Japan Tours by professionals |
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 Sakura: Samurai Heritage & Local Life Experience | |
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Tours by Location: Sakura city in Chiba (Kanto/Chiba & vicinity) | |
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Tour Features: If you have half a day to spare before your flight from Narita Airport, why not discover a side of Japan that most visitors never see? Keisei Sakura Station is just **30 minutes from Narita Airport** on the Keisei Main Line. As I drive a **kei car (Japan's compact city car)**, I can accommodate **up to three guests**. If you are **two or three guests traveling with light luggage**, I will be happy to pick you up at the station. If you are traveling with **large suitcases**, please take a taxi from the station to my home—it takes **less than five minutes**. Step away from the crowds of Tokyo and discover the authentic side of Japan in Sakura City, a historic castle town with over 400 years of samurai history. This tour takes you beyond the typical tourist attractions. We will visit a beautifully preserved **samurai house** and stroll along the peaceful **bamboo path** nearby, where you can experience the atmosphere of the Edo period. We will also explore the elegant **Former Hotta Residence**, home of the Hotta family who ruled Sakura Domain, and learn about their contribution to Japanese history. Another highlight is the birthplace of **Juntendo**, one of Japan's oldest institutions of Western medicine. Here, you will hear the fascinating story of how modern medicine was introduced and developed in Japan during the late Edo period. The experience continues with a glimpse into everyday Japanese life. We will stop at a local ramen restaurant loved by residents and visit a neighborhood supermarket, where you can discover popular Japanese foods, seasonal ingredients, and everyday shopping customs. If you want,you are invited to my home to prepare and enjoy a simple homemade Japanese meal. Together, we will make **onigiri (rice balls)** and other easy home-style dishes while chatting about Japanese family life, traditions, current social issues, and what it is really like to live in Japan today. This is more than a sightseeing tour—it is an opportunity to experience Japan through its history, local culture, and genuine conversation with a licensed National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. By the time you leave for Narita Airport, you'll not only have seen a historic samurai town, but also gained a deeper understanding of modern Japanese life from the perspective of an ordinary local family. | |
| Details |
| Tour Time | 9am-5pm |
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| Dates of Operation | The tour is available every day except Mondays. Please note that visits to the historical facilities are available between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. |
| Meeting Place | Keisei Sakura staion or my house(10min from Keisei Sakura staion by foot) |
| Duration | 4hours or more |
| Tour Price | 12,000 yen per person (cash only) up to ３guests: Discounted price／30,000 yen |
| Expenses not included in the Tour Price | ※Three-museum admission pass: 600 yen per person(Juntendo Memorial Museum, Samurai Houses, and Former Hotta Residence) ※Meals at local restaurants ※Supermarket purchases, including side dishes, onigiri ingredients, and drinks |
| Itinerary | I will tailor the experience to your interests and requests as much as possible. For example, we can focus more on Sakura’s history, samurai culture, local food, cooking at home, or anything you are interested in. |
| Guide's Name | |
| Language | English |
| Distance of the Route | All the historical facilities, local restaurants, and supermarkets we visit are located within 10 minutes by car from Keisei Sakura Station. |
| Reservations | To make a reservation, send an email to us with (1)your name, (2)number of participants, (3)desired tour date, (4)name & your WhatsApp number). |
| Guide's Cellphone Number (for Emergency) | ＋81 080 4889 0417 |
| Tour Terms & Conditions | Follow the JGA terms and conditions. |
| Cancellation fees | Follow the JGA terms and conditions. |
| Notes | Payment: The tour fee is 12,000 yen per person. For a group of three guests, a special group price of 30,000 yen will be applied. Payment must be made in cash before the tour starts. |
JGA Head Office cannot respond to any inquiry. JGA shall not be responsible for any damage or loss of both parties resulting from his/her agreement and arrangement and also not in a position to be involved with them. JGA shall not be responsible for any accident, loss or damage which the customer or any other person might suffer as a result of the tour and the customer agrees to release and indemnify JGA from and against any such claim in that respect.