We pick you up at your hotel in Nikko town or at Lake Chuzenji. This private tour of about 8 hours goes north into the deep Kinugawa valleys, where a defeated samurai clan once hid in the mountains. You see old thatched houses, hot spring villages and a green river gorge.

Around 09:45 we stop at Ryuokyo, the “Dragon King Gorge”. You walk a short trail above the river to see blue water and sharp rock walls. Allow about one hour.

Late morning we drive through Kawaji Onsen, a quiet hot spring town by the river, and stop for a short look at the foot bath and riverside path.

Around midday we reach Yunishigawa. Lunch is at a local restaurant, where the area is known for grilled fish and mountain vegetables cooked over an open hearth. Halal food is not guaranteed here.

In the early afternoon you visit Heike no Sato, an open-air village of moved thatched farmhouses. Inside you see armour, tools and the story of the Heike clan who hid in this valley after losing a war about 800 years ago. Allow about one hour. After that you walk along the river in Yunishigawa Onsen and see the suspension bridge and hot spring inns.

Around 15:30 we drive back down the valley and arrive at your hotel at about 17:00.

Your plan is customizable: you can reorder the visits, take more time in the thatched village, skip Kawaji, or add a nearby stop like the Kinugawa riverside, as long as it fits the tour time and the same valley.

This is a private tour. Only your group. In winter there may be snow in Yunishigawa, which makes it very pretty.

If Heike no Sato is closed on your date, your driver-guide takes you to a similar place nearby instead. If you prefer, we can instead visit another heritage spot in the valley, such as the Kawaji Onsen area and a longer Ryuokyo walk.