
Art & Culture
Area
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Experience the tranquility of zazen meditation, witness the ongoing cypress bark roof replacement work, and savor special vegan rice porridge prepared with locally grown vegetables.
- Observe restoration work of National Treasure Zensuiji Temple's cypress bark roof from a special platform.
- Try seated Zen meditation in the temple's private main hall under the chief priest's guidance, and eat special vegan rice porridge prepared by Restaurant Ushio in the temple's shoin-style study.
- Tour the main hall's roof restoration site with the chief priest as your guide.
- Step back in time with an overnight stay at Saioji Temple in what will be the first time this historic eighth-century temple has been used as shukubo (temple lodging).
- During the daytime, reservation-only access to the viewing platform at Zensuiji Temple will also be available to paying visitors. -
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. -
B.League All★Star Game Interactive Hospitality Tour in Chiba
- The game will be held at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY, scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. Experience top-level entertainment in a state-of-the-art arena.
- Funabashi is the home field of the Chiba Jets, one of the most popular teams in the B.League.
- Our hospitality services create added value for fans, including an opportunity to meet and take photos with the players.
- We are also considering offering special merchandise for this hospitality package, as well as services that allow visitors to experience the local food and culture. -
The Beauty of Japan and Its Traditional Culture are Alive on this Zen x Craft x Food Journey of Discovery
Eiheiji Temple is a Zen training monastery founded by Zen Master Dogen in 1244, where many monks continue to practice asceticism to this day. This tour of Eiheiji Temple offers a plan where even beginners can experience the practice and spirituality of Zen Buddhism. A monk will guide you through the historic buildings of Eiheiji, and you will also have the chance to experience zazen meditation in a special private setting. You will stay at the shukubo temple lodgings, the "Hakujukan" or "Hakujukaku" located near the grounds of the temple. For dinner, you can experience of traditional shojin ryori (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine) overseen by Eiheiji Temple. The next morning, you can also participate in the morning chanting ceremony with the monks. On days 2 and 3, you will visit workshops that are usually closed to the public. You can meet Toru Uchida, the eighth-generation master traditional artisan of "Shitsurindo," a workshop that has been officially recognized by Eiheiji Temple. Here you can observe the craftsmanship of Echizen washi papermaking and Echizen cutlery blacksmithing firsthand, and even try your hand at traditional crafts. For dinner on the second day, a renowned local chef will prepare a “Craft Invitation Exclusive” vegan French meal, combining the spirit of vegetarian cuisine with locally produced, locally consumed ingredients. On this tour, you can savor the seasonal delicacies of the region's natural food culture, and see how it is intertwined with Echizen-Sabae's 1,500-year-old legacy of traditional craftsmanship.
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Feel the Roots of the Culture and Spirituality of Belief in Nature through an Authentic Osuwa Daiko Taiko Drumming Program
For those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural arts, Makoto Yamamoto, grandson of Osuwa Daiko Taiko Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi, will lead a special two-day high-value-added program to convey the “roots of the Suwa faith and the spirit of Osuwa Daiko taiko” to visitors. Receive special guidance around Suwa Taisha Shrine, and private instruction on the taiko at the ancestral training hall. Also, take part in a dedication at the Main Hall of Shokoji Temple, an important sacred place in the Suwa faith, and feel the depth of cultural performing arts. This tour is a rare opportunity to learn about the spirituality of Osuwa Daiko in Suwa and Okaya, where the roots of the world's taiko are found.
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Tracing Stories from Clay and Stone to Experience History and Culture - with commentary by renowned ceramic researcher Yumi Mori
This plan allows visitors to encounter the roots and charm of Aizu Hongo pottery.
Aizu Hongo pottery comes from the oldest pottery production area in the Tohoku region of Japan, located in Aizu Misato-cho, Fukushima Prefecture. This town is a rarity in Japan as a producer of both pottery and porcelain, and is located at the northern-most tip of the island of Honshu. Aizu Hongo pottery came from the official kiln of the Aizu clan, and has much history; the kiln was saved from two great fires by its artisans. The area is also said to have produced the first tea strainers in Japan, and at the end of the Meiji period it was known for the best teapots nationwide. The most attractive point is that different craftsmen express themselves in various ways, and you can enjoy a variety of works.
Why not experience the charm of Aizu Hongo pottery, which has been preserved and handed down along with the history of Aizu?
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OKINAWA ANIMATION FESTIVAL 2025
Okinawa's First Animation Festival
The OKINAWA ANIMATION FESTIVAL 2025 is a large-scale fan meeting event that will combine a passion for anime with the charm of Okinawa, Japan's southern resort destination. Located in the center of Asia, Okinawa was once a central trading spot known as the “Bankoku Shinryo (Bridge of Nations)" and continues to be visited by tourists from all over the world. Now, anime fans from Japan and overseas will gather in Okinawa to take part in the island's first animation festival.
Laid-Back Vibes x Entertainment
Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful, world-renowned natural environs and laid-back vibes of Okinawa together with anime staff/actors for the ultimate entertainment experience. The event also aims to promote Okinawa as a hub for the creation and distribution of new content.
Held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is a world-leading research facility in Onna, Okinawa with faculty that received a Nobel Prize in 2022. The festival will take place here, bringing Japanese animation to a venue that combines natural beauty with global cutting-edge science and technology.
With a Star-Studded Cast!
The main venue of the OKINAWA ANIMATION FESTIVAL 2025 will feature two days of panels and performances featuring popular voice actors. Stay tuned to our press releases for upcoming guest announcements. -
Noboribetsu Onsen: New Discoveries and Experiences
(1) Demon Fireworks Show
Demon Fireworks (oni hanabi) are fireworks that are launched to dispel people’s worries and bring them happiness. They are inspired by legends of the fireworks set off by Yukijin, the demons who inhabit Hell Valley (Jigokudani), that are said to have a force similar to a volcanic eruption.
(2) Demon Fireworks Experience
Once the show is over, dress up as a Yukijin and try setting off hand-held tezutsu fireworks yourself. Limited to small groups.
(3) Tour of Hell Valley Hot Spring Prohibited Zone
There are many craters and fumeroles that line Hell Valley, and the sight of water bubbling up from the earth is the origin of its name as "the hell where demons live." More than 10,000 tons of hot water bubble up from this area daily, supplying nearby hotels with a hot spring source.
Tours are available with an English-speaking guide that will take participants into areas of Hell Valley that are usually off limits to the general public.
(4) Noboribetsu Karurusu Copper Mine Site Ice Bamboo Tour
In winter, stalactites and stalagmites known as "ice bamboo" grow up to 2 meters in length at the Noboribetsu Karurusu Copper Mine site. Enjoy a walking tour to take in the fantastical ice spikes and trek over the snowy landscape in snowshoes.