Traditions
Area
Season
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Savor a sushi course dinner at the historic former residence of Kichirobe Yamaguchi
A sushi course dinner, available only as a part of this tour, will be served at the former residence of Kichirobe Yamaguchi (Tekisui Museum of Art), located in a tranquil area of Ashiya City.
The special course menu caters to various dietary needs, including halal and vegetarian options. It is overseen by Chef Ryosuke Kawai, a sous chef at a three-star Michelin restaurant (availability of halal and vegetarian options vary according to the date of the event).
The former residence of Kichirobe Yamaguchi (Tekisui Museum of Art) is a historic building constructed in 1932 and filled with Important Cultural Properties. It was included in the "DOCOMOMO 20 IN KANSAI,” a symposium celebrating architecture.
Tour participants will first solve a mystery in a program led by a heritage manager, who is an expert on historic buildings, as he helps them understand the building’s background. Guests can then enjoy themselves with a sushi course meal replete with Japanese vegetables in a space that previously served as a reception room. -
Tanba Saijiki: The Greatest Wabi-sabi Journey
Complete with a private teahouse and Noh stage, this special guest house offers a luxurious way for guests to experience Japanese culture in the mountains of Tanba. Wear a traditional kimono and immerse yourself in Japanese traditional aesthetics with the help of multilingual staff. Limited to groups of 4 to 10 people.
These lodgings are located in the middle of Tamba's scenic traditional landscape and provides services that allows guests to enjoy clothing, food, and living spaces designed with Tanba's four seasons in mind. The highlight of the package is a Noh experience where guests will be introduced to this world-famous traditional performing art by Living National Treasure and Noh actor, Genjiro Okura, on the guest house's private Noh stage.
Guests will not only take in seasonal-themed Noh performances, but also gain deeper insights into Japanese culture as they interact with Noh performers during their practice sessions. By staying at the guest house overnight, guests can go up on the Noh stage and immerse themselves in practice whenever they want.
Guests will also participate in a tea ceremony based on the 72 micro-seasons of Japan, enjoy Japanese food culture around the fire, and have a genuine wabi-sabi experience in Tanba's beautiful natural surroundings.
Immerse yourself into genuine Japanese culture, find true satisfaction, and make lifelong memories. -
Hinoki Experience Tour in HINOHARA
This tour includes several special experiences to relax both mind and body in a lush cypress forest in the outskirts of Tokyo through shinrin-yoku ("forest bathing"), a concept that originated in Japan.
The forest bathing sessions will be led by an internationally acclaimed forest therapy guide.
Learn how the forest and cypress trees continue to support daily life in Hinohara Village, where Japanese paper and multigrain dishes continued to be made in traditional buildings.
Stay at a thatched-roof inn that is over 250 years old.
Natural foods (vegan meals) are provided throughout the tour.
Travel is done via chartered vehicle, and there will be a translator-guide who will accompany you.
Take two splendid days to surround yourself with the smell of cypress. -
Accommodation Plan for Digital Nomads: Immerse Yourself in Ureshino's People and Culture
Ureshino, located in southern Japan, is famous for its hot springs, tea, and ceramics, nestled among picturesque mountains. In this unique experience, you’ll stay at the newly renovated Ureshino Wata-ya Villa, designed for digital nomads, and explore three of Ureshino’s most cherished traditional cultures: hot springs, tea, and ceramics.
At Wata-ya Villa, you’ll enjoy a comfortable long-term stay in a fully-equipped room with a dedicated workspace. You’ll also have access to a co-working space that includes a kitchen for added convenience.
The first experience is Ureshino’s renowned hot springs that are said to beautify and rejuvenate the skin. As part of the subscription plan, you can choose from 10 different options during your stay, including rental bicycles, spas, saunas, and Japanese sweets workshops.
The second experience involves the 500-year-old Ureshino tea tradition, where you’ll engage with local tea farmers and learn about the tea cultivation process, from farming to production, all while connecting with the local community.
The third experience is a hands-on pottery workshop featuring the 400-year-old tradition of Bizen Yoshida pottery. You’ll get the rare chance to take part in the pottery-making process, something not typically offered to the public.
Additionally, throughout your stay, interpreters will be available for support via online chat. You’ll also receive a guidebook with information on nearby restaurants and tourist attractions to make the most of your stay.
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Half-Day Guided Tour to Discover and Experience the Traditional Culture of the Kawagoe Festival in Tokyo's Suburbs
This tour takes you to Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, a suburb of Tokyo where the spirit of the Edo period still thrives. You’ll begin with a visit led by a special guide to the Matsuri Museum to learn about the history and significance of the Kawagoe Festival. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming streets lined with traditional storehouses, where you can shop for souvenirs and sample local delicacies.
The tour also offers an exclusive pairing of Japanese sake (local to the region) often drunk at festivals with a special traditional kaiseki meal. Additionally, participants will be treated to a special performance of “ohayashi,” a type of festival music, that is exclusive to this tour.
To round off the experience, you’ll have the opportunity to create festival-themed crafts using Japanese paper, making this tour a comprehensive and enriching dive into the cultural heritage of the Kawagoe Festival.
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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? -
High-End Craft Tour “DENTO”
・Rakunyu:
Participants will enjoy matcha tea served in a Raku tea bowl alongside Japanese sweets in a traditional tea room. After a brief history lesson on Raku ware and the tea ceremony, participants will also visit the workshop and to see the kiln.
・Makoto:
After an introduction to his work, participants will watch a demonstration of his methods with a pottery wheel.
・Takeshi:
Participants will be introduced to the studio and receive an explanation of the techniques used, along with a discussion about the philosophy and story behind the work. A demonstration of Yuzen carving will follow. Afterward, participants will use a drill to create stencils and use them to carve their own initials.
・Keiko:
After an introduction to the lacquer techniques, the history of the artisans, and the works in the gallery, participants will go to the workshop to watch a demonstration of the production process.
・Kyoji:
Participants will tour the workshop and exhibition space, learn about the techniques used, and hear about the story and philosophy behind the craft. The tour will include a demonstration of the process of cutting and shaping seashells for inlay work.
・Tomoki:
Participants will take a tour of the workshop, receive an introduction to the techniques, hear about the story and philosophy of the craft, and watch a demonstration. Those interested can make paper knives or other types of blades. -
Enjoy the 30-minute fireworks display “Sapporo Okurayama Winter Fireworks 2024” alongside the stunning snowy landscape and Sapporo’s renowned night view, considered one of Japan’s top three!
[Bench Seat Ticket + Round-Trip Bus Ticket to Maruyama] 24,000 yen / 2 people
Enjoy the fireworks from a bench set up near the ski jump landing area, a location normally off-limits to the public. The front row offers an up-close view right next to the safety boundary, and it makes for an extra thrilling experience. The plan includes a round-trip bus from Maruyama Station to the fireworks venue.
[Bench Seat Ticket + Parking Ticket (No.2) for Maruyama Park + Round-Trip Bus Ticket] 24,000 yen / 2 people
Watch the fireworks from the same exclusive bench area near the ski jump landing site, with the front row offering an incredible view right next to the safety line. This plan also includes a parking ticket for Maruyama Park and a round-trip bus ticket to the venue.
[Ticket with SAKE Lounge] 12,000 yen / 1 person
A special counter offering about 10 varieties of Hokkaido sake will be set up on the rooftop. Relax in a chair and enjoy the fireworks comfortably. This plan includes a round-trip bus from Maruyama Station to the venue.
[VIP Ticket] 30,000 yen / 2 people
The Okurayama Viewing Point will be open exclusively for this plan, along with a special lounge where you can enjoy wine, champagne, and other beverages while taking in the night view. Stay warm and enjoy the fireworks right in front of you! A taxi ticket for a round trip from Maruyama Station to the venue is included.
[VVIP Ticket] 30,000 yen / person
This plan offers a full-course French dinner in addition to the VIP experience. After watching the fireworks from the bar lounge, enjoy a special limited-time course meal focused on local ingredients at the venue’s restaurant, "Nouvelle Pousse Okurayama." A taxi ticket for a round trip from Maruyama Station to the venue is also included. -
A Premium Experience: Private Geisha and Sumo Show at the World’s Tallest Tower
This plan offers only 20 guests the exclusive experience at the observation space of the Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower. After business hours, you can enjoy a geisha dance performance against the backdrop of the twinkling nighttime cityscape in the evening, and then a special breakfast and sumo show while watching the sunrise in the morning.
Evening Plan
Experience Japanese culture in a luxurious way by having the Tokyo Skytree observation deck all to yourself after business hours, accompanied by stunning night views. With the guidance of an interpreter, enjoy a traditional geisha dance, part of the Sumida Hanamachi culture that has thrived since the Edo period. A professional photographer will capture your night view experience. Drinks and Japanese sweets will be provided. They will be served with Edo faceted glass, a traditional craft of Tokyo.
Morning Plan
Begin your day with a special breakfast made from Tokyo-sourced ingredients, paired with a unique sumo show performed by a former sumo wrestler, all while watching the sunrise from the Skytree’s observation deck before it opens to the public.
The opportunity to watch the breathtaking sunrise is exclusive to this chartered event, and a commemorative photo with the former sumo wrestler will make your visit truly memorable.
These are views hard to take in during regular business houses when the Tokyo Skytree observation deck is crowded. By privately booking the space, you can enjoy a special time while taking in the best views and take photos that would not otherwise be possible. Your experience will include Edo faceted glass, a traditional craft of Tokyo, and a photoshoot by a professional photographer. -
Discover the Charm of Shrines and Temples: A Unique “Miya-Daiku” Carpentry Experience in Hanbara, Aikawa Town
The “miya-daiku” are the carpenters who have constructed and repaired traditional Japanese wooden architecture, such as shrines and temples. Hanbara, in Aikawa-machi, is an hour from Tokyo, and is a place where you can meet miya-daiku, who there are now only 300 of across Japan, and experience traditional techniques and architectural culture. Nature-rich Hanbara is the home of the “Hanbara Miya-daiku,” one of the three great miya-daiku in Japan.
We offer two options for the “Exclusive Shrine and Temple Architecture Tour with Miya-Daiku Experience in Hanbara, Aikawa Town”: a one-day tour and a two-day, one-night tour.
・One-Day Tour
You will visit the workshop of Honmura Katsuhiro, a renowned miya-daiku who continues the proud tradition of Hanbara’s carpenters. Here, you’ll learn firsthand about the fascinating history, culture, and techniques of Japanese shrine and temple carpentry. Under his expert guidance, you’ll also have the chance to try using a traditional carpenter’s plane and experience the ancient technique of wood joinery.
The tour continues with visits to important wooden structures crafted by the Hanbara Miya-daiku, including the main gate of Shoraku-ji Temple in Aikawa Town and Nakano Shrine in Tsukui, Sagamihara City. At Nakano Shrine, you will be treated to a rare “formal shrine visit” and granted special access to view the main shrine building up close—a privilege not normally available to the public.
・Two-Day, One-Night Tour
This extended tour includes all the activities from the one-day tour, with the added luxury of an overnight stay at a high-quality wooden inn. You’ll also enjoy sake tasting at a local brewery and take part in cultural experiences such as traditional indigo dyeing. This in-depth tour allows you to fully immerse yourself in the craft of miya-daiku and the unique cultural heritage of the region.
Both tours are guided by experienced professional interpreters, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. For added comfort, transportation by hired car is also available.