suge-zaiku and activities of the preservation committee |
| 13:30~14:30 | Walk around Hiramaru community (including suge field) |
| 14:30~15:00 | Explanation of the workshop |
| 15:00~16:15 | Make a wreath with suge-grass, interact with committee member |
| 16:15~17:00 | Trek to Miyama no sato (Inn for Day 1 night) |
| 17:00 | Check in at Miyama no sato |
| 17:30~18:30 | Cook sasazushi (Myoko’s traditional sushi) with village elders |
| 18:30~20:00 | Dinner* with the committee member and village elders |
Meal / Accomodation
Dinner
Activity Level
★★★☆☆
This tour includes about 100 minutes of walking through the neighborhood, including some steep slopes. An appropriate level of physical fitness is necessary.
Technical Level
★★★☆☆
The route goes via some steep slopes, so please watch your step.
Accommodation
| Room type | Shared room with tatami floor ( 2~3 ppl per room) |
| Bedding | Japanese futon |
| Air Conditioning | ✗ |
| Access to Wifi and mobile phone | ✗ (Landline telephone is available at the inn.) |
| Washing Facilities | 〇(Onsen) |
| Other Amenities | Towel , tooth brush |
Day 2
- A nostalgic walk through a rural community deep in the heart of nature, experiencing tales of lifestyles from the past, recounted by local residents.
| 8:00 | Breakrast*, check out |
| 08:20-08:40 | Morning walk around Miyama no sato |
| 8:40~9:20 | Trek from Miyama no sato to the workshop |
| 9:20~10:00 | Temple visit and praying for wreath craft |
| 10:00 | Finish at Kami-hiramaru Nakamura Bus Stop |
Meal / Accomodation
Breakfast
Activity Level
★★★☆☆
This tour includes about two hours of walking. The route includes some steep slopes and loose surfaces. An appropriate level of physical fitness is necessary.
Technical Level
★★★☆☆
There are many steps at Kan’non Do.
Cancellation Policy
■ Fees in case of cancellation on behalf of the customer
- Cancellation on or after the 20th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 20% of the tour price.
- Cancellation on or after the 7th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 30% of the tour price.
- Cancellation the day immediately before the starting day of the tour: 40% of the tour price.
- In cases where the contract is cancelled on the starting day of the Tour: 50% of the tour price.
- Cancellation after the start of the tour or the traveler does not participate in the tour without notice (no show): 100% of the tour price.
■ Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer
- The itinerary may be changed or the tour maybe cancelled after the program has started. In this case, we will pay an indemnity in accordance with the Standard General Conditions of Travel Agency Business, except in a case of force major (natural disaster).
Interested in our tour?
No second thoughts, contact us.
We have been having many requests from agents overseas, mentioning that they are trying to expand their destinations in/to Japan or they have already but need help creating the itineraries for their clients to keep up with the demand.
Heartland Japan has increased the number of staff to accommodate these requests. If you are hand-full and need some advice, we are here to help.
For more information about this experience program, We will coordinate with local suppliers on dates, prices, and details of the program. We will coordinate with local suppliers on dates, prices, and details of the program and provide the program to you.
Please contact us for more information. We look forward to providing you with a unique and immersive experience in the region!
For this experience program, please inquire with our company each time. We will coordinate with local suppliers to arrange the schedule, fees, and detailed content for you. Please start by contacting us.
Look forward to a unique, immersive local experience!