Art & Culture
Area
Season
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Tailored ascetic training experience at the World Heritage site of Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple
Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei is a religious institution that is renowned for producing famous monks, such as Honen and Shinran, from various schools of Japanese Buddhism. Many monks continue to engage in various forms of ascetic practices on the temple grounds.
The experience involves the following:
・ Participants will be guided by the chief priest (the current instructor of monks-in-training) of Enryakuji Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Japan and a World Heritage Site.
・ Each participant will speak with the chief priest, who will ask about their daily thoughts and worries to determine the most suitable training.
・ The training is identical to that practiced by many monks today:
- Circle the mountain in kaihogyo, an ascetic practice that has performed by monks at Mt.Hiei for the past 1100 years
- Practice seated hoto-zazen meditation while visualizing the 1,200-year ""eternal flame of Buddhism""
- Clean the temple grounds and dojo to clear your mind and attain a meditative state
- Recite the name of Amitabha Buddha in Amitabha samadhi, one of the four kinds of samadhi practiced on Mt. Hiei
In contrast to the tourist-oriented training experiences of the past, we offer an authentic training experience in which participants will attain new understanding and insights. -
Stay in Echizen and Try Your Hand at Making Hammered Blades and Japanese Umbrellas Under the Instruction of Traditional Artisans
Learn traditional crafts from craftsmen and artisans who have preserved and passed down the traditional industries of Fukui Prefecture's city of Echizen for generations. In this program, you will have the opportunity to make your own one-of-a-kind traditional craft items.
Learn how to make Echizen hammered blades from the artisan Takeshi Saji in a workshop not usually open to the public. Next, the artisan Naganobu Komamoto will teach you how to apply maki-e lacquer decoration to the handle to match the knife made in the workshop.
Artisans will also teach you the meticulous art of making Japanese umbrellas using Echizen washi paper.
Back at your accommodation, you can try your hand at cooking shabu-shabu using renowned Wakasa beef from Fukui Prefecture.
On each part of the tour, you will be accompanied by a professional interpreter.
Private hire cars are also available for transport from the meeting point and the accommodation. -
Hokuriku-Echizen Grandmaster Tour
The Hokuriku area is home to a large number of traditional folk crafts, 23 of which are nationally recognized. All have a long history, and have been carefully handed down to the present day.
The Tannan district in the Reihoku area of Fukui is truly unique, with five nationally designated traditional craft centers concentrated within 10 kilometers of each other. One such craft is Echizen washi paper, which has a 1,500-year history and is said to have been used by world-famous painters like Rembrandt and Picasso. Toyama is surrounded by the Tateyama mountain range, which provides easy access to high-quality timber, and many crafts that utilize wood have flourished there. Inami, a town known for sculptures, was recognized as a Japan Heritage site in 2018. Home to 36 traditional folk crafts, Ishikawa is also known as the “kingdom of crafts.” Ishikawa is particularly well known for its 10 traditional crafts specially designated by the Japanese government, and has it produced a remarkable number of artisans who are recognized as Living National Treasures.
Interact with the grandmasters of these nationally designated traditional crafts, whom tourists typically never get the opportunity to meet, and tour their workshops that are usually closed to the public. Enjoy a special dining experience in collaboration with area chefs which showcases local ingredients and makes use of the craft items crafted by these grandmasters. -
Niseko Green Luxury Tourism
Three special experiences will be offered during the summer months, when Niseko's greenery is a beautiful, deep green:
[1] The Finest NISEKO Art Experience
[2] The Finest NISEKO Gastronomy Experience
[3] The Finest NISEKO Adventure Experience
This one-day program will be led by top art, gastronomy, and adventure professionals who will present you with local culture refined into the highest form of entertainment in exclusive, private venues that are not normally open to the public.
The interplay between Ainu culture, which embodies the spirit of nature symbiosis in which Hokkaido prides itself, and contemporary art; the ultimate terroir experience, visiting farms and sake breweries with local chefs to enjoy the abundant food resources cultivated by the clear streams at the foot of beautiful Ezo Fuji; and the wildlife and frontier spirit of Hokkaido, as introduced through expert guides... A one-day adventure sure to make your heart soar!
Learn more about these three experiences and take advantage of the opportunity to join this special, invitation-only tour of Niseko. -
Chikuma City: Geisha Kimono Experience
At the height of the geisha culture that once flourished around Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen, there were more than 400 geisha in the area to entertain travelers.
Even today, a small number of geisha still entertain guests at traditional parties and geisha performances.
This event provides new entertainment value by combining geisha culture with different tourism resources.
The Geisha Train, a geisha dance performance inside a moving train. Special dinners where guests can enjoy local food and sake while experiencing traditional ozashiki (Japanese-style tatami room) parties. Facilities that are normally inaccessible will be opened to the public, and visitors will be able to try on kimono and take a bus tour dressed in kimono.
A large photo shoot will also be held in conjunction with the kimono experience, allowing participants to recreate photographs taken during the heyday of geisha culture, further promoting the culture, and preserving the experience for future generations. -
Traditional arts in full swing! An evening in Dogo Traditional Performing Arts in Dogo
This content-packed program features four traditional Japanese performing arts in a sort of medley format—Kyogen theater, Ozashiki dance, Wadaiko (Japanese drum), and Jidai Geki Buyo historical dance, all within 70 minutes. The program is designed to be enjoyed even by those who have never had the opportunity to appreciate traditional Japanese performing arts before. In the mini-experience corner, three people will be selected by lottery to try out vocalization exercises with a Kyogen performer and dance as taught by a Geiko. Audio and video recording will be permitted during the event. Although eating and drinking are usually prohibited during traditional Japanese performing arts, drinks will be available during this program. The venue is the Noh stage on the 4th floor of the Yamatoya Honten store in the heart of Dogo Onsen, so the theatrical atmosphere of Noh will make the experience all the more exciting.
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Exclusively Reserved Tour
Discover Ōyosami Jinja Shrine, where the gods of Japan have been worshiped for more than 2,000 years. Participants will be picked up from their hotel in Osaka by taxi to make traveling to the shrine stress-free. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a priest and make your way under the shrine's stone torii gate to begin this special program. First, you will don the robes of a Shinto priest and perform a formal shrine visit and prayer. The priest guide will then provide a detailed explanation of Japanese shrines and the Shinto faith that underpins the spirituality of the Japanese people. Afterwards, you will visit other areas of the shrine grounds, including a sacred "shinboku" tree.
After the Shinto experience, you will enter the sacred space of the Kaguraden for a special tea ceremony experience. After changing back into your clothes, try your hand at Japanese calligraphy.
All these participatory experiences are conducted by qualified professionals, allowing participants to learn about Japanese culture in-depth.
After these special lessons, participants will enjoy a kaiseki-style bento, a beautifully presented Japanese meal made with seasonal vegetables. Japanese sake and wine will also be available to pair with the dishes.
After the program is over, participants will be taken back to their hotel in Osaka.
Reservations must be made in advance for this tour. A dedicated guide and interpreter will be present throughout the tour, and the shrine will be booked out exclusively for the program. This will ensure you gain a better understanding of each cultural activity for a truly memorable Japanese experience. You may also ask any questions you may have about Japan. -
Visit A Traditional Kyoto Artisans Workshop and Create One-of-a-Kind Artworks with Kyo-yuzen and Fusai-zome Dyeing
◆ Create an original work of art at Kyoto's long-established Isshin Kobo studio
Artisans and participants share their thoughts about the piece to be created and what it should look like, after which the artisan creates the piece as envisioned by the participant. Experience the creation of a one-of-a-kind personalized work using traditional fusai-zome dyeing techniques that have been passed down in this studio for many years.
◆ An authentic kimono experience event in Kyoto
Participants will wear traditional kimono and be led by artisans through the streets of Kyoto, and then they will help create original works of art using the fusai-zome dyeing technique. This special one-day program allows you to experience authentic kimono culture, including explanations about Japanese kimono culture, yuzen dyeing, and fusai-zome dyeing, as well as the opportunity to create your own work. Isshin Kobo will also hold events that promote authentic kimono culture, such as special kimono-related lectures and special sales of fusai-zome items. Isshin Kobo, founded in 1868, is a Kyoto institution that works to preserve the tradition of hand-made kimono, even as the number of kimono workshops declines across the country. -
Fireworks, Yukata, and Live Music: Meiji Jingu Shrine's Prayer for Safety for Visitors Festival. Special One-Day Tour—Enjoy the Tokyo Summer Through a Shrine Fireworks Display
An extraordinarily special day at Meiji Jingu Shrine and Meiji Jingu Gaien, right in the heart of Tokyo. Take part in a special prayer ceremony for the safety of visitors to Japan at the Meiji Jingu Kaguraden, where you will be presented with a prayer talisman with your name written in katakana. Next, enjoy lunch at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu inside Meiji Jingu Gaien. After a summer yukata dressing service, head to your special seats at Jingu stadium for a live show and fireworks. You will have an opportunity to take photos with live performer Ken Matsudaira (TBC) and watch a show of 400 fireworks to welcome you to Japan. Accomodation at a nearby hotel and arranged transport in special chartered vehicles will make your stay easy and comfortable. Enjoy all this and many other special perks and spend a summer in Tokyo unlike any other.
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Held at the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa in Kyoto KYOTO NOH DINING 2024
This dining event will be held at the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa in Kyoto. Guests will enjoy an exclusive dinner crafted by a leading Japanese chef and take in a Noh theater performance in English, presented by Japan’s top performers. After the event, guests will be transported by private car to stay at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, Kyoto's premier luxury hotel.
The event takes place at the historic Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa, a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. Attendees will experience a close-up performance of Noh theater by members of the Kongo school, which boasts a 600-year history and whose current head is a designated Living National Treasure. All Noh performances will be in English, with English commentary between performances to help even first-time Noh theatergoers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of classical Japanese performing arts. A highlight of the event is the exclusive dinner, which is created by Head Chef Asano of The Mitsui Kyoto restaurant Toki and themed around Shimogamo-jinja Shrine in fall.
Join this special dining event to enjoy the very best of Japan’s cuisine and classical performing arts in this historic location, amidst the beautiful fall scenery of Kyoto.