Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 2-Day Tendo Shogi & Onsen Customizable Tour
Carve your own wooden shogi piece in Tendo, the town that makes most of Japan's shogi pieces, then relax in Tendo Onsen hot springs.
Private · your group only◆2 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Shogi is Japanese chess. Tendo in Yamagata makes most of the wooden shogi pieces used in Japan, and the town loves the game. You see giant shogi pieces on the streets, on the station and even on manhole covers. On this 2-day trip you learn the craft and make your own piece.
On day 1 your driver-guide picks you up at your hotel in central Tokyo and drives north, with rest stops. In the afternoon you visit the Tendo Shogi Museum to learn the history of the game and see old and rare pieces. Then you go to Shogimura Tendo Tower for a hands-on workshop. An instructor shows you how to carve characters into a wooden shogi piece with a small chisel. You keep the piece you made. In the evening you stay at Tendo Onsen, a hot spring town in the city.
On day 2 you take a hot spring bath in the morning, then walk up to Maizuru Park on a hill above the town. Each year in late April, people dressed as samurai play human shogi here on a giant board during the cherry blossom festival. You also get wide views over the Yamagata basin. After lunch you drive back to your Tokyo hotel, arriving in the evening.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 guests, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu. If the shogi workshop is closed on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead join the shorter shogi piece painting class at the same place.
DAY 1 Pickup in Tokyo, drive to Tendo, Tendo Shogi Museum, shogi piece carving workshop
DAY 2 Hot spring bath, Maizuru Park, drive back to your Tokyo hotel
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Carve your own wooden shogi piece with a chisel
- Learn shogi history at the Tendo Shogi Museum
- Stay in the hot spring town of Tendo Onsen
- Visit Maizuru Park, home of Tendo's human shogi event
- Spot shogi pieces all over the town
Said plainly
Tendo is about 360 km from Tokyo. Expect about 5 hours of driving each way Human shogi is played only in late April during the Tendo cherry blossom festival. At other times you visit the park, but there is no game If the shogi workshop is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead join the shorter shogi piece painting class at the same place Carving uses sharp tools. Children must be watched by an adult
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Carve your own wooden shogi piece with a chisel
Learn shogi history at the Tendo Shogi Museum
Stay in the hot spring town of Tendo Onsen
Visit Maizuru Park, home of Tendo's human shogi event
Spot shogi pieces all over the town
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Shogi piece carving workshop fee
- Tendo Shogi Museum entry
- Hot spring bath entry
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Tendo)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional shogi sets and souvenir purchases
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥199,000
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