Guide Only Tours
Exploring Iya with a Local Guide
If your group is coming to the area with your own tour group vehicle (such as a large van or bus), our English speaking local guides are available to come along with you to give deep insight to Iya's life and culture, as well as take you to some hidden places and viewpoints which most people (including Japanese tour guides from elsewhere) would never be able to find on their own. We can also introduce you to the local people, bring you to local style restaurants, give inside tours to the historic thatched-roof homes, take you on walks through mountainside villages, and even guide you on a rugged mountain hike.
*Due to regulations, our guides are not able to ride with you if you are driving your own rental car, sorry.
Generally the rate for guides is ¥4000 per hour with a 4 hour minimum (this does not include your entrance fees or meals, and you would be providing transportation). Our guides can meet you at most places in the Iya Valley.
There are also a variety of activities to do in the Iya Valley which would be helpful for having a guide to be your interpreter (do understand that few people in the Iya Valley speak any English).
Your guide can help make the reservation arrangements for any of the following activities:
List of Services
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Iya Soba Making WorkshopList Item 1
Learn to make the famous Iya soba noodles by hand from Iya's most renowned soba expert. Experience the whole process from grinding the buckwheat in a stone mill, to kneeding and rolling the dough, to cutting each noodle by hand. Then eat your noodles for lunch along with a feast of other Iya dishes.
- Fee is an additional ¥4000/person, includes lunch. Course takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
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Iya Viewpoint Yoga LessonList Item 4
As it happens, one of our top guides is also Iya's yoga teacher with her school Yama Yoga, and she can take you for a private yoga lesson either outside at a pretty Iya viewpoint in Ochiai Village, or inside at her exclusive "Yama Shala" hidden farmhouse yoga space.
- Extra fee is from ¥600 to ¥1500/person extra depending on location and conditions. Lessons range from 1 to 2 hours.
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Mountain Hiking
The mountains surrounding the Iya Valley offer supurb hiking, with difficulty levels ranging from easy to challenging. Hike lengths can be from half day up to 3 days. We can also help make the arrangements for access, hiking routes, meals, places to stay, etc.
- Fees for single day hikes are usually based on the guide's standard per hour rate of ¥4000/hr, but total fees for overnight hikes depend on the route and conditions.
To help with your planning and to know what to expect, please see our page about
Iya Valley Tours
Discover the Wonders of Our Hidden Home
For Travel Agents, please see here