Tracing the Story of Iron in a Land Where Myth Lives On

Premium Tour

Japan Heritage Journey: Forging a Lifetime Knife Through Iron Culture

In Shimane, a region shaped by ancient myths, this private journey explores traditional iron culture through hands-on experience. Guided by a local storyteller, you visit key heritage sites and discover how iron shaped the land, daily life, and craftsmanship. The highlight is creating your own lifetime knife alongside a skilled blacksmith. Learning, local food, hot springs, and craftsmanship come together in an immersive stay designed to be experienced as one connected story.

Storyteller Tailored by
Sameera Gunawardena is a bilingual guide with a deep connection to Japan’s rural communities and cultural landscapes. Based in Okuizumo, he has spent over a decade living and working in the countryside, collaborating closely with local artisans, farmers, and storytellers. With a passion for sharing the everyday life, history, and mythology of rural Japan, Sameera offers immersive experiences that go beyond sightseeing. His thoughtful storytelling and personal approach help visitors connect with the land, the people, and the traditions that continue to shape these regions today.
From145,000(JPY)
Date *
Day
Month
Year
Number of Participants *
Adult (13-99)
Child (3-12)
Infant (0-2)

Highlights

  • Create your own lifetime knife alongside a skilled blacksmith, from forging to finishing
  • Explore the story of iron culture recognized as Japan Heritage, guided by a local storyteller who connects places into one living narrative
  • Experience Izumo Grand Shrine not as a single stop, but as part of a deeper story linking mythology and ironmaking traditions
  • Immerse yourself in beautiful rural landscapes while discovering how iron shaped local life, food culture, and sustainable ways of living

Description

This journey begins in Okuizumo, where you gain an introduction to traditional ironmaking before visiting a sacred shrine connected to iron culture and local mythology. Guided by a local storyteller, you trace how iron and belief have shaped this land over centuries.
Ancient Izumo myths, rooted in the power of the Hii River and the natural forces surrounding it, come alive through the real landscapes and water that sustained local life.
Your stay includes time to relax in hot springs and enjoy regional food shaped by local water, rice, and fermentation traditions. The highlight is forging your own knife alongside a skilled blacksmith, turning the journey’s learning into a lasting tool you take home. This is a deeply immersive Japan Heritage experience, where story and hands-on craft come together.

Itinerary

Day1 9:00 Meet your local guide at your hotel
9:30 Rental car procedures
10:30 Visit the Okuizumo Tatara and Sword Museum
12:00 Lunch Okuizumo soba made from locally grown buckwheat
14:00 Visit Kanayago Shrine and pray for a safe journey
15:30 Visit a local sake brewery for tasting
16:30 Check-in at Yumura Onsen
Stay and dinner at TSUKARU
Day2 9:15 Depart TSUKARU
10:00 Knife-making experience (Session 1)
12:00 Lunch at the Itohara family residence with a traditional onigiri set
14:00 Guided visit to Sugaya Tatara Sannai with a local host
16:00 Knife-making experience (Session 2: engraving your name)
17:00 Private hot spring experience at Kamedake Onsen
18:30 Tatara-themed dinner at Okuizumo Hyakusho Juku
20:30 Knife-making experience (Session 3: quenching process)
21:30 Overnight stay at TSUKARU
Day3 9:30 Check out
10:00 Visit to Sannoji Rice Terraces
12:00 Lunch at a traditional mountain farmhouse café, Ueshitaya
14:30 Visit to Izumo Grand Shrine
16:00 Tour concludes

Overview

  • Tour Type

    Small-group cultural journey led by an expert bilingual guide, focused on Japan Heritage

  • Tour Area

    Shimane Prefecture: Yasugi, Okuizumo, Unnan, and Izumo

  • Price (per person)

    1 guest: ¥295,000
    2 guests: ¥190,000 / person
    3 guests: ¥160,000 / person
    4 guests: ¥145,000 / person

    Pricing notes
    Prices are shown per person.
    This is a private tour, limited to one group per departure.
    Pricing is based on the creation of one lifetime knife per group.
    If additional knife-making is requested, details and pricing will be discussed separately.

  • Availability

    Year-round

  • Meeting time and place

    Hotel lobby in the Matsue area
    Please inform us of your accommodation in advance

  • End of Tour

    The tour concludes around 16:00 at Izumo Grand Shrine

  • Eligible participants

    Ages 20 and above

  • Number of participants

    Maximum 4 participants
    This plan is priced based on the creation of one knife.
    If additional knife-making is requested, details and pricing will be discussed separately.

  • Japanese Level

    None

  • Accommodation

    TSUKARU is an intimate “restaurant you can stay in,” located in the Izumo Yumura hot spring area. Only one group is welcomed per day, with the entire building reserved exclusively for your stay.
    Set beside the gently flowing Hii River and surrounded by quiet countryside, the atmosphere changes with the seasons, from cherry blossoms and fireflies to crisp air and deep stillness.
    Dinner is a highlight of the experience. A seasonal course meal is prepared using locally sourced ingredients from the Unnan area, offering a taste of the land through its food. Your stay also includes tickets to nearby hot springs, perfect for unwinding after the day’s journey.
    Amenities provided include bath and face towels, toothbrushes, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, cotton swabs, and basic skincare items. Please note that sleepwear is not provided.

Inclusions

  • English-speaking guide throughout the tour
  • Meals:
    Day 1: lunch and dinner
    Day 2: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Day 3: Brealfast,lunch
    (Alcoholic beverages are not included, except for tastings included as part of the brewery visit)
    Accommodation for two nights
    All activity fees, including the full knife-making experience, entrance fees, and hot spring use

Exclusions

  • Personal expenses
  • Beverages during meals
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Transportation costs during the tour, including rental car fees, fuel, and toll roads

Physical Requirements

This tour includes some walking and periods of standing. The blacksmith workshop can be hot, so please wear comfortable clothing that allows movement and can get dirty.

Travel planning and implementation

Tour Operator
Tavikala Co., Ltd.
Registered Travel Agency by the Governor of Shimane Prefecture
Regional Registration No. 106
Address: 406-12 Mitoya, Okuizumo Town, Nita District, Shimane, Japan
Phone: +81-50-3559-0222
Email: get@tavikala.com

Cancellation Policy for “Though Inaka” [Japan Heritage Journey: Forging a Lifetime Knife Through Iron Culture]

Cancellation of the custom-ordered “Though Inaka” [Japan Heritage Journey: Forging a Lifetime Knife Through Iron Culture] is subject to the following charges:

Cancellation Charges:
31 or more days prior to the first day of the tour: 10% of the total tour cost
30-8 days prior to the first day of the tour: 20% of the total tour cost
7-4 days prior to the first day of the tour: 50% of the total tour cost
3-0 days prior to the first day of the tour or non-appearance: 100% of the total tour cost

Payment Refund Process:
In the event of cancellation, after the customer completes the payment of the tour cost, the refunded amount will be calculated by deducting cancellation charges, bank handling charges, and any other costs incurred by travel service providers (railway company, accommodation, etc.) from the amount already paid.
The refunded amount will be remitted to the bank account specified by the customer.

Cancellation Date:
The date of cancellation refers to the date and time when the notice is received by “Though Inaka” based on Japan time. This contrasts with the local date and time when the customer sends the cancellation notice.

Refund Processing Time:
Please allow up to 14 days for the refund to be credited to the customer’s account.

Tour Alterations:
“Though Inaka” reserves the right to alter the itinerary or tour components if necessary for reasons beyond our control. Any changes will be communicated to participants in a timely manner.

Participant Substitution:
If you are unable to attend the tour, you may substitute another person. Please notify us in advance with the substitute participant’s details.

Contact for Cancellations:
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to [contact@thoughinaka.com] via email.
Please include your name, booking reference number, and the reason for cancellation in your email.

By participating in the “Though Inaka” [Tour Name], you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this cancellation policy. We appreciate your understanding, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Questions?

If you're interested in this tour or activity and would like to learn more about it, please feel free to contact us.

Ask a Question

Recommended tours