Food & Drink
Area
Season
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Fire Festival and Miare Festival on the World Heritage Site, the Sacred Island of Okinoshima
★ Miare Festival, one of Munakata Taisha's Shinto rituals: A magnificent parade of fishing boats that is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Folk Cultural Property
★ Special plan limited to 6 people: Helicopter tour of the Miare Festival parade (Special plan for 6 people only)
★ Change into yukata and join us on the eve of the festival at the Fire Festival FROM PORT OF GOD.
Enjoy a brilliant bonfire and traditional performing arts on the sandy beach at the entrance to the World Heritage Site. Participants will also get to visit the local fishermen's Sunday market
★ The Three Shrines of Munakata, a World Heritage Site: take a boat from Konominato to Oshima Island and visit the World Heritage Site of Nakatsumiya Shrine, then head to Okinoshima Yohaisho, which offers a distant view of Okinoshima Island, the sacred island where the gods dwell.
★ Tour the Hetsumiya Shrine and the Shinpokan Museum, which houses 80,000 sacred treasures (certified as national treasures) of Okinoshima and more.
★ Neo Gastronomy Tourism: Special dinner supervised by a renowned Fukuoka chef using ingredients from Munakata, including fresh seafood from the Genkai Sea.
★ Katsuya Shuzo and the Akama-juku area: Tasting sake at Katsuya Shuzo, a sake brewery with a 200-year history, and shopping in an Edo Period inn town
★ Umi no Michi Munakata Hall: A facility where participants can learn about the World Heritage Site and the history and culture of Munakata -
Tour of the Spiritual Culture of Jion-ji Temple, the Tohoku Region’s Finest Prayer Temple
This two-day program allows participants to experience spiritual culture with both the body and the mind to gain invaluable spiritual and physical enrichment. The program takes place at Mt. Hayama, which was once home to 48 monasteries in three different temples, and was one of the three mountains of Dewa, as well as Jion-ji Temple, a nationally designated historic site with a 1,300-year history and the Tohoku region’s finest prayer temple.
Spiritual and cultural programs include a dialogue with the head abbot of Jion-ji Temple, a performance of Jion-ji Bugaku, a prayer dance designated as a National Intangible Folk Cultural Property,
and a hike to Mt. Hayama, a former site of importance in Shugendo, a type of Japanese mountain asceticism.
The health food meals that will be served during the program will be a modern take on traditional vegetarian recipes from Jion-ji Temple.
This normally unavailable program at the historic Jion-ji Temple in Mt. Hayama will have yopu surrounded by the magnificence of nature, and you will gain a sense of spiritual richness and health you will not find anywhere else. -
Private Sightseeing Tours to World Heritage Sites with Shugendo Practitioners as Guides, for a Special Experience of Art and Nature
The tour includes a commentary by a sightseeing guide driver who is a Shugendo practitioner at Kongobuji Temple. Participants will tour the sacred sites and pilgrimage routes of the Kii Mountain Range, a World Heritage Site, and visit various spiritual hotspots. Participants will also be able to take part in a workshop at the Shiyu-en Special Arts Museum—once a place of lodging for Emperor Go-Shirakawa during his pilgrimages to Koyasan—where they can paint nihonga Japanese paintings while sipping on sake. Participant accommodation will be provided in the form of a glamping experience at the Kudoyama Forest Fairy Tale House (former Kubo Elementary School), a facility located by a World Heritage Site called Kuroko Michi. For dinner, participants will enjoy a BBQ meal made with locally-caught wild game. They will also have the opportunity to engage in special experiences only available on this tour, such as viewing the famous sword Ichimonji Tachi, which the Warring States warrior Sanada Yukimura is said to have offered at the World Heritage Site of Niu Kanshobu Shrine, as well as view the World Heritage Sites of Jison'in Temple and Choishimichi Road, which are themselves associated with Kobo Daishi.
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Kumano Food and Culture Branding Promotion Project: Experience the Essence of the Kumano Faith and Savor the Bounties of Nachi-Katsuura
This program is a chance to spend a meaningful time at Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, Seigantoji Temple, and Nachi-Katsuura Nigiwai Market.
- After the shrine gates are officially closed, head to the World Heritage Site Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine for a special nighttime visit in the hushed atmosphere. Afterwards, enjoy a premium dinner in the shrine precincts, with dishes and tableware that express the world of the Kumano mandala. After dinner, listen to a sacred dedication and savor local Kumano sake made from the holy waters of Nachi Falls.
- Experience a tea ceremony in Heian costume in the tea room at the World Heritage Site of Seigantoji Temple. This is the first time this tea room has been opened to the public, and it overlooks the three-story pagoda and Nachi Falls. Experience Kumano Shugen by viewing the hidden Buddha statues of Fudarakusanji Temple, learn about the essence of the Kumano faith through a Kumano mandala painting session, and participate in a ceremony at Gyojado Hall, which took 150 years to construct.
- You'll also go to Nachi-Katsuura Nigiwai Market. This market, which is attached to the Katsuura Tuna Market, serves fresh raw tuna from Katsuura, masterfully prepared on the spot by locals. This is a rare and delicious opportunity to appreciate fresh-caught whole tuna.
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BIS F25 x The World of Anime: Luxury Anime Experience on Ice in Fukuoka
BIS F24, held in 2024 as THE BEGINNING OF THE ICE SHOW, is a fusion of skating, entertainment, and food. It was very well-received by visitors from many countries, who enjoyed the wonderfully experiential ice show, which you watched as if traveling.
The upcoming BISF25, to be held in 2025, will feature Japan's leading professional skaters and anime singers, who will represent the wonderful worlds of Japanese anime on the ice. This program is not just for watching figure skating, but for experiencing it too! It includes a figure skating class taught by skaters who appear in the show, a photography opportunity where you can shoot photos from special seats, and an announcer activity that will make you feel just like a pro announcer.
You will also be able to enjoy local-production-for-local-consumption dishes featuring Fukuoka cuisine in the hospitality lounge. For the after-party, you will head to a wonderful local venue where you will be able to meet and interact with the show’s performers.
Tickets range from the reasonably-priced to the luxurious, allowing you to fully tailor your viewing according to your budget and objectives. -
Yamaguchi City Ouchi Culture Experience Tours: Yamaguchi Gion Festival Course and Yamaguchi Tanabata Chochin Festival Course
Enjoy the Yamaguchi Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Yamaguchi, and the Yamaguchi Tanabata Chochin Festival, one of the three major fire festivals in Japan, both of which have links to the Ouchi clan.
The Yamaguchi Gion Festival Course is a special experience plan that includes explanations by the chief priest of Yasaka Jinja Shrine on the eve of the festival, and a chance to take part in rituals that are not normally available to the public, such as carrying a portable shrine. Enjoy a meal and local Yamaguchi sake while watching the festival from special seating.
The Yamaguchi Tanabata Chochin Festival Course is a special experience plan that allows participants to interact with locals through activities like lighting lanterns and carrying a portable shrine.
The Onari Procession Experience Plan features an event based around the Ouchi clan—powerful daimyo lords in western Japan who built a cultural sphere to rival Kyoto using the wealth they gained through trade with Ming China around the fifteenth century. This reproduction of the Onari procession and banquet is based on Japan’s largest banquet of the Medieval period, which was held on March 5, 1500, when Ouchi Yoshioki entertained Ashikaga Yoshitane, the former shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate. At this event, a total of about 20 people, representing the shogun, Ouchi clan members, and the shogun's entourage, will wear Muromachi period costumes, ride horses, and take part in a parade through designated Ouchi cultural areas. Afterwards, you can enjoy a traditional banquet at Yuda Sansuien Garden. Dine on a Ouchi-gozen meal while watching traditional entertainment, as if you yourself were at this historical banquet. This is your opportunity to become a shogun and truly immerse yourself in the Ouchi culture of Japan’s Medieval period.
This is a comfortable tour that comes with a nationally licensed guide-interpreter, a tour guide, and private car. -
Famous Kyoto Temples in Collaboration with the Producers of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
2nd Japan Annual-International Art Festival Special Program
A special experience awaits at Kyoto's famous temples, where tradition and innovation intersect. The 2nd Japan Annual-International Art Festival will span a range of artistic fields, including contemporary art, digital art, and sustainable art. It will feature exhibitions that pave the way for the future of Japanese art, as well as performances of traditional performing arts such as Noh theater, Kabuki theater, and Gagaku courtly music. Of particular note are three high value-added experience programs created by the producers of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Kodaiji Temple: Special Tea Ceremony Program with Hiroshi Ishiguro's AVITA Avatar
Experience the encounter between 1,000 years of history and modern technology through a tea ceremony with avatars mixed with projection mapping.
Ninnaji Temple: Special Jazz Concert by Sachiko Nakajima
Sachiko Nakajima embodies the fusion of mathematics and music. This special concert offers a new musical experience in a traditional temple space.
Sennyu-ji Temple: Folding Screen Art Creation Workshop
Experience the Japan's unique culture of dedication by creating art in a traditional temple.
These programs offer one-of-a-kind experiences in which Japanese culture intersects with modern technology. Enjoy these special activites woven from history and art. -
First Rocket Public Viewing of the Launch Site! Enjoy Southern Wakayama Prefecture and Feel the awesome power of the rocket launch with your closest seats to the launch.
This tour combines new with old, with the latest in rocket technology and the unique heritage sites of the Kii Peninsula and Kumano.
That’s even more things to do and enjoy your experiences longer in southern Wakayama Prefecture!
(1) Premier seating for the rocket launch
The rocket, KAIROS, will be launching from the first private launch site. You will watch the rocket that is attracting worldwide attention and was mentioned by Elon Musk from the special viewing seats that are not part of the official viewing area.
Four viewing locations are available:
- From the sea on a chartered cruise
- From a private hot spring room for two
- From the World Heritage Kumano Kodo trail
- At close range to experience the full sound and power of the rocket launch
(2) Optional tours to make the most of local World and cultural heritage sites before and after the launch
Enjoy a dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred restaurant chef, participate in a party to eat “gibier” cuisine at a place of natural monuments, attend a special temple opening with a fire ritual held by the abbot of a World Heritage temple, or create and launch your very own original rocket.
Video interpreting systems will be available in conjunction with English, Mandarin, and Cantonese interpreter-guides to provide services in a maximum of 13 languages.
(3) Special tour behind the scenes of the launch site
During non-launch periods, visitors can tour the restricted first private launch site and see a rocket-related exhibition before it opens to the public with an expert guided tour. -
Osaka Great Sky Art Fireworks: A Spectacular Fireworks Event Synchronized to Music
Excellent and easy access. Osaka Art Fireworks is a huge fireworks event that can accommodate 20,000 people. There are four special experiences to accompany the fireworks.
Cruiser Fireworks Viewing Plan / Limited to 100 people
View the fireworks from a yacht. Limited to 10 to 20 people per vessel. Don't just watch the fireworks on land—watch from the comfort of a special vantage point on the water! This area is known for having one of the best sunsets in Japan, and watching a beautiful ocean sunset followed by fireworks by boat is a truly exceptional experience.
Japanese Cuisine x Hot Springs x Fireworks Plan / Limited to 10 groups
Enjoy a local lunch course at Fudoguchikan, a long-established traditional Japanese inn, and bathe in a hot spring with a view of autumn leaves. After lunch, head to the venue and enjoy watching the fireworks from special reserved seating. A free shuttle bus service will be running from the restaurant to the fireworks venue.
Fireworks x Stay Plan / Limited to 3 pairs
This plan allows you to view the fireworks from a guest room located within the venue, the JYUBAKO mobile house as designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Enjoy a barbecue while glamping in comfort using Japan's very own Snow Peak camping gear. After enjoying the glorious sunset, watch the fireworks from the privacy of your guest room. Includes two meals per overnight stay.
Fireworks x Pyrotechnician Commentary Plan / Limited to 100 people
A one-hour seminar by a pyrotechnician accompanied by video footage will be held at Ochi Arena near the fireworks venue. This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of Japanese fireworks traditions before watching the fireworks. English translations are available. A souvenir senshu towel from Osaka's Senshu region, renowned for nearly 130 years of making craft Japanese towels, is included. -
Exclusive Event Exploring the Roots of Yaesen Shuzo Distillery! Yaeyama Terroir (Limited to November 16–17)
A two-day premium dinner event under the full moon, featuring extraordinary sake from Yaesen Shuzo Distillery
Enjoy Shimaurara awamori liquor made from Ishigaki Island rice, and other special varieties of awamori that are typically hard to come by.
A special pairing experience is available for the premium dinner that will include limited-edition liquor.
-Visit Narungara (Omoto no Omikami), a sacred site with pristine running water
Visit this sacred site revered by the islanders since ancient times with a guide known as a tsukasa, and experience its crystal waters and clean air.
-Interact with experts at Miyagi Komeya, a grower of Ishigaki Island rice—the key ingredient in Shimaurara awamori liquor
Participate in a rice field tour and threshing experience with the producers of Hitomebore rice, the key ingredient in Shimaurara awamori liquor, which won the Platinum Award and Jury's Award at KuraMaster 2023.
-Craft experience at Uezato Wood Work, a woodworking shop that places great value on wood grown in Yaeyama
Make your own chopsticks and spoons while alongside local artisans.
A premium dinner made with fresh Yaeyama produce will give you a taste of the island’s life and abundance
Enjoy dishes featuring Yaeyama pork and goat, fresh wild fish from the blue sea, seasonal island vegetables, wild herbs such as shell ginger, and moringa, a much talked-about superfood.
Ingredients vary depending on availability, but dishes make full use of fresh local ingredients.