One quiet walk can reset your whole day. This 3.5-hour Nordic walking tour takes you around Lake Shidaka and Lake Kagurame with a guide who pairs exercise with forest bathing and shrine visits.

I especially liked how beginner-friendly it feels. The team gives a Nordic walking lesson up front, and the guides stay friendly and patient while you get your rhythm with the poles. I also like the balance of calm nature time and real, place-based culture, including stops at Shidaka Hakuryu Shrine and Honou-Honome Shrine Chugu (Mitake Gongen).

One thing to consider: the route is weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, the tour may be adjusted or canceled, so I’d plan this for a day you’re not trying to cram with other outdoor stuff.

Quick hits on Lake Shidaka and Lake Kagurame Nordic Walking

• Small groups (2–6) keep it personal, not like herding people down a trail
• Free pole rentals plus a Nordic walking lesson help you start confidently
• Forest bathing is built into the experience, not just a walk through trees
• Shrine stops add meaning at Shidaka Hakuryu Shrine and Honou-Honome Shrine Chugu (Mitake Gongen)
• Hot drinks are included, a nice detail when you’re moving and breathing cool air
• Pickup and drop-off from Beppu Station or your accommodation keeps logistics simple

Nordic walking + forest bathing in Beppu: why this combo works

Nordic walking sounds like a sport lesson. In practice, it turns into a steady, full-body rhythm that helps you slow down without stopping.

That’s exactly what you want around lakes. At Lake Shidaka and Lake Kagurame, the scenery is calm enough to notice your breathing and your pace. Then forest bathing adds the mental reset: you’re not just walking, you’re taking in the forest with a more intentional attitude. The tour even builds in a guided section where you can rest and let the moment land, which is a rare treat on an outdoor activity day.

On top of the wellness side, you also get shrine culture. The experience isn’t only about views. It’s about place. You visit Shidaka Hakuryu Shrine after your start at Lake Shidaka, then later you head to Honou-Honome Shrine Chugu (Mitake Gongen) for another spiritually focused pause.

Price and value: what you get for $35.83

At $35.83 per person, the real value comes from what’s included and how much hand-holding you get.

You’re paying for:

• A guided Nordic walking lesson (so you’re not fumbling with poles)
• Free pole rentals
• Hot drinks
• Guided pacing plus forest bathing time
• Visits tied to shrine stops that are handled as part of the route
• Pickup and drop-off from Beppu Station or your accommodation

When you travel in Japan, it’s easy to spend money on a “basic walk” that doesn’t teach much. This tour fixes that by teaching the technique early, so your effort feels useful. And forest bathing isn’t tacked on at the end; it’s part of how the schedule is built.

Meeting point, timing, and how the tour stays easy to follow

This tour gives you two start times: 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM. If you’re meeting at the location, it’s in front of the bronze statue at Beppu Station: Aburaya Kumahachi Bronze Statue.

What I like about this setup is that you don’t need to decode a complicated meeting system. You show up at Beppu Station, or you arrange pickup from your accommodation. For a town like Beppu, that matters. You’ll spend less time wrangling transportation, and more time outside.

The group size is also a quiet advantage. With 2–6 participants, you’re less likely to feel rushed or lost, especially during the Nordic walking lesson. A small group makes it easier for the guide to correct your steps and keep things comfortable.

Stop 1: Lake Shidaka Nordic walking lesson and Shidaka Hakuryu Shrine

The day starts with a drive from Beppu Station to Lake Shidaka. Before you head out, you get a simple lesson on how to use Nordic walking poles. It’s the kind of guidance that helps if it’s your first time, and that shows up clearly in the experience feedback: people often say they got the hang of the poles quickly because the guide explains things step by step.

Then the pace becomes your own. You walk around the lake with the poles, using a rhythm that engages more muscles than regular walking. If you’ve ever felt like standard sightseeing walking only uses your legs, this is a useful change.

After the lake portion, you visit the power spot Shidaka Hakuryu Shrine. This isn’t a random photo stop. It’s timed as a mental shift: from exercise mode into reverence mode. It’s the kind of pause that makes the walk feel intentional, not just physical activity.

Practical note: the tour includes admission free time at the stops listed for you, so you’re not juggling ticket purchases mid-experience.

Forest bathing on the way to Lake Kagurame: slow down without falling behind

Next you head to Lake Kagurame and continue with Nordic walking. This is where forest bathing becomes the featured element.

Forest bathing, in a simple travel sense, is about changing how you pay attention. Instead of looking for the next view, you spend time noticing what you’re already surrounded by: the air, the stillness, the texture of the forest, and how your body responds when you stop pushing.

In the experience, the guide supports this with structured moments, including a guided rest section where you can lie down. That detail matters. You’re not just told to relax, you’re given a window to actually do it.

You’ll still be walking. But the walking is paired with breathing space, so you don’t finish the tour feeling like you just ran an outdoor workout class.

Stop 3: Honou-Honome Shrine Chugu (Mitake Gongen) for a calmer landing

After Lake Kagurame, you travel by car to Honou-Honome Shrine Chugu, also associated with Mitake Gongen.

This part of the day works as a natural landing pad. Exercise and forest time can make your brain feel busy. A shrine visit helps you slow down again and shift back into that quieter, reflective mode.

Then you’re sent back to Beppu Station or your accommodation. I like tours that handle the return cleanly. It means you can stop thinking about logistics as soon as you finish the experience, instead of doing the mental math of how to get home.

What the guides do well: NAHO Wellness Tour Guide in action

This tour is run by NAHO Wellness Tour Guide, and the biggest standout is how they handle first-timers.

Nordic walking is the hard part for many people, mainly because poles are awkward at the start. The guide lesson helps you avoid the classic frustration of trying to copy someone else’s stride. From what you can see in the experience feedback, the tone is friendly and encouraging, with explanations delivered clearly enough that you don’t feel embarrassed if you need a minute.

The same approach shows up in the forest bathing portion. People tend to come in curious but unsure about what forest bathing is supposed to feel like. The guide helps make it practical, so the whole wellness concept doesn’t stay theoretical.

There’s also a small hospitality detail that adds comfort: hot drinks are included. On a walking tour, that simple perk can feel like someone planned for your energy, not just your itinerary.

Pace, fitness level, and what to expect from the 3.5 hours

The total duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes, split across lake walks, shrine stops, and short drives between points.

Most travelers can participate, which usually means the route isn’t designed like a marathon hike. That said, Nordic walking does use muscles you might not use every day. If you’ve been sedentary, you might feel the workout, especially the first time you use poles.

The good news is that you’re not left to figure it out alone. The lesson at Lake Shidaka sets your technique, and the rest of the tour follows a steady flow.

If you’re choosing between a “stroll” and a “workout,” this sits in a middle space. It’s active enough to feel good, but guided enough to feel comfortable.

Small-group comfort: what changes when it’s 2–6 people

Small groups sound like a marketing phrase. Here, it matters.

During a Nordic walking lesson, the guide needs to see your steps. In a bigger group, you get a vague overview and then you’re on your own. In a group of 2–6, you’re more likely to get hands-on help with how your poles should move and how your stride should feel.

It also changes how the tour feels socially. You can ask questions without yelling across a crowd. And because the experience includes reflective time for forest bathing, smaller groups make it easier to settle into the pace instead of feeling like you’re rushing to catch up.

Weather and lake walks: the one practical thing to plan around

This is an outdoor tour that requires good weather. If weather is poor, you may be offered a different date or a full refund, depending on how it’s handled.

Also, the lakes and forest paths can be impacted after rain. One experience included mention of fallen trees after prior rain, with the team removing them. That’s a good sign: safety and adjustments are taken seriously.

So the practical move is simple: check the forecast the day before and keep your plans flexible for an outdoor window.

Who should book this tour?

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a wellness-style activity that still feels like a real outing
• Are curious about Nordic walking but don’t want to learn on your own
• Like nature walks that include guided mindfulness, not just scenic pictures
• Appreciate shrine culture and like the idea of a walk-with-meaning schedule

It may be less ideal if you:

• Only want passive sightseeing with minimal exertion
• Dislike activities that depend on weather
• Prefer long, self-guided time with no instruction

Should you book Lake Shidaka and Lake Kagurame Nordic Walking?

I’d book it if you want something that’s both active and calming, and you like structure that helps you enjoy the place instead of guessing your way through it.

The strongest reason to choose it is the pairing: Nordic walking instruction plus forest bathing time, then shrine stops that give the day a deeper sense of why you’re there. With pickup from Beppu Station or your accommodation, plus free poles and hot drinks, the $35.83 feels like it’s buying comfort and guidance, not just time outdoors.

If you’re in Beppu with a day that’s likely to be decent weather, this tour is a smart way to experience the region beyond the usual thermal-water routine.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Lake Shidaka and Lake Kagurame Nordic Walking Tour?

The tour is about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet in front of the Aburaya Kumahachi Bronze Statue at Beppu Station.

Are pickup and drop-off available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Beppu Station or from your accommodation, and you’ll be dropped back at Beppu Station or your accommodation.

Is the tour suitable for first-timers with Nordic walking poles?

Yes. The tour includes a guided Nordic walking lesson at Lake Shidaka, and poles are available to rent for free.

What activities and stops are included?

You’ll do Nordic walking and forest bathing, visit Shidaka Hakuryu Shrine, walk to Lake Kagurame, and visit Honou-Honome Shrine Chugu (Mitake Gongen).

Is the tour free to enter at the stops?

Admission is listed as free for the stops included in the tour.