Immerse yourself
in the spiritual and cultural
heritage of Japan
on this unforgettable journey!
Unveil the Unknown: Step into the Soul of Japan’s Hidden Treasures!
Join us on July 22-23, 2023 for an exclusive 1 Night 2 Days Monitor Tour to Izumo Taisha and Okuizumo, organized by Tavikala and TabiPocket. This unique adventure is designed for foreign tourists and foreign residents in Japan who are 18 years old and above. Limited to just 5 participants, this tour is completely free and includes accommodation, meals, and transportation from Izumo Taisha Shrine!
Highlights
Experience the essence of Japan as you explore the sacred grounds of Izumo Taisha with an English-speaking guide and delve into the ancient traditions of the Okuizumo region.
1. Explore Izumo Taisha Shrine with an English-speaking Guide
Immerse yourself in Japan’s rich history as our English-speaking guide leads you through Izumo Taisha, one of the most important and ancient Shinto shrines in Japan. Learn about the fascinating legends and spiritual practices associated with this revered site.
2. Stay at Kurayado Uzumaki in Okuizumo
Experience authentic rural Japanese life at Kurayado Uzumaki, a traditional lodging nestled in the Okuizumo countryside. Engage in hands-on activities such as harvesting vegetables for your dinner and heating a traditional Goemonburo (an old-style Japanese bath) with firewood. Enjoy a soak as you relax and reflect on your day.
3. Learn About the Ancient Iron-making Method, Tatara, at the Tatara and Sword Museum
Witness the secrets of the Tatara method, a traditional iron-making technique unique to Okuizumo. During your visit to the Tatara and Sword Museum, gain insight into this age-old practice and its deep connection to the region’s samurai sword craftsmanship.
4. Make Your Own Soba for Lunch in Okuizumo
As the birthplace of soba noodles, Okuizumo offers an unmatched opportunity to try your hand at soba making. Under expert guidance, you’ll create your own noodles from scratch and savor them for lunch.
5. Visit a Japanese Knife-making Workshop
Experience the precise art of Japanese knife-making firsthand at a local workshop. Witness skilled artisans at work as they transform raw materials into exquisitely crafted tools, continuing a tradition that has spanned centuries.
Itinerary
Day1 | 13:00 | Meet at Izumo Taisha Main Entrance |
13:15 | Visit Izumo Taisha | |
15:00 | Depart for Okuizumo by large taxi | |
16:00 | Harvest vegetables for dinner at Kurayado Uzumaki. Prepare a traditional Japanese bath, known as "Goemonburo" | |
Overnight stay at Kurayado Uzumaki | ||
Day2 | 9:30 | Visit the Tatara and Sword Museum and Tanada rice terraces |
11:30 | Soba-making experience and meal at Ishihara Satoda Farm | |
13:30 | Visit Unshu-chuzen-hamono to observe knife-making | |
15:30 | Shopping and coffee. Exchange of opinions | |
17:00 | Depart from Okuizumo. Around 18:00, disband at Izumo Airport |
Overview
Tour Type:A small-group guided cultural tour with an expert bilingual guide
Tour Area: Izumo City and Okuizumo Town in Shimane Prefecture
Price: Free (accommodation and meals = from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 2, including transportation from the meeting place to the dismissal point)
*Round-trip transportation costs from your home, etc. to the meeting place and dismissal place are your own expense.
Date: July 22nd (Sat) to 23rd (Sun), 2023 2days/1night
Meeting: 13:00 on the 22nd at Izumo Taisha Main Entrance(Seidamari no Torii)
Access Instructions to Izumo Taisha Main Entrance- Meeting Point
For our valued tour participants, we will meet at Izumo Taisha Main Entrance, specifically at Seidamari no Torii. This location is marked by a large torii gate with a prominent stone monument right next to it, displaying the kanji characters for "Izumo Taisha."
From Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Izumo Taisha:
- Take a flight from Haneda Airport to Izumo Airport.
- Upon arrival at Izumo Airport, board the bus heading to Izumo Taisha. It's convenient for reaching Izumo Taisha, but please remember to disembark at the stop just before the final destination, known as the "Main Entrance(Seimon mae)."
Flight: JAL Flight 279
- Departure: Haneda Airport at 10:10
- Arrival: Izumo Airport at 11:20
Bus: Izumo Airport to Izumo Taisha Main Entrance
- Departure: Izumo Airport at 11:30
- Arrival: Izumo Taisha Main Entrance at 12:07
- Fare: 900 yen per person
* The bus departure time is adjusted to align with the arrival and final baggage delivery of JAL Flight 279. In any case, when you arrive at the airport, get on the bus early so you don't miss it.
From Osaka/Hiroshima/Okayama to Izumo Taisha:
- Travel to JR Okayama Station.
- Take the express train on the Hakubi Line to Izumo-shi Station.
- At Izumo-shi Station, transfer to the Ichibata Electric Railway, which is located about 50 meters from the north exit of the station.
- Board the Ichibata Electric Railway train bound for Matsue Shinjiko Onsen and get off at Kawato Station.
- Transfer at Kawato Station to the train bound for Izumo Taisha-mae.
From Izumo Taisha-mae Station to Izumo Taisha Main Entrance (Seidamari no Torii):
- Upon arrival at Izumo Taisha-mae Station, it's a convenient 5-minute walk to reach Izumo Taisha Main Entrance (Seidamari no Torii). Follow the signs or directions provided.
Train Schedule from Dentetsu Izumo-shi Station:
1: If you want to arrive early.
- Destination: Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station
- Departure: Dentetsu Izumo-shi Station at 11:16
- Arrival: Kawato Station at 11:25
- Destination: Izumo Taisha-mae Station
- Departure: Kawato Station at 11:27
- Arrival: Izumo Taisha-mae Station at 11:38
2: If you wish to arrive just before the meeting time.
Please have lunch before the meeting time.
- Destination: Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station
- Departure: Dentetsu Izumo-shi Station at 12:25
- Arrival: Kawato Station at 12:34
- Destination: Izumo Taisha-mae Station
- Departure: Kawato Station at 12:36
- Arrival: Izumo Taisha-mae Station at 12:47
From Izumo Taisha-mae Station, it is approximately a 5-minute walk to Izumo Taisha Main Entrance(Seidamari no Torii).
There are several other large torii gates in Izumo Taisha Shrine, so please be careful not to make a mistake. Around Izumo Taisha Main Entrance, there are many restaurants, including the famous Izumo Soba. Please finish your lunch before coming to the meeting place.
End of Tour: Around 18:00 on the 23rd at at JR Izumoshi Station or Izumo Airport. You can choose either.
Eligible participants: Foreign tourists from overseas and foreigners living in Japan. 18+.
Maximum number of participants: 5 people
Japanese Level Required: none
English Level Required: conversation
Survey Responses: The purpose of this monitor tour is to gather honest feedback from actual tourists in order to improve our tours of Izumo Taisha and Okuizumo for foreign visitors. Consequently, we will ask you to respond to several surveys during the tour.
Accommodation: You will be staying in a two-story inn, renovated from a traditional Japanese storehouse, which accommodates approximately 5 people. Regardless of gender, participants will be separated for accommodation. Please note that even if you participate as a mixed-gender pair, you will be separated for sleeping arrangements and may share a room with other participants of the same gender.
What is included
- Accompaniment by an English-speaking interpreter
- Transportation from the meeting place on Day 1 to the dissolution place on Day 2
- Meals: Dinner on Day 1, and Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2
- Accommodation costs
- Admission fee to the museums we plan to visit on the tour
- Costs for a Soba noodle-making experience
- Fee for observing a knife-making process
What is not included
- Transportation cost from your home or any other place to the meeting point
- Transportation cost from the dissolution point back to your home or any other place
- Cost of drinks during meals
- You cannot take home the knives produced at the knife-making workshop