The Village Invitation: A Day in Machiya – IBARAKI

Tour summary

Spend a day in a quiet Japanese village where time slows down and neighbors know your name. Guided by local matriarch Ikeda-san, you’ll meet the people who are quietly keeping their community alive—farmers, brewers, gardeners—and share moments of connection over tea, food, and flowers. A heartwarming day of slow travel and deep encounters in the hills of northern Ibaraki.

In detail

Begin your day at the scenic Hitachi Station, a glass-fronted architectural gem overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Travel inland to the rural village of Machiya and be welcomed at Machiya Lab, a cozy café and community hub
Take a gentle walk to explore the neighborhood
- Visit Hiyama-san’s delightfully down-to-earth sake and wine brewery
- Stop by Hiroko-san’s community garden to pick seasonal greenery
Meet local residents and enjoy heartfelt conversations
Participate in light hands-on preparation at Machiya Lab
Enjoy a seasonal lunch using locally sourced ingredients
In the afternoon, either:
- Take a short hike to “Kuroiso Bakke,” a beloved local peak with countryside views
- Or explore the village freely at your own pace
End the day with a sense of connection, calm, and rural charm

Included Sites

Machiya Lab (community café and creative space)
Hiyama Wine & Sake Brewery
Hiroko-san’s garden
Machiya village walk (rice paddies, riverside, neighborhood lanes)
Kuroiso Bakke (optional short hike)

Your Host/Guide/Place

Your host may be Ikeda-san, the visionary behind Machiya Lab, or another trusted member of the community who shares a deep love for the village. Each brings a unique perspective and heartfelt welcome, helping you experience Machiya not just as a visitor, but as a temporary neighbor.

Supporting your local host is an English-speaking guide who interprets, shares context, and helps bridge cultural understanding throughout the day. The guide also leads the optional hike and ensures the experience flows smoothly.

Location

Tour Area: Machiya district, Hitachi-Ota City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Meeting Point: JR Hitachi Station – A stunning seaside station designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kazuyo Sejima (approx. 90 min from Tokyo by express train)

End Point: JR Omika Station – A convenient return point with direct access back to Tokyo

Local transportation between stations and Machiya is included

More information

FIT / Group	Both
Min. and Max. # of Participants	Min 2 / Max 6 (larger groups by request)
What is Included in the Price	English-speaking guide, Local host and community introductions, All activities and village experiences, Seasonal lunch and light hands-on food preparation, Transportation between stations and Machiya (by chartered car or taxi), Travel insurance
Duration	7.5 hours
Start/End Time	Start: 9:30am at JR Hitachi Station End: 5:00pm at JR Omika Station Not Available: From Jul to Sep, Dec 20 to Jan 15
Meeting / Departing Point	Meeting Point : JR Hitachi Station Departing Point : JR Omika Station
Transportation	Chartered car or taxi arranged locally
Notes: dietary restrictions, age limit. etc.	– Please inform us ahead of time if any guests have dietary restrictions or require a hired car, as we may not be able to accommodate these requests on the day of the event. – We also suggest that guests carry some local currency for personal shopping and other expenses, as certain establishments may only accept cash payments.