If you’re traveling independently and are interested joining a tour, please feel free to contact us directly so that we can listen to your interests and design the ideal experience for your group! We specialize in the northern area of Tohoku, including Iwate, Akita, Aomori, Miyagi, Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures. We focus on (but are not limited to) Japanese sake, foraging for wild edibles, history, Buddhism, esoteric local spiritual practices, hiking, wildlife (flora and fauna), local cuisine, and architecture.
One example of a foraging and cooking tour that we might recommend based on the season and interests of the guests would be as follows:
- Pickup at 8am at Morioka Station
- Drive 1 hour to a remote area to the southwest to meet with local foraging guide
- Walk together along mountain streams while receiving instruction on foraging for a variety of wild edible plants
- Simple lunch together outdoors using some of the wild edibles that require minimal preparation to eat
- 3pm – check-in to nearby rustic hot spring ryokan
- Free time to relax, bathe in hot springs, etc.
- 5pm – gather in the ryokan’s open kitchen facility and learn a few simple recipes for preparing the foraged greens
- 6pm – enjoy dinner together eating some of what we foraged combined with other dishes from the ryokan and local sake
- Check-out the next morning and get a ride back to Morioka Station
Another example of a simple guided hike would be as follows:
- Pickup at 6:30am at Morioka Station
- Drive approx. 1 hour to trailhead (including stop at convenience store as necessary)
- Guided hike up Mt. Iwate, Akitakomagatake, Mt. Mitsuishi, etc. (based on participant fitness level and season) including explanation of local plant and animal life, history, and local spiritual traditions, etc.
- Optional drone photography and short video creation based on weather and participant interest
- Visit local hot springs bath to clean up and relax after the hike
For 2023 I am guiding small groups of 1 to 3 people for between 30,000 and 40,000 yen per day depending on the activities. Since tourism has just started up again I’m working with people individually to create adventures and activities based on their interests. Feel free to reach out and contact me through this site or social media.