Let the magic of Aizu touch your heart…
In Aizu, the authentic spirit of Japan reveals itself far from the crowds. This is a land of forested mountains, clear rivers, and quiet villages where samurai values of honour, resilience, and loyalty still shape daily life. Created by those with a deep affection for the region, this journey travels beyond the guidebooks—walking historic castle towns, tracing old warrior paths, and experiencing hidden temples and shrines. In Aizu, history is not displayed behind glass; it is lived, felt, and shared, offering a rare connection to a Japan and its nature unchanged for centuries.
About the journey
Join us for this unique adventure, including temple and shrine visits, samurai history, nature, relaxation and local cultural experiences.
We access rarely visited sites as part of the ancient Aizu 33 temple Kannon (Goddess of compassion) pilgrimage, interspersed with historically rich locations, samurai towns and traditions, crafts and more, all surrounded by exquisite nature.
Traveling in our own vehicle we have the flexibility to meet individual group member’s needs. Accommodation is in traditional hot spring inns and western hotels incorporating a blend of fabulous traditional and modern meals.
About Your Hosts
Sarah and her partner Richard will be your travel hosts. Sarah spent many of her younger years living in Aizu and fell in love with the area and especially the warmth of the local people. “It’s a pleasure to bring people back to this traditional region, unpopulated by tourists, truly a hidden gem where you get a sense of stepping back in time”. As your interpreter and trip leader Sarah will enable interactions with Aizu folk for your direct cultural experience. She speaks Japanese including local Aizu dialect.
At age 18 Sarah initially came to Japan for her love of martial arts and stayed for 8 years. After living and training in the mountain region of Aizu for 3 years she moved down into the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu. Sarah worked as an administrator and interpreter for the international department of the government City Hall as well as for the Aizu Tourism Bureau where some of her colleagues are still employed some 30 years later.
Sarah and Richard enjoy engaging in an Aizu and Tokyo based school of samurai sword training and spend their time between Australia, England and Japan.