Countryside Experience, Welcomed by Forest Family
Overview
Overview
About 40 minutes from Takayama, this private experience takes you to a rural mountain community where the same family has lived for more than 150 years.
Cedar is one of the most important materials in Hida. It has long been used for traditional architecture, craftsmanship, and sake culture. During the experience, you will visit the family farmhouse, explore the cedar forest they manage, and make a sugidama—the cedar ball displayed outside Japanese sake breweries to announce a new brew.
Rather than a strenuous outdoor activity, this is a gentle cultural experience focused on local life, forestry, craftsmanship, and conversation with the host family.
About 40 minutes from Takayama, this private experience takes you to a rural mountain community where the same family has lived for more than 150 years.
Cedar is one of the most important materials in Hida. It has long been used for traditional architecture, craftsmanship, and sake culture. During the experience, you will visit the family farmhouse, explore the cedar forest they manage, and make a sugidama—the cedar ball displayed outside Japanese sake breweries to announce a new brew.
Rather than a strenuous outdoor activity, this is a gentle cultural experience focused on local life, forestry, craftsmanship, and conversation with the host family.
What to Expect
What to Expect
What's Included & What's Not
What's Included & What's Not
Your host
Foresters and craftspeople
Foresters and craftspeople
Masatoshi
The host family has cared for these mountains for generations. They continue traditional forestry work and the craft of making sugidama for sake breweries. An English-speaking cultural interpreter helps create natural conversation and cultural exchange throughout the experience.
The host family has cared for these mountains for generations. They continue traditional forestry work and the craft of making sugidama for sake breweries. An English-speaking cultural interpreter helps create natural conversation and cultural exchange throughout the experience.
Place
A farmhouse surrounded by cedar mountains
Hagiwara, Gifu
Located in a quiet rural area about 40 minutes from Takayama, this 150-year-old farmhouse remains a lived-in family home. The surrounding cedar forest is still actively managed, offering a rare opportunity to experience the relationship between mountain, forest, and everyday life in Hida.
Located in a quiet rural area about 40 minutes from Takayama, this 150-year-old farmhouse remains a lived-in family home. The surrounding cedar forest is still actively managed, offering a rare opportunity to experience the relationship between mountain, forest, and everyday life in Hida.
Available options
Private transfer
Pick-up from the nearest station is already included. For groups of six or fewer, we can also arrange a private door-to-door transfer from your hotel in Takayama. We can arrange this for small groups—please mention it when sending your inquiry.
Private transfer
Pick-up from the nearest station is already included. For groups of six or fewer, we can also arrange a private door-to-door transfer from your hotel in Takayama. We can arrange this for small groups—please mention it when sending your inquiry.
¥30,000
/Adult
Under 12:
¥15,000
3 & under:
¥0
Please note that solo travelers are charged the two-person rate.
This is a booking request, not a confirmation. We’ll contact you within 24 hours to confirm your details.
Why Countryside?
The value is the exchange.
Takayama's old town shows the beauty of Hida. The countryside reveals the life that still sustains it. By spending time with one family, you begin to understand how they think about the forest, the seasons, work, and community. And often, when we encounter another person's ordinary life, we see our own values more clearly.
This is not a day of collecting sights. It is a day of sharing time.
FAQ
FAQ
Does the experience run all year?
Does the experience run all year?
Is this experience suitable for children?
Is this experience suitable for children?
Do the hosts speak English?
Do the hosts speak English?
Can meals be arranged?
Can meals be arranged?
Is the hiking difficult?
Is the hiking difficult?
How do we get there?
How do we get there?
What is your cancellation policy?
What is your cancellation policy?
Is "Submit" a confirmed booking?
Is "Submit" a confirmed booking?
See other experiences
See other experiences
©2026 FOUR CIRCLES JAPAN, INC., All rights reserved.
©2026 FOUR CIRCLES JAPAN, INC., All rights reserved.
©2026 FOUR CIRCLES JAPAN, INC., All rights reserved.
From
¥30,000
RESERVE