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By Alex
The tour had a unified concept, and made an effort to visit places and provide experiences that typical tours would never offer. Very much “off the beaten track”.
Expecially the experience of seeing a house being re-thatched. Thatch is a sustainable natural material that has been overloooked, but has great possibilities in both traditional and modern architecture. The projects we saw at Sagiura also demonstrated a sustainable way to bring tourism to small towns.
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By Sandra
Wonderful to see young people working together to save/repair traditional thatched homes. Enjoyed having tea while hearing their stories.
The Yasugibushi dance performance itself is really enjoyable to watch and needs no explanations (although it is even more enjoyable with explanations). Trying to do it ourselves was fun and challenging. After trying it ourselves, we could more truly appreciate the evening performance.
Dining and talking with local artisans was very enjoyable.
Sagiura is a lovely seaside village that is almost completely clutter-free (amazing!) and almost all of the buildings are still a traditional style. Abe-san’s passion to bring visitors to his village is infectious and inspiring.
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By Kathie
The people that helped us along the tour were amazing. Keiji was super fun, helpful, and thoughtful. Chie-san was an amazing translator, kind person, and incredible guide for our trip around Shimane. So many great old stories! Izumo Taisha was stunning! We also loved the coastline and how relaxing and beautiful it was out there. So many wild birds. I feel the timing of each section of the tour was very well done. We saw shrines and scenery at the perfect times of day with gorgeous lighting (nice for pictures) and each section of the tour went easily into the next. We ate such delicious food and to top it all off we learned so much at the renovation event by Lake Shinji! The old Kominka was fascinating. Every person on their renovation team was kind, a great teacher, and a pleasure to work with. They taught us so many details about the work we did. Having an English speaker leading the group made us feel very comfortable and able to ask lots of questions. I would be happy to do that again and learn more about Japanese kominka renovation. In addition, in Sagiura, both Abe san and Hajime san warmly welcomed us. We felt so well taken care of, were shown around the town, given lots of valuable information about the area, and learned alot about Japanese countryside living. All in all, the tour was well worth it and I would be happy to do this again someday. Thank you all.
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By Dillon
I was impressed by how much we did and saw during the tour. It was fun and very interesting. The places we went to were well worth visiting and the guide’s explanations were very informative. Meeting local people and learning about traditional building materials and techniques was great. The merchant’s house that we stayed overnight in was beautifully and carefully renovated.
Overall, it was a fabulous tour!”
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By Charmian
My husband and I had an incredible week on a private tour in May. From the booking process to the end of the tour, we cannot recommend this trip highly enough.
Being lucky enough to have private tours of soy sauce factories, sake producers, blacksmiths and being able to meet with the owners, executives and their families enabled us to have incredibly informative discussions an gave us great insight and understanding into the effect of depopulation on rural Japan and the desire these passionate people have to revitalise their region.
Being greeted with a bunch of home grown flowers in the colours of the Japanese flag by the mother of our bright and breezy local guide Naoko before heading out on her grandfather’s fishing boat, followed by abalone and other fish on an open fire shows the thoughtfulness and consideration of these beautiful locals. The food was incredible, the passion and gentleness of the people, their willingness to share their time and culture, the tea ceremonies, the onsens, the temples, shrines, pagodas, camellia forest, kagura performance.
If you are looking for an “off the beaten track” experience with people who are real and passionate and who love their land, this trip is priceless.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.
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By Jane
This is our fifth trip to Japan, previously having walked the Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo, gone snowshoeing in Nagano and gone from Tokyo to Hirado with a different tour company. We are so glad that this time, we booked a trip with Heartland Japan.
The whole experience can be described as a moveable feast. Every day brought a new experience, and showed us a different facet of Japan. Riding a fishing boat to catch the sunset, then riding with Naoko early in the morning to haul their catch for the day, feeling the force of nature at the Susa Hornfels, watching history unfold at the Samurai museum, walking in the footsteps of great, resolute men who shaped Japan in Hagi, tea degustation at Tsuwano, learning and making pottery with Seigan-sensei… it is impossible to choose a highlight. The whole trip was a joy from start to finish, and left us with some sadness that it had come to an end.
Kimura-san was an excellent guide- patient about my incessant questions, anticipating our needs and even arranging a surprise to celebrate our wedding anniversary at dinner.
Heartland Japan truly lives up to its aims of providing unique glimpses of Japan for its guests. We plan to travel with them in future!
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By Dan
Heartland Japan took me to some unbelievable places. I got a taste of true Japanese culture and saw some breathtaking landscapes that I will never forget.
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By Eliza
“So much of Japan is left undiscovered: language, culture, food, landscape, the country is so much more than the traditional Golden Route. To see it all, and to see it well, I whole-heartedly recommend Heartland Japan.
The combination of local knowledge and expertise makes the whole experience feel 100% authentic, minus the burden of having to discover it all yourself.
I promise you will leave more knowledgeable, grateful and full of love for one of the world’s most beautiful countries.”
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By Jason
Kagura! I was so impressed again at how those young boys and men put on such a fantastic display. Plus being able to take photos and try on the masks and costumes was great. One thing I would add, if possible, is to do one big group photo after the performance with the actors still in costume with the guests.
“Heartland Japan delivers on its promise to give you a personalized authentic Japanese experience taking care of all the logistics so you can enjoy the hidden gems of Japan that people rarely get to see. “
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By Kathryn
I felt on each day that I was traveling as a local, seeing and experiencing special things that other tourists traveling in Japan’s big cities or in large groups might never be so lucky to experience.
The Izumo, Iwami Ginzan packs in fascinating historic sites, fun cultural experiences and insightful interactions with local people. My time on the tour was truly memorable, thanks to its unique elements in an off-the-beaten-track destination.
The highlight for me was meeting local people and finding out about their way of life in rural Japan. I particularly loved talking to the Kagura dance practitioners after their Kagura rehearsal and learning more about how and why they practice and the dance itself. It was also great to try on their costumes and play their musical instruments. Understanding all that made the Kagura performance feel even more special when looking back on it.
As a result of these experiences, I felt on each day that I was traveling as a local, seeing and experiencing special things that other tourists traveling in Japan’s big cities or in large groups might never be so lucky to experience.
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By Adam
This is a unique tour concept. It was not about sightseeing, but rather an immersive experience. We covered so much. We were active and interactive.
Heartland Japan goes beyond sightseeing to offer an unforgettable, interactive experience with a pulse.
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By Lindsay
Leave the chaos of Tokyo behind and see the slower pace of rural Japan on this tour in Shimane Prefecture. The natural beauty, the cultural heartland of a diverse country and the warm reception of locals will show you that there is more to Japan than the tourist hotspots.