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A perfect way to learn about Japanese food culture, this half-day experience lets you get stuck in making soba noodles—the Kiso area’s signature dish—the old-fashioned way. With a local and knowledgeable instructor guiding you, you’ll learn every step of the soba making process in a fun, approachable environment, before sitting down and enjoying the results of all your hard work.
This tour is perfect for a morning activity before another half-day tour (see our suggested matchings on the full tour page). It’s also perfect for families with kids of all ages.
This is a half-day tour. It can be done as is, or it can be combined with another half-day tour to make a full-day tour at a discounted rate.
more details below
Recommended seasons to visit:
Spring
・Quiet, relaxing activity away from crowds, even in the busier travel seasons.
Summer
・A great way to escape the summer heat.
Autumn
・Quiet, relaxing activity away from crowds, even in the busier travel seasons.
Winter
・A cozy indoor activity to enjoy in colder months.
Tour Information:
This tour can be done in several different parts of the Kiso area:
– Southern Kiso (in Nakatsugawa or Okuwa village)
– Central Kiso (in Kiso Town, near Kiso-Fukushima)
- Starting & Ending at:
– Southern Kiso: we can meet you at Nakatsugawa station, or else at your accommodation in Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Nagiso, or Okuwa village
– Central Kiso: we can meet you at Kiso-Fukushima station, or at your accommodation in Agematsu, Kiso town, or Narai
(see detailed travel info) - Starting time: 10:00 (meeting at roughly 09:30) or 12:00 (meeting at roughly 11:30)
- Time Estimate: Roughly 3-3.5 hours (About 90-120 minutes for the soba-making session and lunch. We usually combine it with a 60-ish minute walk in the local area before or after lunch)
- Walking Difficulty: Very easy
(a light stroll around a scenic spot in the local area, with no climbing or difficult terrain—can be skipped or altered for customers with mobility issues)
Accommodation – where to stay:
The most convenient areas for this tour are: Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Nagiso, Okuwa, or Kiso-Fukushima, but Agematsu, Yabuhara, or anywhere in the Kiso valley is just fine – it just could be a bit of a drive.
You can find more detailed suggestions for accommodation in and around the Kiso area here.
Highlights of the Tour:
・A hands-on activity that’s approachable and entertaining for absolute beginners (including kids!), but still plenty of fun for experienced chefs.
・A chance to chat with a local chef, and learn about life in the Kiso valley.
・A sit-down meal eating your own soba noodles, and all associated bragging rights.
・A chance to learn about the food culture of Kiso, Nagano, and Japan in general.
・A relaxed morning (or afternoon) away from any crowds – the perfect chance to rest up from a hectic multi-week trip across Japan.
・An easy, scenic walk where you can see and learn about one of the following historical post towns: Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Nagiso, Nojiri, or Kiso-Fukushima.
Tour Options:
Half-day Course:
This tour start from ¥36,000
– The exact price depends on the number of guests, as well as the season:
– Please see Our Pricing for more details
- The above fees don’t include any of your travel costs or the cost of the soba-making session itself – see below for more information.
- Payment is required upon confirmation of your reservation – late payment may result in your tour date being cancelled. (also see our cancellation policy)
Half-Day Tour:
Our guiding fee: from ¥36,000
– The exact price depends on the number of guests, as well as the season:
– Please see Our Pricing for more details
Additional fees:
・¥2,000 per person for the hands-on soba making experience (including lunch)
(prices can vary very slightly depending on where we do it – we’ll let you know when you make your booking!)
*individual travelers are very much encouraged, but may have to pay the equivalent of 2 people due to rules on minimum numbers.
・Roughly 90-120 minutes total (not including travel time)
Combining with Other Half-Day Tours:
The half-day version of this tour can be combined with a variety of other half-day tours, including ones that are not listed here—feel free to check our other Walking Tours and Cultural Experience Tours.
Combined Full-Day Tour:
Traditional Soba-Making Tour
&
Nakatsugawa to Magome Walking Tour
Our guiding fee: from ¥46,000
– The exact price depends on the number of guests, as well as the season:
– Please see Our Pricing for more details
Additional fees:
・¥2,000 per person for the hands-on soba making experience (including lunch)
Perfect for those staying in Nakatsugawa, or for those planning on staying in Magome and hiking to Tsumago the day after, this tour lets you experience a lesser-travelled section of the Nakasendo,
We’ll pass through city, suburb, farming hamlets, and bamboo forests, before making our way to the historical town of Magome.
・Roughly 6-8 hours total
Combined Full-Day Tour:
Traditional Soba-Making Tour
&
Natural Indigo Dyeing Tour
Our guiding fee: from ¥46,000
– The exact price depends on the number of guests, as well as the season:
– Please see Our Pricing for more details
Additional fees:
・¥2,000 per person for the hands-on soba making experience (including lunch)
・¥3,500-¥7,000 per person
This option combines the soba-making session with an afternoon of traditional indigo dyeing.
After an introduction to the history and techniques of indigo dyeing from a friendly, knowledgeable expert, you’ll get stuck in dyeing something of your own to take home with you.
・Roughly 6-7 hours total
Combined Full-Day Tour:
Traditional Soba-Making Tour
&
Kiso Town Tour
Our guiding fee: from ¥46,000
– The exact price depends on the number of guests, as well as the season:
– Please see Our Pricing for more details
Additional fees:
・¥2,000 per person for the hands-on soba making experience (including lunch)
This option combines the soba-making session with a trip to the historical Nakasendo post town of Kiso-Fukushima.
There, you’ll have a variety of options: an active day full of hiking, a relaxing day spent eating, drinking, and soaking in the onsen, or a mix of both—just ask, and we’ll tailor it to your interests!
This option is most convenient for those doing the soba-making activity in central Kiso.
・Roughly 6-7 hours total
Recommended Follow-up Tours:
Many of our customers string together several of our day tours for a guided multi-day trip along the Kiso valley. We’d generally recommend 3-5 days to get the most out of the area.
We think the following are especially good for a follow-up tour (or for a tour the day before this one):
Kakizore Gorge
Walking Tour
(Full Day)
Hidden away in the mountains between Nagiso town and Okuwa village, the Kakizore gorge is a perfect option for anyone looking for a follow-up to the Magome-Tsumago tour. Not too steep, and not overly long, this route nevertheless boasts both stunning waterfalls and serene pools of crystal-clear water straight from the mountains.
Akasawa Forest
Relaxation Tour
(Full Day)
This, more so than any of our other tours, is a chance to relax and take a well-earned rest. Alongside a qualified forest therapy instructor, we’ll take a laid-back stroll through this peaceful forest, as well as learn all about its history, its culture, and its deep connections to Japanese religion and spirituality.
Kiso Town Tour
(Full Day)
Kiso town is another one of the Nakasendo’s most popular destinations, and for good reason—it’s one of the best places to see and learn about the Kiso area’s history, culture, and food.
This tour focuses exclusively on Kiso town itself, with a variety of options: an active day full of hiking, a relaxing day spent eating, drinking, and soaking in the onsen, or a mix of both—we’ll tailor it to your interests!
Travel Information:
This tour can be done as a day trip from Nagoya or Matsumoto, but we’d generally recommend staying overnight somewhere in the Kiso area—either before or after the tour (ideally both).
Where the tour starts:
We’ll meet you at Nakatsugawa station, Nagiso station, or Kiso-Fukushima station. Alternatively, our guide can meet you at your accommodation.
Where the tour finishes:
The tour finishes at Nakatsugawa station, Nagiso station, or Kiso-Fukushima station. Alternatively, our guide can take you to your accommodation.
Our advice on getting to these spots
You can find Google Maps information for Nakatsugawa station, Nagiso station, and Kiso-Fukushima station below.
Extra Information:
Recommended places to stay:
You can find suggestions for accommodation in the Kiso area here. The most convenient spots for this tour are Agematsu and Kiso-Fukushima, but anywhere in the Kiso valley is just fine.
Cancellation policy & other info:
Please see our full cancellation policy, as well as other information, here.
How to get your luggage around:
You can find information on local luggage transportation companies here.
Travel insurance:
Please note that we do not provide travel insurance – we recommend you purchase your own.
Uncharted Nakasendo 