Food & Drink
Area
Season
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Experience life as it was in the authentic Japanese fishing village of Sagiura – Next-generation living in a traditional house made from reclaimed materials
Take a guided walk through Sagiura Village, and experience one of Japan’s most well-retained landscapes to understand why the traditions and culture here have been preserved and passed down to the present. Stay at a traditional inn made of materials reclaimed from vacant houses, and become one with the nature and life of Sagiura as you reflect on your own past and future.
[What you will experience]
・A guided walk around Sagiura village
・Make salt using seaweed from the Sea of Japan based on a traditional method unique to Sagiura, and take home the salt as a souvenir
・Stay at Wajimaya, which is a traditional inn made from reclaimed lumber
・Take a fishing boat cruise on the Sea of Japan and visit a “blue cave” geopark spot, which is a rare cave where light shines deep inside
・Watch a video to experience a local festival held every New Year’s with "Shagiri," a type of music played with a short flute
・Gaze out at the Sea of Japan as you take a private bath with arame, a type of seaweed that is a specialty of Sagiura
・Enjoy a Japanese dinner made with local ingredients
・Have a traditional Sagiura fisherman's breakfast prepared by a local -
Enjoy the Great Outdoors in a Spectacular Location Overlooking a National Park! Premium Mobile Home Stay with Sauna and Special Dinner
This plan allows guests to enjoy a sense of oneness with nature as they overlook the national parks of Joshinetsu Kogen and the Myoko-Togakushi Mountain Range from a premium mobile home with a sauna. Enjoy an exclusive view of scenery that can only be seen here and changes with the time of day.
Participants will be treated to a special dinner made with local ingredients.
The tour also offers optional guided cultural experiences in the area as part of the basic plan, such as a special guided tour of the temple grounds by a Zenkoji monk and high-quality shojin ryori (vegetarian Buddhist meal) with an explanation of the cuisine.
There is also the option of an all-inclusive tour complete with private cabs for guests visiting from the Tokyo metropolitan area. Transportation within the region will also be through private cab, ensuring each aspect of the tour (experience, transport, and accommodation) will be private. -
Overnight Tour in Sabae, Including a Workshop on Echizen’s Most Treasured Craft, True Lacquer Kintsugi
Learn kintsugi (the art of repairing broken pottery with urushi lacquer) from traditional craftsman Takenobu Komamoto, who has preserved and passed down the traditional crafts of the city of Echizen in Fukui Prefecture for generations.
Takenobu himself will teach participants the techniques involved in kintsugi using real gold. This is a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Kintsugi is applied to Echizen ware ceramics that have been discarded due to chips that occur in the manufacturing process. These chips prevent them from being sold as products.
A bowl restored by one's own hands will become a treasure for a lifetime.
Upon completing the workshop, those interested will receive a certificate of apprenticeship acknowledging the master-apprentice relationship with Takenobu. A cup of limited-edition local sake will be presented to solidify this master-apprentice relationship.
On each part of the tour, participants will be accompanied by a professional interpreter.
Private cars with chauffeurs are also available for transport from the meeting point and the accommodation. -
Wagyu and Yakatabune Boat in TOKYO
A fusion of a nighttime cruise on a yakatabune boat, a symbol of Tokyo's Edo period culture, with a full-course French meal prepared by Chef Kakegawa from a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The secret ingredient that will bring this amazing collaboration to even greater heights is Japan's world-renowned wagyu beef.
This luxury dinner cruise also includes a gift of Tokyo sake and an ochoko sake cup made of Edo kiriko glass.
This special tour is designed to offer a different taste of Tokyo, with a focus on Tokyo products—Wagyu beef, sake that brings out the flavor of the meals, and souvenirs and handicrafts.
Chef Kakegawa's Michelin star cuisine is sure to impress the senses with its delicacy and concentrated umami.
The original Wagyu beef full-course menu created especially for this tour and the unique Tokyo nightscape cruise on a yakatabune boat are sure to make for an unforgettable night for all visitors to Tokyo. -
Hands-On Workshops to Learn About and Experience Kutani Ware Ceramics and Ogura Textiles! Two-day tour to enjoy ceramic painting and molding techniques
This tour gives participants a chance to learn traditional Kutani ware techniques from the Asakura Family, the first Kutani ware potters to be awarded the Order of Culture. With its distinctive molding and painting, the colors and shapes of Kutani ware objects are very different from pottery found in other regions. Try your hand at the Asakura family's secret techniques of painting and molding pottery, which have been passed down from generation to generation. This tour features a special backyard tour of the only silk weaving factory in Japan. All food at the accommodation will be served in Kutani ware ceramics. Enjoy this rare opportunity to learn about the history of Kutani ware pottery, and hear directly from Kutani ware ceramic artists themselves. An easy-to-understand tour with an interpreter on hand.
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Seto Inland Sea Gastronomy Cruise
Travel by yacht and enjoy a gastronomy experience with a private chef, exploring the nature and gastronomy of the Seto Inland Sea, while delving deep into the local culture through interactions with local fishermen and farmers. This one-of-a-kind cruise, which includes special programs such as private viewings at museums and a mindfulness workshop based on Zen philosophy, is sure to leave a lasting impression.
◾️ Contemporary art island tour: Take a tour of Naoshima, Inujima, Teshima, and other islands for a special chance to view artworks by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and other artists.
◾️ Onboard gastronomy with private chefs: Special dishes made with the freshest ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea, served onboard the yacht by dedicated private chefs.
◾️ Interactions with local fishers and farmers Interact closely with locals to delve deeper into the culture and lifestyle of the islands.
◾️ Mindfulness workshop: A special mindfulness program called UNDOING. It is based on Zen philosophy and aims to help you achieve harmony of body and mind.
◾️ Luxury accommodations: Includes lodging at special accommodations such as suites at Benesse House.
◾️ Custom itinerary: Itineraries are flexible and can be adjusted to suit your preferences and maximize your enjoyment of this special experience
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HAMANASHI HOUSEBOAT
Experience gastronomy and art on the only houseboat on Lake Kawaguchi. Enjoy twilight views of glorious forest scenery and a six-course dinner inspired by autumn in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji with premium wine pairings. The dinner will be prepared by Yamanashi Prefecture native and chef Kohei Horiuchi, winner of the Grand Prix at RED U-35 2021, one of Japan’s largest culinary competitions, as well as other chefs who know Yamanashi inside and out. The menu will consist of six dishes and six wines. After sunset, participants can take in some unique Yamanashi pixel art while enjoying exquisite desserts. This cruise tour begins at 5:00 in the evening, and will last approximately 2.5 hours.
・Food to experience the changing seasons of Yamanashi
・Wine that will bring out the natural, delicate flavors of these Yamanashi dishes
・A perfect marriage of wine and food
・Expressing the wonderful landscape and culture of Yamanashi through art -
Environmental Studies and Noh Plays on the Lake: an Overnight Tour on a State-of-the-Art Yakatabune Boat
On the tour, participants will visit Lake Biwa (Japan's largest lake in area and water capacity) to experience its nature and culture.
Noh is a classical Japanese performing art with a history of over 600 years. In this tour, guests will experience Noh theater firsthand by wearing Noh costumes, using Noh tools, and receiving direct instruction from a Noh performer who has been designated a National Important Intangible Cultural Property. Participants will also get a chance to watch professional Noh performances.
Participants can also explore Lake Biwa by cruising and canoeing on Shiki, a modern yakatabune boat that blends Japanese and Western style and design. The 400,000-year-old Lake Biwa has a unique natural environment is home to more than 50 species of indigenous freshwater fish and a distinct community of reeds.
On the yakatabune, participants will enjoy dishes featuring fish caught in Lake Biwa, as well as Shiga Omi beef. During the cruise, participants can take in beautiful views of Ukimido, a floating Buddhist temple built in the lake, from the water.
An experienced guide and interpreter will accompany participants throughout every part of the trip.
*Some itineraries may be subject to change due to weather conditions or other reasons. -
A New Immersive Experience to Engage with the Ancient World at the Foot of Mt. Fuji
Omuro Sengen Shrine has been home to various traditional Japanese ceremonies and festivals that have been held for over 800 years, such as the Yabusame Festival and Tsutsugayu Festival. Participants can head to the shrine to enjoy immersive experiences unique to the area, from interacting with sacred horses to an exclusive nighttime worship session with a shrine priest; watching a performance of Bugaku, a form of dance that combines samurai martial arts with traditional performing arts; and live performances by contemporary artists. There will also be plenty of content for foodies and more, including creative food inspired by oshi-style cuisine, a form of traditional Japanese cuisine that used to be essential to climb Mt. Fuji.
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The Mysterious Hakujahime Story at Hokkaido Shikaribetu 2024 Special worship tour／Hakujahimemai／Traditional Ainu cuisine
Lake Shikaribetsu is located in Daisetsuzan National Park in the center of Hokkaido. Participants will travel to the sacred island of Bentenjima located on the lake for a special tour to view a traditional Ainu performance of Hakujahimemai (Dance of the White Snake Princess) and sample Ainu wild game cuisine.
Special Visit to Bentenjima
Bentenjima is normally off-limits to the public, but this tour includes a special boat trip to the island. Enjoy a special experience in this sacred place surrounded by nature.
View a traditional Ainu performance of Hakujahimemai (Dance of the White Snake Princess)
There will be a chance to engage with Ainu culture and gain a deeper understanding of their history and traditions through watching a special performance of the traditional Hakujahimemai dance. The legend behind the story is that a goddess and a white snake saved an Ainu village suffering from famine.
Ainu Wild Game Cuisine Course: "Gifts of Kamui Tou"
Participants will be served wild game dishes featuring venison. This meal, which utilizes local ingredients, is sure to bring you closer to the nature and culture of Japan. Experience Ainu culinary culture while enjoying the venison, wild vegetables, and mushrooms produced in Shikaribetsu Town.