The Kikuchi River Valley
Fitness Retreats
The Kikuchi River Valley Fitness Retreats
〜Follow in Kanakuri’s footsteps〜
  • The Kikuchi River Valley Fitness Retreats
    〜Follow in Kanakuri’s footsteps〜

    Tamana City, Nagomi Town, Yamaga City, Kikuchi City are all located in the northern part of Kumamoto. In between Mt. Aso and the Ariake Sea, this area is blessed with fertile soil and has grown rice for more than 2,000 years. The picturesque countryside scenery here remains untouched. In 2017, the area was certified as Japan Heritage.
    Here you will also find the birthplace of Japan’s first Olympian, Shiso Kanakuri, who is also known as Japan’s very first marathon runner. This area has much to offer tourists, with hot springs and an abundance of places to enjoy running, walking, and picnics.



    Product line up for 2021

    Travel products1
    Travel products 1

    【Day trip】

    Irises coloring Tamana and Tamana City Maranic Day trip

    高瀬しょうぶ・高瀬まち歩き
    itinerary Tamana Onsengai BS(9:30)バスTamana Nakamachi BS・・・Iris, Wharf, “Uronkoron” Takase strolling ※guided tour・・・/・・・・HIKE(Lunch)・・・Tamana Nakamachi BSバスShintamana Station BS・・・Tamana Maranic(Applicants)・・・・Shintamana Station BSバスTamana Shiyakusyo BS(16:00)・・・・・・Tsukasa no yu (Hot spring experience)

    バスScheduled bus、・・・On foot

    

Japanese Irises are best at Tamana, you can enjoy blue and white flowers blooming in May or June. Stone bridges, walls and old merchant houses remains at Takase-ura River. With a local guide accompanying, stroll the Tamana Takase area which flourished during Edo Era as a rice market. After strolling, you may enjoy walking or jogging the 9.5km or 11.4km course following the trace of the first Japanese Olympian, Mr. Shiso Kanakuri who is known as the “Father of marathon” in Japan. You can visit the historical sites and cities in Tamana, Nature and Traces of Mr. Shiso Kanakuri. After working up a good sweat, soak in the hot springs of Tamana Onsen, healing and relaxation for the body and soul. This is a day trip including Hot spring bath fee. 

    《Services included in tour》  ●Scheduled bus fare described in Itinerary ●Meal(1Lunch)
    ●Guide fee ●Hot Spring bath fee
    Departure date 23th May ~12th June 2021 Weekdays Meals 1 Lunch
    Tour fee 4,500yen per Adult(3,500yen per child) Tour Escort Will not accompany
    Minimum number of participants 2 persons
    Travel products2
    Travel products2

    【1 night trip】

    Irises coloring Tamana and Tamana City Maranic 1 night trip A plan

    高瀬しょうぶ・高瀬まち歩き
    Day 1 One night stay at Tamana Onsen (including 2 meals)
    Day 2 Hotel・・・ Tamana Onsengai BS(9:25)バスTamana Nakamachi BS・・・・・・ Iris, Wharf, “Uronkoron” Takase strolling ※guided tour  ・・・ HIKE(Lunch)・・・ Tamana Nakamachi BSバスShintamana Station BS・・・Tamana Maranic(Applicants) ・・・・ Shintamana Station BSバスTamana Shiyakusyo(16:00)バス・・・Tsukasa no yu (Hot spring experience)

    バス/ Scheduled bus、・・・On foot

    One night trip at Tamana Hot springs, known for replenishing the skin. After accommodating in Tamana, stroll the historical and cultural cities of Tamana with a local guide. Japanese Irises are best at Tamana, you can enjoy blue and white flowers blooming in May or June. Stone bridges, walls and old merchant houses remains at Takase-ura River. With a local guide accompanying, stroll the Tamana Takase area which flourished during Edo Era as a rice market. After strolling, you may enjoy walking or jogging the 9.5km or 11.4km course following the trace of the first Japanese Olympian, Mr. Shiso Kanakuri who is known as the “Father of marathon” in Japan. You can visit the historical sites and cities in Tamana, Nature and Traces of Mr. Shiso Kanakuri. After working up a good sweat, soak in the hot springs of Tamana Onsen, healing and relaxation for the body and soul. This plan is a night trip that you can enjoy the best season during the Iris Festival held in Tamana.
    《Services included in tour》
    ● Scheduled bus fare described in Itinerary ● Accommodation fee(Room for two or more/2 meals included)
    ● Meal(1 Lunch) ●Guide fee ●Hot Spring bath fee
    Departure date 23th May ~12th June 2021 (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) Meals 1 breakfast, 1 lunch , 1 dinner included
    Tour fee 24,000yen per Adult(14,000yen per child) Tour Escort Will not accompany
    Minimum number of participants 2 persons Accommodation Koganekan
    Travel products3
    Travel products 3

    【1 night trip】

    Kikuchi Gorge strolling, Kikuchi City Maranic(15㎞)and Japanese rural life experience 1 night trip

     菊池渓谷散策、菊池市内マラニック
    Day 1 Shin Tamana Station BSバスYamaga Hot Springs BSバスKikuchi Onsen Shimin Hirobamae BS――Transfer by Host family――Kikuchi Gorge stroll/ Maranic(15㎞)・・・・・ Kikuchi Onsen Shimin Hirobamae BS ―――Transfer by Host family ―――― Staying at private home in Kikuchi(2 meals included)
    Day 2 Private home(Rural life experience, lunch)――Transfer by Host family―― Kikuchi Onsen Shimin Hirobamae BS(12:50)バス Yamaga Hot Springs BS (Yachiyoza)・・・・・・・・・・Yachiyoza Theater, Komekome Somon tour・・・Yamaga Shitamachi(17:10)バスShin Tamana Station BS(17:50)

    バス/ Scheduled bus、・・・On foot

    Taking a 30km ride to Kikuchi from Tamana, experience a 1 night rural life of Japanese country home in Kikuchi, and take a Komekome Somon Tour visiting shops and temples in the street of Yamaga. At the first day, you can enjoy the beautiful streams and forests at Kikuchi Gorge. After 15 km maranic to the Kikuchi City, meet your host family and enjoy dinner at their private home. Next day you will experience Japanese rural life with your host family. This would absolutely a memorable experience in your life.
    《Services included in tour》
    ● Scheduled bus fare described in Itinerary ●Accommodation fee(Room for two or more/2 meals included)
    ● Meal(1 Lunch) ●Komekome somon Tour fee
    Departure date 1st April ~30th September 2021 Saturday,Sunday Meals 1 breakfast, 1 lunch , 1 dinner included
    Tour fee 16,000yen per Adult(14,000yen per child) Tour Escort Will not accompany
    Minimum number of participants 2 persons Accommodation Kakinoha-an or similar class hotel
    Travel products4
    Travel products 4

    【1 night trip】

    Shiso Kanakuri residence & Kanakuri road Maranic(5㎞)1 night trip by taxi

    タクシー利用 金栗四三生家と金栗ロードマラニック
    Day 1 Shin Tamana Station(13:00)タクシー(From Nankan via Kanakuri road) Hananoka Breweryタクシー Shiso Kanakuri residence・・・・・・Kanakuri road Maranic(5㎞)・God of stomach・God Shichiro・God of Teeth・・・・・Nankan Daisan Elementary School ※Taxi to stand by(16:00)タクシーYamaga Hot Spring ※2 meals included(1 night stay)(16:30)
    Day 2 Hotel(9:00)タクシー Yachiyoza Theater, Komekome Somon tourタクシー Kikuchi Castle・Kaizuka Observatoryタクシー Mamatoco kitchen(Lunch)タクシーFudoiwa ObservatoryタクシーShin Tamana Station(15:10)

    タクシー/TAXI、・・・On foot

    This tour is to trace the footsteps of the first Japanese Olympian, the father of marathon, Shiso Kanakuri by taxi. On the first day you will visit Kanakuri’ s residence, and stroll or run the 5kms young Kanakuri ran daily when he was at elementary school. One night stay at Yamaga Hot Springs, and refresh yourself. Next day, visit the Somon area of Yamaga, where the Buzen road meets the Kikuchi river, participate a walking tour of the town on the theme of rice. Also visit the old Yachiyo-za Theater. After visiting Kikuchi Castle, lunch is served at Mamatoco kitchen. Last, visit and enjoy the great view from Fudoiwa Observatory. This is a very comfortable one night tour, using a private taxi.
    《Services included in tour》
    ● Taxi(small) fare described in Itinerary ● Accommodation fee(Room for two or more/2 meals included)
    ● Meal (1 Lunch) ●Yachiyoza Theater admission ●Komekome somon Tour fee
    Departure date 1st April ~30th September 2021 Daily Meals 1 breakfast, 1 lunch , 1 dinner included
    Tour fee 51,000yen per Adult(41,000yen per child) Tour Escort Will not accompany
    Minimum number of participants 2 persons Accommodation Seiryuso(Yamaga Hot spring)
    Travel products5
    Travel products 5

    【Guide tour with Shiso Kanakuri’s relative Ms. Michiko Ichihara 1 night tour】

    Kikuchi River Japanese Wax tree lined path Maranic(2㎞)


    Day 1 Tamana Hot Springs(10:00)バスShin Tamana Station(10:20)バスShiso Kanakuri Residenceバスikuchi River Warf・Takase Town stroll・Lunch ※Guided tourバス/バスKikuchi River Japanese Wax tree lined path Maranic(2㎞)バスYamaga Hot Springs (1 night stay / 2 meals included)(16:30)
    Day 2 Yamaga Hot Springsm(9:00)バスYachiyoza Theater admission/Komekome somon Tour feeバスKikuchi(Lunch)バスKikuchi Gorge ※Entrance fee to be paid on siteバスShin Tamana Station(16:20)バスTamana Hot Springs(16:30)

    バス/ Chartered bus 、・・・徒歩

    Ms. Michiko Ichihara, the interpreter guide of this tour, her husband’s Mother was Shiso Kanakuri’s niece, and tells impressive episodes of Shiso Kanakuri to her foreign customers. She will be accompanying the whole tour, you may have an opportunity to hear interesting stories about Kanakuri. Chartered bus will be a comfortable choice for having no risks for transportation. On the first day you will visit Kanakuri’ s residence, stroll the Tamana Takase area which flourished during Edo Era as a rice market. Iris is beautiful at this area from May to June. We will be moving to Kikuchi River, run or walk about 2kms. Overnight stay at Yamaga Hot Springs, soak in the hot waters, healing and relaxation for the body and soul. Next day, visit the Somon area of Yamaga, where the Buzen road meets the Kikuchi river, participate a walking tour of the town on the theme of rice. Also visits the old Yachiyo-za Theater. After lunch at Kikuchi, you can enjoy strolling among the beautiful streams and forests at Kikuchi Gorge. The tour will be fully guided, and private transportation provided. Recommended for groups.
    《Services included in tour》
    ●Chartered mini bus ● Accommodation fee(Room for two or more/2 meals included)
    ● Meal(2 LLunch) ●Yachiyoza Theater admission ●Komekome somon Tour fee
    Departure date 4th June,12th June 2021 Meals 1 breakfast, 2 lunch , 1 dinner included
    Tour fee 33,000〜43,000yen per Adult(25000〜33,000yen per child) Tour Escort Interpreter guide will accompany
    Minimum number of participants 15 persons Accomodation Seiryuso(Yamaga Hot spring)or Fuji hotel

    Our new tours are coming soon!
    NEWS 3

    We conducted an online workshop on Feb 8th. People living in the Kikuchi River Valley discussed the new tour. Opinions and suggestions from the 14 participants who attended the trial tour last December were reported during the workshop. Our new tours, including these points below, will start this coming March. 
①The target of the new tours is repeat tourists to Japan who are interested in Japanese lifestyle, history and culture.
    
②The tours include 2 to 15 km running or walking which is suitable for beginners.
    ③The tours include strolling around the old town of Takase with a local guide, joining the local tour in Yamaga called “Kome kome somon tour”, or visiting Yachiyo-za theater located on the old highway of Buzen in Yamaga.
    ④Tour guests can experience popular hot springs and local cuisine.
    ⑤There are various kinds of transportation methods such as public transportation, or a chartered taxi, depending on the tour. Look forward to them!

    We are planning new tours with non-Japanese citizens residing in Fukuoka.
    NEWS 2

    From Dec 12 to Dec 13, 2020, we conducted a trial tour which included running or walking through Northern Kumamoto. Fourteen residents who are from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the U.S. participated in the tour. On the first day, they ran or walked 2 km along the row of wax trees by the Kikuchi River, and on the second day, they ran or walked another 2 km from the birthplace of Japan’s first Olympian, Shiso Kanakuri, to Hananoka Sake brewery. They also strolled around the old town of Takase which has a former boarding point certified as a “Japan Heritage site.” They loved visiting Yachiyo-za theater and joining the Kome-kome-somon local tour. We are planning new tours in reference to their opinions. The new tours include a farm-stay tour, a tour using a chartered taxi, a fitness & hot spring tour and so on. They are coming soon. We hope you will like them.
    Planning Tours with Local People
    NEWS 1

    On November 25, a workshop on planning tours for foreign people was held in the area near the Kikuchi River. At the event, Ms. Michiko Ichihara, a distant relative of Japan’s very first marathon runner, Shiso Kanakuri, told attendees anecdotes involving Kanakuri. Mr. Kota Araki, a member of Nagomi Town Council proposed a tour in which participants run the route that Shiso Kanakuri ran during his youth. We are planning several different types of running courses to suit all people, even catering to those that are not particularly fond of running but prefer to walk.

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