Join our Sacred Mt. Horaiji Nature Hike & Local Green Tea Experience and reconnect with nature, tradition, and spiritual history on a unique hike up sacred Mt. Horaiji, a hidden gem just outside of Nagoya.
This half-day guided tour invites you to explore the quiet forested slopes and ancient temples of Mt. Horaiji, a sacred mountain with over 1,300 years of history in Japan’s spiritual heartland of Okumikawa. Climb the 1,425 hand-carved stone steps leading through cedar forests, mossy shrines, and quiet temple grounds as your guide shares the legends of mountain monks, Buddhist pilgrims, and the blend of Shinto and Buddhism unique to Japan.
Before the hike, visit a charming historic home for a local-style green tea ceremony. This experience is not the formal matcha ritual of the elite, but the humble and authentic tea practice of the people who grew the leaves. Enjoy a cup of freshly prepared green tea paired with a handmade sweet, crafted the traditional way.
This tour is ideal for nature lovers, hikers, spiritual seekers, and travelers looking to explore beyond the usual tourist spots.
🌿 Step away from the crowds and into the sacred forests of Mt. Horaiji!
15,000 yen + taxes /person
Hon-Nagashino Station, Shinshiro City (Google Map)
Mt. Horaiji Parkway Carpark Bus Stop (Google Map)
10:45 – 15:30 (~4.5 hours)
English
It takes about 2 hours each way by public transport. Expect to leave Nagoya at around 9 am, returning to Nagoya by about 6-7 pm. To break up the trip back to Nagoya, Toyohashi City on the return trip has many restaurants for dinner.
There is an element of hiking to the tour, but the focus is on the temple and cultural history; it’s a visit to a temple mountain after all. We make many stops to share legends and information as we climb.
Yes, children are welcome to join the tour, but they must be able to climb the steps. Discounts/refunds cannot be given in cases where children cannot climb all the way, or if they do not enjoy the taste of green tea.
In light rain, the tour will proceed as planned—please bring appropriate rain gear. In case of severe weather, we may cancel and offer you a full refund or rescheduling options.
We do our best to accommodate dietary needs with advance notice. Please let us know at least one week in advance if you have any allergies or restrictions, so we can make suitable arrangements where possible.
We are Yuko and Alex, a Japanese/Australian couple that moved to a tiny mountain village in the Okumikawa Region of Aichi Prefecture in 2023. Since that time, we’ve been sharing our passion for the Japanese countryside and the unique charms of our area through our tours and experiences. We’re very biased about how great Okumikawa is!
Our speciality is Japan’s cultural and spiritual history, and we love to share how Buddhism and Shinto were mixed for over 1000 years, giving our guests a new perspective on the shrines and temples they visit around Japan.
When we aren’t working on our tours and experiences, we sell tea at markets around the area, trying to bring new value to green tea that has become too old-fashioned for many Japanese people.
