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Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s Greatest Swordsman: Experience the Spirit of Musashi with the 18th Head of the Niten Ichi-ryu Style (The Book of Five Rings: Ground, Water, Fire, and Wind editions)
The spirit and culture of Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest swordsman, still lives on in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Kumamoto is where Miyamoto Musashi spent the last years of his life. Miyamoto Musashi was invited there as a guest of Hosokawa Tadatoshi, the first lord of Kumamoto, and spent the last five years of his life in Kumamoto. There, he established the military art Niten Ichi-ryu, and wrote The Book of Five Rings. This book, which explains the spirit of the samurai, is nowadays read by people throughout the world. And now, 380 years later, there is a modern-day samurai—an 18th-generation samurai who has inherited the spirit of the Niten Ichi-ryu, and who is working to promote it in modern times. Spending time with him and experiencing the essence of the spirit conveyed in The Book of Five Rings, is sure to be a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
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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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ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2024
The 9th Art Fair Asia will be held from Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22 at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, a convention facility in Hakata well-known by Fukuoka residents. The event will be co-hosted by Fukuoka City, which has worked to promote Fukuoka Art Next with the aim of creating a colorful city full of art, and Culture Vision, an NGO that creates opportunities for creators to co-create beyond the boundaries of industry, government, and academia. The goal of the event is to open up a diverse array of possibilities in Fukuoka City, a city that is already full of human encounters and interaction.
This year, the venue will serve as a sort of hub of exchange between Japan and other Asian countries. The focus will be on artists from around Asia and Kyushu. The event will also include collaborations with art museums, universities, companies, and art fairs in Kyushu and other parts of Japan and overseas, in an attempt to develop even more as an art fair based on the concept of Asia. Fukuoka City’s "FaN Week" will be held at the same time as the art fair, covering the entire city of Fukuoka in art. This one-of-a-kind experience is sure to stimulate the creativity of art fans and visitors in general.
We hope that as many people as possible get to experience the fascination and excitement of art in Fukuoka, a city that has long nurtured diversity and has continued to develop as a hub for the flow of people and goods in Asia.
We look forward to seeing you at Art Fair Asia Fukuoka 2024. -
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. -
Journey into KABUKI～Appreciation and Experience～
At 90 minutes long, this program includes both a kabuki performance and a variety of kabuki-related experiences to make the performing art accessible to those of all ages, nationalities, and languages.
Kabuki actors will explain the history behind the performing art and how to enjoy the humor in the plays. A few lucky audience members will also have the opportunity to perform kabuki gestures on the stage before viewing the kabuki performance. Consecutive interpretation in English will be provided during the actors' explanations, and an English audio guide (available for a fee) will be available during the performance.
Kabuki props (horses, boats, etc.), instruments for sound effects, costumes, and other items used in past performances will be on display in the theater lobby, with participants given the opportunity to actually hold these items in their hands.
The Minamiza Theatre, with its over 400-year history, preserves the history and traditions of kabuki theater and offers a wide range of attractions for kabuki lovers, first-time kabuki theater-goers, and visitors.
■ Performance schedule: November 2 (Sat) to November 10 (Sun)
■ Performance time: Afternoon at 2:00 PM / Evening at 6:00 PM
*On November 2 (Sat) and November 5 (Tues), only the evening performance will be held
■ Running time: Approx. 90 min.
■ Fee: 5,000 yen (all seats reserved) -
BONSAI JAPAN: Japan Bonsai Taikan Exhibition
Enjoy the charm and traditional aesthetics of the world-famous art of bonsai at one of Japan's largest indoor bonsai exhibitions. Bonsai sizes and styles featured at the exhibition include conifers, broadleaf trees, satsuki azaleas, shohin bonsai, creative bonsai, famous trees, suiseki stones, and other masterpieces, all of which were carefully selected from throughout Japan.
November 22–25, 2024 / 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (until 4:00 PM on November 25)
[Special events]
・Demonstration by a bonsai master (November 22–24, from 10:30 AM)
・Bonsai Cafe
・Bonsai commentary tours (Japan Bonsai Taikan Exhibition commentary tour, Daitokuji Temple Hoshun-in Bonsai Garden bus tour)
・Premium bonsai sales
[Concurrent events]
・Individual booth exhibitions
・Large sales event
・Auction
For details, please visit the dedicated website. -
NAKED Night Walk™ Natadera Temple, Ishikawa
This fall nighttime illumination event is a collaboration between Natadera Temple, one of the most famous sites in the Hokuriku region for its fall foliage, and the creative company NAKED, INC. This event showcases the beauty of Natadera Temple and its fall foliage as viewed at night when the temple is illuminated, emphasizing the natural wisdom and beauty of nature that Natadera Temples so cherishes and respects. Artist Ryotaro Muramatsu's DANDELION PROJECT will also be exhibited for the first time in the Hokuriku region as a prayer for the restoration and recovery of the Noto region. DANDELION will be set up on the observation deck overlooking the strange rock formations of Natadera Temple, where participants can offer prayers for the restoration and recovery of the Noto region.
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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.