Heritage Experience in Nagoya with Local Crafts and Shrines

Founded nearly two thousand years ago, Atsuta Jingu has long been regarded as one of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines. While many visitors come to admire its tranquil cedar-lined pathways and beautiful architecture, the shrine's true significance lies in its connection to the legendary Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, the sacred sword that symbolizes the authority of the Japanese Imperial family. As you explore the expansive shrine grounds, your guide will introduce the myths surrounding the storm god Susanoo, the heroic prince Yamato Takeru, and the legends that transformed this shrine into one of the country's most important spiritual locations.

Your guide will lead you through the shrine’s impressive sword museum full of some of Japan’s most important samurai swords.

Enjoy free time for lunch near Atsuta Jingu. Your guide can provide recommendations based on your preferences, including local restaurants and Nagoya specialties.

Following lunch near the shrine, we'll make our way to the historic town of Arimatsu, located along the former Tokaido Road that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern Tokyo). Established in the early seventeenth century, Arimatsu transformed from a small roadside settlement into Japan's most famous center of Shibori, an intricate indigo-dyeing technique often described as Japanese tie-dye. Unlike modern tie-dye, however, Arimatsu Shibori is an extraordinarily refined textile art requiring hundreds, or even thousands, of tiny hand-tied bindings to create breathtaking geometric and organic patterns.

The highlight of your afternoon is a hands-on Shibori workshop, where you'll learn the fundamentals of this centuries-old craft directly from a local artisan. The artisan will demonstrate a few different tying techniques for you to try. After selecting your design and mastering the tying techniques, you'll dye the fabric yourself, creating a truly one of a kind souvenir. You will be able to take home your fabric with you the very same day!

You'll also get the chance to visit the Shibori Museum and watch experienced craftspeople demonstrate techniques that have been passed from generation to generation. Some of these methods are practiced by only a handful of artisans today, making this a rare opportunity to witness an important part of Japan's living artistic traditions. Before returning to Nagoya, you'll have time to browse local boutiques featuring handmade textiles, speak with artisans, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of one of Japan's finest preserved historic towns.

The tour concludes at Nagoya Station, where the guide will say their goodbyes. *We cannot guarantee the end time as traffic could cause delays. For guests booking onward tickets to other destinations, we recommend doing so for times of 17:30 or later.