A complete immersion into the food, nature, and history of Nara. This full-day tour combines our hands-on bento workshop with a guided journey along the Yamanobe-no-michi, allowing you to create your own lunch and then savor it amidst the stunning scenery of Japan's oldest road.

Details:

• Duration: Approx. 6 hours (10:30 - 16:30)
• Meeting Point: cofunia. The nearest station is Nagara Station (25-min walk or 7-min taxi).
• Tour Ends at: Omiwa Shrine

Itinerary:

• 10:30 – Lunch Box Making Workshop: Learn about traditional Japanese fermentation and craft a seasonal bento using local ingredients.
• 12:30 – Hiking Preparation & Rest: A short break to get ready for your walk.
• 13:00 – Hike the Yamanobe Trail: Your private guide will lead you from cofunia towards the sacred Omiwa Shrine, sharing stories of history and myth.
• During the Hike – Picnic Lunch: Find a scenic spot along the trail to enjoy the handmade bento you prepared earlier.
• 16:00 – Arrival at Omiwa Shrine: The tour concludes at one of Japan's most ancient shrines, with the option of dismissal at the site or transportation back to cofunia.

Pricing: 

• 1 Guest: 60,000 JPY per person
• 2 Guests: 30,000 JPY per person
• 3 Guests: 20,000 JPY per person
• 4 to 6 Guests: 15,000 JPY per person

*Our experiences are run as private tours, with pricing based on the size of your group.

What's Included:

• Hands-on bento making workshop with English instruction
• All ingredients for your seasonal, fermented bento lunch
• A private guided hike along the historic Yamanobe-no-michi
• An English recipe card to take home

Please Note:

• Please inform us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions in advance when booking.
• This tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness due to the afternoon hike. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
• The experience is not fully wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the farmhouse and trail.

Craft your own delicious fermented bento box in a 100-year-old farmhouse along Japan’s oldest trail, the Yamanobe-no-michi. After cooking, enjoy your handmade lunch as a picnic overlooking ancient kofun (burial mounds).

• Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours (10:30 - 13:00)
• Meeting Point: cofunia. The nearest station is Nagara Station (25-min walk or 7-min taxi).

Highlights:

• Hosted in a beautifully restored farmhouse on Japan’s oldest trail
• Hands-on Japanese cooking focusing on fermentation techniques
• Features seasonal ingredients from local farmers and our own garden
• Includes an outdoor picnic on ancient, sacred ground

Details:

Schedule:

• 10:30 – Welcome & Fermentation Talk: Arrive at cofunia and explore the basics of Japanese fermentation.
• 11:00 – Bento Cooking: Create three seasonal dishes using miso, sake lees, or soy sauce koji.
• 12:30 – Bento Assembly: Artfully pack your bento with house-made pickles and garnishes.
• 13:00 – Picnic Lunch: Enjoy your bento outdoors, either in our garden or atop a nearby kofun mound.

Sample Menus:
(Guests choose one menu. Two distinct options are available, changing seasonally.)

• Menu A: Kakinoha-zushi Bento: Features Kakinoha-zushi (a traditional Nara-style sushi wrapped in a persimmon leaf), baked spring rolls, and tofu-miso salad.
• Menu B: Onigiri Bento: Features two types of rice balls, koji teriyaki chicken, and a seasonal vegetable side dish.

Pricing: 

• 1 Guest: 30,000 JPY per person
• 2 Guests: 15,000 JPY per person
• 3 to 6 Guests: 8,000 JPY per person

*Our experiences are run as private tours, with pricing based on the size of your group.

What's Included:

• Fermentation talk & guided instruction in English
• All ingredients for the bento cooking workshop (3 dishes + sides)
• English recipe card to take home

Please Note:

• Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
• The tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Explore the timeless charm of rural Nara on a guided walk along the Yamanobe-no-Michi, Japan’s oldest recorded trail. This gentle route winds through lush farmland, ancient shrines, and quiet villages, offering a glimpse into the enduring rhythms of countryside life.

• Duration: Approx. 3 hours
• Meeting Point: JR Nagara station or at cofunia
• Dismissal: At Omiwa Shrine

Highlights:

• Walk a scenic portion of Japan’s oldest recorded road.
• Visit historic sites, including O-Miwa Shrine, one of Japan's most ancient shrines.
• Gain a deeper cultural understanding of the area with an expert local guide.

Pricing:

• 1 Guest: 30,000 JPY per person
• 2 Guests: 15,000 JPY per person
• 3 to 6 Guests: 8,000 JPY per person

* Our experiences are run as private tours, with pricing based on the size of your group.

What's Included:

• Guided tour along the Yamanobe-no-michi

Please Note:

• This tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness.
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems, heart conditions, or other serious medical concerns.

Explore nearby landmarks such as Omiwa Shrine, Isonokami Shrine, the Kurozuka Kofun Museum, and the Hashihaka Kofun at your own pace with an electric-assist bicycle.

Fee: 1,500 JPY per bike
Reservation: Please select as an option when booking your stay
Rental period: From 16:00 to 10:00 the next morning
Model: Panasonic EZ
Availability: 2 bikes (first come, first served)

Enjoy a quiet and special moment on the kofun with seasonal tea and sweets surrounded by nature.

Fee: 5,500 JPY (includes a 500 JPY kofun conservation fee)
Reservation: Please select as an option when booking your stay
Includes:

• Private kofun access
• Picnic set (picnic sheet, folding table, tea set)
• Seasonal tea (e.g., herbal blends, Yamato tea)
• 3 seasonal sweets

1. Herbal Toothpaste Making using natural and seasonal herbs
2. Incense Making with local herbs and plants

Fee: 3,000 JPY per person (overnight guests) / 5,000 JPY per person (day visitors)
Reservation: Please let us know at check-in
Schedule:  Monday–Friday, 10:00–11:00

Note: The workshop may not be available on some days
Day visitors: Please contact us at least 3 days in advance

▶︎ For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram :

• Hand-picking wild tea leaves growing on the kofun
• Crafting with akamagashiwa (Japanese oak) leaves
• Making wild herb cola with foraged lemons and plants from the Yamanobe trail
• Weaving sacred straw ropes (shimenawa) using reeds from the makomo (Manchurian wild rice) plant
• Felting wool from local sheep into handmade hats
• Preparing traditional kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi)
• Blending herbal broth packs for a medicinal hot pot
• Making natural incense from wild herbs
• Creating seasonal bath salts with healing ingredients