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Shibayama Kofun & Sawara Little Edo

Day Trip from Tokyo (Private Car Tour)

Discover a hidden side of Japan on this full-day private tour from Tokyo exploring ancient burial mounds, mysterious haniwa figures, and a beautifully preserved Edo-period canal town.

This tour is perfect for travelers interested in Japanese history, archaeology, and cultural mysteries, offering an experience far beyond typical sightseeing routes. See this blog for more details about Kofun.


🏺 Explore Japan’s Ancient Kofun Culture

Your journey begins at the Shibayama Kofun & Haniwa Museum, one of the best places near Tokyo to learn about Japan’s Kofun Period (3rd–7th century).

Here, you will discover:

  • The meaning and symbolism of haniwa clay figures

  • Ancient burial customs and beliefs

  • Artifacts excavated from local burial mounds

This stop offers rare insight into a period of Japanese history that remains largely unknown outside Japan.


🌊 Walk Through Edo-Era Sawara – “Little Edo of the East”

Next, travel to Sawara, a historic merchant town known for its picturesque canals and traditional architecture.

Highlights include:

  • The preserved Ono River historic district

  • Former merchant houses and warehouses

  • Optional river cruise through the town

Sawara’s atmosphere reflects the elegance and prosperity of Japan’s Edo Period.


🗺️ Learn About Japan’s First Master Cartographer

Visit the former residence and museum of Ino Tadataka, the man who created Japan’s first accurate national map.

This fascinating stop connects Japanese history with global themes of exploration, science, and human endurance.


🚗 Comfortable Private Transportation

  • Private vehicle from Tokyo

  • English-speaking guide

  • Relaxed pace and flexible schedule

This tour allows you to experience rural Chiba and historic Japan without the stress of public transportation.

    LOCATION

    What’s included?
    ・Guide fee
    ・Transportaion by van or car
    ・Toll
    Exclusions
    ・Admission fees
    ・Lunch
    ・Sales tax ; 10%
    More info
    Experience type
    Fully tailored
    Booking in advance
    Cut Off: 5 Days
    Duration
    9hours
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Supported accessibility
    Live tour guide
    English-speaking Japanese guide
    Destination Details
    – Shibayama kofun
    – Museum – Sawara city – Onogawa
    Time table (Sample)

    8:00

    Pick up at hotel

    10:30

    Shibayama Kofun & Museum

    12:30

    Sawara city

    14:00

    Exploring near by

    15:30

    Leave for Tokyo

    17:00

    Back to hotel

    Rate of Group
    UP TO 4 PEOPLE
    n/a

    BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

    UP TO 6 PEOPLE
    n/a

    BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

    UP TO 9 PEOPLE
    n/a

    BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

    UP TO 4 PEOPLE
    $845

    BY CAR

    UP TO 6 PEOPLE
    starting $1,125

    BY CAR

    UP TO 9 PEOPLE
    starting $1,325

    BY CAR

    FAQ’S

    We will send you an online invocie after assiging a guide. You can pay it with credit card.

    A charterd car tour brings you easy and comfortable. Traffic in Tokyo is not bad. Of course, if you take a tour by train, it is also fun to know real life in Tokyo.

    Yes, you would. It is customary here. Thank you for your understanding.

    Basically, at a restaurant  no need to tip. For services like taxi, bell boy, guide service it would be appriciated around 20%.

    After your sending a request, our customer fornt will start to communicate you to discuss the details of the tour. We will send you online invoice to comfirm a tour after assigning the right guide.

    Generally speaking, we begin the tour at 8:30 because that is the best time to explore the locations. When enquiring, please let us know if you would prefer an early tour.

     

    At the airport, there are coin lockers. They can be kept during a tour. for a hands-free tour that you can enjoy.

    the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

    Haneda Airport is reasonably small and effective. It typically doesn't take very long to check in.
    So you could be two hours before your flight.

    It is slightly larger if you are departing from Narita Airport. Sometimes it functions 2.5 hours beforehand.

    Yes. The majority of the places take credit cards. But in order to purchase a train ticket, you need cash. So you could use 10,000 JPY.

    Yes. Your guide and I will meet you at the airport to begin the tour. In a sense, we also drop you off at the airport.

    A visa  depends on your passport. See this link for the detals.

    Testimonials
    Mt. Fuji

    Amazing vacation

    We had the most amazing family vacation in Japan! The Travel Assist Japan (TAJ) team (Tony, Fumi, and Yoshiko) were so helpful all throughout from planning and personalizing tours.

    Read More »

    Shibayama Kofun & Sawara Little Edo

    9hours
    Fully tailored
    Starting $845USD
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      If you are a solo traveler interested in applying for the Haneda layover tour, you can apply for a discounted rate with a shared ride plan. Check the shared ride options.







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