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Art & Culture
Area
Season
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MINIATURE LIFE Exhibition—Tatsuya Tanaka: The World of Observation in Mojiko Retro
Experience the amusing world of miniatures as seen by miniatures photographer Tatsuya Tanaka, who has 3.85 million followers worldwide!
Tanaka plans to create and exhibit original works unique to the region for the event, under the themes “Mojiko Retro” and the “Kanmon Straits.”
New works of art will also be exhibited for the first time.
The exhibition will also feature talk events and a Mojiko gourmet tour with the former chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant, allowing visitors to enjoy the real world alongside this world of miniatures! -
Kenninji Temple, Kyoto: Premium night viewing in the refreshing cool of evening ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO
Premium night viewing at Kenninji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto
A special nighttime viewing will be held at Kenninji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. During this event, visitors can experience the spirit of Zen by walking through the temple’s corridors while listening to ""neuro-music"" scientifically proven to relax the brain.
Sound Corridors: Neuro-music
Walk through the corridors of Kenninji Temple while listening to ""neuro-music."" This music relaxes the brain, leading to a more mindful state.
Daiyuen Garden - Sokai (Vast ocean)
A sea of clouds appears in Kenninji's dry landscape garden, the Daiyuen Garden, on cool summer nights. This sea of clouds complements the beauty and serenity of the garden as visitors listen to neuro-music.
Twin Dragons & Digital Twin Dragons
Kenninji's iconic Twin Dragons painting, combined with the latest in projection art. Contemporary artist Rei Wakita will use the latest technology to visualize the flow of the dragons’ energy.
Japanese Garden Sound-Art Night Walk
Enjoy art installations of sound and light while touring the corridors of extraordinary Japanese gardens: the Circle-Triangle-Square Garden, the Cho-on-tei Garden, and the Daiyuen Garden.
A truly special evening experience of sound and silence, light and shadow. Experience the fusion of contemporary art and technology while enjoying the history and beauty of Kenninji Temple. -
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. -
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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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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Tokyo Koenji Awaodori Viewing Tour with a unique experience
A special viewing tour of the Tokyo Koenji Awaodori Festival—one of Tokyo’s largest festivals, which attracts approximately one million visitors a year.
The tour consists of three elements: (1) Learn, (2) Experience, and (3) Watch.
(1) Learn: First, a professional guide will explain the history of the Tokyo Koenji Awaodori Festival in an easy-to-understand manner and instruct you on how to dance at the festival.
(2) Experience: Next, you will have a rare opportunity to dance with the performers in the central performance hall, which is not open to general spectators. Dancing with the local dance troupes will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the festival experience.
(3) After the dancing is over, you will be guided to premium spectator seats. While the festival attracts nearly one million spectators, you will enjoy it from comfortable, spacious seating along with fantastic service.
Experience all the charms that Tokyo Koenji Awaodori Festival has to offer and create memories that will last a lifetime. -
Dinner Show Featuring Gagaku Court Music by Hideki Togi and Japanese Cuisine with an Illuminated Mikazuki Falls
Kusu, Oita Prefecture, will host a special tour based around the theme of “The Legend of Mikazuki Falls,” a Heian-period tale of true love in Kyoto. This tour offers abundant attractions for international tourists seeking to experience what makes Japan unique.
For two days, there will be dinner shows featuring live performances of gagaku ancient court music by Hideki Togi at Arashiyama Taki Shrine during the mid-autumn Harvest Moon, when the full moon shines brightest in the clear night sky. The Togi family have passed down gagaku court music from generation to generation since the Nara period 1,300 years ago. Hideki Togi, who inherited this tradition, has performed at court ceremonies and gagaku concerts held at the Imperial Palace throughout his career. He has also played a large role in promoting traditional Japanese culture and encouraging international goodwill. Sushi Kappo Yamanaka, a famous restaurant frequented by food connoisseurs from all over Japan since its opening in 1972, provides the cuisine for dinner shows. The seafood used for their Hakata sushi is procured from the Genkai Sea and other nearby coastal waters and is carefully selected by the restaurant's owner. The chefs will spare no expense in preparing your meal for this gem of an event. The dinner will also feature local Kusu Rice, which is the same type of rice specially offered to deities at the Daijosai Festival.
This event, featuring Japanese-style lighting of Mikazuki Falls and Arashiyama Taki Shrine, gagaku court music accompaniments by Hideki Togi, and a collaboration with local restaurants in Kusu town, will continue for the next two months.
The beauty of Mikazuki Falls and Arashiyama Taki Shrine, lit up in a quintessential Japanese style, makes for the perfect view to enjoy with the gagaku court music by Hideki Togi in the background, and is sure to be a hit on social media! This event offers a precious opportunity to experience the true depths and beauty of Japanese culture. Centered around luxurious Japanese tradition and history, this special event will make for unforgettable memories. -
Kamuy Lumina: Lake Akan Forest Night Walk
Nighttime entertainment at Japan's first national park.
Kamuy Lumina: Lake Akan Forest Night Walk is an adventure tour pursuing the world of the Kamuy (spirit-deities) that were inspired by the yukar tale “The Tale of the Owl and the Jay Bird,” a legend of the Ainu people of Akan.
The setting is Lake Akan, located within Hokkaido’s Akan-Mashu National Park. Starting at dusk, this dream-like experience along the Bokke Walking Trail 1.2 kilometers from the lake’s shores will let you get in touch with Ainu culture.
You are invited to the national park’s natural forest to soak up the Ainu worldview of valuing coexistence with nature, but with a twist: this tour features cutting-edge digital art, including projection mapping, scenography (light and sound stage sets), and a unique musical experience with rhythm sticks.
A multilingual app has been developed so that people all around the world can deepen their experience and learn about Ainu culture. Additionally, there are special programs to help you feel at one with the Ainu people, such as a private event where you can don original Ainu hanten robes with patterns approved by the Akan Ainu community.
The Kamuy Lumina is one of a series of Lumina night walks developed around the world by Moment Factory, a cutting-edge multimedia entertainment company based in Montreal, Canada, and Lake Akan is the only location in the world where a national park is being used as the stage.