
Food & Drink
Area
Season
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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. -
Half-Day Guided Tour to Discover and Experience the Traditional Culture of the Kawagoe Festival in Tokyo's Suburbs
This tour takes you to Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, a suburb of Tokyo where the spirit of the Edo period still thrives. You’ll begin with a visit led by a special guide to the Matsuri Museum to learn about the history and significance of the Kawagoe Festival. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming streets lined with traditional storehouses, where you can shop for souvenirs and sample local delicacies.
The tour also offers an exclusive pairing of Japanese sake (local to the region) often drunk at festivals with a special traditional kaiseki meal. Additionally, participants will be treated to a special performance of “ohayashi,” a type of festival music, that is exclusive to this tour.
To round off the experience, you’ll have the opportunity to create festival-themed crafts using Japanese paper, making this tour a comprehensive and enriching dive into the cultural heritage of the Kawagoe Festival.
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A Cultural Dining Experience: Offering a Prayer at Mitokoura, Originating from Itsukushima “A High-Value Local Entertainment Dining Journey Through the History of the Sacred Island, Miyajima”
Miyajima, long revered as a sacred island where the gods reside, offers an array of charms. From its mystical natural beauty to a variety of cultural experiences, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy, hiking, kayaking, SUP, and yacht cruises, Miyajima provides something for everyone. Just across from the island, Miyahama Hot Spring Village offers a luxurious retreat with panoramic views of the beautiful Seto Inland Sea.
In this plan, you will embark on a unique journey to enjoy what Miyajima has to offer in a new and exciting way. The experience starts aboard HANAIKADA, a restaurant boat designed to resemble a raft. The boat takes you to locations normally inaccessible by standard sightseeing boats, offering a guided tour of the majestic peaks of Miyajima from the waters surrounding Itsukushima Shrine.
Along the way, savor seasonal dishes crafted by local chefs and plated on Hiroshima’s traditional Osunayaki pottery. The highlight of the cruise is a live performance of Ujin Taiko, a traditional Hiroshima performing art, which will be held right on the boat.
Why not indulge in a premium stay that combines Japanese culture, entertainment, cuisine, and activities, all set within the awe-inspiring scenery of a World Heritage Site? -
Premium Dining at a Chartered Historical Site, Mt. Houdaiyama's Mitakayama Battery [A Unique Fusion of Food and Music in a Special Setting]
Premium Dining Experience on Mitakayama Battery at Mt. Houdaiyama
This event offers a fusion of opera, Noh, and fine dining, all in the name of peace. Enjoy an exclusive premium dining experience at a rented-out historic site of Mitakayama Battery on Mt. Houdaiyama, accompanied by a special concert by Maria Seiren, the first winner of Japan's Got Talent.
Acquiring Ingredients Locally with a Food Expert
Explore the local food scene by visiting food producers in Etajima, where you will personally select fresh, locally sourced ingredients. These will then be prepared right before your eyes by the head chef of Etajima-so, offering you a luxurious and one-of-a-kind dining experience that is distinctly Etajima.