Experience
Japanese Cultural Experience and Sake Tasting Guided Tour in Nara’s Koriyama Castle Town
Experience Traditional Japanese Culture in the Historic Castle Town of Yamato-Koriyama
Immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of Yamato-Koriyama, a castle town rich in history.
Enjoy traditional Japanese festival (Ennichi) and tea culture experiences, try your hand at kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping)—a specialty of this “goldfish town”—and take a relaxing break at Nara's oldest sweets shop.
Afterward, your guide will lead you to the historic Koriyama Castle Ruins, one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots, where you can admire the breathtaking view from the castle's stone base (tenshudai).
Conclude your tour with a delightful meal paired with a tasting of three varieties of local sake from a nearby brewery.
Details of the experience
◇◆Tour Schedule◆◇
10:20 – Meet your guide at the ticket gate of JR Koriyama Station.
The guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
10:35 – Goldfish Scooping Experience at Kochikuya
Try your hand at the traditional kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping), a charming local pastime unique to the “Goldfish Town.”
11:10 – Tea & Sweets Break at Honke Kikuya
Relax with roasted green tea (hojicha) and traditional Japanese confections from Nara's oldest sweets shop.
11:50 – Guided Stroll at the Historic Koriyama Castle Ruins
Explore the scenic castle site, one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, and enjoy the view from the castle base (tenshudai).
13:15 – Lunch with Sake Tasting
Savor a delicious meal paired with a tasting of three varieties of locally brewed sake.
10:20 – Meet your guide at the ticket gate of JR Koriyama Station.
The guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
10:35 – Goldfish Scooping Experience at Kochikuya
Try your hand at the traditional kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping), a charming local pastime unique to the “Goldfish Town.”
11:10 – Tea & Sweets Break at Honke Kikuya
Relax with roasted green tea (hojicha) and traditional Japanese confections from Nara's oldest sweets shop.
11:50 – Guided Stroll at the Historic Koriyama Castle Ruins
Explore the scenic castle site, one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, and enjoy the view from the castle base (tenshudai).
13:15 – Lunch with Sake Tasting
Savor a delicious meal paired with a tasting of three varieties of locally brewed sake.
10:35 – Goldfish Scooping Experience
Enter the Kingyo Sukui Dojo, a goldfish scooping workshop located next to a souvenir shop that sells charming goldfish-themed accessories and gifts featuring designs of Koriyama's temples and historical landmarks.
Goldfish scooping (kingyo-sukui) is an essential part of Japanese summer festivals. Using a fragile paper scoop called a Poi, participants try to gently catch goldfish from the water. Because the paper easily tears when wet, it requires delicate movements and a calm hand.
This activity is not only fun but also teaches the importance of treating living creatures with care and respect—move gently, slowly, and quietly so the goldfish are not harmed or exhausted.
Listen to the rules of kingyo-sukui and enjoy this delightful part of Japan's traditional festival culture.
(Please note: all goldfish are released afterward and cannot be taken home.)
Enter the Kingyo Sukui Dojo, a goldfish scooping workshop located next to a souvenir shop that sells charming goldfish-themed accessories and gifts featuring designs of Koriyama's temples and historical landmarks.
Goldfish scooping (kingyo-sukui) is an essential part of Japanese summer festivals. Using a fragile paper scoop called a Poi, participants try to gently catch goldfish from the water. Because the paper easily tears when wet, it requires delicate movements and a calm hand.
This activity is not only fun but also teaches the importance of treating living creatures with care and respect—move gently, slowly, and quietly so the goldfish are not harmed or exhausted.
Listen to the rules of kingyo-sukui and enjoy this delightful part of Japan's traditional festival culture.
(Please note: all goldfish are released afterward and cannot be taken home.)
11:10 – Tea & Japanese Sweets Break
Take a relaxing break at a long-established Japanese sweets shop with over 400 years of history in Nara Prefecture.
Enjoy a serving of Hojicha (roasted green tea) and the shop’s signature sweet, “Oshiro-no-Kuchi Mochi” —a bite-sized rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and lightly dusted with roasted soybean flour (kinako).
Savor the gentle flavors of this traditional treat and warm tea as you take a moment to unwind in front of this historic shop.
Take a relaxing break at a long-established Japanese sweets shop with over 400 years of history in Nara Prefecture.
Enjoy a serving of Hojicha (roasted green tea) and the shop’s signature sweet, “Oshiro-no-Kuchi Mochi” —a bite-sized rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and lightly dusted with roasted soybean flour (kinako).
Savor the gentle flavors of this traditional treat and warm tea as you take a moment to unwind in front of this historic shop.
11:50 – Guided Visit to the Historic Koriyama Castle Ruins
Your guide will lead you through the Historic Koriyama Castle Ruins, where a magnificent five-story castle once stood.
Today, the remaining stone walls and moats beautifully preserve the atmosphere of the past.
In spring, thousands of cherry trees bloom across the castle grounds, making it one of Nara's most beloved viewing spots and one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Locations.
Here, you can feel both the weight of history and the serene beauty of nature—a uniquely Nara experience.
Your guide will lead you through the Historic Koriyama Castle Ruins, where a magnificent five-story castle once stood.
Today, the remaining stone walls and moats beautifully preserve the atmosphere of the past.
In spring, thousands of cherry trees bloom across the castle grounds, making it one of Nara's most beloved viewing spots and one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Locations.
Here, you can feel both the weight of history and the serene beauty of nature—a uniquely Nara experience.
13:15 – Sake Tasting & Lunch Pairing
At Nakatani Sake Brewery Yanagimachi, which features both a sake brewing experience and a sake bar, enjoy a tasting of three varieties of Japanese sake crafted by local brewers.
Along with the tasting, you'll be served nine carefully selected small dishes designed to complement the delicate flavors of each sake.
After your meal, the tour will conclude.
At Nakatani Sake Brewery Yanagimachi, which features both a sake brewing experience and a sake bar, enjoy a tasting of three varieties of Japanese sake crafted by local brewers.
Along with the tasting, you'll be served nine carefully selected small dishes designed to complement the delicate flavors of each sake.
After your meal, the tour will conclude.
Experience data
- Time required
- Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Capacity
- 1 to 8 people
- Fee
- 22,000 yen/person
- About reservation
- Reservation required at least 3 days in advance
- Parking Lot
- Nearby parking (paid) *Please use public transportation if you are drinking alcohol.
Experience location
Nakatani Sake Brewery Yanagimachi Brewery
2-4 Yanagi, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture
