About this tour
When Ben from our BugBitten team ran this two-day Gifu tour, he got proper hands-on with samurai sword-making and traditional umbrella crafting — two skills most travellers never get near. You're based at Nagaragawa Onsen, a hot-spring town that feels genuinely off the main tourist circuit. The itinerary weaves between craft workshops and a cormorant fishing museum, giving real insight into how artisans and fishers work here. It's a solid mix for anyone curious about Japanese heritage beyond temples and neon, pitched at a relaxed pace that suits most fitness levels.
Highlights
- Forging your own samurai sword under a craftsman's eye
- Folding and decorating a traditional Japanese umbrella to take home
- Onsen soak after a day of hands-on crafting
- Cormorant fishing museum reveals a centuries-old hunting technique
- Meals included at the ryokan — local dishes, no hunting for restaurants
- English guide makes the technical side of sword-making digestible
- Small-group size means one-on-one attention from instructors
What to expect
Day one lands you in Gifu, a prefecture famous for bladesmithing. Ben found the sword-making workshop the tour's centrepiece — you don't just watch; you're handed tools and walk through actual forging steps under guidance. It's physically engaging (the heat from the kiln is real) but totally doable. You'll make a mini umbrella in the afternoon, which is more relaxing and gets you familiar with the washi paper and bamboo ribs involved. Dinner at the onsen ryokan is included, and the hot spring itself is the chance to properly decompress.
Day two visits the cormorant fishing museum and explores the Nagaragawa river area. This method of fishing — where trained birds dive and catch fish — doesn't exist in many places globally, so the museum contextualises something genuinely unique to Japan. Walking and talking time is moderate; there's no hardcore trekking. By afternoon you're heading home with umbrella in hand and a sense of having actually made something.
What travellers say
- Hands-on sword and umbrella crafting with working artisans
- Ryokan stay and meals reduce logistical stress
- English guide clarifies traditional techniques clearly
- Cormorant fishing museum adds cultural depth rarely found elsewhere
- Relaxed pace suits various fitness levels and interests
- Beverages excluded — add budget for drinks
- Early workshop starts may challenge late risers
- Summer heat near forges can be uncomfortable
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour delivers genuine craftsperson time without the tourist-trap feel. You're learning skills that have real lineage, not doing five-minute 'experiences.' The ryokan stay and meals are solid value — you're eating what the area serves, not a tourist menu. Small groups mean instructors can troubleshoot your sword-forging or umbrella-folding in real time. Suitable for most fitness levels, with public transport nearby if you need flexibility.
Beverages aren't included, so budget for tea, water, and any alcohol at the ryokan. Early starts are likely (workshops often begin by 9 a.m.). If you're not keen on hands-on activities, two days of participatory crafting might feel repetitive. Summer heat in Gifu can be intense, especially near the forges. The cormorant fishing museum is interesting but quieter than some attractions — don't expect crowds or high-energy sightseeing. Bring comfortable shoes for museum walking and onsen slippers. Pack any specific medications; rural areas have smaller pharmacies.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.