Kobuchizawa, Japan

3-4 NightsIntermediate to AdvancedFrom ¥311,000 JPY?Tour costs ¥311,000 JPY which is approximately $4,199 AUD

This ride incorporates the Japanese culture, landscape and cuisine perfectly within the riding itinerary.

Overview

This ride is set in the rural village of Kobuchizawa, an equine-loving hub. Your guide and host is Tanaka san – he has a passion for his country, coupled with a love for endurance riding and a stable of well-tuned endurance horses. Tanaka san is the perfect guide, speaking fluent English, and has a good understanding on what globetrotting guests seek in a top-notch horse riding holiday.

Guests will instantly fall in love with Kobuchizawa, a chocolate-box village with family-owned Soba noodle and sushi restaurants tucked away in side streets and traditional Japanese arts and crafts.

Don’t be fooled that Japan is second best when it comes to spectacular and varied riding scenery. The beauty of the landscape will surprise from the get-go. Within minutes of riding out from the stables guests trot through an ancient forest along narrow riding paths that snake through trees. This three or four day riding itinerary has been tailored specifically to globetrotting guests who love riding and exploring different cultures on horseback paired with traditional Japanese food, accommodation and culture.

Fast Facts

  • Horse Breed:Arabian and Arabian Cross endurance horses that have originated from Australia.
  • Pace:The pace can vary from a walk right through to a canter.
  • Weight Limit:Maximum of 90kg / 198lbs.
  • Type of tack:Endurance saddles and bitless bridles
  • Seasons:April is spring time in Japan and where you’ll be mesmerised by the Cherry Blossoms. November is autumn time in Japan and guests ride through a portrait of amber, blood reds and buttercup yellow. Departure dates can also fall during the months of May, July and September.
  • Group size:Minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 guests
  • Time in Saddle:On average 4 to 5 hours per day.
  • Riding Ability:Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders
  • Accommodation:Guests stay at Lodge Keyspring which has both western-style and traditional style rooms to choose between. Each western style room has its own bathroom and toilet. Guests who prefer to sleep in a Japanese style room use shared bathroom and toilet. Shared bathroom is Onsen hot spring.
  • Ride Length:5 days, 4 nights or 4 days, 3 nights itineraries available
  • Inclusions:The price includes all meals from first day dinner to last day lunch, accommodation and riding.
  • Exclusions:The price does not include international flights and travel insurance (compulsory), transfers to and from the ride, alcohol, and accommodation on day five of the itinerary.

 

DEPARTURE DATES & RATES

Departing FinishingAvailabilityTotal
1st Oct 20194th Oct 20193 spots left
¥302,000 JPY ?Tour costs ¥302,000 JPY which is approximately $4,077 AUD - Twin Share ?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender.Book

Cherry Blossom Ride

April 20 to 24, 2020

5 days, 4 nights

24th Apr 2020Only 1 spot left!
¥337,000 JPY ?Tour costs ¥337,000 JPY which is approximately $4,550 AUD - Single Rider ?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room.Book

4 day, 3 night custom departure dates available on request (for a minimum of two riders).

Available
¥311,000 JPY ?Tour costs ¥311,000 JPY which is approximately $4,199 AUD - Twin Share ?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender.Enquire

There is a single supplement charge of 18,000 JPY (4 days, 3 nights) or 24,000 JPY (5 days, 4 nights) for guests not wishing to twin share a room. Please note, solo travellers will be required to pay the single supplement charge if there is no one else willing to twin share a room.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes all meals from first day dinner to last day lunch, accommodation and riding.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include international flights and travel insurance (compulsory), transfers to and from the ride, alcohol, and accommodation on day four of the itinerary.

Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. There is a 2% surcharge on all card payments.

Why is the price quoted in JPY?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.

Itinerary

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*Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.

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  • Day 1

    9.30am: Arrive at Shinjuku-Station in Tokyo.

    10am: Transfer to Kobuchizawa by Japan Rail train – it’s a two hour train trip from Shinjuku to Kobuchizawa. Bento Box lunch in the train.

    12pm: Arrive in the equine loving village of Kobuchizawa. Tanaka san will show you around the village and point out the numerous horse stables, top-notch show jumping facilities, 3 star cross-country courses and designated horse trails that run like cattle pads through the town. You’ll check in at your hotel then enjoy lunch at a local Japanese restaurant. In the afternoon you’ll be introduced to your horses and enjoy a short introductory ride around the farm.

    Dinner will be enjoyed at Keyspring Restaurant (next to the lodge) at around 7pm.

  • Day 2

    Tanaka san will collect you from your hotel at around 9.30am this morning and you will ride (approximately 2.5 hours) the historic trail ride of ‘Bo Michi’ to the Metori-Yusui fountain. Bo-Michi which literally means ‘straight road’, was built by Takeda Shingen, feudal lord of Yamanashi area in the early 16th century. There are lots of old stone buddas along the trail. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local cafe.

    After lunch you’ll enjoy a ride to Flower Park Fiore where (weather depending) a traditional open-air Japanese Tea ceremony will be performed, after which you’ll ride back to the farm.

    Tonight’s dinner will be enjoyed at local Japanese restaurant Hideyoshi.

  • Day 3

    Guests will enjoy a thirty kilometre trail ride along the Yatsugatake Endurance Course today which will take approximately five hours. Riders will view Mount Fuji with her snow-covered hat on the horizon as you climb deeper into the forest that skirts the village. You’ll startle deer and stretch the horses legs out with some lovely, loping canters. The four-hour ride is a perfect introduction into the riding diversity that’s on offer. The ride will be split with lunch at a local restaurant where the horses are tied up outside. Dinner at a local restaurant in the town of Kobuchizawa.

  • Day 4

    This morning after checking out from your hotel, guests have the option to shop or enjoy some local sightseeing with a visit to the traditional Misogi- Shrine.

    12.50 pm: 2 hour train trip back to Tokyo. Bento box lunch on the train.

    2.50pm: Arrive at Shinjuku-Station.

  • Transfer Information

    For international guests we recommend arriving in Tokyo 1-2 days prior to the start of the ride. On day 1 of the ride itinerary, you will need to catch a train to Kobuchizawa at around 10am. Your guide Tanaka san will book your return tickets for this train journey and you will need to reimburse him upon arrival in Kobuchizawa.

  • Trip Notes

    Please remember that the benefit of this ride being so intimate with only 3-4 guests on each departure date is you can custom-design your itinerary according to your travel and riding desires. If you would like to ride in the afternoon or ride for longer, please ask Tanaka san (your guide) and he’ll accomodate where possible. Due to cultural barriers guests need to ask Tanaka san rather than assume he’ll know what they need.

Kobuchizawa, Japan - Globetrotting horse riding holidays

Kyle Wightman

‘Terry and I had a great time in Japan in late April/early May, prime cherry blossom time. Our hosts, Tanaka-san and Mayumi Tsukamoto Suzuki, were fabulous, as were the horses, horse riding, food, and places to visit and enjoy.’

Jennifer Joiner

“An absolutely brilliant combination of wonderful riding against the background of stunning scenery and an immersion into Japanese culture.”

Laura Reid

“I cannot think of better way to experience Japan and I’d go back in a heartbeat!”

Lisel Avey

“This was a truly unique experience!”

Kaye Bracken

“Riding in Japan was a unique experience!”

Meredith White

“Worth every cent!”

Laura White

“Would do it again in a heartbeat!”

Marnie Phillips

“The Kobuchizawa ride in Japan is absolutely wonderful – brilliant horses, amazing riding, terrific food, incredible and very flexible hosts, cultural experiences and jaw dropping scenery each and every day.”

Celia Campbell

“Horse riding in Japan during cherry blossom season was more incredible than I could have imagined.”

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