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!
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.
*Please refer to the itinerary section for the full tour schedule.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Hotel near Nagoya Station (e.g.Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel)
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.
Hotel near Nagoya Station (e.g. Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel)
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!
Hotel near Nagoya Station (e.g. Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel)
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.
Hotel near Nagoya Station (e.g. Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel)
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.
Hotel in Gifu City (e.g. Sugiyama)
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.
Hotel near Kyoto Station (e.g Rihga Royal Hotel 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.
Hotel near Kyoto Station (e.g Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto)
The tour ends as we return you Osaka’s Kansai International Airport in time for your departure.
*We offer the option to extend your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, or other destinations after the tour.
Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.
A hotel near Nagoya Station (Day 2)
Comfortable clothing and shoes for walking.
This experience is booked on request. The owner of the experience will respond to the request within 5 days
| Cancellation Date | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| No-show or cancellation after tour departure | 100% of the tour price |
| On the tour date | 50% of the tour price |
| 1 day prior to the tour date | 40% of the tour price |
| 2 to 7 days prior to the tour date | 30% of the tour price |
| 8 to 20 days prior to the tour date | 20% of the tour price |
| 21 or more days prior to the tour date | Free |
