Private day trip · Day trip from Tokyo
Kiyotsu Gorge & Sake - Private Day Tour from Tokyo
The Tunnel of Light - a mirror pool at the end of a tunnel in one of Japan's three great gorges - then sake tasting from 100 Niigata breweries and a station foot bath. One fixed price per group.
Private · your group only◆12 hours◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private day, 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
At the end of a 750-metre tunnel in the mountains of Niigata is a chamber with a shallow pool of water across its floor. Beyond it, framed by the tunnel mouth, is Kiyotsu Gorge – cliffs of columnar rock, the river far below – and the pool reflects it all. The Tunnel of Light is one of the most photographed places in Japan and almost nobody takes foreign visitors there, because it is a three-hour drive from Tokyo with no easy train. That is what the van is for.
We collect you at your hotel early and drive north through the mountains, over the Mikuni Pass and into snow country. Your guide walks you through the tunnel with its four coloured lookout points to the final mirror chamber, where you can wade into the water for the classic silhouette photograph.
Lunch is Hegi soba, the local buckwheat noodles bound with seaweed, served on a wooden tray. Then we drive to Echigo-Yuzawa station, where the Ponshukan tasting hall lets you sample sake from around 100 Niigata breweries from coin-operated dispensers – Niigata is Japan’s most famous sake prefecture, and this is the whole prefecture in one room. Your guide drives, so you can taste freely.
We finish at the free foot bath by the station and, from mid October to early November, stop for autumn colour on the drive home. Back in Tokyo in the evening.
What you pay is what you pay
The price is one fixed amount for your whole group: the private van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide for the day. There are no per-person supplements and no booking fees. Tunnel entry, sake tasting coins and lunch are paid by each guest on the day.
Good to know
The tunnel closes for winter from roughly January to mid April and on some weekdays in other months; we confirm for your date before you book. In snow season the drive is longer.
Flexible day
This is your private tour, so the day is flexible. If you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby, write it in the booking notes or tell your driver-guide on the day and we will adjust the route where time allows.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel of Light - the famous mirror pool at the tunnel's end
- One of Japan's three great gorges, columnar cliffs and river far below
- Taste sake from 100 Niigata breweries at Ponshukan in Echigo-Yuzawa
- Hegi soba lunch and a free foot bath by the station
- Your guide drives, you taste - private van from your Tokyo hotel
Said plainly
This is a long day, about 12 hours with roughly 6 hours of driving; the van is comfortable and there are stops. The tunnel is flat and easy to walk; bring shoes you can get wet if you want to stand in the mirror pool. The tunnel closes from about January to mid April and on some weekdays; we confirm your date before the tour and offer another date or a full refund if it is closed. Entry, tasting and lunch are paid by you on the day. Pickup and drop-off can be changed on request at no extra cost. Travelling with small children? Tell us their ages when booking and we will confirm the child-seat arrangement for your date. The day is flexible: to skip a stop, stay longer or add a place nearby, write it in the booking notes or tell your driver-guide on the day.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel of Light - the famous mirror pool at the tunnel's end
One of Japan's three great gorges, columnar cliffs and river far below
Taste sake from 100 Niigata breweries at Ponshukan in Echigo-Yuzawa
Hegi soba lunch and a free foot bath by the station
Your guide drives, you taste - private van from your Tokyo hotel
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private air-conditioned van for your group only
- English, Urdu or Hindi speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Tokyo's 23 wards
- Fuel, expressway tolls and parking
- Bottled water
- Child seat free on request
- One fixed price for the whole group - no hidden charges and no per-person supplements
Yours — paid on the day
- Kiyotsu Gorge tunnel entry (about 1,000 yen per adult, paid at the gate)
- Sake tasting coins (about 500 yen for five cups)
- Lunch and snacks
- Gratuities (never expected)
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 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.
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
Ready to reserve?
Choose a live date and complete secure payment in a few minutes.
From¥55,000
Check dates