3-Day Trip

SAMURAI Culture Tour in Gunma

Discover the Itinerary of a Lost Story That Connects the Samurai to America.

Suggested by

Peter Mow

Tour operated by

Gunma Travel

This Itinerary of an Samurai Tour in Gunma is from a Tour called 'Hidden Japan: A Story of Sake, Samurai, and Tradition' run by Gunma Travel. For a link to their official page, please scroll to the bottom. Also please read the in-depth interview with Peter here.

Gunma Travel specializes in unique, insider experiences in Gunma prefecture. They are known for creating memorable trips with a wide range of services, including custom tour planning, transportation, and multilingual guides.

Your Journey

Day 1

STOP.1

Touzenji Temple

STOP.2

Sake Tasting

STOP.3

Ikaho Onsen

Day 2

STOP.4

Shojin Cuisin Lunch

STOP.5

Samurai Experience

STOP.6

Premium Local Dinner (SUKIYAKI & Sake Tasting)

STOP.7

Night in Takasaki

Day 3

STOP.8

Daruma Painting

SAMURAI Culture Tour in Gunma

Meet & Greet

JR Takasaki Station
(50min from Tokyo Station)

Stop

Larn about the last samurai (Tozenji Temple)

Hidden History, Culture, Samurai

First stop is Tozenji Temple where you will learn about Oguri Kozukenosuke, the story of the last samurai who was erased from history. Oguri was the very first bridge between the samurai and the USA that led Japan into the modern age. With the help of a knowledgeable local guide you will uncover the lost story of the very first bridge between the samurai and the USA that led Japan into the modern age. You will also be invited to go inside Tozenji Temple to see a personal collection of rich history from that ara.

Why did I choose here?

Stop

Sake Tasting
(Makino Shuzo, Sake Brewery)

Culture, Tradition, Food & Drink

Next, you will journey to Makino Brewery, Gunma’s oldest sake brewery with over 300 years of history. This brewery is where the story of the tour’s central figure, Oguri Kozukenosuke, comes to life.

Villagers are said to have raised a massive sake vessel to congratulate Oguri Kozukenosuke for his return from a groundbreaking trip to America. You will meet the head brewer, who will guide you through a tasting of several of their award-winning sakes, including a brand named in honor of Oguri’s successful mission.

Why did I choose here?

Stop

Ikaho Onsen

Hot spring Culture (Onsen), Tradition, Wellness

Accommodations on the first night are located in the nearby onsen town of Ikaho.

Gorgeous mountain views and retro vibes can be enjoyed from the town’s iconic stone steps. You’ll stay in a ‘ryokan’, a traditional Japanese-style inn that serves extravagant meals and features elegant natural onsen baths.

Relax and spend an evening as a well-to-do samurai may have hundreds of years ago.

Why did I choose here?

Day2

Ikaho Onsen

Stop

Shojin Cuisin Lunch

Gastronomy, Culture, Healthy Food

Before the intensity of the dojo, your body and mind will be nourished with a special lunch at the serene Ichirodo Café. The meal is a modern interpretation of Shojin Ryori, the traditional vegetarian cuisine of Buddhist monks. Beautifully presented, this seasonal, plate-style lunch is both delicious and restorative, providing a moment of calm and mindfulness before the afternoon’s activities.

Why did I choose here?

Stop

Samurai Experience
(Ryuseikan Kendo Doujo)

Samurai Culture, Meditation, Unique Kendo Experience, Japanese Fencing, Taught by Kendo Master

Your first stop is a local dojo where you will come face-to-face with the spirit of the samurai. Here, you will learn the basics of Kendo—the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship—from an experienced teacher. You won’t just be a spectator; you will change into traditional Kendo training wear (kendo-gi), learn about the history and etiquette of the art, and feel the intensity of the dojo. The experience culminates in a brief, guided sparring session, providing you with a profound, hands-on appreciation for the discipline and focus of a warrior.

Why did I choose here?

Stop

Premium Dinner with Local Ingredients (Sukiyaki & Sake)

Gastronomy, Wagyu, Japanese Culture, Luxury

Prepare for a true culinary event. For dinner, you will indulge in the ultimate sukiyaki course at Restaurant Yanagawa Mikumano, conveniently located within your hotel. Gunma is renowned for being the home of sukiyaki, and this dish showcases the best of the region’s ingredients, including premium local Wagyu beef. This exquisite dinner is perfectly paired with sake from Makino Brewery, creating a seamless connection between history and flavor.

Why did I choose here?

Stop

Hotel Grand View Takasaki

Relax, Luxury Stay

Your accommodation for the night is a hand-picked Luxury Twin room at the Hotel Grandview Takasaki. This hotel is perfect for relaxing or exploring Takasaki’s nightlife. Unwind in the reclining massage chair or soak in your private jacuzzi bath with stunning cityscape views. Your stay also includes full access to the hotel’s rooftop “Sky Spa,” featuring indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and a sauna—the perfect, luxurious end to an adventurous day.

*In the case that reservations are unavailable at Hotel Grand View Takasaki, accommodations at a similar 3-star hotel will be arranged.

Why did I choose here?

Day3

Takasaki

Stop

Daruma Painting (Studio)

Japanese Culture, Handcraft, Creative Experience, Daruma

Learn about the symbolism and history of the daruma as you tour the workshop and get an inside look at how they’re made. Then pick up your brush and get to painting your own custom daruma to take home.

Why did I choose here?

JR Takasaki Station

Farewell
&
Goodbye

Back to Tokyo

TOKYO Station

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Click to inquire out about this unforgettable journey .

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Ask us for a custom-made SAMURAI Tour in Takasaki

Gunma Travel

The local expertise behind your tours near Tokyo

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Guest enjoying Kendo from a Kendo Master on the Samurai Tour in Gunma

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3-Day Trip

SAMURAI Culture Tour in Gunma

Discover the Itinerary of a Lost Story That Connects the Samurai to America.

Suggested by

Peter Mow

Tour operated by

Gunma Travel

This Itinerary of an Samurai Tour in Gunma is from a Tour called 'Hidden Japan: A Story of Sake, Samurai, and Tradition' run by Gunma Travel. For a link to their official page, please scroll to the bottom. Also please read the in-depth interview with Peter here.

Gunma Travel specializes in unique, insider experiences in Gunma prefecture. They are known for creating memorable trips with a wide range of services, including custom tour planning, transportation, and multilingual guides.

Your Journey

Day 1

Touzenji Temple

Sake Tasting

Ikaho Onsen

Day 2

Shojin Cuisin Lunch

Samurai Experience

Premium Local Dinner (SUKIYAKI & Sake Tasting)

Night in Takasaki

Day 3

Daruma Painting

SAMURAI Culture Tour in Gunma

Meet & Greet

JR Takasaki Station (50min from Tokyo Station)

Larn about the last samurai (Tozenji Temple)

Hidden History, Culture, Samurai

Sake Tasting (Makino Shuzo, Sake Brewery)

Culture, Tradition, Food & Drink

Ikaho Onsen

Hot spring Culture (Onsen), Tradition, Wellness

Day2

Ikaho Onsen

Shojin Cuisin Lunch

Gastronomy, Culture, Healthy Food

Samurai Experience (Ryuseikan Kendo Doujo)

Samurai Culture, Meditation, Unique Kendo Experience, Japanese Fencing, Taught by Kendo Master

Premium Dinner with Local Ingredients (Sukiyaki & Sake)

Gastronomy, Wagyu, Japanese Culture, Luxury

Hotel Grand View Takasaki

Relax, Luxury Stay

Day3

Takasaki

Daruma Painting (Studio)

Japanese Culture, Handcraft, Creative Experience, Daruma

JR Takasaki Station

Farewell & Goodbye

Back to Tokyo

TOKYO Station

Would you like to experience this?

Need More Ideas?

Search for more itineraries

Samurai Culture Tour in Gunma

8 Stops

Suggested by

Peter Mow

Samurai Culture Tour in Gunma

Suggested By

Peter Mow

Experience the road to Nikko

7 Stops

Suggested by

Angus Miyaji

Experience the road to Nikko

Suggested By

Angus Miyaji

Support local communities through Edo-Heritage in Nasu-Shiobara

3 Stops

Suggested by

Angus Miyaji

Support local communities through Edo-Heritage in Nasu-Shiobara

Suggested By

Angus Miyaji

Search For More Itineraries

The more you explore, the more excited you'll be. Utsonomiya is now on everyone's radar.

Planner

Tabiiro Editorial Department

Ask us for a custom-made SAMURAI Tour in Takasaki

Gunma Travel

The local expertise behind your tours near Tokyo

Craft

JR Takasaki Station
(50min from Tokyo Station)

Sake Tasting
(Makino Shuzo, Sake Brewery)

Samurai Experience
(Ryuseikan Kendo Doujo)

Farewell
&
Goodbye