Art & Culture
Area
Season
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Explore the Illusionary Ice Carousel and Exclusive Winter Activities at Taisetsu Dam Lake, Surrounded by the Untouched Beauty of Daisetsuzan National Park!
Winter activity events will be held at the Taisetsu Dam in Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido. This is a dammed lake you which you can't normally access!
Experience the illusionary “ice merry-go-rounds,” spinning blocks of ice on the lake's surface. This is one of the world's first in this new sensory activity, the “Pleasure Ice Carousel!” By day, enjoy the whimsical “ice merry-go-round” and other exciting winter activities, and by night, walk on illuminated ice while gazing at a starry sky draped in silver light.
● A world's-first in this new sensory experience: “Pleasure Ice Carousel”
≫ Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the great outdoors from various angles as if you were on a pleasure boat, as you go around several ice carousels.
● Activities at the Taisetsu Dam Lake, which is located in a national park that is normally off-limits
≫ Cruising by snow raft with a local guide through the far-off, unexplored areas of the Taisetsu Dam Lake.
≫ Stargazing from the dam lake. Because it includes the view of the lit-up ice carousel, that makes this a never-before-seen sight!
● Kamikawa Marché & Ainu traditional craft experience
After enjoying the outdoors, you can also enjoy local food and traditional craft experiences. -
Enjoy the 30-minute fireworks display “Sapporo Okurayama Winter Fireworks 2024” alongside the stunning snowy landscape and Sapporo’s renowned night view, considered one of Japan’s top three!
[Bench Seat Ticket + Round-Trip Bus Ticket to Maruyama] 24,000 yen / 2 people
Enjoy the fireworks from a bench set up near the ski jump landing area, a location normally off-limits to the public. The front row offers an up-close view right next to the safety boundary, and it makes for an extra thrilling experience. The plan includes a round-trip bus from Maruyama Station to the fireworks venue.
[Bench Seat Ticket + Parking Ticket (No.2) for Maruyama Park + Round-Trip Bus Ticket] 24,000 yen / 2 people
Watch the fireworks from the same exclusive bench area near the ski jump landing site, with the front row offering an incredible view right next to the safety line. This plan also includes a parking ticket for Maruyama Park and a round-trip bus ticket to the venue.
[Ticket with SAKE Lounge] 12,000 yen / 1 person
A special counter offering about 10 varieties of Hokkaido sake will be set up on the rooftop. Relax in a chair and enjoy the fireworks comfortably. This plan includes a round-trip bus from Maruyama Station to the venue.
[VIP Ticket] 30,000 yen / 2 people
The Okurayama Viewing Point will be open exclusively for this plan, along with a special lounge where you can enjoy wine, champagne, and other beverages while taking in the night view. Stay warm and enjoy the fireworks right in front of you! A taxi ticket for a round trip from Maruyama Station to the venue is included.
[VVIP Ticket] 30,000 yen / person
This plan offers a full-course French dinner in addition to the VIP experience. After watching the fireworks from the bar lounge, enjoy a special limited-time course meal focused on local ingredients at the venue’s restaurant, "Nouvelle Pousse Okurayama." A taxi ticket for a round trip from Maruyama Station to the venue is also included. -
A “Customizable Experience Museum” Offering Premium Food Experiences and Engaging All Five Senses in Zentsuji, the Birthplace of Kukai
Zentsuji City in Kagawa Prefecture is the birthplace of Kukai, the renowned master of Japanese Buddhism, well known throughout Japan. Kukai, who was born 1,250 years ago, practiced asceticism in the rich natural environment of his homeland of Shikoku, where he attained enlightenment. Over 1,200 years later, many pilgrims from around the world continue to visit and follow the pilgrimage routes Kukai once walked.
In Zentsuji City, you can explore five temples associated with Kukai and engage in experiences that refine your five senses, all in locations that are normally closed to the public. Each temple offers a unique sensory theme: Mandaraji Temple (touch), Deshakaji Temple (sight), Kozanji Temple (sound), Zentsuji Temple (taste), and Konkakuji Temple (smell). In the city center, where the culture of “O-settai” (hospitality) is deeply rooted, you can also enjoy experiences such as traditional local crafts and cuisine.
In addition, a special two-day premium dinner event, "Premium Chef’s Table in Zentsuji," will be held. The cuisine will have a focus on ingredients sourced from Zentsuji, and together with the chefs, you will tour the production areas, touch the soil, the grass, and the living creatures. By traveling through the city and speaking directly with producers, the chefs will craft dishes that encapsulate these stories, offering diners a meal that feels like they are embarking on a journey themselves.
Each experience is guided by an experienced professional interpreter guide. -
A Premium Experience: Private Geisha and Sumo Show at the World’s Tallest Tower
This plan offers only 20 guests the exclusive experience at the observation space of the Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower. After business hours, you can enjoy a geisha dance performance against the backdrop of the twinkling nighttime cityscape in the evening, and then a special breakfast and sumo show while watching the sunrise in the morning.
Evening Plan
Experience Japanese culture in a luxurious way by having the Tokyo Skytree observation deck all to yourself after business hours, accompanied by stunning night views. With the guidance of an interpreter, enjoy a traditional geisha dance, part of the Sumida Hanamachi culture that has thrived since the Edo period. A professional photographer will capture your night view experience. Drinks and Japanese sweets will be provided. They will be served with Edo faceted glass, a traditional craft of Tokyo.
Morning Plan
Begin your day with a special breakfast made from Tokyo-sourced ingredients, paired with a unique sumo show performed by a former sumo wrestler, all while watching the sunrise from the Skytree’s observation deck before it opens to the public.
The opportunity to watch the breathtaking sunrise is exclusive to this chartered event, and a commemorative photo with the former sumo wrestler will make your visit truly memorable.
These are views hard to take in during regular business houses when the Tokyo Skytree observation deck is crowded. By privately booking the space, you can enjoy a special time while taking in the best views and take photos that would not otherwise be possible. Your experience will include Edo faceted glass, a traditional craft of Tokyo, and a photoshoot by a professional photographer. -
First-Ever Public Viewing of the Stone Quarry that Captivated World-Famous Sculptor Noguchi Isamu! Guided Tour of the Outdoor Contemporary Art Space
●The stone quarry, typically closed to the public, will be open exclusively for this tour, offering a unique chance to see the location that Noguchi cherished. (Marumori Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
●Join a guided visit to the outdoor art space at the quarry. (Marumori Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
●Visit "THE GALLERY TOKYO," an art gallery that opened in May 2024, which uses Date Kanmuriishi stone. (Ginza, Tokyo)
●Stay at Ichijoh ryokan, a 400-year-old hot spring inn that incorporates Date Kanmuriishi stone in its design and furnishings. (Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture)
●Enjoy local cuisine from Shiroishi City, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. -
Discover the Charm of Shrines and Temples: A Unique “Miya-Daiku” Carpentry Experience in Hanbara, Aikawa Town
The “miya-daiku” are the carpenters who have constructed and repaired traditional Japanese wooden architecture, such as shrines and temples. Hanbara, in Aikawa-machi, is an hour from Tokyo, and is a place where you can meet miya-daiku, who there are now only 300 of across Japan, and experience traditional techniques and architectural culture. Nature-rich Hanbara is the home of the “Hanbara Miya-daiku,” one of the three great miya-daiku in Japan.
We offer two options for the “Exclusive Shrine and Temple Architecture Tour with Miya-Daiku Experience in Hanbara, Aikawa Town”: a one-day tour and a two-day, one-night tour.
・One-Day Tour
You will visit the workshop of Honmura Katsuhiro, a renowned miya-daiku who continues the proud tradition of Hanbara’s carpenters. Here, you’ll learn firsthand about the fascinating history, culture, and techniques of Japanese shrine and temple carpentry. Under his expert guidance, you’ll also have the chance to try using a traditional carpenter’s plane and experience the ancient technique of wood joinery.
The tour continues with visits to important wooden structures crafted by the Hanbara Miya-daiku, including the main gate of Shoraku-ji Temple in Aikawa Town and Nakano Shrine in Tsukui, Sagamihara City. At Nakano Shrine, you will be treated to a rare “formal shrine visit” and granted special access to view the main shrine building up close—a privilege not normally available to the public.
・Two-Day, One-Night Tour
This extended tour includes all the activities from the one-day tour, with the added luxury of an overnight stay at a high-quality wooden inn. You’ll also enjoy sake tasting at a local brewery and take part in cultural experiences such as traditional indigo dyeing. This in-depth tour allows you to fully immerse yourself in the craft of miya-daiku and the unique cultural heritage of the region.
Both tours are guided by experienced professional interpreters, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. For added comfort, transportation by hired car is also available. -
A special tour to discover the secrets of Kobe Beef
(1) Visitors will undergo a strict entry process (dedicated gates, protective clothing, air showers, acrylic panels to prevent transmission of droplets) to prevent infections such as foot-and-mouth disease and take part in the first public tour of a Kobe Beef breeding facility. The tour will include a lecture by staff on breeding methods and the ingenuity of the breeding environment, etc., which have not been made public.
(2) Enjoy a special dinner of Kobe Beef and Nada-Gogo region Japanese sake served in an exclusive hotel room with a normally inaccessible nighttime view of Kobe Port as you learn more about the history of Kobe Beef and its compatibility with Japanese sake from a master teppanyaki grill chef.
Example: This cut of Kobe Beef goes well with this particular sake from this particular brewery.
(3) The first-ever "Premium Plan" tour (1 night, 2 days).
(4) Learn about the history of Kobe Beef and how this luxury item has been enjoyed locally while making and eating your own gyoza dumplings. -
Connecting with Japanese Treasures: The Essence of Courtly Culture and Hospitality
This program introduces participants to the origins of Japanese culture through an all-in-one luxury experience that recreates the historical practice of court nobles hosting Dutch and Korean diplomatic missions in Kyoto. Experience the refined elegance of Japan at an evening gathering in the style of the Nijo family, who were central to the Imperial court. Through recreating the custom of inviting a high ranking geisha to entertain distinguished guests, this program offers not just a cultural experience, but also a taste of the splendor of these historical banquets. This experience is perfect for affluent travelers who, like the diplomats of the past, wish to gain a deep understanding of Japan and take home unique memories, and is recommended for birthdays, honeymoons, hosting visitors, and other special occasions. Customize your experience with options such as a lecture, an incense ceremony, fine dining, a tea ceremony, a Noh dance performance, and a garden tour, to create the perfect party.
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Wellness tours in Fukui, Japan's happiest prefecture
Fukui Prefecture is said to be the happiest prefecture in Japan.
These tours offer special experiences unique to Fukui that will captivate visitors.
The first tour includes a seated zen meditation experience at Daihonzan Eiheiji, a Zen training monastery, and a guided tour of temple buildings not usually open to the public (Komyozo, Myokodai, and Furokaku) led by an English-speaking monk.
The second tour features a lecture by a wellness expert at Beniya Ryokan in Awara Onsen, a secluded hot spring resort in the Kansai region, on how to bathe in hot springs. You can also experience kodo, a traditional incense ceremony that dates to the sixth century, as performed by the Shino School.
The third tour features a lecture on agriculture and crafting the cushions used in Zen meditation at Eiheiji Temple, in addition to the Zen medition experience at Eiheiji Temple and the incense ceremony at Beniya Ryokan.
At ESHIKOTO, a facility operated by Kokuryu Sake Brewery, Fukui’s leading sake brewer, you can sample sake in the Garyu-to event hall, which is not usually open to the public.
At the Brilliant Heart Museum, built by world-renowned art director Masatoshi Toda, you can experience the tea ceremony and enjoy a conversation with the director himself.
Visits to ESHIKOTO and the Brilliant Heart Museum can also be booked as individual tours. -
Discover Hyogo: Harmony of Nature and Tradition, a Journey to Meet Artisans
This special experience tour takes you on a journey through Hyogo Prefecture, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant traditional culture shaped by rich natural beauty and deep history. Connecting the traditional crafts passed down through generations of artisans with the abundant, seasonal ingredients of each region, this journey is a feast for all five senses.
Tamba pottery boasts over 800 years of history and a rich heritage as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. On this tour, you can make pottery alongside skilled artisans, connecting you with their traditional techniques. In Miki City, witness the traditional swordsmithing techniques up close and gain a deeper understanding of this ancient art.
A highlight of the tour is a visit to the Akashiura Fishery Cooperative, known for its high-quality fish, where you can watch the lively fish auctions and savor the luxurious taste of sushi made on the spot with fresh fish. This tour, which allows you to fully savor the charm of Hyogo through its local culture and cuisine, is a perfect opportunity to create unforgettable memories.