Step into Japan's timeless countryside—just a short ride from Kobe. Yamada Village, in the northern Rokko foothills, has a farming history dating back to the Yayoi period. Once a major rice supplier to Kobe, its terraced fields and thatched-roof houses still reflect a lifestyle rooted in nature and Shinto beliefs. This tour explores three cultural gems: make rice balls at the 100-year-old Satoyama Experience House (Kerekele), visit the Shimotaniue Kabuki Stage at Amatsuhikone Shrine, and walk through the peaceful Rokujo Hachimangu Shrine, where Shinto and Buddhism coexist. The tour begins in Sannomiya with your guide. Pickup from Osaka is also available upon request.
*In Japanese, "URA" mea...
Highlights
7 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
7 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Public Transportation fee
Admission Fee
You can enjoy a hands-on experience making rice balls.
Hotel Pickup
National Licensed English Speaking Guide. Please let us know if you prefer any other languages.
Personal Expenses
Important Information
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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Service animals allowed
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Specialized infant seats are available
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Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
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Not recommended for pregnant travelers
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Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Step into Japan's timeless countryside—just a short ride from Kobe. Yamada Village, in the northern Rokko foothills, has a farming history dating back to the Yayoi period. Once a major rice supplier to Kobe, its terraced fields and thatched-roof houses still reflect a lifestyle rooted in nature and Shinto beliefs. This tour explores three cultural gems: make rice balls at the 100-year-old Satoyama Experience House (Kerekele), visit the Shimotaniue Kabuki Stage at Amatsuhikone Shrine, and walk through the peaceful Rokujo Hachimangu Shrine, where Shinto and Buddhism coexist. The tour begins in Sannomiya with your guide. Pickup from Osaka is also available upon request.
*In Japanese, "URA" mea...
Highlights
7 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
7 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Public Transportation fee
Admission Fee
You can enjoy a hands-on experience making rice balls.
Hotel Pickup
National Licensed English Speaking Guide. Please let us know if you prefer any other languages.
Personal Expenses
Itinerary
1
Sannomiya Station
You will take a train or a bus to Minotani Station.
1 hour
2
Yamadacho Shimotanigami
Walk through the scenic satoyama backed by the Tanjo mountains and visit the Shimotanigami Rural Kabuki Stage inside Amatsuhikone Shrine. This thatched-roof stage, still used for local festivals and rituals, preserves a unique form of kabuki once performed as a sacred offering. Discover the deep connection between nature, faith, and sustainable rural life.
30 minutes
3
Japanese Local Experience House
Visit the Satoyama Experience House (known locally as Sumibiraki House Kerekele), a beautifully restored 100-year-old farmhouse in the hills of northern Kobe. Join a hands-on experience making onigiri (rice balls) with locally grown rice. Through this simple yet heartfelt activity, learn about rural traditions and the sustainable lifestyle rooted in this region.
1 hour and 30 minutes
4
Rokujo Hachiman Shrine
Rokujō Hachimangū Shrine, located in the heart of Yamada Town, dates back nearly 1,000 years. Surrounded by a quiet forest, the site exudes a timeless atmosphere. Unique for its coexistence of Shinto and Buddhist structures, the shrine reflects Japan’s once-unified religious traditions. The deity enshrined here is also worshipped at the summit of nearby Mt. Tanjo
1 hour and 30 minutes
5
Sannomiya Station
You will take a train or a bus to Sannomiya Station.
