Food & Drink
Area
Season
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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. -
Jirocho’s DreamーSHIMIZU's Ｄream－
Experience the world of ukiyo-e woodblock prints within walking distance of the Hinode Pier area of Shimizu Port, where cruise ships dock. See bamboo lanterns even during the day along with ukiyo-e illuminations at the Izuishi Warehouses. Then, take part in an ukiyo-e woodblock printing workshop at the Verkehr Museum using woodblocks created by by Utagawa Hiroshige, a famous ukiyo-e artist. Go to Jirocho Street and visit Minowa Inari Shrine, where you can snap great photos of the torii gates, followed by a performance by SPAC at Shimizu Port Memorial Hall Suehiro. Finally, try your hand at creating seafood bowls using fish from Shimizu, which boasts the largest catch of tuna in Japan, and try making Japanese sweets at Dream Plaza. This tour is offered in conjunction with a special stamp rally themed around ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
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Immersive Musical Performance at Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theater
The story begins when guests enter the lobby. The lobby, dotted with cast members dressed in traditional Japanese costume, will make you feel you have stepped back in time. Some of them are actual maiko and geiko in training. Guests are made to feel like members of the cast, as if the entire venue, including the lobby, is the stage. The first portion of the show features a Japanese drum performance, and a joint performance of koto and traditional Japanese dance that will allow guests to truly feel the essence of Japanese wa (harmony). The second portion features an hour-long original selection of performances that combines a variety of genres. The entire program features top-notch musicians, traditional instruments, long swords, Japanese dance, and other cultural arts unique to Japan.
The venue, Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theater, is rarely open to the general public, making this an incredibly rare experience. It is also the first time such a show will be held here. After the show, guests will be served Kyoto cuisine and sake from the Noto region, for a full experience of O-MO-TE-NA-SHI hospitality! -
A Journey in Silence: A Special Morning at Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Reliving of Myths
This tour provides participants with the opportunity to relive and experience the various myths surrounding Fushimi Inari Taisha to the max. First, guests will enjoy the charm of Fushimi Inari Taisha through a mystical trekking tour conducted in the fresh early morning air. During the trek, participants will visit sites related to Inari, a deity associated with agriculture, to gain a deeper understanding of the deity's significance and related legends.
Next, participants will enjoy inari sushi for breakfast. Inari sushi is traditionally used as an offering to the gods for a good harvest. This meal will deepen participants’ understanding of this connection. It is a sacred food experience, one whose depth can only be fully appreciated after the mystical experience of the tour’s morning trek. The tour will conclude with a special visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha's inner sanctuary, which is not open to the public. Listening to the stories of myths passed down from generation to generation and the role of taisha shrines as told by a Shinto priest, participants will come to further appreciate the depth of Fushimi Inari Taisha's history and culture. -
Special Private Tour of a Spectacular Flower Garden in Hiroshima Prefecture's Sera Highland
This special private tour takes place in a flower garden where you can enjoy both historical insights and spectacular views. Enjoy a premium dining experience in a flower garden, and immerse yourself in Japan’s four seasons. Our goal is to elevate your travels from ordinary sightseeing to extraordinary experiences.
*Candlelit tours are available during the winter season when flowers are scarce.
This tour also gives participants a special opportunity to see the wooden statue of Standing Eleven-Headed Kannon, a national Important Cultural Property that is usually only open to the public once a year. This special viewing includes an explanation by a member of the National Commission for the Protection of Cultural Properties at Imakoyasan, which is to the west of Mount Koya in Kishu and is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of the Shingon sect.
Participants will also visit a renovated cafe in a former pilgrim’s lodging for a teahouse experience with vegetarian cuisine, as well as sencha and hojicha teas grown on a restored local tea plantation.
Every part of the trip will be guided by an experienced professional interpreter.
Private cabs are available for transportation from participants' accommodation. -
Limited to One Pair Per Day: The Ultimate Premium Night Experience, Taking in the Food Culture and Nature of Yoron Island with All Five Senses
(1) Only one pair of visitors per night will be invited to a special terrace overlooking the ocean, reserved for just the two of you. Enjoy a special premium dinner that reflects the unique characteristics of Yoron, carefully arranged by the chefs. Afterwards, you will be guided to the rooftop terrace by a star guide, who will show you how to enjoy the starry skies of Yoron. At the end of the day, you can rest on a sofa bed that you have all to yourself, and enjoy the 360-degree view of the starry sky along with dessert and coffee.
Main promotional points:
<1> Limited to one pair per day! Private seaside terrace and rooftop terrace for a private couple’s experience.
<2> Special full-course meal and drinks with carefully-selected Yoron Island ingredients, designed down to the slightest details.
<3> Flexible arrangements and services such as photoshoots, marriage proposals, bouquets, etc. are available. *Please consult with us at least 14 days in advance.
(2) Just one pair per night will be guided around Yoron Island by a Starry Sky Sommelier®. From caves and secluded beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs to special places known only to locals, you may even encounter creatures that are designated Natural Monuments. On a clear night, you will also be able to enjoy a truly special time under the star-filled sky of Yoron, known as one of the best places for stargazing in Japan.
Main promotional points:
<1> Limited to one pair per night! Premium illuminations are presented in a private secret cave.
<2> Guides and Star Sommeliers who know Yoron Island's night sky inside and out will teach guests how to enjoy the night sky! A special guide to nighttime fun on Yoron Island.
<3> If they are lucky, guests may also be able to encounter nocturnal creatures that are nationally designated Natural Monuments. Explore and discover nighttime creatures on Yoron Island—an experience that is not possible during the day.