Special Interview – Hidden Samurai Culture Tour in Gunma Japan
Read this interview about the hidden samurai culture tour in Gunma, Japan, where guests can discover a story erased from history.
Peter Mow
(Gunma Travel)
(Gunma Travel)
Special Interview
Behind the Gunma SAMURAI Culture Tour
A Journey following the footsteaps of the LAST SAMURAI erased from history.
By Angus Miyaji
Just under an hour from the neon buzz of Tokyo lies Takasaki, a city with a hidden samurai story that could change the way you see modern Japan.
It’s the stage for a new, immersive 3-day journey, the “Samurai Culture Tour – Hidden Japan: A Story of Sake, Samurai, and Tradition”. We sat down with Peter Mow of Gunma Travel, the passionate creator behind this unique adventure, to understand what makes it so special.
Angus Miyaji
Nearby Tokyo
Peter, thanks for sitting down with me to discuss the new tour you created. The tour you created isn't just a sightseeing tour. It feels deeply personal.
What was the spark that led you and Gunma Travel to create this specific experience?
Peter Mow
(Gunma Travel)
Peter:
I’ve always believed that the best travel experiences are the ones that connect you to a place on a deeper level.
At Gunma Travel, our goal is to offer travelers a key to a door they didn’t even know existed. Takasaki is that door. It’s a place rich with authentic culture—from the oldest sake brewery in the region to the iconic Daruma dolls—but it’s the history here that holds the real secret. This tour was designed so people can come share and enjoy that secret with us.
That secret seems to revolve around a Samurai named Oguri Kozukenosuke.
Your tour material call him “the father of modern Japan,” yet someone who has been “erased from history“.
Why did you feel his story was important for visitors to Japan to experience?
Alexander Gardner – “Old photograph of the Bakumatsu and Meiji periods” ISBN 4404031122, Public Domain, wikimedia
By Unknown author – ten pound, Public Domain, wikimedia
Peter:
Because his story is one that connects America and Japan. Oguri Kozukenosuke was the first samurai to visit the United States on a diplomatic mission from his country.
He saw America’s industry and progress, and he knew it was the future. He returned to Japan with ideas that would ultimately help shape the modern nation. But due to political shifts, his life, legacy, and family were buried.
So, when our guests join us, they’re not just learning history; they’re uncovering the lost story of the very first bridge between the samurai and the USA that led Japan into the modern age.
To help guests connect with that history, you start with an introduction to Samurai and Oguri Kozukenosuke himself, followed by a visit to his favorite sake brewery to taste their best sake.
And you even touch on onsen culture ?
Peter:
That’s right. Seeing as the whole tour is themed around samurai, we want to help our guests build a base of knowledge – and have fun doing it – before diving deeper on the second day.
We want our guests to rest up for the main event, and what better way than to relax samurai-style with some good sake and a soak in the local hot springs.
It seems like the very hands-on Kendo session on day two is the highlight of this tour. What can you tell me about this experience?
Peter:
The samurai spirit is about more than just fighting; it’s about discipline and focus, something you can feel yourself during this Samurai Experience.
When you put on the Kendo-gi (the traditional Kendo training wear) and face an opponent with a bamboo sword in your hands, you feel a jolt of that intensity and discipline firsthand.
It’s about experiencing the physical and spiritual ideals of the samurai, not just hearing about them, and it connects you to that warrior mindset right away.
Let’s talk about the dinner, which sounds like an event in itself. You call it the “Ultimate Sukiyaki Dinner.” What makes it so special?
Peter:
It’s a true culinary centerpiece of the journey.
Sukiyaki is a quintessentially Japanese food, and all of its ingredients are made locally right here in Gunma. So, we treat our guests to an exquisite Sukiyaki course at Restaurant Yanagawa Mikumano, featuring local Japanese Wagyu and the freshest local ingredients.
And the best part? It comes with delicious sake from Makino Brewery—the oldest in the region, founded in 1690. Their award-winning brand is named in honor of Oguri Kozukenosuke’s successful trip to the US, so you’re literally tasting history as you dine.
And after such a culturally rich day and an incredible meal, how do you ensure your guests can Relax and Reflect?
Peter:
A journey should nourish the body and soul. At Gunma Travel, we believe that after a day of diving deep into history and challenging yourself with the way of the sword, you need to be able to relax and reflect in absolute comfort.
The hotel’s private jacuzzi and rooftop hot spring aren’t just amenities; they are part of the experience. They are the quiet, luxurious moments where our guests can process the day’s adventure and truly feel like they’ve escaped.
On Day 3, the tour concludes with another unique cultural experience.
Tell us about the final stop.
Peter:
That’s right. The Daruma doll is a lucky item known throughout Japan, and Takasaki happens to be its home. Believe it or not, 85% of the country’s Daruma dolls are made right here in Takasaki.
So, for the final stop, we take our guests for a tour of a local workshop where the tradition of making Daruma dolls has been passed down for generations. Guests get to meet a master craftsman and watch how he creates each Daruma one-by-one by hand before they learn about the deep symbolism of the doll, which embodies the samurai ideal of persistence.
Then, they sit down and paint their own custom Daruma, taking the finished piece home as a truly amazing and personal souvenir. It’s the perfect way to wrap everything together.
Finally, what would you like to say to someone who is thinking about taking this journey?
Peter:
If you are looking for a unique experience that is more than just a vacation, I invite you to join us.
This tour is for the curious traveler who wants to feel a real connection to Japan. It’s a chance to challenge yourself, to uncover a lost piece of history you won’t find in guidebooks, and to indulge in authentic food and comfort.
We handle every detail so you can immerse yourself in the story. My hope is that you will leave not just with photos, but with a new understanding of the samurai spirit, and a memory that truly stays with you.
We look forward to welcoming you to Takasaki!
Special Offer
To celebrate the official launch of the Takasaki Samurai Culture Tour, Gunma Travel is providing a special introductory offer of 10% off specially for Nearby Tokyo readers.
If you’ve been inspired by this journey into the world of samurai, craftsmanship, and luxury, this is the perfect opportunity to make it a reality. (Groups are kept small so all participants can enjoy)
The Special Offer:
10% discount
This offer is valid for the following tour dates only, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Available Tour Dates:
October 27-29 th, 2025 (Max 8 people)
November 15-17 th, 2025 (Max 8 people)
November 25-27 th, 2025 (Max 8 people)
How to inquire about the tour?
Ready to step into a story of warriors and artisans?
To find out the prices of the tour or to learn more about this unforgettable journey click here or on the banner below.
Interview by: Angus Miyaji
Founder of Nearby Tokyo and Japan World Link, Angus helps visitors discover off the beaten track destinations in the North Kanto regions (Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki & Saitama north of Tokyo). He regularly travels between Japan and the UK promoting tourism and Japanese sake.
