Food & Drink
Area
Season
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Hachinohe, the City of Fish: Food Experience at Hasshoku Center, with Famous Chefs Preparing Dishes With Ingredients from the Sea
Hachinohe City is known as the City of Fish and offers a bounty of seafood cultivated in the rough nearby seas, including squid, for which they boast the largest catches in Japan, as well as fatty mackerel. The city has long thrived and developed on the basis of its fishing industry.
Hasshoku Center, located in the city, serves almost like a kitchen for Hachinohe locals because all the produce of Hachinohe is gathered under one roof, from fresh seafood to dry foods, fruits, meat, vegetables, sweets, local sake, and more. The facility is also ranked among the top tourist attractions in the prefecture.
This program offers a premium culinary tour of Hachinohe City, with participants able to select seafood delivered from the fish market to Hasshoku Center, and enjoy these ingredients in dishes prepared by renowned chefs. Participants will also be able to tour sake breweries such as Hachinohe Shuzo, which has been popular in the port town for its sake which pairs well with fish, and will also enjoy the culture of Yokocho, a side street that flourished alongside the port. -
Kawazu Retreat: Full-Day Experience Tour with a Meal that Is Distinctly Kawazu
[September 1 - January 31]
- Nirvana Hall: Private viewing of Japan's three largest reclining Buddha statues (normally closed to the public and available especially for this tour)
- Naranda no Sato: View nationally designated Important Cultural Properties (a special private viewing experience)
- Retreat to Nanzenji Temple to enjoy a traditional local meal of yellow rice and sweet tea (a special private dining experience)
[February 1 - February 28]
・Naranda no Sato: View nationally designated Important Cultural Properties
・Retreat to Nanzenji Temple to enjoy a traditional local meal of yellow rice and sweet tea
・Kawazu Cherry Blossom Terrace Premium Experience (limited to February Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, and includes special private seats and a Kawazu Cherry Blossom set meal) -
Japanese Hokuriku Pride in Tradition: The Skills, Pride, and Spirit of the Hokuriku Region
An experiential event to see, learn about, and appreciate the skills of the local craftspeople:
A rare opportunity to experience the charms of Japan's traditional crafts together with the traditional food culture of Yamashiro Onsen.
This experiential event will be held throughout the hot spring resort area, offering participants the opportunity to see, learn about, and appreciate the high level of craftsmanship in traditional handicrafts such as Kutani ware and Wajima lacquerware, and food culture such as Japanese confectioneries, kimonos, and famous sakes. -
Ride the Tadami Line with Local Guides & A Night Tour of Mugenkyo Gorge
At 135.2 kilometers in length, the JR Tadami Line connecting Aizu-Wakamatsu Station in Fukushima Prefecture with Koide Station in Niigata Prefecture is famed as a hidden gem of a local rail line which boasts extraordinary views. The scenery, which includes the spectacular landscape of the Tadami River, the villages dotted along its riverbanks, and the majestic mountains nearby, is astoundingly beautiful no matter the season and has proven highly popular amongst visitors. This special tour is offered by a guide who is one of the most well-versed people in the world about the Tadami Line. Enjoy hidden sights and photo spots known only to this guide—both from inside the train and from the train’s windows.
The Mugenkyo Gorge ferry is a hand-pulled boat that runs between the towns of Kanayama and Mishima in Fukushima Prefecture, crossing the Tadami River. The name "Mugenkyo” derives from the ephemeral beauty of the valley when it is shrouded in river mist on summer mornings and evenings—as if in a scene from a dream. Although the Mugenkyo Gorge ferry normally runs only from morning to evening, this tour features special yakatabune boats that operate at night. The illumination of the yakatabune boats will give the nighttime Mugenkyo Gorge an even more mystical appearance. You will also enjoy a meal that is often served at times of celebration in this region, prepared with lots of local ingredients and traditional dishes.
On both the Tadami Line and Mugenkyo Gorge tours, you will be loaned a tablet with video and audio features that can provide multilingual guidance for your convenience, and you will stay at a guesthouse renovated from an old private residence.
Packed with rare content, these tours offer deep experiences of the culture of the Oku-Aizu region.
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50 Kilometers’ Worth of Adventure Tourism on Shikoku’s Sadamisaki Peninsula!
This program provides six adventure tourism experiences on Sadamisaki Peninsula, available for a limited time only. These include a tour of the uninhabited island of Kuroshima, which is about 10 minutes from the port and has the dilapidated remains of a breakwater; a guided fishing boat cruise that will take you to view strange rock formations and allow you to try fishing at a first-class spot known only to local fishermen; a stay in a traditional private residence and a visit to the Oiwa Farm citrus orchard (with a citrus juice tasting comparison); a stay in a log cabin-style cottage and a barbecue meal of fresh seafood and game from the Sadamisaki Peninsula; a stay with breakfast at Bluestone, a stylish Western-style accommodation by the sea with a bath overlooking the sea; and a helicopter sightseeing tour for extended access to the Sadamisaki Peninsula. Come take part in these invaluable experiences and enjoy yourself to your heart’s content!
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30th Anniversary of World Heritage Registration and 800th Anniversary of Sect Founding NAKED Light-Up at Nishi Honganji Temple 2024 Special Autumn Viewing
This year in Kyoto, Nishi Honganji Temple, the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect that was founded by the holy man named Shinran, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its World Heritage registration and the 800th anniversary of the sect's founding. To commemorate this event, the creative company NAKED, INC., will plan and host an autumn light-up event at Nishi Honganji Temple.
Experience the history and culture of Nishi Honganji Temple by carrying NAKED distance lanterns (artistic lanterns popular at NAKED events) while touring Miedo Hall, a National Treasure which will be decorated with digital art, and Hiunkaku Pavilion, a National Treasure that is usually closed to the public. In addition to the regular tickets, there will be special tickets available that will allow visitors to get a better feel for what Nishi Honganji Temple is like in the early fall. These include a special viewing ticket for admission to the Shoin complex, another National Treasure which is normally closed to the public, and a premium ticket enabling visitors to enjoy digital art and a tea ceremony experience at Hiunkaku Pavilion. -
Japan Job Challenge in Senshu
This job workshop event will be held for the first time on Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, in the Senshu area of southern Osaka, near Kansai International Airport. The aim of the event is to showcase of traditional industries, lifestyle/culture, and various occupations. Locations will include Kishiwada Castle, local shopping areas in Sakai and Izumisano, Kansai International Airport, and a variety of other spots.
With around 60 programs, you can experience the traditional industries of Senshu, such as cutlery, glasswork, tea ceremony, Japanese sweets, local sake, wooden danjiri floats, Noh theater, and more. Not only that, but you can also immerse yourself in the daily life and culture of the Senshu area, such as tatami mat-making, working at shrinesk and local shopping districts, and more. Professionals of each job will guide participants through the process, making for great interactions with locals. Participants can also try out several occupations over two days. Take this opportunity to truly experience the various cultures and lifestyles of Japan! -
Gastronomy Tour of Aso Caldera's Finest Produce and Japanese Brown Wagyu
Minami Aso Village at the southern foot of the vast Aso Caldera is a healing sanctuary abundant in nature and pure spring water. Shirakawa Suigen, which was selected as one of the 100 Best Natural Waters in Japan, is among one of its most famous springs.
Participants will partake in a sumptuous dining experience that stimulates the senses, featuring Aso Japanese Brown wagyu and other carefully-selected local ingredients. Lunch is served on an open-air trolley car, whereas dinner is prepared right in front of you by chefs using wood and other natural flames.
Participants will also experience traditional Japanese culture in an authentic tea ceremony performed by members of the 400-year-old Urasenke school founded by tea master Sen Rikyu. The ceremony will take place at Shirakawa Suigen, which was selected as one of the 100 best waters by the Ministry of the Environment.
The rich nature and local cuisine of this volcanic region will provide an extraordinary experience that will heal both the mind and body.
Head Chef
Kenshin Miyamoto: A goodwill ambassador for “Kumamoto, the Land of Food,” and the recipient of the Culinary Masters Award from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. Boasts an illustrious career that includes a culinary showcase at Expo 2015 Milan, which promoted the charms of Aso to the world.
He will prepare exquisite multicourse meals that make the most of Aso Japanese Brown wagyu, cooked skillfully over natural flames borne of wood and charcoal, and Kumamoto Prefecture's bountiful seasonal produce. -
The Birthplace of Japanese Wine, Featured in the Manga Drops of God! Three days to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Kyoutou region in Yamanashi Prefecture and taste Koshu wines
(1) Special private viewing of one of Japan's three new most beautiful nightscapes
Enjoy dinner at the Fruit Park Fujiya Hotel with a beautiful night view of the Kyoutou region, which was selected as one of Japan's "New Three Most Beautiful Nightscapes." They can also enjoy the night view from the Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, which is normally closed to the public at night.
(2) Tour of historical sites from the early days of authentic winemaking
Visit the Former Lumiere Underground Fermentation Tank, which is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property, and learn about the unique Japanese winemaking methods that continue to this day.
(3) Premium dinner experience at Daizenji Temple with Japanese cuisine and Koshu wine
Take in the local food culture of the area (local Japanese cuisine and wine from the Kyoutou region) with a premium dinner expeirence at Daizenji Temple, a national treasure which has a history of over 1,000 years. The temple also houses a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, holding a bunch of grapes—the only statue of its kind in Japan.
The temple grounds will be used to host a special art show by internationally acclaimed dye artist Ena Furuya, who has brought the 1,200 year-old traditional craft of wax-resist dyeing to the modern age.
(4) Breakfast at a popular scenic spot with a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji
A special early morning bus service will be provided to take participants to FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace to see a stunning panoramic view of Mt. Fuji with the sunrise.
(5) Drops of God! Collaboration
Receive a guidebook supervised by the author of Drops of God!, a legendary wine manga that has sold 15 million copies worldwide and is adored by wine lovers around the world, as well as wines with original Drops of God! wine labels. -
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