Year-round

Kamuro’s Moribito

Meet the Guardians of a Forest-Born Lifestyle

Highlights

A high-value inbound adventure in Yamagata’s Mogami region. In the “Kamuro” area, a heavy-snowfall district in northern Yamagata, guests spend time with local craftspeople (a woodworking artisan, an indigo-dye artist, local storytellers), walk the Kamuro cedar forests and mountains, and savor Mogami’s traditional local cuisine — experiencing the gratitude and daily warmth of the “Moribito” (forest people) who live in harmony with the forest.

Includes a private vehicle and private guide, with a choice of 3 local experiences from the Moribito Experience menu and a stay at Schönesheim Kaneyama with selectable meal plans.

OUTLINE

Day 1: Shinjo Station → Kaneyama town walk → Check-in at Schönesheim Kaneyama
Day 2: Moribito Experiences / Free time → Local hot pot dinner with a Moribito
Day 3: Moribito Experiences / Free time → Depart from Shinjo Station

What’s Included

Private vehicle & private guide, choice of 3 local experiences, 2 nights accommodation, and meals as selected in the itinerary

Not included

Drinks and other personal purchases (all 3 days). Anything not listed as included.

MEETING PLACE

TOUR COURSE

Day 1

Meet guide at Shinjo Station. Kaneyama town walk – historic houses, shops & workshops. Check-in at Schönesheim Kaneyama (onsen). Dinner – Plan A: Inaka-zen set meal “Kaneyama”.

Day 2

Breakfast – Plan A (Japanese). Moribito Experience / Free time. Lunch – Plan A (choose your own lunch in town). Moribito Experience / Free time. Return to Schönesheim Kaneyama (onsen). Dinner – Plan C: cook a local hot pot with a Moribito.

Day 3

Breakfast – Plan B (Tartine). Check-out of Schönesheim Kaneyama. Moribito Experience / Free time. Depart from Shinjo Station.

TOUR DETAILS

Where
Shinjo Station (Day 1 meet / Day 3 drop-off)
Time
Duration: 2 Nights / 3 Days. Start time: morning, varies by tour – please inquire.
Size
2-6 pax (private). Age requirement: 6 yrs+ (no child pricing)
Price
Tax included, per person: 2 PAX 393,800 yen / 3 PAX 314,600 yen / 4 PAX 275,000 yen / 5 PAX 251,240 yen / 6 PAX 235,400 yen. Child price: N/A (minimum age 6)
Sign-up Deadline
4 weeks before date of experience
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 18 days before / 30% from 17-11 days before / 50% from 10-9 days before / 80% on 8 days before / 100% from 7 days before (and after)
Note
If the minimum number of participants is not met the event will be cancelled.

Program Details

Title Kamuro’s Moribito
Main location(s) Kaneyama, Mogami Region (Yamagata)
Availability Year-round. Duration: 2 Nights / 3 Days
Capacity 2-6 pax (private). Age requirement: 6 yrs+ (no child pricing)
Start time(s) Morning, varies by tour. Please inquire for details.
Meeting point / Navigation Shinjo Station (Day 1 meet / Day 3 drop-off)
Guide / interpreter Japanese guide always included. English / Chinese (Taiwanese Mandarin) available for select Moribito Experiences.
Pricing (tax included, per pax) 2 PAX 393,800 YEN · 3 PAX 314,600 YEN · 4 PAX 275,000 YEN · 5 PAX 251,240 YEN · 6 PAX 235,400 YEN. Child price: N/A (minimum age 6)
Agent commission Mark-up
Payment method Overseas: online transfer (Square). Japan: bank transfer
Included in price Private vehicle & private guide, choice of 3 local experiences, 2 nights accommodation, and meals as selected in the itinerary.
Not included in price Drinks and other personal purchases (all 3 days). Anything not listed as included.
Required customer info Name, age, dislikes / food allergies (vegan, gluten-free, etc.)
Cancellation fee Free up to 18 days before / 30% from 17-11 days before / 50% from 10-9 days before / 80% on 8 days before / 100% from 7 days before (and after)
Booking deadline 2 weeks before date of experience
Bookings & Inquiries tours@inoutbound.co.jp (Contact: Goto Mitsumasa)
Further comment Guests select 3 experiences from the Moribito Experience menu below. Meal plan options B/C are price-on-inquiry. Cooperation: Mogami Region Tourism Association – kanko-mogami.jp

Moribito Experience Menu (guests select 3)

Experience Details Elements Best Season Notes (approx. duration)
Kaneyama Town Walk Food-tasting, guided walk through the traditional townscape. People / Food All year EN / CN (Taiwanese Mandarin) guide available (60 min).
Kaneyama Cedar Marquetry Watch artisans up close; keychain-making, coaster sanding, etc. also available. People / Forest All year At “Kishi Furniture” (60 min); items available for purchase.
Kaneyama Cedar Chopstick Making Shape with a plane, sand, and carve your name (incl. straw case & indigo-dyed handkerchief). People / Forest All year Beginner level, at “Yugaku no Mori”, guided by a forest guide (60 min).
Indigo Dyeing Experience Indigo dyeing led by a local dye artist. People Spr / Sum / Aut Beginner level, guided by an artisan at “Kurashi Koubou” (180 min); items available for purchase.
Trekking / Forest Bathing Trek around Kagikake Forest, Schönesheim Kaneyama, &Omacron;biwa Giant Cedar & Yugaku no Mori (incl. local sweets & drink). People / Forest Spr / Sum / Aut Beginner level; winter snowshoe rental available; EN / CN guide available. Drink choice of 4 sets (120-180 min).
Camping Experience Various activities around the Kamuro Campsite. People / Forest All year First-time camping, forest play & campfire experiences (90-120 min).
Bangaku Dance Viewing Watch Bangaku, a sacred dance said to have once been performed by mountain ascetics. People All year At Schönesheim Kaneyama (60 min).
Cider Brewery Tour & Tasting Brewery tour and tasting of cider / juice. People / Food All year Tour of “Ringoli Rappa Brewery”; organic cider/juice tasting; purchase available (90 min).
Apple Picking & Fresh Juice Make juice using organically grown apples. Food Autumn At “Ringoli Rappa Brewery” (90-120 min).
Local Cuisine Making Make Yamagata local dishes such as “imoni” (taro hot pot). People / Food All year At Schönesheim Kaneyama or Mori no Ie (Mamurogawa), etc. (90 min); best in autumn.
Shinjo Bar Hopping Guided experience around the Akebono-cho dining district. People / Food All year EN / CN guide available (150 min).
Video Production Drone filming and creation of a travel record video. People All year Video data provided to guest.

Accommodation & Meal Plans — Schönesheim Kaneyama

Location: Kaneyama, Yamagata · Room types: Twin, Japanese-Western style, etc. · Setting: Quiet location surrounded by nature · Website: schonesheim.jp
Nestled in Kaneyama, Yamagata — a stay filled with quiet warmth. A calm space where guests can live as if at home, gently wrapping the journey through forest and village. Vegetarian and other dietary accommodations available where possible.

Meal Plan Details
Breakfast Plan A Kaneyama-grown Tsuyahime rice Japanese set meal (ichiju-sansai) – a balanced breakfast using local ingredients. Bread option available.
Plan B (price on inquiry) Tartine – a special morning food-culture experience featuring Mogami ingredients.
Lunch Plan A Choose your own lunch in town – ramen, ginger pork, seafood rice bowl, etc.
Plan B Picnic bento – Moribito’s original sandwich made with Yamagata ingredients (coffee included).
Dinner Plan A Selected-ingredient inaka-zen set meal “Kaneyama” – a flavorful set using seasonal local ingredients.
Plan B (price on inquiry) Mogami seasonal BBQ, featuring Kaneyama brand pork (“Kome no Musume Buta”) and seasonal Mogami ingredients. 1 welcome drink included.
Plan C (price on inquiry) Cook a local hot pot with a Moribito – a special food-culture experience using carefully selected ingredients.

Cooperation: Mogami Region Tourism Association – kanko-mogami.jp
Applicable from October 2026.

TOUR PLAN

Basic Plan

Price Tax included, per person: 2 PAX 393,800 yen / 3 PAX 314,600 yen / 4 PAX 275,000 yen / 5 PAX 251,240 yen / 6 PAX 235,400 yen. Child price: N/A (minimum age 6)

Book now!

Please use the below inquiry form. The coordinator will contact you within five business days.

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    Kamuro’s Moribito
    Price:
    Tax included, per person: 2 PAX 393,800 yen / 3 PAX 314,600 yen / 4 PAX 275,000 yen / 5 PAX 251,240 yen / 6 PAX 235,400 yen. Child price: N/A (minimum age 6)

    Book now!