Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 5-Day Hagi Samurai Town Customizable Tour
Walk the samurai streets of Hagi, see where the leaders of the Meiji Restoration studied, visit a UNESCO furnace and make Hagi-yaki pottery.
Private · your group only◆5 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
Hagi in Yamaguchi was the castle town of the Mori clan of Choshu. In the 1800s young men from this small town helped end the samurai age and build modern Japan in the Meiji Restoration.
On day 2 you visit Shoin Shrine and the small Shokasonjuku school in Matsumoto village. Here the teacher Yoshida Shoin taught students who later became leaders of Japan. Then you see the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, an early iron furnace that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for Meiji industrial history.
On day 3 you walk the old castle town, with earthen walls, samurai houses and merchant homes, and the Hagi Castle ruins in Shizuki Park by the sea.
You also join a hands-on Hagi-yaki pottery workshop. Hagi ware is soft-colored pottery loved by tea masters. Your piece is fired after the tour.
Your English-speaking driver-guide explains this turning point in Japanese history in plain words. This is a long drive, so the trip is spread over five days.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, one driver-guide, 1 to 6 guests, never shared with other travelers.
If the pottery workshop is closed on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead join a workshop at another Hagi kiln.
DAY 1 Pickup at your Tokyo hotel in the morning and drive west, overnight on the way (about 8 hours of driving).
DAY 2 Drive on to Hagi. Shoin Shrine, Shokasonjuku school and the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace.
DAY 3 Hagi castle town walk, Hagi Castle ruins and the Hagi-yaki pottery workshop.
DAY 4 Morning in Hagi, then drive east, overnight on the way.
DAY 5 Continue the drive and arrive back at your Tokyo hotel in the evening.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Shokasonjuku, the small school behind the Meiji leaders
- Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, part of a UNESCO site
- Samurai streets and earthen walls of the old castle town
- Hands-on Hagi-yaki pottery workshop
- Hagi Castle ruins in Shizuki Park by the sea
Said plainly
This tour has long drives, about 8 to 9 hours on day 1 and day 5. Your pottery is fired after the tour. Shipping abroad is optional and extra. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form. If the pottery 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 a workshop at another Hagi kiln.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Shokasonjuku, the small school behind the Meiji leaders
Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, part of a UNESCO site
Samurai streets and earthen walls of the old castle town
Hands-on Hagi-yaki pottery workshop
Hagi Castle ruins in Shizuki Park by the sea
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide (Hindi and Urdu also spoken)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Hagi-yaki pottery workshop fee
- Hagi Castle ruins entry fee
- Samurai house and museum entry fees on the walk
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Hagi and the two towns on the way)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional shipping of your finished pottery
- Optional 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.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
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From¥396,000
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