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An Unforgettable Experience for Oyster Lovers: Cruise the Seto Inland Sea, Harvest Fresh Oysters and other Local Ingredients, and Enjoy Sake with a Seaside BBQ (Including Oyster Shucking)
・The stage for this tour, Akitsu and Takehara, are known as the birthplace of Ginjo Sake, a type of sake that requires particularly advanced brewing techniques and is recognized as part of Japan's UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
・In this gastronomic tour, you will visit breweries that still use traditional Ginjo brewing methods and can enjoy sake pairings with the bounty of the Seto Inland Sea that nurtured them.
・A local interpreter guide will be assigned to this tour.
●Visit Farm Suzuki, an oyster producer, and observe their oyster-farming process.
●Visit Okamoto Soy Sauce's brewery, established on Osaki Kamijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea.
●Try lemon picking at Iwasaki Farm.
●Try oyster shucking under the guidance of oyster producers.
●Enjoy a delightful seaside oyster BBQ using Kaki Komachi oysters, large oysters grown in Yasuura, Hiroshima, paired with sake from local breweries. -
Setouchi SAMURAI Brewed Crossroad in Onomichi
The Setouchi region is gaining attention as a unique tourist destination where samurai culture blends with Japan's brewing traditions. Embark on a journey that gives a deeper understanding of Japan's traditions while experiencing authentic samurai culture unique to the Setouchi region, such as the craftsmanship of master swordsmiths, warrior tea ceremonies, and the history of the Murakami Pirates. This region is also renowned for producing many essential ingredients used in Japanese cuisine, such as sake, soy sauce, and vinegar. You can visit these breweries and experience the wonders of fermentation yourself. On a journey through Onomichi and across the Shimanami Kaido, experience the sustainable brewing processes where history and modern technology intertwine. In Setouchi, the crossroads of samurai culture and brewing traditions, fully immerse yourself in the richness of Japan's heritage.
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Miniature Landscape Cycle Tourism in Aki-ota, Hiroshima
Only one hour away from the urban center of Hiroshima (known as the Aki region), which is home to two World Heritage sites, is the town of Aki-ota, also known as the heart of Aki.
The smallest town in Hiroshima, Aki-ota is like a tiny garden offering a window into the region's beautiful nature and culture, with a variety of natural features that change with the seasons, such as canyons, clear streams, forests, terraced rice fields, and the shores of a dammed lake.
This tour takes you on a multi-day e-bike trip around the town, which is packed with the area's history, culture, and natural beauty.
The tour is accompanied by a guide who is knowledgeable about the area.
As an option, you can book a driver from Hiroshima Station or Hiroshima Airport to the town of Aki-ota.
< Sample Courses >
・Dam Lake Course: enjoy early morning yoga by the lake or a standup paddleboard (SUP) lake tour, a sunken hearth BBQ at a traditional farmhouse, and a visit to a Japanese garden designated as a cultural asset.
・Gorge Course: Trek and cycle through several gorges to an abandoned railway tunnel that is also home to a world-class whisky storage facility where you can enjoy whisky tastings and a concert.
・Hill Trekking Course: Experience winter sports in mountains over 1,300 meters above sea level, or enjoy ziplining and camping in spring, summer, and fall.
・Night-time “kagura” experience: watch the ancient traditional performance and ritual performed near bonfires.
・Forest therapy: experience seasonal forest therapy in nature that changes throughout the year. -
Tsuyama Castle Banquet
Known for drawing over 100,000 visitors during popular events such as the Tsuyama Sakura Festival and Tsuyama Castle Maple Festival, Tsuyama Castle will host its first ever exclusive Tsuyama Castle Banquet, offering cultural activities, historical lectures, and an unforgettable dining experience.
A special menu for the banquet will be crafted using local ingredients by Keiji Takeuchi, who has earned Michelin’s Bib Gourmand recognition for 10 consecutive years, and Terumitsu Saito, owner and head chef of the French restaurant, Ortensia.
The event offers a special experience featuring local culinary delights rooted in Tsuyama's unique meat culture, such as Tsuyama Wagyu beef. Guests will also be treated to a warm welcome by the Sengoku-era samurai team led by "Mori Tadamasa," the first lord of Tsuyama Castle, as well as traditional Japanese dance performances and a stunning fireworks display. -
Okuizumo Past and Present: Explore the Land of Myths, Okuizumo and Yasugi; a premium tour that explores the past and present of this region, shaped by the tradition of tatara ironwork. Bringing together local cultural stewards and visitors to create meaningful connections and shape a shared future.
The Okuizumo region and Yasugi developed through the tatara ironwork method, an ancient method of iron production. A journey tracing the story and cultural heritage of the Japanese heritage site Izumo-kuni Tatara Fudoki, visiting the scattered sites of its traditions, and connecting with the current cultural stewards to envision your own future
1. Special limited opening of Tamahagane Engi, a designated cultural property of Yasugi City
Special limited opening of Tamahagane Engi, a historical scroll depicting the story of tatara ironwork. Admire the grand 55-meter-long work and deepen your understanding of 1,400 years of tatara ironwork history.
2. Interaction with skilled blacksmiths
An apprenticeship experience with Hironari Koto, a swordsmith at the Kajikobo Hiromitsu blacksmith workshop, which has been practicing tatara ironwork and blacksmithing since the Edo period and continues to carry on the tradition to this day. Unlike regular ironwork experiences or shop tours, this unique experience allows participants to work with real blacksmithing tools and equipment in an authentic forge. Enjoy a moment of reflection, connecting with the thoughts and struggles of the swordsmiths who preserve history, all while examining your own past and future.
3. A dialogue-based tour tracing the story
A dialogue-based tour where you can immerse yourself in the myths of the birthplace of ironmaking, deepen your understanding, and explore the history, present, and future of tatara ironwork as a sustainable industry that has developed through a harmonious relationship between nature and people. Experience a unique sensory journey as you participate in a prayer ritual at the Kanayago Shrine, dedicated to the deity of ironmaking, and delve into the myths and history passed down in the area. Through a conversation with the director of the Sugaya Tatara Sannai, where you can learn about the historic scene of tatara ironwork, this tour allows you to fully immerse yourself in the story of tatara ironwork in a way never experienced before. -
Slip Back In Time at Matsue Castle, a National Treasure Shimane culture festival Enter a Space That Recreates the Time When the Castle Was Built, Paired with a World of Twinkling Lights and Ghost Stories Unique to the Nighttime Atmosphere
For the first time, the Honmaru area of Matsue Castle will be exclusively open for a special weekday evening event. Attendees can experience a grand tea ceremony alongside a stage performance featuring Lafcadio Hearn's (AKA Koizumi Yakumo) beloved ghost stories connected to Matsue, all set against the backdrop of the castle's main keep. There will also be weekday events such as the “Matsue Water Lantern Festival” and a range of cultural and culinary experiences that showcase Shimane. These include tastings of local sake from Shimane, the birthplace of sake, special performances of Iwami Kagura and Yasugi-bushi, “Do" drumming, foodstalls featuring regional delicacies, and hands-on experiences like dressing in samurai warrior attire. These events aim to attract international visitors and create opportunities for cultural exchange.
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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. -
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. -
A “Customizable Experience Museum” Offering Premium Food Experiences and Engaging All Five Senses in Zentsuji, the Birthplace of Kukai
Zentsuji City in Kagawa Prefecture is the birthplace of Kukai, the renowned master of Japanese Buddhism, well known throughout Japan. Kukai, who was born 1,250 years ago, practiced asceticism in the rich natural environment of his homeland of Shikoku, where he attained enlightenment. Over 1,200 years later, many pilgrims from around the world continue to visit and follow the pilgrimage routes Kukai once walked.
In Zentsuji City, you can explore five temples associated with Kukai and engage in experiences that refine your five senses, all in locations that are normally closed to the public. Each temple offers a unique sensory theme: Mandaraji Temple (touch), Deshakaji Temple (sight), Kozanji Temple (sound), Zentsuji Temple (taste), and Konkakuji Temple (smell). In the city center, where the culture of “O-settai” (hospitality) is deeply rooted, you can also enjoy experiences such as traditional local crafts and cuisine.
In addition, a special two-day premium dinner event, "Premium Chef’s Table in Zentsuji," will be held. The cuisine will have a focus on ingredients sourced from Zentsuji, and together with the chefs, you will tour the production areas, touch the soil, the grass, and the living creatures. By traveling through the city and speaking directly with producers, the chefs will craft dishes that encapsulate these stories, offering diners a meal that feels like they are embarking on a journey themselves.
Each experience is guided by an experienced professional interpreter guide.