【Expo Special Tour】Keihoku :Village Walk & Forest Bathing in Kitayama Cedar Country (Oct. 25, 2025) – Guided Tour (in English)
Tour Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Meeting Point & Time (tentative): 14:00 AM at Nakagawa Branch Office, Kita Ward, Kyoto City
Ending Time & Place (tentative): 16:00 PM at Nakagawa Branch Office, Kita Ward, Kyoto City
Estimated Duration: About 2 hours
Planned Itinerary (subject to change):
9:30 Meet in front of Nakagawa Branch Office, Kita Ward, Kyoto City
9:44 Begin a leisurely walking tour through Nakagawa Village, exploring the townscape and Kitayama cedar culture
・Visit Nakagawa Hachimangu Shrine
・Walk along a forest path with views of Kitayama cedar trees and traditional village scenery
・Experience forest bathing and encounter the majestic Kitayama Oodai Cedar, a 400-year-old sacred tree
16:00 Tour ends at the same location (Nakagawa Branch Office)
Tour Highlights:
🌳Discover the Roots of Kitayama Cedar with a Local Guide
Take a leisurely two-hour stroll through a mountain village guided by someone deeply connected to the area.
Along the way, you'll hear stories about the history of Kitayama cedar, the craft of local artisans, and the wisdom of everyday forest life—insights you wouldn't find on your own.
🌳 A Walking Tour through a Historic Post Town
Nakagawa, once a post town along an old trade route, served as the setting for Yasunari Kawabata’s novel The Old Capital and several classic Japanese films. Stroll past traditional homes painted in red ochre and rustic log-drying sheds, and experience a side of Japan untouched by mass tourism.
🌳 A Glimpse into Timber Culture and Mountain Life
Kitayama cedar is still carefully cultivated here, supported by skilled craftspeople and local timber companies. As you walk along the hillside village, you’ll encounter towering trees, processing sheds, and the quiet dignity of a community that lives in harmony with the forest.
And There’s More to Enjoy!
🌳 Beautiful Townscape along the Kiyotaki River
Stroll past photogenic scenery of traditional red‑ochre‑painted houses, old log‑drying sheds, and historic buildings climbing the hillside. The area combines seasonal natural beauty with a nostalgic, timeless atmosphere.
🌳 The Sacred “Mother Tree” of Kitayama Cedar at Nakagawa Hachimangu Shrine
Here stands the 500‑year‑old sacred tree, the genetic source of all Kitayama cedars. It’s a place where the power and sanctity of the forest can be felt deeply.
🌳 Encounter with the 600‑Year‑Old Kitayama Oodai Cedar
This majestic giant exudes a commanding presence. Standing before it, you can sense the depth of time and the enduring life of the natural world.
Age Requirement: For participants aged 12 and over
Minimum Number of Participants: 4
Language of the Tour: English
How to Book: Click “Add to Cart”, enter the required information, and proceed to payment.
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What’s Included:
・Guide fee
・Interpretation service
Not Included:
Please note that the following are not covered by the tour fee:
・Transportation to and from the meeting and ending point
・Personal expenses (e.g., meals, souvenirs, etc.)
Tour Information & Notes:
・This is a one-day tour with local meeting and dismissal.
・Please make your own way to the designated meeting point by the specified time.
・The tour may be cancelled if fewer than 4 participants register.
・Unless heavy rain or severe weather is forecast, the tour will be held as scheduled.
・For those arriving by private car or rental car, parking information will be provided.
・Please bring rain gear, an umbrella, a hat, or a towel as appropriate for the weather
・If you arrive late on the day of the tour, you may be able to join partway through; however, refunds or discounts will not be provided.
Weather Policy:
If heavy rain or severe weather is forecast, we will decide by 5:00 PM the day before whether the tour will go ahead, and notify the booking representative by email.
If the tour is cancelled due to weather or other unavoidable reasons, the full tour fee will be refunded.
Important Notes:
This tour includes walking through bamboo forests and light physical activity in nature. For safety reasons, we do not recommend participation for the following:
・Guests using strollers or wheelchairs
・Guests who have difficulty walking independently
・Guests with severe back pain
・Guests who are pregnant
・Guests with heart conditions or other serious illnesses
Cancellation Policy:
As this is a small-group special tour, the following cancellation policy applies:
・Cancellations up to 7 days before the tour: Free of charge
・Cancellations up to 3 days before the tour: 50% of the tour fee
・Cancellations within 2 days or on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour fee