Food & Drink
Area
Season
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Slip Back In Time at Matsue Castle, a National Treasure Shimane culture festival Enter a Space That Recreates the Time When the Castle Was Built, Paired with a World of Twinkling Lights and Ghost Stories Unique to the Nighttime Atmosphere
For the first time, the Honmaru area of Matsue Castle will be exclusively open for a special weekday evening event. Attendees can experience a grand tea ceremony alongside a stage performance featuring Lafcadio Hearn's (AKA Koizumi Yakumo) beloved ghost stories connected to Matsue, all set against the backdrop of the castle's main keep. There will also be weekday events such as the “Matsue Water Lantern Festival” and a range of cultural and culinary experiences that showcase Shimane. These include tastings of local sake from Shimane, the birthplace of sake, special performances of Iwami Kagura and Yasugi-bushi, “Do" drumming, foodstalls featuring regional delicacies, and hands-on experiences like dressing in samurai warrior attire. These events aim to attract international visitors and create opportunities for cultural exchange.
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New Value Creation and Inspirational Experience Project that Synchronizes Traditional Performing Arts & World Heritage Sites & Animation
1. Explore the history of Katsuren Castle Ruins World Heritage Site
Take a trip to the ruins of Katsuren Castle, which flourished as the ancient capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and explore the magnificent stone walls and ancient remains of the castle, getting a glimpse into the history of the kingdom. This is a great spot for history enthusiasts.
2. Discover traditional culture and performing arts
Guests can enjoy activities up close such as Okinawan bullfighting, which has continued for more than 100 years, and local traditional performing arts like the Eisa, Lion, and Ryukyu dances. There will also be a chance to interact with local residents for a heartwarming time.
3. Indulge in Ryukyu cuisine
The profound flavors of Ryukyu cuisine made with local ingredients symbolize the unique gastronomic culture of Okinawa. Participants will take part in a workshop to learn traditional recipes and try your hand at cooking them.
4. Special tour of sites featured in the 2025 animated film
A must-see for anime-lovers! Sightseeing tours will also be available for the sites featured in "Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She's Saying,” which has an anime adapation premiering in 2025. Relive scenes from the anime at the real locations and immerse yourself in the setting of the show. Uruma City is dotted with tourist attractions besides the scenic Kasturen Castle Ruins that boast rich nature and beautiful views. One of the selling points of this tour is that guests can enjoy the natural beauty of Okinawa in a relaxing atmosphere.
This special experience of Uruma City's history, culture, and sub-cultures will surely leave a lasting impression. -
Traditional Culture & Cutting-edge Technology "CHRONOSENSE" Museum of Light and Sound to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary
“CHRONOSENSE at the State Guest House Akasaka Palace, Museum of Light and Sound to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary” will be held for two nights only on Friday, December 20, and Saturday, December 21. This event combines the charm of traditional culture and historical heritage with cutting-edge technology to create the first-ever nighttime winter illumination event at the Palace. It is a national treasure that has hosted many historic moments as a venue for international diplomacy, and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.
The event will be produced by TEAM FIRE and Akira Hasegawa, who is a trailblazer in the digital art world and the creator of projection mapping. Akira Hasegawa will render a digital hanging scroll that slowly changes in accordance with the speed of the earth's rotation and projects a completely different view of the State Guest House Akasaka Palace as time passes. In addition, Tokizo Nakamura will appear in a “Digital Kabuki” (20th only) performance, and Kimio Otsubo, a Living National Treasure of Noh Theater (a preserver of an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property) and Manjiro Tatsumi will appear in the “Digital Noh Dance” (21st only). The event will showcase the new appeal of combining historical traditional performing arts with cutting-edge technology in an outdoor setting. There will also be a special indoor nighttime visit to the State Guest House Akasaka Palace, available on these two days only. -
Seven Great Onsen Resorts in Gunma Hopping Fair
100 highly recommended hot springs have been selected from among both famous and lesser-known hot springs and traditional bathhouses in Gunma Prefecture's seven major onsen resort areas (Kusatsu, Ikaho, the 18 hot springs of Minakami, Shima, Manza, Isobe, and Oigami). The Gunma Onsen Hopping Pass will be on sale from Monday, January 6 to Tuesday, February 4, allowing visitors to enjoy these 100 famous hot spring bathing facilities in any combination. Purchasers will also receive special benefits such as unlimited rides on the Onsen Road bus and preferential access to premium events.
Also, during the campaign, individual hot spring resorts will hold their own premium events to heal body and soul in harmony with nature and traditional culture. For example, at Kusatsu Onsen, guests can enjoy a spectacular dance performance of the much-loved traditional local folk song “Kusatsu-bushi” at Goza-no-yu. This bathhouse overlooks the Yubatake, the symbol of Kusatsu, and recreates the atmosphere of healing hot spring culture. At Ikaho Onsen, visitors will enjoy a special lunch made with local ingredients and a dance performance by an Ikaho geiko performer at the Yokote-kan, a traditional inn founded in the Edo period and located along the iconic Ikaho stone steps. At Manza Onsen, a premium “hot spring under the stars” bathing experience will be available for a limited time only, with only one pair daily able to enjoy champagne and non-alcoholic drinks in an exquisite bespoke hot spring setting.
From famous hot springs to secluded inns, just use the Onsen Hopping Pass on your smartphone to make the most of the Onsen culture that is the pride of Gunma Prefecture. -
Floating Awa Lantern Odori
Is it only the lanterns floating? My heart is taking flight too ♪
Lanterns float into the sky, marking the climx of the Awa Odori Festival. This enchanting experience offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Tokushima, transcending age and language barriers. Lanterns are free to take home, making this event something truly unforgettable.
Booths at the venue showcase Tokushima's traditional industries and culture. Food and drink stalls are also available so that visitors can enjoy themselves for the whole day. Witness this fantastic spectacle amid Tokushima's traditional folk crafts and rich culture.
[Exclusive Awa Washi plan—only 88 spots available!] Hand-made Awa Washi paper is said to have first been created by the Inbe clan of Awa around 1,300 years ago. Renowned for its durability, water resistance, and its rare beauty, Awa Washi paper has captivated artists both in Japan and abroad. Many works of art have been created using Awa Washi paper. For this event, there are 88 spots for the Awa Washi plan. Those who choose it will receive a lamp-shade kit as a gift! After the event, repurpose your Awa Washi lantern into a beautiful lampshade to decorate your home. -
Savor a sushi course dinner at the historic former residence of Kichirobe Yamaguchi
A sushi course dinner, available only as a part of this tour, will be served at the former residence of Kichirobe Yamaguchi (Tekisui Museum of Art), located in a tranquil area of Ashiya City.
The special course menu caters to various dietary needs, including halal and vegetarian options. It is overseen by Chef Ryosuke Kawai, a sous chef at a three-star Michelin restaurant (availability of halal and vegetarian options vary according to the date of the event).
The former residence of Kichirobe Yamaguchi (Tekisui Museum of Art) is a historic building constructed in 1932 and filled with Important Cultural Properties. It was included in the "DOCOMOMO 20 IN KANSAI,” a symposium celebrating architecture.
Tour participants will first solve a mystery in a program led by a heritage manager, who is an expert on historic buildings, as he helps them understand the building’s background. Guests can then enjoy themselves with a sushi course meal replete with Japanese vegetables in a space that previously served as a reception room. -
Tanba Saijiki: The Greatest Wabi-sabi Journey
Complete with a private teahouse and Noh stage, this special guest house offers a luxurious way for guests to experience Japanese culture in the mountains of Tanba. Wear a traditional kimono and immerse yourself in Japanese traditional aesthetics with the help of multilingual staff. Limited to groups of 4 to 10 people.
These lodgings are located in the middle of Tamba's scenic traditional landscape and provides services that allows guests to enjoy clothing, food, and living spaces designed with Tanba's four seasons in mind. The highlight of the package is a Noh experience where guests will be introduced to this world-famous traditional performing art by Living National Treasure and Noh actor, Genjiro Okura, on the guest house's private Noh stage.
Guests will not only take in seasonal-themed Noh performances, but also gain deeper insights into Japanese culture as they interact with Noh performers during their practice sessions. By staying at the guest house overnight, guests can go up on the Noh stage and immerse themselves in practice whenever they want.
Guests will also participate in a tea ceremony based on the 72 micro-seasons of Japan, enjoy Japanese food culture around the fire, and have a genuine wabi-sabi experience in Tanba's beautiful natural surroundings.
Immerse yourself into genuine Japanese culture, find true satisfaction, and make lifelong memories. -
Hinoki Experience Tour in HINOHARA
This tour includes several special experiences to relax both mind and body in a lush cypress forest in the outskirts of Tokyo through shinrin-yoku ("forest bathing"), a concept that originated in Japan.
The forest bathing sessions will be led by an internationally acclaimed forest therapy guide.
Learn how the forest and cypress trees continue to support daily life in Hinohara Village, where Japanese paper and multigrain dishes continued to be made in traditional buildings.
Stay at a thatched-roof inn that is over 250 years old.
Natural foods (vegan meals) are provided throughout the tour.
Travel is done via chartered vehicle, and there will be a translator-guide who will accompany you.
Take two splendid days to surround yourself with the smell of cypress. -
Accommodation Plan for Digital Nomads: Immerse Yourself in Ureshino's People and Culture
Ureshino, located in southern Japan, is famous for its hot springs, tea, and ceramics, nestled among picturesque mountains. In this unique experience, you’ll stay at the newly renovated Ureshino Wata-ya Villa, designed for digital nomads, and explore three of Ureshino’s most cherished traditional cultures: hot springs, tea, and ceramics.
At Wata-ya Villa, you’ll enjoy a comfortable long-term stay in a fully-equipped room with a dedicated workspace. You’ll also have access to a co-working space that includes a kitchen for added convenience.
The first experience is Ureshino’s renowned hot springs that are said to beautify and rejuvenate the skin. As part of the subscription plan, you can choose from 10 different options during your stay, including rental bicycles, spas, saunas, and Japanese sweets workshops.
The second experience involves the 500-year-old Ureshino tea tradition, where you’ll engage with local tea farmers and learn about the tea cultivation process, from farming to production, all while connecting with the local community.
The third experience is a hands-on pottery workshop featuring the 400-year-old tradition of Bizen Yoshida pottery. You’ll get the rare chance to take part in the pottery-making process, something not typically offered to the public.
Additionally, throughout your stay, interpreters will be available for support via online chat. You’ll also receive a guidebook with information on nearby restaurants and tourist attractions to make the most of your stay.
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An Exclusive Dinner at Fukuzen-ji Temple's Historic Taishō-ro Reception Hall with a Special Fukuyama Koto Performance
Exclusive Nighttime Use of the Taishō-ro Reception Hall
Guests will partake in a private dinner at a reception hall overlooking the sea. The menu will be prepared by local chefs who will recreate dishes that were once served to Joseon Dynasty envoys. While dining, guests will enjoy a performance of "The Sea of Spring" (Haru no Umi), a famous song that was born in this picturesque town. After a meal in this exclusive setting, guests will enjoy an overnight stay at a traditional machiya house-turned-upscale hotel that is tucked away in the historic alleyways of Tomonoura.