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Life of Samurai Warlord Oda Nobunaga Tour
Follow in the footsteps of the greatest of samurai warlords, Oda Nobunaga, first of the Three Unifiers, and discover where Nobunaga lived, fought and died!
8DAYS
from 490,000 JPY
Price varies by group size
Highlights
This tour focuses on the many historical sites related to the great warlord and first of Japan’s Three Unifiers, Oda Nobunaga, including Nobunaga’s castles and battlefields in Aichi, Gifu and Shiga Prefectures, as well as Kyoto, where Nobunaga was killed by a traitorous general.
With our guided details designed to help you follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest warlords of all time, Oda Nobunaga, you’ll discover the truth about his life and times! See where the enigmatic Nobunaga was born, the places he was raised as a child, and other historical sites where he lived and fought. Visit the sites of some of Nobunaga’s greatest battles, including Okehazama, Nagashino, Anegawa, ,Feel the mystical aura surrounding the ruins of Nobunaga’ Azuchi Castle, and visit the actual site of the Honno-ji Temple where he was attacked and killed by the trusted Akechi Mitsuhide, along with the rebuilt Honno-ji and Nobunaga’s final resting place.
Go where Nobunage Went, See what Nobunaga saw, Feel the spirit of Oda Nobunaga.
Itinerary
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DAY 1 Aichi
Arrive at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture, the hometown of warlords.30 minutes by express train or move to Nagoya Stay overnight in Nagoya.
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DAY 2 Oda Nobunaga Birthplace (Aichi)
Start at the beginning, the birthplace of Oda Nobunaga, among the ruins of Shobata Castle, and the site of Nobunaga’s early years at the Oda clan’s Nagoya Castle, now occupied by the present-day Nagoya Castle. See Nobunaga’s prized Kiyosu Castle, where he departed for the Battle of Okehazama. Samurai History & Culture Tours will also guide you to a temple where treasures and relics related to Lord Nobunaga and the Honno-ji Incident are kept (Reservations and schedule confirmation required). A driver and guide will make it easier to get around all the sites efficiently and comfortably.
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DAY 3 Atsuta Shrine & Okehazama Battlefields (Aichi)
Walk through the ancient grounds of the 1,900 year-old Atsuta Shrine, Japan’s second most venerated shrine, and home to the legendary sword Kusanagi-no-tsurigi, one of the three Imperial Regalia. This is where Oda Nobunaga prayed for victory before going into battle at Okehazama, and an auspicious happening occurred. See the Nobunaga Wall, a rare type of wall built by Nobunaga to protect the revered shrine. From Atsuta, we head towards the Okehazama Battlefields, where Oda Nobunaga defended his lands with an estimated 2,500 samurai against an invading force of 25,000 Imagawa troops in 1560. See where Nobunaga trounced his opponent, Imagawa Yoshimoto, and other historically important sites, some of which only Samurai History & Culture Tours can help you gain access to!
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DAY 4 Nagashino-Shitaragahara Battlefields & Museum (Aichi)
See the battlefields of Nagashino-Shitaragahara, where the 38,000 combined samurai forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu faced off against 15,000 invading Takeda troops under Takeda Katsuyori in one of the greatest gun battles in samurai history. Samurai History & Culture Tours’ professional and dedicated guides and drivers can take you around to the most important and often difficult to access positions and command posts sites on the battlefield. Visit all the important sites of the most violent of samurai action, including the ruins of Nagashino Castle, and the Nagashino Castle Historic Site Preservation Museum’s collection of armor, weapons and battle artifacts. See the Shitaragahara decisive battlefield with its recreated stockades, where over 10,000 samurai were slaughtered in the half day gun battle. Learn more in the fascinating Shinshiro City Shitaragahara Historical Museum overlooking the main battlefield and featuring actual samurai armor, weapons and matchlock guns.
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DAY 5 Komakiyama Castle & Gifu Castle (Aichi & Gifu)
Visit the history changing Komakiyama Castle, prototype for another of Nobunaga’s future castles. See Nobunaga’s internationally famed Gifu Castle and the relics and treasures of the Oda clan’s Sofukuji Temple. As an option, between May 11 and October 15, visitors can choose to join a Nagaragawa boat tour below Gifu castle and experience the 1,300 year old traditional night-time cormorant fishing techniques, much enjoyed by Oda Nobunaga and used as a source of entertainment and hospitality. Samurai History and Culture Tours can assist in making bookings and arranging dinner boxes. Accommodation can also be organized, including in traditional inns where one can enjoy hot springs.
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DAY 6 Azuchi Castle (Shiga)
Advance from Gifu to Azuchi Castle, the largest, most magnificent and innovative castle built by Nobunaga. Climb the mountain along steps and paths designed by Nobunaga, marvel at the stonework and layout of Azuchi Castle,
and visit the Nobunaga no Yakata Museum featuring a full-size recreation of Azuchi Castle keep’s 5th and 6th floors, as exhibited at the 1992 Spain World Expo! Travel from Azuchi to the ancient capital, Kyoto. -
DAY 7 Honno-ji Temple（Kyoto)
Go to the site of the actual Honno-ji Temple where Nobunaga was assassinated, and also to the current rebuilt Honno-ji. We’ll show you the temple housing Nobunaga’s grave containing his actual remains, and as an option, the site of Nobunaga’s killer, Akechi Mitsuhide’s head mound.
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DAY 8 The tour ends
The tour ends as we return you Osaka’s Kansai International Airport in time for your departure.
Main Spots
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The Exciting Battlefields of Nagashino
This history changing battle is known for warlord Oda Nobunaga’s innovative use of the matchlock gun to overwhelm the feared Takeda troops. Rarely visited by the average tourist because of its difficult to access location, the Nagashino battlefields are among the best preserved, being little changed in the 450 years since the battle, adding to the realistic experience. Samurai History & Culture Tours’ guides and drivers are well versed in the story and area, ensuring your visit is as informative and enjoyable as possible.
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Awe Inspiring Azuchi Castle Ruins
Difficult to reach but rewarding, the ruins of Oda Nobunaga’s magnificent Azuchi Castle — a castle so innovative, it forever changed the way samurai castles were constructed — is just as awe inspiring now as it was 450 years ago! Climb the mountain and see the ishigaki stone walls, enclosures, and defensive features. Visit the enthralling Azuchi Castle Museum and see the authentic full-sized recreations of the tower keep’s stunning 5th and 6th floor rooms of red lacquer and gold!
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Watch Ancient Cormorant Fishing Practices, Nobunaga Style
Join a Nagaragawa boat tour below Gifu castle and experience one of Nobunaga’s favorite summer evening pastimes, the 1,300-year-old traditional night-time cormorant fishing techniques, used by Nobunaga as a source of entertainment and hospitality. Experience the enjoyment felt by Nobunaga enjoying a boxed dinner on a traditional flatbed boat, watching ancient cormorant fishing practices on the river below the illuminated Gifu Castle.
Price
Group Size: 2 ｰ 9 people
Tour fee per person (based on Twin room sharing)
For 2 people : 890,000JPY
For 3 people : 690,000JPY
For 4 people : 590,000JPY
For 5 people : 530,000JPY
For 6-9 people : 490,000JPY
＊For groups with 10 or more people, please contact us for a customized quote.
What’s included?
・6 nights of hotel accommodations with breakfast included (based on double occupancy)
・1 night of hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner included (based on double occupancy) in Gifu
・Admission fees to the facilities listed in the itinerary
・English speaking guide service from Day 2 to Day 7
・Private car service for Day 2 to Day 7
・Gasoline, tolls, and parking fees associated with private car usage
・Expenses for using public transportation and taking taxis to reach the destinations listed in the itinerary on Day6
What’s excluded?
・Beverages
・Transportation expenses to the meeting point and from the drop-off point (between Centrair Airport and Nagoya Station, or between Kyoto and Kansai International Airport, or to the next destination)
・Day5: Nagaragawa boat tour to see the cormorant fishing (available from May 11 to October 15, and optional. Please let us know if you are interested.)
・Admission fees and guide fees for any facility not included in the itinerary must be paid on-site.
・In case of any extension to the dedicated car usage time or guide service time, an additional charge will apply and be invoiced after the tour has ended.
For more information, please click on the “BOOK NOW” button to see additional details.
