Travel off-the-beaten track to Tamba Sasayama, named 'little Kyoto'. First we stop off at a Samurai House, in use until the 20th century as part of the Aoyama Samurai Clan.
We stop off at the gift shop where you can have the chance to try some local sweet black edamame beans, and a short break at the coffee shop.
We stop off for some street food - roasted chestnuts, before climbing a small hill to the Edo-era Aoyama Clan Samurai Castle. Inside the castle, you can get a true understanding of living history, by dressing in authentic replica Samurai Armour, based on specific characters throughout history, such as Oda Nobunaga, a fearsome Samurai Lord, who united large parts of Japan in the Sengoku era. Visit the Castle battlements and take in the Panoramic views of the surrounding area.
We try out some local boar meat cuisine at the Ote-shincho restaurant, then we can view some original samurai armour and weaponry at the History Museum.
The next part of the tour is spent at a historic sake brewery, in which Sake has been brewed using the unusual method of playing music to the sake barrels. We can taste all the different types of sake, according to the types of music that were played.
Last on our tour is the beautiful Kasuga Shrine, in which we can make an offering (optional) using the Suzu Bell. We then make our way back to Sasyamaguchi station to end our tour.