Tono Folk Villages Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Tono! Tōno is a rural town in the hills of central Iwate Prefecture. The area is notable for its rustic landscapes and traditional farming culture. But Tono is best known as a repository of Japanese folklore due to its legends of spirits, animals and supernatural creatures. This rich oral tradition was passed down through generations of storytellers. Your guide will start your day with a morning pickup at your hotel. Let us know what special requests you have for the day and we will customize your itinerary in advance! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

1. 1

   Kappabuchi

   30 min

   It is claimed that a number of mischievous Kappa river sprites, which love to threaten people and play tricks on passersby, live in the small stream in Tsuchibuchi-cho running behind Joken-ji Temple. Apparently the Kappa appear even now along the clear stream hidden by the surrounding thickets. Near the stream is a small shrine to the Kappa gods where expectant mothers go and leave breast-shaped red clothes to pray that they will be able to breastfeed their child.

2. 2

   Unedorisama Shrine

   30 min

   A small wayside shrine known to be the home of the god of love. Buy a small red cloth from the unmanned shop in the shrine grounds, tie it to a tree with just your left hand and you’ll be tied with the one you love.

3. 3

   Denshoen

   1 hour

   Experience the pure rustic lifestyle of the Tono region! In this theme park, you will be able to see the Kikuchi Residence, a registered important cultural asset, a memorial museum to Kizen Sasaki (the Tono local who worked with Kunio Yanagida on The Legends of Tono), as well as Oshirado Hall where you will see a thousand Oshirasama.

4. 4

   Tono Tale House

   1 hour

   You can see images and listen to recordings of folklore in Hall of Stories, or listen live to the stories from an official storyteller at the Tono Theatre, see the display on Kunio Yanagita, author of The Legends of Tono. There is also a restaurant and gift shop on site.

5. 5

   Tono Furusatomura

   1 hour

   Theme park, a recreated nostalgic rural village in Tono. You can experience local folk craft, regional cuisine, an listen to folk tales. Experience traditions handed down through the generations and all the other unique mountain village life.

6. 6

   Chiba House

   1 hour

   Farmer's private residence built approximately 200 years ago. The L-shaped house is called "Nanbu Magariya" , unique to this region, where people and hourses lived under the same roof. The house is a registered Important Cultural Assett. * Scheduled to re-open in 2025 after renovation.

7. 7

   Tono Municipal Museum

   1 hour

   Opened in 1980, this is the first museum in Japan devoted to folk customs. Focused around The Legends of Tono, you will see displays and videos about the nature, life, culture and history of Tono and its people.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.