Learn about traditional wooden architecture and sustainable forestry

Nara Prefecture is home to many historic temples and shrines, some of which amongst the world's oldest wooden buildings. Located in the south-central part of the prefecture, the Yoshino area is home to one of the three most beautiful planted forests in Japan and the Yoshino sugi cedar there is highly regarded for its quality. Come learn about 1300-year old traditional construction methods and sustainable forestry in Japan's oldest man-made forest.

Date

Time

Schedule

Content

Day1

9:00

Depart from hotel Kochi-no-yado

10:30-12:30

Kawakami Village Visiting Yoshino Cedar Forest

  • take a walk in Japan's oldest artificial forest "Shimotako Village Forest"

13:10-14:30

Lunch

  • at Yoshino

14:30-16:00

Kochi Yoshino Factory

  • tour or lumberyard and processing plant（hands-on experience of chipping, wood planer, and framing

18:00

Dinner

  • Catering duck hot pot

Day2

10:00-12:30

Visit Kochi Office

  • Matcha experience, stroll arond the area Drop off at Kansai Airport or Nara Station

Experience

Yoshino Cedar Forest in Kawakami Village

●overview：walking in Shimotako Village Forest, the oldest man-made forest in Japan ●duration：2hours Kawakami Village is the birthplace of Yoshino forestry, which is known as one of the three most beautiful planted forests in Japan. It is said that trees have been planted here since the Muromachi period (1336-1573). You can take a walk in the Shimotako Village Forest, the oldest artificial forest in Japan. Learn about the history and nature of Kawakami Village, while refreshing your mind and body with a forest bath in the lush greenery of this majestic cedar forest.

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Kochi

●overview：Drying area(explanation of the drying process)、Visit to a sawmill and processing plant(hands-on experience (chipping, smoothing, jointing/assembling wood) ●duration：2.5hours Kochi - As a company specializing in wood construction, Kochi’s philosophy is to rebuild 100-year old wooden buildings that are unsafe into a structure that can last for another 200 years, as well as creating new buildings that are durable for 300 years by combining the power of excellent foresters, skilled craftsmen, and superior design.They are committed to creating structures that future generations of carpenters and homeowners will want to preserve and useAt their Yoshino workshop, visitors can learn about the drying process of Yoshino cedar, in addition to touring the lumberyard and processing plant to experience suspending, planing, and assembling structural components without the use of metal fittings. Visitors can see how structural materials are made: from cutting down the trees in season, drying them naturally, and using good quality lumber.

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Stay

Hostel Kochi-no-yado

Enjoy a private stay in a traditional kominka house that has been renovated by Kochi. In the evening, travelers can experience local Japanese food made with local ingredients by a visiting chef while gazing at the illuminated Japanese moss garden. The next day, one can go on a leisurely stroll around the area while enjoying the view of mountains and terraced rice paddies.

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  • ・
    Languages
    ：
     Mainly in Japanese, other languages based upon request.
  • ・
    Number of participants
    ：
     2 to 8 people
  • ・
    Meeting place
    ：
     negotiable
  • ・
    Reservation deadline
    ：
     14 days prior to departure
  • ・
    Payment method
    ：
     Bank transfer, credit card
  • ・
    Clothing
    ：
     None specified
  • ・
    Tour guide
    ：
     Local producer or interpreter (arrangements made based upon customer’s preference)
  • ・
    Cancellation fee
    ：
     29~15days prior to departure 5% 14~7days prior to departure 20% 6~4days prior to departure 50% 3~1days prior to departure 70% Departure day or no show 100%
  • ・
    Precautions
    ：
     -Tour will be held even in cases of rain, except in the event of a typhoon or heavy rain warning. -All photos shown are for illustrative purposes only. -The places to be visited are not tourist destinations, and due to circumstances, there may be different processes within the factory with the machines not being in operation. -Elementary school students and younger may participate in the tour with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. However, we cannot be held responsible for any injuries or accidents happening during the tour, including in the parking lot and in the workshop. -Please make sure that parents/guardians do not touch the machines, especially during the tour inside the workshop. -We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your participation in the tour. -The tour will be cancelled in the event that smooth operation of the tour becomes difficult due to the new coronavirus infection situation or other reasons. If the tour is cancelled, full amount of the tour fee will be refunded.
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