Nature & the Outdoors
Area
Season
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Special Spectator Tour of the D1 GRAND PRIX, the Pinnacle of Drift Racing (in Oita and Tokyo)
This special spectator tour is a premium plan to experience the full excitement of drift racing, a motorsport that originated in Japan.
The D1 Grand Prix is the pinnacle of competitive drift racing, a sport that has been gaining popularity around the world in recent years.
This tour will take you to the seventh and eighth rounds of the D1 Grand Prix 2024 series, which will be held at Autopolis in Oita Prefecture on October 26 and 27,
and the ninth and tenth rounds, which will be held at a special venue in Odaiba, Tokyo on November 9 and 10.
The highlights of the program include a ride around the circuit in a professionally driven D1 car, VIP seats, and pit area tours.
There will be a talkshow and autograph session with legendary drivers, and giveaways of not-for-sale trading cards.
A dedicated interpreter will be present, so participants can enjoy the event without any language barriers.
English-language live streams will also be available during the race, so that those new to drifting can follow along.
Recommended for all motorsports fans.
(Content will differ slightly between Oita and Tokyo) -
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. -
The Tradition of Japan's Ama Divers: Ocean Lunch Tour
This tour will give you an authentic ama experience, allowing you to forge a connection with the earth and nature through food. The accommodation, Oyado the Earth, is located within Ise-Shima National Park. The tour begins on the grounds of the hotel. Participants will cross a beach only accessible at low tide to reach a private beach with small, isolated ama huts. Walking along the pebbled beach, with its natural hills and valleys, and listening to the crash of the waves, participants will gain firsthand insight into the unique lives of these ama divers. They will witness the cycles of nature, the lived experience of the ama divers as the seasons change, and the ways in which this culture has been preserved. Participants will arrive on the beach around the time that the ama divers return from their dive. The sight of these ama divers, emerging drenched from the waves, speaks to a hidden world that lies within the ocean. On the beach in front of the ama huts, close enough to feel the spray of the waves, participants will be treated to an aperitif selected by the accommodation’s sommelier and a chef’s lunch made with the ama’s catch. Afterwards, participants will head to the harbor to take in the lively scene of the ama divers unloading their catch of turban shells and abalone so they can be taken to market. Outside the fishing season or in case of bad weather, special permission is granted to enter the ama huts. Participants will be able to speak to the ama divers and gain deep insight into their experiences as they prepare for their dive. It is a truly special experience to able to visit a real ama hut rather than a reconstruction. The tour offers not only a walk on the unspoiled beaches of Ise-Shima National Park but also a glimpse into the real fishing and daily life of the working ama divers.
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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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Explore the Secrets of the Jomon Period and Its 10,000 Years of Peace 「JOMON Peaceful Spirits Tour」
Japan’s Jomon period was a period of peace that lasted for over 10,000 years, making it a unique period of time in the world. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukrainian War and Israel-Hamas War in Gaza have threatened world peace. In addition to the food crises caused by these wars, more and more attention is being given to food crises caused by climate change. A growing number of people believe that the Jomon culture of Japan can provide us with insights to achieve world peace and live in harmony with nature in order to protect the Earth. This hands-on program held in the Yatsugatake Mountains and the village of Hara in Nagano Prefecture—an area that flourished during the Jomon period and is considered a Japan Heritage Cultural Property—will explore the peaceful spirit behind the Jomon era and the secrets behind its peace.
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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. -
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.